theteaisaddictive 's review for:

The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

4.25

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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The Mercies impresses on multiple levels, including mob psychology, the reasoning behind witch hunts, the inclusion of queer women, and

killing an abusive husband

. Where it loses me is the resolution -- it really feels like this could have used another 5-10 pages to give the ending some more emotional closure. As it was, I felt as if the denouement came a little too quickly for my liking. Overall, however, I really enjoyed this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation

Minor: Miscarriage