Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Release Date: October 2, 2018
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr)
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Dark Fantasy
A dark and gorgeously drawn standalone YA fantasy about a band of mercenary girls in search of female glory. Won in a major six-house auction!
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.
Full of fierce girls, bloodlust, tenuous alliances, and unapologetic quests for glory, this elegantly spun tale challenges the power of storytelling—and who gets to be the storyteller. Perfect for fans of Maggie Stiefvater, V.E. Schwab, and Heidi Heilig.
The Boneless Mercies is apparently a standalone Beowulf remake gender twist by author April Genevieve Tucholke. 17-year old Frey is one of the so called Mercy killers, or Boneless Mercies. They roam from town to town in Vorseland as wandering mercenaries. They take work when they are able to get it, find places to rest when the are able, and are free to come and go as they please. They dispense justice to those who can afford the coin, while living off the land. They are skilled in a variety of skills like archery.
They are rumored to be blessed by Gods, and Jarls claim they bring luck to any forest they wander. In a Norse inspired fantasy land, anything is possible, and any sort of monster is liable to be just over the next hill. Glory, honor,
and loyalty above all drive Frey, her Mercies (Runa, Ovie, Juniper), and their healer friend,
Trygve, as they journey in search of the monster terrorizing towns.
Many have tried to kill it. No one has succeeded. But the Mercies are no
strangers to killing, do not fear death, and have prophecy on their
side.
So richly imagined and full of mythology, traditions, and glimpses of a
world inspired by our own with a heavily fantasized twist. Heartfelt, nuanced, feminist, and kick-ass. I am a bit on the disappointed side that this is a standalone. In the end, one of the characters even said this is not the last of my story. So, why not write another adventure? I loved the friendships that are developed in this story. There is real depth to this story as well. The author doesn't just focus on the 4 women, and 1 man, she leads the reader to various places where we are introduced to witches, and pig people (Stregas) as well as a curious Jotan villain who I actually liked.
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