Oof, the reviews for this are rough, but I loved it! I will say, it's a bit on the dense and complex side so I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for those new to the fantasy genre. And it's worth saying that while this is quite steamy, it is NOT romantasy. The Mercy Makers is a queer fantasy novel with strong political and religious elements, court intrigue, a complex magic system interwoven with the religion, and the aforementioned high steam. (perhaps not in terms of frequency, but certainly in terms of spiciness!)

The main character is the daughter of a crime lord who experiments with forbidden magic that involves altering the human body, something considered apostasy. But when her father is caught and executed, the very attractive princess of the empire takes her a sort of handmaiden. Also her brother the ruler is pretty hot too. And so is his foreign-born intended bride. Basically there is a whole lot of sexual tension to go around, but also there are plots and rebellions, betrayals and dangerous secrets. It was fantastic and I really hope this gets into the hands of the right people! I adore Tessa Gratton's writing. The audio narration is also fantastic, though some readers might need the book to follow along with the level of detail involved. I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ALC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

DNF at 19%/page 106

Yeah, no, this book is unreadable.

I seriously have never seen such an atrocious world building and magic system set up. This book is so wordy for absolute no reason and not in a setting the atmosphere way, more like a let me just write words that serve no point.

Let's break it down:
World building - All done with paragraphs and paragraphs of info dump, be it by the beginning of the chapter where the author just decides to start with a huge amount of lore dropped; by having the main character going on these tangents in her own mind which once again are just info dumps; and lastly we can also just have info dumps on the dialogue. If you are just going to make this world so "complicated," you have to have pages and pages of dumping information on your reader, maybe you should simplify it a little bit.

Magic system - So confusing, what even is the point. It's like architecture of faces, and you build maks, but there is clearly some magic because she could feel things in the air. There is also gods and religion and heresy and what wven is going on. Incredibly confusing and not well explained and established.

One hundred pages in and barely anything happened, just introducing a stupid long list of characters and establishing them by you guess it info dumps.

Anyways I tried (shout out to the audiobook, made it so much more bearable) but I'm not going to waist my time with this.

The worldbuilding and magic system in The Mercy Makers are genuinely compelling, with an inventive balance-based magic and evocative religious imagery that lend the story both originality and weight. Yet what stood out to me the most were the dynamics between the characters, especially as they're forced to make impossible, often terrible, choices.
Iriset is used to not taking credit for her abilities, but that doesn’t stop her from being overconfident, even hubristic, nor does it stop a certain tendency to try and have everything, every lover every power every right belief, and have it her way too. I really enjoyed her character, she was strong and focused, she's a true driving force in the narrative. Her clashes with other powerful figures, like her scheming new employer, were especially compelling, and the narrator did an excellent job bringing their conversations to life.
That said, I have to admit I only ended up enjoying this book because I’m a bit stubborn and refused to DNF it. The beginning is very difficult to get into, even for a fantasy reader like me. While the slow start does eventually pay off by giving depth to the world and weight to the story’s later developments, it honestly felt like a slog until about the 40% mark. The narrative’s early chapters are packed with moving parts and a general lack of focus, which made it hard to connect with Iriset or care much about her father and lover, which I quickly stopped caring about once she enters the palace.
The second half of the book, once the cast of characters and plot threads become somewhat restricted, is where the emotional stakes truly shine. The story gains focus and becomes far more engaging, I ended up very invested by the end.
It’s hard to rate this book because of this uneven pacing, but I can say that by the final chapters, I was fully hooked. Still, I would caution that this is not a book for casual readers, it demands patience and close attention, but it does reward both.

The world, the religion, and the magic were all fascinating and there was so much detail and care poured into the crafting of it. Unfortunately for me the world-building was all that kept me moving through the story because the plot and the characters never really hooked me. It definitely felt like the plot and the characters were there to show off the world instead of the world-building supporting the plot. And I feel like it takes a very specific reader to appreciate that. Which wasn’t me.

I struggled to understand any of the characters’ motivations beyond Iriset’s desire to free her father (and even that motivation didn’t follow through the whole book). And that made all of the different deaths lack any emotional resonance for me.

Even though the plot fell short for me, Emily Lawrence’s narration is what kept me engaged—her performance was masterfully done. Thank you to Orbit for the review copy of the audiobook.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded up to 4)

Iriset, the daughter of a notorious crime boss, has been honing her talent in an illegal type of Magic that mimics human design to create disguises for her father’s business. When her father and his retinue are captured Iriset must decide to save her dad, follow love or destroy the entire corrupt system from the inside.

