Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Another short review today.  Sorry guys, but this weekend and upcoming week is going to be so hectic.  Saturday was my sister’s birthday, Tuesday is my birthday, Thursday is my college graduation and Saturday is BEA!!  Who else is going to BEA?  Let me know in the comments.

 

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 the god of Death Himself has blessed her with 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?

My Review 

Nun assassins?  Yes, please.  This book was made out of pure awesomeness.  Grave Mercy is over 500 pages but it definitely did not feel like that at all.    Robin LaFevers’s writing style kept me engaged throughout the entire book and left me desperately wanting more.

This book is told through Ismae’s POV and I have to say that I loved this character.  She was strong and independent and just what girls her age need to read about.  Hell, even girls my age need to read about her.

When Ismae is sent on an assignment for St. Mortain and leaves the convent with Gavriel Duval, who is the Duchess of Brittany’s brother, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like him all that much.  But as I kept reading, I absolutely fell in love him and the romance that was slowly blossoming between him and Ismae.  The romance was without a doubt my favorite aspect of the novel.  It was so realistic (no insta love here) and I loved watching them slowly gain trust towards each other.  

The historical aspect was wonderful as well.  It was definitely a refreshing change for me because lately all I’ve been reading is contemporary fiction or present day fiction so this was a nice change of pace.

Everything about Grave Mercy drew me in and made me wanting to go to the bookstore to pick up Dark Triumph.  

I would say that if you enjoy historical fiction or mythology or political aspects of a novel then you will, without a doubt, love Grave Mercy.

 

5/5 hearts