Why you should read Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson and what you should listen to while doing so. Blogger Blitz.

Hi friends,

When I have been asked by Simon and Shuster if I wanted to read Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson and take part in a blogger blitz, I was over the moon!

Vespertine is my most awaited release of 2021! You’ll get my review the week of the release but I can already tell you that it didn’t disappoint in the least and will certainly be one of my top 5 reads of 2021!!!

But today I am here to give you some reasons why you should read Vespertine and share with you my perfect soundtrack.

What’s Vespertine about?

Vespertine is the first book in a suspenseful new fantasy trilogy about a young woman who must risk possession for power to fight the restless, relentless dead and protect the living.

With deliciously dark undertones interspersed with thrilling battles and scintillating wit, VESPERTINE is a must-read perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House and Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom series.

Artemisia is training to be a Gray Sister, a nun who cleanses the bodies of he deceased to prevent their spirits rising with a ravenous hunger for the living. She would rather deal with the dead than the living, who trade whispers about her scarred hands… and how she got them.
When her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, Artemisia must defend it by awakening an ancient spirit bound to a saint’s relic. It is a revenant, a malevolent being that threatens to possess her should she drop her guard but a moment. For death has come to Loraille, and only a Vespertine, a priestess wielding a high relic, has any chance of stopping it. Will exerting its extraordinary power
consumer her?
With all knowledge of Vespertines lost to time, Artemisia turns to the last remaining expert for help: the revenant itself. As she unravels a sinister mystery of saints, secrets, and dark magic, her bond with the revenant grows. And when a hidden evil begins to surface, she discovers that facing this enemy might require her to betray everything she has been taught to believe—if the revenant doesn’t betray her first.
Wielding the dead grants power and a chance to save the living… but at what cost? With a steady pulse of tension beating throughout the action, characters that resonate as complicated and complex with their foiled desires and darkness, and exquisite prose, VESPERTINE is Rogerson at her finest and a must-read YA book of the fall

Why should you read Vespertine?

1)Because of the medieval / gothic setting!

 Cathedrals, relics, horses, knights, revenants, nuns, monks…this painted a rich tapestry transporting me in a gothic fantasy medieval universe. And I loved it!

2) You should read it for Artemisia!

If you love underdogs and socially awkward characters, Artemisia is made for you. Artemisia was a seventeen years old awkward teenager who feels better amidst goats and horses than humans!

And if you love having your heart breaking when realizing all the ordeals young Artemisia went through, how lonely she felt this is your next fix!

Or if your favorite kind of character is the one deeply loyal, brave and selfless but with snark and sass, Artemisia is also your dream heroine.

That’s Artemisia for you: always dedicated to help others, disregarding her own health and safety as unimportant compared to others.

3) You should also read for the banter and bond between Artemisia and her revenant!

Between loner and introvert Artemisia and that very dangerous yet sarcastic revenant, there was an unmistakable bond slowly emerging. I love their dark banter but also how Artemisia’s kindness and protectiveness revealed an unexpected vulnerability in her revenant. The building of their alliance and then nearly friendship was fascinating! Unexpected allies you could call it.

4) If you love epic battles and acts of bravery this is also your book!

Artemisia never hesitates to endanger herself to save others and you’ll have epic scenes paved with acts of utmost bravery.

The battle scenes when Artemisia was ruled by the revenant were elating! Like these painting of saints surrounded by bright light fighting evil. I wanted to cheer for Artemisia!

5) Last but not least you should read it for the writing!

Margaret Rogerson has an impeccable and vivid writing that will grip you from the start and make you fall into her story from the very first words!

The opening scene happens in a convent’s cemetery where Artemisia finds a censer abandoned at the base of a tombstone. Soon enough, a white raven named Trouble warns her that the young novice who carried the censer is in grave danger.

Artemisia won’t hesitate for one second to rush to her aid and battle a highly ranked spirit.

From these very first sentences I was hooked line and sinker!

Now let’s go to what would be my favorite soundtrack for Vespertine!

Vespertine has a gothic feel that reminded me of some favorite songs from…some time ago!

For the mood in general I needed a song with strong gothic vibes like Era: Ameno

Emma Shapplin : Sempe le Stelle would have been perfect for scenes with culmination like battles with demons.

For scenes where Vespertine was possessed by the revenant and had to fight not to be overpowered but at the same time relished in having such freedom I would choose Evanescence: Bring me to Life.

When Vespertine got the help of friends and she was so astonished that they seemed to like her, I just wanted to hug her and envelop her in a warm and cozy blanket of love.

This is my perfect son for that feeling: Hans Zimmer: Now we are Free from Gladiator movie

And for the ending…I’d go with The Lord of the Ring: May it Be interpreted by Enya

I hope this gives you a good idea about Vespertine’s story and why you should absolutely read it!

About THE AUTHOR

MARGARET ROGERSON is the author of the New York Times bestsellers An Enchantment of Ravens and Sorcery of Thorns. She has a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from Miami University. When not reading or writing she enjoys sketching, gaming, making pudding, and watching more documentaries than is socially acceptable (according to some). She lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, beside a garden full of hummingbirds and roses. Visit her at MargaretRogerson.com, on Twitter @ MarRogerson, and on Instagram @margaret_rogerson.

Thanks for reading!

Sophie