Book Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Posted 04/09/2012 by alicemarvels in Fantasy

Overview

Genre: Fantasy

Author: Robin LaFevers

Year: 2012

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Release Date: April 3, 2012

Page Count: 549

Synopsis: 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?

PROS:

assassin nuns; sweet, slow-burning romance; history buff candy

CONS:

cliffy-style unfinished side character business (but i *hope* this will be resolved in sequels)

BOTTOM LINE

Grave Mercy is a satisfying, highly entertaining historical fantasy read that will appeal strongly to fans of Graceling, Game of Thrones, and La Femme Nikita.

by alicemarvels

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I’ve had this book in my crosshairs ever since I heard two magic words: ASSASSIN NUNS. Female assassins are always awesome, slipping in Sydney Bristow/La Femme Nikita style to dispatch the bad guys. They’re totally not above using their feminine wiles if they need to charm their way into striking distance.

But a femme fatale in a habit? That is truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Cue Karate Nuns:

Hard as it may be to imagine, Ismae and her sisters at the convent are WAY tougher and more deadly than these karate nuns. If blade-wielding, crossbow-slinging, poison-dropping ASSASSIN NUNS aren’t enough of a draw for you on their own, then read Grave Mercy to get a health dose of the following:

Heroine Hall of Famers

Ismae most definitely deserves to be inducted into the Heroine Hall of Fame. She is as tough and physically imposing as you would expect a girl who has been trained in the art of killing to be, but there is so much more to Ismae than her ability to send bad guys into the afterlife efficiently—she is also incredibly intelligent and empathetic.

Frequently outfoxing courtly backstabbers and stepping in to foil their plans against the Duchess, she takes Anne in under her wing like the little sister she never had, and strategizes with Anne’s brother, Gavriel Duval, on how to best protect her and ensure her rule. She’s got the brains and the garrotes to play fierce protector to Anne, and she bravely risks everything—her place in the convent, Mortain’s blessing, even her life—for her country’s future and the girl’s safety.

Given her upbringing, it’s truly impressive what an independent spirit Ismae has, and how quickly she begins to question her orders—an impulse not easily followed when you take said orders from an imposing Abbess and the god of Death himself—and she learns to trust her own instincts and puzzle through situations before acting, even if it means disobeying her convent.

Plus, the girl is funny! In a 15th century handmaiden-of-death kind of way.

“I comfort myself with the knowledge that if Duval ever feels smothered by me, it will be because I am holding a pillow over his face and commending his soul to Mortain.”

Her fellow novices Annith and Sybella are each impressive in their own way, helping Ismae as much as they can with her quest. I am excited that we’ll get to hear more about their stories in future books!

Historical geekery

This story is as much a historical geek out session as it is a romance/fantasy/action tale. The mostly-true historical backdrop against which this story plays out is so fascinating, it will have history geeks running for Wikipedia to go further afield.

The religious angle of the story is fascinating as well. One of the reasons this convent of assassins gets to subvert the whole “thou shalt not kill” maxim is that they are devoted to worshipping the god of Death, Mortain, who became a saint when the Christian church took over. I’ve always found these god/saint shuffling stories to be so cool, and it’s interesting to see the way people live their lives and reconcile their beliefs as these seismic theological changes are taking place.

Political intrigue

If you like backstabbing power struggles and courtly intrigue, look no further than the duchess’s court at Guerande, Brittany. It is just as cutthroat a place to rule as King’s Landing in Game of Thrones. “Trust no one, and watch your back” should be on the coat of arms.

Romance

Ismae isn’t supposed to trust anyone in the vipers nest that is the Brittany court, but she can’t help but feel trust for and allegiance to Gavriel. He’s just so damned honorable and yummy (no, Ismae did not call him yummy, but you can totes tell she’s thinking it). Plus it adorable to over-protective Ismae that Gavriel is pretty much The Best Brother Ever, ceaselessly defending his sister Anne’s right to the duchy and seeking her safety and happiness, never thinking twice to offer to lay his life down for hers.

Given their dispositions, allegiances, and general badass attitudes in life, these two were obviously going to stop eyeing each other suspiciously and start making sexy eyes at each other—it was just a matter ofwhen. And it is SO much fun to read!

Grave Mercy is a satisfying, highly entertaining historical fantasy read that will appeal strongly to fans of Graceling, Game of Thrones, and La Femme Nikita.

Watch the fierce trailer to see what Ismae does to anyone who tries to mess with Brittany: