His Fair Assassin Series by Robin LaFevers ; Informal Buddy Read 19 November 2014; **REVISIT** Start 20 May 2018

[Ezi]

Thanks Cynthia. That was great!

[Cynthia]

Okay, I'm finished with . I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the other 2. It had too much of Annith's inner turmoil. I'd like to see less talking and more doing. I definitely like show over tell.

Anyway, my thoughts: (view spoiler)[
I started thinking that Balthazar was Mortain as soon as Annith found the arrow. And also he was the leader of the hellequin.

It took me a little longer to become convinced that the Abbess was her mother. It's the only way to explain the protection, and also she did appear as a baby to the convent and appeared to have no gifts from Mortain. Annith couldn't possibly be his daughter because that would just be the ultimate creepiness. I had enough of that with the d'Albrets.

I suspect that the next book will focus on Annith and Mortain at the convent, or it will be about the Abbess (I guess the's just plain Etienne now) and Dea Mortana. (hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

Ezinwanyi~the Troublemaker wrote: "I'm on chapter 32, she got a kiss.
This installment has been more plot and less romantic interests than the prior books.
But I see that will be remedied shortly.

It's nice to see the girls togethe..."

How did you (view spoiler)[ know that?? It shocked me! (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "How did you know that?? It shocked me!"

I'm curious to see why Ezinwanyi thought that, too. I think I realized it later. (view spoiler)[
The Abbess protected her too much, and Annith came to the convent without any kind of back story. I thought maybe the whole group of older sisters had colluded with the Abbess to hide Annith's birth, and that' why the Dragonette was so hard on her, and why some of the other sisters seemed to dislike her and the Abbess. (hide spoiler)]

Kirstin, her father is more shocking than her mother IMHO.

[K~Terror]

Cynthia wrote: "Okay, I'm finished with . I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the other 2. It had too much of Annith's inner turmoil. I'd like to see less talking and more doing. I ..."

Dang Cynthia - you are done already!! I'm impressed with your (view spoiler)[Early deduction about Balazar! After you mentioned it and I started thinking about it, a lot of the story started falling into place.

I'm up to Isabeau's funeral... (hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

Cynthia wrote: "Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "How did you know that?? It shocked me!"

I'm curious to see why Ezinwanyi thought that, too. I think I realized it later.
The Abbess protected her to..."

Agreed! I just had time to consider that one, thanks to you. ;). The other one was just sprung on me. LOL!

[K~Terror]

Yay - You've gotten to start it! Good deal!

[Ezi]

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "Ezinwanyi~the Troublemaker wrote: "I'm on chapter 32, she got a kiss.
This installment has been more plot and less romantic interests than the prior books.
But I see that will be remedied shortly...."

Anniths mom: (view spoiler)[ As a mom, you would sacrifice just about anyone to keep your kids safe and at home. And the parentage shrouded in secrecy made me suspect that. When Annith got in the Abyss' face, there was uncertainty almost like she didn't want Anniths anger, whereas she could give a rats ass what Esme and Syb thought about her.
Annith was her special project...it smacked of a parents favoritism (hide spoiler)]

[Ezi]

It's sad how the Abyss (view spoiler)[ sent Annith to kill her father.
I also don't like how she came to Belthazar out of a thing except for feeling for him (hide spoiler)]

[Ezi]

Wow. I'm done. I didn't enjoy Annith as much as the other girls nor her romance but I liked the convergence of the story with the deities

[Cynthia]

I agree. The basic story was very interesting, and Annith's personal story was nearly as fascinating at Sybella's. (view spoiler)[ More interesting if you count the romance with Death and the convocation to try the Abbess. (hide spoiler)]

I just didn't care for all of her introspection. It really reduced the story for me.

[Ezi]

Kristin wrote: "I'm only about 25% in and I'm not liking like the other. I am getting pretty tired of hearing about how Ismae and Sybella left her and it's like a big pity party. She has just left the convent so h..."

I think she earned the right to the pity party though. But this book was more plot focused, than character. I don't know where they can really go with the story in the future

[Ezi]

Kristin wrote: "Oh Im not saying she doesnt deserve the pity party. After everything the Dragonette did to her and I'm sure there is more to her story than what I know so far. I just want her to demand more and no..."

I thought the Abbess was a survivor. She took what was available to a young woman during hard times and made a power play. It was ingenious actually.

[Cynthia]

Ezinwanyi~the Troublemaker wrote: "Kristin wrote: "Oh Im not saying she doesnt deserve the pity party. After everything the Dragonette did to her and I'm sure there is more to her story than what I know so far. I just want her to de..."

I agree, Ezi. She is a character with faults, but we all have them. (view spoiler)[ I can't imagine how much courage it took to deliver her baby to the convent of the daughters of Death himself. Wow. What if she hadn't been able to join her later?

Am I the only one that cried when she was telling Ismae goodbye after the convocation? Probably! But I felt a little of her pain, then. (hide spoiler)]

[Ezi]

Cynthia, I really enjoyed that moment too. I hope there will be forgiveness.

Look, in the game of politics, everyone is a pawn and everyone has their own agenda. Even when you are allies and are on the same team, you still have your own personal goals to achieve. That's what I tried to keep in mind with the all the leaders, the abyess, the duchess etc

[Ezi]

I feel you Kristin. i really do. You are almost done dear.

[Ezi]

Annith just wasn't as compelling and neither was her mate

[RachelvlehcaR]

Book 1: Grave Mercy

I have been looking forward to reading this series. I just finished the first book and here are some of my notes I took on it. I will for sure continue on in the books. I just don't know when. I have so many books to read.

Chapter 1
(view spoiler)[This first chapter totally caught my attention. Poor Ismae. To be married off to that brute, Guillo, and for him to be so violent like that. It’s books like this that really make me happy to be living in a time period where we have women’s right in the United State. I’m curious to see more about “those who worship Death”. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[ Wow, that a job proposal to have before you. I can totally understand why Ismae would want to kill men like those that have tormented her. I can’t believe the Reverend Mother poised her goblet. Good thing she passed the test. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[ “Evacuate into that, if you please.” Lol That's so funny. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[ I wonder how much Ismae has learned in the three years. After three years of training her first mission. Boy, she was awfully close getting caught. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[lol, putting rouge on their nipples. I have heard that's what they did. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[ Oh, so now I meet Gavriel Duval. This is going to be interesting. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[ LOL, “Perhaps you will even be able to coax truths from him under the guise of pillow talk.” The power of a woman’s body. :P

Oh, Duval is good at mingling in. I didn’t see this but it explains a lot. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[ Duval makes some really good points about how people interpret the saints and such. I like that a lot. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14
(view spoiler)[ LOL Duval is one of the Duke’s bastards. That is a moment to insert foot into mouth. LOL. The French Whore, lol. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 23
(view spoiler)[ Aww, Duval is falling for her. Poor Ismae, she has to go to St. Lyphard, her home village. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 27
(view spoiler)[ Now Ismae is falling for Duval. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 42
(view spoiler)[ Poor Ismae. Does she kill the mother of the man she loves? Going against the orders for the convent will just cause her more issues. Now she has to kill Duval. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 43
(view spoiler)[ :( I wonder who has poisoned Duval. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 44
(view spoiler)[ Is it Crunard that poisoned Duval with Arduinna’s snare? Who is Ismae father? Poor Ismae’s mother. I’m happy she learned her mother loved her. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 52
(view spoiler)[ The whole scene with Death and Ismae at the battle field was really interesting. She’s now her own, or rather Death’s daughter. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 53
(view spoiler)[ Very interesting that she took the poison out of Duval. (hide spoiler)]

Ending
(view spoiler)[ Aww, they married. I’m very interested to see what her journeys will be in the following books. What a great power that would be to absorb poisons. That was just a time period there was tons of poisonings. (hide spoiler)]

[~Leslie~]

I just started the first book. Thanks for posting your thoughts on those chapter, Rachel.

I am on Chapter 14. I have had mixed feelings about this book so far. Interesting mix of fantasy elements and history. I like that Ismae is finally beginning to think for herself. I haven't been too impressed with her character so far.

[Deanna]

Hey Laurie and Kirsten! Do either of you have any preferences about when to start?

[Vicki]

Is this buddy read for Towers Team VI? I ask because it goes back to 2014.

[Deanna]

Vicki wrote: "Is this buddy read for Towers Team VI? I ask because it goes back to 2014."

Yes! The mods resurrect old threads when someone has buddy read a book before.

[Kirsten]

I'm not picky though I wouldn't mind waiting 1 week at least to get settled into the challenge...

[Laura]

Vicki wrote: "Is this buddy read for Towers Team VI? I ask because it goes back to 2014."

Deanna is correct. I forgot to add in this thread that its a revisit! Sorry, Deanna had already posted and taken that first spot when I remembered to come back and add it.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

*********THIS BUDDY READ IS BEING REVISITED!***********

Date to start reading TBC (May 2018)

[Deanna]

How about Sunday May 20th for a start?

[Lauri]

Cool. But I couldn't wait & started today! It's really good. I'll go slow. I don't know why I waited so long to read this! I think it was the length. I love anything about females with powers -- witchcraft, healers, psychics, midwives. Anything where a woman can take back power from males. Hmmm.....
What's up with that?

[Kirsten]

The 20th sounds good to me, I'll try and start then & then see if we can catch up to you Lauri. :P

[Lory]

Hi, I was wondering if I could participate as well? I think the book sounds really good and am very interested in doing this. I am also doing the Harry Potter Challenge. Is anyone else doing this as well?

I have never done a Buddy Read before, is this one going to be very structured?

[Kirsten]

Lory wrote: "Hi, I was wondering if I could participate as well? I think the book sounds really good and am very interested in doing this. I am also doing the Harry Potter Challenge. Is anyone else doing this a..."

Hi Lory, the more the merrier! The majority of us are going to try to start this book on the 20th of May. Beyond that there isn't much structure at all. This will be an "informal" type of buddy read so everyone reads at their own pace as much or as little at a time as they like. Then they come back to this thread to discuss the book as something strikes their fancy. Since people are reading at different speeds we mention how far in the book we've gotten to (e.g. the chapter number) and then use the spoiler tags to hide out comment for those who haven't gotten that far.

I think most of us are also in the Tower Teams - Harry Potter challenge. I'm on Team Flitwick. :)

[Lory]

Great! I am traveling to Ireland on the 18th, but we are going to be doing a lot of driving. I don't think I would've been able to check in on a regular basis, but can definitely do more freeform :)

I am a Ravenclaw on Team Tom Riddle....I almost don't want to read too much because who wants that team to win!

[Jackie]

I would like to participate as well. This book has been on my TBR for a long time. :)

On Hufflepuff Team Nymphadora Tonks

[Kirsten]

@ Jackie - Welcome!

@Lory - LOL Go Ravenclaw (even if you aren't on a Ravenclaw team.) !!

I'm on team Filius Flitwick btw.

[Annalisa]

If you all decide to read the second book I'd be interested in joining. I loved Grave Mercy.

[Kirsten]

I am trying to finish the book I am currently reading so I can get started on Grave Mercy tonight. Will see if I get there...

[Deanna]

I'm trying to finish a couple of books for another challenge, so I'll start tomorrow afternoon.

[Jackie]

I plan to start either tomorrow evening or Tuesday. Got a couple others to finish first.

[Kirsten]

Starting this book now. Will see how far I get. Lauri are you already done by now?

[Deanna]

I finished through chapter 8:

Ismae - (view spoiler)[I feel sorry for her because her life was horrible, but I am surprised that she is so trusting. She simply accepts what she is told at the convent. I would have expected her to be much more cautious given her background. (hide spoiler)]

The hedge witches - (view spoiler)[I'm highly skeptical about Mortain. It seems to me that all of Ismae's problems came from the words of a hedge witch. Then when she reaches her lowest point suddenly it is the hedge witches and hedge priests "helping" her. It seems more to me they insured she hated her life and had nowhere to turn, then took advantage of her. (hide spoiler)]

The abbey - (view spoiler)[I would have walked out when the total obedience requirement was first stated. I am glad that she has gained at least one friend, but I wish she were somewhere else. (hide spoiler)]

[Kirsten]

Gah! Got distracted & still haven't started yet... sooon!

[Jackie]

I started last night but only read a couple of chapters. Liking it so far though.

[Kirsten]

I started it finally, this morning, only up to Ch. 3 but liking it so far.
(view spoiler)[Am I the only one that was waiting for the Lady Abbess to break out into death song? lol *watches too much Sound of Music* But in reality she is, so far, just a tough cookie that isn't to be messed with. What if they were wrong about Ismae and she was killed on the spot by the poison?! (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

I finished up a couple of other buddy reads today, so I'll start back up with this one tomorrow.

@Kirsten I haven't seen The Sound of Music is years. (view spoiler)[I would most likely have had a better first impression of the abbess if she had broken into song. The poison and her absolute attitude made me dislike her immediately. (hide spoiler)]

[Kirsten]

@Deanna - about the Abbess (view spoiler)[At first I wasn't sure about her but after reading a little further (still not up to ch 8) as she raises her glass in welcome to Ismae later I got the feeling that she was a bit like Dumbledore. As if she can somehow see a bigger picture of what is going on than she will let Ismae know until she needs to know. Since the poison had a ready antidote, I thought maybe since she already knew so much about Ismae that she wouldn't have any problem with the poison but the Abbess wanted to see this for herself. Also since Sr. Serafina had to be told specifically that she passed the poison test, when she asked if Ismae had been tested, I got the feeling that the Abbess didn't just poison every girl that came into the convent. Otherwise I just saw the Abbess being very passionate about the god she serves and the work she does, which caused the flair-up in her temper when it was questioned though she was quick to check her temper which I thought may be due to her realizing she was talking to someone that was unfamiliar/naive to their ways (essentially a child) that just needed more education on the subject. I could definitely be proved wrong later in the book, but at this point I picture her as a strong female character in authority that seems hard/tough on the outside but is kinder underneath. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Another 8 chapters today, so I'm through chapter 16 now...

Ismae - (view spoiler)[She may be well trained as an assassin, but she has no grasp of politics or court life. I am surprised the abbess woukd send her out to pose as Duval's mistress. (hide spoiler)]

Duval - (view spoiler)[I don't have any doubts that his loyalties lie with the duchess. At this point the Chancellor makes a better suspect as a traitor, although I may change my minds after more of the court characters are introduced. (hide spoiler)]

The ambush - (view spoiler)[I can't decide if Duval is considered that much of a threat or if someone has alerted them to Ismae's presense. It is certainly lucky for her that she is immune to poison. (hide spoiler)]

[Kirsten]

I'm still on ch 7 :(

[Lory]

I finished Grave Mercy today! Took me a little while to get into it, but I enjoyed it. Can anyone tell me about how to add spoilers under the tag?

[Kirsten]

Lory wrote: "I finished Grave Mercy today! Took me a little while to get into it, but I enjoyed it. Can anyone tell me about how to add spoilers under the tag?"

put < spoiler> (without the spaces) in front of your spoilery stuff and
then finish with < / spoiler> (again without the spaces)

[Kirsten]

Let me know if the above post doesn't make sense! ;)

[Kirsten]

Deanna wrote: "I finished through chapter 8:

Ismae - [spoilers removed]

The hedge witches - [spoilers removed]

The abbey - [spoilers removed]"

re: Up to ch 8
Ismae - (view spoiler)[hmm, I guess maybe she figured anything would be better than her current situation so might as well just go with it... (hide spoiler)]
hedge witches - (view spoiler)[I'm still a bit confused by them. Since they pray to the old gods, initially was their declaration that she was the daughter of Morain said as in praise to him, it's a miracle, etc. but her parents didn't take it the same way? Thus all her issues? Since the one hedge witch did seem to defend Morain to the father by saying if the mother had lay with Morain then he wouldn't sit idly by to watch how he was treating the mother. (or something like that, If I remember correctly). Why however they suddenly stepped in so much later to help her and bring her to the convent, is where I question them the most. Specially since it is apparent that children far younger than herself are already growing up at the convent. (hide spoiler)]

abbey - (view spoiler)[Maybe in the day & age of the book, obedience to someone or another is more easily accepted. Or maybe she was just too eager to get back at men like the pig farmer that she wasn't quite realizing what all she was really agreeing to. I too feel I would be more leary. (hide spoiler)]