I’m glad I stumbled upon Robin LaFevers’ Grave Mercy. It’s structured around many historical facts and people in 15th-century France, mixed with a healthy dose of supernatural fantasy. It’s a balance that LaFevers gets just right.
A synopsis:
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?
The author does a great job setting the scene of 15th-century France for non-historians and I could definitely feel the atmosphere of the place and times.
LaFevers also has a way of making the supernatural fantasy elements almost practical and organic, mostly through the clearly-drawn and appealing characters and the methodical pace of the book.
I was drawn to Ismae and found moments of her character’s development and beliefs very touching. I was also quite pleased with how her relationship with Duval developed – mainly, that they grew to be equals and there was a constant frankness and respect between them. More romances like this, please!
BOOK:30 