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heartscontent's review against another edition
5.0
You can find my complete review for The Merciful Crow here: https://tohscontent.wordpress.com/2019/08/05/the-merciful-crow-the-merciful-crow-1-by-margaret-owen-arc-review/
*Received an ARC from publisher via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review. Thank you*
Do you know you have this one book in the year that you don’t really expect to like so much, but as you’re reading it, suddenly you find you do? The Merciful Crow was possibly my top surprised-I-liked-it-so-much book of the year. It’s perhaps because The Merciful Crow wants for nothing. Everything you could wish for, intrigue, mystery, caste-system, social themes, royalty, family, romance, betrayal, magic..you name it, it has it.
The Merciful Crow is a story that occurs in the world that is divide into castes. Each caste possesses their own birthright, a power they can wield at will; each caste that is, except the Crows. All the Crows wield is serving mercy to those who are dying. They are the downtrodden, mistreated despite being the most important caste (in my honest opinion) for the survival of the people.
The Merciful Crow starts with a bang. The very first scene is like watching the coolest scene in a movie. My eyes were wide because Margaret Owen writes for the reader’s mind. She paints the most beautiful picture with her words and I ‘watched’ her whole book rather than read it.
The character development of the protagonists are so perfectly aligned to the situations they face in their journey and their cause, that is greater than just themselves. Disgust turns to grudging acceptance and then to understanding and friendship. Perhaps even love?
But in the midst of all the odds against their survival Fie, Tavin and Jas are fighting to keep their promises and stay alive. With secrets and danger around every corner, can Fie, Jas and Tavin save not just themselves but achieve something greater?
Margaret, you have my heart. My soul is singing. ❤ ❤
I highly recommend. No matter what genre is your preference, The Merciful Crow is your cup of tea! Happy Reading!
*Received an ARC from publisher via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review. Thank you*
Do you know you have this one book in the year that you don’t really expect to like so much, but as you’re reading it, suddenly you find you do? The Merciful Crow was possibly my top surprised-I-liked-it-so-much book of the year. It’s perhaps because The Merciful Crow wants for nothing. Everything you could wish for, intrigue, mystery, caste-system, social themes, royalty, family, romance, betrayal, magic..you name it, it has it.
The Merciful Crow is a story that occurs in the world that is divide into castes. Each caste possesses their own birthright, a power they can wield at will; each caste that is, except the Crows. All the Crows wield is serving mercy to those who are dying. They are the downtrodden, mistreated despite being the most important caste (in my honest opinion) for the survival of the people.
The Merciful Crow starts with a bang. The very first scene is like watching the coolest scene in a movie. My eyes were wide because Margaret Owen writes for the reader’s mind. She paints the most beautiful picture with her words and I ‘watched’ her whole book rather than read it.
The character development of the protagonists are so perfectly aligned to the situations they face in their journey and their cause, that is greater than just themselves. Disgust turns to grudging acceptance and then to understanding and friendship. Perhaps even love?
But in the midst of all the odds against their survival Fie, Tavin and Jas are fighting to keep their promises and stay alive. With secrets and danger around every corner, can Fie, Jas and Tavin save not just themselves but achieve something greater?
Margaret, you have my heart. My soul is singing. ❤ ❤
I highly recommend. No matter what genre is your preference, The Merciful Crow is your cup of tea! Happy Reading!
dsantistama08's review against another edition
4.0
4.25⭐️
Difficoltà tecniche riguardo il glossario abbastanza
complesso e denso a parte, ho trovato molto originale il sistema magico e la divisione in caste dove, per
ognuna di esse, vi sono vari gruppi di persone divise in base al Birthright (il tipo di potere conferito dagli dei e che non tutti posseggono) e definiti col nome di un volatile. Le caste più alte avranno nomi di volatili più suntuosi come swan, dove, crane ecc, mentre più ci abbassiamo alle caste comuni più vi sono volatili tipo gull, pigeon e sparrow, fino ad arrivare alla casta più bassa (e con il potere più particolare di tutti// lo si "prende" dai denti), cioè i Crow, di cui fa parte la protagonista Fie.
