Review Detail

Next to paranormal romance, there is nothing better than delving into a historical fantasy, as we are instantly whisked away to a time existing, in all its imperfections and awfulness and beauty, in mere written recordings begun by clumsy hands grown steady over the centuries and brought to life in a way in which readers, with our animated and colorful imaginations, can connect with in literature and with its transcription into wondrous fiction a sheen of newness and a magnum of possibilities come alive behind our eyes and breathe in that space in our minds that allow us to see with lightly shadowed clarity. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers bears a world unfamiliar to our questing minds and slowly, subtly paves a path for us to travel there in our rapt minds, hanging on to each word for more tells that will reveal to us abounding depth into this century in which Ismae lives. Ismae is both a source of mystery and a cause for sympathy, and we are a bit wary to feel the latter because how helpless can this rumored cunning handmaiden of Death actually be? But, LaFevers fences with our reluctance and we must withdraw and surrender to compassion, as we sink into this painful glance into the torturous past that brings Ismae to the place she now stands on a sorrowful wave of blood and cruelty and revulsion.

Ismae is adept at persuasion, and she convinces herself, with us faithful in her conclusions, that she is not weak-willed, vulnerable, and insecure in the person she has become. And while she isn't the first, she is wrong about the second, and shaky on the third layer of her conception of herself. Strong and powerful, she can bring any foe to his/her knees, to pleading for mercy, to swift and unexpected death. Once she has a target, the unfortunate person doesn't have a prayer, no chance at redemption. Ismae's past and her soft heart make her vulnerable to warmth and gentleness and care, particularly when those things are gifted to her by a man she can give no trust and sets her pulse to pounding. Her confusion as to the alignment of her heart lends a small sense of naiveté to the sired-by-darkness and eerily quick-minded assassin.

Her recent assignment as the passionately vigilant eyes and ears of the convent in service of St. Mortain, patron saint of death, proves to be most difficult and plenty dangerous. Every member of the court is riddled with secrets and the issue lies in discerning which are harmless and which harbor ill will and the potential for the Duchess' downfall. From graceful, shrewd ladies and power-greedy noblemen interested in securing their own ends and not the welfare of their young sovereign, many and few could be the puppetmasters setting up the danger looming closer and closer with each passing day. With all the thrill of solving a murder mystery, this mystery is masked by the gloss of rich and powerful men and women and the twin meanings hidden beneath their cold politeness and hungry eyes which bring immense satisfaction with each clue we uncover. In a place where trust is a luxury and flattery is a weapon, Ismae acts as keen and capable protector, intelligent strategist, and merciful servant, a shoo-in favorite and an all-around impressive heroine.

A tentative romance blooms and rinses clean any smears of doubt toward the loyal and secretive Duval, a man who shares Ismae's innate, though initially well-buried, compassion and engages her thoughts, urging her to ask questions and forgo blind obedience. Mistrust is the first to vanish between them, and then burning attraction and sweet compassion, understanding, and gentle concern are the next follow, and before long love is bouncing uncertainly between them until they settle their questions and reluctance. And with their love, their country, and their friends dipping into peril with no escape, the story jumps from gradual unveiling to fast-paced action with little warning. There is sadness, loss, and hope revived, and though the danger isn't behind them by the end, love, born in spite of hateful first impressions, springs dreams of a bright and secure future for these two characters we've come to adore immeasurably.

Originally posted at Paranormal Indulgence, 4/9/12

Fans of deadly female assassins and slow-burn, sweetly fulfilling romances are or will be fans of Graceling by Kristin Cashore and Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. Still looking for more? Interested in dagger-wielding, battle-savvy thieves in disguise? You might want to read Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen.