Article contributed by Holly Angus
I am a woman, wanderer, warrior. This is not the end of my story.
The Boneless Mercies trade in the art of death. Killing the old, sick, and wounded, their mercy kills are hired from all over Vorseland. Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Mercy Killers. They each have their own troublesome tale of how they joined a trade that included killing the innocent and suffering. However, our protagonist Frey wishes for more, a bigger, more heroic life.
When the Mercies hear of an unstoppable beast terrorising local villages, they decide this is their opportunity to defeat the beast and escape the death trade once and for all. The reward associated with the defeat of the beast will be enough gold to allow them to depart on their separate journeys, to find heroism in other lands. However, this beast is immortal, gigantic, and out for blood. So what makes the band of four female Mercies think that they can be the ones to destroy it and save the village? Hope. Hope is all they have.
April Genevieve Tucholke writes an exhilarating story of female companionship, compassion, and strength as the Mercies, who are raised to expect the bare minimum, thinking that a warm bath is too much of a luxury, finds the true meaning of heroism and the destiny of their broken lives.
Frey is a resilient young girl who hopes for a world with no more death and destruction, only compassion and bravery. Coming from a bloody childhood that left her family dead and her destiny to be a pleasurer in a Bliss House, Frey escapes to join the Boneless Mercies. However, she is always hoping for a better life, one with warrior deaths and freedom.
Each and every character in this story gave the reader hope and love for their story. Tucholke wrote the cast in such a way that has the reader completely attached to their storyline and rooting for them from their reading nooks. Not one of the characters was unlikable, even the villains. You know you have found a good author when they make the reader feel sympathy for the villains!
The world was well thought out and very picturesque, making the whole theme and tone of the novel very grim but whimsical with each village the Mercies stopped at on the way. I genuinely enjoyed every second of this book and devoured it in one sitting.
However, I am curious about the future of this storyline. Originally it was branded as a standalone and says so in the blurb on Goodreads, however, the end of the novel tells a different tale. The ending wraps up nicely, but there are still questions left unanswered, perfect for a sequel, or maybe two. Another instalment in this series would be vital because without it the ending would be leaving the readers wanting more, and not in a good “I don’t want this to end way” but a “well, isn’t there supposed to be another book, where is it?” way. Sure hope the publisher and the author will figure this out soon because I am already anticipating more!!!
The Boneless Mercies is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
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.
