REVIEW: Dark Triumph

Dark Triumph
Author: Robin LaFevers

Dark Triumph is the 2nd book in the His Fair Assassin series. This story was much darker than the story of Ismae related in book one, Grave Mercy. Sybella serves the God of Death, Mortain, as an assassin in 15th century France. The convent where she was trained has sent her on a mission back to her father's household. Her father is the evil and barbaric Count d'Albret. As she spies and murders those marked for death within her father's household, she discovers that a prisoner held in the dungeons is an ally who will help fight for the Dutchess Anne. Can she help the prisoner escape and fulfill her destiny?

The story of Sybella is much more personal and dark. She has grown up victimized by the violence of her father. She feels abandoned by her god, Mortain, and worries that she will be unable to unleash the revenge she craves against her father. There is a lot of violence and difficult subjects in this book....infanticide, incest, rape, the subjugation and murder of women. The story was fabulous, but delves into some pretty serious topics that might be a bit traumatic for younger readers. Even though it is classified as Young Adult literature, I think it would be best for readers who are at least 16.

I liked Sybella as a main character. She has been through so much in her life and came through it stronger and more determined. She is fierce! It's nice to see female characters who can hold their own in a fight, and who aren't just cowering and waiting to be saved by men. She fights alongside the men and is a formidable warrior in her own right.

I'm enjoying this series so far. So far there are 3 books, but Goodreads lists two more possible books without titles. I researched a bit to see if I could dig up any information about whether there will actually be more books in this series, but was unable to find any information. So, for now, I will be happy with reading the third book and calling the series a trilogy until I see a title and publication date for another book.

I definitely recommend this series for older teen readers who like fantasy and action.