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.
Glad to hear you enjoyed this one. I thought it was a great story but I did get bored sometimes. It just seemed so long.
Kristin @ Book Sniffers Anonymous
Hi Kristen! It is a long book. I think the second book is faster too because there’s not as much set up because we’ve been introduced to the conflicts and characters already. I hope you read the second one!!
I have seen this book around, but I hadn’t heard anything about it. It sounds like a neat read. Happy to hear that you liked it. 🙂
Thanks Pamela! Hope you try it !!!
Sounds like a fabulous read, would love to read it.
I thought this was just another vampire type of a book. I guess I will have to give it a chance when I get the opportunity.
Thanks for your review.
I was incredibly skeptical about Grave Mercy in the beginning. It is historical fiction which is something that I don’t read a lot of. It takes a seriously special book to make me enjoy historical novels. Well let me tell you, Robin LaFevers wrote two incredibly special books, and a third one on the way. I get excited every time I see a new review singing the praises of this amazing book! It is seriously one of the best that I have ever read!
Thanks for stopping by Jaime! I totally agree! I can’t wait for book three
It sounds really interesting 🙂 i love how this review is short and straight to the point!
I’m glad you thought it was awesome. I love this series. It only gets better
I loved this one and DARK TRIUMPH too! Can’t wait for Mortal Heart.
Umm, I’m uber late to the Grave Mercy party. I found this book in my college bookstore and it sounded awesome. I started reading it, but just wasn’t in the right mindset, because it was difficult for me to get into it. It’s been a while so I’m going to give it another go, because this sounds to good to pass on.Your review has convinced me! 🙂
Thanks!! Good luck!!
I just found this book on book outlet and I’m SO excited that I keep hearing good things about it. I can’t wait to read this since I’ve never really read anything like it before.
You SHOULD have read this sooner, but at least you got around to it. And hey- you didn’t have to suffer between releases like the rest of us 😛
🙂 That’s totally true. Though now I’m dying for book three!
Haven’t read this series; the characters sound interesting
Awesome book review. I want to read this now to see if I enjoy it as much as you did.
Ooh, I loved this one, though I have yet to read the second book! But not a terribly long wait for Mortal Heart, especially as it’s on Edelweiss now! 😀 Great review!
I really want to read this one! It has been in my TBR pile for too long.