If you’re not immediately intrigued by the idea of nun assassins, this probably isn’t the book for you. If you are intrigued by the idea, you should probably read this. Stat.
Ismae grows up in an abusive home where she’s surrounded by dangerous men. Thanks to the kind intervention of the local witch woman, she escapes to the convent of St. Mortain, where she promises to serve the god of death. Her training teaches her how to kill someone in nearly every way imaginable.
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When she starts getting assigned missions, everything starts out well, but she quickly realizes that killing in real life is more complex than the convent makes it out to be. After a mishap on one of her missions, she is assigned to spy on/help the mysterious, but attractive, Gavriel. Gavriel says his only mission is to protect his half-sister, the Queen of Brittany, but Ismae and the convent aren’t sure where his allegiance lies.
I read this book a while ago and the details are already getting a little fuzzy, but I do remember that this novel was a fun diversion. Not life changing and I don’t know if I’ll continue on with the series, but it was a ton of fun to read. Kickass ladies who can kill you before you know what’s happening? Um, yes please. I love that in the last fifteen or so years, there has been an explosion of young adult fantasy that takes women seriously and gives them great plots and important friendships with other women.
Read this if you liked: The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Graceling, Sabriel