Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Book 1 in 'His Fair Assassin Trilogy'

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers is the first novel in 'His Fair Assassin Trilogy'. Grave Mercy is a novel that falls into the Young Adult genre as well as historical fiction and fantasy categories.

I initially began reading this novel for a book group/club last year, but had to set it aside and unfortunately never finished reading before the book club discussion due to unexpected events that came up... So, I started rereading Grave Mercy again this year and I am very glad that I did. It is a very enjoyable novel. I look forward to reading the next two novels in the  'His Fair Assassin Trilogy'.

The following is the plot summary for Grave Mercy, which I found on the author, Robin LaFever's website:

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 enjoyed reading Grave Mercy for the most part. The storyline and characters are well developed and you want to know what happens to them over the course of their journey. I liked the premise of Grave Mercy.... From its setting in Brittany in the late 1400s to Ismae, the leading lady, becoming the handmaiden to Death!! You grow to care about the characters and what happens to them.

The only major complaint I have about Grave Mercy is that I felt like the plot/storyline during the middle of it needed to be moved along a bit faster than it was moving. It seemed like the plot dragged on way too long. I enjoyed the beginning and the ending of Grave Mercy very much though.

I'm giving Grave Mercy a rating of 8 stars out 10 stars! Until my next post, happy reading!!