Grave Mercy is set in 15th century in Brittany. At that time,
Brittany is in complex situation since their disadvantageous treaty with
France. Anne, the Duchess of Brittany is not yet crowned and she is
only twelve years old. Many people try to take advantage of that
situation and Anne only has a few handful of loyal baron to serve her.
The main task is to have Anne crowned and marry her to a powerful ruler.
Ismae was only fourteenth when she was to be married to a pig farmer
in a horrible arranged marriage. However, her husband gone berserk when
he found out that Ismae bears a deep red stain on her back as a proof
that she is daughter of god of Death. She was in danger to be burnt to
death by her husband, but she was saved and brought to a convent in a
quiet, remote place. The convent is dedicated to serve St. Mortain, the
old god of Death. The Abbes of St. Mortain offered her a choice to be
the handmaiden of Death. Ismae was instantly intrigued by the
possibility of revenge, to men who have done nothing but hurt her,
including her own father.
“If you choose to stay, you will be trained in His arts. You
will learn more ways to kill a man than you imagined possible. We will
train you in stealth and cunning and all manner of skills that will
ensure no man is ever again a threat to you.”
Ismae decided to be the handmaiden of Death. She will not question
the convent or how they pick people she should kill. An unquestioning
faith.
In three years, Ismae quickly learns the art of dagger, bows, and
her specialty, poison. She also learns the art of seduction which the
sisters said would help her in her missions. She never thought that she
would ever use the art of seduction… until circumstance comes and
suddenly, she is to act as the mistress of Gavriel Duval. Duval is a
Breton noble, bastard of the late Duke, and the closest advisor of her
twelve years old sister, Duchess of Brittany. He is also being suspected
of betrayal by the Abbes and her ally, Chancellor Crunad.
Ismae is supposed to be the convent’s eyes and ears in the court.
Duval is not a foolish and he knows that Ismae is watching his every
moves. They're supposed to be ally, but no more than that. Still, they
can’t resist the building attraction between them. Is Duval really a
traitor, as the Abbess and Chancellor Crunad suspected? Can Ismae trust
her own prejudice that Duval is not the traitor? Will she raise her bow
and kill the man she is beginning to trust, if the convent gives her
command to do so?
As I said earlier, Grave Mercy is the kind of book that you long to
finish in one sit. The story is very engaging and it’s easy to slip into
the conflict and political play in Brittany’s court. This book may bore
people who don’t enjoy court politics, but I find the whole plot very
convincing and nicely written. I practically flied through the pages
because I was very curious to see the ending. The story is also
fast-paced and I like it that there is no ineffective chapter that
prolongs the whole story.
Ismae is a strong character and definitely an admirable heroine. She
knows her ways with weapons and knows how to put act in front of her
enemies. She is a bit impatient but I think that makes her more
believable. I love when Ismae started warmed toward Duval. There’s not
instant love here, and they even barely admitted the spark of attraction
between them. Duval is such as swoon worthy character and I feel like
he is the personification of a perfect knight in medieval court. He’s
powerful, brilliant, and capable of making clever strategy and
astounding tactics. I like the way he cares for Ismae from the very
start and how he teases Ismae from time to time.
I couldn’t risk putting Grave Mercy down because the entire story is
very complicated. Truth be told, the characters’ name feel foreign in
my tongue and I had a little trouble remembering their names sometimes. I
don’t have any trouble with the writing, it is beautiful and I can
really feel the medieval atmosphere when the characters interact. Grave
Mercy is not the book you want to miss, especially if you’re a fan of
Historical fiction!
I risk glancing at him, expecting to see a glint of amusement or
a smirk. Instead, there is a hint of concern. It is this kindness of
his that unsettles me most. I can dodge a blow or block a knife. I am
impervious to poison and know a dozen ways to escape a chokehold or
garrote wire. But kindness? I do not know how to defend against that.
It is one night. The Night that wrecked not only her life, but also his life.
Trinity McCabe has sworn that she would become a new self after the
Catastrophic Night that involved two cars, a dog, lots of tears, and
sirens. In the late years of her seventeenth, she had committed many
poor decisions. She was friends with people she shouldn’t have with. Her
grades are poor and she barely passed her classes. She did drugs and
she drank way too much.
Trinity decided that she had enough and she would like to change
herself, but then The Night happened. The Night when Aidan Achelles took
all the blame and went to juvy. The Night when Aidan acted all
knight-in-shining-armor. The Night that makes Trinity goes autopilot and
she sleepwalks through her life, hidden in the comfort of her flannel
pajama.
Trinity doesn’t even think that she deserves second chance. However,
people around her seem disagree at that idea. Even Aidan forgives her
and they gradually become friends. Everything seems perfect for awhile.
