Grave Mercy Book Review

So last week I participated in Once Upon a Book-a-Thon and I got through two novels. Not much, I know, but this is actually a very busy time of year and to complete two novels in only a few days is more reading than I usually do in a month! Anyway, the ones I read were Possession by Elana Johnson and Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers.

My review of Possession is on my other blog (also Blogger button at left).

Goodreads blurb: 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?

I loved Grave Mercy! Though it is technically historical, there is a fair amount of mysticism and fantastical elements to it as well, which were awesome! I loved the whole feel of this story!


First of all, she's sent to a convent. Usually, convent = negative, restrictive, prison-like cloister, right? Not this time. These are assassin nuns. = Awesome! (When I read the review on this book, it was this detail that made me laugh out loud and go, Man I gotta read that book!

Ismae is a strong, capable narrator that won't be bullied or put up with nonsense. The author does an excellent job bringing her across, not just as a person but in terms of what she does and doesn't know. It's apparent that Ismae, while privy to secrets and modes of death that would make most people shudder, is also very naive when it comes to trust, friendship, and of course love. This just makes her more likable, though. Through her eyes we see her world and understand why she doesn't trust many of the people around her, even though we want her too.

This book hooked me right away with a mysterious journey at the beginning. By the end I was tearing through it, rooting for both her and Duval as they race against time, betrayal, and Death (literally) to secure their country's freedom and their own happiness. 

Awesome read! Can't wait for the next one to come out next year! :D

Tweet