Robin Lafevers

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes a brutal arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of assassins--for a price. Packed with love, magic, and deadly games of courtly intrigue and treason, book one of a fast-paced YA trilogy set in 15th-century France combines romance with captivating action.

Grave Mercy

Robin LaFevers

In the fifteenth-century kingdom of Brittany, seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where she learns that the god of Death has blessed her with dangerous gifts--and aviolent destiny.

His Fair Assassin: Book 1

I really liked this story, had to get into it but was really good and I finished it as soon as I could<3

Joan 

Monicap

Okay, this is amazing. I love it. 
It's historical/fantasy. the main character's name is Ismae, and she lives in 14th century Brittany. Brittany is a really tiny country that was at war with France. It probably ended up losing, since it's not around today, not that I'm an expert.
So, Ismae. Apparently, she was sired by Saint Mortain, otherwise know as Brittany's god of Death. Her douche bag dad marries her off to some other douche bag, but she is saved when a preist comes and send her to the convent of Saint Mortain, where she is trained as assassin.
I love a good assassin book, don't you?
Unfortunately, the assassin thing, for some reason, goes sideways in this book. not that Ismae was not able to be an assassin, I'm not talking about the story line right now: I'm talking about content. Towards the beginning of the book, she has two kills in quick sucsesion, and then doesn't kill again for the rest of the book. I was a little disappointed.
But, I suppose the whole assassin thing stepped aside to make way for the romance.
Yes, the ROOOMANCE. I loved it.
Oh, and it's totally cool, because he DIDN'T DIE! 
*This is me Happy Dancing*
Yeah, so right about around the time when she kissed him, I'm like "I know how you can cure him!" Unfortunately, she doesn't figure it out until her dad (the God of Death) basically comes up and tells her.
Anyway. I was totally sucked in while I was reading this, and I loved it.
And the cover is so PRETTTTY!!!

Vicky  Nuñez 

Rating: 3.5 stars 

I really wanted to love this book, everything about it sounded perfect from the start.
But ultimately I just couldn't connect with the characters. I will try to read the next one, hopefully I'll sympathize with the characters more because it has a beautiful story I would like to learn more about.

Melissa Palmer

Book #8 Read in 2013
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

This is the first book of a three book young adult fantasy series. In this book, the main character, Ismae, is sent to a convent to learn how to become one of Death's hand maidens. She is trained to recognize the Death mark on people and then to kill them. But as she gets caught up with working with Duval at court, she is torn between what her convent orders are and what her heart is telling her to do. Should she listen blindly to the orders from her abbess? Or should she trust her gut instinct?

This book had a lot of action in it, though it dragged a bit in the middle. Besides action, there was romance, humor and history. Ismae was a kick-ass protagonist; she was tough, intelligent and honest. The second book is coming out in April and I look forward to reading it.

http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com

Nessa Luna

Actual rating: 3,5 - Though I am not a fan of historical fiction, I quite enjoyed this book. Will post a proper review asap!

Emily B

2.5 STARS:

This was…. disappointing. So much so, that I didn’t finish this book. I thought it would be right up my alley. Unfortunately, it had quite a few problems that made picking up this book a chore.

First, like many other reviews state, the beginning was extremely strong. Ismae was a protagonist who was easy to get behind (at first). I was invested. She actually did her job as an assassin and killed people. She seemed smart and skilled. Then Gavriel is introduced and it’s almost like the book forgets who it’s main character was supposed to be. He was the one doing all the political maneuvering, arranging the secret meetings, having personal ties to the outcome of the plots. Ismae, however, tried on dresses, started some drama here or there, and eavesdropped a bit. She seemed like she was the background character rather than the protagonist. Also, after the first few chapters, hardly anything happens where she gets to display her assassin skills.

The romance was kind of aggravating. They spent most of the time bickering over pointless things. Now, I like a good hate-to-love romance, but there needs to be some actual substance besides just the fighting. It was sorely lacking in chemistry.

The only thing that might have made me continue was the political intrigue, which is something I’m always attracted to in books. But the “intrigue” was incredibly simplistic. There were no ulterior motives, no scheming behind pleasant masks, no manipulations. Everyone just seemed to be exactly who they said they were at first glance, and the moves that were made felt more like checkers instead of chess. I got bored pretty easily.

I’m hoping to pick up another book after this that gives me my “strong female protagonist set in a high stress political intrigue setting” fix. I have an itch that needs scratching. I don’t think I’ll pick this up again in the future. It was just not for me.

Gisela Ayala 

A book that I have been putting off for a long time, and after reading I know not why I did that! Grave Mercy was breath taking and amazing. The language of the book was probably the best part, and I loved how it added to the plot and how it really transports you to the time of kingdoms and dukes and duchesses. Ismae is courageous and her journey to find her purpose is intriguing. I wish I was more like her. I can not wait to get my hands on the next book. Thumbs up!

Callisone Dozier

Two words: Assassin. Nuns. Do you really need to know more? Grave Mercy is a great beginning to a creative trilogy. I liked the aspect of Death being a father to the MC. I enjoyed the historical fiction story focusing on the Brittany court. Ismae is a little naive, but she is still a compelling character.

