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lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
I received this as part of my FairyLoot subscription.
"The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy" is a novel that follows Hart and Mercy. Hart is a marshal that patrols and keeps safe the land of Tanria. Mercy has been working tirelessly as the office manager of her family business, Birdsall & Son Undertakers, and she has single handedly been able to keep the business afloat. Hart, out of a loneliness he will not admit to, writes a letter to a "friend". That letter is delivered to his enemy, Mercy, and the two unknowingly start some correspondence to each other that changes both of their lives.
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. I have had it on my shelves for a while but kept putting it off because I thought other books sounded better, but I am so happy I finally gave this one a shot! This is a story about finding yourself, facing death, finding the joy in life, and allowing yourself to be happy.
Hart and Mercy had a tumultuous first impression, and they both think they do not like each other. These letters, because they do not know who is writing them, allow them to have a second chance at a first impression, and I loved it. Hart and Mercy bring out the best in one another and they are so good for each other. They really inspire each other to face their demons and fight for the lives they truly desire.
Mercy's family dynamic I think is so relatable for a lot of people, and I loved seeing her realize that her family ultimately just wants her to be happy, and, most importantly, only Mercy truly knows what will make her happy.
I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a fantastical story with amazing character development.
"The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy" is a novel that follows Hart and Mercy. Hart is a marshal that patrols and keeps safe the land of Tanria. Mercy has been working tirelessly as the office manager of her family business, Birdsall & Son Undertakers, and she has single handedly been able to keep the business afloat. Hart, out of a loneliness he will not admit to, writes a letter to a "friend". That letter is delivered to his enemy, Mercy, and the two unknowingly start some correspondence to each other that changes both of their lives.
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. I have had it on my shelves for a while but kept putting it off because I thought other books sounded better, but I am so happy I finally gave this one a shot! This is a story about finding yourself, facing death, finding the joy in life, and allowing yourself to be happy.
Hart and Mercy had a tumultuous first impression, and they both think they do not like each other. These letters, because they do not know who is writing them, allow them to have a second chance at a first impression, and I loved it. Hart and Mercy bring out the best in one another and they are so good for each other. They really inspire each other to face their demons and fight for the lives they truly desire.
Mercy's family dynamic I think is so relatable for a lot of people, and I loved seeing her realize that her family ultimately just wants her to be happy, and, most importantly, only Mercy truly knows what will make her happy.
I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a fantastical story with amazing character development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
alfarmer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I laughed and I ugly cried. I did not expect a fantasy romance set in a world with undead to be so emotional, funny, and have an incredible love story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Blood, and Death
Minor: Death of parent, Animal death, and Pregnancy
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Despite having received this audiobook as an ALC from Libro.fm a few months ago, I haven't picked it up yet because I have wanted to have a physical copy as well (it's my preferred "listening" method). My library doesn't have a copy. And if I'm being honest, this sounded so much like a book I would love that I kind of wanted to own a copy anyways. I finally got my hands on one during a quick (extended to involve an extra day of fun) work visit to Asheville, NC a few weeks ago. If you haven't been there, you should definitely go. Asheville is such a cool place - so much nature and great food (and drink!) and overall awesome vibes. Anyways, I stopped in at a local bookstore while there (Malaprop's) and picked it up there.
As I am still woefully behind on reviews, I'll be borrowing from Goodreads again for this summary... Hart is a marshal, tasked with patrolling the strange and magical wilds of Tanria. It’s an unforgiving job, and Hart’s got nothing but time to ponder his loneliness. Mercy never has a moment to herself. She’s been single-handedly keeping Birdsall & Son Undertakers afloat in defiance of sullen jerks like Hart, who seems to have a gift for showing up right when her patience is thinnest. After yet another exasperating run-in with Mercy, Hart finds himself penning a letter addressed simply to “A Friend”. Much to his surprise, an anonymous letter comes back in return, and a tentative friendship is born. If only Hart knew he’s been baring his soul to the person who infuriates him most: Mercy. As the dangers from Tanria grow closer, so do the unlikely correspondents. But can their blossoming romance survive the fated discovery that their pen pals are their worst nightmares – each other?
I don't think I have ever used the following phrase to describe anything before, but it turns out, it's perfect for this book (and, not really a surprise, but a new aesthetic I'm going to be leaning into personally): this book was wonderfully, whimsically macabre. There were many notes of the paranormal and supernatural throughout: low key zombies, floating souls, ancient magical creatures (that talk, and deliver mail!), gods that still exist and can walk the earth, and other small magical touches. And central to the character development and the plot is the Birdsall family business of, essentially, running a funeral home, and Mercy's burgeoning role at the primary undertaker. All of which could have led this to being a really dark read. And yet. It was surprisingly sweetly morbid, if you're willing to believe that can be done. I mean yes, beware, there is quite a bit of death and violence and resurrection (and mostly not in a "good" way). But at the same time, the way Mercy sees, and puts effort into, caring for the dead and their families and the comfort she can give in her position is simply beautiful. It's exactly the kind of hopeful and fulfilling perspective that I could imagine wanting for myself or a close loved one during such a grief-filled time.
