Book Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Grave Mercy
His Fair Assassin #1
Author: Robin LaFevers
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: High Fantasy | Historial Romance
Release Date: April 3rd 2012
Review Source: HMH Books for Young Readers

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?

Once again a genre I have not read before has left me speechless. Grave Mercy is a mixture of high fantasy and high historical romance according to my friends that have read it. I actually had to ask since it was all new to me, you had a map which indicated high fantasy but then you had historical elements. So that being said I had not read high fantasy in YA before. I LOVEDDDDDDD it!!!  I have not stop recommending it to everyone on Twitter or Facebook that is looking for something great to read next. Robin created such a world that you sink in to it immediately. The main characters kicks hiney and in a dress while she does at 14 years old. 

Grave Mercy is the first in the series and is devoted Ismae. Ismae had a real tough upbringing, beginning the day she was born. She has been cursed or blessed depending how or who looks at it. She is 14 year old girl, and has been taken to the convent of St. Mortain, The god of death. Ismae will learn that she has been given special powers or strengths by the God of death himself. She will learn at this convent how to serve him and how to use what she has been given. She finally sees her purpose in life. When she is finally given a big assignment, she is not to pleased at what it entails. She must go with Duval the brother of the Duchess Anne to her court and kill all those who wish her harm or the country. Ismae is now 17 years old and has been properly train in everything imaginable, but when she is to pass as Duval's mistress. That's where she becomes clumsy and doesn't really approve of that title she is to bear. So much transpires and Ismae will learn that maybe everything the convent has taught is not correct or that maybe the God of Death, has a soft side too. I don't want to give too much away. JUST PICK UP THIS BOOK!!!  Seriously, its so different and unique. 

Robin will be an author I follow closely from now on, I can't wait for book 2 when its the story of one of the other death maidens from the covenant and Duval's friend Beast. What are you waiting for? Oh yes for me to be done telling you how much I loved this book and thinks everyone should read it, young or old. OK rant over, now you are free to go buy the book and read it now!!!