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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
If you were only given one word to describe this book to a new potential reader, which would you choose? Boring? Repetitive? Unforgettable? Or IDK I DNF’d it? Yeah, choose whichever you like and you would still be correct. The cover art is about the most interesting thing about The Merciful Crows. Honestly if it wasn’t so short I would have felt no regrets for putting this book down and never feeling the urge to pick it back up. Needless to say I won’t be continuing on with this series.
There are cast systems named after birds. WTF? Every person has an inherited gift determined by the caste they are born into. But not if you’re a crow. Never the crows. WHY??? But if you’re a crow mage you can harvest the teeth of dead people and use them to wield the gift of that dead person’s caste. FUCKING GROSS! The crows are basically the gypsy plague patrol that wander from territory to territory killing and burning plague victims for the sake of the populace. They’re lucky to be paid, luckier still if they don’t get murdered on the side of the road by the varied prejudice members of other classes who are basically skinheads. Rude! There’s a nondescript (except for the new age required sexual diversity aspect) prince in disguise hiding from his murderous aunt who wants the crown. There’s also a witty, smoldering good looks body double traveling with him (guess who our fem protagonist is gonna fall for). And now the crows have gotta walk them from one side of the country to the other. BORING! But there’s obstacles! Basically the same obstacle! But they encounter it over and over and over AND OVER AGAIN.
There. Don’t bother wasting your time reading this book because that’s the most comprehensive summary I can give you. I just read this today and I’m already losing clarity on what the point of this book was. Overall, it was so generic except for the confusing/poorly defined magic system/political castes, which is never fully developed in a satisfying way. I also had 0% feelings for these characters. They are shallow, two-dimensional caricatures who spend two thirds of this book screaming about how they are being mistreated or misunderstood or “rutting”. Ugh. If I had to read the phrase “yes Pa” one more time I was going to chuck this book off a cliff.
Two word summary: basic garbage
There are cast systems named after birds. WTF? Every person has an inherited gift determined by the caste they are born into. But not if you’re a crow. Never the crows. WHY??? But if you’re a crow mage you can harvest the teeth of dead people and use them to wield the gift of that dead person’s caste. FUCKING GROSS! The crows are basically the gypsy plague patrol that wander from territory to territory killing and burning plague victims for the sake of the populace. They’re lucky to be paid, luckier still if they don’t get murdered on the side of the road by the varied prejudice members of other classes who are basically skinheads. Rude! There’s a nondescript (except for the new age required sexual diversity aspect) prince in disguise hiding from his murderous aunt who wants the crown. There’s also a witty, smoldering good looks body double traveling with him (guess who our fem protagonist is gonna fall for). And now the crows have gotta walk them from one side of the country to the other. BORING! But there’s obstacles! Basically the same obstacle! But they encounter it over and over and over AND OVER AGAIN.
There. Don’t bother wasting your time reading this book because that’s the most comprehensive summary I can give you. I just read this today and I’m already losing clarity on what the point of this book was. Overall, it was so generic except for the confusing/poorly defined magic system/political castes, which is never fully developed in a satisfying way. I also had 0% feelings for these characters. They are shallow, two-dimensional caricatures who spend two thirds of this book screaming about how they are being mistreated or misunderstood or “rutting”. Ugh. If I had to read the phrase “yes Pa” one more time I was going to chuck this book off a cliff.
Two word summary: basic garbage
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a great debut novel by Margaret Owen. I enjoyed the unique magic system and the developed caste system. Fie was a little too prickly at times, but what can you expect from a 16 year old girl? Looking forward to the next book, even with the anxiety inducing title. This novel is highly recommended.
4,5 ster. Goed uitgewerkt jeugdboek, maar misschien lag het aan de hitte, ik had even moeite met de laatste 200 pagina’s. Wel mooi vanuit meisje geschreven
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Great book.
Fie's anger against a society that has simultaneously forced her into her place in life and also blames and punishes her for it is 10000000% relatable.
I can't remember the last time I sat down and read an entire book in one sitting, good god. I can't wait for the next one!
I can't remember the last time I sat down and read an entire book in one sitting, good god. I can't wait for the next one!
I liked it, wasnt sure where it was going at first but I like where it ended up. Intreasting world just unique enough that you're like oooo but firmiliar enough you arent confused. Pacing was janky at times 4 of 5 would recomend(espcially if you arent looking for something heavy?)
Being at the bottom of the social pecking order is awful - especially if the rest of society only tolerates your existence because your clan cleans up plague victims so the rest of them do not get sick. The gods bid you to not shirk in your duties, but the more "blessed" have starved, cheated, and hunted you to near extinction. This is the lot in life for Fie, scion of the Crow people. Forever traveling from one plague signal to the next, she has never had a permanent place to call home or anywhere to feel completely safe. But she is also resourceful, talented, and very loyal to her band of friends and family - misfits all.
Then a royal prince of the Phoenix clan and his Hawk bodyguard fake their deaths by plague in order to strike a mutually beneficial deal with the Crows. Fie's band will smuggle the highborns to the safety of their allies, and in return the Crows will see the end of being hunted and persecuted when the prince takes his rightful place as king. I enjoyed the different levels of world awareness between the prince who has never known want but has been trapped by courtly intrigues his entire life, the bodyguard who has learned he can never have a life or dreams of his own, and the girl who has only viewed the world from the dregs of humanity. I appreciated that mutual trust was hard won rather than instantaneous - as is so often found in other adventures. There was very little common ground to build from other than the desire to survive - but it became a place to start.
The magic system of this fantastical world was fresh, clear, and creative. Each aspect was well thought out and never too overpowered. The checks and balances of each ability never seemed too far tipped in any one being or clan's favor. The imbalance of power is created by society's lack of regard and respect for those they deem less than themselves rather than magical talents.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author. I recommend it for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Alison Croggon, and Diana Paxton.
* Special thanks to NetGally and the publisher for granting me an eARC in return for my honest opinion. *
Then a royal prince of the Phoenix clan and his Hawk bodyguard fake their deaths by plague in order to strike a mutually beneficial deal with the Crows. Fie's band will smuggle the highborns to the safety of their allies, and in return the Crows will see the end of being hunted and persecuted when the prince takes his rightful place as king. I enjoyed the different levels of world awareness between the prince who has never known want but has been trapped by courtly intrigues his entire life, the bodyguard who has learned he can never have a life or dreams of his own, and the girl who has only viewed the world from the dregs of humanity. I appreciated that mutual trust was hard won rather than instantaneous - as is so often found in other adventures. There was very little common ground to build from other than the desire to survive - but it became a place to start.
The magic system of this fantastical world was fresh, clear, and creative. Each aspect was well thought out and never too overpowered. The checks and balances of each ability never seemed too far tipped in any one being or clan's favor. The imbalance of power is created by society's lack of regard and respect for those they deem less than themselves rather than magical talents.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author. I recommend it for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Alison Croggon, and Diana Paxton.
* Special thanks to NetGally and the publisher for granting me an eARC in return for my honest opinion. *
