The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy | Book Review

Book: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
Release Date: August 23rd 2022
Tags: Adult | Adult Fantasy | Fantasy | Romance | Undertaker | Souls
Trigger/Content Warnings: Grief | Gore | Violence | Gun Violence | Misogony

Hart is a marshal, tasked with patrolling the strange and magical wilds of Tanria. It’s an unforgiving job, and Hart’s got nothing but time to ponder his loneliness.

Mercy never has a moment to herself. She’s been single-handedly keeping Birdsall & Son Undertakers afloat in defiance of sullen jerks like Hart, who seems to have a gift for showing up right when her patience is thinnest.

After yet another exasperating run-in with Mercy, Hart finds himself penning a letter addressed simply to “A Friend”. Much to his surprise, an anonymous letter comes back in return, and a tentative friendship is born.

If only Hart knew he’s been baring his soul to the person who infuriates him most – Mercy. As the dangers from Tanria grow closer, so do the unlikely correspondents. But can their blossoming romance survive the fated discovery that their pen pals are their worst nightmares – each other?

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is one that I have seen around a lot of blogs so when I saw the ebook for a very tiny price I decided to get it right away. The first part made me so sure this was going to be a 5 star read but as I read on that changed a little. Still I really enjoyed this book as a whole.

This is mostly a romance story in a fantasy world. The world where this takes place has had to protect its cities. On the outside there are drudges which are basically zombies. They are people who have died and been taken in by a lost soul. The appendix is one that plays a big role. Without an appendix the souls cannot take you. And to stop a drudge, you have to pierce the appendix. I found this an interesting world that I would love to read more about. I think there is a lot left to be discovered (and I see a good opening for that with the ex of our favorite undertaker).

Hart is a marshall that works outside of the borders, in the wilds of Tanria. It is a dangerous job but he seems to revel in that. It is easier to draw away from life with a job like that. But he also realizes that he is lonely. As a demigod he is often looked upon as a bit of a monster. And after losing his loved ones he pulled away.

Mercy on the other hand is an undertaker in her family business. Or rather the office worker who has had to take on her father’s job as well after his heart attack. When her brother doesn’t want to take over for his father there seems to be talk of selling the business. Nobody sees Mercy as the one that can take over as the undertaker. And nobody listens.

The start of this book was so very strong where we got to know our two main characters in their lives and see them making contact with one another in a different way. Coming more together. Seeing their grief for their lost ones (in at least both cases their mother). I found that a very strong set up.

But at about the halfway point it started feeling as if the story was being drawn out. The clear miscommunication where the character was constantly warn about was going on full force and I found that a really annoying part of the story. He should have said it right away. The door was wide open and the reason for not telling was weak. It often is.

Regardless of that I still enjoyed the story as a whole and I really fell in love with the characters.