Review: Mercy (Mercy #1)

Title: Mercy by Rebecca Lim
Published: May 17, 2011 by Hyperion Books
Source: Library
Grade rating: B-

A fallen angel haunted by her past. Yearning for her immortal beloved. Forever searching for answers.Who will show her Mercy?

Mercy has lost herself. She can’t count how many times she’s “woken up” in a new body, and assumed a new life, only to move on again and again. During the day she survives in the human world on instinct and at night her dreams are haunted by him. Mercy’s heart would know him anywhere. But her memory refuses to cooperate.

But this time is different. When Mercy wakes up she meets Ryan, an eighteen year old reeling from the loss of his twin sister who was kidnapped two years ago. Everyone else has given up hope, but Ryan believes his sister is still alive. Using a power she doesn’t fully comprehend, Mercy realizes that Ryan is right. His sister is alive and together they can find her. For the first time since she can remember, Mercy has a purpose; she can help. So she doesn’t understand why the man in her dreams cautions her not to interfere. But as Ryan and Mercy come closer to solving the dark mystery of his sister’s disappearance, danger looms just one step behind.

Will Mercy be able to harness her true self and extraordinary power in time?

Review

I love to read fantasy.  I like werewolves, vampires, fairies, angels and other supernatural beings.  I have to say this one was a little weird.  You can probably learn more about the story by reading the synopsis that by reading the actual book.  It is so mysterious that very few answers are revealed. 

Mercy is a complex character that exists as a spirit and its assigned a host that she tries to help to the best of her ability.  It was really hard for me to sympathize with Mercy, for some reason she didn't come across as likable.  I do have to say that she is brave, tough and strong willed, which  I appreciate in a female character.  Luc might gorgeous, but that is all.  I don't know why, but I can't make myself like or trust him.  On the other hand, Ryan was a sweetheart, a strong and handsome young man that it's not afraid to show his insecurities and that was able to look beyond the host's body to appreciate Mercy.

There are two mysteries that are parallel in the story: who is Mercy and who kidnapped the girls.  I was able to guess at the culprit of the kidnapping, but it was fun to read Mercy and Ryan's thought process and their investigative skills.  We still have a lot to learn about Mercy's past and I'm looking forward to the discovery.

To me the writing felt was a little rushed and the climax and conclusion came too fast.  I do have to say that the story is original and that Ms. Lim delivers it quite well.  This was a quick read and I will definitely read Exile (book #2) when it comes out next year.

About the cover: The cover is beautiful.  You can't really appreciate it here, but there are shiny translucent wings on the model (Mercy.)  The dark colors on the background play very well with the blue-green of the title and how pale the model is.