The Mercies - Kiran Millwood Hargrave

It's not very often that I review books for adults but when an ARC copy of The Mercies landed in my lap, I was only too happy to break with tradition (in fact, such is my love of Kiran's writing, that it went straight to the top of my TBR pile whilst I danced round the room in happiness!)

The book is set in the 1600s in Vardo, Norway, a small town where the men are all killed in a devastating storm, leaving the women to fend for themselves ... which they do successfully.  However, this causes its own problems in a time where women weren't supposed to be strong, and so a commissioner is sent in to over-see everything.

The story centres around Ursa, the new wife of the commissioner, Absalon, and Maren, who lost both her brother and father in the storm.  Ursa, used to the finer things in life, struggles in Vardo and it is Maren whom she befriends, to teach her how to cook, keep house and survive.

It is clear that Absalon is there to seek out anybody who does not share his own, strong religious beliefs and to try them as a witch.  As a result, an air of speculation, mistrust and fear descends.  He is a character whose true purpose will make you shudder; he was somebody I hated, who made me squirm and I found terrifying. He was brilliantly written.

Having read all of Kiran's MG novels and loved the seemingly effortless beauty of her writing style, I was keen to see how she translated that into an adult novel.  I was not disappointed!  The same elegance remains, creating a calm poise whilst telling an incredibly powerful tale of strength.  The book gently builds a tension that grips; the characters will get under your skin (either through love or hatred) and this haunting book reflects the hardship of its female characters and quickly becomes a compelling read.

The fact that the book is based on the true story of the Vardo witch trials, makes it all the more haunting and powerful, and the bleakness of the setting reflects the events as well as the grief and strength in all the female characters.  It pains me to think that these events actually happened, that people could be so cruel; yet in the darkness, love, kindness and friendship still rise: the friendship that builds between Ursa and Maren gives warmth and hope.

A novel about fear, grief, loss, love, hope, friendship and, above all else, strength; the storytelling in this book shows Kiran at her best.
(Release date: 6th February 2020)