Hello Fellow Journeyers,
On the journey of finding the best books, it is essential to explore genres you've spent little time in; for me, that's young adult. The Boneless Mercies is my first attempt at young adult since reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes when it came out and The Hunger Games years before. That being said, The Boneless Mercies was a different and yet wholly familiar take on a young adult story.
While not having read Beowulf personally, I was intrigued by this story because it was inspired by Beowulf and the old saga-like tales of Norway. This setting is half the reason I wanted to read the story in the first place. In this regard, it did not disappoint. The saga-like structure is used throughout, but much else is...lacking.
What works about this story is effective enough. The writing is descriptive, superb, and at times quite poetic. The details are a balance of worldbuilding and character creating, the setting is atmospheric and inviting; it's a comfort novel through and through. And yet, as is the risk of writing comfort novels, the tension, progression, and plot were really lacking.
For the first third of the book, when you're supposed to learn about characters, their motivations, and connect with them, little actually occurs to connect with. It goes by seamlessly enough, but it meanders from event to event and doesn't really find purpose until well after the first third. Once a plot actually begins taking shape, it is weak and overly simplistic. I found myself in a state of confusion as to why they're doing what they're doing, even if the events are interesting enough.
Also, there is very little nuance. Besides the world-building being good and consistently growing, everyone speaks so plainly there is nothing left to interpretation. You never wonder what the characters think or question their motives. The main character Frey is hard to get behind, not because she's unlikable, but we don't have any real motivation to care about her besides "seeking glory" is her main goal.
Which leads to no character arcs because they never change or mess up. There is much payoff writing at the end, but much of it is unsatisfying or unearned since there is little movement or change of character in anyone. Everyone acts completely right, making no mistakes, not ever having any surprises befall them, even if they do get hurt or pained along the way.
And finally, my biggest gripe, the tension is nearly nonexistent. We're rarely ever in suspense or worry for the main characters because even their enemies like them and they feel connection to everything they come in contact with. It is different and somewhat interesting, but wow is it boring to read again and again.
The end is done well enough, but it couldn't make up for the middle 70% that is pretty difficult to want to return to. The characters are distinct, but none of them experience real struggle, change, or progression. I really wanted to like this story, and the writing is sweet, melancholic, and warm, but it doesn't feel earned; it feels out of place for the story.
★★ 2 Stars - Overall, much like the characters in the book, the story is directionless and vague. The book doesn't seem to really be about much else other than general greatness, which pulls the entire story down. Great ideas, wonderful writing, poor or awkward execution.
Let me hear from you! If you like what you read, want to hear more thoughts on this book, other reviews, or talk book recommendations and Essential Reading, leave a comment below.
Rating system:
★★★★★ 5 Stars: It was amazing; I loved it. Read this book; it is definitely Essential Reading!
★★★★★* 4.5 Stars: It was fantastic, I really loved almost every aspect of it.
★★★★ 4 Stars: It was very good and worth reading; highly recommend.
★★★★* 3.5 Stars: I enjoyed a lot of aspects of this story, but it was lacking in certain areas.
★★★ 3 Stars: It was good, but could've been better or improved upon significantly.
★★★* 2.5 Stars: I wanted to enjoy it. Certain aspects were good, it was worth finishing, but many issues.
★★ 2 Stars: It was okay, I didn't feel strongly about it.
★ 1 Star: I did not like it. It was not worth finishing or I did not finish it.
*I round up based on the system on Goodreads. Also, there is no 1.5 Stars because it does not seem to have enough differentiation.