A review by bbrassfield
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

4.0

Quite enjoyable! The YA section of my local library does great displays and I browse the books on display frequently, which is how I came across Grave Mercy. The book jacket speaks of nun's trained as assassin's who also happened to be sired by Death. How could I not read this? Nicely paced from start to finish, Grave Mercy tells the story of Ismae, a young girl who also happens to be immune to poisons. She trains with the only other nun at the convent immune to them and together they make the bulk of the poisons used by the assassins. Three years into her training Ismae is sent on a mission that puts her right in the middle of Brittany's most dangerous political situation, involving a plot by those closest to the Queen regent and of course, the ever-meddling French (haha). Ismae poses as the companion to Gavriel Duval, brother of Queen-to-be Anne. Needless to say Ismae uncovers a dastardly plot hatched at the feet of one of Anne's most trusted advisors and this causes no shortage of drama as she races to undo the damage and keep Anne, and indeed all of Brittany, safe.

Grave Mercy is enjoyable in its depiction of Death as Saint Mortain and I like the way the author builds out the relationship the sisters of the convent have with their Saint and the work they undertake on his behalf. Interesting, entertaining material.