Reviews

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

lisamchuk's review against another edition

4.0

A daughter of death, raised in a covent to be an assassin. A brooding male lead. Horses. Political intrigue in long ago Brittany. Strong female characters who kick ass. Yeah. I quite liked this and will definitely read the rest in the series!

bookph1le's review against another edition

5.0

This book was absolutely made of awesome. It's one of my favorite kinds of books: loosely based on history with some fantastical elements. I haven't enjoyed a book this much in some time. More complete review to come.

starr27's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Death, and Violence

Minor: Child abuse, War, Sexual harassment, Abortion, Death of parent, and Sexism

gradiant1's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

mlwe's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

niharica's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I liked the book but sometimes it was boring. The plot was interesting but moved so slow. 

enterprisingyoungman's review against another edition

5.0

The writing was a tad off-putting in the beginning, but I got used to LaFever's style quickly. I love the society, the plot, the characters, the historical accuracy (good job doing research!). 5 stars.

orangeslices's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Definitely, I thought it was fun. I liked the beat.
Re-reading and hopefully, finishing a series I liked in adolescence. Grave Mercy felt like a good introduction to a series: there’s the political intrigue set in a historical backdrop, and a couple of intimate scenes that depicted the daily life of the beloved “assassin nuns” of St. Mortain’s convent which included Ismae’s sisters - the later heroines of the series.
Ismae is a serviceable heroine, but comparable to weak broth. She’s a bit rough around the edges due to her past - always seems to have a quick quip, but not memorable. She’s analytical enough, emotionally strong enough, and independent enough, but I need more. Her love interest, Duval, also makes me crave more character and more depth. He’s kind, smart, and has his walls up due to living as a a bastard in a court. They’re cute, I guess with some flirtatious sequences that lead to their eventual romance.

Funniest thing about their romance was Ismae fucking the poison out of him because what in the hell, I laughed then and I laughed now.

Hopefully the next books are more well-developed - that seems to be the general consensus, anyway.

bethizael's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

harleyrae's review against another edition

4.0

I can’t believe it has taken me thing long to finally get to this book! I really enjoyed this!