Member Reviews
The Power of Mercy is a superhero novella. Mai Redstone is a Meta human living in Atlanta, teaching literature at a university, and having a double life as the shape-shifter superhero Mercy. When her uncle is murdered by a mysterious serial killer, Mai is tasked with discovering the identity of the killer. The beginning of the book is slow and confusing, since there isn't enough world-building. That is understandable considering it is a novella, but it still affected my enjoyment of the book. Unfortunately, the story doesn't get much better. Xóchitl Bentley appears out of nowhere and jumps into wanting a relationship with Mai. From what we can gather from Mai as the narrator, they barely even talked before the night in the bar. What we discover later makes one wonder about her real intentions in approaching Mai. There are many heavy themes in the book, which isn't a bad thing, but they seem to take over the story at some moments. Nonetheless, Zedde does a great job of dealing with these heavy parts. I wish there had been more of the superhero part, which wasn't the case. We get a glimpse of Mercy at the beginning and that is all. Sadly, the story didn't make me excited to keep reading. It's a 2.5 stars for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book in return for an honest review.
I will not be giving a full review of this book as I have not finished it. I could not read further than maybe the first 50 pages, which I find saddening, because the premise seemed very exciting and I genuinely wanted to like this book. But the writing style was just not for me and I just couldn't enjoy the book how I wanted to.
However, seeing as I have not read further, I find it not appropriate to give a full review.
This is a DNF for me. I was really intrigued by the concept, but I only got a few chapters in and the main character is hit on by her cousin. Like, they are actually related. I read on to confirm.
Couldn't get down with the book after that incesty moment, so no thanks from me, unfortunately.
Sapphic superheroes? I am sold.
The Power of Mercy is a gripping and exciting read which made me laugh, gasp and tear up. It’s filled with action, adventure, romance and a little mystery.
The pacing is good but the book did feel a little short and therefore rushed at times, but maybe that’s just me and my enthusiasm for female superheroes and their girlfriends.
I’m very excited for the next installment of the series, can’t wait!
Disclaimer: The ARC was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The ARC category in no way impacts the rating of the book.
I enjoyed this entry. It’s made me interested in the world created and the characters. Can’t wait for more
I recently delved into Fiona Zedde's "The Power of Mercy," an engaging tale blending elements of superhero drama, murder mystery, and magical realism. The protagonist, Mai Redstone, a perceived 'weaker' meta-human, unravels a gripping paradox of family disdain and hidden power as she ventures through her dual existence as Mercy, a night-crawling shapeshifter, to solve a family-linked murder. Zedde crafts an intricate realm set in the vibrant backdrop of Atlanta, where supernatural entities, or Metas, with diverse abilities coexist. The exploration of familial relationships and self-discovery is poignantly juxtaposed with thrilling elements of suspense and a dab of romance, all painted with Zedde's sensual and evocative writing style.
The initial unfolding of the book requires a touch of perseverance as the intricacies of the world-building are laid out in a manner that's more subtle than explicitly expositional. However, this approach cultivates a gradual immersion into the metahuman world, which soon proves rewarding, allowing readers to partake in the mystery and revelation of the characters' secrets and powers. Despite the darker, often disturbing events entwined within the narrative, the book maintains a delicate balance with hints of humor and the unfolding of sapphic relationships, woven seamlessly into the plot, adding depth to the protagonist's journey.
Zedde's narrative brings forth many emotions, inviting readers to delve deep into alienation, power, and authenticity themes. The multi-faceted nature of "The Power of Mercy" appeals to fans of superhero stories and those seeking an intricate mystery and well-developed characters. Although it touches on heavier themes, the book doesn't shy away from providing an entertaining read, coupled with Zedde's signature sensual overtones and compelling character descriptions. Overall, it's recommended for those willing to explore a layered, supernatural world intertwined with relatable human experiences. Thanks to NetGalley, Yiva Publishing, and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first superhero type novella and I liked it. The beginning took me a short time to get into it and understand the world, but once I got a grasp of it, the story flowed pretty well. Mai, our heroine, is a Meta that uses her power to save humans , much to the chargrin of her powerful Meta family members. She operates as the black sheep of the family, only maintaining the barest and necessary contact to keep herself sane and safe.
Mai, has suffered tremendously at the hands of her family members, which we hear about through flashbacks in the story. She also doesn't have any friends to speak of, or allies against the power her family holds. Thankfully, we do get to see some level of retribution for the FMC by the end of the book.
This is story contains Sapphic relationships and a HFN, and we do get to see Mai experience some vulnerability in a safe space. I figured out the part of the twist, but was happy to get the backstory to the murder mystery killer. At times in the story the FMC will discover things, leaving the reading clueless and hoping for a revelation at a not to future point.
In critique, I wish the world building was a little deeper to help the reader understand the societal structure a little better. I also would have liked if the things the uncle did, and her relationship with her mother was a bit clearer. There were some memories and dreams to paint the picture, but it would have been nice if more of that was explored to help us better understand Mercy's past, and present relationship with her family members. Also, the exact nature of her mother's power was not fully established. I would have liked to know more about the Enforcers as well. All in all, this was a novella, so it may have been difficult to get that much information into the story.
