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 … 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?
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** spoiler alert **
The series premise: three girls from different backgrounds are deemed daughters of death and taken in to a mysterious convent where they are trained as assassins, called death’s handmaidens. Each is then sent from the convent into the politics of late 1400s Brittany where they find self confidence through love, purpose, and …
Grave Mercy is set in the real world of medieval Brittany in the 15th century, but it also has strong elements of fantasy. I think readers of both historical and fantasy would enjoy it. It follows a novitiate of a convent that trains young women to be assassins (yes, killer nuns) at the direction of St. Mortain, who marks the wicked for death. …
Two words: Assassin nuns. The premise for this series from Robin LaFevers is absolutely genius. Set in France against a backdrop of political intrigue and turmoil, the convent of St. Mortain trains young women in the art of serving what they refer to as the old golds–including Death himself.
Grave Mercy is the first book in the three-book …
Grave Mercy is one of my favorite books. I really loved the characters. Personally, I thought this was the best book in the series (the others were good but I didn’t like the characters as much) so often read it as a standalone.
I read this book in about a day. It was awesome. Just enough death, just enough problems, and double-crossings, and just enough truth. This book is based on true events and people with the exception of Gavriel. This book is worth the time it takes to read, you won’t be disappointed if you like kings and queens, assassins, and death. Oh, and at the …
Nun assassins, y’all.
I’m not sure why the marketing didn’t just splash that all over the front of Grave Mercy, as once I heard that description, I was all over this book.
For those who need more, here is the description from the book itself:
Escaping from the brutality of an arranged marriage, seventeen-year-old Ismae finds sanctuary at the …
This was such great YA fantasy historical fiction. There was so much going on with assassins from a convent and some espionage and a little romance! Ismae is a kick butt character and I loved her! I can’t wait to read the next book.
What a surprise treat this whole series was! Grave Mercy wasn’t what I was expecting, and if you’re a fan of historical fantasy, my advice is for you to dive right in. The heroine is brave and fierce, the love story feels rich and right, and the pages fly by. Truly, though the world-building felt vivid and extensive, the book sucked me in …
I. Was. Enthralled. From the very beginning, this book sucked me in and held me captive. Ismae is such a wonderful character, she has gone through such pain and came out stronger and smarter and willing to fight for her god. I loved watching her learn, both in the convent and in the real world, figuring out who she can trust and most importantly, …
Although I first read it years ago, Grave Mercy remains one of my favorite historical fantasies to date. Beyond the astounding premise (killer nuns!), I loved the incorporation of religion with fantasy–a juxtaposition that only gets stronger and more impressive as the series progresses. Highly recommend this one.
Assassin nuns. I really don’t feel like there’s much else to say… aside from the fact that I’ve loved every book in this series.
One of the best books I’ve ever read.
Rating: 3.5 stars
So many good scenes and characters, yet unfortunately, the pacing really dragged the story down. The history/fantasy aspect of the plot I enjoyed a lot; but when I picked up this book I was expecting more of a kickass assassin, “death’s handmaiden”, vibe. There are a lot of politics in the book, in fact political talk makes up …
It is a very good book. It has inspired me and the romance in it is absolutely amazing. There were some parts where I was a bit iffy about it, but in the end, it has won my heart. I know it will yours too.
I’ve read this whole series, and I’m about to reread them because there’s a new one out! (Courting Darkness.) LaFevers has done an amazing job crafting a dangerous fantasy world full of intrigue and dicey politics based in historical events. But all you really need to know is that it features assassin nuns sired by Death himself. You heard me. …
Meh
Such a great series, it sucks you in and you can’t put it down. Action packed with romance too.
A delectable simmer of intrigue and ferocity, passion and compassion. Grave Mercy sates and fascinates, even as it leaves you craving more.
Atmospheric, romantic, and gripping.
I enjoyed this book so much I purchased the rest of the series, read them, and then re-read them again.