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emilyjbrown's review against another edition
3.0
Just not what I was expecting from the book sadly.
There were 3 potential battle scenes and it felt like they were skimmed over just when you were ready to dive into them.
The slight changes of Norse names (Obin from Odin, Valkree from Valkyrie) I personally found irritating.
There were 3 potential battle scenes and it felt like they were skimmed over just when you were ready to dive into them.
The slight changes of Norse names (Obin from Odin, Valkree from Valkyrie) I personally found irritating.
megsbookishtwins's review
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
The Boneless Mercies follows a group of women – Frey, Juniper, Runa, Ovie -who are Boneless Mercies, also known as Death Traders. They are hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. It is a job only performed by women. However, the girls have had enough of a job full of death and start on a journey to find glory in slaying a beast. However, they find that death will not let go of them so easily.
The Boneless Mercies was a wild ride from start to finish. It was a story full of magic, witches, warriors, myths, and adventure. It is a gender-bent Beowolf retelling but I don’t know much about that, so, I can’t comment on it.
The Boneless Mercies is a grand, atmospheric, and lush fantasy world that is full of fierce, glorious, axe-wielding women. My favourite part of this book is the positive female relationships, they were utterly brilliant – complex, realistic, and flawed. What I would have loved more, and was a completely missed opportunity, was if there were some sapphic relationships. Like, there were so many chances, so many female characters that bonded really well, and it just never happened? disappointing.
I loved the Norse inspired world, history and mythology as it was so fascinating and atmospheric. I loved the witches, the gods, the beasts, and the sagas.
The Boneless Mercies is a very slow paced book with an odd action scene. It was a book that focused heavily on the world, the characters, and the journey they took. I didn’t mind such a character-driven story though as I fiercely loved these characters. Ovie, our stoic, calm, and silent warrior who only spoke when she felt she needed to. Juniper, our kind and fierce sea witch who misses her people. Runa, our angry and brash warrior who wants nothing more than to find peace and happiness. Trigve, who is loyal and protective of the group but being a man he was never being able to partake in their mercy killings. And finally, Frey, our passionate leader who seeks glory. Yet, though our main band of people, these are not the only memorable people you meet while following the group on their travels. Tucholke manages to craft a dynamic cast of characters who are so distinct and memorable.
Overall, The Boneless Mercies was a wonderfully written book featuring a wonderful cast of characters and a wonderful world full of mythology and magic.
The Boneless Mercies follows a group of women – Frey, Juniper, Runa, Ovie -who are Boneless Mercies, also known as Death Traders. They are hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. It is a job only performed by women. However, the girls have had enough of a job full of death and start on a journey to find glory in slaying a beast. However, they find that death will not let go of them so easily.
The Boneless Mercies was a wild ride from start to finish. It was a story full of magic, witches, warriors, myths, and adventure. It is a gender-bent Beowolf retelling but I don’t know much about that, so, I can’t comment on it.
The Boneless Mercies is a grand, atmospheric, and lush fantasy world that is full of fierce, glorious, axe-wielding women. My favourite part of this book is the positive female relationships, they were utterly brilliant – complex, realistic, and flawed. What I would have loved more, and was a completely missed opportunity, was if there were some sapphic relationships. Like, there were so many chances, so many female characters that bonded really well, and it just never happened? disappointing.
I loved the Norse inspired world, history and mythology as it was so fascinating and atmospheric. I loved the witches, the gods, the beasts, and the sagas.
The Boneless Mercies is a very slow paced book with an odd action scene. It was a book that focused heavily on the world, the characters, and the journey they took. I didn’t mind such a character-driven story though as I fiercely loved these characters. Ovie, our stoic, calm, and silent warrior who only spoke when she felt she needed to. Juniper, our kind and fierce sea witch who misses her people. Runa, our angry and brash warrior who wants nothing more than to find peace and happiness. Trigve, who is loyal and protective of the group but being a man he was never being able to partake in their mercy killings. And finally, Frey, our passionate leader who seeks glory. Yet, though our main band of people, these are not the only memorable people you meet while following the group on their travels. Tucholke manages to craft a dynamic cast of characters who are so distinct and memorable.
Overall, The Boneless Mercies was a wonderfully written book featuring a wonderful cast of characters and a wonderful world full of mythology and magic.
nebularblue's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book. Really. But somehow it was just underwhelming and left a bad feeling with me.
First of all: Some reviewers before me already have stated, that “The Boneless Mercies” is supposed to be inspired by Beowulf. I have not read it, nor do I actively know the plot, so I cannot make any comment on that.
But let’s dive into it…
What did “The Boneless Mercies” do well?
Well, probably the main reason, why I really wanted to like this book is that it has a interesting background to the worldbuilding. It is inspired by Norse mythology and Vikings, what I like a lot. Also the world in which the concept of “Mercies”, whose job it is to kill the sick, old and desperate is intriguing. The heroines of this book are not assassins, and that is, at least for me, an interesting twist to other books in this genre.
Atmosphere
Yes, this book is supposed to be atmospheric, and to some point it is. It has a grim vibe to it, and the fights and deaths that are mentioned are sometimes even on the gore side. But does this “atmosphere” make up for the lack of plot? In my opinion it doesn’t at all. Mostly because it didn’t seem really atmospheric to me, but more boring and really slow-paced. And in the wrong times, it picks up speed and is unnecessary fast forward. For example a fight is about to start and all the time before that it is really slow and word-less (at least it feels that way) and when the attack comes, it just rushed through it and then it was over in a blink of an eye.
Characters
The PoV character, Frey, is driven by the carving for glory and to be remembered. The other Mercies and a guy who are accompanying her are interesting characters, and every one of them has something that distinguishes them from the others. But nevertheless all of them seem really flat and besides the one to two special traits, they are not well developed.
Though, the interaction in the main group and also towards people they meet during their quest are good and interesting to read. I love, that it isn’t romantical but more of a open, deep hearted friendship.
Plot
One of the main reasons, I really was disappointed so much. There is just a complete lack of innovation and suspense. To me it was a poor attempt on the quest journeys I know from “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” for example. There are just too many similarities to me, to let it pass unnoticed.
The Mercies check of one location after the other and let me tell you - none of the events, that happened there left me in surprise. It was very predictable and sometimes, I guess when the author tried to tie in a “plot-twist” it was just… boring and took out the last amount of action and suspense.
When they meet the Cut-Queen, which they are supposed to kill, Frey simply kills her, because the Cut-Queen never puts on a fight, but embraces it, because she’ll be resurrected anyway. Also there was a lack of an interesting fight with the Cut-Queen followers when they escaped after the kill.
Also speaking about beeing predictable. In the book quite at the beginning, the sea-which Mercy does some prophecy with cards (like tarot) and actually predicts the whole journey!!! While this is an okay thing to do in books, it is not, if the plot doesn’t have anything else which makes it interesting. Also, this prophecy is never picked up again.
Inspiration
I never mind, if authors use existing mythologies, sagas or folklore to spice up their fantasy novels. I don’t mind even when they use it directly without even changing names. But what I do mind is, when I as a reader see, what the author copied and it is so poorly changed.
And unfortunately this is a big issue with “The Boneless Mercies” and a big turn-down for me.
To bring you an example: The book takes place in a country called Vorseland. It is cold there (winter is approaching), a lot of small villages with wooden houses. Also they always claim, that something is Vorse, if it is heroic (in a Viking kind of way) or if it is a cosy home.
Well… You don’t have to be a gifted analyser to see, that Vorse = Norse. Just add a line to the V and you have it… Also they have the afterlife place, where all the fallen warriors go, which is called Hollhalla (=Valhalla) and hell as a concept is called Hel.
If that’s not enough to convince you, here are some more:
one of the main gods is called *Obin*. Turn that b around and you get Odin.
One land they speak of at one point is Finnmark. Wow.. Such innovation. Take Finnland, take Denmark. Boom. Got a new name. Also the people in Finnmark have silver hair.
Very dangerous are the Dennish pirates out in the sea. That isn’t subtle at all…
Later one they speak about a place in the south called Santor. Don’t get the connection already? Don’t mind, the author supplies you with the information, that this place has all it’s houses in white color with blue roofs. Also olives are really a big deal there. Santorini now just jumped into my face.
