[Audiobook Review] Grave Mercy by

Grave Mercy
His Fair Assassin #1
Robin LaFevers
April 3rd, 2012
Graphia

Amazon/Book Depository/B&N

Robin LaFevers has enchanted young readers with her Nathaniel Fludd: Beastologist and Theodosia series, which earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly. In Grave Mercy, LaFevers crafts a fantastical tale sure to win her a new fan base among young adults.

Escaping an arranged marriage, 17-year-old Ismae finds sanctuary in the St. Mortain convent, where the sisters worship the gods of old. There, Ismae learns that the God of Death has special plans for her—a destiny that will one day compel her to betray the man she loves.

I was intrigued by this book and could not stop listening. My first initial thoughts while reading this book was it felt like the love child of Graceling and Games of Thrones. Grave Mercy has that strong female heroine but it is also rife with political intrigue.

Grave MErcy is about Ismae who is the daughter of death. She has been born to the turnip farmer and he beats her and the other peasants in the small village fear her. So when the turnip farmer sells her to a passing man and he finds out who she really is he tries to beat her as well. With the help of Priest, Ismae escapes that tiny village and all those awful people to the nunnery of St. Mortain. There she will train to be the handmaiden of death and carry out the will of St. Mortain her father.

I love the concept of nun assassins. After listening to this story I found out that this book is so much more than that, it's about learning to heal and love again. At the beginning of the book Ismae hates and distrusts all men. Who could blame her for the way she was treated. In her world women have very little say in their own lives as all the decisions are made by men. I liked how when Ismae's new assignment, the brother of the Dutchess, Lord Duvall, starts to make her question herself. He is not like any other men she has run across. He cares for his sister and wants her to marry not just for political reasons, but someone decent. He also treats Ismae with kindness and respect. He treats her as an equal. I loved that through that kindness Ismae herself learns the meaning of mercy.

I do have to agree with my fellow reviewer Fry when she said Grave Mercy was good but long winded. I felt liek some of the parts could have been shortened because it got really steeped down with who is back stabbing next. In the end I really liked the growth of Ismae and secret assassin nuns in a world full of mistrust is so much fun that I give Grave Mercy 3.5 laser pistols and round that up to four. The audio version was really good because Erin Moon narrating, she  really brought the characters to life and kept it from getting boring. I already have the next book in the series and look forward to more stories in this world of murder, lies, and romance.