Grave Mercy: A Good Romance Novel?

If you have read more than a few of my previous book reviews, you might have noticed a pattern. I am not a fan of romance. More specifically, romance novels. And it’s true, I’m not. Mostly because what I find romantic is not stalker, werewolf men and their insecurities that they mask with fire, guns, and duct tape. I know, I know, call me crazy. But every once and a while, a novel surprises me, and that is true of “Grave Mercy.” 

My main problem, other than the one I just named, with romance novels, is that the plot is the romance. I personally don’t find it interesting to read a 400 page novel of “will they, won’t they” knowing full well that they will because it’s a romance. Usually, the main characters have surface level personalities as well. I will not root for a romance if the characters cannot stand on their own.

Anyway, back to what I am actually supposed to be doing — reviewing. So Grave Mercy is a young adult, historical fiction romance novel set in 1500s France written by Robin LaFevers. Our main protagonist is Ismae, who was rescued by killer nuns the day of her wedding to a cruel pig farmer, and taken to a convent to train as an assassin.

She finds out the reason she was taken to the convent is because she is the daughter of the god of Death, St. Mortain, and discovers all the women at the convent are too sired by St. Mortain. Her parentage allows her to see a black mark that appears on those about to die.

Anyway, time goes on and Ismae is taught their ways — to kill, to poison, to fight, and to flirt. Ismae is given her first big task which goes poorly. To cover up her mistake, she is given another task. She must act as a French diplomat's mistress to gain knowledge of a coup against a French duchess. This diplomat is Gavriel Duval, the young duchess' bastard half brother, who is becoming aware of the coup against his sister, and is using the convent to help prevent it. 

The two don’t really like each other but they have to work together and play as a couple which leads to dangerous shenanigans. There are some clashes between their beliefs but as the novel goes on, they come to respect and trust each other. 

The romance in this novel is not rushed, and it unfolds naturally along the plot. Gavriel and Ismae are both characters who can hold their own, which makes it a more compelling connection. The two don’t need each other but they are willing to choose each other. 

I am going to delve too much into the plot given that I actually encourage people to pick up this book and experience it for themselves. If you like romance, historical fiction, or just assassins ( and who doesn’t love a good stabbing now and then), I would recommend this book. 

This book just showed me that there are good romance novels out there as long as the plot and characters are equally balanced which I find that the author does quite well. Overall, I have to rate this a 7.5/10. This is a book I have read more than once so if that tells you anything.