9565548Title: Grave Mercy

Author: Robin LaFevers

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Publication Date: April 2012

Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Fantasy

Series or Stand Alone: Series, Book One

 

Synopsis is found here.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

Review:

Ismae, how I admire you. Treated poorly for circumstances she cannot control, almost killed at birth, married off to a brutish man. Ismae faces all of these challenges and more just in the first few pages of the book. She flees to the convent to learn the art of killing, to be a servant to her father, Death. And then she is put on assignment to get to the bottom of a political intrigue. But just when she thought she had it all under control, her prey stirs something inside of her and suddenly her path is not as clear as she thought.

I know, I know. I’m late to the Grave Mercy love party.

And yes, I should have read this sooner because it is awesome!

Ismae is a very strong character. She’s smart, suspicious, wary (as she should be in the assassin/spy business) but she isn’t cold or hard. She’s a fighter, a survivor and her strength is not only in her wits but also in her heart. I loved how she battled with her loyalty to the sisters as well as her own heart and what she knew was right. She thinks for herself and the intrigue is really well developed and well laid out. If Ismae is confused, I am too. If she is suspicious, so am I. I don’t like it when the hero of the story is dumb or can’t see things clearly before their very eyes. Ismae is no such character and LaFevers does a grand job putting you right there in the story, not sure of who to trust.

The plot develops slowly but this isn’t a bad thing. Being thrown into Brittany, as the French close in requires a lot of finesse. Danger, intrigue and twisting plots weave the reader through the story. It’s a great historical adventure and I loved eery minute of it.

Did I love Duval? I did. I like how he could be a bad guy or a good guy through most of the book. You won’t know until you read it! He’s quick and deadly but the best part about the guy is his shown loyalty. It is unmatched, and shines even brighter because so many others in the story are untrustworthy. (I’m not telling you if this loyalty is real or not. Best you read it for yourself)

Overall, Grave Mercy is a fantastic historical fiction. The story is clear and clean, fast paced, emersing you into this world of spies, duty and loyalty. It is fun, romantic and adventurous. I didn’t want to put it down.

Can’t wait to read Dark Triumph.

Rating 9 Ridiculously Awesome Like Cookies and Ice Cream.