Book Review (DNF): Grave Mercy (HFA #1) by Robin LaFever

11:22 am 23 May 2014

Series: His Fair Assassin #1
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: 03 April 2012
Genre: Paranormal, Historical Fiction
Source: Birthday Gift / Purchased
Audio or Book: Paperback
Length: 549 pages

Overview:

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

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?

My Review

Grave Mercy is about kick-butt Assassin Nuns.. what's not to love? With paranormal and historical fiction elements, this book has the potential to be absolutely amazing. Unfortunately though, I found that this book was just not for me. Everything about it appealed to me and seemed so beautiful – the cover is one of the best I have seen and the overview sounded catching and drew me in.

I had not heard of this book until a friend bought it for me for my birthday in 2012. I had no previous reservations or expectations when it came to Grave Mercy.

The characters and storyline were a complete hit and miss for me. It just felt like there was something missing, something to bring it all together. I was so sad that I was so bored - really it broke my heart.

The plot really fell flat for me and I didn't feel a connection to the characters. There was plenty of potential, which just did not materialise – perhaps it improves in the next book. Unfortunately I do not have the urge to continue with the series.

Final Thoughts:

Ultimately I got 50% through the book and I was avoiding picking up the book around every corner. I know my review is in the minority when it comes to this series, but hey that's OK, there are still a ton of great books out there waiting to be read!

Author Bio:

R.L. LaFevers (Robin Lorraine when she’s in really big trouble) grew up surrounded by shelves of old dusty books and a passel of brothers. She has also spent a large portion of her life being told she was making up things that weren’t there, which only proves she was destined to write fiction. She is the author of over fourteen books for young readers, including THEODOSIA AND THE SERPENTS OF CHAOS, (Houghton Mifflin, 2007) which received starred reviews and was a Junior Library Guild selection, a Booksense Summer Pick, and nominated for the Malice Domestic’s Agatha Award, and the NATHANIEL FLUDD, BEASTOLOGIST series. Her first young adult novel, GRAVE MERCY, will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in Spring of 2012. She currently lives with her husband and a demonic cat in Southern California and spends her days gazing longingly at ancient artifacts or wallowing in old forgotten texts.

Author Links: Facebook l Twitter l Goodreads l Website

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Chanzie

paranormal Fantasy Historical Fiction

Source: http://meanwhoyouare.blogspot.com/2014/05/book-review-dnf-grave-mercy-hfa-1-by.html

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Book Review (DNF): Grave Mercy (HFA #1) by Robin LaFever