Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany, where she must pose as mistress to the darkly mysterious Gavriel Duval, who has fallen under a cloud of suspicion. Once there, she finds herself woefully underprepared – not only for the deadly games of love and intrigue, but for the impossible choices she must make.
Ismae is marked with the mark of her sire, Death, or as the Bretons call him, Mortain. She escapes an arranged marriage and is sent to the Convent of St. Mortain where she is trained to be an assassin, carrying out the orders of her god in his protection of the young duchess of Brittany, Anne. When she is sent on her first missions, she becomes entangled in the political intrigue surrounding Anne and her numerous suitors, all of who need to offer her military and financial assistance in keeping the French out of Brittany. She is assigned to court to spy on Gavriel Duval, a member of the Duchess’ privy council. It is through her relationship with Gavriel, that Ismae begins to understand her true calling. This is full of interesting historical information, and thankfully the author provides both a map and a list of characters for readers. Although long, the action is fast-paced. The romance between Ismae and Duval really is secondary to the political intrigue.
560 pages 978-0547628349 Ages 14 and up
Recommended by Alice L. Cyphers, Librarian and Reading Specialist, Pennsylvania, USA
*******
Packed with love, magic, and deadly games of courtly intrigue and treason, book one of Robin LaFevers's fast-paced trilogy set in 15th-century France combines romance with captivating action. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros.
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?---from the publisher
