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outoftheblue14's review against another edition
5.0
E-galley received from Netgalley for review.
A couple of months ago, Netgalley offered the first book in this exciting new series, Grave Mercy, as a "read now" galley - meaning that you can see it immediately, without having to wait for the publisher to approve of your request. I downloaded and put it on my e-reader. It's a rich story, although in some points it might be not so easily believable. I'm providing the review now, even though it might be a bit late.
In order to escape from an arranged marriage and a violent husband, 17-year-old Ismae finds shelter in the convent of St Mortain. Here, she learns that the nuns serve the ancient god of Death Himself and that she has been gifted with special abilities that will make her the handmaiden of Death. If she chooses to remain at the convent, she will be trained to become a skilled assassin and will murder people following instructions coming from the god Himself.
Ismae's assignment brings her at the court of Brittany, posing as the cousin/mistress of Duval, a knight who serves the future queen of Brittany. It's a dangerous mission, but not only for the enemies she will have to face. She also risks losing her heart. Can a novice from St Mortain follow her own heart, as well as her god's instructions?
I liked this book well enough. It has a mysterious atmosphere and gloomy setting. Even though it's the first book in a series (trilogy, I'm assuming), it stands well on its own and doesn't leave the reader hanging at the ending (a feature that I really appreciate. Maybe the next book will focus on some other novice at the convent, like Sabella. I'd liek to learn more about her.) Ismae's love interest is quite fanciable, which cannot hurt.
Some other things I liked less. For example, it's never properly explained why Ismae has the gift of being immune to most poisons. But I guess we need to consider it a proof of her being fathered by Death. Its' not a big issue, anyway. I think I'd like to continue with this series. I'd recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, especially of the medieval period.
Cover attraction: it's one of the endless variations of the "pretty girl in a beautiful dress" theme which features so prominently on YA book covers. Its well done, though. The girl holds a sword (?) in her hand and wears a deep red dresswhich recalls the colour of blood. It's a striking cover. If I saw it at the library or in a bookstore, I'd certainly pick the book up.
A couple of months ago, Netgalley offered the first book in this exciting new series, Grave Mercy, as a "read now" galley - meaning that you can see it immediately, without having to wait for the publisher to approve of your request. I downloaded and put it on my e-reader. It's a rich story, although in some points it might be not so easily believable. I'm providing the review now, even though it might be a bit late.
In order to escape from an arranged marriage and a violent husband, 17-year-old Ismae finds shelter in the convent of St Mortain. Here, she learns that the nuns serve the ancient god of Death Himself and that she has been gifted with special abilities that will make her the handmaiden of Death. If she chooses to remain at the convent, she will be trained to become a skilled assassin and will murder people following instructions coming from the god Himself.
Ismae's assignment brings her at the court of Brittany, posing as the cousin/mistress of Duval, a knight who serves the future queen of Brittany. It's a dangerous mission, but not only for the enemies she will have to face. She also risks losing her heart. Can a novice from St Mortain follow her own heart, as well as her god's instructions?
I liked this book well enough. It has a mysterious atmosphere and gloomy setting. Even though it's the first book in a series (trilogy, I'm assuming), it stands well on its own and doesn't leave the reader hanging at the ending (a feature that I really appreciate. Maybe the next book will focus on some other novice at the convent, like Sabella. I'd liek to learn more about her.) Ismae's love interest is quite fanciable, which cannot hurt.
Some other things I liked less. For example, it's never properly explained why Ismae has the gift of being immune to most poisons. But I guess we need to consider it a proof of her being fathered by Death. Its' not a big issue, anyway. I think I'd like to continue with this series. I'd recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, especially of the medieval period.
Cover attraction: it's one of the endless variations of the "pretty girl in a beautiful dress" theme which features so prominently on YA book covers. Its well done, though. The girl holds a sword (?) in her hand and wears a deep red dresswhich recalls the colour of blood. It's a striking cover. If I saw it at the library or in a bookstore, I'd certainly pick the book up.
yulie's review against another edition
4.0
I actually really liked this book, and it was quite an unexpected surprise. I was trying to find something new to read and picked it up on a whim, and I ended up staying up all night to read it!
While I was very tentative at the beginning (girl is somehow special, girl gets trained in crazy assassination/poison/insane things, girl will probably get handsome love interest and save the day), the development was very gritty and not at all glamorous like some paranormal/fantasy novels can be (ie. trope where girl is so ridiculously special, everyone swoons over her, she is amazingly good at what she does and can, either by accident or by sheer luck, accomplish something no other character can do even though they are way more qualified and experienced than her). Ismae is surely talented, but so are the people around her, and although she is portrayed as fairly good at what she does, it isn't completely outrageous like some books portray their female protagonists. Duval kept up with her and outclassed her at certain steps and she him, and this point really won me over. The two leads had a dynamic.
