Death, treachery and change. A YA fantasy!
The Merciful Crow (The Merciful Crow #1) by Margaret Owen
Puzžling and yet not. A society where each caste has a bird attribute, and their place within the pecking order depends on their gifts and occupations. Lastly there is the Crows, the unclean caste whose job it is to remove those dead from plague, grant the act of mercy of those infected but still alive, burn the bodies and stop the plague from spreading.
A payment is granted as they leave the place they were called to. All too often that payment is unworthy. The crows are hated by the other groups.
But think on this. The organic nature of the community means that all have value, even if it is not immediately determined, due to fear and feelings of superiority.
If the Crows do not attend to their calling what would eventually happen? It doesn't seem that has been thought of. And the Crows must attend. It's part of their mandated calling by their universe.
Often the crows reward is vilification. They are hunted down, maimed and murdered by groups looking for 'fun.' The white Oleanders.
The start of the novel is violence tempered with necessity.
Fie is the chief in training for her group of crows. She's a strong and feisty character.
They have been called to the palace to remove two bodies dead from plague.
As they leave the Queen offers them insult with the degree of payment. Fie who is leading the 'money dance' (the bargaining) does not back down. Enmity is immediately born.
It becomes more complicated when the dead are the prince and his bodyguard look alike, and they're not dead! They need to flee to a place of safety, and they need the help of the Crows. (And in the long escape one wonders if such a place exists!)
A covenant is struck between Fie and the Prince. A world changing, Crow changing covenant!
Well of course the way just gets harder and even more complicated. Prince Jasimir and his bodyguard Tavin find that life as a lowly crow is so much more dangerous and destroying than they ever imagined.
I look forward to the next in the series with great anticipation.
A Macmillan Children's Publishing Group ARC via NetGalley
****
A payment is granted as they leave the place they were called to. All too often that payment is unworthy. The crows are hated by the other groups.
But think on this. The organic nature of the community means that all have value, even if it is not immediately determined, due to fear and feelings of superiority.
If the Crows do not attend to their calling what would eventually happen? It doesn't seem that has been thought of. And the Crows must attend. It's part of their mandated calling by their universe.
Often the crows reward is vilification. They are hunted down, maimed and murdered by groups looking for 'fun.' The white Oleanders.
The start of the novel is violence tempered with necessity.
Fie is the chief in training for her group of crows. She's a strong and feisty character.
They have been called to the palace to remove two bodies dead from plague.
As they leave the Queen offers them insult with the degree of payment. Fie who is leading the 'money dance' (the bargaining) does not back down. Enmity is immediately born.
It becomes more complicated when the dead are the prince and his bodyguard look alike, and they're not dead! They need to flee to a place of safety, and they need the help of the Crows. (And in the long escape one wonders if such a place exists!)
A covenant is struck between Fie and the Prince. A world changing, Crow changing covenant!
Well of course the way just gets harder and even more complicated. Prince Jasimir and his bodyguard Tavin find that life as a lowly crow is so much more dangerous and destroying than they ever imagined.
I look forward to the next in the series with great anticipation.
A Macmillan Children's Publishing Group ARC via NetGalley
****
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