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Red Sister
(Book of the Ancestor #1)
by
The international bestselling author of the Broken Empire and the Red Queen’s War trilogies begins a stunning epic fantasy series about a secretive order of holy warriors...
At the Convent of Sweet Mercy, young girls are raised to be killers. In some few children the old bloods show, gifting rare talents that can be honed to deadly or mystic effect. But even the mistress ...more
At the Convent of Sweet Mercy, young girls are raised to be killers. In some few children the old bloods show, gifting rare talents that can be honed to deadly or mystic effect. But even the mistress ...more
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Kindle Edition, 477 pages
Published
April 4th 2017
by Ace
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Diána
definitely the same world as the new trilogy (the Girl and...)
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor, #1)

Sep 28, 2016
Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
I just reread this book again today in preparation for starting book 2, and it is just as good as the first time :)
This is classic Mark Lawrence in that it's extremely violent, unflinchingly bloody, and gives no fucks, which may be bad for anyone who isn't really fond of brutality involving children (seriou ...more
It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size. For Sister Thorn of the Sweet Mercy Convent, Lano Tacsis brought two hundred men.Man, what a hook.
This is classic Mark Lawrence in that it's extremely violent, unflinchingly bloody, and gives no fucks, which may be bad for anyone who isn't really fond of brutality involving children (seriou ...more

If you enjoyed Red Sister then don't forget to tell someone else (or hundreds of someone elses :) ). All authors depend on word of mouth, and it is always appreciated.
My first published book *not* in the first person.
The Girl and the Stars starts a new trilogy in the same world. The Book of the Ice trilogy (complete) increasingly overlaps The Book of the Ancestor as the trilogy continues.
STOP PRESS! Library Journal gave Red Sister this starred review.
“In this stunning, action-filled series laun ...more
My first published book *not* in the first person.
The Girl and the Stars starts a new trilogy in the same world. The Book of the Ice trilogy (complete) increasingly overlaps The Book of the Ancestor as the trilogy continues.
STOP PRESS! Library Journal gave Red Sister this starred review.
“In this stunning, action-filled series laun ...more

Jan 17, 2019
chai ♡
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
young-adult,
bipoc-rep,
adult,
adult-sff,
lgbtq-sapphic-side,
lgbtq-bi-pan,
read-in-2019,
lgbtq-rep,
disability-rep
The experience of reading Red Sister is akin to getting onto the wrong train—the story draws you relentlessly in and you can’t see the journey ahead, much less guess what it holds. An equally daunting and exciting interruption of the mundane. Depending on the reader, you might decline the adventure and choose to disembark at the next stop. Or you could stay, drifting, allow yourself to be jolted out of your habits and see it through ‘til the end.
I’m glad I chose the latter.
I’m glad I chose the latter.
“It is important, w...more

Nov 01, 2016
Petrik
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Coming-of-age fantasy fans
Shelves:
favorites,
arcs-and-review-copies
ARC provided by the publisher—Harper Voyager—in exchange for an honest review.
The magic of rereading Red Sister strikes a gold mine.
Other than a few changes or grammatical fix, I rarely rewrite my full review. However, Red Sister merits one because I loved it so much more than my first read; the quality jumped from great to amazing in my criteria. I was pleasantly surprised by this. I decided to reread Red Sister in order to refresh my memory before I continue with the series, I didn’t expect to ...more
The magic of rereading Red Sister strikes a gold mine.
Other than a few changes or grammatical fix, I rarely rewrite my full review. However, Red Sister merits one because I loved it so much more than my first read; the quality jumped from great to amazing in my criteria. I was pleasantly surprised by this. I decided to reread Red Sister in order to refresh my memory before I continue with the series, I didn’t expect to ...more

I've been a fan of Mark Lawrence's gritty 'grimdark' fantasy novels for a long while now, but I think Red Sister may be my favorite. (Sorry, Prince of Thorns. I still adore you.) Elevator pitch? Okay, it's reductive, but imagine Hogwarts as a nunnery that trains young girls to be assassins. The world of Abeth orbits a slowly dying sun. As a result, most of the world is encased in ice except for an ever-shrinking corridor along the equator, where humanity is squeezed together, fighting for surviv
...more

Do not mess with these nuns . . .



