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5 stars! This review will be spoiler free! However, there will have spoilers from the first book.
Synopsis:
Godsgrave is the second book in the Nevernight Chronicles by Jay Kristoff and begins with Mia split between present and past. Present Mia is currently getting captured by slavers in her grand scheme to be sold off to a gladiatorial collegium. Mia from the past is doing her best to explain her current situation starting with running into an old enemy who makes her question her position in the Red Church and who she really should be plotting against. Consul Scaeva and Cardinal Duomo are as out of reach of her blade as they can be, but clever Mia has found a way to exact her revenge. They will be together in public, out of the protection of Sun God, and in reach of the winning gladiati of the Grand Games. Mia only has to kill every other gladiati on the sands to get there. Mia's adventures test her steel, her sword, her wit, her patience, her heart, and her heroics. PREPARE YOURSELF for a heart shattering, world upending, fxcking mind blowing sequel to Nevernight.
Initial Thoughts:
Jay Kristoff is a bloody genius. This book bumped this series directly into my top faves and I'm so thankful to have read this gem of a novel. It's bloody, it's insanity, it's one helluva adventure that my heart and soul was not prepared for. I just about died all the while crying metaphorical tears of happiness. If that jumble of nonsense doesn't explain how I have no actual sensical words to describe how much I loved this book, then I don't know what would. +PLOT TWISTS. +F/F ROMANCE (+STEAMINESS +SEXINESS). +FAMILIA. +RUTHLESS BATTLES. +WTF WAS THAT ENDING?! Just read it. Yeah, just read it.
Plot:
Can I give this plot alone another 5 stars?
In comparison the Nevernight, Godsgrave was loads better for me. I was sucked in from the beginning. There was no second book slump whatsoever. And I have a extreme love of plot lines that start of in split periods (present vs. past) because then you kinda have a mysterious element that makes you want to figure out how in the world they ended up in their predicament.
Past Mia’s story could possibly, in a very small way, be considered predictable, BUT there’s just so many UNpredictable small details added in that you don’t even notice. Then Kristoff also twists in these subplots that raise more questions throughout the book. Who is this shadow figure that calls from the dark? Where did darken come from? How do Mia’s abilities, shadows, passengers actually work? Kristoff built an incredible world in Nevernight, full of magic and assassins and controlled chaos. Now, he intends to make it more complex and mysterious.
Present Mia is fighting tooth and nail to be champion and that alone is worth reading. Her reasons for revenge are questioned constantly. Kristoff makes her think, makes her solidify her resolve. Mia is going through this character arc of finding who she is, who she is fighting for, and what she wants in this life she has made. That coupled with the brutal, bloody battles she has to fight (with the Weaver btw), makes for some of the most heart wrenching action you could ask for.
With action, comes peace, and those breathers in between are so necessary. The pacing of this book is PERFECTION because of it. I mean, personally my heart could only take so much of the “edge of your seat heart racing” battle scenes because I worry so for my babies. The smutty romance in between them was absolutely necessary, YES. For those who recall book one, the sex scenes are just as vivid guys. And yes, they are so steamy! I was living for the enemies-to-lovers trope here. Ever since Ash kissed Mia at the end of Nevernight, I felt that there was something more. Everyone did I’m sure. And now that wish of finding out has been satisfied! I am all for it and damn me if one of my babies doesn’t get their happy ending in the last book. UGH.
Then we have this ending. The grand games battle. It was bloody. It was brilliant. It was BLOOD BRILLIANT. (lol). My mind was blown before the find battle took place, but all the while reading it, my mind kept getting further blown to smithereens. I kept going…. WHAT?! Omg, YES! HOW?! & the good ‘ol WTF?! Because again, wtf was that plot twist at the end. I mean I felt something coming, but this!?? Only makes too much sense, but also makes me question EVERYTHING. Just know, that was probably one of the best, action-packed, heart-warming, heart-breaking, most satisfying yet unsatisfying endings with a godsdamned cliffhanger that I could have ever hoped for +so much more.
Characters:
Kristoff gives you every reason in the world to fall in love with these characters.
MIA is as sassy as ever. She’s courageous, she’s bisexual, she’s fxcking beautiful. Even I’d fall in love with her, goodness. She is so freakin’ clever too. I have no idea how she can come up with these plans that have so many chances to go sideways, and yet, she can complete nearly anything.
MR. KINDLY & ECLIPSE are written so well together. Their bantering and vying for Mia’s attention is some of the greatest comic relief dialogues in the story.
GLADIATI makes for some douchebags when you’re inferior to them, but also make for some amazing family when you join their ranks. These people may seem secondary to you, but you will know their story, know their pasts, and know their loves. Kristoff takes his time to give each of his side characters an actual personality and life. Sid of course, if my fave of them, because… reasons that are too spoilery. But I also loved the twins for how they broke my heart.
ASHLINN is unspeakable disloyal, but loyal. A liar, but honest. And sexy to the core. I’m so thankful for the role she came to play in this book. I DID NOT see that one coming making it all the better. Gods, praise f/f romances.
TRIC… no words. NONE. Except maybe… what?!
Overall:
Kristoff, sir, you have outdone yourself. How will you ever top this one?
