LaFevers, Robin. Dark Triumph. (His Fair Assassin, Book II)

LaFevers, Robin.  Dark Triumph.  (His Fair Assassin, Book II)     Houghton Mifflin  2013  388p  ISBN 978-0-547-62838-7  hs/adult    Hardback    VG-BN  Fantasy   

When the novel Grave Mercy introduced an order of nun assassins to readers, teens and adults devoured the tale of Ismae, a well-trained but inexperienced novice on her first assignment.  Those readers will not be disappointed by Sybella’s story, which is darker and more intense and introduces a much more seasoned assassin.

Sybella shows a diamond-hard facade to the world to hide wounds inflicted by hurt and betrayal of her psyche.  She has unresolved doubts about her god and her father, Mortain, and she is unable to trust anyone.  She is isolated and suffering.  But Sybella finds warmth and compassion in Beast.  Beast is as ugly and terrifying on the surface as Sybella feels inside.  A wary alliance is kindled into romance. 

LaFevers has written a dark tale of plots, violence and unlikely romance.  Her greatest strength lies in the compelling characters she creates.  Readers will enjoy this absorbing adventure even if they haven’t read the first book.  But have Grave Mercy on hand -- they are bound to come back to demand it!

Summary: Sybella, a cold-hearted assassin, finds redemption in an unlikely character: Beast.  This is the sequel to Grave Mercy, which introduced an order of nun assassins.

Assassins-Fiction, Romance-Fiction, Death-Fiction                 --Hilary Welliver

LaFevers, Robin. Grave Mercy. (His Fair Assassin.)

LaFevers, Robin.  Grave Mercy. (His Fair Assassin.)   Houghton Mifflin  549p

$16.99      978-0-547-62834-9       hs/adult          VG-BNS      Fantasy    

If you like mysteries, politics, and romance, with a little fantasy thrown into the mix, read Grave Mercy by newcomer Robin LeFevers.  Rescued from a brutal marriage, Ismae becomes a “Saint”, one of Death’s handmaidens in a convent of assassins.  Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts.  When Ismae receives an important assignment to the high court of Brittany, she finds herself woefully underprepared, not only for the deadly choices that must be made in a world of intrigue and treason, but also for an impossible situation she must face.  How can she kill a target who has stolen her heart?

Ismae is a compelling protagonist, believable and engaging, except in her romance with Duval.  Whenever her love interest enters the picture, our tough, capable, intelligent heroine becomes useless.  Ismae excels at martial arts, but skipped most of the convent’s classes on “womanly arts”.  Nonetheless, readers will be engrossed by the slowly smoldering romance as it builds to a climax.

The political intrigue is set in 15th-century Brittany and provides good insight into the politics of that time.  LaFevers vividly describes the era from peasant hovels and superstitious villagers to the sophisticated Court and its intrigues. 

This is a promising debut novel.

Historical fiction, Fantasy, Assassins–Fiction              -- Hilary Welliver     

LaFevers, R.L. Theodora and the Last Pharaoh.

LaFevers, R.L.    Theodora and the Last Pharaoh.
 Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher     2011  394p  16.99 978-0-547-39018-5     elm/ms      E-BN  Mystery/Detective
Eleven year old, Theodora,  sets off for Egypt with her mother to document some findings of a previous dig. Actually, Theodora is subtly trying to return a valued relic to it’s rightful owner with the help of her cat, Isis.    Readers will once again be enthralled with the adventures of Theodora while she tries to return the Emerald Tablet to the rightful owner. Tasks are never easy for Theodora. Events always seem to get her into trouble at the most embarrassing times. However, readers enjoy seeing what plans she will employ to solve the problem of the moment.
   In this adventure the Serpents of Chaos were intent on obtaining the Orb of Ra and Emerald Tablet. Their efforts however were curtailed with the help of a young Egyptian boy named Gadji and a secretive group of Egyptians (Eyes of Horos/Chosen Keepers of Alexandria) whose sole purpose is to guard the ancient relics of Ancient Egypt and descendants of the last Pharaoh.
Theodora also wanted to learn something about the mysteries of her birth in Egypt. The events pertaining to this part of her trip will leave the readers spell bound as she finds herself kidnapped and taken into the desert. She also meets someone who was there when she was born and some information about her ancestors.
Readers will enjoy this fast paced mystery and adventure story with it fast pace and intriguing characters.             Egypt-fiction     McNeil, Linda