It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size. For Sister Thorn of Sweet Mercy Convent Lano Tacsis brought two hundred men

No child truly believes they will be hanged. Even on the gallows platform with the rope scratching at their wrists and the shadow of the noose upon their face they know that someone will step forward, a mother, a father returned from some long absence, a king dispensing justice . . . someone....more

I received an advanced copy of Red Sister from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I would like to announce my gratitude to Mark Lawrence, Ace and Berkley Publishing Group for this opportunity.
Throughout this narrative, we flaunt within the mind of and follow the actions of Nona. Our protagonist is a young girl who we are introduced to initially whilst she is awaiting execution via the gallows for killing a renowned pit-fighter. Luckily for Nona, it just so happens that Abbess Glass, w ...more
Throughout this narrative, we flaunt within the mind of and follow the actions of Nona. Our protagonist is a young girl who we are introduced to initially whilst she is awaiting execution via the gallows for killing a renowned pit-fighter. Luckily for Nona, it just so happens that Abbess Glass, w ...more

Ah, this is going to be a hard book to review. I have a lot of mixed feelings about Lawrence's latest work and I'm going to try and organize my thoughts as best I can.
What I love most about Lawrence's writing is the fact he's - to be frank - dramatic as fuck. He knows how to create a nail-biting, bloody, on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of scene. Red Sister opens with an army coming to kill a nun:
What I love most about Lawrence's writing is the fact he's - to be frank - dramatic as fuck. He knows how to create a nail-biting, bloody, on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of scene. Red Sister opens with an army coming to kill a nun:
It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size. For Sister...more


ARC provided by Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.
“A book is as dangerous as any journey you might take. The person who closes the back cover may not be the same one that opened the front one.”
This story surrounds a young girl, given away by her mother and village after a frightful night. Yet, even being given away, our young protagonist, Nona, proves that there will always be room in your heart to love. The children that are given away to be sold are worth as muc ...more

It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size.
Are you kidding me with this hook?!?
Is this the best opening sentence in the history of fantasy or what??
Okay, I know. It’s the Prologue. Many books have action-packed prologues that don’t match the rest, so let’s move on to Chapter 1...
No child truly believes they will be hanged.

This was my first Mark Lawrence book. I’ve been aware of his works for some time, and he once again got o ...more

100% badass from start to finish.

When I think of nuns my mind doesn't immediately leap to a group of violent assassins.
Or, at least, it didn't use to.
Now? Well, now perhaps I'll think twice before I try to put the smackdown on a Sister. Who knows what sort of training they've had or weapons they're hiding under those habits?!
You can never be too cautious with those religious types...

So, yeah this is basically a story that centers around a little girl with supernatural Wolverine claws who's tryi ...more

When I think of nuns my mind doesn't immediately leap to a group of violent assassins.
Or, at least, it didn't use to.
Now? Well, now perhaps I'll think twice before I try to put the smackdown on a Sister. Who knows what sort of training they've had or weapons they're hiding under those habits?!
You can never be too cautious with those religious types...

So, yeah this is basically a story that centers around a little girl with supernatural Wolverine claws who's tryi ...more

Everyone is talking about how Goodreads needs to add half-stars, but what I need right now is a sixth star specifically so I can give it to this book.

Living in a land with a dying sun and a failing moon, Nona Grey was just a young girl when she was bought from her family and trained as a ring-fighter. But when she defends her friend and almost kills a man, she is noticed by Abbess Glass, head of the Convent of Sweet Mercy. There, she is trained to be a skilled killer as her old blood begins ...more

Living in a land with a dying sun and a failing moon, Nona Grey was just a young girl when she was bought from her family and trained as a ring-fighter. But when she defends her friend and almost kills a man, she is noticed by Abbess Glass, head of the Convent of Sweet Mercy. There, she is trained to be a skilled killer as her old blood begins ...more

It had never crossed my mind that I would read a greater story than that of Kvothe the Arcane. I had never thought it was possible to find a greater character than the Emperor Jorg Ancrath. I had never even slightly considered that there might be a fantasy world out there toppling that of Τhe Final Empire, and most definitely, I had never thought that i could love a book more than The Night Angel. But here we are.
Nona, a young girl of eight, orphaned by her father and abandoned by her mother, i ...more
Nona, a young girl of eight, orphaned by her father and abandoned by her mother, i ...more

Sale Alert!!!: 11May20 This is the Audible Daily Deal. If you don't have it pick it up $5.95
I WON!!!!

The amazing Mark Lawrence is sending me a signed copy of this. I AM SO EXCITED!!!
I won it and now I've finally read in since Grey Sister comes out shortly. Full Review To Come but NONA is awesome.
...more
I WON!!!!

The amazing Mark Lawrence is sending me a signed copy of this. I AM SO EXCITED!!!
I won it and now I've finally read in since Grey Sister comes out shortly. Full Review To Come but NONA is awesome.


