Was a fantastic book that i thoroughly recommend and will be buying as I need a trophy version lol. I enjoying the different dynamics at play between the main characters especially towards the end.

I genuinely loved this book more than I can say. The worldbuilding is incredibly rich. It's complex, immersive, and clearly built with care. From the lore to the political dynamics to the character motivations, everything felt intentional and well-crafted.

Yes, some parts of the story move slowly, but I expected that, considering this book is an epic fantasy. The pacing made sense in the context of the plot. The cliffhanger at the end, though? Absolutely cruel in the best way.

The romances in the story didn’t always land for me, but they’re subtle enough that it didn't truly bother me. Another thing that really stood out was how strong and complex the female characters were. None of them felt sidelined or weak. They carried their own power, and I enjoyed reading that.

Overall, this was an impressive book. The world, the lore, the characters—I was hooked throughout it. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next installment.

I give this 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 for the impressive worldbuilding.

4.75/5 stars! Wow! What an epic fantasy story by debut author Chance Dillon. I was blown away at how well developed the world was. It reminded me of Robert Jordan's descriptions and really drew me into the story. The pacing worked well and gained traction across the story. By the end, my heart was pounding and I was fully immersed in the set up for book 2. Anxiously awaiting book 2.

Mercy: Tears of the Fallen by Chance Dillon is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that blends intense action, deep character development, and a richly crafted fantasy world. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars, this book delivers a compelling narrative that keeps readers invested from start to finish, with only minor flaws holding it back from perfection. Dillon excels at weaving a tale of resilience and redemption. Their journey marked by heart-wrenching decisions and fierce determination. The pacing is brisk, balancing high-stakes battles with quieter, introspective moments that flesh out the characters’ motivations. The world-building is immersive, with vivid descriptions of landscapes and cultures that feel both fantastical and grounded.What sets this book apart is its emotional depth. Dillon doesn’t shy away from exploring themes of loss, sacrifice, and the cost of vengeance, making their struggles resonate on a personal level. The supporting cast is equally well-developed, each bringing unique perspectives that enrich the narrative. The dialogue is sharp and natural, adding authenticity to the relationships and conflicts.My only critique, which keeps it from a full 5 stars, is that certain plot threads feel slightly rushed toward the end, leaving a few questions unanswered. Additionally, some secondary characters could have benefited from more page time to fully realize their arcs. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise stellar read.Overall, Mercy: Tears of the Fallen is a must-read for fantasy fans who enjoy character-driven stories with high emotional stakes. Chance Dillon has crafted a memorable debut that leaves you eager for more. Highly recommended for its blend of action, heart, and world-building.

Mercy: Tears of the Fallen

The good:

Emotionally charged store with an interesting narrative that keeps the reader turning pages. The world building is immersive and doesn't take the reader out of the story.
This book has the emotional depth Marianas Trench. Chance Dillion has a way of writing that can make you feel any way.

The bad:

There isn't more of the book!

Mercy: Tears of the Fallen is a unique and creative story that differs from the typical fantasy setting. There are different and complex elements the author brings in, elevating the story. I appreciated the balance between the intense action scenes and quieter, reflective moments. The pacing during action-heavy sequences felt strong and kept me engaged. Additionally, some of the emotional moments, particularly flashbacks involving loss and sacrifice, were genuinely powerful and resonated well.

Where this book fell flat for me was the awkward and confusing sentence structuring as well as the choice of certain words throughout the book. Some of these word choices sometimes seemed to try too hard and was not necessary at all. Also, the dialogue did not feel natural at all, and was extremely awkward, even in a fantasy setting.

Mercy: Tears of the Fallen, an interesting premise. I liked the premise of this book, but found the weird grammar to be jarring and pulled me out of the story. I do think others will enjoy it, simply wasnt for me.

Extremely promising potential, but sadly there was too much going on. I am definitely an outlier reviewer here, so read others to see if this may be for you!
Dnf at 60%.

It took me until 40% until I felt I had some grasp on the plot and the characters. The magic system, politics, and numerous characters thrown at me was overwhelming and I say this as someone who loves high, epic fantasy with politics and complex characters.

<b>The rebellion failed, and the Reckoning came. The other Orders frowned on augmenting the body with the Sacred Runestones. Yet that was what the Bloünine did in order to grow stronger; to face the monsters they were sent to kill in Epochs past. Now they were rewarded with imprisonment, the other eight hunted like dogs, the same as Harglon.</b>

I think with some refinement, the author could create a great fantasy, however I think he tried to do to much all at once at the start.

Perhaps it is because I am coming off The Crimson Court which pulled it off better, but felt similar in certain aspects.

Arc gifted by author.

Such vivid world building has gone into this book! I can appreciate the imagination that it must have taken to come up with all of this.

I do love a fantasy book but unfortunately for me it was a little hard to get to grips with however, a lot of the words I didn’t understand so it was hard for me to get fully invested in the story.

I can absolutely guarantee people will love this book though, it just wasn’t scratching the right parts of my brain.
DNF around 57%

This started out really strong. The middle kinda dragged a little and the ending was great. I think the author tried to hard with his pros. If he just pulled back a little it would have been a top contender