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A review by readerlatte
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
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