Grave Mercy By Robin LaFevers

Series: His Fair Assassin #1
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Release Date: April 3rd 2012
Source: Won From Oh, For The Love Of Books
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
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?

I won this book all the way back in April and I had always looked at it longingly but never been in the mood to read it because it was so thick. When I eventually started it I couldn't stop. I am a huge fan of historical fiction but I have never read such a good one. This tops every historical fiction book I've read, adult and young adult alike. The story follows Ismae who is taken into the convent of St. Mortain after fleeing an arranged marriage. There she trains to serve the convent's god, the god of Death, by becoming a handmaiden to death. In other words she's an assassin nun. When Ismae is given the most important assignment of her life she has to decide whether serving Death is really worth it when she becomes unsure of the convents intentions.

The characters I loved! I wasn't sure about Ismae at first but further into the book I saw everything I love in a heroine in her. She's independent, tough and feisty. She didn't dwell on her horrible past and get pulled into the pit of self-pity that many young adult heroines never escape from. She was totally pro-feminist and I can't help but give a point in her favor for that. Ah the main love interest, Duval. Like Ismae I wasn't sure about him at first. He seemed a bit obnoxious but further in I began to love him. His fierce determination to keep his sister, the Duchess, on the throne, his acceptance of Ismae's past. I just loved him!

The whole book was rich in description. The words flowed flawlessly and beautifully, the gorgeous imaginary and descriptions are one of the reasons that I love historical fiction so much. I enjoyed the fact that LaFevers stuck so closely to the historical background of the actual events. A lot of the events in the book actually did happen in real life and minus a few characters the book was very true to history. One way I know I love a historic book is when it influences me to look further into the time frame and events so evidently I loved this one. I was slightly disappointed to discover that the next book in the series follows a different character and wont continue Ismae and Duval's story but I'm positive that if it's anything like this one then I will love it. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy lavish description, beautiful writing and of course historical fiction.

My Favorite Quote 
“God's Teeth,' he says. 'I was only trying to wake you. You were crying out in your sleep.' '
I was not,' I say, then look from his neck to my knife. 
'When I tried to wake you, you stabbed me.' He sounds sore put out. and I cannot blame him.”

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK