Grave Mercy was everything I hoped it would be. It reminded me of The Game of Thrones with its setting, court intrigue and back story. And did I mention it has nun assassins??
When we first meet Ismae she has just been bought by a pig farmer to be his wife, and she is 14. Ismae’s life was never simple, no one was ever kind to her until she was saved on her wedding night by a monk and a kitchen witch. She is whisked away from a life of beatings and hate to a convent of women who will care for her. They will also train her to be an instrument of Death.
The story is full of intrigue and deception. You never quite know who is being truthful and who is working only to benefit themselves. What I loved most about this story was the fine line it walked between pure historical fiction and fantasy. The best part is, the nun assassins are real!! The elements were so carefully blended that it all felt possible and real. At times it was hard for me to remember that the characters were so young, especially Anne, the soon to be Duchess they are all trying to protect.
The character development was strong and while you might not always agree with their choices, you can understand them. Ismae grows from a girl who was always told she was evil and always hated men for what they did to her, to someone who learns to love herself and others.
This book is a fantastic read for lovers of good literature. The plot keeps you guessing, the characters are well rounded and the overall story is a rich blend of historical fiction and fantasy.
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