BOOK REPORT: Grave Mercy by R.L. Lafevers

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?

***

I love YA fantasy and it’s pretty difficult nowadays to get a hold of good ones. Or at least it seems that way, with all the dystopians and paranormal romances clogging up the shelves (i'm not hating! i love a good dystopia). Grave Mercy reminds me of Finnikin of the Rock in the sense that the romance doesn’t over power things (and isn’t the main point of the book) but it still manages to be memorable and enjoyable.

And I won’t lie I really enjoyed the romance between Gavriel and Ismae. It didn’t feel forced and it didn’t happen too fast. There was meaning behind it and it just seems like everything fell into place but in a way that the author didn’t beat you over the head with it. Which is nice.

Now as for the political intrigue, it was not necessarily the most interesting or the most surprising of plots, but I enjoyed it. And of course I enjoyed the badass nuns and I’m really curious about everything going on there, especially with Sybella and even Annith, who I feel will actually get some kind of storyline in the next two books.

I’m excited for the next book and I can’t wait to see what happens with the rest of the girls. I’ll definitely be checking out the rest of the trilogy.

Book Report: Legend by Marie Lu

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbours. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.


From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

***

It was a bit hard to review this book. I liked it, I really did, but overall I'm feeling a bit unhappy.

I enjoyed this book while I was reading it. But as soon as I finished, all the flaws and bits I let slide in favour of wanting the bigger picture started to jump out at me. I think a lot of it had to do with the ending.

What I really enjoyed was that for once, the typical dystopian roles were reversed. The girl got to be the cool-headed soldier and the guy was the conflicted rebel/criminal. It was pretty neat. I also liked quite a bit about the world that Lu built. But, am I the only one who couldn't help but find the title Elector Primo funny? It always pulled me out of the book.

I actually think this is a pretty great addition to the ever-growing number of YA dystopians.

But things just seemed to come too easily for June. Especially what she uncovered in what I would identify as the third 'act' of the book. It was a little hard to believe that there was no one else (alive) who knew about what the Republic was up to. Except for a fifteen year old girl. Of course!

The fact that June is a fifteen-year-old, sheltered, rich kid makes it even harder to believe some of the stuff that happens. And, a lot of the bad stuff that happens in the book is directly because of those attributes. I recognize that she is still a protagonist but I can't feel very sympathetic for her.

The relationship between June and Day and a fair bit of what happens in their respective storylines also comes together without too much (real) conflict. One thing I struggled to understand was how Day could forgive June so easily for her role in what happened. I don't think I would be able to forgive her and I think that's part of what really turned me off about the book.

That last bit at the end? That happiness? That obvious attempt at a neat little bow (one that will unravel at the start of the next book)? I'm not cool with that. At all.

Maybe that's something that Lu will address in the next book. I'll be waiting to find out.