Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Summary: "In the fifteenth-century kingdom of Brittany, seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where she learns that the god of Death has blessed her with dangerous gifts--and a violent destiny."

This book just blew all the other books I've read this year out of the water. I believe that it was first popular a few years ago, and the term people used was "assassin nuns." :D Can't get much cooler than that! It's not for the faint of heart, as it deals with some dark and nasty stuff. But the story of a "handmaiden of Death" is actually lighter and more inspiring than you might think! 

It reminded me a bit of Poison Study, and Duval (main male character) is quite like Valek, which is a very good thing!!

I enjoyed this story so, so, so much, and I can't quite explain why. Grave Mercy is over 500 pages, but it felt like 100. I read through it super fast, and it still didn't leave me satisfied. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one! 

549 pages