Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1) by Robin LaFevers (2012)549 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy
Publisher:Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Source: The Library
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Goodreads Summary: Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?My Review: When I first started reading Grave Mercy I was slightly reminded of the movie Wanted. Anyway, It took me a while to get used to Ismae and her world, but I'm glad I stuck with the book even though it took me about 100 pages before I really felt like the story was going somewhere good. Grave Mercy focuses more on politics than romance, but that didn't bother me. I really started to care for Birttany and feel what these characters were feeling. I was getting frustrated right along with Ismae, the Duchess, and everyone else, I wanted peace for Brittany as well. I'm glad I finally gave Grave Mercy a chance. It was a very good read.
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?
385 pages
Source: The Library
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Amazon
Goodreads Summary: When Sybella arrived at the doorstep of St Mortain half mad with grief and despair the convent were only too happy to offer her refuge - but at a price. The sisters of this convent serve Death, and with Sybella naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, she could become one of their most dangerous weapons.My Review: I thought Dark Triumph was the best of all three books in this series. It was darker, gritty, sad, happy, and hopeful. I felt more for Sybella than I did the other two girls the books focus on. She is one strong woman who fights for herself, her sisters, and for good. I was cheering Sybella on from the very beginning. The other best part of this book is Beast, hands down. I loved Beast in Grave Mercy and I grew to love him even more in Dark Triumph. Not only did I like the characters in Dark Triumph more (it was a more character driven story than the first book) but I also thought it was more exciting than the first book. Dark Triumph is a very good book. Even if you were not a big fan of Grave Mercy, I think you will really love Dark Triumph. I felt so many emotions while reading about Sybella and no matter how hard it got at times I loved every single page.
But her assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to the life that nearly drove her mad. Her father's rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother's love is equally monstrous. But when Sybella discovers an unexpected ally she discovers that a daughter of Death may find something other than vengeance to live for...
444 pages
Source: The Library
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Amazon
Goodreads Summary: Annith has watched her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain, patiently awaiting her own turn to serve Death. But her worst fears are realized when she discovers she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever sequestered in the rock and stone womb of the convent. Feeling sorely betrayed, Annith decides to strike out on her own.My Review: I was nervous I wasn't going to like Annith. I was worried that after reading the previous epic book in the series this one would fall flat. I didn't need to worry. I ended up loving Annith. Also, I loved all the secrets that were revealed surrounding the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain and the other characters in Mortal Heart. I might even admit that I love Annith's love interest more than Beast. Actually, I loved all the new characters that were introduced in this wonderful conclusion to the series. Mortal Heart started off good and ended great. It had some good shocking moments. Basically, it was really good all around. It really made me 100% happy that I gave the His Fair Assassin series a chance. I was so happy that the series ended so well.
She has spent her whole life training to be an assassin. Just because the convent has changed its mind doesn't mean she has...
