Review: Grave Mercy

 
 Author: Robin LaFevers
Published: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Series: His Fair Assassin Trilogy, #1
Pages: 560
Genre: YA Historical fiction
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

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?


Holy Moly this book was amazing! Right from the introduction this book reels you in because hello...it has killer nuns!!! The book is about a young woman named Ismae Rienne. She got rescued by a convent from a horrible arranged marriage. From the convent, she discovers that she is a product of Death. She must serve her god Death by assassinating who he chooses with a marque. So begins her journey with an obnoxious man, Gavriel Duval, whom she cannot trust, and try to save Anne of Brittany from being over thrown by the French.
I admired Ismae from the very beginning! She kicked major ass through out the whole book and she always followed her instincts. Let me tell you that Ismae was no dainty flower whatsoever! She knew how to fight, save herself and others from danger. She also killed people with deadly poisons that she herself was immune to. That was her special gift from Death. (How cool is that?!) Although Ismae was one tough chick, I liked that she had a compassionate, nurturing side. The relationship that she developed with Anne and Isabeau was refreshing. Ismae guarded them, protecting them as though they were her own family. Also, the way Duval treated his sisters Anne and Isabeau was wonderful too! I have not read a book where a brother treated his sisters with such love and affection. He put his sister's needs before his.
Speaking of Duval...he is one hot brooding man! Sure he starts off as an arrogant man, but under that hard exterior Duval really is a loving gentleman. I believe Ismae and Duval's chemistry was slow at first, though none would admit that they were attracted to each other. They were just too much alike when they first met. Both put duty first over intimacy, and they both had trust issues for personal reasons. Once their barriers came down, their relationship blossomed beautifully, but maybe at a price.
This was a great book with the just the right amount of action, romance, and adventure. I didn't think I would love a historical fiction book that much, but this was wonderful! Definitely not a light read. It kept me guessing who was the bad guy and who's true intentions were honest. I cannot wait to read the second book, Dark Triumph, because I heard two of my favorite supporting characters are returning in that book! I recommend this book to those that like historical fiction or fantasy.

~Stacie