And guess what language people speak there! Iberik!
Once again: I don’t mind authors using existing systems… But that… I never have imagined reading something like that in a published book, that got so much attention beforehand.
Conclusion
Well, if it isn’t clear at that point: I was highly disappointed with the book. All the good tendencies it had, it didn’t use well if at all.
I don’t regret reading it, but I won’t read it again and I can’t recommend it really.
First of all: Some reviewers before me already have stated, that “The Boneless Mercies” is supposed to be inspired by Beowulf. I have not read it, nor do I actively know the plot, so I cannot make any comment on that.
But let’s dive into it…
What did “The Boneless Mercies” do well?
Well, probably the main reason, why I really wanted to like this book is that it has a interesting background to the worldbuilding. It is inspired by Norse mythology and Vikings, what I like a lot. Also the world in which the concept of “Mercies”, whose job it is to kill the sick, old and desperate is intriguing. The heroines of this book are not assassins, and that is, at least for me, an interesting twist to other books in this genre.
Atmosphere
Yes, this book is supposed to be atmospheric, and to some point it is. It has a grim vibe to it, and the fights and deaths that are mentioned are sometimes even on the gore side. But does this “atmosphere” make up for the lack of plot? In my opinion it doesn’t at all. Mostly because it didn’t seem really atmospheric to me, but more boring and really slow-paced. And in the wrong times, it picks up speed and is unnecessary fast forward. For example a fight is about to start and all the time before that it is really slow and word-less (at least it feels that way) and when the attack comes, it just rushed through it and then it was over in a blink of an eye.
Characters
The PoV character, Frey, is driven by the carving for glory and to be remembered. The other Mercies and a guy who are accompanying her are interesting characters, and every one of them has something that distinguishes them from the others. But nevertheless all of them seem really flat and besides the one to two special traits, they are not well developed.
Though, the interaction in the main group and also towards people they meet during their quest are good and interesting to read. I love, that it isn’t romantical but more of a open, deep hearted friendship.
Plot
One of the main reasons, I really was disappointed so much. There is just a complete lack of innovation and suspense. To me it was a poor attempt on the quest journeys I know from “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” for example. There are just too many similarities to me, to let it pass unnoticed.
The Mercies check of one location after the other and let me tell you - none of the events, that happened there left me in surprise. It was very predictable and sometimes, I guess when the author tried to tie in a “plot-twist” it was just… boring and took out the last amount of action and suspense.
Spoiler
When they meet the Cut-Queen, which they are supposed to kill, Frey simply kills her, because the Cut-Queen never puts on a fight, but embraces it, because she’ll be resurrected anyway. Also there was a lack of an interesting fight with the Cut-Queen followers when they escaped after the kill.
Also speaking about beeing predictable. In the book quite at the beginning, the sea-which Mercy does some prophecy with cards (like tarot) and actually predicts the whole journey!!! While this is an okay thing to do in books, it is not, if the plot doesn’t have anything else which makes it interesting. Also, this prophecy is never picked up again.
Inspiration
I never mind, if authors use existing mythologies, sagas or folklore to spice up their fantasy novels. I don’t mind even when they use it directly without even changing names. But what I do mind is, when I as a reader see, what the author copied and it is so poorly changed.
And unfortunately this is a big issue with “The Boneless Mercies” and a big turn-down for me.
To bring you an example: The book takes place in a country called Vorseland. It is cold there (winter is approaching), a lot of small villages with wooden houses. Also they always claim, that something is Vorse, if it is heroic (in a Viking kind of way) or if it is a cosy home.
Well… You don’t have to be a gifted analyser to see, that Vorse = Norse. Just add a line to the V and you have it… Also they have the afterlife place, where all the fallen warriors go, which is called Hollhalla (=Valhalla) and hell as a concept is called Hel.
If that’s not enough to convince you, here are some more:
Spoiler
one of the main gods is called *Obin*. Turn that b around and you get Odin.
One land they speak of at one point is Finnmark. Wow.. Such innovation. Take Finnland, take Denmark. Boom. Got a new name. Also the people in Finnmark have silver hair.
Very dangerous are the Dennish pirates out in the sea. That isn’t subtle at all…
Later one they speak about a place in the south called Santor. Don’t get the connection already? Don’t mind, the author supplies you with the information, that this place has all it’s houses in white color with blue roofs. Also olives are really a big deal there. Santorini now just jumped into my face.
And guess what language people speak there! Iberik!
Once again: I don’t mind authors using existing systems… But that… I never have imagined reading something like that in a published book, that got so much attention beforehand.
Conclusion
Well, if it isn’t clear at that point: I was highly disappointed with the book. All the good tendencies it had, it didn’t use well if at all.
I don’t regret reading it, but I won’t read it again and I can’t recommend it really.
ihateprozac's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The Boneless Mercies is a genderswapped YA Beowulf retelling, centred around a female band of death-traders. Frey and her Boneless Mercies dream of leaving the death-trade behind, and it becomes apparent that this may happen sooner rather than later, when they learn of a beast terrorising the northern villages. Frey and her crew set out in pursuit of the monster, glory, and a new life.
I have to preface this review by stating that I’ve not read the source material. I’ve seen the film and read the saga Cliffsnotes before diving into this, so I have a general feel for the source material but can’t comment on the specifics.
Without having read the source material, this absolutely feels to me like an epic saga in its pacing and storytelling. The Boneless Mercies is slower and more pastoral than a typical YA fantasy; if you’re used to fast-paced YA with explosions, betrayals, and revelations in each chapter, you may find this difficult to immerse yourself in. It takes a while to get moving and doesn’t build conflict at the pace of a typical YA, which feels like an homage to the epic saga style. (That being said, the writing style is breezy and I blew through this in just under 3 hours!)
Admittedly the synopsis touting this as a story of a band of female mercenaries is misleading. While the titular Mercies certainly deal in the death trade, the reality is much more delicate. They’re not stone-cold assassins sweeping through villages and exacting vengeance, they’re more akin to Charon ferrying the dead down the River Styx. They enact the occasional vengeance kill, but their work is often more compassionate and emotional as they help the dead to move on.
I wish the Mercies were more fleshed out, that their backstories unfurled more elegantly, and that we got to see each POV. However, I grew unexpectedly attached to each character and found myself UGLY sobbing by the end (I’m talking swollen, puffy-eyed, chest-heaving sobs!) I grew to love Frey as the conflicted leader, Runa as the stubborn child, Juniper as the vulnerable and compassionate Sea Witch, and Ovie as the stoic girl hiding a painful history.
While I wish we got to hear from each character more, I enjoyed getting to know them and see how they fit into the group. Tucholke manages to create a sense of family among this band of outcasts, and it’s a testament to her storytelling that she can even make the beast sympathetic - leaving me sobbing over the truth of the Vorse monster at 9pm on a Sunday night!
Overall: This was an unusual 4 star read that really embodies the concept of delayed gratification. Don’t go in expecting a typically fast-paced YA fantasy with explosions and revelations galore, it’s a lot slower and retains the feel of an epic saga in its pacing and storytelling. While I expected to be more engrossed in this, it comes together perfectly in the final act in such a way that I was ugly crying on my Sunday evening! My attachment to these characters and the beast absolutely crept up on me, leaving more of a mark than I expected.
The Boneless Mercies is a genderswapped YA Beowulf retelling, centred around a female band of death-traders. Frey and her Boneless Mercies dream of leaving the death-trade behind, and it becomes apparent that this may happen sooner rather than later, when they learn of a beast terrorising the northern villages. Frey and her crew set out in pursuit of the monster, glory, and a new life.
I have to preface this review by stating that I’ve not read the source material. I’ve seen the film and read the saga Cliffsnotes before diving into this, so I have a general feel for the source material but can’t comment on the specifics.
