Grey Sister

By: Mark Lawrence

Narrated by: Helen Duff

Length: 16 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

The second novel in the brilliant new series from the best-selling author of Prince of Thorns.

In Mystic Class, Nona Grey begins to learn the secrets of the universe. But so often even the deepest truths just make our choices harder. Before she leaves the Convent of Sweet Mercy, Nona must choose her path and take the red of a Martial Sister, the grey of a Sister of Discretion, the blue of a Mystic Sister or the simple black of a Bride of the Ancestor and a life of prayer and service.

All that stands between her and these choices are the pride of a thwarted assassin, the ambition of a would-be empress wielding the Inquisition like a blade, and the vengeance of the empire’s richest lord.

As the world narrows around her and her enemies attack her through the system she has sworn to, Nona must find her own path despite the competing pull of friendship, revenge, ambition and loyalty.

And in all this only one thing is certain. There will be blood.

©2018 Mark Lawrence (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Good sequel

Still a good story, although halting a little bit compared to the first book. Must read if you liked the first.

++++++

great book and a fantastic voice for the setting. probably the best i've heard in some years

Better than Rd Sister

Where does Grey Sister rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best book I'resd listened to this year.

What did you like best about this story?

Lawrence introduces new interesting characters and give more substance to now ones.

What does Helen Duff bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Duff's ok for women voices but a bit "flexible" for the men

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Hard to put down

Any additional comments?

Normally the 2nd book is a bit weeker than the first. this is not the case for Grey Sister. Keeps on getting better

Another cracking instalment

I have read Red Sister and Grey Sister in quick succession - they are excellent. The world which Mark Lawrence has built stacks, the plot is good, and the characters are well-developed and interesting. Am now feeling bereft at losing my connection to these characters while I wait for book 3.

Book one and two have flowed seamlessly, and what I really appreciated was the introduction to book two where a recap is given - thereby avoiding unnecessary and contrived references to book one's events. That said, the first 10 minutes of listening made me think I had missed a bit of the first book as a new character is introduced who I didn't recognise.......needn't have worried as it all became clear within the first few chapters.

The foreshadowing that has "topped and tailed" these two books is also an interesting angle - it's totally set the scene and anticipation for the final reckoning that is surely coming in book 3. If the energy and intrigue continues at the same pace, it promises to be a good one.

Narration is good, although the variation in accents for the different characters isn't as extensive as my favourite narrators' (eg; although I do enjoy the Aussie accent, it felt like the narrator's only / "go-to" alternative accent), but it doesn't detract from the story.

If you are into the fantasy genre, then this should tick all the boxes.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great Story, dodgy production

The ultra long pauses between sentences had me reaching for the phone to often. Presumably that’s down to the production team rather narrator.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

amazing

Helen Duff is such a talented narrator! Seriously, I think she's my favourite, this was so skilfully performed.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Quite disappointing for a Lawrence book

I usually really enjoy Mark Lawrence's book, including Red Sister, but I found this one to be the weakest and a bit of a let down. Felt like a lot of the story beats were recycled from Red Sister and his other books (or just downright clichéd) and that character development/conflict didn't really drive the story. It was also hard to follow sometimes and I had to rewind to work it out.

On the plus side the narrator Helen Duff does another great job with some brilliant voice work

Weaker second beds for great final

I did not find this as enjoyable as the first. And an almost repeat of key sequences could have been done better. The good thing is that more characters get deapth. Should you read it? Yes! The world has such huge potential that the next installment could go anywhere.

Listened straight through...

Excellent. Better than the first book in the trilogy this sets a VERY high standard for the last book. Roll on the next one!

simply wonderfull with an excellent narrator

brilliant sequel, the narrator possesses a remarkable skill involving switching meticulously between challenging British and irish regional accents, simply a delight to listen to! the story was damn riveting as well

Enjoyable...

I mostly enjoyed this - it is a pretty solid follow on to Red Sister. The story flows along and there's a lot which happens. Unfortunately it does suffer from a few too many convenient tweaks to the plot - allowing for salvation in quite unlikely ways. However if you enjoyed Red Sister you undoubtedly will enjoy this.

Great story

a great follow on from red sister, lovely twists and use of magic to pull surprises.
I'll certainly be listening to the next one

gripping!

enjoyed so much I listened twice! can't wait for Holy sister! Helen Duff is amazing.