Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the
Boneless Mercies―girls hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully.
But Frey
is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her
people, dreams of a bigger life.
When she hears of an unstoppable monster
ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies' one chance out. The
fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for
all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women
everywhere.
Full of fierce girls, bloodlust,
tenuous alliances, and unapologetic quests for glory, this elegantly spun tale
challenges the power of storytelling―and who gets to be the storyteller.
"The Boneless Mercies feels
like a cathartic war cry advocating for the power of girls and women. [...] A
dynamic critique of the hero's journey: Who is granted honor and glory, and at
what cost does it come?" ―The New York Times Book Review
"Tucholke injects close intimacy
into her lush saga, interweaving love and murder, mercy and glory into her
portrayal of life and death. It is a beautiful, haunting modern-day epic that
stars a bold and resourceful sisterhood of heroines unafraid to claim
agency." ―Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Narrator and protagonist Frey is
quite unusual among female heroes: hungry for glory ― bloodthirsty, even . . .
These fierce, honorable adolescent female warriors hold their own and break all
the rules. Marked by flawless worldbuilding. Wow." ―Kirkus Reviews, starred
review
"[T]his story heroically
contemplates female strength and agency, compassion
versus vengeance, and the value of glory." ―Booklist
versus vengeance, and the value of glory." ―Booklist