Grave Mercy review *and* exciting GIVEAWAY news!

Holiday season is here, perfect time to spend time with your family and friends…..by a fireplace cooped up with a blanket and a good book in your hands. =D Here is one suggestion for you.

I was first introduced to the author Robin Lafevers by another one of her series, “Theodosia.” It is a middle grade book based in early England with an Egyptian mystery twist. I aodred her wit and adventures, couldn’t get enough of it. I was extremely excited to find out that the author was writing a YA genre series! His Fair Assassin. From the title and the dust cover it reminded me a lot of “Poison Studies” by Maria V. Snyder. I took precautions and careful measures before reading this book, like waiting for the second book of the series to come out before launching myself into the story and not to be over excited just so I won’t get too disappointed. This is what I do when I know I’m going to read a great series. Wink wink.

Ismae bears the scar from when her mother tried to get rid of her from her womb. But her survival only proved to her father that she was sired by the god of death himself. She was abused all her life by her father and now she is being sold like a farm animal to another man. When she is given a chance to a new life, she takes it without another thought. Ismae is brought to an abyss where girls like her are trained to carry out the orders from the god of death. You can tell already how this story goes, Ismae finds herself in a situation where she has to carry out her duties while falling in love with her enemy/conspirator. There is no mystery there but the plot is worthy of a thriller. Robin Lafevers did not fail to deliver a story where you are torn between her wanting revenge on all man kind or finding true love and finally have a happy ending. The story is spiced with political injustice, backstabbing jerks and camaraderie between friends.

Ismae struggles to stay faithful to her sisters, and to her “father” who sired her and believes with her whole heart that she is doing the right thing. (It’s amazing what people can do when they fully believe they are doing the right thing…) She is brave but yet fragile when faced with her demons, humble and loving to all women. (Yes, she is a feminist. lol) All in all, it was a very enjoyable book.

or so I thought…

Now, this is the part where I get frustrated. I don’t know how many of you out there are thinking this, but YA books has increasingly become series rather than a stand alone book. Since I have waited for quite a long time for at least two of the books to be published, I felt like a fool when I realized that the second book has a different main character. It’s one thing when authors decide to write a spin off series for another character but a whole different story when it’s done within the series!! The same thing for “Graceling,” “The Warrior Heir,” “Perfect Chemistry” etc. I enjoy them alright, but it always leaves me wanting more.

Enough of this banter and on with a more joyful news! We are having GIVEAWAYS! From next week till the end of this year, we are giving away many AWESOME books we got from BEA 2013 and more! Some of the titles include “Teardrop” by Lauren Kate, “Something Strange and Deadly” by Susan Dennard, “Alice in Zombieland” by Gena Showalter, “The Eye of Minds” by James Dashner and so much more! So don’t miss out on any of them!

See you all soon! =D