Without having read the source material, this absolutely feels to me like an epic saga in its pacing and storytelling. The Boneless Mercies is slower and more pastoral than a typical YA fantasy; if you’re used to fast-paced YA with explosions, betrayals, and revelations in each chapter, you may find this difficult to immerse yourself in. It takes a while to get moving and doesn’t build conflict at the pace of a typical YA, which feels like an homage to the epic saga style. (That being said, the writing style is breezy and I blew through this in just under 3 hours!)
Admittedly the synopsis touting this as a story of a band of female mercenaries is misleading. While the titular Mercies certainly deal in the death trade, the reality is much more delicate. They’re not stone-cold assassins sweeping through villages and exacting vengeance, they’re more akin to Charon ferrying the dead down the River Styx. They enact the occasional vengeance kill, but their work is often more compassionate and emotional as they help the dead to move on.
I wish the Mercies were more fleshed out, that their backstories unfurled more elegantly, and that we got to see each POV. However, I grew unexpectedly attached to each character and found myself UGLY sobbing by the end (I’m talking swollen, puffy-eyed, chest-heaving sobs!) I grew to love Frey as the conflicted leader, Runa as the stubborn child, Juniper as the vulnerable and compassionate Sea Witch, and Ovie as the stoic girl hiding a painful history.
While I wish we got to hear from each character more, I enjoyed getting to know them and see how they fit into the group. Tucholke manages to create a sense of family among this band of outcasts, and it’s a testament to her storytelling that she can even make the beast sympathetic - leaving me sobbing over the truth of the Vorse monster at 9pm on a Sunday night!
Overall: This was an unusual 4 star read that really embodies the concept of delayed gratification. Don’t go in expecting a typically fast-paced YA fantasy with explosions and revelations galore, it’s a lot slower and retains the feel of an epic saga in its pacing and storytelling. While I expected to be more engrossed in this, it comes together perfectly in the final act in such a way that I was ugly crying on my Sunday evening! My attachment to these characters and the beast absolutely crept up on me, leaving more of a mark than I expected.
thelilbookwitch's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars.
Full review [here].
I wanted to love this book. It had all the things I would normally love. Female warriors? Check. A beast they want to go off and slay? Check. Soft friendships from bad ass women? Check.
But it fell flat for me again and again because of narrative style choices that got in the way of executing the plot. A lot of telling over showing, too.
Full review [here].
I wanted to love this book. It had all the things I would normally love. Female warriors? Check. A beast they want to go off and slay? Check. Soft friendships from bad ass women? Check.
But it fell flat for me again and again because of narrative style choices that got in the way of executing the plot. A lot of telling over showing, too.
chameleonhound's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
lara_bookish_turtle's review against another edition
3.0
I WANTED SO BADLY TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK BUT IT JUST DIDN'T WORK FOR ME AND I'M SO DISAPPOINTED!!
BUT I did love the murder bandit girls, so here's my character thoughts:
FREY was the MC and she was okay... idk just had no strong feelings about her.
JUNIPER was my actual fave thooooooooo!!!!! She was such a softie™ and the cutest little sea witch on the face of the planet, my absolute FAVE thing in the whole book!
RUNA Was a lil bit feisty and vicious, but really liked her
OVIE I kinda forgot about her tbh... She was so quiet! And I do love me some quiet characters, but I just kind of forgot she existed and idk man... I just wanted to know her better!
The romance was so meh tho... Like, I can't even remember the love interests name!! (Jks, it's not that bad, but it's pretty meh.) Thankfully that was not the main focus of the story, or I would've been hecka disappointed...
But it wasn't bad. Even though I wasn't a fan of the world-building style and didn't get super into it, it was a good story and I would really like to try something else the author has written someday.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a review copy! All opinions are my own.
BUT I did love the murder bandit girls, so here's my character thoughts:
FREY was the MC and she was okay... idk just had no strong feelings about her.
JUNIPER was my actual fave thooooooooo!!!!! She was such a softie™ and the cutest little sea witch on the face of the planet, my absolute FAVE thing in the whole book!
RUNA Was a lil bit feisty and vicious, but really liked her
OVIE I kinda forgot about her tbh... She was so quiet! And I do love me some quiet characters, but I just kind of forgot she existed and idk man... I just wanted to know her better!
