Grave+Mercy



Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

I love this book, and all of the girls who read it love it as well, but it's on the Teen Top Ten list this year and is getting lots of press so do we want it on Flume for next year? - Kelly Budd, Keene High School

I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. I felt that the original idea of a young girl in a nunnery being raised to be an assassin was interesting but then the middle got mired in obscure historical politics. One of my friends who read this felt the same way, and it has not been hugely popular at my library. - Katie Spofford, Wadleigh Memorial Library, Milford

I have to admit that I liked the premise of this story but got pretty bored with it in the middle. Sharon Flesher, Nashua South

I recently reported on this one at the last YALS meeting, and at the time, I was enthralled with the writing and concept. Since them, I've abandoned the book out of boredom, so I'm right in line with Sharon's comment above. Not really worth it - at least for me. The teen who nominated the book, though, has already read it twice and has devoured the second book in the series as well. Lisa Houde - Rye Public Library

I love this book for many reasons; the writing, the concept, the historical period, etc. Sadly, though, I don't know that it'll have a broad enough audience to make it worth the list. Heidi Grant, Nashua High North

I really enjoyed this book! I agree, the politics did slow things, especially because it seemed tied to actual history, but alternate dimension-ish. When it's a present-day or future setting, I think that's easier to deal with. For me, I think I had just enough historical knowledge to really muddle things up & confuse me. However, the concept & characters were great, and while it was not in any way a fast read, I definitely enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the sequel. I think this would be a good addition, but if things get down to the wire, I might cut this in favor of something requiring slightly less dedication. -Lucia, WML, Stratham