Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for giving me this sample in exchange for an honest review. 
Since it was a small part of the actual story there’s not much to say except that it was very entertaining to read and both the characters and the plot seem to have potential. 
I can’t wait to read more about this.

Igniting darkness....more like igniting fire!!

This may have only been a sampler (sadly, crying all of the fiery tears right now) but so far so good! Definitely onto a promising start.

I am intrigued, and I want more!

I fell in love with this series after reading the first book earlier in the year, so naturally, I am very eager to get my hands on the second book!

LaFevers completely sucked me into the exquisite world filled with strong, vivid characters that she built in the first book and I can’t wait to dive head first into this world once again.

I’m especially excited for this second installment as it follows my favorite character, Sybella. She is so well developed and fleshed out, and the ghosts that continue to haunt and torment her makes her such an intriguing and fascinating character to me. She is so very real and I can’t to delve further into her story. 

This sampler picked up right where the previous book in the series left off, which I loved as it felt like no time had past at all and I was immediately thrown right back into the thick of it all.

I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to read this sampler and I cannot wait to read the rest of the novel!!

This is one of my absolute favourite series so obviously I loved this one! Sybella was always my favourite character in the first trilogy and I just love reading about her story!

I have to say that I am a sucker for historical fiction. Give me anything set before technology and I will devour it.  That said, when I first encountered Robin LaFevers "His Fair Assassin" trilogy, I wasn't completely sold on it. I had tried to read a Borgia poisoner series a while back and that DNF was still sitting in my mind. LaFevers drew me in with her strong characters and vivid world-building. "Igniting Darkness" is the sequel to "Courting Darkness" which follows my favorite character from the original trilogy, Sybella. Her dark childhood and the ghosts that still haunt her make her the most well-developed character of the series.  Sybella's determination to save her sisters from her family's darkness is her best trait and one of the most pivotal plot points in this continuation of the original series. The sampler I received picked up EXACTLY where "Courting Darkness" left off and I loved it. I immediately dove back into the Covenant of St. Mortain and the politics of 15th Brittany and France. The new character of Genevieve is further fleshed out in the sampler and I cannot wait to see how her character grows and develops.  I eagerly anticipate the rest of the novel.

Enjoyed this sampler very much. LaFevers has a wonderful way of escalating stakes, especially in the context of a court setting—especially the French court, with all its delightful political intrigues. I think readers will find the continuation of Sybella and Genevieve's stories to be just as engaging if they enjoyed the first book. This starts off with a bang, pitting our two heroines against one another in not knowing what their true motives are, even as they must rely on each other as sisters of the same convent.

I do find that the reveals here were a little bit quicker than the first book. Even in the sampler, there is a lot of talking and explanation in the beginning—though to be fair, that might be just a clever way to do a recap for those who haven't read the first book in a while (like me). Either way, looking forward to when this releases in full.

I really loved COURTING DARKNESS and I'm so excited for the rest of the sequel. Sybella is such a powerful character and I love reading about her and Genevieve. I'll definitely be finishing the rest of this book in the future when it's released and I can't wait to do so!

I was given the opportunity to review a sampler of this book for Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity. 
The writing is good, with some sharp humor sprinkled in. 
The blurb and idea for the book sounded interesting but the world building and character developerment could have been better, enabling the book to become more interesting to read as I found it difficult to follow at times. I found it difficult to get into the story and the speech varies in clarity between characters. 
This book was good in parts and showed some potential.

I loved this sampler! I’ve been waiting to read more about Sybella, and beast since I finished Courting Darkness last year and now I’m ready for more!

It actually did not mention previously that this is just a sampler. I notice it NOW states that. Sampler was okay, but I could not really get into the story. Wish this would have been the full story as I initially thought.

Loved it! I enjoyed reading this snippet very much, but there isn't very much to review so I'll leave it at that. However, I am only giving this four stars because the book wasn't marked as an excerpt.

I didn’t realize this was a sampler but I loved getting a teaser! It picks up right where the first book leaves off! Now I’m even more excited for the book to release!

Review live on July 6, 2020, 7:30 AM CST.
Full Review link:  https://www.thepagewalker.com/2020/07/sampler-review-igniting-darkness-by.html


The book started exactly where COURTING DARKNESS left off. I am glad that it did not miss a beat. The first book left a lot of questions and some disturbing events that want immediate answers. And as much as I am grateful for this sampler, I am in great anticipation to read the full book.

I rarely like multiple narrators, but this book made it so intriguing, I cannot wait whose voice will come next every time. And there is a very welcome addition to these voices here that I am sure other readers will be excited to read too.

There is no doubt IGNITING DARKNESS is an electrifying conclusion to this much-awaited historical fantasy duology.

Was not expecting this book to only be a sampler edition as nowhere on the book page is this mentioned. Unable to review properly due to the nature of it being a sampler.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this sample copy of Igniting Darkness by Robin LaFevers. 
This is the second book in the Courting Darkness and takes place right where the last left off. Because these books are so heavy in court machinations and detail I highly recommend reviewing the plot points of the last book if it’s been a year since you read the first book in the series (like me). But from what I can tell from this small sample we are in for a treat with the next installment! 
I recommend this entire series (including His Fair Assassin ) to anyone that enjoys a little fantasy mixed with their history!

Igniting Darkness by Robin LaFevers
Book Review by Dawn Thomas

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group
Release Date: August 4, 2020

Teens & Young Adult, Historical Fiction

The story is set in 1490 and Genevieve is on the run. She has poisoned someone and exposed the convent of Saint Mortain. Sybella is a Lady to the Queen and confronts Genevieve when she finds her in the castle. She wants to know her true intentions. When Sybella finds out what Genevieve has done, she is furious. All the planning may be for nothing now. She has to hope two girls in hiding get away without getting caught.

This was a sample book. Since I hadn’t read the first book in the serious, I do not know the depth of the characters but get a quick glimpse into their personalities. Genevieve, Sybella and the Queen are all strong women, that much is obvious. I look forward to reading the rest of the book when it comes out in August. If you like historical fiction with action and intrigue, you will certainly enjoy this one.

I loved this quick teaser of Igniting Darkness! It is full of intrigue, drama, and a little humour.
The characters are strong, the story is rich and I can’t wait to read the full book!

This sample of the first 10 chapters was not enough. I can’t wait to be fully immersed in this world again. Robin’s writing and world is magical and consumes you.

Okay this is one I've been waiting for and OMG!! It was everything i thought it would be and more! Once again Robin Lafevers writes an amazing story that I couldn't get enough of!

I’m not sure why I thought reading a sampler of the first 11 chapters was a good idea when I don’t have the rest of the book for another month. Robin LaFever’s story telling is always so amazing and I can’t wait for the rest.

I was graciously given an ARC sample of Igniting Darkness through this platform and I loved every second of it. All 11 Chapters held the intrigue that the other books had. The emotion, the humor the courtly darkness; it was deep and well explained for the massive shitstorm that will go down for the kingdom of France. Sybella is back at it again with Genevieve now under her scrutiny along with the Queen, Anne. The king is now aware of Mortain's daughters and their roles through court assignments. The regent is still a force to be reckoned with and her role in her brother's reign. What Maraude and his fellow companions will do in light of what Genevieve had done to protect Maraude will be fascinating to see. i'm happy I was able to read this. The excitement can't be contained!