Questa è una storia importante in quanto racconta, in chiave fantasy, le differenze imposte dalla posizione sociale e le discriminazioni cui vanno contro alcuni gruppi di persone (in questo caso i Crow, denigrati da tutti ma allo stesso tempo indispensabili alla società).
I personaggi sono caratterizzati alla grande, tra i principali:
- la protagonista Fie, molto risulta e che lotta sia per la sua gente e il suo gruppo sia per ciò in cui crede;
- Tavin, con il suo alone di mistero, battute alla mano e un cuore d'oro, l'ho adorato dall'inizio;
- e Jasimir, con cui ho avuto più difficoltà ad approcciarmi, ma questo perché non ha avuto lo stesso spazio degli altri due se non verso la fine, anche se è cresciuto molto rispetto all'inizio della storia, e so che nel secondo volume mi piacerà ancora di più.
La trama è molto avvincente e fin da subito cattura, tra principi che si fingono morti, un epidemia a cui sembra nessuno tranne i Crow riescano a sfuggire, un patto stretto tra persone che più diverse tra loro non c'è ne, and the chemistry della ship principale aaaah.
Io pazza. È proprio ciò che mi piace leggere in un libro
Difficoltà tecniche riguardo il glossario abbastanza
complesso e denso a parte, ho trovato molto originale il sistema magico e la divisione in caste dove, per
ognuna di esse, vi sono vari gruppi di persone divise in base al Birthright (il tipo di potere conferito dagli dei e che non tutti posseggono) e definiti col nome di un volatile. Le caste più alte avranno nomi di volatili più suntuosi come swan, dove, crane ecc, mentre più ci abbassiamo alle caste comuni più vi sono volatili tipo gull, pigeon e sparrow, fino ad arrivare alla casta più bassa (e con il potere più particolare di tutti// lo si "prende" dai denti), cioè i Crow, di cui fa parte la protagonista Fie.
Questa è una storia importante in quanto racconta, in chiave fantasy, le differenze imposte dalla posizione sociale e le discriminazioni cui vanno contro alcuni gruppi di persone (in questo caso i Crow, denigrati da tutti ma allo stesso tempo indispensabili alla società).
I personaggi sono caratterizzati alla grande, tra i principali:
- la protagonista Fie, molto risulta e che lotta sia per la sua gente e il suo gruppo sia per ciò in cui crede;
- Tavin, con il suo alone di mistero, battute alla mano e un cuore d'oro, l'ho adorato dall'inizio;
- e Jasimir, con cui ho avuto più difficoltà ad approcciarmi, ma questo perché non ha avuto lo stesso spazio degli altri due se non verso la fine, anche se è cresciuto molto rispetto all'inizio della storia, e so che nel secondo volume mi piacerà ancora di più.
La trama è molto avvincente e fin da subito cattura, tra principi che si fingono morti, un epidemia a cui sembra nessuno tranne i Crow riescano a sfuggire, un patto stretto tra persone che più diverse tra loro non c'è ne, and the chemistry della ship principale aaaah.
Io pazza. È proprio ciò che mi piace leggere in un libro
mikaela_basile's review against another edition
3.0
Struggled with the writing style and some of the frequent word choices from the author. *Ahem* "Ken"
ellakostka's review against another edition
1.0
dnf at 31%
im sorry, this book is just so.... boring. plus, the magic system is super complex and makes zero sense so this is just a recipe for disaster. i really wanted to like this one and i REALLY tried. oh well.
1/5⭐️
im sorry, this book is just so.... boring. plus, the magic system is super complex and makes zero sense so this is just a recipe for disaster. i really wanted to like this one and i REALLY tried. oh well.
1/5⭐️
a_chickletz's review against another edition
2.0
I honestly did not finish this book.
The reviews, the accolades, and the comparisons to Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows / Crooked Kingdom is what got me into this book.
If you're one of those, this book ain't for you. If you aren't one of those, the the book is for you.