I didn't expect to be drawn into the political intrigue that was going on in the book but in the end I was quite attentive to it and it was all set out fairly well where the reader wouldn't become bogged down with names. I enjoyed the romance between Ismae and Duval, seeing as although she was head over heels for him, she used her logic and stuck to her guns when it mattered, and valued her own values before him and his. In addition, he was a good guy and not at all the aloof or unkind love interest, which seems to be another weird trope that keeps popping up lately. He genuinely liked her, and was gentle about his advances! Maybe I'm a sucker for a classic romance like that?
It was a really good book, and I would give it 4.5 stars (nudged up to 5 I guess since it really kept me up till 5am!). There's some clumsy writing and a bit of repetitiveness with some of the phrasing used, but nothing that greatly hampered the experience. The concept of the novel was really neat, and it was quite fantastic to not have a female lead that whines a lot about her situation or thinks she's better than others and dismisses them unless they're her love interest (can you tell I'm super fed up with that common stereotype!?)
Quite excited to start the next book which I will probably do tonight!
While I was very tentative at the beginning (girl is somehow special, girl gets trained in crazy assassination/poison/insane things, girl will probably get handsome love interest and save the day), the development was very gritty and not at all glamorous like some paranormal/fantasy novels can be (ie. trope where girl is so ridiculously special, everyone swoons over her, she is amazingly good at what she does and can, either by accident or by sheer luck, accomplish something no other character can do even though they are way more qualified and experienced than her). Ismae is surely talented, but so are the people around her, and although she is portrayed as fairly good at what she does, it isn't completely outrageous like some books portray their female protagonists. Duval kept up with her and outclassed her at certain steps and she him, and this point really won me over. The two leads had a dynamic.
I didn't expect to be drawn into the political intrigue that was going on in the book but in the end I was quite attentive to it and it was all set out fairly well where the reader wouldn't become bogged down with names. I enjoyed the romance between Ismae and Duval, seeing as although she was head over heels for him, she used her logic and stuck to her guns when it mattered, and valued her own values before him and his. In addition, he was a good guy and not at all the aloof or unkind love interest, which seems to be another weird trope that keeps popping up lately. He genuinely liked her, and was gentle about his advances! Maybe I'm a sucker for a classic romance like that?
It was a really good book, and I would give it 4.5 stars (nudged up to 5 I guess since it really kept me up till 5am!). There's some clumsy writing and a bit of repetitiveness with some of the phrasing used, but nothing that greatly hampered the experience. The concept of the novel was really neat, and it was quite fantastic to not have a female lead that whines a lot about her situation or thinks she's better than others and dismisses them unless they're her love interest (can you tell I'm super fed up with that common stereotype!?)
Quite excited to start the next book which I will probably do tonight!
heathercottledillon's review against another edition
4.0
I think of this book as chick lit with a punch. Ismae is no damsel in distress--she's basically an assassin nun. How cool is that? It's nice to read a historical novel with such a strong heroine, one who's more concerned about spilling the blood of the next evil-doer than being ladylike. Sure, the romantic part is really predictable. And I had trouble following all the politics, all the so-and-so was supposed to marry so-and-so, this guy made this treaty, this guy might be a traitor, etc. But still, it's a fun, quick read, and I look forward to following Ismae's adventures in the upcoming books.
garnethalo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Pretty good, if not a little fast paced.
yodamom's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the effects on my soul when I read this book. I was whisked away into the swirling rapids of this world. It was an adventure, a mystical world filled with danger, mistrust and gods.(I love multi gods)Oh the gods, they are a fascinating group although we really only get a glance at one, Death he is unique. A dark figure misunderstood even by those who serve him.
The Story is of Ismae, a mistreated, misunderstood and misjudged woman who finds solace and a new life at a convent. Our heroine, has some unique traits of her own. She is a daughter of Death, and in training to be a full time Assassin Nun. Yes, really. She has some serious skills with weapons, poisons, and feeling the souls of those she deals her skills on. She has been told to do as she was told, no questions, no wavering. Ah, but she is bright and she has something else in her heart.
Duval, the thorn in her side will take her into a place where everything she has been taught will be questioned. She will learn much of her order, her world and who she really is. Not without great loss, or great pain.
Loved it- Thank for the heads up G.
The Story is of Ismae, a mistreated, misunderstood and misjudged woman who finds solace and a new life at a convent. Our heroine, has some unique traits of her own. She is a daughter of Death, and in training to be a full time Assassin Nun. Yes, really. She has some serious skills with weapons, poisons, and feeling the souls of those she deals her skills on. She has been told to do as she was told, no questions, no wavering. Ah, but she is bright and she has something else in her heart.
Duval, the thorn in her side will take her into a place where everything she has been taught will be questioned. She will learn much of her order, her world and who she really is. Not without great loss, or great pain.
Loved it- Thank for the heads up G.
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
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