Red Sister Review

Red Sister by Mark Lawrence

First Book of the Ancestor

"It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size."

There are books that start with a slow burn, easing you into their world, and then there are books like Red Sister—a story that opens with blood, prophecy, and the promise of war. Mark Lawrence crafts a world where young girls are trained to be killers, scholars, and even saints, weaving together brutal action with a poetic, almost lyrical prose style that sets it apart from typical grimdark fantasy.

At its heart is Nona Grey, a girl who should have died at the gallows but instead finds herself at the Convent of Sweet Mercy, a place where young novices are taught not just prayer, but combat, magic, and the ways of assassination. The world Lawrence builds is rich in lore and danger—frost-covered lands, warring empires, and a dying sun, all creating a backdrop that feels both vast and intimate.

One of the strongest aspects of Red Sister is the way it blends brutality with deep, emotional storytelling. Yes, this is a novel about a convent of warrior nuns, but it’s also about friendship, loyalty, and the bonds that form when survival is no guarantee. The relationships between Nona and her fellow novices—Ara, Clera, Zole—feel genuine, their triumphs and betrayals carrying as much weight as the bloodshed.

The action is relentless but beautifully choreographed. Lawrence has a way of making even the most violent moments feel poetic, each movement described with an elegance that belies the savagery. And yet, the novel never loses sight of the stakes—this is not a story where violence is glorified. It is a story about survival, about the cost of power, and about the scars left behind, both seen and unseen.

"They will fear you. They will hate you. They will come against you. You must learn to win despite it."

If Red Sister has any weaknesses, it’s that the world-building can feel dense at times. Lawrence does not hold the reader’s hand; you are expected to keep up, piecing together the significance of shiphearts, the intricacies of the Path, and the underlying tensions of a world on the brink. Having read Lawrence before, I recognized familiar patterns in his storytelling—hints that might slip past first-time readers but reveal deeper connections upon closer inspection. While best known for his grimdark fantasy, Lawrence subtly flirts with sci-fi elements, embedding traces of lost technology and a dying planet into the fabric of his medieval-inspired setting. For those willing to embrace the complexity, the rewards are immense.

Ultimately, Red Sister is not just a fantasy novel—it’s a study in resilience, in the power of found family, and in the idea that strength comes in many forms. It is a story that cuts deep, lingers long after the final page, and leaves you eager for the next book in the series.

"A novice isn’t just a blade, she’s the one who decides where to cut."