Holy Sister

February 25, 2019
Lawrence disappoints with this pallid conclusion of his epic fantasy trilogy (after 2018’s Grey Sister); uneven prose and stock characters, including a spiritual leader given to convoluted pronouncements (“There might not be a meaning to the world, or in it, but that does not mean that what we do has no meaning”), diminish interest in the story of a special teenager, Nona Grey. Nona lives on Abeth, an ice planet whose sun is dying, and is a rare “triple-blood,” descended from three of Abeth’s original four tribes. Much of the plot focuses on Nona and her friends’ attempts to escape a clichéd villain: Sherzal, the emperor’s sister, who is seeking to recover a shipheart, an object “of disputed origin that may have powered the ships that brought the tribes of man to Abeth.” Nona’s friend Zole has stolen the shipheart and is the target of Sherzal’s quest. The action drags, modern colloquialisms sound out of place (one character refers to another as “the big bad”), and death scenes pack no punch. Lawrence is very imaginative, but the execution here fails to live up to the series’ promise. Agent: Ian Drury, Sheil Land Assoc.

April 1, 2019

Abeth's ice is advancing, and the Empire battles not only the Scithrowl but betrayals from within. Nona Grey and her allies have escaped Sherzal's palace, but the way to the Convent of Sweet Mercy, and the challenges to become a full sister in the order, is lined with peril and heartbreak. Even with the power of the shiphearts, Nona knows that the corruption that comes with that power can destroy everything she's learned. A final battle is coming that will force Nona to realize she cannot save all her friends. With the demons inside her vying for control of her decisions, she may not even be able to save herself. Lawrence's storytelling showcases an incredible world, with a cast of women tied by training, powers, and, in some cases, love. VERDICT Warrior nuns, mystical powers, mysterious technology, and false prophecy come full circle in this stunning, immersive conclusion to a gritty fantasy series with appeal to adults and young adults alike.--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

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