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The Merciful Crow (The Merciful Crow, #1)
The Merciful Crow (The Merciful Crow, #1) | Margaret Owen
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humouress
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I do like Tavin‘s irrepressible, flippant humour. He knows how to break the tension; they‘re running for their lives with Queen R and the equivalent of the KKK after them and they‘ve just realised everything is even worse than they thought.
(Fie has had to make up Crow alibis for them and give them fake names; Mongrel & Pissabed.)

2 likes1 stack add
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abostwick24
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Pickpick

This book follows a young chieftain from a lowly caste of mercy-killers who strikes a bargain with the crown prince to preserve the future of her clan.
Amazing plot, beautiful character development, and a lovely love story. Can‘t stop reading books from Margaret Owen!
Overall review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4/5 stars)

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humouress
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen

In a land where every caste has a gods-given birthright only the Crows do not. But they are immune to the Sinners' Plague which can literally wipe a village off the face of the earth within a month and so they collect the bodies of plague victims, dispatching them if necessary. Crows are the untouchables of their world, despised and even hunted down.

humouress 16yo Fie, a Crow Chief's adopted daughter, is a witch, destined to be a chief; she can borrow the magic of a person's caste from their teeth, which Crows collect if a village can afford nothing else, and she can see past lives from the touch of bones. Phoenix caste, whose birthright is fire, rules. Fie's clan is called to the palace, for the 1st time, to collect plague victims and ends up striking a bargain that could change all the Crows' lives 2y
2 likes1 stack add1 comment
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PageShifter
Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Mehso-so

This book had potential to end up being amazing.

Characters were a tiny bit flat, quite stereotypical but not unlikable. I liked the cruel world that was created but it's history was never told.

Story was first interesting but then started to drag at some point. I really liked the bittersweet ending and overall liked this book.

#FabulousFebruary #SeriesRead2022 #TBRDeckofCards (2/52) #TheSupernaturalYear (God)

Andrew65 Great progress 👏👏👏 3y
Clwojick Woohoo! 3y
TheSpineView Awesome! 3y
17 likes3 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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I was SO excited to be one of the #RoaringWolf winners. My goodies came today!!! Thank you so much for hosting this fun challenge every month and for sending me these fun prizes @Roary47 and @Littlewolf1 !!! I think your prompts every month are so fun and creative. I'm always excited to see what books I can find to match!!

Littlewolf1 Congratulations again and thank you for continuing to participate. Hope you enjoy the book and bookmark. 3y
aa_guer2021 So happy you won!! 🎉🎉🥲 3y
Roary47 Yay! I‘m so glad you have fun with the challenges. 💛 3y
TheAromaofBooks @aa_guer2021 - Thank you!!! 3y
72 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Emily92Bibliophile
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Bailedbailed

Wanted to like this one, but couldn‘t STAND the way Fie talks. Loved the idea of the caste system but I couldn‘t stay interested. Stopped at 50 pages. Hoping that it wasn‘t the right time to read this ( I have a week until grad classes start, which limits my reading) and may come back to it this summer to try again on audiobook.

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ParkerFinn
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Bailedbailed

I was annoyed by how they spoke mostly. Something about it was weird and not very smooth. Fie annoyed me and I think the only person I liked was Tavin. But not enough to finish the book. It was sadly not my vibe. And the audiobook wasn‘t much better. My first read was a sad DNF!

Emily92Bibliophile I agree with 💯 of everything you said! Wanted to like this one but Fie‘s way of talking annoyed me 👎🏻 (edited) 3y
ParkerFinn @Emily92Bibliophile right!? I‘m so sad because this book seemed like it had so much potential! 3y
4 likes2 comments
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Bookfan1414
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Pickpick

I rather liked this. Where‘s the next one?

4 likes1 stack add
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Bookgoil
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Pickpick

What a fantastic story! I loved the world setting and the different characters and their flaws and how everything came together. Such a wonderful fantasy series, I‘ve already picked up and finished the second book!

#bookspin for November @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Oooo this one sounds good!!! Stacked!! 3y
34 likes1 comment
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Jerlynn
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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“He looked at you the same way you look at roads.” Jasimir‘s voice cracked. “Like where they go frightens you, and you love them for it.”

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Jerlynn
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen

She‘d no call to fear wolves in summer, not with fresh kill in their belly. The wolves of winter, though … Pa‘d taught her to watch the starving wolf. When beasts go hungry too long, he‘d said, they forget what they ought to fear.

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Jerlynn
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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It wasn‘t that she wanted to burn the world down, no. She just wanted the world to know that she could.

38 likes1 stack add
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Johanna414
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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I tried this on audio and absolutely hated the narration - her male voices and different accents grated on my nerves and I couldn't get into the story. Decided to try again with the physical book and I'm enjoying it much more!

