Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers - ADVISABLE

 LaFevers, Robin  Grave Mercy, 549 pgs.  Houghton Mifflin, 2012.  $16.99 Content:  Language: PG-13 (23 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

Ismae has been beaten and persecuted her whole childhood because of marks on her skin that she was born with, marks that make others suspicious that she is a daughter of Death.  Ismae’s father tricks the local butcher’s son to marry Ismae and the night of their wedding when he uncovers her marks he beats her and goes to get someone to take her away.  A priest saves Ismae from her fate and sends her to a convent that serves the old gods.  In her new life she learns to be an assassin, a handmaiden to Death, and she goes about carrying out death sentences to those who are marked through their acts of betrayal towards the small country of Brittany.  After assassinating a man who was supposed to be changing sides, Ismae is partnered with Gavriel, a loyal servant to the duchess, together they attempt to weed out the court’s spies and those who are betraying their country.  

This is great book that was hard to put down.  The storyline moves quickly and is full of action, romance and mystery.  The main character is smart and can take care of herself and those around her.  The book does have dark parts, because it deals in assassinations and creepy old guys at court, but the swearing is mostly the word bastard, because Gavriel is one and that is part of the story.  I can’t wait to read more by this author, she tells a good story.  

MS-OPTIONAL.  HS-ADVSIABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.