Grave Mercy

Title: Grave Mercy
Author: Robin LaFevers
Other Books in the Series: Dark Triumph
Published: April 2012
ISBN: 054762834X
Page Number: 549 
Price: $16.99
Reading Level: 8th grade
Interest Level: 9th grade and up
Awards: Amazon Best Books of 2012
Genre: Fantasy(high), Romance, historical fiction
Plot Summary: Ismae, the daughter of a poor farmer, is being forced into a horrible arranged marriage. Unable to go through with the marriage Ismae flees to the convent of St. Mortain, the god of death. It turns out that Ismae is a daughter of Mortain and is taken into the care of the women of the convent of Mortain. At the convent Ismae learns how to become a handmaiden of death by learning to be an assassin. She is then sent out to carry out the will of Mortain. Though, Ismae quickly learns that things are not as simple as the convent had taught her and the perhaps Mortain has a different plan than what she was taught at the convent. Ismae's teachings will be further challenged when her latest assignment requires her to take out some one she loves. What is more important love or duty?
Critical Review: Robin LaFevers has created a great fantasy story that has love, assassins, mystery, treason and a strong and smart female lead in Ismae. The love story between Ismae and Gavriel is well written and keeps the reader on there toes till the end of the story. The love between Ismae and Gavriel is not immediate but instead it slowly grows, matures and changes through out the story. Of course there is many roadblocks on their path to love and it often seems it will never happen. Ismae is challenged by what she believes in her heart to be right and what she has been taught to be right. This struggle I think has great appeal to teens who often going through these same type of personal struggles in their own life. Ismae is a great female lead who shows intelligence, strength and perseverance throughout the story.
Reader's Annotation: Ismae is a handmaiden of the god of death, Mortain. She has been trained by nuns in the art of being an assassin and is to carry out the biddings of Mortain. Though trouble arises when she is asked to choose between her god and love. Can she really kill the man she loves or will she betray her duty to Mortain.
Book Talk Ideas: Nuns, assassins, love, intrigue, the book nearly book talks itself! There is so many different ways to draw readers to the book, it could be through Ismae a strong female lead who isn't afraid to question her beliefs or it could be through the mystery behind who is out to take down the crown of Brittany.
Issues: The book deals with the gods of old, assassins, violence and in the first 20 pages Ismae is nearly raped by her would be husband.
Main Themes: betrayal, assassins, gods, faith, romance
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: The book focuses on how Ismea must choose between what she has been taught and what she believes is right. It shows that one must follow their heart and not always take things at face value. It can also help teens realize that not everything you are taught is correct, even when the people who taught you these things are people you may respect and admire.
Read alikes: Graceling by Kirstin Cashore, The Poison Throne by Celine Kiernan
Author Website: http://www.robinlafevers.com/
Professional Reviews: Publisher's Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
Why Include this book? Ismae is a strong female lead and the book has received lots of praise from reviewers and the 2nd book in the series is much anticipated.