THE MERCIFUL CROW was one of my enjoyable reads in 2019! I was awarded this arc in promotion for its sequel, FAITHLESS HAWK. I love love love this story. Margaret's writing pulls you right into her world. If you haven't read this story, you need to!

I couldn't help but be drawn into this world that was a beautiful strange mix of magic set in a time of the Black Death. A world heavily ruled by castes derived from birds - phoenixes, vultures, sparrows, owls, cranes, crows, etc. You get the gist. With each castes comes a magic Birthright given by gods long past. Phoenixes get fire, owls are scholars, cranes get knowledge's of truths; but the only castes that got no Birthright was the Crows. It was said that because they were shunned by the gods it is there duty to go where the sinners plague hits and bring mercy to those castes by preventing the spread, by doing the job no one else wanted to do. It also makes them outcasts, hated by all other castes; only tolerated because they alone can survive the plague. They are set apart from the nation of Savor and the 12 castes, unrented. The Crows are ridiculed and mistreated wherever they go. This is the story of one band of Crows; one chief-in- training that tries to better her people by making a deal with a prince on the run that changes everything.
It's a powerful story. It's griping and emotional in the way people treat others. It makes you want to take a real hard look inward at yourself see if you treat others differently because they may not dress as nicely as you, live in a house, or have a desirable job. Those you pass on the street, do you judge them harshly?? For a YA story, there is so much thought behind the interaction going on between the author's characters. There is a lot of political and social themes threaded throughout this story.
Fie is a Crow chief-in-training. She had lost a lot and has seen a lot. I loved the strength of her character. Bettering her people's position in the eyes of other castes is her main drive. Her mother was murdered because she was a Crow. The dichotomy of needing the Crows to save the other castes from the spread of Sinner's plague and hating them for needing them, drives the other castes to not only belittle but hurt the Crows. Fia has so much angry toward the other castes and loathing toward herself for being unable to stop the harassment. She will stop at nothing to do what her oath demands even if it means sacrificing everything she loves.
Tavin is the Hawk bodyguard/body-double for the runaway prince. All his life he has done his duty - protect the prince. But now he doesn't know what to do when faced with a life for the first time outside the walls of the palace. Instead of seeing a kingdom of fairness, he is thrust into a world of bigotry and hatred and all because he is wearing the robes of a Crow. He is a character that you can't help but love because of the change he undertake along the way.
Jasimir is the entitled heir to the Phoenix throne. Forced to fake his own death after multiple assassination attempts were made on his life, he ran with the help of Fia's dad disguised as a Crow. He is a harder nut to crack. Throughout the book, he doesn't see that there is anything wrong with treating the Crows poorly because after all there must be a reason they deserve this fate. It is his conscience, Tavin, that is constantly reminding him that the Crow are his subjects too and they deserve the same rights as all his other people. For most of the book, Jasimir remains as a secondary character to Tavin.
This is a book about loss and love, struggles and heartache. There are strong social and economical themes but through it all it is a book that will have you craving the next one in the series. The need to knew what happens next door not only these characters, but to the caste of Crows makes me wish that I had my hands on the next book so I could immediately jump back into the story and see what happens. It's so unique yet so familiar at the same time. It's one to recommend and share with friends.

** I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. **

If you're looking for a journey tale, The Merciful Crow will carry you out of our world and into a creatively crafted kingdom of castes, bone magic, and a deathly plague. The lens through which you view this kingdom is a young chieftain named Fie, who, though upright and honorable from the beginning, also grows in her strength and resolve while embarking on the nearly impossible task of delivering the crown prince and his guard, both presumed dead, to an ally with whom they will be safe from a power hungry queen while they raise resistance to her campaign. Although there are many castes, each with varying abilities, Fie's cast, the Crows, have been oppressed for far too long. They provide essential skills in their work in combating the plague that runs through the kingdom, but receive little thanks for it. As Fie fights to bring her companions to safety, she also fights for the rights of her people. Through the pace is slow at times, this journey is less about seeing action than about Fie growing into the leader her caste and her kingdom will need for her to become.

