Review: Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

Author: Robin LaFevers
Title: Mortal Heart
Series: His Fair Assassin #3
Publication: November 4, 2014
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Synopsis
Annith has watched her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain, patiently awaiting her own turn to serve Death. But her worst fears are realized when she discovers she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever sequestered in the rock and stone womb of the convent. Feeling sorely betrayed, Annith decides to strike out on her own.

She has spent her whole life training to be an assassin. Just because the convent has changed its mind doesn't mean she has.

But across Brittany, the tides of war are drawing ever nearer, with France pressuring the beleaguered duchess from all sides. Annith’s search for answers threatens to rip open an intricate web of lies and deceit that sit at the heart of the convent she serves. Yet to expose them threatens the very fabric of her existence and risks an unforeseen chance at love, one that she can no longer deny. Annith must carefully pick a path and, gods willing, effect a miracle that will see her country—and her heart—to safety.

Annith doesn't understand why her sisters out on missions before her but she's the one that keeps getting looked over. She discovers that her fate is one destined for isolation and to prove the Abbess wrong she ventures out on her own to seek her truth. The first night out she comes across the leader of the wild hunt and her agrees to let her travel with them for her safety until she reaches her destination. However, she befriends the leader and even begins to fall for him but she's still determined to get to her sisters and figure out what the Abbess is up to. It does seems that the hunt is stalling her and she has to plan another escape.  

I enjoyed reading Annith's story, she's just as fierce as her sisters and she comes face to face with death in an unexpected way. Her journey also leads to uncovering secrets about her heritage and why she hasn't been called to serve her father St. Mortain. I was so excited to finally read her story and I loved it. I think everything that transpires is so fitting for her character and her adventure.  Overall, this is a great ending to a wonderful trilogy. The characters, story and world building all come together perfectly in this historical setting. Great read.

"Waiting On" Wednesday #2: Dark Triumph by R.L. LaFevers

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Dark Triumph by R.L. LaFevers
Release Date: April 2, 2013

Goodreads Synopsis
Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons.

But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

This heart-pounding sequel to Grave Mercy serves betrayal, treachery, and danger in equal measure, bringing readers back to fifteenth century Brittany and will keep them on the edge of their seats.

What new release are you pining for?

Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Author:Robin LaFevers

Title: Grave Mercy

Series: His Fair Assassin #1

Publication: April 3,2012

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Genre: Historical Fiction

Audience:14 and up

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Rating: 5 out 5
Website | Goodreads

Amazon| BN | Book Depository

Synopsis

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? 

Review: Dangerously beautiful! This is a thrilling and fantastic read! It is one of those books you can't put down till you know what happens but as you get closer to the last few pages, you don't want it to end. This is what Grave Mercy was like for me, it has everything intrigue, murder, and romance. The length of the book may seem daunting for some but the even flow of the story will make it go by quickly. This was the perfect book for me as I grew up reading historical fiction romance, which takes place in Brittany during the 1400s.

The main character Ismae is introduced during her wedding to a man that paid for her. The night of her wedding she is rescued from an abusive situation and taken to the convent of the Saint Mortain, where she learns to be an instrument of vengeance. What is intriguing about Ismae is her innocence and eagerness to exact death for her Saint. She can kill someone within a matter of seconds and it's like it doesn't even phase her; she is quite deadly,well so it seems. She knows pain, and suffering from the hands of a father that mistreated her and a mother, who not only abandoned her but tried to kill her, leaving her with a scar of that shame. Then events take place that allow her to cross paths with the mysterious Duval. He is loyal and tempting. I love him! The interaction between Ismae and Duval is magnetic, and are my favorite moments in the book. He makes her question whether the motives behind the convent that has sent her to carry out these death sentences are truly for the good of the Duchess they claim to serve. Ismae and Duval finds themselves involved in a conspiracy that they may not survive. Overall, I think this is well written and it was good to see how the characters developed throughout the story.

Though dark in tone, there is a bit of light in the darkness of Grave Mercy and I recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction with mystery, romance and a touch of fantasy.

In My Bag #9

I haven't done an In My Bag in awhile but I decided to do one today. 

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren where book bloggers can share what books came into their home this week. 

Here's what was in my bag this week, these are items for review, and tours...

What's in your bag?

For Review

Arc of Destined by Aprilynne Pike...thanks to HarperCollins

Thief's Covenant by Ari Marmell 

Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire

Both thanks to Pyr

From Netgalley

Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross

Grave Mercy  by Robin LaFevers

Torn by Stephanie Guerra

The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

Book tours

 Candlewax by C.Bailey Sims 

Here by Denise Grover Swank

Promises by Amber Garr