Fiction based on real events, especially those that took place in the distant past or where those events were not widely documented, can be tricky to write in ways that feel authentic. A large number of individuals were involved in the events, making all of them distinctive without overwhelming the reader, can also become an issue. I approached this story from a perspective of knowing nothing about the events described, but also intrigued to see how a group of women from a close-knit community would come together following the loss of their menfolk and how that solidarity would come to threaten those within the wider population.

Maren is the first of the characters we meet, and we instantly gain an insight into her personality through her feelings of empathy for a beached whale, even as she recognises that its life cannot be saved and that its carcass will provide much needed resources for her family and their neighbours. The whale comes to represent a warning of what is to come. When the men of Vardø set out to fish, all are overcome by the forces of nature as a freak storm overturns and destroys their boats.

Initially, the women rally together to retrieve the bodies of the men and set about ensuring that all families are equipped to survive the coming winter. Maren’s sister-in-law, Diinna, is an outsider, one of the nomadic Sámi people, who still follow the old religion and provide protective rituals and charms to the townsfolk. This leads to the first source of friction in the village, as most of the men are prepared for burial under Christian rites, while a few are prepared according to Diina’s instructions. Meanwhile, one of the other widows, Kirsten, emerges as a leader for the group, taking on male roles and clothing and encouraging the others to do the former, if not the latter.

Kirsten’s assumed leadership splits the group, with some of the women denouncing her as unnatural and un-Christian, while others, like Maren, take to the roles they have been forced into while still mourning those they have lost. As news of the events reaches the men in power, it is decided to impose new, male leaders on the community: a new Pastor, who arrives first, followed by two Scots, a Lennsman to rule over the area and assisted by Absalom Cornet, who has successfully apprehended witches and brought them to trial in Edinburgh.

On his way north through Norway, Absalom seeks out a wife, Ursula, the daughter of a merchant. Although Ursa finds life in Vardø difficult at first, she is able to seek help and instruction from Maren. As the two young women become close, Absalom begins to act on accusations of witchcraft levelled against Diina, Kirsten, and some of the other women. As the accused flee or are arrested, Maren and Ursa have to decide which of their own actions are likely to place them equally in danger and whether there is any way that they can save Maren’s friends without causing further trouble for themselves.

I enjoyed this book. At times the language felt a little too overblown and not necessarily in keeping with the harshness of the circumstances that the women found themselves in. I would, however, like to learn more about the historical events that the story was based on.

The story is set on a small Norwegian island, in the town of Verdø in the winter of 1617. Forty men go out on fishing boats but when an unexpected storm hits the boats they are all killed. The Island is virtually left without any men, so the women have to take on tasks they haven't done before. Maren's father, brother and the man she was to marry all perished and so it falls on her to take care of the family that is left, her mother, sister-in-law and baby. Planning and preparing were essential if they were to survive.
When Absalom Cornet, a Scottish commissioner and his wife Ursa arrived to take charge of the Island the story takes an even darker path. Absalom had risen through the ranks quickly because of his unwavering results and acts of cruelty in outing those thought to delve into witchcraft. His wife was totally unaware of his 'sideline' and reputation.
There is an unlikely friendship that comes about between Maren and Ursa as she teaches the new arrival how to bake, literally make beds and sew. Ursa's family were wealthy people so she hadn't any skills, everything had always been done for her. Absalom isn't long before he finds his target to blame the men's' deaths on and what follows is sickening.
The Island that had been a community became a pack of frenzied frightened women. Ursa's innocence to what and who her husband really was makes her a stronger character. At times I found the story hard to read, not only is it a true story, the author just brings these women to life. I felt broken and so very emotional. This is such a powerful story. A huge must-read.
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly

I've been waiting for this book for so long, it feels, ever since the Bookseller announcement. What a lyrical, mesmerising gothic joy of a read.

The Mercies is inspired by the real events of the Vardo Storm and the 1621 Witch Trials on the Norwegian Island of Vardo. This was so beautifully written and kept me needing more which meant I read this book very quickly! I would love to read more from this author and I can say you should definitely read it if you like your Historical Fiction.

I adored reading this beauty of a book! Kirans words draw the reader immediately into the story and the setting. I could feel the icy winds and the cold water. The story made me angry and I still think about it, after having read it a few months ago.
A definitive MUST-READ!

I'm a sucker for a beautiful cover, and this one is gorgeous. And the content is fabulous too. I've heard great things about it, and I'd like to add my voice to that chorus.

Kiran Millwood-Hargrave is an absolute talent. I love her children's novels, most particularly her debut 'The Girl of Ink and Stars'. To read Kiran's prose is to hear poetry, if that's not too overblown! And so I was delighted to read her first adult novel. Inspired by the real events of the Vardø storm and the 1621 witch trials, The Mercies is a story of love, evil, and obsession, set at the edge of civilization.

