First and foremost, thank you to the author and publishers for gifting me the privilege of the early snag of this on netgalley. ✨
Now to the nitty gritty....this book?
SIX BLOODY STARS 🗣️ this just gave all the itchy scratchy in the best ways. The friendship, the representation, the villains, the retribution, the pacing? All perfect.

That way I near screamed into my pillow when I said the "to be continued" at the end? Because what do you mean? 🙃 This is a TRUE feminine rage and story of vengeance. The pure vindication/validation at each turn is so refreshing and not seen as often in author stories. (I am not ashamed to say I let out a sigh of content after my deranged chuckle when it came to Hugh 👀)

I would highly recommend this book if you were fans of the Poppy War and/or Immortal Dark trilogy.

Emerie is the perfect level of flawed and thoughtful with that cold hard edge to her that doesn't allow her to be lead astray. Reggie adds the unflinching conviction and silent communication we all wish we had with our friends.

I cannot WAIT for the next release, I will slowly be frothing at the mouth, thank you very much.😫

A Lesson In Violence by Robert Duperre is a grimdark fantasy that managed to draw me in when I wasn't sure how I would feel right away. But who can turn down the opportunity to read a brutal story about a nearly 8ft tall woman of freakish strength & her thief sidekick.

This story is quick paced and is an adventure that is revenge driven, not unconventional is it's brutality to repay the organization for ruining her "quiet" life as a sheep herder.

As with most stories in this vein, there is a moral ambiguity about the main characters ideas, but can't help to enjoy them all the same.

I like the ending although it felt incomplete, so I'd like to see more from this story.

A Lesson in Violence delivers a gritty, emotionally charged revenge tale that balances brutal action with a compelling look at a protagonist trying, and failing, to outrun her past. Emiri is a strong, complex lead whose quiet life is shattered in a way that feels both shocking and inevitable, setting the stage for a relentless journey south that rarely lets up. The dynamic between her and Reggie adds depth and occasional warmth to an otherwise bleak narrative, and the world of the Forgotten Territories is vividly harsh without feeling overdone. While the story sometimes leans heavily into familiar revenge tropes and the pacing can feel a bit rushed in places, the intensity and character work make it a gripping read overall. It’s a solid experience for anyone who enjoys dark fantasy with sharp edges and a personal stake.