There are other aspects of the book that help balance out the more grim pieces, to create that more offbeat and fanciful vibe, as well. First, the little things, like cafes and libraries and letter writing, that are reminiscent of our “real world,” were grounding touches. Also, the relationships, across the board, really took the edge off. Mercy's entire family (and especially her brother who'd rather become a baker than run the family business) were so recognizable. The care they all had for each other, even while arguing or at odds, was touching. And despite Hart's work-focus and intensity and gruff exterior, what he builds with his new apprentice, Pen, and how that relationship pulls him even farther into Mercy's family (and their drama), was so well developed. I also want to mention that there was a mystery subplot that called for some amateur sleuthing that was just plain fun!
Plus, of course, there is Hart and Mercy themselves. Let me take a minute to focus on them, as they are central to the novel overall (obviously). Look. What an unbelievably sweet enemies-to-lovers secret pen pals romance. Ugh. I cannot even. They were both so stubbornly sure they hated each other, when everything (and everyone around them) knew and pointed to the opposite. But it never reached the point of annoyance that could have happened, when miscommunication takes over as a plot device. This was just good old "human" stubbornness and, in that "can't see what's under my own nose," was so relatable. I'm always a softie for a grumpy and sunshine romance trope too, especially when said grump falls first and harder - oh my heart! Oh! And the narrators for the audiobook that voiced Hart and Mercy were fantastic.
I have to be honest here, and say that there were a few things that I wish could have been better or gone differently. The biggest thing is that some of the dialogue felt slightly clunky. I hate that that happened, because for me, it's such a deal breaker when the dialogue rings awkward, but it is what it is. The other thing is, whoa beware of a very upsetting death situation (emotionally, my goodness, the wreckage). Slight spoiler alert in this additional comment: "coming back from the dead" is one of my least favorite fantasy romance (or any genre, really) and I wish that hadn’t been the choice here. I would rather have a grave injury or, better, a conversation through the tough topics (even a fight). It's just...death allows each to "figure out" feelings too easily or with too much grief clouding the picture, which sounds terrible cause it’s a horrible situation but for a writer/plot, it just feels like too easy a solution.
So, here's the thing, other than those two critiques, I absolutely loved this quirky and high-chemistry romance and its sides of magic and mystery. It was everything I wanted it to be and I'm going to rate and recommend it as such. It's one of those books that has all the same comfort read vibes like The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, McGuire's Every Heart a Doorway series, On a Sunbeam, or Heartstopper. At least for me. And that feels more important than anything else, in this case.
“…but an arrogant man apologized to obtain absolution. A good man admitted his errors and expected nothing in return.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Pregnancy, Gun violence, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
luchikreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0
🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Murder
sydapel's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
3.75
Tad ovehyped in my opinion? The characters are lovely, but I feel like the whimsical fantasy/steam punk nature of this word was a lot of the draw, and while elements of it are, I didn't feel like it was described or developed effectively. Bonus points always for making me cry (a rule I've established at my own peril)!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Death, Death of parent, and Animal death
kshertz's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.25
I really loved our protagonist Mercy. She’s fierce and I like that Hart and her have mean nicknames and the banter is great. Plus the side characters are so loveable. I love the world. It’s done so well! I didn’t LOVE the ending twists and turns but I still really think it’s worth the read and the journey regardless
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Gore, Blood, and Medical content
ncoletti's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Sexual content and Murder
Minor: Sexism
cassielaj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Full of humor and heart (hehe, Hart), this book was a journey. I was confused at first, as I tend to be in a fantasy, but Bannen unravels this world in such a way that your questions are answered right before you ask them. Her characters are zany and delightful, and I laughed out loud more than once.
There were significant plot points that I wished had been introduced a bit earlier, as the letter-writing/enemies/reluctant friends/lovers part of the story seemed pretty separate from the action of the second half. I found myself wondering how I was only halfway through when it seemed like things were wrapping up. I liked the plot development of the second half better, so I wish it could’ve been distributed a bit more evenly.
All that being said, this book is warm and cozy and I absolutely recommend reading it, especially if you’re a romance/fantasy/zombie hunter/undertaker/immortal beings/mystery fan 😘
Side note: major points for queer relationships/characters who just EXIST without being questioned
There were significant plot points that I wished had been introduced a bit earlier, as the letter-writing/enemies/reluctant friends/lovers part of the story seemed pretty separate from the action of the second half. I found myself wondering how I was only halfway through when it seemed like things were wrapping up. I liked the plot development of the second half better, so I wish it could’ve been distributed a bit more evenly.
All that being said, this book is warm and cozy and I absolutely recommend reading it, especially if you’re a romance/fantasy/zombie hunter/undertaker/immortal beings/mystery fan 😘
Side note: major points for queer relationships/characters who just EXIST without being questioned
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Animal death, Death of parent, Murder, and Violence
annamorgan27's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-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? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Murder, Sexual content, and Gore
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