Scan barcode
A review by orangeslices
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
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.
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.
Hopefully the next books are more well-developed - that seems to be the general consensus, anyway.