Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, #1) in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Nov 24, 2012 Amanda rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2-stars, young-adult

Oy, I feel like last week was harder than most on my reading, so lets start with my main week reader. I've been hearing about this book for ages, since last year, and that fact LaFevers is going to be at a convention near me shortly had be move her first two books in this series to the second place slot of the Must Read Now Books (right after Holly Black), and I was so excited to dive into this series.

Sadly, every ounce of that excitement was drained away in about 3-4 days. This books really wa Oy, I feel like last week was harder than most on my reading, so lets start with my main week reader. I've been hearing about this book for ages, since last year, and that fact LaFevers is going to be at a convention near me shortly had be move her first two books in this series to the second place slot of the Must Read Now Books (right after Holly Black), and I was so excited to dive into this series.

Sadly, every ounce of that excitement was drained away in about 3-4 days. This books really wants to be amazing and it has the seeds of the breathtaking story, but it never takes the steps to get there.

Our "little assassin" girl never has to kill anyone who isn't a nameless faceless person, in her first test, previous to all the actual novel making me wonder how it is we're supposed to take her seriously as an assassin at all. The books skips the three most important years of her training, constantly telling us she missed classes and doesn't know how to do this or that, until she's in a fight scene and needs to be perfect at something.

The court is microscopic since she, also, never meets anyone who isn't either her enemy, for later betrayal or a comrade now. Also, everyone conveniently, apparently, both knows who she is because she's the "mistress" of the Queen's Bastard Brother, but also conveniently when the story needs it no guard or townsperson could recognize her "because she's not important." On top of this there are conversations in front of servants and lady's in waiting who are, completely, honestly, forgotten for scenes and who'd apparently never tell what your characters are talking about even though we've already been told they are spies. Court: you're doing it wrong.

I loved the little queen most of all, but even she fell into the trap of everything in this book being extremely convenient no matter how dark the circumstances were made to look. I was rooted through the end of the book when I thought LaFevers had made the decision to kill Duval and thus make this book grow into an actual court intrigue story, with choices, sacrifices and costs, but of course, no. He conveniently manages to stay alive and be healed by sex from the heroine.

I really can't advise anyone read this novel. I can tell you it that 99.9% of the time reading this books I was reminded of Kushiel's Dart, of the amazing, tragic, wonderfulness of that series. If you're looking for that go there. I can't even really think of what else to say about this book. ...more

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Apr 01, 2013 Stephanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya-fiction, historical, fantasy, favorites, young-adult

My Thoughts:

Where do I begin with this review? Let me tell you first, that I remember seeing this book all over the place on other blogs (back before I started to actively blog). I added to my TBR list and bought it recently for my library’s collection. It was just one of those books I was uncertain about but I thought I would give it a shot. Boy am I ever glad I did—this book was FANTASTIC!!

Ms. LaFevers writing instantly hooked me into the story. From the first page, I was drawn into the sett My Thoughts:

Where do I begin with this review? Let me tell you first, that I remember seeing this book all over the place on other blogs (back before I started to actively blog). I added to my TBR list and bought it recently for my library’s collection. It was just one of those books I was uncertain about but I thought I would give it a shot. Boy am I ever glad I did—this book was FANTASTIC!!

Ms. LaFevers writing instantly hooked me into the story. From the first page, I was drawn into the setting and quickly became attached to the characters. I am a big fan of historical fiction so I’ve spent quite a lot of time reading it. I just love the amount of detail that she included—it was not too much and not too little. Her characters are well developed and believable for both the time and the situations. I appreciate the amount of growth that Ismae and Gavriel both go through to get to where they are at the end of the story.

This is not an easy story for the most lighthearted readers yet neither is dark and grotesque. There is some violence, especially at the beginning when we learn of Ismae’s past and how she comes to be at the Abbey. There is intrigue, mystery and so much more than just the assassinations that Ismae is called onto to do. The relationship that develops between Ismae and Gavriel begins with each disliking the other, slowly to trust then onto love. This book really has something for most readers to latch onto so it hooks you into investing into the story.

My most favorite quote from the book:

“I feel grace. Warm and flowing like a river, it pours over me. I am awash in grace and cannot help but raise my face to it as I would to the sun. I want to laugh as it rains down on me, ripples through my limbs, cleanses them of fatigue and self-loathing. I am reborn in this grace, and suddenly, I can do anything” (pages 522-523).

The writing is just gorgeous!! I am looking forward to reading Dark Triumph, the second in the His Fair Assassins series. I have it on my bookcase right now taunting me to pick it up but alas, I need to get through a few more ARCs before I can read it.

See more of my reviews at Love.Life.Read Happy Reading! ...more

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Sep 13, 2013 Adrienne rated it liked it

I liked that Ismae is smart and strong but a little disappointed that there had to be a love story!

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Sep 13, 2012 Celeste rated it really liked it

This is a great book with a strong female heroine. 4.5stars. I can't wait to read more by this author. The story moved quickly and the characters were great. ...more

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