Dark Triumph

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, 2013 Houghton Mifflin

     Sybella escaped her father's brutality for the Convent of St Mortain and training as one of Death's Handmaidens. But she has been assigned to her father's household and the depravities of her family by the Abbess of St Mortain, and so, must return to the devil's pit.
     After months in the Count D'Albret's household playing the dutiful daughter, Sybella itches for the chance to kill this man who hopes to rule Brittany. Following the dictates her convent has taught her come directly from the God Mortain she waits for D'Albret's marque, but it chafes when no death marque is forthcoming.
     She begins to believe her God has abandoned her when a task from the abbess demands she free a great warrior. Beast is a great warrior, serving the old God of war with the berserker's fury, when Sybella first discovers him he is a shadow of himself, but still manages to drag her along in his rescue mission.
     With her plans thrown into chaos by the unintended journey, Sybella cares for the brute until he can manage himself. Returning him to the Duchess, thwarting another of her father's plans, and fighting to keep her heart to herself begin to bring Sybella back from the damage her family has inflicted.
     D'Albret and his rebellion continue to feature in the second installment of the His Fair Assassin Trilogy. Sybella has endured more than any woman should from the depravities of her family, and protected her younger sisters from such a fate. The story is placed at the edge of the Middle Ages and suited for older teen readers.