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A review by thepaperzombie
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
5.0
I am in love. This book was so fantastic. Ismae is seriously one of my favorite female characters. Usually a lot of authors make mistakes when they're going for that bad ass female. Somehow they manage to make it so unbelievable. I'm not sure why it's so tough to write. Women are strong by nature but we're still emotional and a lot of authors struggle with that. The results usually end in characters who can kick ass but lack emotional depth leaving the character feeling very flat.
LaFevers does not make that mistake. Ismae is bad ass. She can kill a man in so many ways but she is young and she does make mistakes and she does question. She struggles with her emotions. For all that she's an assassin, she can't turn off her feelings and that's what makes her endearing.
The romance between Ismae and Duval is very believable. Neither is immediately smitten, which always rubs me the wrong way. In fact, they both despise each other at first. You have to peel back the layers of their relationship one by one until you get to the good stuff.
The complicated political intrigue is not overly complicated and doesn't make the novel boring.
I love that Ismae's father is Death. I love that despite the horrible upbringing and her experience with men she is able to overcome that and love Duval. She doesn't let that ruin her. That to me is true strength. The ability to overcome and to be open to new things despite pain in your past.
LaFevers does not make that mistake. Ismae is bad ass. She can kill a man in so many ways but she is young and she does make mistakes and she does question. She struggles with her emotions. For all that she's an assassin, she can't turn off her feelings and that's what makes her endearing.
The romance between Ismae and Duval is very believable. Neither is immediately smitten, which always rubs me the wrong way. In fact, they both despise each other at first. You have to peel back the layers of their relationship one by one until you get to the good stuff.
The complicated political intrigue is not overly complicated and doesn't make the novel boring.
I love that Ismae's father is Death. I love that despite the horrible upbringing and her experience with men she is able to overcome that and love Duval. She doesn't let that ruin her. That to me is true strength. The ability to overcome and to be open to new things despite pain in your past.