Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

Genre:  New Adult Historical Romance

His Fair Assassin Series, Book 3

Robin LaFevers' website

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Note:  This is the third in the series, and while each book is from someone else's point of view, I'm warning you now that the plot builds from the previous books.  Although I do think this is a series that you could read out of order and still follow easily.

Description (taken from Robin LaFevers' website):

Because Love is stronger than Death…

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.

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.

It's been quite a while since I've touched this series.  But I've been wanting to dive back into this story.  We are at the end of the 1400s where Brittany is struggling against an invasion by the French.  And Annith is a follower of Mortain, the god of death.  But she's never left the convent until one day she takes matters into her own hands.  She's lost faith in the Abbess of the convent, but she refuses to lose faith in Mortain.

As Annith works her way across France to confront the Abbess, she runs into quite a few characters.  We've got the minions of death who chase bad souls as well as lost souls in order to bring them to the Underworld.  We've also got another group of girls who follow another god.  And as Annith works her way to the Abbess, she finds the Duchess in quite a political battle that is threatening to become an all out war.  Needless to say, a lot happens...

Although I find these stories a little long-worded and slow in the beginning, I quickly fall into them and am engrossed by the story.  While I did find some bits and pieces quite predictable, I enjoyed learning the history of Brittany.  A lot of historical characters are thrown around.  I just wish I got to see more intertwined into the main story.  But at least there's going to be more books to this series coming.

I like this series.  It's like a breath of fresh air compared to what I normally read.

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

Genre:  YA Historical Fiction

His Fair Assassin Series, Book 2

Robin LaFevers' website

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Description (taken from Robin LaFevers' website):

Vengeance is divine.

Sybella’s duty as Death’s assassin in 15th-century France forces her return home to the personal hell that she had finally escaped. Love and romance, history and magic, vengeance and salvation converge in this thrilling sequel to Grave Mercy.

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. The convent views Sybella, naturally skilled in the arts of both death and seduction, 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. 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?

Honestly, I couldn't tell you what happened in the first book of this series other than it was from Ismae's point of view.  And that didn't prevent me from enjoying this story.  While the Breton politics continue, we get a new story from Sybella's point of view.  And we find that she comes from a very dark past, a past that could consume her.

After finding sanctuary at a convent devoted to Mortain: the saint of death, Sybella finds herself back at home.  D'Albret's estate which he took from the duchess of Brittany, Anne.  And he's trying to capture her (the duchess) to force a marriage between the two of them.  Did I mention he's been married six times already?  As D'Albret's daughter, Sybella has witnessed the horrors that occur in his household.  It's either follow D'Albret or die.  When D'Albret's men capture a man known as the Beast, Sybella is requested to free him and bring him home.  Sybella soon finds herself making a choice: taking vengeance on her father and killing him or helping Beast, a soldier who fights for Brittany's freedom.

This book is one of the reasons I love historical fiction.  Some historical fiction pieces, like this one, could be considered fantasy because of the superstitions and gods of past (whereas nowadays we have science).  It's so fun to read the political backdrops and learn something slightly true about history.  But back to the characters, Sybella had a very dark life.  I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning.  And I loved Beast; I was gunning for that romance instantly.  I mean who wouldn't want an assassin, whose past tortures her, to fall in love with one of the most renowned soldiers in the area?

I recommend this book for historical fiction lovers.  If you enjoyed Grave Mercy, this one doesn't disappoint.  Just be aware that I don't agree with the young adult rating; the themes are dark and involve a more mature audience.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Genre:  YA Historical Fantasy

His Fair Assassin Series, Book 1

Robin LaFevers' website

Expected publication date:  April 3, 2012

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Description (taken from Robin Lafevers' website):

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?

This is the perfect book for those looking for a historical time period in a fantasy setting.  In other words, it's my kind of book!  Ismae trains in a convent that serves Mortain, the God of death.  She then takes on assignments which means killing people.  This begins to entangle her in Brittany's high court web of lies.  Once Duval enters the picture, her world goes a little topsy-turvy as she is thrust into the middle of the high court.

What did I enjoy about this book?  I loved the language: the olden-days language.  I loved the fantasy aspect and how Ismae used Mortain's gifts.  I loved the waltz of death/intrigue that Duval and Ismae played together.  I really enjoyed this book!  However, I don't really see this as being a young adult book as it dances around a few adult themes.  Plus, back then, teenagers were considered adults and not given a chance to grow up.  So I guess that's why I disagree with the young adult listing (but that's my opinion).

Even though I had the plot guessed fairly early, I was definitely counting down the minutes before I could open the book and read again.  So will I read the next book (when it comes out next year)?  Absolutely!  In fact, I've already got a few guesses to the plot (because I love guessing).  And I would recommend this book to anyone who likes paranormal/fantasy and is looking for a historical read.

A special shout out goes to Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy for letting me participate in this ARC tour.

Challenges:  Young Adult Reading Challenge