•••

The Mercy Makers is an impressive display of the authors mind as it explores a unique world with graphic detail and excellent continuity.

For me at times the detail was a little overwhelming, theres not a lot of detail I can still remember because it simply doesn’t all fit in my brain.

On the surface this is a story family, love, betrayal and forbidden magic but really its commentary on humanity and oppression.

The running dialogue about gender expression and ideology was so fascinating, I think this book shows how easy the acceptance of neopronouns can be made in everyday life if people are just willing.

The MC Iriset/Silk took us on quite the journey. She is morally grey and while sometimes this took a toll on her psyche, she secretly relished the idea of out smarting everyone and letting them underestimate her because of their own prejudices.

I am surprised how much empathy I had for Lyric. He was lawfully good, believed himself to be good and righteous but when the society and religion you obey is morally corrupt what type of impact does that have on your soul?

The betrayal at the end, which we all know is going to happen, hurt so bad.

•••

I am really impressed with the audio performance by Emily Lawrence. She has such a clear, emotive voice that made it easy for me to dissolve into the story. The story is really long and detail heavy so even though I was really happy with the audio production, I think hearing a secondary voice even once or twice could have just improved the overall experience.


Thankyou so much for the opportunity to experience this Audio production.

It pains me to say this, but this one's a DNF, I made to about 15% before I called it quits. The first few chapters just dump so much information on you in a very short amount of time, and my brain is just not good enough to remember all of that, so I was mainly just really confused and didn't understand what was going on. I really liked the world-building and the fact that it seems to be set in a society that has a very fluid conception of gender should've made me love this. I'm pretty sure I will revisit this once I have access to the print version and can take notes on everything so I don't get as confused.
I'm giving it 3 stars, cause I really think the issue here is more with me than the book, the audiobook production is great, the narrator is great, the story also seems like it could be really interesting, but my brain just cannot handle this right now.

I’ll start by saying this book is not for everyone. There is some complex world-building and a magic system inspired by math and architecture. As one who is not very mathematically inclined, it took some getting used to.

That being said, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I’ve not read a book like this one before. It was unique and unlike other fantasy books I’ve read, I wasn't able to guess where the story was going. Like the writing style and worldbuilding, it took me some time to warm up to the characters but by the end, I was cheering on Iriset as she plotted and schemed to take down the empire. I will definitely be picking up the next book.

The narrator did a fantastic job and made it a bit easier for me to get into the story. I requested the audiobook because I was struggling with the e-book.

Unfortunately, The Mercy Makers by Tessa Gratton did not live up to its promise, either in story or in execution—particularly in audiobook format. Despite a compelling premise rooted in myth and moral complexity, the book quickly becomes bogged down by overwrought prose, confusing world-building, and sluggish pacing that makes the already-long runtime feel endless.

The plot struggles to find momentum, weighed down by dense exposition and philosophical musings that often feel more like lectures than storytelling. While Gratton is clearly a talented writer with an ambitious vision, the characters feel distant and overly abstract—more like archetypes than real people—which makes it difficult to connect emotionally or care about what’s at stake.

The audiobook narration, instead of elevating the material, adds to the disconnect. The narrator’s tone is flat and monotonous, making it hard to stay engaged—especially during already slow-moving sections. Voice variation is minimal, and the pacing often feels mismatched to the tension of the scenes, dulling moments that should have been gripping or emotionally charged.

For fans of dense, lyrical fantasy, this might be a better experience in print, where you can reread and absorb at your own pace. But as an audiobook, The Mercy Makers is a frustrating, confusing, and ultimately disappointing listen.

Not recommended unless you're a die-hard fan of Gratton's previous work—or exceptionally patient.

I will say that this book is a lot. There’s a lot of world building, and as someone who started to read a physical copy, it’s very prose-y. I struggled with reading it visually, but the audiobook helped immensely. It made it much more enjoyable!

This review is based on the audio narration only. I was not a fan of the cadence nor the tone. I think that is a reflection of my taste more than the narrators ability. It was hard for me to focus on the content based on the delivery. This audio did not work for me.

I rarely DNF a book, especially when I’m lucky enough to receive an ARC, but I just couldn’t make it through this one. The writing style felt incredibly bulky and dense, making it a real struggle to stay engaged. I appreciate the effort at trans inclusion, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t work for me and felt awkward rather than authentic.

Right from the start, I struggled with the stylistic voice. The language is so.... honestly, the best word is "clunky." It made reading feel like a chore rather than an escape. I kept hoping I would settle into the narrative, but the prose never became any less cumbersome. Instead of being swept up in the story, I found myself constantly re-listening to sentences (audiobook format), trying to parse meaning from passages that felt needlessly complicated and heavy. It really dragged down the pacing and made it hard to connect with the characters or the world.

I do want to acknowledge the attempt at trans inclusion, which I appreciate in theory. Diverse representation is so important, and I’m always glad to see authors making space for more voices and experiences. Unfortunately, because of the writing style, I couldn't stay engaged long enough to give them a fair shake. As a result, they didn’t feel fully realized, and I didn't connect with any of them.

Looking back, I realized I had a similar experience with another ARC by this author, which I also didn’t enjoy for many of the same reasons—mainly the writing style and the lack of connection to the characters. I think it’s safe to say that this author’s voice just isn’t for me, and I’ll be more mindful about requesting future titles.

Overall, I’m really disappointed. I wanted to love this book and support its message, but I simply couldn’t get through it. If you’re someone who enjoys dense, poetic prose and don’t mind working hard to get to the heart of a story, you might have a different experience. But for me, *The Mercy Makers* was a miss, and I won’t be picking up any more books by this author.

This book starts off kind of slow because there is so much detail but in the end it was fantastic. The book had twists and turns that you saw coming and didn’t see coming. The ending was masterful. I am hooked and need to know what happens next.the narrator did a great job and the voice acting was top notch. This series is starting off with a bang.

2 stars? 2.5 stars?

First, I have to say: the audiobook itself was phenomenal! Emily Lawrence's (the narrator) voice fit the tone of the world perfectly—sultry, smooth, and atmospheric. I’m always fascinated by how narrators can shift their voices to embody different characters, and this one absolutely nailed it! It was genuinely impressive how distinct and emotionally resonant the performance was. Honestly, I think the audiobook is the reason I made it through. I can’t imagine this would have been nearly as engaging to read physically.

Buuut I have complicated feelings about the book as a whole. I almost gave up around the 10% mark. If this hadn’t been an ARC and an audiobook (which definitely helped), I probably would’ve dnfed. The writing is dense, especially in the beginning. There are long, intricate explanations of the magic system and worldbuilding that left me more confused than informed. Even now, after finishing the book, I still have so many questions. But what I did understand of the world was genuinely fascinating. Gratton’s imagination is clearly vast, and there’s an epic scale here that’s undeniably impressive!

The plot doesn’t really kick in until around 45%, which is when I finally found myself getting pulled in. A major event happens that hooked me, and from that point on, I was much more engaged. Until it slowed again, only to pick up once more in the final 15%. So the pacing was definitely uneven. When it was good, it was actually so good, but in between those moments, it felt like I was wading through fog. I’ve seen other reviewers say they found the events hard to follow, and I totally agree.

As for Iriset, the main character... I have very mixed feelings. I liked certain aspects of her, but other times she confused me or even got on my nerves. A lot of the book revolves around lust and desire. Everything is erotic, and Iriset seems to lust after nearly everyone, including her husband's sister, which I found kind of odd. Many of the relationships felt based on power and physical attraction rather than deeper emotional connections, which didn’t really work for me personally. There's a thing between the main couple that bothered me, but it's a bit spoilery, so don't read what's in the brackets if you don't want to know! ((Iriset changed her appearance to look like her husband's fiancée because reasons. He thought she was someone else the whole time, and they were intimate A LOT. It just felt very iffy with the consent.))

There were sections I genuinely enjoyed, with great twists and emotionally charged moments that landed really well. But the slow pacing, confusing worldbuilding, and occasionally frustrating characters dragged it down for me. This might just not have been the book for me, but I can absolutely see it being someone else’s favorite!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the audiobook!

I'm so sorry, but I had to DNF this. I have never been more confused by a book. I did enjoy the narration by Emily Lawrence.

Ａｕｄｉｏｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
🌟🌟
The Mercy Marker by Tessa Gratton is my first book by this author, and while the cover art is beautiful and the premise is very intriguing, I don't think I was the target audience. The pacing felt a little off to me; the magic system is unique and different, but I was confused by it. The world-building felt overwhelming. DNF @ 36%; now I feel like I need to tandem-read this book—read and listen at the same time—so I can get a better understanding of the story.

The audiobook is narrated by Emily Lawrence, and she did a good job. It was easy to listen to and understand. I listened at 2x speed and then increased it to 2.5x speed.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Hachette Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

*Thanks to NetGalley. Orbit Books and Hachette Audio for early copy for review*

I was lucky enough to be able to listen to the audiobook while reading along to wrap my head around the fantasy world that Tessa Gratton has crafted.

