Reviews with content warning for Death - The Merciful Crow

I absolutely adored everything about this book. The world building was incredible and so interesting; I loved learning about all the different castes and their magic/abilities, and their witches. More than that, learning about the Crows way of life, how their witches can use the other castes' abilities using their teeth, their duties and the viatik was so incredibly interesting and cool, and so fucking sad too how despised and hunted they were for simply existing and doing what wad expected of them.

My favourite character was absolutely 100% Jas. At first, I absolutely hated him and I wanted to swing for him every time he spoke bc he was just so ignornant and entitled and demanding, and always believing he was right despite being sheltered in the palace his whole life. But his character development was just superb! By no means does he become a perfect character, he still sulks when he doesnt like things and he still lashes out when hes hurting, but he learns a lot more about the world and realises just how wrong he was, and actively works to change how he personally has always seen the Crows, and how everyone else sees and treats them too. And he saved Barf, which was the first thing that sold me on him, and also made me sob like a baby!! And I just think its so sweet the way he teaches Fie how to read. I love their dynamic so much, the way they go from mutual hatred to tolerating each other, and its only really after they lose Tavin that they end up truly understanding each other, working together and actually bevoming friends.

I adored Fie so much, she was such a strong character, she was full of fire and rage and so much heart, and I loved her !! She wasnt ready to become Chief, she wasnt ready for anything she went through, and yet she took it on the chin, did the best she could in the hardest circumstances, and came out the other side victorious. My heart bled for her when she had to leave her band of Crows and look after the lordlings, and as she continued to lose more and more, but she always found the strength and rage in her to keep on going. She would have had every right to burn the entire world to the ground and yet she never did, even in her darkest moments.

And Tavin, I loved him so much, he always made me laugh and he was just such a great character! I loved his developing relationship with Fie, I loved his dynamic with Jas, it broke my heart when he sacrificed himself at the bridge to try and keep the two people he loved safe and give them more of a chance, and then seeing him again so bruised and broken. And learning who he was, and the origins on his burn scar, and the extent of his abilities. I just loved him sm!!

I also rlly loved the other Crows, and the love and care they all had for each other !!!

Im so excited, and a little scared, to read the next book and see what it has in store for them all !!

Content Warnings

amylynnknitsreads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

onemamareads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Read my full review here: https://onemamassummer.weebly.com/book-reviews/the-merciful-crow

Content Warnings

clearmind_clearheart's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This was an unexpectedly great find. I loved the premise of the book, which is why I picked it up: a girl from a caste of mercy-killers becomes drawn into a political plot in pursuit of peace and safety for her people. The worldbuilding starts from the first page and it is a bit distracting at first, but once you understand how the authors caste system works, it's a bit easier to read around. Yet, even with that, the author smoothly intertwined her world building with her plot and character introductions. She draws your interest in immediately with a main character who's whole caste is responsible for dealing with those who suffer from a plague. The how for catching the plague isn't really explained, and I am curious if it will be covered more in the second book as it plays a big part in the why's of the caste system and their history, but otherwise it plays an important role of influencing the actions of the main character Fie. The fact that the first chapter covers more world building than movable plot is understandable when that world building plays such an important role in defining who the main character is and what the underlying conflicts are, both internal and external.
This main character, Fie, is relatable in her anger at injustice and her desire to act against it; there are moments where the reader gets a clear glimpse of how that anger can either rule or influence her actions. Overall, Fie is believable and relatable as she deals with the internal and external conflicts of the book. She's also kind of a clever smart ass and I love that. The supporting characters include her kin and new trouble makers, their relationships with the protagonist weaved in with the storyline in strong but also subtle ways. The author also includes changes and growth in side characters that take real time and effort to come about, and are relevant to the plot and story overall, but don't over shadow the protagonist.
The romance of the book is a bit unfounded at first, though I understand why. If the author really wanted to make it a focus they would have had to draw back on some of the plot and overall character building which would have taken a lot from the book overall.
The story itself is full of politics, classism, religion/faith, an interesting magic system based on castes and bloodlines, and a journey across a continent fraught with danger. The pace of the plot is steady, as is the characterization. There weren't many shock factors until the last few chapters and those were unexpected but well done, some foreshadowed and some you learned to fit the pieces together with the protagonist.
The book ends in a gentle manner, no heavy cliffhangers, but with a storyline that is open to continuation as the main character returns to a normal life knowing that there are things that will take time to change.
I'm definitely eager to read the next book to see how the main character gets dragged in to her next adventure.

Content Warnings

bookcaptivated's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Content Warnings

bukephalos0603's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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