Five out of five stars for Holy Sister (Third Book of the Ancestor) by Mark Lawrence

Reviewed by Anne

Okay, this review really covers the entire trilogy of the Books of The Ancestor by Mark Lawrence, but since I just stayed up way too late finishing the third and final book, Holy Sister, that is the one I’ll cover. I have read several versions of the, “girl assassin as a member of a religious-type order,” stories and there were only a few that I felt worth the read. Mark Lawrence’s books are the best of the bunch, in my opinion. I loved the world-building, the characters, and the storyline as a whole. And as a point in his favor, Mark Lawrence is not afraid to kill his darlings.

The first two books, Red Sister and Grey Sister,  introduce to the main character, Nona Grey, and the world of Abeth, a dying planet ringed in ice. Abeth is a strange place, an odd mix of forgotten technological wonders and magic.

From the book description:

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.

The final book in the series brought an epic conclusion to a story that was already riveting. It kept me surprised at how events played out and still produced a kickass finale, an epic battle to end all battles and a satisfying resolution for the characters left standing at the end.

I would highly recommend these books to fans of Grimdark and science fantasy. Man, I’m sad to see the series end.

Happy reading!

Anne