Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1) by R.L. LaFever → Start Date: September 13, 2013

[Vicki]

Sorry Jacquelyn.

I finished ch. 15 and I am liking Duval more as I read.

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

No, it's okay! I am so sorry to be bailing out on you guys! But I don't want to waste my time if this is a book I am not interested in reading!

[Vicki]

No problem. I agree with you!

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Vicki wrote: "No problem. I agree with you!"

:D

[Ashlyn]

Just finished chapter 15! I'm really liking it so far.

I don't like (view spoiler)[the convent. I think they are up to something. It's weird that they would want to kill two people who were trying to help him and then they don't trust him. I'm thinking they are going to tell her to kill him.

I think it was really sweet that he actually apologized for what he said to her. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

aww I loved that moment too (view spoiler)[ when he apologized. I thought it was so sweet! I love that he waited for her response too... lol I really like these two so far ! (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn, you raise a good point too (view spoiler)[ Maybe the convent is doing something...I thought so too but she keeps seeing the "mark" on these men. Could she see it if they were doing some type of trick? (hide spoiler)]

yeah, I'm really liking it too!!

[Mandiann]

I love the romance (view spoiler)[ between Ismae and Duval. He is super sweet! (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Trisha wrote: "aww I loved that moment too [spoilers removed]

Ashlyn, you raise a good point too [spoilers removed]

yeah, I'm really liking it too!!"

I loved that (view spoiler)[ he waited for her response. I can't believe it was the first time anyone has apologized to her!

I don't know what they are up to, but I know it is something. I guess we will just have to wait to see what it is.

I really want to see how Ismae and Duval's relationship plays out! They are super cute together! (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Finished chapter 20. Parts of it was kind of boring, but it was still really good!

Chapter 16 (view spoiler)[ I loved how Duval was so concerned about her being poisoned! And then she thought he might have set up the attack! What was up with that? Why would he be concerned about her if he wanted her to die from the poison? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20 (view spoiler)[ Just wow!! She cute him while she was sleeping! I thought she was actually going to tell him about her dream. I thought it was funny when Louyse saw the blood on the bed and Ismae got really red. (hide spoiler)]

[Kathy]

I remember some of the parts you guys are talking about, but the others I don't and it's really making me want to read it again! lol! :D

[Mandiann]

Ashlyn wrote: "Finished chapter 20. Parts of it was kind of boring, but it was still really good!

Chapter 16 [spoilers removed]

Chapter 20 [spoilers removed]"

Yes, chapter 20 was funny!

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

done with 20 chapters too

and yes, poor Ismae (view spoiler)[ to turn bright red and have Louyse patting her hand. Poor thing.

I love that Duval chuckled and said he had a reputation to keep so he'd be in her chambers an hour or two. LOL! (hide spoiler)]

they are dancing a pretty tough dance. I can't tell who is the one keeping the most secrets anymore!!

[Vicki]

I'll be reading my chapters in about an hour.

[Ashlyn]

Trisha wrote: "done with 20 chapters too

and yes, poor Ismae to turn bright red and have Louyse patting her hand. Poor thing.

I love that Duval chuckled and said he had a reputation to keep so he'd be in her ..."

That was so funny! I'm not sure if she realized what he meant by that or not.

I can't either. But at least Ismae finally (view spoiler)[ told him about the marque, even though it was only because the duchess was there. I love how they both see it as a game. I kind of wonder what piece Duval is.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

I agree! LOL! I'm not sure she knows either!!

YES! What (view spoiler)[ piece is he?!?! I'm so curious.

I love when he visits her at night and they talk. :D (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

But if (view spoiler)[ Ismae is a pond, isn't that a good thing because she is on the duchess's side? So that would mean that he knows she is on the right side.

I love that too! Especially the first night when he grabbed her ankle. She freaked out, but she didn't want it to show. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Yes...but a pawn (view spoiler)[ still seems to imply that she is being played or is playing into the hands of someone....he still must assume she is a pawn to the Covenant

hopefully he is a knight :) (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

OMG I need to get home and read!! You two are driving me nuts! Lol I can't read your spoilers till I get home and read. Are chapters 16-20 good?