When I started this I was a bit worried.
Actually, it wasn't the start, the prologue was heart-thuddingly, pulse-poundingly exciting:
It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size.
That opening sentence... Seriously, could you resist the lure of that dark promise??
Then the first chapter.
No child truly believes they will be hanged.
If I could do that scream emoji on here, picture that. It's the kind of beginning that makes you sit up in your seat, tense a ...more
Actually, it wasn't the start, the prologue was heart-thuddingly, pulse-poundingly exciting:
It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size.
That opening sentence... Seriously, could you resist the lure of that dark promise??
Then the first chapter.
No child truly believes they will be hanged.
If I could do that scream emoji on here, picture that. It's the kind of beginning that makes you sit up in your seat, tense a ...more

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
First of all, b/c I've already been asked numerous times, YES, this is an entirely new trilogy, unrelated to Lawrence's previous works. So if you tried to read PRINCE OF THORNS and DNFed it b/c you couldn't tolerate that little shit of an MC (I've been assured that he gets better around 40%, but I haven't personally made that determination for myself), now's your chance to give Lawrence another shot.
Second of all, even after reading through it again when I finished the bo ...more
First of all, b/c I've already been asked numerous times, YES, this is an entirely new trilogy, unrelated to Lawrence's previous works. So if you tried to read PRINCE OF THORNS and DNFed it b/c you couldn't tolerate that little shit of an MC (I've been assured that he gets better around 40%, but I haven't personally made that determination for myself), now's your chance to give Lawrence another shot.
Second of all, even after reading through it again when I finished the bo ...more

Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.
My rating is 2.5 stars.
Red Sister is a novel which has (rightly so, in my opinion) been dubbed the new Harry Potter for young adults. And, without a doubt, it follows the familiar pattern of children growing up and being trained by wise teachers at a specialized school for youth; the narrative fully embracing the whole coming-of-age and Chosen One mythos for good measure. Our main character’s unfortunate past and current travails chronicled in excruciating deta ...more
My rating is 2.5 stars.
Red Sister is a novel which has (rightly so, in my opinion) been dubbed the new Harry Potter for young adults. And, without a doubt, it follows the familiar pattern of children growing up and being trained by wise teachers at a specialized school for youth; the narrative fully embracing the whole coming-of-age and Chosen One mythos for good measure. Our main character’s unfortunate past and current travails chronicled in excruciating deta ...more

Mar 30, 2017
Luna. ✨
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
badassery,
great-books
Full review now up!
4/5
This ARC was provided by NetGallery in exchange for an honest review. Release date in Australia is 6th of April 2017
I went into Red Sister with apprehension, because I didn't love this authors other series Broken Empire. So automatically knowing this was a YA I thought I'd hate it. However I got it completely wrong, I actually really enjoyed reading this book and it was actually a fantastic coming of age, YA b ...more
4/5
"Or burn bright, take up arms, and fight the bitch.”
This ARC was provided by NetGallery in exchange for an honest review. Release date in Australia is 6th of April 2017
I went into Red Sister with apprehension, because I didn't love this authors other series Broken Empire. So automatically knowing this was a YA I thought I'd hate it. However I got it completely wrong, I actually really enjoyed reading this book and it was actually a fantastic coming of age, YA b ...more

"It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size."
I went to a Catholic school for 14 years, nuns were the ones responsible there. Naturally, we disliked them, they were mean, heartless, and too strict. However, after this book, all I can say is wow, I wish that was my kind of school! Because you see, these are no ordinary nuns. I mean who would train the students to poison, kill, and destroy? Of course, in self-defense ;)
Meet Nona ...more

my first two reactions to this book were basically
→so it's badass assassin nuns and some of the girls are not straight? bring it on
→I know right i didn't think i'd ever actually get to this either
and I fully admit that this book has a badass beginning:
→so it's badass assassin nuns and some of the girls are not straight? bring it on
→I know right i didn't think i'd ever actually get to this either
and I fully admit that this book has a badass beginning:
Nona thought of Raymel Tacsis lying in his father’s halls surrounded by Academy men sweating to keep him from death. Saida was dead - Nona had seen her feet poking beneath the seat in the prison yard, their wrappings still stained with...more

My Full Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekiH6...
...more

Your death has not been waiting for your arrival at the appointed hour: it has, for all the years of your life, been racing towards you with the fierce velocity of time's arrow. It cannot be evaded, it cannot be bargained with, deflected or placated. All that is given to you is the choice: meet it with open eyes and peace in your heart, go gentle to your reward. Or burn bright, take up arms, and fight the bitch.”
I'm not going to quote the opening lines as literally everyone else has but suff ...more
I'm not going to quote the opening lines as literally everyone else has but suff ...more

