"Grief cannot feed you, though it fills you." 

In a small village in Norway, forty fishermen go out to sea where a reckless storm causes them all to drown. Maren and the other villagers soon realize all the men are gone and the women must fend for themselves. Three years later, a new Lord, Abasalom, and his wife, Ursa, arrives. Ursa has never seen independent women, however, Absalom sees evil and is on the hunt for witches. 

This is not my usual type of book, but I'm glad I read it because I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it despite the depressing content. It was so elegantly written. A historical fiction set in 1617 that was inspired by the true events of the storm in Vardo and the witch trials, The Mercies is a compelling story of love, hate, feminism, and independence. 

There was an abundance of characters that I came to love and hate. Seeing how the women had to overcome their struggles and learn new skills for survival was emotionally tolling. The way some of the women would accuse other women as witches just because they didn't like them and wanted approval by the Lord was wretched. Old relationships fell apart as new relationships kindled. 

Somber yet hopeful, this is the type of book that will make you depressed and angry as it was very atmospheric, but it was worth the read.