Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Author: Robin LaFevers
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Number of Pages: 549

Synopsis:

"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 picked up this book on a whim, because I needed something to read. But, when I started it I didn't really think too much of it. I wasn't sure I even wanted to continue reading, but I was far enough that I wanted to continue reading.

Although, I did end up regretting that decision during most of the book. I was bored from about the hundredth page to the five hundredth page... so it took me almost five months to read because I kept putting it aside. But I was determined to finish the book, so I kept reading and it actually got interesting during the last 50 or 100 pages. Although, I felt like it was really dragged out and unnecessary.

Ismae was a really strong character and when I first started reading the book I really liked her, but soon she started making stupid decisions (not huge ones but annoying ones) and I got annoyed with her. Also, the romance between her and Duval was really annoying and slow. Which, I guess goes with the time period, but I found myself getting annoyed with it. 

Also, the book was so long and detailed that I found myself getting confused. The author did well with tying in the writing with the time period, but I found myself not knowing characters who were really important and overall confused. 

Overall, I didn't really like the entirety of the book, but I enjoyed the end. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in historical fiction and is patient in allowing the story to grow deep into the details. Although, I would like to say that I think the next books in the series will be a lot less dragged out because all the bases were covered in this book. 

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars