Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers

[Sheri, Bookworm]

Through chapter 42...

So what we thought would happen did happen, and now I'm reading tomorrow's because there's no way I can stop here.

[Sheri, Bookworm]

Okay, so I read a little past what I was supposed to. Maybe a lot past. I couldn't stop reading, so I finished the book. It's now 6:00 am, and I'm going to bed. I'll write my thoughts later today, but I loved the book. There were a couple of things that I had issues with, but I'll tell you about them later :)

[Lys]

Since you did I will too and we can chat about it this afternoon!

[Sheri, Bookworm]

So, I got about three hours of sleep and dreamt of women in large cumbersome gowns that laced up the back saying things like 'milord.' Strange…

So here are my thoughts on the book. Spoilers ahead, so if you haven't read the book yet but plan to, don't keep reading

I loved this book and rated it 5 stars. As I said before, I don't normally read historical novels, so I wasn't so sure at first about the setting/language of the book. But, once I got into it and got used to it, I really enjoyed all of it. I really don't have anything to compare, but I thought the author did a really great job with the setup and world building, and describing the dress, language, and actions of the people to make it accurate to the time setting. I also really enjoyed the author's writing style overall. She was very good at teasing and making you guess. The world of the court was pretty complex and everyone was a traitor. Some of what happened you saw coming, but much of it was a surprise.

I really liked Ismae. I liked that her character was able to grow and develop as the story went on and how she didn't just go in and know everything and do everything perfect. She was made with flaws, which was part of her charm. I loved her and Duval's relationship, how it was allowed to build up slowly and take her by surprise.

Here are some of the things I didn't really like:
I really thought she was a little too naive. She had trained for three years with the convent and should have been trained better at faking conversations, fitting in, etc. We talked about this before, but it's worth mentioning again here.

Duval's mom and brother switching sides so quickly and easily. I get that there was a point to Ismae not killing her and she learned a lesson from it by what she learned about the marques, but it just seemed…I don't know, too HEA for my taste.

Which brings me to the ending, which was, in my opinion, wrapped up a little too perfectly. There needed to be some sort of traitorous act at the very end, from the French whore or from the brother perhaps.

All in all, my annoyances weren't enough to detract from my enjoyment of the book. I think any book that can keep me up reading until 6:00 am is worth a 5 star rating.

That being said, although I am looking forward to book two and reading about Sybella, I really wish it was going to be about Ismae instead. Now that she's grown and learned more about herself and what she wants to do in life, I'd really like to hear more about her and Duval to see where her newfound self discovery takes her. After reading the blurb for book two, I'm guessing it's also going to involve Beast, which should be fun.

[Sheri, Bookworm]

I was watching TV last night and saw this guy who I thought would make a perfect Duval...so then I had to go looking for a Ismae, too.

[Lys]

So, for some reason I didn't get notification of your post here.
Sorry about that.
I am glad you liked it sooo much! I didn't. I thought it was good, and ultimately gave it 4 stars, but if half stars were a thing it would be a 3.5 for me.

First of all, because it was predictable. We called Crunard, and before I got there I even called why. Which wasn't hard since everyone kept drawing attention to the why by going "Crunard, nah, why would he?" Some of the depressing stuff seemed highly unnecessary whereas some of the HEA seemed a bit forced (I agree with you!) I was even willing to accept that Duval's mommy switched so quick - her ambition was largely from a desire to see to her children's safety and that ambition was endangering her children ... OK, I get that. But there could definitely have been at least some further development. The whole end felt rushed to me honestly, things just unraveled and then rewound, rather hastily. De Lornay's death made me upset.

But... I did like some of it. Ismae's realizations. Her whole bezoar stone bit with Duval. Her decision to be an agent of mercy (very much a fan). I don't know though. For the setup, I was disappointed in the wrap-up. It definitely needed more pages to really conclude, but it didn't end as TBC - and that was irritating.
Also, I said I would be mad if there wasn't an unexpected villain, and I maintain that. That alone knocked the book down for me a lot.

Still, I am glad I read it! And it was better than a lot of the things I read. 3.5-4ish is a pretty darn good book. Thanks for reading it with me!

[Lys]

PS. I like your casting. Duval is delicious.

[Sheri, Bookworm]

Alyssia wrote: "Also, I said I would be mad if there wasn't an unexpected villain, and I maintain that. That alone knocked the book down for me a lot..."

I was thinking of that when I finished the book. I figured you'd end up dissapointed :)

[Lys]

Haha.
It's true. I like bad guys. :( I'm pretty sure I'm broken in this way.