Renee
Written on Feb 18, 2019
If you liked CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE, you'll love THE BONELESS MERCIES
They called us the Mercies, or sometimes the Boneless Mercies. They said we were shadows, ghosts, and if you touched our skin we dissolved into smoke ...
Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are Boneless Mercies – death-traders, hired to kill quickly, quietly and mercifully. It is a job for women, and women only. Men will not do this sad, dark work.
Frey has no family, no home, no fortune, and yet her blood sings a song of glory. So when she hears of a monster slaughtering men, women, and children in a northern jarldom, she decides this the Mercies’ one chance to change their fate.
But glory comes at a price …
An epic YA fantasy set in a breathtaking new world, this is perfect for fans of V.E.Schwab, Leigh Bardugo, Laini Taylor and Melinda Salisbury
"Fierce and glorious, this story of outcast girls defying fate utterly bewitched me. Tucholke is a gorgeous writer." -- LAINI TAYLOR, New York Times-bestselling author of Strange the Dreamer
"Its every page hints at a deeper magic at work; it contains a whole world and all its myths and histories within its skin." -- MELISSA ALBERT, New York Times-bestselling author of The Hazel Wood
"Ruthless and lyrical, heart-warming and blood-chilling, and beautifully redolent of ancient tales and history. It will sing to a new generation of heroes."-- SAMANTHA SHANNON, New York Times-bestselling author of The Bone Season
"I fell in love with this stunning novel from the very first page. Fierce and unforgettable, with gorgeous prose and a fantastic premise that more than delivers. Easily one of my favorite YA novels of 2018." -- KATHERINE WEBBER, author of Wing Jones and Only Love Can Break Your Heart
- ISBN10 1471170004
- ISBN13 9781471170003
- Publish Date 4 October 2018 (first published 2 October 2018)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Simon & Schuster Ltd
- Imprint Simon & Schuster Childrens Books
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 352
- Language English
Reviews
shannonmiz
Written on Sep 4, 2018
3.5*
I dare you to tell me that you don't need a book with female warriors who are also awesome friends and are planning to save the world. Especially in this hellscape we find ourselves in every day, this book's power cannot be understated. Before they plan to save everyone, the mercies spend their time mercy-killing people who ask for their help. It's dark to be sure, but it is also a power in itself. Allowing people the right to choose how they want to live and die is pretty compelling stuff. Plus, it gives each of the women her own place in the world, her own agency.
This is just a little synopsis of my thoughts, after all, so let me be super quick: The story starts out kind of slow- I won't lie that I was nervous. But it picks up a lot and explores a ton of relationship dynamics, so for me, it was absolutely worth it! The world-building is quite interesting, and the female friendships (actually, the friendships in general) are fabulous. Plus let's be real: It's just plain badass.
cornerfolds
Written on Aug 26, 2018
The Boneless Mercies caught my eye first with its gorgeous cover, then with its haunting synopsis. This book is unique in the way that I always expect anything by April Genevieve Tucholke to be. It's a bit slow and strange and dark, but always interesting. Although I didn't realize at first that this was a Beowulf retelling, I can confidently say it's an amazing genderbent reimagining!
Frey is the main character of this story, although it's really about all the Mercies. I was worried at first that I wouldn't be able to keep up with all the characters, since I tend to have a hard time remembering character names, but each one was unique enough to stand out. The girls have been living and roaming together, working as Boneless Mercies for years. It's their job to bring death to those who seek it. I loved each of them for different reasons, although my favorites were Frey and Juniper, a Sea Witch.
Speaking of Sea Witches, I loved all of the different elements of this world. It would have been simpler to create a Norse-inspired world that only touched on the expected, but the larger mythology Tucholke creates is amazing. I loved the different trials and stories woven in! The world building, while vast, is thankfully not infodumpy.
Most of this book is the lead up to the encounter with the Grendel creature and consists of the aforementioned trials. Once Frey and the Mercies decide to face the monster, they encounter a number of obstacles that they're forced to overcome, always bringing them back to death in some way. And while dealing in the death trade sounds like it might be a bit tough for a YA book, but the subject was handled in a way that never made it seem overly morbid. I really appreciated the way that death was dealt with as just another part of life. The build up did feel a little slow at times, but it paid off in the last third.
One of the things I really enjoyed about The Boneless Mercies was the way the relationships between all the characters were written. There was a boy in the midst from the beginning and another later on, but there was never really one "ship," nor was there a love triangle. All the characters just seemed to flow where they wanted to. There was no jealousy or possessiveness, which is something you don't see often in books. Like I said, everything about this book was unique.
I can definitely see why this book won't be for everyone. It's slow and meandering and the action really takes a bit to pick up, but I think it makes up for it in world building and character development. The Boneless Mercies has the feeling of a Norse poem and it's a bit magical. I definitely recommend it to fans of Beowulf or dark, creepy fairy tales.