Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author Robin LaFevers for this sample in exchange for an honest review.

Igniting Darkness is the second book in the Courting Darkness duology. In this duology, you follow Sybella, daughter of Death.

The first thing I noticed, was that there were only 66 pages. I expected a full book in a series, but instead it was a sample. 

In the first book, you follow Sybella who is trying to keep her family safe. But what if you have to trust in someone else, hoping that you find each other in time before everything you love is destroyed? 

In the second book, this thrilling and amazing story comes to an end. When Sybella gets the attention of the French regent, will everything turn out okay or will everything be destroyed? 

I loved the sample. It was just long enough to end with a cliff hanger that will leave you excited and wanting for more.

I did not realize, as it does not say, this was a sampler of the book. This was a great connection to the first book Courting Darkness! This is on my TBR and I'm excited for when I get to it!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

The sampler of Igniting Darkness showed a wonderful connection between the end of the first book and beginning of second. I am excited to see how this unique story develops!

I didn’t realize this was a sampler when I requested it. It’s a great look at the beginning of the second book in this series.

Excellent preview to the novel. This is a well written and altogether unique YA book. I cannot wait to finished it.

This is a sampler so I didn't read it. It doesn't say anywhere in the description that this is a sampler.

I loooved the first book in this serie so i couldn't wait for the next one. Kinda sad it was only the first 100 pages but im gonna buy it later to read. Its a very good and well writen story. The story is very original and refreshing and i can't wait to read more!

The advanced peek at Igniting Darkness by Robin LaFevers is more pain than pleasure! In the best sense of anticipation, you are given enough room to fall into the world next to Sybella, only to be forced to come to a complete halt just as your beloved heroine is on a razorwire of peril. EVERYTHING is on the line for Sybella- her Duchess/Queen, her young sisters, the Order of Saint Mortain, beloved Beast, and her very life is all at risk because her fellow sister Genevieve, made a mess of everything. 

I was crushed to have to wait for publication!

Love the sample of this book. I have the book in my TBR cart and can't wait to read it. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the sample.

Oh how I wish this was the full installment of this book and not just a sample! The sampler of the second installment of this series grips you from the first page and leaves you screaming  in frustration for more after abruptly ending just a few chapters in. Already on my t0-be-purchased list.

(I recieved a free sample of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

I feel like i can't give as detailed a review as i usually do because it's only a sample, but i really liked it. The cover is beautiful, and right away we were thrown straight into the story. 
The sampler was just long enough to end on a sort of cliffhanger, where we arent sure whats going to happen to some of the characters, while being short enough to read in one sitting.

The first however many pages of this book that were included in this sample were enough to hook me, and i will be continuing the book.

Since this is merely a sample and not the entire book, I'm only giving it a 3 star rating. It's great to whet the appetite of the reader for a highly anticipated book in a series, but not enough for more than a middling rating. I am very much looking forward to finishing the novel, however.

this book was boring,mixed with an intriguing plot, it was slow and it made it boring.
the cover otherwise was spectacular, beautiful, and so decided to one thing.

I enjoyed this book.  I would recommend it to others and I would like to read more from this author in the future.

“An epic finale! Igniting Darkness has it all: political intrigue, delicious romance, action-packed, strong and ferocious lead female characters all painted with a French historical backdrop, making this conclusion to LaFevers’ duology a must read.”

Cecelia Beckman Sheaf & Ink

This review is for the book in its entirety.

Prior to reading Igniting Darkness, I read all three of the original His Fair Assassins novels.  I loved the world-building and the way LaFevers drew you in with the historical elements infused with the fantasy of Death’s handmaidens.  Where LaFevers molded and shaped these three badass female characters taking on a world made by and for men was one that made the whole experience so incredibly satisfying.

And Igniting Darkness adds to the original thread of the story.  Expanding it. Giving voice to new characters and expounding on those original ones.  It was exciting to see the movement from Brittany to France and how the daughters of Death would keep their beloved Queen safe. 

I was enthralled by Sybella’s transformation.  How she was like a phoenix burning bright and brilliant over the course of Courting Darkness and Igniting Darkness.  Finding that all she has suffered and endured does not define her future.  That she deserves happiness.

Not only is Sybella’s story a focal point, but Genevieve, too in her own right has this major transformation.  Like the ebb in flow of the seasons, shedding a winter’s coat for the warmth of spring, Genevieve too begins to find her true self.  Where we see chapter after chapter her desperation to make things right after her well intentioned mistake.  Always this undercurrent of working to define herself, her purpose, and ultimately be the voice of reason in a torrent of self-interested men. 

In truth, Genevieve embodies feminist ideals.  Like Sybella (and to an extent the Queen) history never gives voice to the women who played major roles in the establishment and sustainability of monarchs.  But LaFevers pens those women into being.  With strong wills and stronger voices.  LaFevers deftly creates characters that jump off the pages fully formed. 

Where Genevieve funnels those feminist ideals into fruition in her relationship with the King of France.  It is the triumph of the novel in how LaFevers wove together Genevieve and Sybella’s story.  Where each works in tandem to obtain the same goal.

Moreover, it is the historical backdrop, the magic of being god touched, and the chapters brimming with action, that makes Igniting Darkness a fast-paced read.  I was captivated by the narrative along with the shear force of the female characters showing what women are truly capable of accomplishing.

I truly hope LaFevers isn’t finished with these characters just, yet, as I am completely ready for more.



Happy Reading ̴ Cece

The book I received was a sampler of the first 100 pages of this story.  I will definitely read the rest of it as soon as I am able o!  Courting Darkness hooked me and Igniting Darkness was just as captivating

Thank you to Netgalley and HMH for providing this sampler for review.

The conclusion to the Courting Darkness duology finds Sybella reunited with her sister Genevieve. When Genevieve accidentally reveals too much about the convent to the king of France she puts not only herself in danger but also Sybella the queen’s sole protector, the queen herself, and Sybella’s sisters. 


As this is just a chapters 1-11 my opinions are solely based on those chapters and not an overall of the book. It’s good to see that there’s a few more pov’s coming in this book. There’s so much going on in the French court that it really needs other voices to get a real picture of what’s happening and not just the two spies. To say that it begins with drama would be an understatement. Definitely worth reading if you enjoyed the first book. I’ll be buying the audiobook to finish the story.

Just enough of a sample to make me want the full book. I am both eager and sad that this tale is coming to a conclusion. I am going to miss several of the character pairs, while not miss one in particular....

It has to be said: Robin LeFavers has cemented herself as one of my all time favourite authors. 

I’ve been following the His Fair Assassin story since Grave Mercy and it breaks my heart a little that it’s over but if  this sampler is any sort of a hint we are getting a simply stunning conclusion.

The book picks up exactly where the last left off and I was surprised how easily I sunk back into the story. It’s like meeting up with that old friend you only see once every few years but once you start talking it’s like no time has passed. 

I am so excited to read the full epic adventure of the assassin nuns one last time, and hope that it really isn’t the last time we get a book from the amazing and talented Robin LeFavers.

(Also worth noting: this was the book that finally convinced me I wanted an ereader! So happy to have something to read with other than my phone which is prone to giving me headaches.)

In my excitement to read this, I didn't notice that it was only a sampler! This made me really interested in reading the entire book.