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Thursday, April 26, 2012

Jaime's Review of Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers



Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1)
R.L. LaFevers
Hardcover: 560 pages
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
ISBN: 054762834X
Source: ARC from the publisher at NCIBA
Rating: Loved

From Goodreads. 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?

I rarely read historical fiction mostly because I haven’t found any that have blown my mind. But this book did!!! Not only was there a main character who was an assassin and a complete badass but there was a love interest that had me at hello (yes I know cheesy Jerry Maguire quote) even if he didn't have Ismae’s.

The court intrigue and the twists and turns gave me whiplash, but it was the good kind. I loved trying to figure out exactly who the bad guy was and who could be trusted and I fell in love with many of the characters not just Ismae and Duval. I think what I loved about this book the most was there was an ending. Yes I’m sure there will be more about Ismae and Duval in the upcoming books, but book 2 will be about another character Sybella who was a mystery wrapped in an enigma in book one and I can’t wait to find out more about her. And I have an idea who her love interest is but I won’t spoil anything all I will say is yay and I can’t wait for their story!!!!
I had a hard time just picking one passage from Grave Mercy but I think I found the perfect one J

 “I fear it is what my convent expects,” I tell him.”They may train us in the arts of love, but in their minds our hearts belong firmly to Mortain.”

“I disagree with your convent,” he says. “Why give us hearts at all then?”

Slowly, as if afraid I will bolt, he reaches for my hand, which has somehow escaped from the covers. When he laces his fingers through mine, my heart does its now familiar panicked flight, bumping painfully against my ribs. My shoulder twitches as if to pull my hand back, but my heart overrules it.
His hand is warm, the skin firm. We sit together in silence. I do not know what is going through his head, but my own mind is unable to form a single thought. At least, not a coherent one. After a long while, he squeezes my hand, then leans down to kiss the back of it. His lips are warm and soft and I am filled with the memory of them on my mouth, my throat. Slowly, as if with great reluctance, he pulls away, and I shiver. “Perhaps,” he says. “When this is all over.”

“Perhaps, my lord.”

Ok so swoons!!!!!

Add Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1) to your Goodreads shelves.

Purchase your copy now!


13 comments:

  1. Omg, I hear ya girl! I don't normally read historical fiction but this one definitely sold me! I love so many things about Grave Mercy and Duval...oh my sweet goodness! <333

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  2. WAAIT, I wasn't done! And I agree with you about the characters! I ended up liking Madame Hivern (I think that's her name - check spelling, lol), De Lornay, Beast, Anna, her sister, and Ismae's personal assistant lady. (Dude, my brain is blanking so bad right now...but I hope you know who I'm talking about, hahah!)

    I totally loved that Grave Mercy had an ending. A satisfying ending, at that! And yessss, cannot wait for book two! Sybella sounds like she would be super interesting to read about! Lots of stuff going on there!

    And that passage you picked - dudeee, flatline did I!?! WOOOT, love that Duval! <3333

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    1. Haha I totally know what you mean Momo! Yes I loved almost all of them. Ah yes De Lornay he has a soft spot in my heart as well as Beast. I didn't like Mme. Hiverne but she did grow on me :)

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  3. *swoons with you* I've ordered this book . . . can't wait to read it now! Great review!

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  4. Girl you hit this one on the head. Besides Maria V. Snyder's books, I have been looking for something similar to Poison Study and this just nailed it. Rachel's writing was just off the chart. I loved this book and Ismae & Duval. You are so right about Sybella being an enigma. Can't wait for the next book. Geez...now I wanna go re-read it all over again just from your review. <3

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    1. Thanks Marissa! Yeah If I hadn't just lent my copy out a re-read would have been a good idea ;)

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  5. I loved this story. It was so wonderful, INCLUDING the romance. And I would LOVE to see more of Duval/Ismae for sure, but it's exciting to see more of the other sisters in the convent. I wonder if I'll love them as much!

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  6. Yea! Glad you liked it so much. It's always nice to read a great review about a book you've been waiting to pick up!

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  8. I feel the same way about historical fiction. I guess I'm just really picky about the books I read in the genre but I can't think any that have blown my mind. I'm been hearing really great things about Grave Mercy, and knowing that the characters are great and the plot isn't predictable makes me have more hope that I'll love it. Thanks for an awesome review! New follower here. :)

    Allie @ Pages & Pomegranates

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    1. Hi Allie! Thanks for following. Yep this book is amazing and I know you will love it :D

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  9. I loved grave mercy!

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  10. This one has actually been shelved on the end cap of the adult section at the bookstore near my house. I think it's a phenomenal book and anyone can read it!

    Great review :)

    Micky Johnson (Colorado Springs SEO)

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