Written by EC Greaves
Every so often, I read a book that totally absorbs me. A book full of prose that draws me in from the opening line and keeps me fully immersed in the author’s world until the very end. EC Greaves’ Daughter of the Beast was one such book (and you can read my review of that book right here). When embarking on the sequel (or in this case, the second book in the series), there’s always a niggling worry about what’s to come. When the first book is as spectacular as Daughter of the Beast, anything less is sure to be a disappointment, but it has a high benchmark to reach. Thankfully, as I embarked on the second book in the Vyshivka Trilogy, that niggling feeling was soon allayed. Just like its predecessor, Sister of the Dead drew me in from the opening line and kept me immersed in the author’s world until the very end.
From that opening line, Sister of the Dead brings the reader back into the world, creating a nostalgic feeling for all that came before. While the book starts innocuously enough, and there’s not enough told in that opening line to glean how the book will play out, Greaves’ prose is a thing of beauty. For those familiar with the series, his voice is unmistakable. The words flow together wonderfully, creating an inescapable sense of joyous whimsy. While the story certainly has its darker elements, Sister of the Dead‘s prose conveys all the wonder that comes with its fantasy setting. The writing doesn’t shy away from these darker elements, nor does it let those aspects pull the reader from the book’s sense of magic. The wordplay throughout the novel is poetic—through both the general writing to protagonist Zyntael’s dreams, which, on their own, feel like literal poems. Even if you’re not a fan of fantasy or mythology, the prose will likely hook you.
The perfect accompaniment to the prose is Sister of the Dead’s dialogue. The book features a healthy amount of it, and it works as well as the prose. These two elements work hand-in-hand, complementing each other wonderfully. The novel features a large cast of characters, some of whom only have minor roles. Yet, Greaves has found a way of making all of them sound distinct from one another, while fitting it in with the prose. None of it feels out of place, and the two elements working in concert with each other creates a breathtaking feel.
Although slightly shorter than Daughter of the Beast at 349 pages in paperback and hardcover (or an estimated 428 pages on Kindle), Sister of the Dead remains a substantial read. It’s on the shorter side for an epic fantasy novel, but its length feels perfect for both the story Greaves is telling and the imagery he weaves into the tale. The book feels shorter than its page count suggests, thanks to the author’s prose and dialogue being as smooth as they are.
Throughout the novel’s pages, Greaves weaves an entertaining and engrossing story. The plot moves slowly and deliberately, gradually unfolding throughout. This results in a book with a slower pace than most of its contemporaries. At no point does this feel too slow, as the book basks in its world. It is written in a way that the reader barely notices its progression, with plot points cropping up naturally, rather than it feeling like it’s building to its pivotal moments. These moments include various turns, some of them unexpected, especially during the third act. They all all feel believable in context of the story, while surprising the reader.
For all the entertainment Sister of the Dead’s plot offers, the true joy in the book comes from its characters. The book features a character-first mentality, and although not a single character in the book is human, humanity shines through. Underpinning this is the book’s protagonist, Zyntael, who narrates the book in the first person. The reader sees the world through Zyntael’s eyes, tinted by her viewpoint. She is a layered, realistic character and a delight to follow. The other characters populating the book are multi-faceted, rather than included to serve the plot or Zyntael’s arc.
The author has expanded upon what was already a living, breathing world in Daughter of the Beast. The scope of the world has increased, as has its cast of mythological figures. It is a fantastic fantasy setting that fans of the genre will love. The setting takes many of its cues from Slavic mythology, one that I am not particularly familiar with, but is no less engrossing for it. Sister of the Dead’’s’ fantastical and mythological elements have been amped up from its predecessor, but never interfere with the personal story being told.
As the second book in the Vyshivka trilogy. Sister of the Dead was never going to fully stand alone. Although part of the story was previously told, new readers will be able to jump in (that being said, the first book is more than worth reading on its own merits. The novel leads into the final book, but the story feels complete.
Sister of the Dead takes everything Daughter of the Beast did, amd expands upon it, creating a sequel that is even better than the original. It has absolutely whetted my appetite for more, and I’ll have a review for you on Friday.
Favourite Passage
“So… Tell me again how it works.”
The expression on his face was the funniest mixture of confusion, embarrassment, envy, and perhaps even a little desire. And I could almost see his thoughts ooze from his ears, as he tried to understand—like the pulp from an overripe pear.
I laughed.
Sister of the Dead: Book II of the Vyshivka Trilogy, “The Fifth Stitch – Reunion,” v
Sister of the Dead: Book II of the Vyshivka Trilogy was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest review.
Daughter of the Beast is available in paperback, hardcover, and on Kindle, exclusive to Amazon.
Note: I do not post scores for reviews on this website, but do post them on my Amazon and Goodreads reviews:
- Amazon
- Goodreads
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Interested in purchasing Daughter of the Beast?
Please find a link below; please note I do not collect any proceeds from the sale.
Sister of the Dead (The Vyshivka Trilogy Book 2)
wastanley.com 