Review by lrose02 - The Mercies

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lrose02 's review for:

The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

4.25

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This book was a book club pick and one I enjoyed, finding it easy to read despite it being historical fiction. It opens with the storm, and that sets the tone for the rest of the book with how brutal but sudden the men die. When the Commissioner arrives, it’s almost annoying how their way of life is disturbed. They’ve gotten by, but are judged for surviving instead of being helped. The commissioner sucks, and you pity Ursula every step of the way. Just when he’s getting a smidge better, it gets worse. Every time. I called the lesbianism before it happened and I’m not mad as it. I love how the author has a niche of choosing an unknown historical event and adding a sapphic relationship. Somehow. The ending isn’t a happy one, but it could be worse. It ends to me rather suddenly, not plot wise but narration wise. It’s not stopped in a neat way. The only good part was the commissioners fate. The witch trials themselves were horrific and it’s made clear of the brutality the women face, especially when read through Maren’s eyes. It’s painful and the injustice is clear, especially with the bitterness of the other women. And over something a modern eye sees as something harmless. I feel like there’s going to be a lot to talk about with book club which I like.

Content Warnings