REVIEW: Matrix (Lauren Groff)

Book: Matrix

Author: Lauren Groff

Premise: Born from a long line of female crusaders and cast out from the royal court, Marie is sent to Angleterre to become the prioress of an abbey. But Marie wields strength. In her new role she sets a bold new course for the nuns, bringing herself and her sisters into richness and power.

This book follows Marie as she transforms an abbey from poverty to prosperity. We see Marie use her determination and nous to make a haven for the women in her care. We also see a range of relationships between women, from sisterly to romantic to maternal. I think I'd have liked to have seen Marie challenged more or face some consequences of her authoritarian rule.

I think the writing style could be like marmite and the pacing could've been a bit better. Relatively early in the book we jump through the first decade or so of Marie turning the abbey around. Then the story gets a tad repetitive with Marie having a vision that spurs a new, bigger project. Then the ending wasn't quite sure of itself and dragged on.

Overall, a mixed bag.