Series: The Merciful Crow #1
Published by Henry Holt (BYR) on July 30, 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
A future chieftain
Fie abides by one rule: look after your own. Her Crow caste of undertakers and mercy-killers takes more abuse than coin, but when they’re called to collect royal dead, she’s hoping they’ll find the payout of a lifetime.
A fugitive prince
When Crown Prince Jasimir turns out to have faked his death, Fie’s ready to cut her losses—and perhaps his throat. But he offers a wager that she can’t refuse: protect him from a ruthless queen, and he’ll protect the Crows when he reigns.
A too-cunning bodyguard
Hawk warrior Tavin has always put Jas’s life before his, magically assuming the prince’s appearance and shadowing his every step. But what happens when Tavin begins to want something to call his own?
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Pa was taking too long to cut the boys’ throats.
From the first line of the novel, Margaret Owen plunges readers into a complex world with a unique culture, history and myths, and magic system. Depending on the caste into which they are born, individuals are born into (or without) wealth, class status, and the caste’s gift, if one is a witch. Each caste has its unique culture and workings from the Royal Phoenixes to the Warrior Hawks to the Merciful Crows. While this book highlights the lives of the Crows, it is apparent from the Crows’ interactions with various castes that each caste posses its unique culture.
Through Fie’s third-person point of view, readers track the lives of the Crows, the members of lowest caste, whose job is to deal with those fallen to the Sinners’ Plague. (Which raises the question of how does one determine an individual is a sinner? Food for thought.) The Crows live a colorful life filled with slang and idioms unique to them, an endless journey across the kingdom in search of plague beacons, and a tight-knit familial bond formed through shared hardships on the road. For society despises Crows, despite the pivotal role they play, and Crows are hunted by Oleanders, society’s equivalent of the KKK.
The characters are, for the most part, likable. Fie is a protagonist who uses her head and takes care of her own. She acts much the part of the future chieftain. I love the “family” focus that’s presented through her band and that her father is a reliable figure in her life. That said, there are a couple of instances where her character slips and makes questionable decisions, such as View Spoiler ». Other characters grew on me over the course of the novel as I learned more about them, and they learned more about the world. A few were not compelling, such as a particular member of the band View Spoiler » and the major villain, who we’re told is dangerous but felt bland and is defeated anticlimactically.
The plot is character driven and moves forward while continuously making things more difficult for the protagonists. While there is an apparent romance, it doesn’t overtake the plot, and the way things conclude makes sense. While this first book wraps up its major plot, room is left for further development. I look forward to seeing what Margaret Owen brings us in the next book The Faithless Hawk.
The Merciful Crow is a high-tension read that explores the influence of prejudiced beliefs on the politics and social workings of the world. The world and characters are complex and believable, and the themes of discrimination and the reluctance of those in power to push for real change are relevant to society today.
Favorite Quotes
I love Barf the cat, the frequent references to the Money Dance, and how Fie thinks things through. So these are what I’m highlighting through some of my favorite quotes.
Fie decided she liked the cat. Anything happy to leave the royal palace had good taste.
Fie’s favorite thing about the Money Dance was that it always, always worked.
Note: I actually liked a quote about how Fie could smell a Money Dance, but I couldn’t find it when I flipped back through the book—so I’m sharing this one instead.
She’s got a point, Jas. Several, in fact. Enough points that I’m starting to think she’s mostly thorns.”
Content: PG-13
Chat With Me
📚 Have you read The Merciful Crow?
📚 What’re your thoughts?
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra says
I’ve been in a bit of a fantasy slump lately but this one sounds very appealing to me. That cover is stunning too.
Crystal says
The cover is really nice! I’m curious what they’ll do with the next one. I hope you enjoy The Merciful Crow, Suzanne! ❤️
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer says
I really loved the references to Barf and the Money Dance too. I felt like Fie had reasons when she made questionable decisions. It really make her feel more authentic as a character for me. I don’t mind mistakes as long as they don’t feel contrived. I liked how you talked about the culture that was revealed about the different clans. ❤️ I’d want to read it if I hadn’t already and loved it.
Crystal says
Yes, Fie’s reasons are given. My biggest issue is that they contradict some of her earlier decisions, but I do appreciate how she’s a flawed character. Exploring the different clan cultures was one of my favorite elements of this book (besides Barf and the Money Dance references of course). I look forward to learning more about the world in book 2! I’m glad to hear that you’d want to read this book if you hadn’t already! ❤️
Sophia Rose says
I like the sound of this one and it has an old-school fantasy feel it sounds like. Neat how the story gets more intense as it goes forward.
Crystal says
It does have a bit of an old-school feel, though with some modern ideologies worked in. Yes, it’s great when a story is able to increase the intensity as it moves forward!
theorangutanlibrarian says
Great that this was such a high tension book and that the characters and world were so well drawn. Awesome review!
Crystal says
Thanks! Yes, the characters, world, and tension were well done 🙂