Pages: 549
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Genre: Historical
Release: April 3rd 2012
Buy the Book at: Book Depository / Amazon
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?
Up-there!
Grave Mercy is UP-THERE!
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers is extraordinary in every sense. It is a brilliant and captivating story with highly well developed characters and plot. It is a story where war, love, justice, free-will, trust and loyalty intertwines in an exquisite and completely seductive medieval adventure that can easily become one of the 2012 favorite reads of teens and adults alike.
The original concept of Death handmaidens (assassin nuns) has certainly created one of the most kick-butt heroines in the YA world. In Grave Mercy, gifted girls are trained in a convent to server their God -Death himself- by obeying his word and bring death to those who deserve it (or so they think). Ismae is one of those girls, but her second and first big assignment turns her entire world completely upside-down.
Grave mercy is full of complex politics of the 15th century France. I loved the historical background LaFevers used to set this story and I loved the intrusion of the convent into this world as well. In addition, the characters are excellent. In Grave Mercy, Ismae is placed in a very complicate situation between her loyalty and heart, and even though she is grateful and loyal to the convent, she is not blinded by her devotion nor by her heart. Ismae is extremely brave, intelligent and sensitive enough to know what is right from wrong. Then, there is Duval. He is one of the most loyal characters I have come across in a long time. I really tried to find something negative about this character but I couldn't. However, this perfect image of a man doesn't disturb the credibility of this character. Actually, Duval has no powers, nor he posses the face of a fallen angel. He is just a very honorable man whose values excel among those of most man. In other words, Duval's soul is a diamond. A diamond that exist thanks to the infinite love he feels for his little sister.
Robin LaFevers has a marvelous way to build-up the atmosphere of the story. It is so powerful and bewitching that you can easily be transported into the 15th century. In addition, I think that LaFevers' exquisite prose makes of Grave Mercy a true gem among YA books! I can't express enough how much I love this book. Romance, intrigue, politics, action, drama, free-will, justice vs. vengeance, and women's right are some of the topics and themes you can find in this book. Grave Mercy really has it all!
LaFevers really surprised me with an excellent and well portrayed historical novel with a strong scent of fantasy that will forever remain as one of my favorites reads. Grave Mercy certainly deserve to be UP-THERE along with Poison Study, Finnikin of the Rock, Graceling and The Demon King! This one is a must-read that you will entirely devour in just one seat!
❤ Big Thanks to Thomas Allen & Son for providing me a copy of Grave Mercy for Review❤
Watch the book trailer!
Visit the author's Website at http://www.robinlafevers.com/
14 comments:
I really need to go to the bookstore tomorrow. thanks for the great review!
Great Review!! I'm so in love with this series right now. Totally agree that it's UP THERE with the greatest. I already posted my review on it, but tomorrow I'll be posting an interview with Robin LaFevers! ^__^
You rock my dear! I loved this book so freakin much! OMG! it made stop everything in my life to read it O_O lol
Im so looking forward to your interview and I am SO happy to know that you love this book a much as I! =D yay! muah!
awesome review
i love the trailer
This book is everywhere in the blogosphere xD So worth it, though! Definitely agree that Grave Mercy is up there! :D Looved Ismae and Duval's soul IS diamond xD Watched the book trailer for the first time! WOW! :D Great review!
I loved the historical context. I didn't know much about that time period but I had no problems following. Lol, of course I Wiki'ed everything after too to make sure I understood it all.
Thanks for the great review! I love the idea of a historical read with a huge fantasy feel, but I have heard this one is a bit confusing if you're not normally into historicals.
After your review, I think I need to pick this up! Duval sounds like an interesting character, I want to know more!
-Jac @ For Love and Books
Thank you all for the comments ^_^ yay!
@Jac: This one is an outstanding read! seriouly! OMG! I am not familiar with historical novels either and this book was not confusing at all. LaFevers develops the plot very clearly and if you get into the story (which for me was very easily because the book is just freaking awesome) then you shouldnt have any problems understanding the story =) Go ahead and pick it up! Also, in the first few pages of the book, there is a whole list of characters classify from where they come from. This s helpful to remember who is who ;)
Aaah Natalia you write such great reviews !I realy enjoyed this one even tough I was a bit lost in the politics. It's definitely well written and you can real feel as if you're back in that era!! Happy you loved it chicky!!
Great review. Glad you enjoyed it. I loved this one too.
I NEED to read this book! The ARC has been sitting on my shelf for MONTHS. LOL. Love your blog, new follower.
Follow mine? www.tumblingbooks.com
Thanks,
Nancy
So Rachel of Unforgettable Books just recommended Grave Mercy to me, but, wow, you seem to love it so, so much too, and you two combined are definitely more than enough to make me want to get it! Historical fiction is definitely my thing, too, so. Yes. I'm excited!
On another note, I love the book trailer. I got chills when I heard the last line: "Why be the sheep when you can be the wolf?" OH SNAP!
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! YOU JUST COMPARED IT TO POISON STUDY AND GRACELING!!!!! EEEEEEEE! I am SOLD.
I was excited for this before, but now I'm FREAKING FLIPPING OUT!
Your review, as ALWAYS=amazing. And I am SO excited to read GM! THANK YOU NATALIAAAAA! ♥♥♥
NICE!! Love your review!! We definitely agree on Grave Mercy. I think it's my favorite read so far this year. I keep wishing I was still reading it for the first time!!!
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