Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Harcourt
Rating: YA 15+
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy
Pages: 549

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?

Okay lets start by focusing in on the main reason I picked up this book and enjoyed it so much. Assasins. But not just any old assassins; nun assassins. If those two words put together aren't enough to make you run to the closest bookstore and pick up this 600-page historical thriller, I don't know what will convince you. 

Not only did Grave Mercy have a very fascinating and kick-ass plot, but also some killer characters. Ismae, Death's own daughter, and the female MC, was by far my favorite. We are introduced to this feisty heroine at the very beginning of the novel. Single-handedly raised by her cruel step-father, after her mother died during childbirth, Ismae has had a horrible upbringing; always tortured, taunted, and bullied by men. So it's no wonder she's a bit a HELL of a feminist. When we meet her, she's about to be married off to a pig-headed brute, whom her father 'sold' her to. Little does this pathetic excuse for a human being man *clears throat* know that Ismae is actually the daughter of St. Mortain, death. *snickers*

Before things go too far, Ismae is rescued and brought to St. Mortain's convent. There, she meets people who are like her. The nuns over there teach her how to defend herself, wield dangerous weapons, become skilled in hand-to-hand combat, brew deadly poisons, and, ultimately, the art of seduction... much to Ismae's despair (but, as the nuns say, one must use all their talents in the service of St. Mortain). :P The nuns had me cracking up all over the place, when I least expected to! They are honestly nothing like the modest, quiet people I mistakenly thought them to be! 

I was continually amazed by Ismae's strength and growth throughout the novel. Not once did she allow herself to wallow in self-pity because of her hard up-bringing, and she never cowered in the face of fear. She was so empowering and AWESOME! When she's sent off to a mission that could determine her future in her beloved convent, Ismae is determined to let nothing get in the way of her, and her mission. Not even a frustratingly handsome and seemingly arrogant mysterious man who is the Duchess' closest confidante. With England constantly threatened by France's growing power, and the Duchess' safety in grave danger, Ismae is sent to track Duval and make sure his intentions are in the right place. Guided by Death's own hand, and skills she never even knew she possessed, Ismae thinks she has nothing to worry about. But not once did her mind cross over the possibility of falling in love...

The romance in Grave Mercy is easily one of my favorites. I love how reluctant the both of them are at first, and it was such a pleasure to watch them grow to love each other. It was realistic, and totally intense. I loved it so much!

The historical and political references made it a little bit difficult for me to follow the plot as well as I would have liked, but they didn't get in the way of me enjoying this book as much as I did. I actually finished this whole 600-page bad boy in only two sittings!  It sucked me in right from the very start and left me gasping for more! Can't wait for Sybella's story now... she seems creepy and a little scary but also really cool. XD

Two words: Nun. Assassins. 

                 5 (MILLION!!) Muffins - Positively Enticing!

If you like this, try:

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen