Got an e-arc from netgalley and bindery books in exchange for a honest review.

The story of Vita's revenge starts slowly, but stick with it—the plot eventually falls into place, and the payoff is worth the wait.

While the tension is low until the final arc, this slow-burn approach works perfectly for Vita's compelling character development. The protagonist, a passive narrator for much of the story, patiently bides her time, making her eventual growth feel both organic and well-earned. I'm not that used to reading about this type of passive protagonists, so this was a nice change of pace.

The central f/f romance is sweet, though it did feel a bit underdeveloped. Vita's allies suffer this same fate but you'll find yourself genuinely rooting for them and hurting with them nonetheless.

In contrast, the antagonist fares better: His cruelty is disturbingly realistic and nuanced, avoiding cartoonish villainy and capturing the multi-faceted nature of abusers.

This solid antagonist along with the well-crafted worldbuilding is what I think ultimately made the narrative work, it provided a strong foundation for the complex political intrigue and warring factions that drive the latter halves of the plot, making it all feel very grounded.

(3.5 ⭐)

While I loved the setting and prose in this book I found the main character a bit too “perfect”, so it was hard to enjoy the story as a whole. Vita mastered politics, diplomacy, alchemy, history and strategy mostly by herself after enduring an isolated upbringing. Even before her mother’s death, Vita was portrayed as distracted at best rather than some sort of prodigy. I would have loved to see Vita rely on the other people in her life more rather than do everything herself! 2.5⭐️

Thank you Bindery Books and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.
I went into this fully expecting female rage, but found it a bit more tampered than I wanted it to be. For sure, the character buildup was well done and well paced, but more than assisting to the brutalities suffered by Vita I would have loved for her and Soline relationship to be more present - at some points their nights together spoke to me as a mean of blowing off steam rather than a deep love in the process of being built.
Also, the ending was too abrupt - I wish I could have seen at least an epilogue of a future story about The Merciless Queen or a snippet of Vita’s days as queen.
A fine book, especially writing wise, but it could have been so much more.

This would appeal to YA and Adult Fantasy readers. Those looking for a character encapsulating the idea of "female rage" will definitely find it here!

This book developed a little slowly, but when I really started getting into it I adored the plot and the writing style.
Rage and love combined into a beautiful narrative. I was so enthralled by Vita's character and her development.

(4.5⭐️) Crueler Mercies is a story of female rage, courtly politics, war, and sapphic love so run don’t walk to pick this up!! I am quite frankly obsessed.

The main character, Vita, is such a compelling anchor to this book and you walk with her patiently as she learns the horrors and joys of the world. I love a character who is soft and vengeful. In fact, all of the characters in this book exist in multitudes, and it was compelling to unpack the nuances of each one.

Overall, this book marches at a slower pace and the fantasy element is quiet (not bad things!), but the stakes are made clear and I was thoroughly invested throughout!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery Books for an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review!

Crueler Mercies was a dark fairytale with a nice slow-burn romance that I found to be sweet. From the beginning the author was able to portray Vita's situation and her mistreatment effectively. However, while continuing the book I found Vita to be contradictory. At some points she was very childish and naive, which I found understandable at the beginning since she was in isolation for 11 years from the age of nine. However, later in the book she was having thoughts about politics and had knowledge about the political state while she was still living with her father. This didn't seem realistic to me for a nine year old, whom I was under the impression was a kid that didn't take her schooling seriously, to be remembering any of this information, especially after 11 years in isolation.

Another problem I had was that I didn't find the main villain, the conquerer, to be all that scary. I actually just wasn't sure how I was supposed to feel about him. I also didn't understand the magic and alchemy system in the book. I feel that it was under used and could have been further explored.

The writing itself at times would read to me as choppy and hard to read through. I honestly was struggling to get through this book towards the end. It had good potential but I don't think it was executed well.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

A story that shimmers with notes of Ava Reid and Kiersten White, “Crueler Mercies” embodies many aspects of female rage & revenge and although there were aspects of the story I personally didn’t enjoy, author Maren Chase definitely delivers on the book’s enticing premise.

Vita’s story is alluring from the first page, the writing is propulsive and compelling, immediately drawing readers into the political world of the Carcan kingdom. The betrayal of Vita’s father is emotionally fraught and Vita’s distress was palpable through each chapter of her exile. Through each conflict that Vita faces, the author does a fantastic job of drawing out different elements of Vita’s emotions, leading to a character that is easy to empathize with, despite her role being fairly passive for a majority of the story.

Her character arc feels a bit weak at times, specifically in the way her character development feels stalled during each time skip period of the story, but her development in the final act of the story felt like a seamless and natural progression to the story, and served to give readers a satisfying and rewarding ending for Vita. Her romance with Soline was a tad underwhelming, the power imbalance between the two characters was never addressed, though I did enjoy the chemistry between the characters.

The overall plot was fairly well-written, if a bit simplistic in its various portions, but the world-building, specifically in the depth of political parties involved and the foresight of political maneuvering, was definitely the strongest part of the story. Each warring faction or political leader had strong, clearly defined motivations, there was never a point where it felt like these characters had to sink to Vita’s level in order for Vita to accomplish her goals. I wish there had been a deeper dive into the alchemical world building elements, it felt like such a sequestered element of the story, and didn’t always feel like a cohesive part of the plot.

My biggest critique of the story is in how the politics surrounding Vita’s revenge plot lacked intersectionality, I feel like female rage stories are overwhelming written to cater to a White Woman audience, and “Crueler Mercies” was certainly no different.

Otherwise, I had a fairly enjoyable experience reading this book, and I would be mildly curious to see what the author writes next.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved seeing the character growth of Vita and how she was written. Her interactions with every character in the story felt so meaningful and every interaction showed to be significant in the end. The ending was incredible. The ending was not at all how I expected it. I would not change anything about this book. Amazing. Very good writing and storytelling

I enjoyed this story, but I had trouble connecting to Vita's character development. She really goes through so much trauma throughout her life so it makes perfect sense it would transform her, but at times I had a hard time believing in the transformation. The use of alchemy in the book didn't feel super connected and I could have used more crow. The romantic plot line was lovely though and kept me reading.

I loved the characters and the vibe.
Sapphic and female rage combination.
I couldn't put it down.

I found this quite slow going to start with. It took quite a bit to get into it and I would say I found the last quarter of the book really keeping my attention. I thought it would be a bit more action and less prosy. Until the last quarter approximately as I have said. It made up for the rest of the story. I enjoyed the book mostly it was just not quite what I had expected.

First thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me an advanced reader copy of Crueler Mercies by Maren Chase.

This book was a bit slower for me to get into, as someone who can’t visualize things in my head the writing style was hard to adjust to, and I think would have been better for me to listen to than read, so with that in mind, I rounded up to a 4/5 star rating.

Vita was an interesting character to see develop, but what I enjoyed most was all her interactions with Soline. They provided such a perfect balance to one another, and you could see the tenuous relationship growing to friendship and then that friendship growing to more, a true definition of a slow burn.

If you are interested in a political fantasy book that has superb character development, an interesting alchemical/magic component, politics, and a moments that leave you begging for more, I’d recommend picking up this book!

Crueler Mercies absolutely lives up to its name because from page 1 the reader is introduced to one cruel act after another, right through the very end. Vita watches her mother be executed by her father as a young child and then is immediately taken away to live in isolation. Her only family are crows that she befriends throughout her period of being locked up. Once the city she's being held at is conquered, she is forced to become the bride of General so that his claim to her homeland is stronger. However, it is quickly apparent that he is ruthless and hungry for bloodshed and violence. Vita must learn how to navigate this new world thrust upon her while also learning how to live.

I absolutely loved the world that Chase created. The atmosphere of the book is very reminiscent of an Ava Reid book. The amount of politics and plotting was a lovely surprise. I often feel that these areas are neglected for larger action scenes. I thought Vita was a brilliant main character and that her growth throughout the book felt believable and not just a way to move the plot along. Her quest for vengeance and rage against what has happened to her was so fun to read, and I loved her found family that went along with all her plotting. I love when women outsmart those in power, and this absolutely delivered.

The only area I wished we had more of was actually the magic system. I didn't feel that the alchemy was very fleshed out, nor as present as I would have expected.

If you like a fierce main character, a book that doesn't shy away from cruelty, and political maneuvering, then this one will be for you!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love a good sapphic subplot along with a generous helping of feminine rage. The politics! The character development! This was really good, especially for a debut novel. I had a blast reading this and I am excited to see what the author puts out next!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Who are you, Maren Chase, and how is your debut novel the best political fantasy book I’ve ever read???

Crueler Mercies was a masterclass in the genre from start to finish. It has impeccable build-up of tension, incredible payoffs, and amazing characters. I’m usually a big yapper in reviews, but I don’t even know what to say about this book other than, “Wow.”

I initially had reservations since the book starts with Vita as a nine-year-old—I was worried it would turn out to be YA. But no! Vita spends over a decade in captivity and is a full-fledged adult by the time the book kicks off. And it shows—Vita’s has a sharp mind and a gift for strategy, even if she’s understandably awkward after so many years in isolation. I loved her as a protagonist, and found her characterization incredibly astute.

Rapid-fire things I loved about the book:
- The book includes a map that’s ANNOTATED—like a character took notes on it—and it’s spoiler-free!
- The character growth! And how realistic their portrayal is.
- The political intrigue is lifelike and utterly fascinating.
- The feminist themes are thoughtful and nuanced—nothing is dumbed down for readers.
- The magical elements are so understated they’re barely there (yes, this is a pro. Trust me!).
- The romance is a true slow burn, with the love interest showing up much later in the story, after the scene has been thoroughly set.
- The "villains" aren’t Disney caricatures—they have clear motivations and believable goals.
- The narration doesn’t shy away from cruelty, ugliness or gore, but it presents it plainly and never glamorizes it.
- I was gutted by some of the events in the book. I actually whisper-screamed "NO!" out loud at one point. This book had me in a chokehold the whole time!


Things I didn’t like about the book:
- crickets.

I’m now on my knees begging for more from this author. I will consider selling everything I own for their next book. Please feed me mother.

As soon as I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I would love it. I have been struggling with a short reading attention span lately but as soon as I started this book I truly could not put it down; I finished it within two days!

Vita was such a gripping main character and I enjoyed seeing her grow throughout the book as she comes to realize what she is capable of. Maren Chase has such a way with words that had me constantly highlighting sentences which moved me. The writing style had me feeling Vita’s anger, sadness, and hope alongside her. The way Vita’s father and Ardaric were depicted made me truly hate them and root for Vita to be their downfall. On a different note, the romance between Vita and Soline was lovely and heartfelt, and I wished for nothing more than for them to get their revenge and be happy. Vita’s friendship with the crows was also so endearing. There was a dark tone present throughout the book, but the sweet moments really shone through.

My only minor gripe is that I wish there was more alchemy within the story. Ultimately, I think it was used in a satisfactory way, but it would have been nice to uncover more about its mysteries and the different ways it could be used.

Overall, I think this is a satisfying revenge story with a sprinkle of magic. I am eager to see what Maren Chase writes in the future.

I didn't really have much expectations going into this, which worked out in my favor because this was really good.

The story was much more gruesome than I anticipated, with the sheer amount of brutal descriptions and cruel acts committed by Ardaric, the enemy general who sieged the fortress Vita was imprisoned in. This, and the fact Vita is said to be about twenty or so, clued me in I was reading something closer than new adult rather than YA, but it was a welcome surprise. If anything, the mature tone, the heavy political discussions, and gentle yet melancholic prose were a much needed change of pace from what I've been reading late.

Additionally, Vita is such an amazing protagonist. She spends over a decade of her life isolated, neglected, and traumatized from witnessing her mom's execution, so she's rightfully afraid and ignorant of the state of her world when the plot kicks in. But her intelligence and desire for revenge drive her to become a cunning strategist that leads to such a satisfying conclusion; her arc was written so masterfully. Plus, her romance with Soline is so damn sweet. Just two girls who wanna murder the same guy and fall in love while doing so. Good for them.

The only thing I found lacking was the alchemy/magic. There are explanations given to why it isn't as accessible and easy for the girls to do, but I do wish Chase gave a little more leeway from them to explore it more because it's utilized so loosely throughout the story. I find it weird to criticize a fantasy for not using enough magic, when it's far too common to see it used too much, but I really think this story would have benefitted more if it was more present.

All in all, this was still a great book. Although the story ending on what could be a satisfying conclusion, I am curious to see if Chase would take this further in a sequel, to possible expand upon the worldbuilding and magic. If so, I definitely will be waiting for it eagerly.

I didn’t know this book would be exactly what I needed until I started reading it and was immediately HOOKED. An equally heartbreaking and beautiful story about feminine rage, being taken from your birth right and the struggle to stand up for yourself when the world constantly knocks you down, and a fantastic lesbian romance to tie it all together!

Watching our main character, Vita, realise she cannot sit idly by after being locked away for so many years, watching her evolve into a strong, independent woman who refuses to let anyone —especially her future groom — dominate her is truly empowering.

Vita no longer wishes to be a pawn in their war, she will stop at nothing to reclaim her rightful place within the world with the person she loves beside her.

I truly recommend this book to anyone who, like me, longs for more beautifully written lesbian fantasy stories that will leave you wanting more of their story when the book is over.

5/5⭐️

This was incredible! I heard this was for fans of Samatha Shannon and Ava Reid, and that is 1000% correct! I can’t wait to read more from Ms. Chase!! I am a SUCKER for books with sapphic love and feminine rage. Even more so for a good revenge story. I’ve read all but one of the inaugural Bindery publications, and this is so far (in my opinion) the STRONGEST addition to their repertoire.

I haven’t read something that captured my attention fully like this in a long time: the feminine rage, the revenge, the magic, the characters and their arcs. I almost read this in one sitting and the fact that I didn’t is nothing to do with the book and everything to do with my other responsibilities (ew).

Vita is a princess who was forced to watch her mother beheaded by command of her father, the king. He then exiles her keeping her in solitude for 11 years before she is liberated by a man who gives her the choice between death or to become his bride in hopes of conquering her father’s land and becoming the new king. Out of survival, she chooses the latter. Thus begins a high paced plot of war, bloody and gruesome fights, dirty politics, forbidden love, feminine rage, and birds.

I LOVED Vita. A lot of the characters you fall easily in love with, but Vita’s character arc throughout the book was done with such care and ended up being phenomenal. You end up rooting so hard for her.

The antagonists were easily hateable. The writing style was so immersible. I forgot I was reading the whole time as I was easily sucked into the world and story. The world building was incredible! And at no point did the story lull or did I find myself bored.

This was incredible in every sense of the word and my first 5 star read of the year! I need everyone to preorder this NOW!!

Thank you NetGalley, Bindery, and Fantasy & Frens for this ARC!!

DNF at 56%

I enjoyed the writing style, the slow burn romance between Vita and Soline, as well as the found family aspect which was so sweet. I ended up dnfing the book due to the animal death which could be difficult for some people to read.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc