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| Read on March 22, 2013 |
Published: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 549 pages
Source: Amazon.com
Series: His Fair Assassin, #1
Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that Death Himself has given her dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?
Grave Mercy is a wild ride that starts off with a bang and never quits. Original and unlike anything I've ever read, Grave Mercy soars.
I read this book - this 549 page book - in a single day. To be honest, I couldn't put it down! I flew through these pages so fast, because the story had hooked me in so quickly. I loved the world building, and how France was portrayed in this historical novel. But Grave Mercy starts off like a firecracker and doesn't ever stop with the action.
Ismae was such an epic character. Not only is she one of the strongest protagonists I've read about, she has this fierceness within her that made me really appreciate her character. But she wasn't the only good character: I loved getting to read about Sybella (can't wait to read more about her in Dark Triumph!), Duval, and all the handmaidens. And Ismae and Duval's relationship? Can I just say a big thank you to Robin LaFevers for not creating insta-love? Their relationship started off as friendship, and how it built up really impressed me.
That ending was insane! LaFevers put an epic spin to those final 100 pages. And something I totally didn't see coming happened at the end. The story arc has been set up incredibly for Dark Triumph - I can't wait to read that sequel!
Overall, Grave Mercy is a stunning novel. Robin LaFevers is an author to watch.
MY RATING
I read this book - this 549 page book - in a single day. To be honest, I couldn't put it down! I flew through these pages so fast, because the story had hooked me in so quickly. I loved the world building, and how France was portrayed in this historical novel. But Grave Mercy starts off like a firecracker and doesn't ever stop with the action.
Ismae was such an epic character. Not only is she one of the strongest protagonists I've read about, she has this fierceness within her that made me really appreciate her character. But she wasn't the only good character: I loved getting to read about Sybella (can't wait to read more about her in Dark Triumph!), Duval, and all the handmaidens. And Ismae and Duval's relationship? Can I just say a big thank you to Robin LaFevers for not creating insta-love? Their relationship started off as friendship, and how it built up really impressed me.
That ending was insane! LaFevers put an epic spin to those final 100 pages. And something I totally didn't see coming happened at the end. The story arc has been set up incredibly for Dark Triumph - I can't wait to read that sequel!
Overall, Grave Mercy is a stunning novel. Robin LaFevers is an author to watch.
MY RATING
I've been really curious about Grave Mercy! I was hesitant to buy it right away, because I wasn't sure how much I might enjoy it, but I'm so glad you liked it! I'll have to pick it up the next time I see it! Great review, Brad! :)
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