Review: The Boneless Mercies
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The Boneless Mercies
Author: April Genevieve Tucholke
Release: October 2018
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux (BYR)
*I received an ARC copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway, in exchange for an honest review.*
This is not my first experience with an April Genevieve Tucholke book and I am a MAJOR fan of retellings (usually of fairy tales) so how excited was I when I heard about a retelling of Beowulf with a badass female entourage at the forefront!? The Boneless Mercies is full of magic, monsters, serious weapon skills, and an incredible focus on friendships. Tucholke weaves the narrative of Beowulf into something that is similar, yet also a creature of her own.
Our main characters, Frey and her Boneless Mercy sisters, are fierce adepts in the art of killing; feared by other humans, yet called upon to perform mercy killings when the need arises. Yet, for Frey, this isn’t enough. She wants adventure. She wants respect. She wants glory. So, of course, when rumors of a beast ravaging the countryside reaches her ears, Frey convinces the group to journey forth, in hopes to slay the monster and achieve glory.
Tucholke did a fantastic job of writing four women who are very different - personalities, upbringings, hopes, fears, and dreams - without being over the top. Each seemed realistic within the world and each added unique qualities to the group. Tucholke also throws in a male character that is a role model for non-toxic masculinity (Fake quote: “Oh, there’s going to be a fight? Let me step back - you all are better at this than I.”). He adds such a different, powerful dynamic to the group of Boneless Mercies but definitely doesn’t outshine our glory-seeking women as they meet witches, save men from death, brave the elements, and hunt down a beast so fearsome that no man has been able to slay it.
My only complaint, though, is that I wanted more. I wanted more world building. Tucholke drops a great amount of lore within the pages of this book and doesn’t elaborate on some. This may have to become my own research project, but may also be an opportunity for her to create other books within this world if she so chooses. Overall I would give The Boneless Mercies 3 out of 5 Awesome Austin Points. Was it entertaining? Yes. Were the characters badass? Yes. Did I still want some more? Yes. It recently came out so go find it in your local bookstore and give Tucholke’s dark writing a whirl!