The romance was so meh tho... Like, I can't even remember the love interests name!! (Jks, it's not that bad, but it's pretty meh.) Thankfully that was not the main focus of the story, or I would've been hecka disappointed...
But it wasn't bad. Even though I wasn't a fan of the world-building style and didn't get super into it, it was a good story and I would really like to try something else the author has written someday.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a review copy! All opinions are my own.
astarions_bhaal_babe's review against another edition
4.0
Once upon a time, in the final days before Salt and Marsh Witch War, four Boneless Mercies turned their backs on the death trade, and went west, seeking immortality.
This freaking book broke my heart in so many ways I don't even know where to start talking about it.
Badass assassin girls are my weakness and The Boneless Mercies doesn't only have the bestest cast of characters I've ever read about, it's also gifted with an impressively tormented, impactful and visual writing.
When I first read the synopsis, I so wanted to like this book, yet I went into it very carefully because I almost expect it to be a flash in the pan that couldn't live up the hype that was created around it like it happens very often in cases like these. But guess what? This book is great, even way too great for its own hype.
Frey, Runa, Ovie and Juniper (my fave❤️) are the plain example and the written proof that it's possible to have an all-female cast without the girls bitching, pitting and shaming one another. The sisterhood-y feelings, the bond between the girls, THE SEA WITCHES...if this book doesn't scream genuine and healthy feminism to you, I don't know what would.
At this point, you'd think their male counterparts would be the mediocre and weak ones, but that's where you'd be wrong.
Though less relevant, they're still important to the plot and the development of the MC's. And why not, even their own, even if the story doesn't revolve around them.
There's honestly nothing -nothing!- bad or wrong I can say about this bunch of fictional people, and trust me, I wish I had because that would mean I didn't dream all of it.
Yeah, I know I didn't. I just read it and I'm still holding the actual book in my hands like the fuming weapon it is, but you get what I mean.
It's incredible. Too incredible.
There's a mild hint of romance (if you can call it this way)in case you're asking, but it's so mild and hidden among the various friendship, women adoration and heart-wrenching plots and twists, even those who aren't particularly interested in the romantic side of a novel would truly appreciate.
If romance is your everyday bread, well, you might end up starving a little but I promise you it's not a priority.
[a:April Genevieve Tucholke|5288442|April Genevieve Tucholke|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1471890358p2/5288442.jpg] owns the English language like I own my inability to stop eating so many fries.
She can create a mood and she surely can set up a freaking scene.
That drug-induced ritual/mushroom scene in the woods??? Pure art. I still shiver thinking about it.
She also seems immune to the need of writing Mary Sue characters in favor of creating complex, flawed and morally gray ones, and she's not afraid of exploring themes and dynamics only someone with undeniable talent would dare engage in.
In case you didn't get the memo, I am in love with her writing. I wanna woo it and marry it under a started blue sky on a hot summer night.
AGT's became a new absolute favorite and all it took her was something less then 340 pages and the courage to write what really was in her heart.
I stan.
Haaaard.
TW: gore, lots of killing, drug use.
PS: I shamelessly added my bookstagram pic at the top because I'm (again) shamelessly proud of how pretty it looks and even prouder to share with you all that gorgeous biker lady poster my adorable bestie sent my way!
ceena's review against another edition
3.0
This book is super atmospheric. The writing truly makes everything feel dark, gritty, and cold. It makes the girls' desperation feel even more real.
While I would say it is plot-driven, it should be known that there isn't a ton of action here. Saying this doesn't feel right, but it is all I can think of. There is definitely action and there are reasons for their desperation, but I think it just also felt slow to me. It definitely dragged in places.
It never completely gripped me which was a bummer since I wanted to like this one so much.
I'm beginning to think this author's writing just isn't for me, but I will try one more book before completely deciding.
While I would say it is plot-driven, it should be known that there isn't a ton of action here. Saying this doesn't feel right, but it is all I can think of. There is definitely action and there are reasons for their desperation, but I think it just also felt slow to me. It definitely dragged in places.
It never completely gripped me which was a bummer since I wanted to like this one so much.
I'm beginning to think this author's writing just isn't for me, but I will try one more book before completely deciding.