Reviews

The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

rachelstubbs19's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

brisingr's review against another edition

1.0

DNF @ p. 55 - this is very BORING and the writing is so bland (kind of trying to emulate that of the century it is set in, but it's awkward as hell and it makes it very tedious to go through the pages) it's trying to give beauty, but it gives what the fuck.

also, i've said it in an update and i'll say it again: but wdropping random words in foreign languages when there's literally no point to it whatsover???? why????? you don't have to say kirke, church is just fine, especially when everything else is in english, you're just butchering your sentences for ~exoticism ~ points for your western white audiences pls----

also don't say "you didn't even get to the good part!" if i have to read 50 pages for the book to be good, then it's just not going to be good sorry

bea_bt's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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? It's complicated

4.75

maddie_lewis28's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

OMG THAT ENDING. WHAT THE ACTUAL HECK. This book was so good and pulled out all the emotions, I loved it. My one critique is that I wish that some things had more explanation for what they are or like a “dictionary” at the front or back (this is mostly because I’m lazy and don’t like having to look stuff up on my phone when I’m going on my electronics to stay off my phone), but that’s just a personal preference. I didn’t know what to expect going into this, but I would definitely recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Death

renee_like_hurray's review against another edition

challenging dark sad medium-paced

4.0

twofistededitor's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

jojobear's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

shhhleebag's review against another edition

4.0

“She had thought she had seen the worst from this harbour, thought nothing could rival the viciousness of the storm. But now she knows she was foolish to believe that evil existed only out there. It was here, among them, walking on two legs, passing judgement with a human tongue.” 

If you are looking for a happy ending, this is not the book for you. This fictional retelling of the very real 1617 storm and witch trials in Vardo is both disturbing and heartbreaking. 

I did not love the writing style at first, but it grew on me pretty quickly. The last 20% or so felt a bit rushed and I would’ve liked it to be drawn out a little more. 

Overall, an interesting (albeit depressing) read!

leilamaarit's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad 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? No

4.0

franci26's review against another edition

emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.0