The Boneless Mercies
The Boneless Mercies
by April Genevieve Tucholke
2 out of 5Synopsis
A dark standalone YA fantasy about a band of mercenary girls in search of female glory.
Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life.
When she hears of an unstoppable monster ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies' one chance out. The fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women everywhere.
Review
Frey is tired of doing mercy killings for a living; she jumps at the chance to track down and kill a vicious monster, for a chance at freedom, glory, and meaning back in her life.
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book sounds amazing.
It follows Frey and her friends, who are Boneless Mercies. Women who travel constantly, putting the sick and the old to death mercifully. It doesn't bring much in the way of money, and even mercy killing is nibbling away at their souls. They have all had enough of this constantly shifting life, and want the freedom to settle down, own a farm, sail away on adventures, have a family, etc.
They each have a reason for becoming a mercy, and they each have a reason for wanting to break free of that life.
The story feels like it could be part of a big Norse saga, and has a pleasant story-telling quality to it, as each mercy reveals her own history.
BUT... I was bored. Which shouldn't have happened with these professional killers; dangerous witches; monsters and cruel men. The steady, story-telling quality slowed the narration (and any possible excitement) down. I found myself willing them to get to the monster, and wrap the whole thing up.
I couldn't understand how I was reading about Frey and co. getting dragged into the middle of some drama between the Sea Witches and Marsh magic... and it couldn't hold my attention. That is my Achilles heel!
I also wasn't impressed, after being promised a band of skilled mercenaries, these girls didn't know how to fight (in the beginning anyway - why did they volunteer when they couldn't fight?!). And when confronted with danger, they're favourite response is to run away!
Seriously, there were some scenes where they were getting wound up by the mistreatment and death of girls, by certain men. Those men turn up, and our Mercies run away. No revenge, no standing their ground - and we're supposed to believe these girls are going to face down a monster that is laying waste to towns and villages?
Overall, it was a nice idea, but it didn't work for me.
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