Red Sister

It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size...

When Abbess Glass finds Nona, she has only moments left to live, a hangman's noose ready to end her life. A child who has never known friendship, or the comfort of a warm home. With her dark hair and pale skin, Nona stood out from the rest of her village. The word monster whispered behind her back due to the violent and bloody trail she's left behind. The hint of an old blood rests within her veins, one that could prove to be a powerful weapon. Abbess Glass is no ordinary nun, and the convent of Sweet Mercy is more than just a place to learn prayer. Saved from certain death, None will be thrown into a new world in the convent, where she will learn the extent of her powers and discover friendships she's never had. But with learning to trust others, also comes the inevitable betrayal.

The first line alone hooked me into this novel. I had a similar experience when I picked up Prince of Thorns off the book store shelf, also by Mark Lawrence. I decided right then and there I had to read it. I was also extremely interested in his take on writing a female main character.

I will have to admit I was surprised that parts of this book were a bit slow. However, Mark Lawrence is setting the ground rules for a new and fascinating story of forgotten abilities and magic. Watching Nona struggle to understand people and the rules that surround interacting with them was so well written. Her frequent bouts of anger and frustration perfectly mirrored what a young girl growing up experiences. She also had to learn that even though the people of her village thought she was a monster for being different, it wasn't something to be ashamed of.

Despite the main story being about Nona learning and progressing through the teachings at Sweet Mercy, there is a plot that lurks in the background. Short glimpses into the future at the beginning, middle, and end of the novel. The characters growing up before your eyes are being pushed into a situation you just can't picture them being in. It made me continue reading, trying to put the pieces together that would eventually lead to these scattered moments. Even by the end of the novel, you wonder how they went front point A to point B. I am eager to read the next, even though I know I'll most likely have to read the whole trilogy to form a complete picture.