Here are the flaws:
- Quick, hurried, insta love between the heroine and the bad-boy with a good heart.
- Confusing magic system that isn't very well explained
- Too much confinement to only three characters and being constantly on the road/traveling (like, we never get pov's from anybody else)
- Girl is too, TOO prickly/angry/bitchy for her own good
- The macguffin (the Prince) literally is useless and is just there to keep the plot anchored
I'm not one of the people this book was for and I'm choosing not to continue/end the series with the next one when it is released.
The reviews, the accolades, and the comparisons to Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows / Crooked Kingdom is what got me into this book.
If you're one of those, this book ain't for you. If you aren't one of those, the the book is for you.
Here are the flaws:
- Quick, hurried, insta love between the heroine and the bad-boy with a good heart.
- Confusing magic system that isn't very well explained
- Too much confinement to only three characters and being constantly on the road/traveling (like, we never get pov's from anybody else)
- Girl is too, TOO prickly/angry/bitchy for her own good
- The macguffin (the Prince) literally is useless and is just there to keep the plot anchored
I'm not one of the people this book was for and I'm choosing not to continue/end the series with the next one when it is released.
lyraggs's review against another edition
3.0
3,3
Tenemos un mundo lleno de castas que cuentan con habilidades únicas. Siendo las más importantes:
La Fenix, la casta gobernante y de nobles. Los Halcones: los guardias, comandantes y ejércitos. Los Cuervos, los despechados e inmunes a la enfermedad, lo más bajo de todas las castas.
Envueltas en un escenario donde una plaga azota su reino, siendo la familia real también afectada.
Con una trama simple e interesante pretende ser un libro más emocionante de lo que ofreció; no odio el camino del héroe de ir del punto A-B, pero aquí no me convenció. Aunque hubieron escenas emocionantes, el ritmo fue lento y un poco repetitivo, sumemos con un final que pretendía levantar los ánimos pero los deja más abajo, por lo aburrido que se termina el viaje de la protagonista y su casta.
LOS PERSONAJES:
- Fei, es una chica con demasiada rabia y todo el libro se siente pero todo parece ser mucho de nada, pues termina donde empezó, ¿y la rabia de injusticia?
- Tavin, nuestro interés amoroso. El es divertido, algo arrogante y el tipo de personaje que es lleno de si pero tiene un corazón. Después nos plantean al soldado que su vida solo sirve para proteger. ¿Tiene material para gustar? Si, pero no lo consigue, es cliché y agradable, solamente.
- El Príncipe Jasimir, un chico estirado que poco a poco va viendo la vida de los cuervos y al final se da cuenta de su situación, y llega a empatizar un poco con ellos.
¿ROMANCE?
No vi química, más que palabras coquetas y un poco de complicidad que no se siente natural del todo; la relación de Fei & Tavin es sosa, con sentimientos de ser solo una aventura.
LO MEJOR
Fue lo crudo que es cuando matan y dan misericordia a las almas contaminadas por la plaga del pecado (Una que puede contaminar toda una ciudad y es súper contagiosa a excepción de los Cuervos).
Primer libro de la autora y puede mejorar; pero por mi parte esta serie la dejo aquí, y esperaré otra más para una segunda oportunidad.
Tenemos un mundo lleno de castas que cuentan con habilidades únicas. Siendo las más importantes:
La Fenix, la casta gobernante y de nobles. Los Halcones: los guardias, comandantes y ejércitos. Los Cuervos, los despechados e inmunes a la enfermedad, lo más bajo de todas las castas.
Envueltas en un escenario donde una plaga azota su reino, siendo la familia real también afectada.
Con una trama simple e interesante pretende ser un libro más emocionante de lo que ofreció; no odio el camino del héroe de ir del punto A-B, pero aquí no me convenció. Aunque hubieron escenas emocionantes, el ritmo fue lento y un poco repetitivo, sumemos con un final que pretendía levantar los ánimos pero los deja más abajo, por lo aburrido que se termina el viaje de la protagonista y su casta.