Clare-Dragonfly Wow! I want to read it based on cover alone! 3y
28 likes1 comment
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Ash.on.the.line
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Pickpick

This was great! First the cover is amazing. Second, The story is interesting and not like anything I‘ve read before. I do wish there was more but I enjoyed it! I really want book 2, which is another amazing cover! #bookspinbingo

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deirdrebeecher
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Pickpick

This is a review of both books in the duology. I feel like these books are revolutionary, because they are a Romantic Fantasy which features healthy relationships. When that is added to a very entertaining, unique and exciting plot, it makes for a very satisfying read.

I'm sure Owen wondered would her audience believe that people would vilify those who help suppress plague. Ha! Strong pick in the 15-25 yr old category. As an Old I still enjoyed

onceuponanelderberry I really loved these books! 4y
6 likes1 comment
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FantasyChick
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Mehso-so

Well....I finished?

Honestly, the story wasn't horrible but I didn't care for the writing. OR The writing wasn't as bad as I thought it was but it just didn't match up with the narration. Either way, I'm probably not going to continue the series. 🤷‍♀️

#ReadYourSign ♌ Published in July/August
#MidYearRush 📖 in progress: 1/9

@Clwojick @Meaw_catlady

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Nitpickyabouttrains
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Pickpick

Ya fantasy set in a world with magic and extreme caste systems. A girl has to help someone she doesn‘t like for the sake of her people.

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DustyPages
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Pickpick

Okay so I finished The Merciful Crow and how has no one told me how absolutely amazing it is because it has officially made it on to my favorite books shelf because I loved it so damn much! Better believe I pre-ordered The Faithless Hawk the second and I mean the second I finished it.
Amazing plot
Stunning visuals
Wonderful characters
LGBT+
POC characters
CHARACTERS WHO ACTUALLY TALK SHIT OUT INSTEAD OF BROODING AND LIKE IDIOTS

9 likes1 stack add
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DustyPages
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Currently Reading : The Merciful Crow
#currentlyreading

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MartinaLove
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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A small #bookoutlet order. 😊🤗
#bookhaul

wanderinglynn Great haul! I enjoyed both Katherine Center books. 5y
MartinaLove @wanderinglynn I'll be reading Things You Save in a Fire this week for the #MarchUnshelfing #readathon . 😁 5y
24 likes2 comments
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Addison_Reads
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Pickpick

Excellent example of all the things I love when it comes to YA Fantasy! 💚

The characters and the world building were both rich and complex. There's magic, lots of action, moral dilemmas to help young characters grow, and even mammoths 😁

I'm excited for the next one!

41 likes1 stack add1 comment
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cleoh
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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• The Merciful Crow, Wilder Girls, and Miss Mayhem
• Gemina
• slowing making my way through The 100

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

SilversReviews My current read is: THE SEA OF LOST GIRLS by Carol Goodman. My favorite January reads were THE LIGHT AFTER THE WAR by Anita Abriel and TEN DAYS GONE by Beverly Long. 5y
cleoh @SilversReviews amazing! I haven‘t heard of any of them, but I‘m glad you enjoyed them! 5y
54 likes3 comments
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RavenCatReads
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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AudioBook while working in Save The Dates to marry my girl!

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Katandthebooks
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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❤️❤️❤️

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Sarrie
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Pickpick

The second of three I knocked out last weekend.
A YA Fantasy! One of the first ones I've actually not DNF'd in maybe a year or more? I think the caste system really sold me, and the world felt fairly tangible and real for a YA. The romance also took quite some time to set up, which I appreciated. It took a definite back seat for most the novel, a huge win.
#YAFantasy #TheMercifulCrow #DarkFantasy

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Sweetkokoro
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Pickpick

After restarting this and taking a slow pace with reading,the Caste System finally started making sense. Overall the plot is intriguing and the caste system is actually really fascinating. Part 1 and 3 are what gives this a pick rating for me, while part 2 was bogged down with the instalove. But I do like all the characters! I look forward to book 2.
#wintergames #elfies
15pts TBR read 1pt =16pts

Bookwormjillk +16 you were busy yesterday! 5y
Sweetkokoro @Bookwormjillk haha yah I was. It was storming and my daughter is with her father this weekend so it made for a perfect reading day. 5y
22 likes2 comments
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hollyhug-hes
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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#FairyLoot

Really enjoying this so far! Check out this awesome artwork on the reverse dust jacket!

LibrarianRyan Ohhhh. I like that art work. 5y
cleoh WHOA 😱😍 I loved this one! I‘m super excited for the sequel next year! 5y
14 likes2 comments
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BookBelle84
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Pickpick

I loved this book! The author creates an immersive world and a fascinating caste system. I can't wait for more.

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marineko
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Two chapters to go. I‘m still not much in the mood for reading but I‘m also enjoying this a lot!

5 likes1 stack add
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GondorGirl
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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My #BookHaul from the Fierce Reads Tour. The top book is an ARC, the others are all books I got signed at the event. 🧡🧡🧡🧡

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Sweetkokoro
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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I am so beyond confused with this book. The caste system seems so cool but I am just so confused. And my mind is having issues really focusing on what is being written. I keep re-reading sentences and paragraphs and Im still not understanding. It‘s making it frustrating to read. I want to like this, I like the caste system idea but I don‘t get why it‘s not making any sense to me.