LaFevers, R.L. Theodora and the Last Pharaoh

LaFevers, R.L.    Theodora and the Last Pharaoh  

Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher     2011  394p  16.99 978-0-547-39018-5     elm/ms      E-BN  Mystery/Detective  

     Eleven year old, Theodora,  sets off for Egypt with her mother to document some findings of a previous dig. Actually, Theodora is subtly trying to return a valued relic to it’s rightful owner with the help of her cat, Isis.    Readers will once again be enthralled with the adventures of Theodora while she tries to return the Emerald Tablet to the rightful owner. Tasks are never easy for Theodora. Events always seem to get her into trouble at the most embarrassing times. However, readers enjoy seeing what plans she will employ to solve the problem of the moment.
   In this adventure the Serpents of Chaos were intent on obtaining the Orb of Ra and Emerald Tablet. Their efforts however were curtailed with the help of a young Egyptian boy named Gadji and a secretive group of Egyptians (Eyes of Horos/Chosen Keepers of Alexandria) whose sole purpose is to guard the ancient relics of Ancient Egypt and descendants of the last Pharaoh.
Theodora also wanted to learn something about the mysteries of her birth in Egypt. The events pertaining to this part of her trip will leave the readers spell bound as she finds herself kidnapped and taken into the desert. She also meets someone who was there when she was born and some information about her ancestors.
Readers will enjoy this fast paced mystery and adventure story with it fast pace and intriguing characters.             Egypt-fiction     Linda McNeil

 

LaFevers, R.L. Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh.

LaFevers, R.L.    Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh.      

Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher  2011  394p  16.99 978-0-547-39018-5 

elm/ms     Mystery/Detective       E-BN  

Eleven year old, Theodosia,  sets off for

Egypt with her mother to document some findings of a previous dig. Actually,

Theodosia is subtley trying to return a valued relic to it’s rightful owner with

the help of her cat, Isis.    Readers will once again be enthralled with the

adventures of Theodosia while she tries to return the Emerald Tablet to the

rightful owner. Tasks are never easy for Theodosia. Events always seem to get

her into trouble at the most embarassing times. However, readers enjoy seeing

what plans she will employ to solve the problem of the moment. 

   In this adventure the Serpents of Chaos were intent on obtaining the Orb of

Ra and Emerald Tablet. Their efforts however were curtailed with the help of a

young Egyptian boy named Gadji and a secretive group of Egyptians (Eyes of

Horos/Chosen Keepers of Alexandria) whose sole purpose is to guard the ancient

relics of Ancient Egypt and descendents of the last Pharoah.

Theodosia also wanted to learn something about the mysteries of her birth in

Egypt. The events pertaining to this part of her trip will leave the readers

spell bound as she finds herself kidnapped and taken into the desert. She also

meets someone who was there when she was born and some information about her

ancestors.

Readers will enjoy this fast paced mystery and adventure story with it fast pace

and intriguing characters.          McNeil, Linda

LaFevers, R.L. Theodosia and the eyes of Horos

LaFevers, R.L. Theodosia and the eyes of Horos
Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher 2010 375p 16.00
978-0-547-22592-0 elm/ms mystery/Detective VG-BN

Theodosia Throckmorton’s parents run the Museum of Legends and Antiquities in London in the year of 1907. It is her job to help her parents with the acquisitions department. Or in more exact terms, she must keep magic from running amuck in the museum.
In this next adventure by Theodosia she runs into some Egyptian Black magic. The museum has recently discovered a artifact that is highly sought after by alchemists for centuries. Meanwhile, Sticky Will, her street friend, drags her to a magic show by the Great Awi Bubu. Trouble always seems to be her middle name.
In this fast paced mystery and fantasy the readers will be intrigued by the grandmother who marches into and out of Theodosia’ world as she tries to get an ex-boyfriend buried with honors. They will also see how she deals with the world of street thugs and black magic charlatans.
This is a book where readers will enjoy the refreshing young heroine and her drive to use her talents to keep the black magic out of the museum. In attempting to protect the museum black magic her life is constantly eventful and challenging. The readers will be enthralled by the fast pace and constantly changing humorous and page turning actions.
This is a very well written book that will relate well to many young readers. It is recommended as a basic book for any upper elementary/middle school library. It would make an excellent selection for a basic books list for school libraries. McNeil, Linda