** spoiler alert **
           Wow! I never imagined loving this book as much as I do! I was truly invested in the story from the start. Ismae’s character development is pretty amazing considering all she has been thru. There were so many instances where I was completely caught off guard, which I love in a book. I love The author’s writing, old English type but yet not hard to follow. The characters were all ver intriguing, I would have liked to learn more about the villains side. It would have been Interesting to read a backstory on all that. This book was amazing, I loved it!

Megan Lowe

4.5 stars.

I quite enjoyed this book. The writing is at times, a little clunky and I feel as if sometimes things need a little more explaining or expansion, but the base storyline is solid.
I like Ismae, Duval, Anne, and Beast. They’re great characters, and I love the involvement of death and religion.
This is a great book and i can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

Siena Grace

This book was jaw dropping good. I loved it and so did my mom and my sister. This assassin book is one of my favorites so far.

Savannah Winchell

hmmmmmmm... much to think about

also why would u write an assassin book thats about learning to maybe not assassinate????fam just pick a different profession

Livia

I've really been reading way too many politics fantasy because it's pretty obvious to me who the mastermind is, but I did enjoy seeing the characters trying to solve the puzzle pieces and not being stupid. Even though Ismae became mushy with Duval a bit too quickly for my liking, I do love their banter and how they care for each other. I'm now really curious to know about Sybella, though

Lindsay Maldonado

** spoiler alert **
           This book was actually better than I thought it was going to be. I took a while trying to decide if I really wanted to spend money on this book, afraid that it wasn't going to live up to my expectations, but I finished all in one night because I just couldn't put it down. The main thing that really made it a great book was the fact that the main character wasn't some damsel in distress that needed saving from a night in shining armor. The heroin could kill anyone in record time and be out of the building before the victim even knew what hit them, and that just really gave it points. And it just made it even more special when she falls for the love interest in the book because you had to know that she wouldn't love just anyone, it had to be someone that really meant something to her, and wasn't just a pretty face (although I'm sure he is as fine as can be).

Altogether a good book, I would recommend it to anyone.

Vilde

Allison Garrett

Another reread from my adolescence, Grave Mercy was originally a five star read from me. It follows the story of Ismae, a handmaiden to Death himself, an assassin, in a medieval set world. Ismae is installed in a noble household to serve her convent and protect her duchess, but her path gets crossed when she falls in love and the convent isn’t everything she thought. 
	Pros: 
•	Worldbuilding- The religious system and the different components to being a handmaiden to death are the most interesting parts of this story by far. I would’ve liked to have seen this more developed by learning of the other saints and the functions of their followers. 
•	Romance- While a slow burn and a little obvious, it did add to the story that Ismae had to question Duval and her own judgement when it came to her feelings for him. 
•	Moral Questionings- I liked that Ismae really started to question the convent and her own purpose in this world rather than the mystery just be who was behind the treachery of betraying the duchess. 
Cons: 
•	Pacing- As is often my complaint, this book was enthralling in some areas and lost me in others. Near the middle it was just so slow and I was bored which is sad because the beginning and the end completely gripped me. 

Overall, I’m changing my original 5 star rating for this book to a 4/5. While I did enjoy the story and I can see why I liked it so much ten years ago, it could’ve been shortened.

Ashley

** spoiler alert **
           I have fallen in love with Ismae and Duval. I lived for every moment of romance between the two. This book brought me out of my reading slump, and I couldn’t put it down for 2 days. It truly let me escape to a different world, and I cannot explain how much joy it brought me to be pulled into Ismae’s identity and the mysteriousness of Duval and his court.
Honestly, I am a bit disappointed that the series does not continue from the Ismae’s perspective. What a cliff hanger to leave me on! I crave more of Ismae and Duval’s story!!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have heard a lot about “Grave Mercy” and mostly about its brilliant lady lead. If you’re looking for a covenant of female assassins, look no further. And if that cannot convince you, the book is as much historical fiction as it is fantasy and that makes it an even more delicious read.


The Plot

The plot does not waste its time around and kicks straight in. A lot of novels seem to drag on before the essential actions unfold and it is refreshing to see a book that is not afraid to throw its readers into the story head first. The plot itself is very action-packed and dynamic; the schemes and intrigues of the characters are complex and incessant and contribute for a gripping story.

I do not know much about the history of Brittany so I cannot be the judge of whether Anne’s story was accurately represented, but I know that LaFevers masterfully combines actual historical events and figures with fantasy elements and fictional characters to achieve an original and intriguing plot.


The Setting

As I previously mentioned, I did not realise the novel was historical fiction until I saw the date and place marked at the beginning. Even though I am not an avid historical reader, I found the book’s world very atmospheric. The addition of the covenant of St. Mortain and its skillful assassin sisters, makes the story refreshing and worthy of comparison to some of the best novels of the high fantasy genre. I was intrigued by the novel’s system of saints/old gods and how the supernatural entwined with the ordinary, how the two opposing aspects existed in harmony and just under the nose of those who are not tuned to the differences. It makes me wonder if any of the other saints have their similar covenants, if they, too, have brothers and sisters who follow their divine signs as a measure of justice and righteousness.