I am not a habitual fantasy reader, but this book captured and held my attention. I found the world building to be seamless and engaging without Owen feeling the need to step out of the story to introduce and explain things. The characters are interesting, believable, and diverse. The plot is compelling and feels fresh to me. I will seek out more books by Owen.

Margaret Owen has created a well-detailed believable world in which castes are given names of birds. Phoenix are the royals, everything from Peacocks to Owls down to Crows. Crows are the mercy killers and undertakers, hence the title "The Merciful Crow." Fie is a Crow. Crows follow one rule - they look after each other - especially when looked down on and despised for what they do. When the Crows are called in to deal with Prince Jasmir's death, Fie finds things are not at all what they seem. Jasmir wants to fake his death, and promises to protect the Crows when he takes the throne, in return for the Crows protecting him from a savage, scheming queen.

Fans of Leigh Bardugo and Holly Black will love this story. It has it all, danger, romance, excitement. Owen deals with the caste discrimination honestly and clearly so there is much food for thought as well as a downright excellent story. I appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC.. I look forward to reading more of Owen's creations!

Fascinating, unique fantasy that gave a fresh experience to my usually same-taste fantasy reading. The characters were so multi-faceted, the plot was slow but the world-building and writing made it amazing.

I'm not sure if I'm in a reading slump or if this book actually wasn't as good as everyone makes it to be.
I cant even tell you what I was reading. I was just kind of skimming it.

Being at the bottom of the social pecking order is awful - especially if the rest of society only tolerates your existence because your clan cleans up plague victims so the rest of them do not get sick. The gods bid you to not shirk in your duties, but the more "blessed" have starved, cheated, and hunted you to near extinction. This is the lot in life for Fie, scion of the Crow people. Forever traveling from one plague signal to the next, she has never had a permanent place to call home or anywhere to feel completely safe. But she is also resourceful, talented, and very loyal to her band of friends and family - misfits all.

Then a royal prince of the Phoenix clan and his Hawk bodyguard fake their deaths by plague in order to strike a mutually beneficial deal with the Crows. Fie's band will smuggle the highborns to the safety of their allies, and in return the Crows will see the end of being hunted and persecuted when the prince takes his rightful place as king. I enjoyed the different levels of world awareness between the prince who has never known want but has been trapped by courtly intrigues his entire life, the bodyguard who has learned he can never have a life or dreams of his own, and the girl who has only viewed the world from the dregs of humanity. I appreciated that mutual trust was hard won rather than instantaneous - as is so often found in other adventures. There was very little common ground to build from other than the desire to survive - but it became a place to start.

The magic system of this fantastical world was fresh, clear, and creative. Each aspect was well thought out and never too overpowered. The checks and balances of each ability never seemed too far tipped in any one being or clan's favor. The imbalance of power is created by society's lack of regard and respect for those they deem less than themselves rather than magical talents.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author. I recommend it for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Alison Croggon, and Diana Paxton.

* Special thanks to NetGally and the publisher for granting me an eARC in return for my honest opinion. *

I want to thank NetGalley for a digital galley of this book. This is a quick, entertaining read. We see a world divided by twelve castes named after birds. Each caste bears a unique magical power. The protagonist, Fie, belongs to the Crow caste, who have the unique ability to temporarily recreate any caste’s power through the use of teeth from a member of a particular caste. They are also called upon by other castes to perform mercy killings. At the same time crows are looked down upon by the other castes. The plot really takes off when Fie meets a Hawk Prince Jasimir and his righthand man, Tavin. What follows is a compelling story of Fie reluctantly becoming chieftain of her tribe and having to make tough decisions to guarantee the wellbeing and preservation of her people. By the book’s end, the main storyline is resolved while leaving the possibility of a sequel. This story is told using a single narrator and tackles such themes as social inequality, discrimination, loyalty, sacrifice, and preservation of culture. The pacing was good throughout and the magic system was effectively used to drive the battle scenes. I loved the description of the magic rituals and their use of teeth and how these, to me, drew parallels to rituals of native indian tribes. I was also captivated by this notion that the Crows potentially had the most powerful ability in that they could possess all the abilites of the tribes while at the same time, being preyed upon and discriminated against by these tribes. In conclusion, The Merciful Crow is a fun fantasy read with quick pacing that effectively addresses universal themes that are as relevant as ever.

