Review: Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

Mortal Heart (His Fair Assassin, #3)Mortal Heart
(His Fair Assassin #3)
by Robin LaFevers
YA Urban Fantasy
Paperback434 Pages
November 4th 2014 by HMH Books for Young Readers

Summary

Annith has watched her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain, patiently awaiting her own turn to serve Death. But her worst fears are realized when she discovers she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever sequestered in the rock and stone womb of the convent. Feeling sorely betrayed, Annith decides to strike out on her own.

She has spent her whole life training to be an assassin. Just because the convent has changed its mind doesn't mean she has...
  

My Review

I thought Mortal Heart was an unexpected, but beautiful conclusion to this series. Annith was such a different character than Ismae and Sybella. (You can see my reviews of the first two books here and here.) Annith didn't have the same fierceness or grudges as they had. She did have a pained past, just like them, but she had always strove for perfection. She wanted to be sent out and into the world as an assassin like so many before and after her. She finally leaves, but not how she envisioned it would be. 

I enjoyed Annith's journey. She definitely comes into herself through this book, just as the other two MC's did in their individual stories. In comparison Annith's journey was much more mild, or maybe more reserved. Her path was fraught with danger, but also with new friends and companions to keep her safe. I especially loved her role in preserving her country and the man who steps up to stand beside her as she does so. I enjoyed getting to know his companions. Romance definitely played a role in Annith's story. I liked that it slowly built.

There were so many hints in the previous two books about a couple of things and I was relieved to finally find out what was going on and why some things had happened. It was also great to see the characters from the first two books make appearances. These books are all part companion books and part sequels. Most of the books take place at the same time except that the end of Grave Mercy takes place about 3/4 through Dark Triumph. Then Dark Triumph's end takes place about 3/4 through Mortal Heart. These three girls all had separate rolls and lives to play, individuals to become, choices to make. Yet, they all are inexplicably bound together, not only through friendship, but in how some of their actions or the actions of those pulling the strings affect each other. I loved how well it all intricately worked together and apart to come to a satisfying end.

There was one question that I still have at the end of this. I still want to know how one of Death's riders took a shot at the Duchess's life in Grave Mercy when he is the one who commands them. Besides that, I do wish that the mature content would have been left out. It wasn't overly detailed and I did understand the meaning it lent to the story, but I would have liked it better without it.

Overall, this was another fabulously written release from LaFevers. I loved these characters! I loved that they were so loyal and determined while also being unsure. They still sought for guidance and questioned what they'd been told. I liked that they each found their own way and made their own path regardless of their past and of the desires of those who would seek to control them. I also loved the historical setting and how LaFevers wove it through each story. Mortal Heart left me with such a feeling of happiness that was somewhat bittersweet, and relief that everything turned out right. I'm looking forward to seeing what this author tackles in the future.

Content: There were some mature scenes (not overly descriptive) and some violence.

Source: From the publisher through Edelweiss, which did not affect my review in any way.


It's release day for Mortal Heart and I'm excited that I'll be seeing the author in person tonight at a local bookstore. Woohoo!! Have you read this or do you plan too?

12 comments

  1. Cali Willette11/4/14, 2:59 PM

    Good review. I still need to catch up with this series!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have not begun this series yet, but I am drawn to it. Great review thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I haven't read this genre in a while so thanks for recommending this series and including the mature content warning :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Okay I admit I didn't read the review because I haven't read this book yet. I JUST got it. Dang. I just had to see what you rated it. I have been nervous to start it. I want it to be fabulous ;). I am glad you liked it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. The plots are amazing as are the characters! I hope you enjoy them all!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I got to see the author last night and it was great. It was fun to hear how this series got started.

    ReplyDelete
  7. There definitely is mature content, although rather non-descriptive and only in a few spots. The second book has the most, but the characters and plotting are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's not as fierce as the other two, but I really liked it. I thought the romance was really sweet and the plotting... Just amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I enjoyed this one, and I did think it was a satisfying conclusion and I liked how all of the main characters from the previous books were a part of this story. I did like Annith, but honestly, I didn't really like the romance. It was a little icky to me. I won't say why because of spoilers to anyone reading this, but just a bit disturbing if you ask me. But I do love the series and would still recommend it. ~Pam

    ReplyDelete
  10. I had a conversation about the ickiness of the romance with another blogger who felt like you. I didn't feel that way, but it was because my perspective was different and I didn't even see it that way until she pointed it out. I'd spoil it if I went into it more than that. Maybe think Thor?

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have this one waiting for me, but I keep putting it back down before I even start. My anticipation for this one is through the roof, and my expectations are so high I admit that I am scared. And to be honest, I am hesitating because the thought of this amazing series being over breaks my heart. I already feel the loss of it, and I haven't even started it yet. I will read this one soon, no doubt about it. I will pick it up and actually start reading, and I won't be able to stop until the last page. And then there will be a serious need for a whole lot of tissues. It is inevitable!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lol! I know what you mean. If it makes it any easier, the author did say that she has some more stories to tell from this world, so it's not a forever goodbye, just goodbye for a few years. I know some were disappointed because Annith isn't as fierce and the romance has been an issue for some. I loved it, but that's me. :) I hope you end up really liking it!

    ReplyDelete

I love comments! I try to read and reply to them all. Feel free to agree or disagree and generally share your thoughts with me.