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?
***
One sentence: Great concept, average story.
The background of the story is pretty great, actually. Ismae is Death's assassin and she's to carry out wills of his (or that's what the convent tells her). The setting of the story is pretty nice because it's just before Renaissance, which is a great era in European history in my opinion. And the fact that there are Death's handmaidens who do his bidding at his will is pretty unique. That's why I picked Grave Mercy up because I have a feeling it might be interesting.
And... I'm a little disappointed. Throughout the whole time I'm just indifferent about the book. Ismae is a pretty good character and I like that girl. But otherwise I feel numb about everything else. The story line is pretty average, and while it's not bad, it's not good either. The chemistry between Ismae and her target is nothing dynamic. No spark, no fire. Well, except at the last few chapters, which is too little to improve much. I kinda hate to say it, but the story is underwhelming.
I don't have time to write a review more detailed than this because I don't have time right now. But there's one thing I think I need to say before I end this: you might want to think twice before you actually pick this book up.
Rating: 6/10
