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bubblybuttercup's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A.MUST.READ.
excellent pacing. organic conflict that made sense and was not dragged alone. wonderful world building. there is more to the main characters than their love — they have their own internal and external challenges that have nothing to do with the relationship. and everyone is fleshed out! even the side characters (who are also amazingly written btw!) they’re not j used for comedic relief or forgotton once the relationship begins. there is action and adventure, a little bit of mystery, joy and heartbreak, and all wrapped up in a very well written novel.
such a beautiful book that is a great cross of romance and fantasy. excited to read the next in the series and possibly join Bannen’s fanclub!
SPOILERS BELOW: my reasons why its not 5 star:
- the way Hart and Mercy spoke to each other when they were “enemies” was mean and nasty. i could not for the life of me understand why you’d want to be with someone who is capable of being so vile to another person and had to suspend my disbelief. wish they had an exchange apologizing to each other. bc they internally expressed remorse, and Hart apologized, but I wanted more.
- the jump to romance was crazy
- besides queer representation and a brief implication that Pen was black, there was no diversity
- i didn’t make sense to me when Mercy’s whole family could not fathom the idea of her being an undertaker in the beginning. to me wasn’t written w sexist undertones (that she couldn’t bc she was a woman), but instead that the family assjmed that she would be unhappy and unfulfilled, but her father was literally an undertaker and loved his job???? v confusing
- j a minor personal — at the end when the pair was mad at each other i didn’t like that they went so long without talking! ik hart took mercy at her word that she wanted nothing to do w him and Mercy said she was waiting for *him* to speak with her, but i didn’t get why Pen didn’t send those messages and they went so long without speaking. for the plot yes yes ofc! but to me, if you love someone that much…wouldn’t you try to speak to them once!!
excellent pacing. organic conflict that made sense and was not dragged alone. wonderful world building. there is more to the main characters than their love — they have their own internal and external challenges that have nothing to do with the relationship. and everyone is fleshed out! even the side characters (who are also amazingly written btw!) they’re not j used for comedic relief or forgotton once the relationship begins. there is action and adventure, a little bit of mystery, joy and heartbreak, and all wrapped up in a very well written novel.
such a beautiful book that is a great cross of romance and fantasy. excited to read the next in the series and possibly join Bannen’s fanclub!
SPOILERS BELOW: my reasons why its not 5 star:
- the way Hart and Mercy spoke to each other when they were “enemies” was mean and nasty. i could not for the life of me understand why you’d want to be with someone who is capable of being so vile to another person and had to suspend my disbelief. wish they had an exchange apologizing to each other. bc they internally expressed remorse, and Hart apologized, but I wanted more.
- the jump to romance was crazy
- besides queer representation and a brief implication that Pen was black, there was no diversity
- i didn’t make sense to me when Mercy’s whole family could not fathom the idea of her being an undertaker in the beginning. to me wasn’t written w sexist undertones (that she couldn’t bc she was a woman), but instead that the family assjmed that she would be unhappy and unfulfilled, but her father was literally an undertaker and loved his job???? v confusing
- j a minor personal — at the end when the pair was mad at each other i didn’t like that they went so long without talking! ik hart took mercy at her word that she wanted nothing to do w him and Mercy said she was waiting for *him* to speak with her, but i didn’t get why Pen didn’t send those messages and they went so long without speaking. for the plot yes yes ofc! but to me, if you love someone that much…wouldn’t you try to speak to them once!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
Minor: Sexism
devilbunny6's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Pregnancy
Minor: Cancer, Sexism, Death of parent, and Abandonment
espurrr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is so much fun! I love the banter and the interesting setting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
takahapa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death and Pregnancy
20sidedbi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
prettylightsandcitynights's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
organizedxchaos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer and Misogyny
smcrain's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5. Man, okay, I got off on a rocky start with this. I couldn't decide whether to DNF or keep going. The setting is kind of so bizarre and non-sensical at times it was throwing me. That being said I kept reading past about the 25-30% I was unable to put it down until the end and loved it. It's gets off to a rocky start but all I can say is if you are able to get past that you might be surprised.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Gore and Injury/Injury detail
dalenora's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was really fun! I found myself really identifying with mercy on a deeper level. In some scenes, it felt like my own life was transplanted onto the page. That being said, the twists were pretty predictable, and I found the final 100 pages to be a bit of a drag compared to the rest of the book, when usually that section should be the most exciting.