But for how long this little peaceful time would last? Will Trinity
finally able to escape from her past? And could she save Aidan in time,
when Aidan starts avoiding her and hangs out with people from Trinity’s
past?
Forgiving Trinity is a complex story and the kind of book that will
make you think after. I have been warned before that Forgiving Trinity
tackles some serious stuff and it’s more appropriate for mature YA
readers. I won’t recommend this book for younger readers because the
mention of drugs, alcohol, and parties. Even though drugs using is not
explicitly told, the emotional and gory aspects of this story aren’t
suitable for younger readers.
I never got when and why exactly Trinity started to fall into that
pit of darkness. She has amazing family and I’m sure that she had some
pretty good friends in Junior High. Maybe it’s a rebellious phase but in
my opinion, two years are very long time to let your daughter and
little sister becoming stranger to you. It would be much better if her
parent had taken some preventing steps before Trinity crushed and was in
a big problem. I didn’t understand why they didn’t ground her and told
her to stop seeing her ‘friends’ earlier.
Nonetheless, I really like it that her family is very supportive of
her healing process. Trinity’s brother, Christian, genuinely cares for
his little sister and I think that’s really sweet of him. I love it that
Trinity has a new girl friend, Ruth, along the process. Their
friendship is lovely and I found myself genuinely happy when Trinity
finally has someone she can confide her thoughts about Aidan and a fairy
godmother in fashion business sometimes.
I like this book because the whole healing process seems very real. Trinity tries really hard to become the new, clean Trinity and it’s
not an easy task. There is nothing instant about forgiving yourself
because you can’t pretend that all bad stuff you had done in the past
can be erased magically from your history. Trinity did run away a good
amount of times but it is all part of her healing process. I without
doubt can feel that she grows up a lot throughout the story. The
characters are complex, very human-like, and completely relatable. In
mood to read a realistic YA book with believable characters, intricate
story line, and possibility of being a tear-jerker? Then this is the
book for you!
As much as I want Bad Trinity purged from my life, I realize
that Good Trinity also has to go. I’m not either one anymore. I consider
that I should, maybe, focus on figuring out what I’m not instead of
what I am.
Need a friend? Call Chloe. How about a laugh? Enter Chloe with joke book in hand.
Chloe was the queen of her universe. She has family that adores her,
crazy grandma that is always up for Brad Pitt movies day, and two best
friends that have been her friend for such a long time. Then everything
crashes. Her older brother leaves her for college, her mother and
grandma are in third world war, and Chloe’s best friends dump her
because they consider her fail as a friend. In addition, there is a new
school counselor who wants Chloe to change her topic on Junior
Independent Study Project (JISP). JISP is a project when a junior is
required to contribute something useful to community. It is all about
passion and Chloe is determined to have topic concerning about her
number one passion: shoes. However, there is a twist of event and
suddenly, she is required to help promoting her school radio station for
her JISP project.
Chloe knows nothing about radio, but she knows about promotion. At
first, she wanted to help the dying radio station because of her duty as
promo manager, but as time progresses by, Chloe finds herself having a
new home in the radio station. She becomes friends with people whom her
old best friend called ‘outsiders’. Chloe also learns that in radio,
sometimes it is very crucial to shut up and just listen.
Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe is a very brilliant debut and I love
every minute reading this book. With her cheerful attitude and
happy-go-lucky motto, you can’t help but liking Chloe. She is bubbly and
she does talk too much, but along the story, her character is greatly
improved and she becomes more mature. Chloe’s grandmother is suffering
from Parkinson disease and Chloe had hard time struggling to accept that
this time she is the one who takes care of her grandma, but I really
like the way she handles the family problem. Chloe is a strong a
character and one I wouldn’t mind being friends with.
Another thing I like about this book is Duncan, the fix-all guy who
is responsible for technical stuff in the radio station. Duncan works in
two places and he hardly has time to sleep or do his homework. Duncan
didn’t have much fun in his life so I really like it that the coming of
Chloe to his life has brightened his days. Duncan definitely needs more
fun in his life and Chloe always successfully makes him crack a smile or
laugh at her lines.
This book is definitely a keeper. Chloe is different from most main
characters. She’s confident and she knows how to make the best of her
talents. One thing I like most about Chloe is she tries to befriend with
everyone. She has moments of imperfection when she’s so full of
herself, but she is not afraid to evaluate herself and always tries to
make up for her faults.
I think this book can do even better with more details. There should
be a passage about other workers in the radio station. I want to find
out about the fate of Haley’s baby or whether Clementine has some
private stuff going on in her life too. Some characters, like Chloe’s
older brothers, are only mentioned in the book. It would be much better
if they show up or even a phone call would be perfect.
