Red Sister

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 mistresses of sword and shadow don’t truly understand what they have purchased when Nona Grey is brought to their halls.

A bloodstained child of nine falsely accused of murder, guilty of worse, Nona is stolen from the shadow of the noose. It takes ten years to educate a Red Sister in the ways of blade and fist, but under Abbess Glass’s care there is much more to learn than the arts of death. Among her class Nona finds a new family–and new enemies.

Despite the security and isolation of the convent, Nona’s secret and violent past finds her out, drawing with it the tangled politics of a crumbling empire. Her arrival sparks old feuds to life, igniting vicious struggles within the church and even drawing the eye of the emperor himself.

Beneath a dying sun, Nona Grey must master her inner demons, then loose them on those who stand in her way.

Editorial Reviews

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 Battle Magic

„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 Waking Fire

„In this stunning, action-filled series launch, Lawrence (‘Broken Empire’ trilogy) establishes a fantastic world in which religion and politics are sharp as swords, with magic and might held in the hands of wonderful and dangerous women. Impatient George R.R. Martin fans will find this a pleasing alternative until the next installment in his „A Song of Ice and Fire“ saga arrives.“–Library Journal, starred review

Praise for the novels of Mark Lawrence

„An excellent writer.“–George R. R. Martin, New York Times bestselling author

„Different than anything I have ever read.“–Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author

„An amazing series, and I eagerly anticipate Lawrence’s next literary effort, whatever it may be.“–Peter V. Brett, New York Times bestselling author

„It’s not like anything I’ve ever read before.“–Rick Riordan, #1 New York Times bestselling author

„Dark and relentless…A two-in-the-morning page-turner.“–Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author

„Epic fantasy on a George R. R. Martin scale but on speed.“–Fixed on Fantasy

„Mark Lawrence’s growing army of fans will relish this rollicking new adventure and look forward to the next one.“–Daily Mail
– From the Publisher

*02/15/2017
Nine-year-old Nona Grey, accused of murder, is headed for the gallows when she is purchased by the abbess of Sweet Mercy and taken into a convent that raises young women to become trained killers. For ten years, girls are taught the ways of sword and shadow, and for many, the old blood of the ancestors eventually rises to the surface in the form of magical gifts that enhance their fighting skills. When Nona arrives, she finds a new future, a new family, and some new enemies. But her brief previous history in the world attracts the attention of powerful families, dangerous foes, and even the emperor himself. As external politics and internal conflicts within the church seep into the convent’s isolated world, Nona will be forced to confront and embrace the darkness inside her, and no one will ever be the same. VERDICT In this stunning, action-filled series launch, Lawrence („Broken Empire“ trilogy) establishes a fantastic world in which religion and politics are dark and sharp as swords, with magic and might held in the hands of wonderful and dangerous women. Impatient George R.R. Martin’s fans will find this a pleasing alternative until the next installment in his „A Song of Ice and Fire“ saga arrives.–KC
– Library Journal

09/01/2017
Charged with attempted murder, young Nona is saved from the noose by a nun. Taken to the Convent of Sweet Mercy to be trained in the Path, Nona learns that she belongs to the hunska, a „tribe“ known for speed. The nunnery is home to students from four tribes. These young women each have special talents according to their tribes and bloodlines; however, those who are most valued display traits from other groups. Much like the pupils at Hogwarts, Nona forms strong friendships, but her life is constantly under threat because of the powerful man she tried to kill years ago. Relying on her friends and her wits and power, Nona survives to continue her education in the next installment in the series. Fantasy readers love underdog stories, and Lawrence, best-selling author of the „Broken Empire“ trilogy, has cast Nona as the typical female epic fantasy hero. She’s strong, smart, stubborn, and still quite young in this novel, although the book isn’t for younger readers. Violence and gore abound as the Red Sisters, those trained in combat, protect Nona, her classmates, and holy objects from the greedy emperor’s family. VERDICT Perfect for readers of Robin LeFevers’s Grave Mercy and Kristin Cashore’s Graceling.–Sarah Hill, Lake Land College, Mattoon, IL
– School Library Journal