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geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'Grave Mercy' is the first part of a new series by Robin LaFevers. You only had to say assassin nuns and I was in.
Ismae's only hope to escape from an abusive father is in an arranged marriage, or so she thinks. When her new husband proves himself to be as brutal (or moreso) than her father, she is miraculously taken away to a new life. She finds herself in service to a god of death known as St. Mortain. She learns the ways of deathdealing and how to only kill victims that bear the mark of Mortain. Before she is fully ready, she is sent out on her first mission, which has political ramifications for her people against an invading France. She is charged with protecting a young duchess while trying not to get too involved with her handsome brother. She is in a world she has never known, and surrounded by treacherous people. Will Mortain guide her hand true to save the life of the duchess?
I really liked this book. It moves along briskly. Ismae is a likeable enough character and prone to mistakes. It's YA, so it's got the romance angle which doesn't usually appeal as much to me, but it wasn't cloyingly annoying here. Ismae remains strong and independent throughout. I liked the sort of alternate medieval setting with it's strange gods. I understand the next books are told from a different character's perspective, but I think I'm ok with that.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this really good ebook.
Ismae's only hope to escape from an abusive father is in an arranged marriage, or so she thinks. When her new husband proves himself to be as brutal (or moreso) than her father, she is miraculously taken away to a new life. She finds herself in service to a god of death known as St. Mortain. She learns the ways of deathdealing and how to only kill victims that bear the mark of Mortain. Before she is fully ready, she is sent out on her first mission, which has political ramifications for her people against an invading France. She is charged with protecting a young duchess while trying not to get too involved with her handsome brother. She is in a world she has never known, and surrounded by treacherous people. Will Mortain guide her hand true to save the life of the duchess?
I really liked this book. It moves along briskly. Ismae is a likeable enough character and prone to mistakes. It's YA, so it's got the romance angle which doesn't usually appeal as much to me, but it wasn't cloyingly annoying here. Ismae remains strong and independent throughout. I liked the sort of alternate medieval setting with it's strange gods. I understand the next books are told from a different character's perspective, but I think I'm ok with that.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this really good ebook.
tjandrey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bitchwithwifi101's review against another edition
5.0
I didn’t think I would like it at first but as I kept going it got better and better. It took me some time to finish not because the story was bad but because I got busy with school. The character development was beautifully done. I gave it a 5/5 rating because it was everything I wanted in a book of this genre. The ending was not what I expected but it was better. It was a good ending to the book. Can’t wait to read the rest!
readerlatte's review against another edition
5.0
My Review: I don't even remember when I first read this title. But it's been a long while and I never did get to finish the others in the series. So I have to say that I was very glad and very excited when I received an ARC of the newest title that is a spin-off of this series. Getting the chance to reread one of my favs is not something that I generally get to do.
This book starts off with a bang and ends the same way. I really loved how it started out with our MC Ismae being only 13 (I am pretty sure) and being married off to someone who could be her father. I know in this time period that was not uncommon but still, it really sets the tone for this story that woman are no more than property. This is a story of one girl who is the daughter of Death and it is up to her to find her true path in life. This story unfolds with some wonderful historical events, Gods and Goddesses or Saints and one girl who really knows how to kick some butt! I loved every second of it. Well other than my hardback falling apart. But that even ended up being a blessing as I snagged the paperbacks with these beautifully updated covers and this one has a new story in the back. It's just a deleted scene so to speak. It is about when the girls have to test their skills on a dead body. And it was great.
The characters in this one were fabulous! I really wished that book two would have been in the same POV because I know that it is not. And although I am sure that Ismae and Duval will be in book two I would have liked to stay in Ismae's POV. But I guess well see how it goes.
This one was full of action and had a great pace things unfolded one scene at a time and it really worked for me. I was hooked and never felt bored at all. I loved all the poisons, knives, and I was really surprised about how I felt when certain characters bit the bullet and they hadn't really been in the story all that much.