3.5/5 Stars

Disclaimer: This review MAY contain spoilers. I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.

First of all, let's all gaze adoringly at the jaw-dropping cover for this book. (Go ahead, I'll wait!) Isn't that gorgeous? This is one of those covers that you display facing out on your bookshelf. Just saying.

The world-building in this book will drop your jaw because it is so vividly described. There are so many fine details lingering in the pages to make this feel so very real. The magic, the castes, the society, and the religion are all so fantastically woven into the pages. This world is very unique and it shows in the writing. It will truly fascinate you. I admit that I would have liked more clarification or detail when it came to the religion in the story and how it fits into their society.

The plot of this book is exciting. This is just the type of fantasy that really lights my fire. There is adventure and intrigue. The pacing of this story is just perfect and the series of events in the book really keeps you glued to the pages. This is a dark fantasy story that is very character-driven at times.

Most of the characters in this book had plenty of depth. I love nothing more than well-developed characters and most of these characters fit the bill. Fie is such a fierce and utterly brave character. I loved how loyal she was and how she stood up for what was right. I immediately connected with her. Tavin was so charming and immediately likable. I liked uncovering what was under his armor. He was a character that was so easy to sympathize with since his life was essentially not his own. Jasimir is a character that doesn't really shine as bright as the rest in the book. I honestly didn't like him much but I am hoping for more development for him in the next book. I liked some of the secondary characters but if I am being honest they weren't very memorable. I really couldn't tell the difference between the different Crows in Fie's band.

The romance in this was okay but I wanted to like it more than I did. This had the perfect slow-burn romance that felt so natural. It had excellent build-up and banter. The romance didn't overwhelm the story either. Liked it, yes. I just didn't feel invested in it.

I loved all the representation in this book! I also loved the topic of consent that was in the book.

The storytelling is what I had the most trouble with in the book. It is immersive but all of the clunky words and narrative really brought down my reading experience. There are times that I had to go back and reread passages. The writing just wasn't smooth at all.

Overall, this is a beautiful story about prejudice and equality. There were so many underlying themes in this book that I really loved. While I didn't love everything about this book, I still very much enjoyed it. I am looking forward to continuing the story in the next book in this series!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review. I absolutely loved this book. A world with a caste system and is full of death. And a cat! Fabulously executed and well written.

The Merciful Crow took a bit to get into the world-of-story, understand the different castes and experience the grit that the main characters Fie, Jasimir, and Tavin go through. The language was also tough to get into becasue Fie and her caste of Crows speak in a vernacular that is rough and colloquial to them that it took almost halfway through the book to finally come around to their phrasing of certain things.

The world of the Merciful Crow is enjoyable as it is unique. The powers that Fie uses from the magical castes all named after different birds was fun and gritty. And the trek in the struggle between following family/caste and keeping a solemn vow were believable and well executed.

A read I will be recommending for those looking for a new fantasy world to dive into. Highly anticipating the conclusion of this duology.

Gahhh! I adored this book! The magic system with teeth was so unique and the world-building with all the different castes was well developed. I love Fie, the strong female character that thinks she can do it on her own, but comes to realize that people need people, including herself. She was loyal and brave and grudgingly kind, and I loved watching her develop throughout the story. I also enjoyed Tavin from the first line he spoke. His banter and wit are what makes him charming, but his loyalty is what makes him a character worth loving. Overall I loved everything about this book and can't wait for book 2!

Gosh what even are my thoughts on this one except that I need more. I adore this book. Honestly, one of my top from 2019 and I didn't think it would be the case. A good book? Yes. A good I wish I could hug to chest and gush over? Didn't think so, yet here we are.

The characters, the sassy banter, the realistic life and death journey they are on, just... wow. There are consequences to actions and not no one is safe.

Let me also say the beginning scene has stayed with me -- and I'm reviewing this almost exactly 3 months after reading it. I can still see the money dance, hear the screeching, and imagine the surrounding silence from the nobles as dread and terror fill them. Like, that is good writing!

I'm so nervous about the next book, but I'm ready for the adventure to continue!!