~ 22 April 2018 ~
Started Grey Sister, and even though there was a nice recap to start off with, I just couldn't remember enough of the tiny details of the first book. So, grabbed the first one again and reread done and dusted now. Still awesome.
4.5 Stars!
You remember when you were a tiny little girl and did very bad things and because of that found yourself in a convent being trained as a nun specializing in the deadly arts? Yeah, same thing happens to Nona, the star of this story. ;)
"It is i ...more
Started Grey Sister, and even though there was a nice recap to start off with, I just couldn't remember enough of the tiny details of the first book. So, grabbed the first one again and reread done and dusted now. Still awesome.
4.5 Stars!
You remember when you were a tiny little girl and did very bad things and because of that found yourself in a convent being trained as a nun specializing in the deadly arts? Yeah, same thing happens to Nona, the star of this story. ;)
"It is i ...more

4/5/18 re-read in preparation for Grey Sister. I feel like I need to bump up my rating to 4.5ish stars. There is a lot of nuance I didn’t catch (or didn’t remember at least) from my first read. I especially like the science fictional elements of the world building with the corridor and the ship hearts and the focus moon, etc. Really sets it apart from other high fantasy. Very much looking forward to book 2, again with Heather O’Neil as the (fantastic) audiobook narrator.
—————————————————
4ish st ...more
—————————————————
4ish st ...more

3.75 Stars
The beginning was really good. The world-building was pretty solid and the writing was easily digestible. The middle, however...got a little tedious at times and felt a little slow.
Luckily, the ending more than made up for it.
It’s definitely a darker premise (thus the basis of its appeal to me)...But I have to say that sometimes, when the girls were working together to do certain things (example: Zole’s bodyguard...heist) it felt reminiscent of the HP trio and their hijinks. Except m ...more
The beginning was really good. The world-building was pretty solid and the writing was easily digestible. The middle, however...got a little tedious at times and felt a little slow.
Luckily, the ending more than made up for it.
It’s definitely a darker premise (thus the basis of its appeal to me)...But I have to say that sometimes, when the girls were working together to do certain things (example: Zole’s bodyguard...heist) it felt reminiscent of the HP trio and their hijinks. Except m ...more

My complete review is published at Grimdark Magazine.
Red Sister is a classic of modern fantasy, a perfectly crafted and beautifully written opening to Mark Lawrence’s Book of the Ancestor trilogy, which centers on a cast of young novices training to become skilled warriors, spies, alchemists, and mystics under the tutelage of Abbess Glass and the sisters of Sweet Mercy Convent.
It all begins with a young peasant girl, Nona Grey, an outcast from her small village in the brutal ice-covered world of ...more
Red Sister is a classic of modern fantasy, a perfectly crafted and beautifully written opening to Mark Lawrence’s Book of the Ancestor trilogy, which centers on a cast of young novices training to become skilled warriors, spies, alchemists, and mystics under the tutelage of Abbess Glass and the sisters of Sweet Mercy Convent.
It all begins with a young peasant girl, Nona Grey, an outcast from her small village in the brutal ice-covered world of ...more

Given the landmark nature of Mark Lawrence’s Broken Empire books comparisons with his latest offering are inevitable. However, I feel ‘Red Sister’ deserves to be considered on its own merits as the start of a completely new series. Via a third person narrative we follow the exploits of village outcast Nona who finds herself rescued from the gallows at a young age to be raised and educated as a nun in service to the Church of the Ancestor. It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to discover t
...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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YA Buddy Readers'...: Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor #1) By Mark Lawrence - Restarting April 1st 2022 | 78 | 207 | Apr 06, 2022 07:18PM | |
SciFi and Fantasy...: "Red Sister" - Full Discussion *Spoilers* | 25 | 342 | Nov 10, 2021 05:47AM | |
Ultimate Popsugar...: January Group Read Discussion: Red Sister | 85 | 807 | Mar 31, 2021 08:16AM | |
Fantasy Heroines: Red Sister Discussion | 1 | 9 | Aug 30, 2020 02:52PM | |
Fantasy Buddy Reads: Red Sister [April 15, 2020] | 74 | 66 | Jun 02, 2020 07:50AM | |
Dragons & Jetpacks: Red Sister / Overall Discussion / Spoilers | 50 | 176 | Jun 01, 2020 05:10AM |
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“A book is as dangerous as any journey you might take. The person who closes the back cover may not be the same one that opened the front one. Treat them with respect.”
—
306 likes
“Your death has not been waiting for your arrival at the appointed hour: it has, for all the years of your life, been racing towards you with the fierce velocity of time's arrow. It cannot be evaded, it cannot be bargained with, deflected or placated. All that is given to you is the choice: meet it with open eyes and peace in your heart, go gentle to your reward. Or burn bright, take up arms, and fight the bitch.”
—
104 likes
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