In overall, I really like the book. This book deserves an addition
of half star because I really like Chloe’s character. Her problems are
real and I can completely relate to her. Her former best friend Brie did
many horrible things to her despite their long time friendship, and I
can understand how hurtful and confused Chloe must be. What makes Chloe
admirable is her power to always stay positive. This is such a brilliant
debut and I can wait to read more amazing book from Shelley Coriell!
Because when you cared about people, you handed them a little
piece of your heart, and with those hands, they had the power to cause
pain.
As much as I'd like to be the one who provides the amazing Top Ten list for you, today I'm having Liz Reinhardt, author of Double Clutch and Forgiving Trinity to tackle this *ehem* sensitive subject! This post is part of amazing book tour hosted by Amanda @ Letters Inside Out. Tomorrow I'll post my review of Forgiving Trinity, so stay tune if you want to know what I think about the book!
Oh, and just a warning: this post is full of pictures of oh-my-GOSH-yes-i-will-sell-my-soul-to-you-so come-to-mama-NOW!
Top ten
things that make me swoon about a guy ♥
Thank you to Hilda for letting me crash on her blog and talk about one
of my favorite subjects EVER!! Okay, I’m going to be honest with you.
LOTS of things make me swoon about guys. I’m a romantic. I’ve been
checking boys out since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and I love all
different guys for all different reasons. Geeks, athletes, bad boys,
sensitive souls, artists, funny guys…love ‘em. I’m an equal opportunity
guy appreciator. But there are some deal-breakers for me, so I’m going
to share.
1) Manners. Sexy, Sexy, Sexy Manners.
When I first met my husband he was a little rough around the edges.
He smoked and drank and drove a big truck too fast. One day my grandma
came to the restaurant where we worked carrying boxes. Frank ran like
there was a fire so he could grab those boxes. Actually he almost caused
a grease fire, because he left hamburgers burning. But that’s the kind
of guy he is. He never, ever sits on a bus if a lady needs a seat, he
holds doors open, he says please and thank you, he always leaves a nice,
big tip. I. LOVE. THIS! Manners are hot! If you’re with a guy who
doesn’t have ‘em, LOSE HIM!!
Why yes, you can wear my hat. Please don’t feel like you have to
walk all the way over there. I’ll be happy to carry you. Why? Because
I’m a gentleman. You’re welcome.
2) Tattoos
They’re not for everyone. I am completely ink free and probably
always will be. I just have no clue what I’d get. Or where. But ink on
other people can be so gorgeous, and ink on guys? Oh swoon!! I like when
it’s artistic and shows a little of their sensitive side. So, I’m a
huge sucker for the names of children, odes to mothers, snippets of
poetry, mythical creatures. Bring it and I WILL ogle!!
Why, hello, Adam. Yes. I would love to discuss your tattoos. As art, natch! Art. Lovely, lovely art…
3) Work Ethic
Call me old-fashioned, but I love a guy who values hard work. Not
that he has to work on a crabbing boat or as a welder, but he needs to
feel the need to work and take pride in what he does. My husband happens
to be blessed with the jack-of-all-trades gene. I’m not gonna
lie…watching him lay a floor/build a deck/tile a kitchen counter/pain
the living-room makes me feel a little dizzy and excited. Especially
when he works shirtless. And I can see his tattoos. Excuse me for a
quick second. I think the sink is dripping…maybe my husband can lose his
shirt and get on that?
So maybe he got a tad violent in Drive, but he just does what he
does really well. Whether it’s beating a guy to a pulp…no really, like
to pulp…or working on a car or driving, RG has the work ethic going on!!
4) Must Love Kids
Not in that corny talking-too-loud in their faces way. A guy who
likes kids because he’s just a cool guy who appreciates that kids are
little humans rocks my world. I come from a big family. My high school
boyfriend and I spent our first Valentine’s Day together babysitting my
brother, who was then six months old. The first minute my boyfriend
walked in, my little brother was crying his head off, and I needed to
make a bottle. I handed him to my boyfriend, who was freaked out. They
became fast friends. Even though he and I broke up, I loved the way he
was always happy to include my little brother in everything we did if my
mom needed a sitter. Love that!
I always loved Matt Damon. Then he had a jillion gorgeous little
girls with his gorgeous wife…sigh! NOTHING makes a guy more adorable
than being great with kids!
5) Great Arms/Back
So, I feel like I’ve been a good, mostly deep person in the first
few traits, but let’s take a minute to appreciate the bulge of some
gorgeous shoulder muscles, the clean lines of a well-muscled back, the
ripples of developed arms. A friend of mine pointed out that all my
fictional guys have great arms. Well, there’s nothing like great arms!!
(And a nice back…love it!!)