This was a enjoyable read even though it dealt with some heavy topics, and I would recommend to adults that enjoy superhero stories. I would definitely like to see other works by this author, and read the continuation of Mercy and her girl's story as they navigate their new life.
I rated this book 3.75⭐️
I have mixed feelings about this book. Is it a superhero book or a trauma book or a porno? I don't know. Honestly, it's not really my thing, but I wanted to read about lesbians so I read it anyway. It doesn't have a super strong plot and the "twists" are pretty obvious (at least in my opinion), but it was still pretty well written and the sex scenes were good, despite being kinda short and out of the blue.
If you're looking for an x-men esque, quick, easy, lesbian story with lots of random chemistry, this is the book for you. If you're looking for something that makes you think and feel alongside the characters, maybe look elsewhere. That being said, I didn't DNF this so that's a plus (mostly because it was short enough to whizz through).
"The Power of Mercy" is an enthralling and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of family, identity, and the choices we make in the face of moral dilemmas. With its compelling protagonist, unique superpowers, and a suspenseful murder mystery, this book offers a thrilling and emotionally resonant reading experience.
The story centers around Mai Redstone, a young woman with shape-shifting abilities that she initially perceives as inferior to her family's more dramatic powers. However, when she transforms into the enigmatic vigilante Mercy, she discovers newfound strength and a sense of invincibility. This transformation serves as a powerful metaphor for self-discovery and empowerment.
When a local politician is brutally murdered, and Mai's own uncle is revealed to be the victim, the narrative takes a gripping turn. Mai's conflicted feelings, fueled by her painful past with her uncle, create a compelling internal struggle. As she is reluctantly called upon to investigate the murder, the story explores themes of family loyalty and the blurred lines between justice and vengeance.
The character of Mercy is a captivating and multifaceted heroine, and readers will root for her as she grapples with her responsibilities as both a member of her family and a crime-fighting vigilante. Her journey is one of self-acceptance and learning to embrace her unique abilities.
The murder mystery aspect of the plot adds layers of intrigue and suspense, keeping readers engaged as they try to unravel the truth behind the crime. The author skillfully weaves together elements of the superhero genre with the classic whodunit, creating a narrative that is both dynamic and emotionally charged.
The ethical dilemmas presented in the story invite readers to ponder questions of justice, morality, and the consequences of one's actions. Mai's choices are relatable and thought-provoking, and they serve as a catalyst for introspection.
The pacing of the plot is well-executed, with a balance between action-packed sequences and moments of introspection. The author's writing style is engaging and vivid, immersing readers in the world of superpowers and crime-solving.
"The Power of Mercy" is not just a superhero story but a deeply human exploration of identity and the power of choice. It reminds us that even those with extraordinary abilities are not immune to the complexities of life and the moral challenges that come with them.
Overall, "The Power of Mercy" is a compelling and emotionally resonant novel that will appeal to fans of superhero fiction, mystery, and character-driven narratives. It offers a fresh take on the genre by blending elements of empowerment and moral introspection, making it a thought-provoking and immersive read.
would like to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this book
mercy redstone doesnt have the same powers as her family, she is considered weak compared to them and so she tries to get on with her life without them
but mercys uncle is murdered and she is tasked to identify his killer the only thing he has in common with the other victims is i'm sorry written on paper stuffed into his mouth and its not that difficult to find out why he was targeted
i found i really did enjoy reading this book, mercys interactions with her family and students were interesting to see though her family are a real piece of work
Another great addition to the Superheroine Collection (3.5 stars)
This is a really good mystery with plenty of suspense and some truly dark and surprising moments. Twists in the plot make it a well-crafted drama and whodunit set in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mai’s abilities as a shape-shifter are subtle compared to the rest of her kind, but so very effective when she assumes the superheroine identity of Mercy. Mai is only one of the wonderful characters in the story you’re bound to cheer for as you read. By contrast, her family are a loathsome bunch; if at some point I was ever supposed to like them or sympathize with them, well that never happened. Zedde’s writing is very sensual and evocative and not exclusively in sex scenes either. The language choices she makes are often so beautiful to read.
I appreciated the bits of humor in the story but there isn’t enough to offset the disturbing things that go on in the latter portion of the book; the turn the story takes is in a direction I only half guessed might occur and was still emotionally difficult to read. For that reason I would not recommend it to anyone who is faint of heart, but do recommend it to anyone who loves to read language used beautifully, loves a good dramatic mystery, and loves badass women with superhuman abilities.
I would have preferred an epilogue or to know a sequel or follow-up story was in the works for a chance to have some lingering questions answered or other issues in the plot resolved so the ending didn’t feel so abrupt. The book is part of the publisher’s Superheroine Collection of stories which also includes Shattered by Lee Winter, which I also recommend for its excellent story and use of language.
I would like to read more of Fiona Zedde’s works in the future to see what other stories she has to tell.