A review by yilliun
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

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

4.5

Hargrave creates such a wonderfully complex world and pulls you into the life of living in 17th century Vardø. To each of the main women, there is such a delicate intimacy to them. They want such human things, to be loved, to know love, to feel truly in charge of their own destinies, and yet the men around them suffocate them. The story felt both tender and harsh and I was entranced all the way through.
May the men who burned these innocent people burn as they once burned the innocent.

ALSO I noticed that 40 men died and there were 40 chapters in the book. The number 40 is so biblically significant so I wonder how intentional that detail was.
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