Thank you, Mr. Beckham. Thank you for the beauty of that gorgeous back. Thank you.
6) Funny Guys
Not necessarily that guys have to be total joke crackers to get my
attention. Just someone who can laugh is amazing. When my husband goes
to the movies to see a comedy, he’s one of those people EVERYONE in the
entire theater turns to stare at because he’s laughing like a loon. But
it’s awesome…it makes me want to laugh like a loon with him! And I
usually do! We spend a lot of time laughing for no good reason. Which is
pretty awesome!
Love K. Dunst. Have no clue who this guy is, but I’m glad they’re having such a blast together! Laugh it up, KD!
7) Appreciation of…Me
That may sound pretty self-centered, but , I promise, it’s a two-way
street! You want to be with someone who loves and appreciates what you
do…even if it’s not his/her thing. I love to write. My husband has only
read Of Mice and Men…three times since high school. Oh, and he just read
The Mouse and the Motorcycle (what’s up with my husband and mice? Maybe
he’d read my book if I put a mouse in it?). Anyway, books aren’t his
thing. But he helps me when he can. He brainstorms with me. He listens
when I read sections out loud. He comments on my covers. He is generally
awesome and supportive. And I love him for that! And I appreciate him.
Even when he’s talking about tires and rims and wheels for weeks on end.
I just keep nodding and smiling like I know what he means.
My husband is equally as cool as Ryan Gosling. Yep. I’m not even a crazy person. He just is ;)!
8) Not Taking Yourself Too Seriously
I once dated this guy who took a lot of things seriously. Including
himself. He only liked things if they were cool/ironic enough for him to
pay attention to. He was snarky and self-centered and not that much
fun. I like a guy who can watch Scooby Doo JUST BECAUSE HE LIKES SCOOBY
DOO. No irony. No explaining that it’s just a pop culture icon, so he
has to like it. No making comparisons between Scooby and Dora and
commenting on how the easy, madcap 60s adventure became a learning
infused preschool sensation. Nope. If you like Scooby, just admit it’s
because he talks adorably and you want to smorgasbord with him!
FUNNY! Funny is soooo good!!
9) Eyes
Windows to the soul? I have no clue. I just love them soulful, with
lashes no boy should be allowed to have. I love when they crinkle at the
sides because a guy spends so much time smiling. I like messy eyebrows
and stares, glares, winks, sleepy blinks, and long, intense focused
looks. Mmm nice eyes!!
The ultimate sexy eyes!! LOVE the guyliner ;)!
10) Reformed Rebel
A real rebel is a pain in the ass. Real rebels are in trouble,
always running around and doing crazy things, hard to keep track of,
harder to deal with. But a reformed rebel? He’ll always have that bad
past, so there’s always an edge of rebellion to his good-boy status.
Plus, he’s been there and done that with pretty much everything, so he
knows a good thing when he gets it. Meaning, when he falls in love with
the right girl, he’s the most loyal, appreciative guy around.
And he’ll put out the cigarette. Smoking is NOT cool. It’s what guys
do before they know better. Then they know better and STOP! Okay, I’ll
step off my soapbox now!
OMG I know that Liz will be the best when it comes to swooooony guys! She herself provides all the hot guys pictures! *wipe drool* In honor of this amazing post, I think I'm going to give you guys access of one photo from my own super-secret-swooony-drop-dead-gorgeous-guys folder:
Hello, Finnick. How are you? Got sugar?
I can't say thank you enough for Liz who had spared her time doing this breathtaking blog post! THANK YOU sooo much, Liz! <3
Grab your
copy of Forgiving Trinity!
At seventeen, Trinity
McCabe has already made enough mistakes to fill a lifetime. Especially
the one where she got high, drove a car, and almost killed a dog. And
then let her friend Aidan take the blame.
She’s clean now and desperate to fix the messes she’s made, but first she’s going to have to get out of her pajamas.
As Trinity struggles to stop sleepwalking through life, she faces
the painful, tingling sensation of waking up. It’s sometimes
embarrassing (she really didn’t want to have lunch with Aidan’s mom),
sometimes terrifying (group therapy is beyond intimidating), and
sometimes, amazingly enough, pretty romantic (who’d have though Aidan
would be such a great kisser?)
Trin is lucky, though—luckier than she deserves, she’s sure—and she
doesn’t travel this road alone. Her family, her therapist, and her new
friends are all pulling for her. And it turns out, some of them have
made pretty big mistakes, too.
But before she can embrace her new life completely, Trinity has to
be forgiven by the one person who is holding out the hardest: herself.
It’s not easy changing everything, especially when you don’t think you
deserve a second chance. Trinity might make an even bigger mess of
things before she figures that out.
When the smoke clears on her latest disaster, will anyone still be standing there?
