There are also some religious happenings that some might be uncomfortable with, which I’ll add more about in the content review. I thought it was pretty mature for YA, so those looking for a quick or light read won’t find it here. I have to say there are some that this book won’t appeal to. Who needs a love triangle when there’s this much tension?! I just couldn’t ask for more! It was almost like taking Katsa from Graceling and Brigan from Fire and watching them fall for each other. It just adds so much tension, frustration, and eventually satisfaction to a romance. I love it when characters start out with suspicion, and trust issues with each other, and have to work to overcome their prejudices over time. I mean, yes, we all know that Duval and Ismae are going to end up falling for each other, but it is so awesome to watch it slowly happen. This is absolutely my favorite type of romance to read. She grew and changed a lot during this book, and that’s something I love.

Something I really appreciated about her was her personal character development. She actually reminded me a lot of Katsa from Graceling. She had a hard life growing up, so she was a hard person to befriend, but once she trusted you, she would do anything for you. Ismae was strong, smart, fierce, brave, selfless, and loyal.

I'm not sure the reviewer has the 'sexual content' right.there was quite a bit more than she described.

Grave mercy book