Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

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? (from Goodreads)

Flo's Review
This is one of those books that I always hear everyone raving about. When the audiobook came up as Sync title I enthusiastically downloaded it. I was a little apprehensive because it is a longer book, and therefore audiobook -- could I make it through 12 hours of the same story without going crazy?!

Yes. Yes. Yes.

This book deserves every bit of praise I have heard about it.  It is honest and empowering. I really grew to admire Ismae. She was a good student and a good pupil of the convent, but she also had the smarts to step back and think for herself. It kind of reminds me of the cover of Breaking Dawn -- yes, I did just throw in a Twilight mention. Once a Twihard, always a Twihard! But the cover of that book is a chess board and Stephanie Meyer has said that it shows how Bella, who was the weakest character at the beginning of the series, is now the strongest. Ismae is similar. In the beginning she is not valued by her father or husband. By the end, she is the one calling the shots in her life and love.

Great action, great pacing, great romance, great setting. This book gets 5 of 5 stars from me.

Poor Annith! I really hope we hear more about her in Book #2. I can't wait to read Book #2, by the way -- I am so curious to see the world through Sybella's eyes.