This is a deeply rich historical novel, immersive and detailed, with clothes, food and architectural descriptions that feel authentic and well-researched, as well as an extremely strong sense of place. Vardø itself is almost a character in this novel; you feel the biting chill of the wind, the crack of the opening storm (a 'finger snap').

Ultimately, The Mercies deals with women’s rights and what women should and shouldn’t be allowed to do - a topic that feels current and contemporary, despite the 17th-century setting. Wonderful.

A compelling story that had me completely enthralled. I loved the setting and the descriptions were wonderful. Brilliant storytelling. Loved it.

DNF - completely different to her other book The Deathless Girls which I ADORED. This one felt very slow and stuck compared to her other book. It didn't inspire me to keep reading at all and I hate to DNF books but I just couldn't do it.

I'm giving it two stars because at least it was well written, it just wasn't holding my attention.

The last line of the blurb really hooked me for this one: "Inspired by the real events of the Vardø storm and the 1620 witch trials, The Mercies is a feminist story of love, evil, and obsession, set at the edge of civilization." And it fully delivers on what it advertised.

Vardø is claustrophobicly small - especially after a tragic storm kills most of the village's men folk - and tensions only rise when outside powers arrive. Surrounded by giant, nearly mythic environs, this is a very ... at the risk of repeating myself ... claustrophobic story. These women are trapped, by the environment, by religion and culture, by marriage and cultural expectation.

The love story is telegraphed very early on, but concludes compellinging. Ursa and Absalom's marriage - mostly Absalom - is confusing and I'm not entirely convinced he is sucessfully expressed. I think the author was trying not to write a one note villain, but instead he has a bunch of notes that don't add up to a tune. At least, not for me.

A part of me would rather have read Kirsten's story here than Maren's or Ursa's. For me, Maren and Ursa were stand-ins for a lot of other female characters in historical fiction. And Sarah Water's has already wrtten them in more compelling ways. But, Kirsten, she was a character I wanted more time with and perhaps found most relatable - but then again, maybe that's the point - maybe that is why what happens to her happens to her. A woman not of her time and she suffered the consequences of it.

This was a heartrending read and thoughtfully researched. I really enjoyed it - as much as you can enjoy reading the brutal history covered in these pages.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the arc to review.

In 1617, off the coast of Vardo in Norway, a terrible storm killed over 40 men in mere minutes, leaving the women to fend for themselves. In this story, Maren is helping to keep her family alive when Commissioner Cornet arrives on the island to do the work of 'god' - aka identify witches - and brings with him in young wife Ursa. Maren and Ursa befriend each other as Ursa's husband begins to sow terror and discord among the island.

I was really excited about this book and then when I marked it to read, I felt a bit nervous because I realised I had read another book by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (The Deathless Girls) and felt disappointed by it. So I was afraid it might have been an issue with me not gelling with her writing, and that I may not enjoy this one as much. But I'm glad to say I was wrong, and I really enjoyed this.

I didn't know anything about the witch trials in Norway but I definitely want to read more books set in this time as I found Scandinavian way of life portrayed in this book utterly fascinating. Vardo really comes to life in this book, and the way women have to work so hard to just survive there - with and without their men. A portion of this book is consumed in grief due to the story and Maren losing not only her brother and father, but also her betrothed and her future independent life away from her mother. That grief comes in dirty bodies, and greasy hair and it's very present and oily in the story, and I really think it was done very well.

Ursa's arrival in her yellow dress definitely broke Maren's story up between her grief and her healing. A bit of something new to lift Maren's spirits though in the end Ursa's husband is anything but good news.

I liked Ursa as a character though I feel at times we got more from Maren. Ursa always felt a little bit like a puppet, reacting to those around her in a delayed manner rather than choosing to lead a conversation. The relationship between the women is a sweet one, and while I would have liked more tender moments between them to build up their romance organically rather than just being told they liked each other, I still liked their relationship.

This book honestly makes me hate men, and also religion, but mostly men and their fear of independent women. There were moments when reading this that I wanted to scream in fury at other women like Toril who like to tear down other women just because, to men like Cunningham and Cornet who just love to see a woman on her knees.

I definitely recommend this book. It is not the happiest read but the atmosphere and the sense of place is wonderful. I'd highly recommend looking up pictures of Vardo as well while you read to get a feel for what the island really looks like and imagine what it looks like in the 17th century.

Perfect for fans of Burial Rites by Hannah Kent!

My favourite of all Kiran’s books so far and I’m a big fan of her children’s books. This was mesmerising, beautiful and heartbreaking. It is wild that this author has written children’s, YA and now adult fiction in the space of four years with such fierce talent and compassion.

When the majority of the men on the island of Vardø have been killed by a storm, it is up to the women to take charge – but at what cost?

I always forget that historical novels usually take me a while to get into. The Mercies was no exception; although the world is beautifully described by Karen Millwood Hargrave, I found it quite slow and hard going until the appearance of Ursa, and then I started to get into it properly. I appreciated the world-building and hadn’t actually realised it was based on true events until the end of the book. The village and the characters we meet are well-drawn and detailed. The writing is poetic and really created the cold atmosphere of the village. I enjoyed the characters of Ursa and Maren and I liked how the book switched perspectives but only at key moments, not necessarily all of the time to draw me in.

However, I was a little disappointed by the plotting. I’ve read very similar witch-hunting type books before and I hadn’t realised that was what this book would turn into. It became almost two dimensional and a little cliched when the plot began to twist towards the more ‘Salem’ aspects. I didn’t really find any satisfaction in the ending, which I understand may have been the point they were making but as the book had been so slow to build up your relationships with the characters, it felt like a waste of the rest of the book up to that point.

Overall, The Mercies was perhaps not for me, beautifully written but slow and hard-going, with a plot that felt a little too familiar to other novels in the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan – Picador for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A deeply rich historical novel set in the seventeenth century Norway. This was so immersive and detailed, and it really felt like I was living on this isolated island. I'm blown away by the amount of detail this must have taken. Kiran's writing is like rich cream.

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for am honest review. I liked the writing and there was a constant tremor running underneath the narrative which relates to witch trials in Norway in the 17th century. A fictional narrative based on fact. However overall it was utterly depressing and OH WHY OH WHY does it have to turn to a lesbian relationship at the end. I understand the need to represent all walks of life BUT it was unnecessary in this case as in many other modern fiction it feels thrown in to tick another box. Not an author i would look for more from or a genre to search for again but at the same time not an awful book.

Beautifully put together and both the characters and plot have a natural flow to it.
Highly recommended read
Thank you to both NetGalley and publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review

A brilliant and important book.

This is the only book I have ever given five stars to. It is a beautifully written and powerful story, rich in detail of time and place, but meaningful for all time. It has a well-paced narrative and shows an insight into the darkness of human nature and the redemption of love that is profound and moving.

It begins with a nightmare and a storm. The novel is based on fact – in the remote Norwegian island of Varda in 1617 a fierce storm blew up which took the lives of the entire male population. In the harsh living conditions, the women are forced to take on previously male occupations of fishing, herding, butchery and building, as well as their own traditional tasks, in order to survive. All but a few bigoted church goers support this and the women become empowered by it.

In 1618 King Christian of Denmark introduced a series of anti-witchcraft laws based on those of King James of England. He sends two Scots men – Absalom Cornet and John Cunningham to the region to take charge and bring the “ungodly” women to heel.

Maren, the main character of the book, assumes male tasks with others and feels empowered by it. She witnesses the prejudice of the locals against the few Sami in the village, one of whom, Diinna, is her recently widowed sister in law.

Absalom arrives to take charge and brings his young wife, Ursa, with him. She and Maren form a close and loving friendship.

Through the eyes of the two young women we see how the men in power seek to control or destroy independent women. Hysterical and superstitious themselves, Absalom and Cunningham instigate a witchhunt and soon the whole village is cowed, as friends and neighbours turn on each other and a terrible vengeance is wreaked on those who dare resist.

The characters in the book are strong and well-drawn, the tension of the narrative builds surely and inexorably to its climax and the descriptive passages are lyrical and quite beautiful. This is a compelling story and it is stunningly well written. In charting so accurately the relentless course of the witchhunt and the Pandora’s box it rips open, Kiran Millwood Hargrave makes us see the human consequences of hatred and prejudice. In writing a particular history, with her great skill, she has written a story for all time.

I urge you to read it.

Melanie

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

Millwood-Hargrave has been one of my favourites for a long time and she has again done a wonderful job with this novel.

After the book finishes she says -

‘This story is about people, and how they lived; before why and how they died became what defined them.’ – Historical note.

And this was one of the things I loved the most about it. You're entirely immersed into the lives of these women within this remote Norwegian setting. It is just complete transportation to another time and place.

Also the nature and numbers of the witch trials were disturbing and telling. It's a tragedy to think of these poor falsely accused women, who commited the sin of being independant, free-spirited and having a mind of their own.

The Mercies is nothing short of brilliant and I loved every word of it.

I really enjoyed this first adult offering from acclaimed MG author Kiran Millwood Hargrave. I have always enjoyed reading historical fiction based in remote communities, especially those like The Mercies that are based on true historical events.

The Mercies tells the story of the women of the Norwegian island of Vardo who are left to fend for themselves after a Christmas Eve storm drowns the majority of their male population. The following accusations of witchcraft and unnaturalness that are targeted to these practical and resourceful women were common of the time, but the author does not shy away from the resulting horror and impact that these had.

In a time where patriarchial control of women is in the spotlight of our society, this book will leave you wondering how far we actually have come in the last few hundred years when it comes to women actually having their voices heard above the clamour of hearsay and rumours?

Kiran Millwood Hargrave has an incredible way with words, and The Mercies is beautifully written. Taking inspiration from a real life event, It is however quite a dark story, and that is cleverly mirrored in the writing.