The book just bored me to death. After multiple attempts to get past the first few chapters, I gave up and decided to DNF it. Really disappointed after it was hyped up for so long, only to just be let down by it in the end.

An imaginative tale of a caste of "crows", the caste of undertakers who are often held in contempt, until they are needed.

Without a doubt one of the best books of 2019! Slow burn romance, fast paced adventures, queer characters and so much sass! I'm not one to really think villians are creepy but HOLY WOW! The villian in this novel is chill worthy! The unique magic system was intriguing and fantastical, pulling you deep within the story. I am on edge waiting for the next installment! 4/5 stars!

Absolutely LOVED the cast of The Merciful Crow! I fell in love with the courageous main character and her band of crows! The pacing was spot-on and the story held my attention the entire way through. I currently have it as my staff recommendation at work, and have hand-sold a ton of copies since it’s release. Gearing up for the sequel, my customers are really looking forward to finding out what happens next and I’m right there with them! Highly recommend this book for anyone who loved Bardugo’s Six of Crows, or just looking for a fantasy novel that FEELS different from everything else out there right now.

I liked this book, but didn’t love it. The ideas and world were engrossing and well written. I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters. There was also quite a bit of the plot that left me bored at times. I liked it enough to read the next book, but I hope I can connect more with the characters.

4,5 stars.
It took me a little while to get into this, but it’s a book that quite richly rewards patience.

Author Owen has created a complex and rigid caste system, its different levels named for different species of birds, in which those deemed to be at the bottom — the Crows — are really kicked when they’re down. They are responsible for cleaning up the plague dead of the other castes (as they themselves are the only ones immune), but rather than given the respect they are due for performing such an important and necessary service, they are severely abused and harassed, and seen as less than human.

The world building works, at first, on atmosphere and language, evoking an almost Old West kind of vibe before any of the real High Fantasy stuff is even introduced. Teenage Crow chief-in-training Fie and her people “reckon” and “ken” their way across a largely desert landscape, living on the roads as they are called from town to town. They travel at the behest of a largely unexplained Covenant that sets the terms of the caste system and the place of each caste in it. Each caste is defined by a Birthright — a particular power or affinity. The Crows are the only caste without a Birthright of their own. Instead, their chiefs are able to “steal” the abilities of other castes by using their teeth. Fie can, if she has a Phoenix tooth, control fire; or if she has a Sparrow tooth, cloak herself in a kind of invisibility in order the escape an enemy. While a lot of this is never completely explained, it doesn’t always need to be. It is usually adequate for one’s enjoyment and understanding. Readers’ intelligence is assumed.

The plot here hinges on Fie’s band of Crows being pressed into service to escort a Phoenix prince to safety, after he and his Hawk bodyguard fake their deaths to get away from a usurper queen. The queen has allied herself with a KKK-inspired group of apparently multi-caste Crow haters who go out of their way to hunt and kill Crow bands. The prince has promised that he will defend Crows and promote tolerance if they help him to the throne. And, while parallels to real life are sometimes clear, they don’t rely entirely on race or sexuality, as the majority of the characters, across multiple castes, are POC, and a good many of them are also LGBTQ. So, yay for all of that. This author is clearly interested in social justice and equity, but not in facile answers. (Note: I assume this is not an #ownvoices book in regards to race, at least, but I don’t know anything about the author’s background.)

This would almost be a 5-star read for me, but for the pacing being a bit slow and for some of the overly-glaring holes in the world-building (there’s a difference between assuming readers’ intelligence and having some stuff just not make sense in context, like the ‘Sinner’ stuff in the broad absence of religion beyond the ambiguous Covenant). I also wish that some of Fie’s relationships with other Crows were better drawn before she found herself spun off from them for most of the book, because after that it was all “I must protect my people” where it could have been more personal stakes. Only a few members of the smallish Crow band get names, for instance. There is a similar lack-of-info problem with the bad queen, about whose motives I suspect more will be revealed in Book 2.

But overall this book was surprisingly good, complex, and challenging (given its YA bracketing) and I look forward to reading the next installment. I have grown incredibly fond of Fie, Prince Jasimir, and the Hawk Tavin!