Grave Mercy: His Fair Assassin Book 1, by Robin LaFebers (2012)

I bear a deep red stain that runs from my left shoulder down to my right hip, a trail left by the herbwitch's poison that my mother used to try to expel me from her womb.  That I survived, according to the herwitch, is no miracle but a sign I have been sired by the god of death himself.

Brittany, 1485

Ismae Rienne's life has been filled with cold, hard people.  After her father sold her for 3 silver coins, Ismae thought her life would continue to be cold, hard, and abusive.  Minutes after her marriage begins, Ismae's husband sees her back.

When our glances meet, he knows - knows - that he has been duped.

He locks her in the root cellar. 

Later, the hedge priest, who had just married them, rescues her.  Like smuggled cargo, Ismae travels across Brittany to the abbey of St. Mortain, the patron saint of death.  Ismae admits to the abbess that many think she was sired by Death.

"You have found refuge at the convent of St. Mortain.  Although in truth, Mortain is older than any saint, older than even Christ."

Ismae learns more about the convent.

"We carry out Mortain's will when He wishes to alter the warp and weft of life's weave for some purpose of His own."

After three years at the convent, Ismae is sent on her first assignment: to assassinate a traitor to Brittney.  Her world, however, will be forever changed.

Grave Mercy is an excellent read for people who enjoy historical fiction, the art of assassination, political intrigue.

Rating:  10 out of 10 stars
*sexual references, religion

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