This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic 
 What a beautiful sequel! I loved Grave Mercy so much I didn't even bother to read the description for Dark Triumph. So it was a pleasant surprise when I realized I was in for yet another totally unique adventure. Whereas Grave Mercy was the story of Ismae, Dark Triumph turns the lens to Sybella and her adventures. 
 Even though her appearance was rather brief in Grave Mercy (in the grand scheme of things) I found Sybella incredibly interesting. She was broken and angry and you wanted to know why. We come to her in Dark Triumph long after her training is completed. The covenant has sharpened her anger and thirst for justice and turned her into a dangerous killing machine. But then they send her right back to the place it all started. To the man that caused all that damage - her father. 
 Dark Triumph is a personal story. It deals with questions of trust and family and guilt. You'll often find yourself wondering if Sybella will ever truly be able to move past the sins of her father. I think despite the extreme nature of Sybella's situation the internal obstacles she faces regarding her perceived guilt and her instincts to distance herself from those who may love her are not unfamiliar ones. They're themes many people will be able to relate to in varying degrees. Since Dark Triumph is more of a personal journey it takes its time to unfold. It reveals all its twists and surprises when it's good and ready too. The action heavy scenes - those ones that generally make the pages fly - are few and far between. 
 Though I really enjoyed the sort of slow burn that is Dark Triumph, I have to admit I didn't lose myself as completely as I did with Grave Mercy. Grave Mercy captured my heart right away and I read it all in one sitting (all 549 pages). Dark Triumph on the other hand took me a couple of days. It's not a book you can binge on. It's a book you need to set aside time for and dig into bit by bit. 
 Recommendation: Dark Triumph is yet another example of Robin LaFevers brilliant writing. It's beautiful and layered. There's action, deceit, murder and a little bit of unexpected romance. There's no middle book syndrome here, no useless filler. LaFevers has earned a place on my list of favourite writers for life.