[Ashlyn]

@Trisha I never thought of it that way. That makes a lot of sense. It kind of seems like he is because (view spoiler)[ he is trying to protect his sister from marrying someone she shouldn't. (hide spoiler)]

@Vicki Yes they are. I thought a couple chapters were slightly boring, but still pretty good. Chapter 16 and 20 were my favorites.

[Vicki]

I finished ch. 20 and I am really pushing for (view spoiler)[a romance between Duval and Ismae. She is so naive in so many ways, and she is innocent in the area of "mistressism" (I made that one up). I Love how they flirt with or without meaning to, and how easily Ismae blushes. You don't see that in too many girls anymore. I also loved the "foreplay" when he grabbed her ankle, and I think that she is somewhat excited by his touches. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Trisha wrote: "Yes...but a pawn still seems to imply that she is being played or is playing into the hands of someone....he still must assume she is a pawn to the Covenant

hopefully he is a knight :) "

Totally agree with you on this one. I think that perhaps the game of chess (view spoiler)[symbol. I know nothing of chess, but the moves he made and the placement of piece(s) might indicate something such as Ismae being a pawn. I also agree with Ashlyn that the convent doesn't seem to be on the up and up. I think something stinks in Denmark. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Vicki wrote: "I finished ch. 20 and I am really pushing for [spoilers removed]"

I think that Ismae (view spoiler)[ is both excited and scared of his touch. She seems to really enjoy it, but at the same time she is freaked because of what has happened to her. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Ashlyn wrote: "Vicki wrote: "I finished ch. 20 and I am really pushing for [spoilers removed]"

I think that Ismae [spoilers removed]"

Yes, I definitely agree with this spoiler, but I also think she (view spoiler)[ is excited by his touch in a romantic way. (hide spoiler)] I'm just saying. LOL

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Vicki wrote: "Yes, I definitely agree with this spoiler, but I also think s..."

I totally agree. :D

I can't wait for 5 more chapters! LOL!

[Vicki]

I'm glad you agree, so now we just have to wait and see! Lol

[Vicki]

Finished ch. 21 and I loved this chapter. First of all I find it too funny that Ismae goes on a (view spoiler)[ spying jaunt to find out about Duval's secret meeting and finds Madame Hivern probably listening in at his door or doing some snooping of her own. (hide spoiler)]

The funniest thing about Madame Hivern to me is how she (view spoiler)[ teaches Ismae the trades of the trick. The pointers on not chasing, etc. (hide spoiler)]

One of my favorite lines from this chapter is "Her words are sharp, but her voice is sweet, like honey on the edge of a blade," so (view spoiler)[obviously Ismae knows that Hivern is up to no good. What a rotten mother that would try to cause trouble between the two brothers! But I like how jealous Duval gets, but he also gets accusatory (hide spoiler)] which I don't like.

I only have about 5 minutes before students come in. I hope you girls loved this chapter as much as I did.

[Ashlyn]

I agree! This chapter is really funny!

She says (view spoiler)[ she isn't his hound and won't listen to what he commands of her. I think it was a good thing that she doesn't listen to him because now she can find out if he tells her the truth or not. (hide spoiler)]

I love it when Madame Hivern tells Ismae (view spoiler)[ to not suffocate Duval and Ismae thought that the only way she would suffocate him is with a pillow over his face!! (hide spoiler)]

I really want to know (view spoiler)[ what Hivern is up to! I think she was trying to make Duval made when she invited him over like that. And then she kept getting upset by the fact that Ismae kept bring up her and Duval's relationship. I wonder what's going on with that. Maybe she wants the duchess to marry that one guy? That might be the thing Duval was talking about when he said they didn't see eye to eye? (hide spoiler)]

It's really good so far. I'll finish the rest of the chapters in a bit.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

ch 21

Vicki, I'm so glad you are loving this too! This book makes me laugh and is so entertaining!

Ashlyn, I agree!!! My favorite line in 21 was the smothering with a pillow line too!!

lol and to think, Ismae must have had the most frightening smile on her face.

