Title: Grave Mercy Author: LeFevers Genre: Fiction, Assassins, Death, Gods, Historical Fiction, Courts, Fantasy Pages: 549 Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars
I love the tagline on this book: Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?
17-year-old Ismae escapes the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. At the convent she learns that the god of Death 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.
Seriously? Nun assassins? Do you really need me to say anything more? Just look at that cover! And this book is the beginning of a new series! I am in love with this book...it has all the the elements of a dark, sophisticated fairy tale (castles, courts, good vs evil), a nod to historical fiction, and a twisted love story for feminists and romantics alike. And if you are one of those people that likes to read "Best Books," this title has made many Top Books of 2012 lists.
Ismae is one of the great heroines of literature these days. She if flawed but has a strong voice, can spy and kill with the best of them, shows mercy, and her romance with Duval shows her feminine side. This is definitely a book for older (high school and up) readers, but well worth the read. I am anxiously awaiting the sequel, Dark Triumph, due in April.
The first installment in the Holiday Gift Ideas posts is a book that I talked all week to my 7th graders (and their teachers).
Title: Shadow & Bone Author: Bardugo Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Orphans, Abilities Pages: 358 Rating: 4 1/2 stars out of 5 This is the first book in a planned trilogy by a debut author, and has also been optioned for a movie. Within the first few pages, you will know why. This book is such a treat: the writing is exquisite, the sense of place is magical and exotic, and the heroine is memorable.
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, an area of darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now Ravka's fate may rest with Alina, an orphan taken from obscurity and her only friend, Mal, when it is discovered that she is the mythical Sun Summoner who might be able to destroy the monsters in the Fold. She must train with the mysterious Darkling to join the magical Grisha. Mal, handsome and competent, and Alina, are two young orphans who form an immediate bond. The story really begins when the two friends have joined the King’s Army and Alina is plucked from the ranks to join the Grisha, who train at the heart of the royal court.
The setting resembles Czarist Russia, the Darkling vaguely Rasputin-esque. Extravagance and deceit abound at court and Alina finds herself with allegiances on both sides. This is an engaging, captivating fantasy with a terrific supporting cast and amazing world building. Glad that I finally read this one, but sad that I have to wait for the next book!
One of the better fantasies that I've read recently. Very sophisticated, great world building, political intrigue, assassination plots, and lots of secrets...oh, and there's dragons.
Title: Grave Mercy
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