LOS PERSONAJES:
- Fei, es una chica con demasiada rabia y todo el libro se siente pero todo parece ser mucho de nada, pues termina donde empezó, ¿y la rabia de injusticia?
- Tavin, nuestro interés amoroso. El es divertido, algo arrogante y el tipo de personaje que es lleno de si pero tiene un corazón. Después nos plantean al soldado que su vida solo sirve para proteger. ¿Tiene material para gustar? Si, pero no lo consigue, es cliché y agradable, solamente.
- El Príncipe Jasimir, un chico estirado que poco a poco va viendo la vida de los cuervos y al final se da cuenta de su situación, y llega a empatizar un poco con ellos.
¿ROMANCE?
No vi química, más que palabras coquetas y un poco de complicidad que no se siente natural del todo; la relación de Fei & Tavin es sosa, con sentimientos de ser solo una aventura.
LO MEJOR
Fue lo crudo que es cuando matan y dan misericordia a las almas contaminadas por la plaga del pecado (Una que puede contaminar toda una ciudad y es súper contagiosa a excepción de los Cuervos).
Primer libro de la autora y puede mejorar; pero por mi parte esta serie la dejo aquí, y esperaré otra más para una segunda oportunidad.
micsar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
4.25
smilesgiggle's review against another edition
4.0
Great introduction to a new series. I loved the complexity of the caste system - Fie never wastes a moment to remind the Prince and his bodyguard Crows are people, citizens of their country deserving of a decent life without fear as do all.
I also loved the acceptance of Prince Jasimir lack of interested in women - the kingdom looking towards the wealthy male heirs for potential marriage matches.
The growth of the Jasimir and Tavin as royal into compassionate, albeit naïve, is very inspiring. Can people change? Learn empathy for those around them?
Well written, loved the world building.
I also loved the acceptance of Prince Jasimir lack of interested in women - the kingdom looking towards the wealthy male heirs for potential marriage matches.
The growth of the Jasimir and Tavin as royal into compassionate, albeit naïve, is very inspiring. Can people change? Learn empathy for those around them?
Well written, loved the world building.
stardust_priestess's review against another edition
4.0
Ok I absolutely loved reading this book!
I will say that at the beginning it was off to a slower start than I usually like, but boy did I get drawn in.
I really liked the characters throughout and I look forward to each one growing in the sequel. Can I just say how bad ass is Fie. Seriously. Crows may not have a birthright but boy do they have a good gift if they are born witches. I know the term bone thief is bad but I kind of like it. I think Jas can mature in the next book and I look forward to seeing how he progresses. Does he become king and make it to the throne? Now about Fie and Tavin, I always knew they wouldn’t be together after everything that happened. Can they find a way in the second book? Let’s hope so. I was completely enveloped in the world that Margaret Owen created here. I love the way this world came together and I want to read/see more of it.
Now on to The Faithless Hawk. Eee I’m excited.
I will say that at the beginning it was off to a slower start than I usually like, but boy did I get drawn in.
I really liked the characters throughout and I look forward to each one growing in the sequel. Can I just say how bad ass is Fie. Seriously. Crows may not have a birthright but boy do they have a good gift if they are born witches. I know the term bone thief is bad but I kind of like it. I think Jas can mature in the next book and I look forward to seeing how he progresses. Does he become king and make it to the throne? Now about Fie and Tavin, I always knew they wouldn’t be together after everything that happened. Can they find a way in the second book? Let’s hope so. I was completely enveloped in the world that Margaret Owen created here. I love the way this world came together and I want to read/see more of it.
Now on to The Faithless Hawk. Eee I’m excited.
kimberlite_11711's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Getting dumped straight into the story and picking up the world building as you go is a little daunting at the beginning, but the book is worth it. The magic and social system is interesting and is used very effectively to explore social discrimination and violence against people who are looked down on for doing ugly and necessary work in the story's world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Terminal illness, Violence, and Police brutality
The cat is ok in the end.