Red Sister

As with the previous book recommendations, I find myself drawn to a resilient female protagonist who overcomes incredible odds in an empire crumbling under the weight of forces beyond any of the characters’ control.

In this book, Nona Grey, a young girl trained by the Sisters of Sweet Mercy convent as an assassin, has to contend with both political and existential threats as the powerful rulers of Abeth squabble over resources on their dying planet. I was also drawn to the intricacy of the storyline because I loved watching Nona navigate this complex world.

I loved this book for its combination of fantasy and sci-fi, the gritty and grim world Lawrence has created, and the high-energy and higher-stakes action sequences that fill the book.

I loved that it was unexpected. Lawrence's post-apocalyptic world concept was unique and fresh, compellingly combining the technology of a dying world with supernatural themes. I certainly did not expect the convent setting and nun-in-training protagonist in a sci-fi storyline, and yet that’s what I got in his main character, Nona Grey.

I love the tension and suspense created in the frequent action sequences Nona finds herself in, which left… show more.

Whenever I recommend this book, I start raving about how cool the setting is – a planet slowly freezing to death with a narrow livable corridor around the equator, which you eventually realize is only staying warm because of an orbiting reflective satellite.

Magic, you find, has sprung up in the ashes of a society that was once technologically advanced. But as cool as the setting is, Red Sister really works because the characters are so fun, and the story is so compelling.

Nona is a young girl taken in by nuns and trained to be an assassin, and you… show more.

I fell in love with Lawrence’s character Nona, and was not at first sure why. Being a poorly mannered eater of breakfast was the least of her bad habits. She was also a serial liar and killer. We find out, as Nona’s true story is unveiled, that she has her reasons. And she surprises us again and again throughout the story. But it is the ending that is most sweet, for this little killer is driven by love and the desire for friendship. And when she speaks her final words, we love her too.