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?
Let me say, as I read this story, I had to check and make sure it was YA. The characters are very mature, but when I thought about it, it made sense for the time period which I think is medieval. People married, ascended to the throne, ruled countries...all that and more at a very young age. Honestly, I thought the story might be a bit dry, but au contaire! It was awesome! I could not put this book down and when I had to, I couldn't wait to pick it up again! I'm astounded and give major kudos to the author for the level of research she had to do to capture and build the world of this story.
There were so many intricate nooks, crannies, and turns in the plot that kept me fully engaged. Grave Mercy delivered just the right balance of intriguing romance, action and adventure. I'm a romance junkie and I loved the way the author keep the romance fully intertwined in the plot. It was perfect tension. You'll hold your breath waiting for how, when and if this couple is going to make it--if the guy is even going to live!
I'm excited that this is a series. It was over 500 pages, but it was so good, I was glad because I hated for it to end. I can't wait to see what's going to happen in the second book. I believe it's going to follow another one of the characters. She's an assassin too and love complicates her mission. I hope I don't have to wait too long! You won't have to for Book One.
Grave Mercy releases April 3, 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Toodles!