One thing that I want to note about this world is the historical aspects and the fantasy. It is a very light fantasy so if you think you're going into this and you're going to see the fey, flying, witches, etc. You aren't. The only real magic per se that is in this one is the mark of death and that is pretty much it. I am not sure if we will see more fantasy elements in the coming titles. But for this one that is all there is. The historical aspect of this was wonderful. I loved how the author took real people and events then added in this aspect of Death's Handmaidens it worked so well!!
In the end, this reminds me of the White Princess where the woman although are property still make do with what they can in any way they can. There is a lot of political dangers in this one as well as twists and turns. And really you can't trust anyone in this story other than Ismae!
Go Into This One Knowing: No Insta-Love, Politics, Woman as Property, Light Fantasy
This book starts off with a bang and ends the same way. I really loved how it started out with our MC Ismae being only 13 (I am pretty sure) and being married off to someone who could be her father. I know in this time period that was not uncommon but still, it really sets the tone for this story that woman are no more than property. This is a story of one girl who is the daughter of Death and it is up to her to find her true path in life. This story unfolds with some wonderful historical events, Gods and Goddesses or Saints and one girl who really knows how to kick some butt! I loved every second of it. Well other than my hardback falling apart. But that even ended up being a blessing as I snagged the paperbacks with these beautifully updated covers and this one has a new story in the back. It's just a deleted scene so to speak. It is about when the girls have to test their skills on a dead body. And it was great.
The characters in this one were fabulous! I really wished that book two would have been in the same POV because I know that it is not. And although I am sure that Ismae and Duval will be in book two I would have liked to stay in Ismae's POV. But I guess well see how it goes.
This one was full of action and had a great pace things unfolded one scene at a time and it really worked for me. I was hooked and never felt bored at all. I loved all the poisons, knives, and I was really surprised about how I felt when certain characters bit the bullet and they hadn't really been in the story all that much.
One thing that I want to note about this world is the historical aspects and the fantasy. It is a very light fantasy so if you think you're going into this and you're going to see the fey, flying, witches, etc. You aren't. The only real magic per se that is in this one is the mark of death and that is pretty much it. I am not sure if we will see more fantasy elements in the coming titles. But for this one that is all there is. The historical aspect of this was wonderful. I loved how the author took real people and events then added in this aspect of Death's Handmaidens it worked so well!!
In the end, this reminds me of the White Princess where the woman although are property still make do with what they can in any way they can. There is a lot of political dangers in this one as well as twists and turns. And really you can't trust anyone in this story other than Ismae!
Go Into This One Knowing: No Insta-Love, Politics, Woman as Property, Light Fantasy
bright_night's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ghostless's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.5
Duval and Ismae!!! I need moreeeee
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Blood
Moderate: War and Domestic abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Abortion
brittneywelch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
4saradouglas's review against another edition
5.0
2013: Well, I read this 550 page book in one day... and now having finished it I am about to run out and grab the sequel. Obviously I loved it! There are a lot of characters and a lot of plot to keep track of, but it is so interesting and well-written that it really flew by. It is part of a trilogy and I was dismayed to find out that each book follows a different girl, but the ending of this first book was very satisfying and I'm now looking forward to finding out about Sybella, the second girl. My only complaint is that I knew who "the bad guy" was and what was poisoned quite awhile before the characters figured it out, but it was still a great read. Definitely suggest reading this if you like action, suspense, mystery, and romance!
2014 Reread: Still really liked it! Looking forward to hearing what my book club kids thought.
2019 Re-read: I had no idea this is my third read of this book, but I still enjoyed every bit of it! I can't wait to re-read the other two and then read the new duology as well.
2014 Reread: Still really liked it! Looking forward to hearing what my book club kids thought.
2019 Re-read: I had no idea this is my third read of this book, but I still enjoyed every bit of it! I can't wait to re-read the other two and then read the new duology as well.
kairrakat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0