The Characters

A covenant of assassin nuns? Yes, please.

Even though Ismae is our main character - hers is the first person POV and the story that we follow - and we did not get to read much about the rest of the ladies of the covenant, I have to say that I found all the female characters very interesting. In fact, I feel that Ismae - however smart and capable she might be - fades next to the potential that characters such as Sybella and Annith have.

The part that I enjoyed the most and that I was the most excited about was the relationship between the female characters. Ismae, Sybella, and Annith’s friendship is realistically complex, there is a lot of rivalry in there (who will be the next person chosen to go to a mission), but there is also a lot of deep-lying love and affection for each other. Similarly, Ismae’s relationship with the Duchess and Isabeau - it is based on sisterly love, affection, caring for each other.

I always root for female friendships and companionships and seeing the female bonds in this book makes me beyond happy.


The Verdict

“Grave Mercy” is a brilliant read. Maybe not as suitable for lovers of historic fiction as it is for lovers of high fantasy, yet a book that is worth a try. Its more enjoyable feature is definitely the covenant of St. Mortain and the stories of its female assassins - and if you would not read it for anything else, do it for that.

Eryn Bradshaw

Ismae is offered a way out of her arranged marriage by serving as a handmaiden to Death within the convent of St. Mortain. She is trained to become an assassin, using her gifts to manipulate affairs, including political ones. She is given an important assignment in the high courts of Brittany. Here she learns of treacherous plots and love.

Oooooh boy! This one was a good one. I think it's because I wasn't expecting it. It's a historical fiction/fantasy set in the late 1480s. While there's a bit of romance, I love that it's not all about Ismae and her love interests. Ismae is here for a mission. She has tasks she must do in order to complete her mission. But all the while, she starts to question if her orders are actual orders given from Death or orders the nuns are making up for their own political gain. I was GLUED to this book!

I'm usually not one for books with a political focus (they kinda bore me). But I think because Ismae wasn't a politician and Duval, our love interest, was part of the courts, but wasn't too "courtly," I just wanted more and more. I'm glad I read this book. I'm not sure about the next book since it's from another handmaiden's PoV, but if the writing is an engaging as it was in the first one, I'm sure I'll love it! Another 5 stars here! 


  Penguin Random House UK Children’s provided a copy of Grave Mercy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to read this book!

Leah Patton

Taylor🩸

fucking brilliant !!!!!!!!! ahh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh my god !!!!!!!

I have...issues with this book. 

I read through the first half and then decided to dnf it. I couldn't STAND the main characters. Ismae reads like a Mary Sue and Duval is just...infuriating.

Ismae starts out with a troubled past, but she manages to escape to a better life as an assassin nun.

Now, with the concept itself I have no issue. Killer nuns? Fuck yes, I'm excited! 

Immunity to poison and the ability to heal really, really quickly from birth? Hang on a second...

Ismae takes about the space of a day or two to adjust to her new life, and then with the snap of a finger she's in the middle of it. Despite her previously quiet and mousy little life as the daughter of a turnip farmer, she greets this new killer lifestyle with open arms and has no difficulty whatsoever managing various types of poisons, weapons, and other things.

Well, okay...
I kept reading, anyway.

Soon after, she gets her first assignment. Woohoo! She accomplishes this PERFECTLY! Abso-fucking-lutely perfectly! She deals with every single situation with a perfectly composed and resourceful manner.

It's almost as if Ismae barely spends any time at all at the convent. It zips by with the passing of several pages. The nuns all act the same way.

While there, Ismae mentions moments involving her friend Annith. And, Ismae is kind of a horrible friend, seeing how she wishes that almost every single unfortunate thing that happened to her happened to Annith instead...

"That I will have to pose as such is almost more than I can bear. And that I shall do so in front of half the Breton nobility is laughable. I pray that a messenger from the convent will come galloping up behind us to tell me it is a cruel jest and that Annith will go in my stead."



And then with the arrival of Duval, she's back on her feet and off on another adventure! This time it's a rather long one, but she's quick to adjust and treat him with PERFECT composure!

And THEN, at the drop of a hat, she's done with hating men, and moves straight on to drooling over one. How exciting!

Ismae herself never really questions why she does things until she's prodded to do so by Duval, but, oh no! Of course she couldn't be misled by ANYONE! She's perfect!

Characters are shoehorned in and out of the book without any time spent on their development or detailing their consequence to the plot. I was also sorely disappointed with the absence of...assassin-like action in this book. Maybe it's because I read this so soon after finishing the Night Angel Trilogy, but seriously, though. If there's a book that boasts a main character that's a fucking assassin nun, I'd expect more...assassinating.

Ismae broods over Duval (another note: why would anyone even fall in love with Duval in the first place? He may be one of the worst candidates for a love interest that she could possibly choose. He's boring and rather broody.), flounces around in busty dresses, and eavesdrops.

Apologies for the bitterness, but this could have been SO MUCH BETTER!

Julie D.

Madelynn snobl

3.5/5 It didn't hook me in as much as what I was expecting. But still a great read!

Grave Mercy

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