GrilledCheeseSamurai It's a sweet ass cover. This has piqued my curiosity but maybe I'll just wait on it until your final judgement... 5y
16 likes1 comment
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Book_yogi
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Mehso-so

This book has been publicized pretty widely on social media, and I had some high expectations. The story was interesting in parts, but my mind would wander in many other areas which is a red flag that a book isn‘t holding me captive. The relationship between Jasimir and Tavin is endearing but for the most part the book is predictable, but still ok.

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Ddzmini
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Anyone heard of this one I‘m thinking I want to get it 📖😋

Maude This is the first I've seen it, that cover is great though 😍 5y
Andrew65 That cover makes you want to read it. #coverlove 5y
OnlyYoo I got this in my fairy loot box last month! It was eh. I liked the ending but getting through it was a little rough 5y
Ddzmini @Maude I saw this on FB 😳 and yes the cover makes you want to really read it @Andrew65 awe @OnlyYoo I really want to read it though 😳📖😋 5y
OnlyYoo Lol don‘t let my opinion stop you! Who knows, you may love it! 5y
60 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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cleoh
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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#7days7covers #covercrush day 4!

seven covers in seven days, no explanation!
tag someone new each day!

@ahsatan82 care to play?

69 likes1 stack add
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BookishGirl06
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Interesting that it has illustrated papers indicating what part we‘re in. Don‘t see that too often.

90 likes1 stack add
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BookishGirl06
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Fairyloot read a long for this starts today. Not sure how much I‘m gonna like it but we‘ll see.

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BookishGamer87
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Pickpick

Really ended up enjoying this. Was a little confused by the different castes at first, but it really was a great book in the end. I wanted to punch people so many times 😅

10 likes2 stack adds
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mreads
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Pickpick

Excellent YA fantasy were all, magic user or not, belong to a bird caste system from the royal phoenix to the plague undertaker crows. We follow the prince feeling the evil queen with his hawk bodyguard double hidden among a band of crows.

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hollyhug-hes
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
This post contains spoilers
show me
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My Fairyloot box arrived today! So happy, got some amazing items.

LibrarianRyan Ohhhhh. That looks so fun. I might suggest putting it behind a spoiler tag for those that have not received their boxes yet. 5y
hollyhug-hes Oops, my bad! Barrier is now up, haha. Sorry about that. 5y
5 likes2 comments
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kamoorephoto
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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‪TOMORROW! This beautiful @bookbrag Henry Holt #YA book finally hits stores!‬
‪AND if you are in #Seattle come to Third Place Books (Lake Forest Park) and hear the rad Kendare Blake put Margaret Owen on the spot and quiz her about murderous birds, her monstrous cats, and Barf.‬
I can‘t wait.

BookmarkTavern Wow! I love that cover! 5y
54 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BookFreakOut
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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SFF challenge for #24in48, I'm hoping to finish my arc of this upcoming YA fantasy this weekend! I've been really enjoying it, 12 bird-named castes each have a type of power (peacock and swan are two, no Crow emoji to match the title), and the Crow witches use teeth to access power. A fantasy take on systemic discrimination, the different responses of the Prince and his guard about being confronted with it deliver an interesting contrast. @24in48

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LibrarianRyan
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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I have been in love with this cover since I first saw it. Hopefully the book is as god.

#CoverLove #YAedition
July 30

Johanna414 This cover is beautiful! 5y
Gissy I received this in ARC in last swap! ❤️ 5y
43 likes2 comments
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annieftbooks
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
Pickpick

I don't know exactly what to say, it was okay, i think. I liked the plot and the characters but i don't know... i felt like nothing was happening through almost all the book. I loved the battles and the writing, and Fie is an amazing girl, but i guess i would like to have seen more. I still want to read the next book, i need to know if Fie finally gets what she wants.

I don't know if it's a pick but it's not a “so-so“. It's just a normal book???

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Jess_Franzino
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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Pickpick

After nearly losing my purse & getting trampled to get this #arc at #bookcon, I jokingly said “This book better be one of the best I‘ve read in a long time...”

It was.

•More ambitious than a lot of YA
•Gripping plot
•3D & realistic chars
•Inventive Magic system
•Topical (w/o pandering)
•Balance of drama & humor
•A cat named Barf , who I‘d die for ♥️

5/5. Add to your TBR. Comes out July 30th.

21 likes2 stack adds
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Jess_Franzino
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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As if this glorious ARC couldn‘t get any more wonderful, how the character deals with her period & contraceptive is addressed! (Also bonus for mentioning that women use birth control for reasons other that contraceptive). The protag in this uses it for both. We need more of this in fantasy & ESPECIALLY YA fantasy. Props to Margaret Owen!

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Jess_Franzino
The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen
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There is a cat in this book. The cat‘s name is “Barf”. I would die for Barf the Cat. 😻