Holy Sister

The searing conclusion of the thrilling epic fantasy trilogy that saw a young girl trained by an arcane order of nuns grow into the fiercest of warriors…

They came against her as a child. Now they face the woman.

The ice is advancing, the Corridor narrowing, and the empire is under siege from the Scithrowl in the east and the Durns in the west. Everywhere, the emperor’s armies are in retreat.

Nona Grey faces the final challenges that must be overcome if she is to become a full sister in the order of her choice. But it seems unlikely that she and her friends will have time to earn a nun’s habit before war is on their doorstep.

Even a warrior like Nona cannot hope to turn the tide of war.

The shiphearts offer strength that she might use to protect those she loves, but it’s a power that corrupts. A final battle is coming in which she will be torn between friends, unable to save them all. A battle in which her own demons will try to unmake her.

A battle in which hearts will be broken, lovers lost, thrones burned.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Grey Sister

„Vivid worldbuilding and fast-paced action enhance this powerful ­coming-of-age story. Readers who loved Red Sister will find this second series outing even more compelling.“–Library Journal (starred review)

„Great worldbuilding and dynamic characters…A brilliant fantasy book that is highly recommended for all adult and YA fantasy collections.“–Booklist (starred review)

„Lawrence’s suspenseful account of Nona’s efforts to complete her training and gain control over her powers balances action and introspection, and will keep readers hooked.“–Publishers Weekly

Praise for Red Sister

„Fabulous, in-depth world building, great characters, and as always with Lawrence, plotting that is fresh and unpredictable…If you like fresh, take-no-prisoners fantasy, this is for you.“–Rick Riordan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Burning Maze

„Dark, passionate, tense, with a female hero anyone could relate to–I was utterly fascinated! This is no pretty, flowery tale, but one of vastly different people struggling to survive when a hostile government comes to power.“–Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tempests and Slaughter

„The lyrical excellence of previous books is present in full force here, and it’s fair to say that Mark Lawrence has evolved into a master of his craft. In Red Sister he has produced a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining, and as poignant as it is ferocious. Highly recommended.“–Anthony Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of The Legion of Flame

„Impatient George R. R. Martin fans will find [Red Sister] a pleasing alternative until the next installment in his A Song of Ice and Fire saga arrives.“–Library Journal (starred review)
– From the Publisher

02/25/2019

Lawrence disappoints with this pallid conclusion of his epic fantasy trilogy (after 2018’s Grey Sister); uneven prose and stock characters, including a spiritual leader given to convoluted pronouncements („There might not be a meaning to the world, or in it, but that does not mean that what we do has no meaning“), diminish interest in the story of a special teenager, Nona Grey. Nona lives on Abeth, an ice planet whose sun is dying, and is a rare „triple-blood,“ descended from three of Abeth’s original four tribes. Much of the plot focuses on Nona and her friends’ attempts to escape a clichéd villain: Sherzal, the emperor’s sister, who is seeking to recover a shipheart, an object „of disputed origin that may have powered the ships that brought the tribes of man to Abeth.“ Nona’s friend Zole has stolen the shipheart and is the target of Sherzal’s quest. The action drags, modern colloquialisms sound out of place (one character refers to another as „the big bad“), and death scenes pack no punch. Lawrence is very imaginative, but the execution here fails to live up to the series’ promise. Agent: Ian Drury, Sheil Land Assoc. (Apr.)
– Publishers Weekly

04/01/2019

Abeth’s ice is advancing, and the Empire battles not only the Scithrowl but betrayals from within. Nona Grey and her allies have escaped Sherzal’s palace, but the way to the Convent of Sweet Mercy, and the challenges to become a full sister in the order, is lined with peril and heartbreak. Even with the power of the shiphearts, Nona knows that the corruption that comes with that power can destroy everything she’s learned. A final battle is coming that will force Nona to realize she cannot save all her friends. With the demons inside her vying for control of her decisions, she may not even be able to save herself. Lawrence’s storytelling showcases an incredible world, with a cast of women tied by training, powers, and, in some cases, love. VERDICT Warrior nuns, mystical powers, mysterious technology, and false prophecy come full circle in this stunning, immersive conclusion to a gritty fantasy series with appeal to adults and young adults alike.–Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton
– Library Journal