Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

YOUNG, BEAUTIFUL AND DEADLY

Trained as an assassin by the god of death, Ismae is sent to the court of Brittany, where she finds herself underprepared – not only for the 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?

A dangerous romance full of intrigue, poison, and ultimately finding one’s way.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

5 Stars

Genre: Historical paranormal (don't question - read the review)

Publisher: Anderson Press Ltd

Pages: 484

Additional Notes: In running for favourite read of the year

As a lover of medieval high fantasies, you could imagine how I excited I was to hear of this book about assassin nuns. Assassin nuns! As in, like, nuns who are ASSASSINS. But once I got my hands on this book, I was suddenly hesitant to read it. A lot of people had called this this book a disappointment, and I hadn’t realised that it would be a historical novel – I thought it was fantasy. And my local library had it classified as a romance, which I definitely wasn’t looking for. But an equal number of people were singing its praises. I was finally swayed by the positive reviews of the second book in the trilogy and decided to take the plunge.

Plotwise, this book definitely lags in the middle. The beginning was full of action, and the pacing definitely picks up at the end but in the middle I was able to take a long break from this book without being tempted to pick it back up. That being said, if you have the patience then the book definitely gets better. Whilst everybody else forsaw the ending, I, being as slow as I am, was taken completely by surprise. (But that’s just me.)

I loved Ismae as a character. She was strong, feisty, and quick witted. From the reviews I fully expected her never to use her skills outside a few situations carefully orchestrated by somebody else, but she definitely proved me wrong. She can use a sword, crossbow, dagger, poison and who knows what else. I loved Duval too, and I actually thought that they went well together.

I felt that Annith and Sybella didn’t play nearly enough of a role in this book. The three are supposed to be best friends, and yet Annith and Sybella were barely mentioned, and not developed at all. I understand that the three will each have their own books, but I would’ve liked to see some character development of Ismae’s two best friends.

 The ridiculous romance I was bracing myself for never came. There was romance, sure, but that shouldn’t be a surprise given that this is YA, so ridiculous, unnecessary romance should be the norm ;) I actually found the romance to be slow and believable, and was happy that it seemed to take a backseat to the action.

I wasn’t sure about the world building. Like I said, I had expected this to be fantasy but it was quite plainly a historical novel, with real events and real places. However, as far as I know the gods/Saints were invented by LaFevers, (could someone confirm?) and there was a decidedly paranormal aspect of the marques and talking to the souls. But whatever the genre, it was detailed and obviously very well researched. If only I hadn’t used up all my internet download space so I could find out how much of it was researched

The one thing I don’t understand: How was Ismae finally able to cure Duval? Was it her meeting with Mortain? Or did she suddenly realise what to do? That doesn’t seem very believable now, does it? Everything is over and so suddenly Ismae is turned into a human bezoar? Somebody enlighten me please.

Overall, this was probably one of my favourite reads so far this year. Tensely plotted, full of court intrigue and, in case you didn’t pick up on it yet, assassin nuns.

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny- one she never could have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth – that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no creature dare face… and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead then let her touch his icy heart…

The Iron King by Jule Kagawa
4 Stars

Genre: Urban fantasy/adventure
Series: The Iron Fey #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 363
Additional Notes: Look at that font! So pretty! Pity the cover is green...

                                                                                                                       

The Iron King is like a classic Disney movie – predictable and unbelievable, but enjoyable all the same.

It’s been a long time since I read a traditional adventure novel – one that features the whole Hero’s Journey structure, with the protagonist going from one place to another to reach her goal. I can’t say whether I enjoyed it or not, as I had some mixed feelings.

My main problem with the book was that Meghan’s journey seemed a little too ‘easy.’ However, I do enjoy a good old-fashioned quest, and this book definitely doesn’t fail there. Meghan and her friends have a long way to go before reaching the realm of the Iron fey, and many bargains to make. It just felt like everybody was too willing to help – I wish somebody had caused some trouble which lasted for more than a couple of sentences.

Remember how I said that this was like a Disney movie? Yeah, that’s what I meant. The little conflict is resolved quickly – I just didn’t feel like anything bad ever happened to them. All was resolved nice and easily, and that was that. The plot never really develops, and the ‘climax’ felt forced - it was always obvious that Meghan would get her brother back in the end.

That’s not to say that I didn’t like it, because I did. The winners of this book were the characters – Grimalkin and Puck. Puck. Puck is absolutely amazing, and somehow Julie managed to give him lines which were so fitting for his character. Grimalkin was obviously based off the Cheshire Cat, right down to the disappearing act, but you know what? I didn’t mind. I love the Cheshire Cat, and Grim definitely does him justice. The two are by far the best characters I’ve read in a long time.

I could find so many good quotes, but I’ve got the feeling nobody would stick around to read everything Puck said, so I’ll go with a few.

“I’ve always wanted the IQ of a rock. No wait. That would be an insult to the rock.”

 “Oh, we’re playing nice now? Should we have tea first? Brew a nice pot of kiss-my-ass?”

“Bravo. The winter prince and Oberon’s jester agreeing on something. The world must be ending.”

Again with the Disney comparison – there are so many Disney characters that make me laugh every two minutes. Yes Timon and Puba, I’m looking at you.

The only probably with having such AWESOME minor characters was that they completely eclipsed the protagonist… I would ordinarily have found Meghan flat, but next to the complete, utter awesomeness that is Puck, Meghan’s boringness is just enhanced. I’ve heard that Meghan’s characterisation picks up, so that’s something to look forward to, but in this book she has absolutely no development whatsoever.

Ash is definitely a character I want to learn more about. This book barely touches on his personality, but in this case I feel like it was done purposefully, as if Julie is deliberately keeping us out of his mind.

                                                                                                    

I do wish though that Julie Kagawa hadn’t thought it necessary to throw in semi instalove just because everyone else is doing it. I really would have preferred if she just added in the romance in a later book, once their friendship had properly developed. The story wouldn’t have suffered and the relationship would feel more organic. I didn’t mind too much though, because the attraction didn’t interfere too much and at least the two weren’t declaring their love for one another after having known each other a week ;) *cough* *cough*

I would probably say that the world was a kind of collision of every traditional (and contemporary) fairy myth and legend; Oberon, Tatiana, Winter and Summer courts, binding contracts, reaction to iron, oracles, dwarves etc. etc. I do feel however that it was handled very well, and the world was  built up excellently. Though not too imaginative, it was well thought out, well-constructed and rich with detail. The fact that Julie Kagawa ‘borrowed’ most of her mythology didn’t bother me, because at least everybody acted like they were supposed to. Julie has obviously done her research, so snaps to her for that. I was completely sucked in by the world of the fey, and I love the concept of fey immune to iron.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book, despite the rather flat plotline and semi instalove. A well-deserved 4 stars. This is definitely an author I’ll be looking out for in the future.