Dark Triumph - Robin LaFevers
Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. The convent views Sybella, naturally skilled in the arts of both death and seduction, as one of their most dangerous weapons. But those assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

Earlier this week I reviewed Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1), and was left with the general feeling of while it wasn't a bad book it wasn't what I wanted.  Dark Triumph made up for my disappointment.  I was far more engaged as a reader and less inclined to put the book down while reading it.

In Grave Mercy all we learn of Sybella is that she is (at least) half crazy and impetuous.  Dark Triumph takes a damaged killer and turns her into a person.  It turns out while I'm not crazy about Ismae as a protagonist, she makes for a very good supporting character.

Sybella has good reason for her anger and thirst for revenge, suffering greatly at the hands of those who should have protected her.  LaFevers does a very good job of handling some very dark content in Sybella's life without making it gratuitous.

A very strong second novel.  I would recommend reading the first book for context and continuity.  I am curious about the third.

Advanced Reader Copy copy courtesy of Netgalley; differences may exist between uncorrected galley text and the final edition.

Source: http://libromancersapprentice.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-dark-triumph.html