Scan barcode
A review by ramunepocky
The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I absolutely adored everything about this book. The world building was incredible and so interesting; I loved learning about all the different castes and their magic/abilities, and their witches. More than that, learning about the Crows way of life, how their witches can use the other castes' abilities using their teeth, their duties and the viatik was so incredibly interesting and cool, and so fucking sad too how despised and hunted they were for simply existing and doing what wad expected of them.
My favourite character was absolutely 100% Jas. At first, I absolutely hated him and I wanted to swing for him every time he spoke bc he was just so ignornant and entitled and demanding, and always believing he was right despite being sheltered in the palace his whole life. But his character development was just superb! By no means does he become a perfect character, he still sulks when he doesnt like things and he still lashes out when hes hurting, but he learns a lot more about the world and realises just how wrong he was, and actively works to change how he personally has always seen the Crows, and how everyone else sees and treats them too. And he saved Barf, which was the first thing that sold me on him, and also made me sob like a baby!! And I just think its so sweet the way he teaches Fie how to read. I love their dynamic so much, the way they go from mutual hatred to tolerating each other, and its only really after they lose Tavin that they end up truly understanding each other, working together and actually bevoming friends.
I adored Fie so much, she was such a strong character, she was full of fire and rage and so much heart, and I loved her !! She wasnt ready to become Chief, she wasnt ready for anything she went through, and yet she took it on the chin, did the best she could in the hardest circumstances, and came out the other side victorious. My heart bled for her when she had to leave her band of Crows and look after the lordlings, and as she continued to lose more and more, but she always found the strength and rage in her to keep on going. She would have had every right to burn the entire world to the ground and yet she never did, even in her darkest moments.
And Tavin, I loved him so much, he always made me laugh and he was just such a great character! I loved his developing relationship with Fie, I loved his dynamic with Jas, it broke my heart when he sacrificed himself at the bridge to try and keep the two people he loved safe and give them more of a chance, and then seeing him again so bruised and broken. And learning who he was, and the origins on his burn scar, and the extent of his abilities. I just loved him sm!!
I also rlly loved the other Crows, and the love and care they all had for each other !!!
Im so excited, and a little scared, to read the next book and see what it has in store for them all !!
My favourite character was absolutely 100% Jas. At first, I absolutely hated him and I wanted to swing for him every time he spoke bc he was just so ignornant and entitled and demanding, and always believing he was right despite being sheltered in the palace his whole life. But his character development was just superb! By no means does he become a perfect character, he still sulks when he doesnt like things and he still lashes out when hes hurting, but he learns a lot more about the world and realises just how wrong he was, and actively works to change how he personally has always seen the Crows, and how everyone else sees and treats them too. And he saved Barf, which was the first thing that sold me on him, and also made me sob like a baby!! And I just think its so sweet the way he teaches Fie how to read. I love their dynamic so much, the way they go from mutual hatred to tolerating each other, and its only really after they lose Tavin that they end up truly understanding each other, working together and actually bevoming friends.
I adored Fie so much, she was such a strong character, she was full of fire and rage and so much heart, and I loved her !! She wasnt ready to become Chief, she wasnt ready for anything she went through, and yet she took it on the chin, did the best she could in the hardest circumstances, and came out the other side victorious. My heart bled for her when she had to leave her band of Crows and look after the lordlings, and as she continued to lose more and more, but she always found the strength and rage in her to keep on going. She would have had every right to burn the entire world to the ground and yet she never did, even in her darkest moments.
And Tavin, I loved him so much, he always made me laugh and he was just such a great character! I loved his developing relationship with Fie, I loved his dynamic with Jas, it broke my heart when he sacrificed himself at the bridge to try and keep the two people he loved safe and give them more of a chance, and then seeing him again so bruised and broken. And learning who he was, and the origins on his burn scar, and the extent of his abilities. I just loved him sm!!
I also rlly loved the other Crows, and the love and care they all had for each other !!!
Im so excited, and a little scared, to read the next book and see what it has in store for them all !!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, and Violence