Grave Mercy

Grave Mercy follows Ismae Rienne, a teenage girl in 15th century Brittany who escapes an abusive home to join a convent dedicated to St. Mortain, the god of death. The convent trains young women to become skilled assassins who carry out divine justice, and Ismae discovers she possesses unique abilities linked to death itself. The story takes place against the backdrop of political tension between Brittany and France, as Ismae navigates royal court intrigue and complex alliances. Her training at the convent leads her into a world of espionage, where she must balance her deadly duties with questions of loyalty and truth. This first installment in the His Fair Assassin series combines historical fiction with supernatural elements, exploring themes of power, faith, and personal choice. The novel examines how individuals navigate between duty and conscience when serving a higher purpose.

Readers praise the blend of historical fiction, romance, and supernatural elements in this assassin nun story. Many cite the strong female protagonist, political intrigue, and detailed world-building of 15th century Brittany. Common praise points: - Complex characters with moral ambiguity - Well-researched historical setting - Romance that develops naturally - Creative take on assassin/murder stories Common criticism points: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Romance overshadows assassin plot - Some found the main character passive - Religious elements make some readers uncomfortable Ratings: Goodreads: 3.89/5 (95,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (700+ reviews) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (300+ reviews) "The perfect balance of history, romance and supernatural" - Goodreads reviewer "Expected more actual assassinating" - Amazon reviewer "Takes too long to get to the action" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

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🗡️ The convent of St. Mortain is based on the Celtic god Mortain, who was historically worshipped in medieval Brittany as a god of death and justice. 🏰 Brittany maintained its independence from France until 1491, when Anne of Brittany's marriage to Charles VIII of France began the process of formally uniting the two regions. 📚 Before writing historical fantasy, Robin LaFevers wrote several successful middle-grade series, including the "Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist" books. ⚔️ The assassination techniques described in the book are based on actual historical methods used by medieval poisoners and assassins, including the use of specialized herbs and weapons. 👗 The author spent months researching 15th-century Breton fashion, politics, and daily life to create an authentic historical backdrop for the supernatural elements of the story.