"Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, #1)" by Robin LaFevers

"Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, #1)" by Robin LaFevers
 
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Published: April 3, 2012
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pages: 549
Genres: Young Adult, Historical, Fantasy
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
 
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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?

When I first heard about how this book had killer nuns, all I could think about was that episode of The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy and how I was pretty sure there were some super weird nuns in an episode.


It took me a lot of work, but I found one!




I can die in peace now.

Anyways, killer nuns sounded super amazing. Like, that is not something you would expect, so of course I'd be intrigued! I will say that I didn't love it as much as I wish I did.

I felt kind of bored with Ismae. It almost felt as though she was passive. Yeah, she did things, but she just seems to sit back and let things happen until she suddenly has to play a role. I liked her, I just found her uninteresting. Is that bad? I felt like she was more interesting when she was with Annith and, sometimes, Gavriel.

I also wish that Ismae's past was discussed a bit more. We're told about her family, but we mostly learn about how her father hated her, and not much else. Maybe we'll learn more about her past in the next books?

The whole gods thing was confusing. It felt as though it is never really explained a whole lot, like the reader should know about who these gods and goddesses are. I later looked at the author's website and she said that they were based on other gods, but they were of her own creation. I wished that there was a list at the beginning or end of the book that explained all of the gods so that I wouldn't be confused like I was.

I just thought that the idea of assassin nuns was super cool! I can't get over how original that idea is!





Ismae
Kind of boring. Maybe she'll be a bit more interesting in the next books?

Gavriel
He confused me. I didn't really understand his family and half-siblings thing.

Annith
I liked her! I can't wait to see her again!

Sybella
She seemed fascinating and I can't wait to learn about her past!

Overall, this book was really cool, totally different than other books that I've read. Even though I didn't love it, I can't wait for the second and third books!