Grave Mercy is captivating, with a mythology sure to enthrall you and a web of politics and lies that only grows deeper and deeper the more you untangle it. Author Robin LaFevers traveled up the West Coast last week for a pre-pub tour in support of her forthcoming novel Grave Mercy (Houghton Mifflin, Apr.), a historical fantasy in which. Pros- Great characters, unique premise, lots of politics “Why be the sheep when you can be the wolf?” All of the side characters are well developed, which is great because some of them end up with their own books! Their romance was absolutely adorable! It definitely does take up a big part of the plot, but I had no issue with that. The love interest, Duval, is a really interesting character. She’s strong and smart, but still has flaws. “… while I am Death’s daughter and walk in His dark shadow, surely the darkness can give way to light sometimes.” It helps make this book the truly unique read it is. Robin LaFevers perfectly shows this world of politics and treason, with her own added mythology that is absolutely fascinating. I loved the uniqueness of the story about a girl who is the daughter of Death and trained as an. I went in knowing nothing about Brittany in the 1400’s, but I left wanting to know even more. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers was a truly fantastic read. That said, if you’re willing to bear with it, it is so worth it! The plot moves slowly as Ismae learns more about the court. It’s a little on the longer side, and there are times when you can tell. There is so much going on, with different plot threads and motivations in play.

This is the book that made me fall in love with political intrigue. “Good intentions are only lies the weak tell themselves.”

However, her most recent assignment has her maneuvering the politics of the high court of Brittany, where she must decide if she is to follow her heart or her orders. There, she has trained to be an expert assassin. Grave Mercy follows Ismae, who serves the God of Death at the convent of St. Content Warning: Violence, Death, Assault, War Themes, Murder, Illness//

“When one consorts with assassins, one must expect to dance along the edge of a knife once or twice.” Review in a Nutshell: Grave Mercy is a unique, fascinating historical with a thrilling blend of fantasy, romance, and murder.