Also, to be more personal, I connected most to Mercy’s position as a caretaker for her dad/family, and because of that, their relationship was the books greatest weakness in my eyes. Similar to real life, her dad’s fragility felt like a red herring, every page it loomed over us, as I was waiting and expected something catastrophic to happen. Perhaps this is because, in real life, something catastrophic will always happen, usually sooner rather than later, and I’ve experienced that first hand. I’ll admit, this book didn’t kick up to a full 5 stars precisely because this just isn’t the kind of book to really explore that kind of grief, and I found myself sorely wishing it was as I realized this wasn’t that type of story. Bannen has such a beautiful and personal way of writing what it feels like to be in Mercy’s position, a way that makes the characters jump off the page and into your mind, and I wanted the catharsis of going on the entire journey with her. I usually love a good cozy fantasy, and I know the kind of depth to expect, but I guess I was just so taken by the characters that I wanted it to be a little bit more gritty, a little bit more real. And also, I guess I was just a little jealous she got the happy ending when we don’t in real life, and I longed for just a little bit of the bitter taste of reality in the end. So TLDR, I love this book!
Also, to be more personal, I connected most to Mercy’s position as a caretaker for her dad/family, and because of that, their relationship was the books greatest weakness in my eyes. Similar to real life, her dad’s fragility felt like a red herring, every page it loomed over us, as I was waiting and expected something catastrophic to happen. Perhaps this is because, in real life, something catastrophic will always happen, usually sooner rather than later, and I’ve experienced that first hand. I’ll admit, this book didn’t kick up to a full 5 stars precisely because this just isn’t the kind of book to really explore that kind of grief, and I found myself sorely wishing it was as I realized this wasn’t that type of story. Bannen has such a beautiful and personal way of writing what it feels like to be in Mercy’s position, a way that makes the characters jump off the page and into your mind, and I wanted the catharsis of going on the entire journey with her. I usually love a good cozy fantasy, and I know the kind of depth to expect, but I guess I was just so taken by the characters that I wanted it to be a little bit more gritty, a little bit more real. And also, I guess I was just a little jealous she got the happy ending when we don’t in real life, and I longed for just a little bit of the bitter taste of reality in the end. So TLDR, I love this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pregnancy
renpuspita's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
To quote Horatio, " I do love a happy ending!" and amended what Bassareus said while he wept in the end "F*cking beautiful."
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy (quite a handful title, eh?) is my first book by Megan Bannen. The cover hooked me up. The premise of enemy to lover that become secret pen pal without realize each other identity at first sold me out. Nope, I don't watch You've Got Mail and while other readers said the vibe is like Ghibli, I admit I also never watch their anime movie. For me, I have a warm and fuzzy feeling reading about Hart and Mercy. Especially Hart. Bannen seems like want to incorporate grumpy x sunshine, although while like a yellow color, Mercy is not that sunshine, lel. Her struggle to maintain the family undertaking business seems plausible. Her first fight with Hart that lead to their animosity for 4 years maybe a little bit silly at first and you can said that Mercy was overreact facing Hart's barbed venom, not knowing that Hart was grieving after his dog died. Not an excuse for Hart, tho. I admit, he was a jerk too. But, what can you said about hate and love is the different side of same coins? Although 4 years is a LONG time to hold a grudge, lel.
I'm very sure that the MVPs of this book must be granted to both the nimkilim, Horatio the Owl and Bassareus the Rabbit (he's my personal favorite with his unapologetic cursing toward Hart, lel); and also to the unfortunate drugde (aka zombie like creature that roams Tanria) whom attack Mercy so Hart can be her knight (or Marshal) in shining armor, therefore giving chance to their blossoming romance. My favorites scene is of course the letter exchange between Mercy and Hart, cute but also endearing to read, although I read it with a sense of dread knowing that finally they will know their real identity. Sure their fighting in the "enemy phase" can be too tiring to read, but well, that 4 years of grudge did to you. While reading their budding romance make me grinning from ear to ear and said "awww" for many times. The angst also well written and boy.. the scene when Hart crying after he thought that his chance to have a romantic relationship with Mercy vanishing when Mercy finally knowing that Hart is her secret pen pal make my heart feel a little bit pained. I did like with the way Bannen write about Hart, his hard personality in the surface is seems pretty hard to crack, but deep inside he's a softie. His emotions were well written, show that even it's okay for a man to crying and show his emotions.
The family theme is a delight to read, especially from Birdsall family. I can't emphasize how much well written the struggle that Mercy had. She love the undertaking business but her family think she deserve other and well, what a surprise that it was Hart that understand her. Yep, I know, this is a romance written by woman author, lel. But, hey, I read romance for escapism! The secondary romance between Mercy's brother, Zeddie and Penrose Duckers whom happen to be Hart's apprentice is so CUTE, with capital C. And its funny to read how different Zeddie and Duckers compared to Hart and Mercy, but they also help our MCs in their own way.
If I have a complaint, then it's the fantasy setting. THERE'S NO MAP. That, I said it! No map whatsoever so I don't know where is Tanria, where is Bushong, or Eternity? Is it England? But, there's no queen??? I think maybe Bannen didn't want to info dumping in the first and my patience got rewarded after hundred pages of so when through Mercy I learned the mythology behind the world. A little explanation in the first will be nice. A MAP will be better. The fantasy time setting also seems like mismatched. I got a modern feeling, since there's a cab called autoduck but also have a medieval feeling too? Lol, I can't explain well so I assume the time setting happen in modern times but with fantastical elements. Though, Hart said there's no dragon in Tanria, I think otherwise!
If you like your fantasy light with a pretty much low stake (heh, if drudge attacks can be categorized into low stake) and heavier on romance, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a must read! Also, it make me grinning and sad, also have adorable nimkilim, although the fantasy settings is a little bit weak.
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy (quite a handful title, eh?) is my first book by Megan Bannen. The cover hooked me up. The premise of enemy to lover that become secret pen pal without realize each other identity at first sold me out. Nope, I don't watch You've Got Mail and while other readers said the vibe is like Ghibli, I admit I also never watch their anime movie. For me, I have a warm and fuzzy feeling reading about Hart and Mercy. Especially Hart. Bannen seems like want to incorporate grumpy x sunshine, although while like a yellow color, Mercy is not that sunshine, lel. Her struggle to maintain the family undertaking business seems plausible. Her first fight with Hart that lead to their animosity for 4 years maybe a little bit silly at first and you can said that Mercy was overreact facing Hart's barbed venom, not knowing that Hart was grieving after his dog died. Not an excuse for Hart, tho. I admit, he was a jerk too. But, what can you said about hate and love is the different side of same coins? Although 4 years is a LONG time to hold a grudge, lel.
I'm very sure that the MVPs of this book must be granted to both the nimkilim, Horatio the Owl and Bassareus the Rabbit (he's my personal favorite with his unapologetic cursing toward Hart, lel); and also to the unfortunate drugde (aka zombie like creature that roams Tanria) whom attack Mercy so Hart can be her knight (or Marshal) in shining armor, therefore giving chance to their blossoming romance. My favorites scene is of course the letter exchange between Mercy and Hart, cute but also endearing to read, although I read it with a sense of dread knowing that finally they will know their real identity. Sure their fighting in the "enemy phase" can be too tiring to read, but well, that 4 years of grudge did to you. While reading their budding romance make me grinning from ear to ear and said "awww" for many times. The angst also well written and boy.. the scene when Hart crying after he thought that his chance to have a romantic relationship with Mercy vanishing when Mercy finally knowing that Hart is her secret pen pal make my heart feel a little bit pained. I did like with the way Bannen write about Hart, his hard personality in the surface is seems pretty hard to crack, but deep inside he's a softie. His emotions were well written, show that even it's okay for a man to crying and show his emotions.
The family theme is a delight to read, especially from Birdsall family. I can't emphasize how much well written the struggle that Mercy had. She love the undertaking business but her family think she deserve other and well, what a surprise that it was Hart that understand her. Yep, I know, this is a romance written by woman author, lel. But, hey, I read romance for escapism! The secondary romance between Mercy's brother, Zeddie and Penrose Duckers whom happen to be Hart's apprentice is so CUTE, with capital C. And its funny to read how different Zeddie and Duckers compared to Hart and Mercy, but they also help our MCs in their own way.
If I have a complaint, then it's the fantasy setting. THERE'S NO MAP. That, I said it! No map whatsoever so I don't know where is Tanria, where is Bushong, or Eternity? Is it England? But, there's no queen??? I think maybe Bannen didn't want to info dumping in the first and my patience got rewarded after hundred pages of so when through Mercy I learned the mythology behind the world. A little explanation in the first will be nice. A MAP will be better. The fantasy time setting also seems like mismatched. I got a modern feeling, since there's a cab called autoduck but also have a medieval feeling too? Lol, I can't explain well so I assume the time setting happen in modern times but with fantastical elements. Though, Hart said there's no dragon in Tanria, I think otherwise!
If you like your fantasy light with a pretty much low stake (heh, if drudge attacks can be categorized into low stake) and heavier on romance, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a must read! Also, it make me grinning and sad, also have adorable nimkilim, although the fantasy settings is a little bit weak.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer and Sexism