Book Review: Mortal Heart

Mortal Heart (His Fair Assassin #3)

By: Robin LaFevers

Published By: HMH Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: November 4, 2014

Page Count: 444

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Young Adult - Historical Fantasy

Review of Book #1: Grave Mercy

Review of Book #2: Dark Triumph

Annith has always been the obedient and self-sacrificing member of the Order of St Mortain, and in Mortal Heart she decides that enough is enough. Her future is being decided for her, and she is deeply suspicious of the motivations at work; Annith suspects that the Abbess is not being guided by Mortain but rather her own agenda. 

 When another young and under-prepared initiate is sent out, and Annith finds that she is destined for the sequestered life of Seeress, she decides that enough is enough, and she leaves the convent in search of the truth. Along the way she meets several interesting people, including the semi-mythical Hellequin that she supposes are sent from Mortain to hunt her down, and the followers of Arduinna. Annith learns a lot about life, death and all that lies in between on her travels. 

As for Annith herself, I loved her journey of enlightenment. She flourished into a lioness from being such a quiet little mouse. Even when rocked by a completely storming plot twist, she kept her wits about her, and made the best of the situation. She comfortably found her way into the heart of the Duchess’s affairs, and her great sense helped make her invaluable in the ever-worsening struggle for Brittany’s independence. 

 Mortal Heart was quite a strange read in some ways; the lines between the supernatural and the real became blurred in quite a mind boggling way! I won’t say more, as it might prove to be a spoiler, but I enjoyed thinking about all the implications, and it was very engaging. I also found the inevitable demise of Brittany very interesting, because I knew it would be doomed (based on current geography!) and I was worried for all my favourite characters! I was very pleased with the ending though – there was action, and Annith finally got to show her mettle. What a brilliant end to the series! I will be eagerly watching out for more from this author!

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...