No wonder Madame Hivern made a funny face at her! :D

oh and good thinking Ashlyn (view spoiler)[ I didn't think that her agenda would be for Duval but that is a great point! (hide spoiler)]

more importantly (view spoiler)[ Who was Duval meeting with ??? Hmmmmm (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

oh I forgot to ask..
what do you guys think of the Sybella sighting.

didn't Ismae see her when she first was arriving into town?? why do you think they haven't heard from her? do you think she's a traitor now?

[Ashlyn]

My thoughts are that she found a guy or she doesn't trust the convent.

[Vicki]

I was wondering if she might be on a secret "mission." Lol

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

okay, done with 25 chapters

I hope I'm not wrong but doesn't this new offer (view spoiler)[ of marriage to the duchess just seem too good? I mean, I want it to be real...but could it be??? (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Ashlyn wrote: "My thoughts are that she found a guy or she doesn't trust the convent."

I know, I'm wondering if she found out what the convent is REALLY up to.

I hope beyond hope that she's on a "secret" mission tho :)

[Vicki]

Ashlyn wrote: "I agree! This chapter is really funny!

She says [spoilers removed]

I love it when Madame Hivern tells Ismae [spoilers removed]

I really want to know [spoilers removed]

It's really good so far...."

Yeah, the pillow line is one of the funniest I recall. :o)

Yes, regarding your last spoiler I totally agree...something sneaky is going on.

[Vicki]

Trisha wrote: "ch 21

Vicki, I'm so glad you are loving this too! This book makes me laugh and is so entertaining!

Ashlyn, I agree!!! My favorite line in 21 was the smothering with a pillow line too!!

lol and t..."

That's what I wanted to know is who he was meeting with!

And yes I DO love this book! It has me cracking up in so many parts, and I love the way it is written. My only "problem" is there are so many characters, but I can deal with that. LOL

I'm glad we are reading it together and taking it slowly so that I can stay on top of this one and my school work. We started with Suzanne Collins' bio today and the kids will be making a timeline for it. We begin the vocab and reading of Hunger Games tomorrow. Some kids still have not seen the movie nor read the book. They are in for quite a surprise.

[Ashlyn]

You are reading the Hunger Games in high school? I'm so jealous! I wish that my high school would have made us read that book!

I have a question about chapter 22 (view spoiler)[ At the end, Gisors said that Madame Hivern was plotting to put her son(I'm guessing it's the one from chapter 20) on the throne. And then it says "Duval and his family are plotting treason." How is Duval plotting treason when he is on Anne's side and disagrees with his mother? I'm pretty sure that this is the thing that Duval and Hivern disagree about. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

I know, I was confused too! (view spoiler)[ obviously, it's treason within the same family, right? so why would Duval be brought into it?? clearly, he and his mom DO NOT get along and clearly he wants the Duchess in her role (not his brother...)

but I think the general statement that included Duval is only because Ismae isn't sure if Duval is involved or not..... (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Vicki wrote: "I'm glad we are reading it together and taking it slowly so that I can stay on top of this one and my school work. We started with Suzanne Collins' bio today and the kids will be making a timeline for it. We begin the vocab and reading of Hunger Games tomorrow. Some kids still have not seen the movie nor read the book. They are in for quite a surprise. ..."


oh my gosh, what fun!

I'm equally glad we are taking this one slow

my only mistake was reading it at the same time as Throne of Glass
they are so similar, I'm adding even MORE names to the mix because I'm confusing the two story lines....

I'm thoroughly enjoying this one though. I love it!

[Ashlyn]

Trisha wrote: "Vicki wrote: "I'm glad we are reading it together and taking it slowly so that I can stay on top of this one and my school work. We started with Suzanne Collins' bio today and the kids will be maki..."

I'm glad we are too! It's really helping that we are all going at the same pace as well.

I'm actually going really slow with Throne of Glass because I don't want to get them confused. I kind of like this one more so far!

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

I'm enjoying this one more too, so I'm trying to really read very little of Throne of Glass.....
They are confusing right?

I thought the Ismae had dropped the potted plant on another girl in this one, but No....lol that was the other book.

so confusing.....

[Vicki]

Trisha wrote: "I know, I was confused too! obviously, it's treason within the same family, right? so why would Duval be brought into it?? clearly, he and his mom DO NOT get along and clearly he wants the Duchess..."

