Despite the fact I rarely enjoy historical fiction and hate anything to do with political intrigue, I loved this original and beautifully written book which manages to successfully combine fantasy and medieval French history.

Oozing with passion, suspense, romance and espionage, this book portrays murder in a very different light. Packing a punch as an assassin for the elusive god of Death, the strong female character, Ismae, has to find a way to faithfully serve her god and still be true to heart as she navigates the murky waters of intrigue and treason in the court of Duchess Anne of Brittany.

Recommended age 14+

Grave Mercy
Series: His Fair Assassin Book 1
Author:  Robin LaFevers
Publication Date: 7 June 2012
Publisher: Anderson Press
Source: Purchased

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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?     – Extract from Goodreads.com