Jaelyn reviewed Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Review of 'Mercies' on 'Storygraph'
5 stars
In 1600s Norway, a storm wipes out all an island’s men while out fishing. The women survive and hold the community together for years until the King appoints Absalom Cornet, a witchfinder from Scotland, to restore order. He brings with him a new wife, Ursa, picked up as he passed through Bergen.
While Ursa lives in fear of her husband, she becomes enamoured with the independent women of the island. In particular with Maren, who she begins to fall for just as her husband starts to declare native Sámi and non-conforming women to be witches.
This is a deeply interesting dive into an isolated community of women and the dynamics within it (based on historical events). But the misogynistic and racist witch finding makes it a heavy and dark read at times.
While Ursa lives in fear of her husband, she becomes enamoured with the independent women of the island. In particular with Maren, who she begins to fall for just as her husband starts to declare native Sámi and non-conforming women to be witches.
This is a deeply interesting dive into an isolated community of women and the dynamics within it (based on historical events). But the misogynistic and racist witch finding makes it a heavy and dark read at times.
