As you read the reviews on Bookshop Talk, you'll notice that every review is positive. No, we're not a bunch of literary
pushovers who love everything we pick up; we just see no point in telling you about a book if we didn't like it.

October 29, 2012

GRAVE MERCY by R. L. LaFevers, 2012

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? (Goodreads)

Reviewed by Pica, avid bookworm

GRAVE MERCY was absolutely fantastic. It's a bit different from what the summary would suggest, and I'm really glad I read Small Review's review before I began the book, since it gave me much more accurate expectations. Not to say that I had to lower my expectations, but the plot is far more centered around political intrigue and the various machinations of the different characters. Yet even though I didn't get a rollicking action plot, I adored the story I ended up with.

Ismae is a fantastic character. She is a strong person, but with just enough weakness to steal your heart. For all her awesome assassin skills, she is struggling to find her place. She is so eager to get out there and start killing people (as is the reader), but she is forced to keep up her pretense as Duval's mistress in order to root out the secrets of the palace.

Even though Ismae is an assassin, there is not a lot of action, and not a lot of assassinations. I think Ismae kills around four people, total, in all 550 pages. There are a few people whom she helps to die, but she doesn't actually assassinate them herself. But if you were expecting lots of action and Katsa-like awesomeness, prepare to change your expectations or be disappointed.

At this point, some of you may be thinking, "This doesn't sound like a very interesting book. No action? No killing?" never fear. I could barely tear my eyes away from the pages. The story flew by. I didn't ever feel like I was reading a 500+ page book. I was too engrossed in the story. I finished the entire book in two days, largely because I practically refused to put it down. Even though Ismae is not killing everyone off or using her awesome convent training, there is <em>so much</em> going on.

The majority of the story takes place in the court of Anne of Brittany. Every single character has some plot to carry out or some scheme they are trying to keep secret. Ismae has her hands full figuring them all out, while at the same time, trying to fulfill her mission from the convent. All the complex politics were really fun to read about, and as Robin LaFevers writes in her author's note (some slight spoilers), they are all true. In reality, there was actually even more going on, but she trimmed some of the characters and plots because it was getting to be just too much, and the book ended up at nearly 550 pages regardless.

Part of what kept me so interested was the superb world building. As I mentioned in the last paragraph, much of what is in the book is completely true. LaFevers certainly did her research, and it shows in the execution. I totally felt like I was there, at the convent, in the court; anywhere Ismae went, I was instantly transported.

And then, finally, there is Duval. I'm spoiling it now: Ismae falls in love with Duval by the end of the book. But I loved the super-slow, hate-to-love romance. Duval is a wonderful character, love interest of not, and he was Ismae's perfect counterpart. I loved the scenes they were in together (which, I suppose, is nearly the whole book), because they worked together so well.

The other characters were great as well: no cardboard cutouts to be seen. I couldn't always get into the heads of the side characters, but I was fascinated with how they played this complex game.

Overall Thoughts:
Quite a spectacular book. There are so many layers upon layers, and lots of different political schemes. Although the action is limited, I was enthralled by the unfolding plots and Ismae's character development. Highly recommended.

Age Recommendation:
I almost never put an age warning at the end of my reviews, but I think this book needs it. This is definitely not a book for younger teens. There is nothing too explicit, but there are many adult themes and references, and the book is written for a mature audience. I would recommend for 16+.

Market: Adult Fiction, Older Young Adult
Language: Mild: There was not enough to be memorable, but there may have been a few instances of swearing.
Sensuality:  Moderate+ : Ismae pretends to be Duval's mistress in order to get into the court; there is one sexual act, not described in detail; there is much talk of sensuality.
Violence: Moderate: Ismae is an assassin, and does kill people, but the violence never gets too heavy.
Mature Themes: Assassination, Sensuality, Court Intrigue, War

2 comments:

Danielle said...

ZOMGOODNESS I just checked this book out on Monday (After reading the review)and Wow. I'm in college and basically spend 90% of my life complaining that I don't have time to read anymore (not to mention that it's NaNoWriMo right now) I'm on page 471. It's Wednesday. I'm totally finishing it today so that I can cry into my pillow about how sad I am that it's over.

Divorce Attorney Seattle Information said...

Grave Mercy has interesting intentions; it's a fantasy novel that plays more like an alternate history, but add in philosophical quandries that parallel those of our world today. Trust the institution whose ideals you were taught to believe, or instead go directly to the original Being who brought about said institution in the first place? I enjoy historical action novels, and this fantasy works well in that formula; adding the philosophy is a bonus for me.