The Mercies

After a storm has killed off all the island's men, two women in a 1600s Norwegian coastal village struggle to survive against both natural forces and the men who have been sent to rid the community of alleged witchcraft. Inspired by the real events of the Vardø storm and the 1620 witch trials, THE MERCIES is a feminist story of love, evil, and obsession, set at the edge of civilization. {goodreads summary}

I'm not even sure where to start with this review. The Mercies was so incredible that I'm struggling to translate my thoughts on it into words. I've been recommending it to everyone I've spoken to since finishing.

The Mercies was beautifully written, dark and intense. It was one of those stories that becomes ingrained in your mind, and I found my thoughts lingering on the characters and Vardø whenever I put my kindle down. It was reminiscent of The Miniaturist - it gave me the same, unsettled feeling that the ending wouldn't be entirely happy - and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed The Miniaturist without hesitation. 

Millwood Hargrave's language is lyrical and beautiful. This was the first novel I have read by her and I now can't wait to read her MG stories. A Girl of Ink and Stars is on my course list for next year, but I checked it out of the library a few days after finishing The Mercies because I couldn't wait to start reading.

My favourite thing about the Mercies was the setting. Vardø is so well depicted that I could imagine every location, and almost feel as though I've been there. I enjoyed the contrast between the cool midnight sun of summer and the bitter, unending darkness of winter. And no matter the season, the setting came alive with scents and sounds. 

I was endlessly intrigued by the division between the men and women's worlds, the gaping hole their deaths leave in the women of Vardø's lives, and the frustrating lack of opportunities available to women willing to do the work to fill those holes. 

The Mercies was a great representation of society as a microcosm. It was interesting the way petty grievances morphed, to became monstrous and deadly. Clear lines formed between the women very early in the story based on friendship groups, and these lines become trenches over the course of the novel, battle grounds over which the desire for control becomes a fight for survival.

Marin and Ursa were superb protagonists, who I could sympathise with and felt for immediately, making the events of the novel even more tense and heart wrenching.

The Mercies deserves to be huge this year, and I can't wait to see all of the success that's sure to come its way.

I was provided with an advanced copy of The Mercies via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.