Scan barcode
aseel_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
One of the few fantasy books where I can safely say that the world building was super poor and boring? I didn't really care for the characters, nor did I find the plot that interesting or surprising at all
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
charthinksalot's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content
lanid's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Gore, Hate crime, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Murder
jerkysnax's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racism, Terminal illness, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
amylynnknitsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Hate crime, Xenophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism
onemamareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Read my full review here: https://onemamassummer.weebly.com/book-reviews/the-merciful-crow
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
clearmind_clearheart's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was an unexpectedly great find. I loved the premise of the book, which is why I picked it up: a girl from a caste of mercy-killers becomes drawn into a political plot in pursuit of peace and safety for her people. The worldbuilding starts from the first page and it is a bit distracting at first, but once you understand how the authors caste system works, it's a bit easier to read around. Yet, even with that, the author smoothly intertwined her world building with her plot and character introductions. She draws your interest in immediately with a main character who's whole caste is responsible for dealing with those who suffer from a plague. The how for catching the plague isn't really explained, and I am curious if it will be covered more in the second book as it plays a big part in the why's of the caste system and their history, but otherwise it plays an important role of influencing the actions of the main character Fie. The fact that the first chapter covers more world building than movable plot is understandable when that world building plays such an important role in defining who the main character is and what the underlying conflicts are, both internal and external.
This main character, Fie, is relatable in her anger at injustice and her desire to act against it; there are moments where the reader gets a clear glimpse of how that anger can either rule or influence her actions. Overall, Fie is believable and relatable as she deals with the internal and external conflicts of the book. She's also kind of a clever smart ass and I love that. The supporting characters include her kin and new trouble makers, their relationships with the protagonist weaved in with the storyline in strong but also subtle ways. The author also includes changes and growth in side characters that take real time and effort to come about, and are relevant to the plot and story overall, but don't over shadow the protagonist.
The romance of the book is a bit unfounded at first, though I understand why. If the author really wanted to make it a focus they would have had to draw back on some of the plot and overall character building which would have taken a lot from the book overall.
The story itself is full of politics, classism, religion/faith, an interesting magic system based on castes and bloodlines, and a journey across a continent fraught with danger. The pace of the plot is steady, as is the characterization. There weren't many shock factors until the last few chapters and those were unexpected but well done, some foreshadowed and some you learned to fit the pieces together with the protagonist.
The book ends in a gentle manner, no heavy cliffhangers, but with a storyline that is open to continuation as the main character returns to a normal life knowing that there are things that will take time to change.
I'm definitely eager to read the next book to see how the main character gets dragged in to her next adventure.
This main character, Fie, is relatable in her anger at injustice and her desire to act against it; there are moments where the reader gets a clear glimpse of how that anger can either rule or influence her actions. Overall, Fie is believable and relatable as she deals with the internal and external conflicts of the book. She's also kind of a clever smart ass and I love that. The supporting characters include her kin and new trouble makers, their relationships with the protagonist weaved in with the storyline in strong but also subtle ways. The author also includes changes and growth in side characters that take real time and effort to come about, and are relevant to the plot and story overall, but don't over shadow the protagonist.
The romance of the book is a bit unfounded at first, though I understand why. If the author really wanted to make it a focus they would have had to draw back on some of the plot and overall character building which would have taken a lot from the book overall.
The story itself is full of politics, classism, religion/faith, an interesting magic system based on castes and bloodlines, and a journey across a continent fraught with danger. The pace of the plot is steady, as is the characterization. There weren't many shock factors until the last few chapters and those were unexpected but well done, some foreshadowed and some you learned to fit the pieces together with the protagonist.
The book ends in a gentle manner, no heavy cliffhangers, but with a storyline that is open to continuation as the main character returns to a normal life knowing that there are things that will take time to change.
I'm definitely eager to read the next book to see how the main character gets dragged in to her next adventure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Classism
egurgens's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A wonderful mix of magic, political plots, a persecuted community, LGBTQ+ characters, a runaway prince, and so much more. This story definitely follows the 'enemies-to-lovers' trope, but less severe. More of a 'dislike-to-lovers'. We follow Fie, a Crow chief-in-training, as her troupe of crows collect and dispose of dead plague victims. However, Fie gets the scare of a lifetime when the corpses sit up, the royal prince and his body-double having faked their deaths to escape from the queen who wants them dead. The crows agree to make sure they reach their allies safely, as long as the prince agrees to make sure future crows are protected from persecution in the future.
When thinking of the crows and how they are treated, I think of pre-Civil Rights America. The crows are openly disliked and mistreated by villagers, the Hawks (think police) attack and treat them roughly for existing, and there is a band of citizens that attack Crow troupes at night, similar to how I imagine the KKK did. Disclaimer: I'm just using it as an analogy to describe the conditions the Crows faced, not comparing the two situations in any way.
When the Crows and the two lordlings are betrayed, only Fie and the two lordlings manage to escape capture by the Queen's people. Fie takes up responsibility to get Prince Jasimer to the Commander of their army, his Aunt. What follows is a journey across the continent, chased by magical trackers and mystery monsters. The lordlings get to know the trials that the Crow people face, and Fie gets to know the boys and how they bear their responsibilities. There's a little romancing, some feelings, very nice.
All in all, I loved this book, and I'm excited to read the sequel.
When thinking of the crows and how they are treated, I think of pre-Civil Rights America. The crows are openly disliked and mistreated by villagers, the Hawks (think police) attack and treat them roughly for existing, and there is a band of citizens that attack Crow troupes at night, similar to how I imagine the KKK did. Disclaimer: I'm just using it as an analogy to describe the conditions the Crows faced, not comparing the two situations in any way.
When the Crows and the two lordlings are betrayed, only Fie and the two lordlings manage to escape capture by the Queen's people. Fie takes up responsibility to get Prince Jasimer to the Commander of their army, his Aunt. What follows is a journey across the continent, chased by magical trackers and mystery monsters. The lordlings get to know the trials that the Crow people face, and Fie gets to know the boys and how they bear their responsibilities. There's a little romancing, some feelings, very nice.
All in all, I loved this book, and I'm excited to read the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Gore, Infidelity, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
rosejoy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Classism
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
dodie_sullivan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Death
More...