Emily Lawrences lush narrating style felt sensual. In a world where a "priestess" awakens a god by self-gratification, Lawrence's performance added to the overall experience.

That being said this book wasn't really for me. It never 100% captured my interest and left me feeling like I was watching something I did not consent too. However, if you enjoy reading fantasy that is feminist, queer and highly sexual (even when there's no sex on page) this read could be for you. I would get an example of the writing style before checking it out though.

The Mercy Makers
by Tessa Gratton
The Moon Heresies #1
Fantasy
NetGalley ARC Audio
Narrated by Emily Lawrence
Pub Date: Jun 17, 2025
Hachette Audio/Orbit
Ages: 18+

Hiding under the name Silk, Iriset creates disguises and other wonders for her father's criminal organization with a forbidden magic. Wanted by the empire, her creations are tracked, and she and her father are captured. She pretends to be a sheltered young lady because if they found out she was Silk, she would die right alongside her father.

Taken from prison by the Emperor's sister, Iriset keeps her charade and becomes a lady in waiting, using the time to find a way to free her father before his sentence of death is carried out. But a poisoned piece of candy changes her role, and she must use her skill as Silk. Now, in this new role, there might even be a chance she could bring down the Empire from the inside.


This book has a very unique magic system, but I wish it had been explained better. It felt as if the important aspects of it were jumped around and not clearly talked about in one place. Instead, there were tidbits here and there, but spread way too far apart to give the reader a clear definition of how the magic worked. I don't remember if it was ever explained in detail where the magic came from or the past. There were things mentioned, but not made clear. Sure, some of it made sense at the end, but the overall effect was lost because of the wait.

Speaking of wait, this book was slow to get going. I understand that it was building up, but it took too long to get there. One of the things that dragged on was the details of the food. It wasn't needed for every dish.

I did listen to the audio, and the narrator, Emily Lawrence, did a great job with the characters' voices.

There is some violence, but it's nothing compared to the adult content. There's way too much, both in details and occurrences, so it loses a star, and making it only suitable for readers over eighteen.

Even though I am disappointed in this story because of the lack of explanation and way too much adult content, I am still interested in reading the next in the series, but I would rather read than listen, so I can skip any excess adult content.

3 Stars

⭐️⭐️/5

Although filled with interesting moments, The Mercy Makers was not for me. The first chapters were loaded with worldbuilding, which felt overwhelming and unnecessary. The characters were interesting, and I enjoyed their development. The pacing and story felt drawn out and choppy, and I longed for more plot development. I did not enjoy the romance, which felt a bit silly and excessive. I enjoyed Tessa Gratton’s prose and would certainly try one of her YA fantasy novels. Unfortunately, I don’t plan on continuing the series.

Emily Lawrence was a brilliant narrator for this one. She kept me hooked even when the story itself did not engage me. Her voice and accents fit the story and characters well, and I enjoyed the emotion she brought to the story. If you plan on picking up this book, I recommend the audiobook!

Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC!

The Mercy Makers is an intriguing fantasy world where magic weaves through the very life and soul of the people and the land. I was captivated by the abilities and how human related changes with magic are outlawed. Iriset is one of the most powerful members of her father's criminal enterprises. She is forced to make difficult choices to protect herself and help her father.

There was a fair amount of exposition to give more cultural and world building information. In some ways, it helped and other ways it hurt. The book probably could have been edited down with a similar impact.

Overall, I enjoyed the unique fantasy story. The coolest feature was how Iriset would refer to people as feminine or masculine forward and advocate for more than two genders. Definitely check this one out!

3.5 stars.
First I am going to say I love Emily Lawrence. I have listened to a ton of her audio narrations and if it is done by her, I know it's going to be a fantastic performance. She did a great job on this one.
Now the story.. I really was enjoying myself I the beginning I liked the world building and was really fascinated by everything. But as I continued on in the story I had a bit harder time staying into it. While I really enjoyed the audio I only had the audio. I think for this one I really needed to have both formats to stay in the story so I could possibly go back to look at a few things. As I forgot a few things here and there. Normally I am a binge reader and this one took me a while to finish. I did still enjoyed my time. This is my first book by Tessa Gratton. I still will continue on in the series and see what happens but I want to make sure next time I have both formats, audio and some form of ebook or physical to read along with it.

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the complimentary listener copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.