Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Tags: fantasy-romance, young-adult-fantasy, assassins, political-intrigue, historical-fantasy, strong-heroine, murder-and-mayhem
ꣁThe World Buildingꣂ
WHY BE THE SHEEP WHEN YOU CAN BE THE WOLF?!
First of all, the NAME. The premise. The CREATIVITY. Amazing.
A convent of assassins serving the god of Death? Young women blessed with dangerous gifts, trained to become handmaidens of Death, and sent out to deliver divine vengeance?
EXCUSE ME. WHAT A CONCEPT.
We’re thrown into the political intrigue of Brittany, where murder, betrayal, court politics and deadly assignments are all tangled together. And I LOVED how this story leaned into its own atmosphere.
There’s something wonderfully dramatic about a world where religion, mythology, power and assassination all collide. It had a very distinct identity, and I was completely here for it.
ꣁThe Charactersꣂ
I got SO attached to these characters.
Ismae starts out escaping a brutal arranged marriage and finding refuge in a convent that offers her something she has never really had before: power, purpose and a chance to choose her own destiny.
She’s trained to fight, kill and survive. She knows how to dodge a blade, recognize poison and escape a chokehold.
But kindness?
Apparently, THAT is the thing she isn’t prepared for.
And honestly, I loved that contrast. Watching her navigate her new life, her assignments and the feelings she absolutely did not plan on developing made for such a compelling character journey.
The characters really pulled me into this story, and I found myself genuinely invested in what happened to them.
ꣁThe Writing Style & Plotꣂ
THERE IS A LOT OF FIGHTING. ACTION. INTRIGUE.
MURDER. POLITICS. TREASON.
Oh my!
This book knows what it wants to be, and it commits. Between the deadly assignments and the high-court political games, there’s plenty happening to keep things moving.
I was especially impressed with how everything came together. The premise could have gone in so many directions, but I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded and how all the different elements worked together.
And I don’t read young adult fantasy all that often, but this one absolutely worked for me.
It had the atmosphere, the drama, the romance and the danger. I enjoyed it for exactly what it was.
ꣁFavorite Quotesꣂ
“Why be the sheep when you can be the wolf?”
THE ENTIRE BOOK IN ONE SENTENCE. ICONIC.
“When one consorts with assassins, one must expect to dance along the edge of a knife once or twice.”
I mean… put that on a T-shirt. Immediately.
“It is this kindness of his that unsettles me most. I can dodge a blow or block a knife. I am impervious to poison and know a dozen ways to escape a chokehold or garrote wire. But kindness? I do not know how to defend against that.”
THE GIRL CAN HANDLE ASSASSINS BUT NOT A MAN BEING NICE TO HER. I LOVE HER.
“And yet, in the copse of trees, with the shadow of Death so close, I feel neither wrath nor retribution. I feel grace. Warm and flowing like a river, it flows over me. I want to laugh as it rains down on me, ripples through my limbs, cleanses them of fatigue and self-loathing. I am reborn in grace and, suddenly, I can do anything.”
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
ꣁCece’s Verdictꣂ
A convent of assassins. A heroine blessed by Death. Political intrigue, murder, dangerous assignments and feelings that absolutely complicate the job.
WHAT IS NOT TO LOVE?!
I loved the creativity of this one. The concept was so distinctive, the characters pulled me in, and the story delivered on the action and intrigue.
It had a strong identity, committed to its atmosphere, and left me genuinely impressed.
I don’t read YA very often, but this was such an enjoyable fantasy read. A solid four stars, and one I still remember fondly.
WHY BE THE SHEEP WHEN YOU CAN BE THE WOLF?
Because apparently, being the wolf is MUCH more entertaining. 🐺
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