Grave Mercy : Robin LaFevers

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

How could you ever deny a book that has the tagline of “Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?” with a tough chick with a crossbow on the cover? Grave Mercy is one of the most badass books I’ve read this year. The book genre I first fell in love with when reading was historical fiction. I think I have read every single Philippa Gregory book on this planet. I was so obsessed with Tudor England and Henry the VIII that I went to England in high school and practically wept when I saw the Tower of London. I have a burning love or corsets and gowns and headpieces and all sorts of costume from the 16^th century. So needless to say, this book caught my attention right away.

Seventeen year old Ismae escapes from a cruel and abusive arranged marriage into the refuge of the convent of St. Mortain. The nuns of this convent aren’t Sound of Music gently singing nuns. The god that they serve is St. Mortain, the god of Death. If Ismae chooses to stay at convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as one of Death’s handmaidens. Up until now, Ismae’s tasks have come relatively easy to her until her most important assignment takes her to the high court of Brittany in France. She finds herself incredibly unprepared; not for lack of murdering skills but because her heart is captured by the handsome bastard brother of the duchess.

Have you bought the book yet? It’s insane how great this book is. This book completely exceeded my expectations. Thou shalt not kill turns into thou shalt kill whomever I say and in this specific manner at this specific point in time and thou shalt not commit adultery turns into thou shalt seduce the hell out of anyone if they have some information you may want. Ismae is a character you root for from page one of this book. She is fierce. Period. She is strong and blunt and cuts right to the point. Her naivety when it comes to men is terribly charming as well. I also want all of her weapons. A headband full of poisonous pearls? A knife that fits perfectly into a corset? A mini crossbow the size of a bracelet? I don’t know why I’d ever need these things but I know what is going on my Christmas list this year. Oh and did I mention the lead male character, Duval, is insanely charming? He might have to be added to my list of fictional boyfriends.

This book isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t a fan of political talk or a large range of characters with difficult to pronounce French names, I would maybe skip this one. If you are looking for a vengeful badass nun who not only kills but seduces her victims, get this book.  I’m incredibly excited to continue with this trilogy. It looks like novels that continue this story are told from the point of view of Ismae’s fellow handmaidens about their assassinations and journey’s while following Death.

Also! On Robin LaFevers website, she goes into detail about how a lot of this book is true!

Bye! Off to join a convent of murderous nuns in France!