Haha, who the heck know, but how about this possibility? (view spoiler)[Any chance that Duval IS playing Ismae and that he and his mother really do get along? Maybe they really are plotting treason together. Could it be that their entire family is full of duplicity? (hide spoiler)] LOL Oh, the possibilities!

I have not begun Throne of Glass yet and don't plan to until I am done with this one...in 3 months at this pace. LOL Just kidding.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

I wouldn't recommend trying to read them together. I'm getting really confused (I'll have to crack out character lists soon! D:)

LOL! I refuse to accept that Duval may be duplicitous

:) I don't want him to be a bad guy :D

[Vicki]

Trisha wrote: "I'm enjoying this one more too, so I'm trying to really read very little of Throne of Glass.....
They are confusing right?

I thought the Ismae had dropped the potted plant on another girl in this..."

That is so funny about the potted plant confusion. It's funny when you are reading two books at the same time and the character's names or something in the plot are SO similar that you get them confused. LOL

[Ashlyn]

I sometimes get them confused when they aren't similar! Especially when you are reading four or five books at once.

I also refuse to believe that about Duval. I like him too much to accept that as a possibility. If it is true, I think I will dislike this book. What if the convent wants (view spoiler)[the other brother in the throne, so they are secretly working with Madame Hivern. I don't think they said they were working for the duchess, just for the country right? (hide spoiler)] So much to consider!

[Vicki]

That is also a possibility, Ashlyn. I also don't want Duval to be lying and duping Ismae, but I had to throw it out there. LOL I guess I am used to playing the Devil's advocate in the classroom. LOL Sorry girls! Don't shoot me! I want to see the (view spoiler)[two of them hook up...not a one nighter. (hide spoiler)] LOL I am rooting for that to happen unless we find out something we really don't like!

Even though Ismae is the daughter of (view spoiler)[Death, I think she is so innocent in so many ways. It's funny how she is so in a hurry to kill! What do you guys think about the attack on the two of them? She held her own, huh? Any idea who the attackers were or who sent them? Could the convent have sent them as a test or even maybe Duval's mother or brother? (hide spoiler)] Is that too far fetched?

[Vicki]

Kathy wrote: "I remember some of the parts you guys are talking about, but the others I don't and it's really making me want to read it again! lol! :D"

Jump on in Kathy! We'd love to have you and maybe you could shed some light on all of this without giving anything away! LOL

[Ashlyn]

Vicki wrote: "That is also a possibility, Ashlyn. I also don't want Duval to be lying and duping Ismae, but I had to throw it out there. LOL I guess I am used to playing the Devil's advocate in the classroom. LO..."

I agree with the first spoiler. I really want that to happen!

I also agree that she is (view spoiler)[ innocent. It gives her excitement to kill. I'm not sure about the attack yet. I've only gotten through chapter 22, so I'm hoping that the prisoner will be of some use to explaining that. It could be the convent because of the poison, but they knew Ismae is immune to it and I don't think they would hire men to attack. But Duval's mother did know that he was coming back because she knew when he left, so it could have been her. (hide spoiler)]

I will have to finish my chapters for today soon! I'm excited to see what happens!

[Vicki]

Don't read unless you have finished Chapter 25 (view spoiler)[What do you think happened to the prisoner? Ismae smelled death that visited him, but who might have killed him and why? And what about Ismae seeing her father when they went back to her birthplace? If Death (Mortain) is her father, was that a physical father and Mortain is more spiritual or what? That part stumped me. (hide spoiler)]

I am loving the mystery in this one more and more. I love it when everything isn't so predictable and you keep guessing what's happening but don't know until the end. LOL I'm worried now that we won't get our answers and we are going to want to read book 2 right away. LOL I hope we aren't left wondering about (view spoiler)[Duval and Ismae's romantic relationship! (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Trisha wrote: "okay, done with 25 chapters

I hope I'm not wrong but doesn't this new offer [spoilers removed]"

It not only does seem (view spoiler)[too good to be true, but it came out of nowhere, don't you think? I thought that Duval was too quick to accept it as well. So what they heck? (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Ah! I fell behind! Reading now!