Book Review: Darkest Mercy

Darkest Mercy (Wicked Lovely #5)

By: Melissa Marr

Narrated By: Nick Landrum

Format: Audiobook

Published By: Harper Audio

Publication Date: February 2011

Length: 8 hours, 42 minutes

Buy it at Amazon or IndieBound

Source: Library

Audience: Young Adult

The Story & Writing:

I am so sad that this series has come to its conclusion, but this book was such a perfect way for things to end. The fey are gearing up for the battle with War that has been long in the making. Blood will finally be shed and lives will be lost. The epic battle between good and evil has finally come.

Darkest Mercy picks up exactly where Radiant Shadows left off. Readers are thrown directly back into the rising tension and grief that we were left with at the end of the previous book. In the world of the fey there must always be balance. Figuring out a way to halt Bananach  and still maintain the balance is a conundrum that all of the courts in the human world are seeking to solve. In order to keep this review spoiler free all I am going to say on plot is the final battle is epic, there are some unexpected surprises, and I felt like this was the perfect way to end this series.

Melissa Marr is such a gifted storyteller and her writing style never ceases to lure me. While I didn't love every book in this series, I did feel like each one helped move us closer to the ultimate conflict in Darkest Mercy. Also, after spending so much time with these characters through the span of the series, I was so invested in their fates. Waiting to see who would make it through the battle was nerve wracking for me. While this review is on the short side for me, I felt like its simplicity and rating would speak volumes. I am sad to see this series end, but I feel like Marr not only ended this based on her vision, but she also kept all the fans in mind. It ended the way I always wanted it to. Leaving this characters felt okay when I was finished with this one. I had no regrets or wishes for things to be different.

The Audio:

I bow down to the greatness of Nick Landrum. He will forever be the Wicked Lovely voice to me. He did a beautiful job of bringing this book alive with his narration. The variety of tones and voices he uses while reading is some of the best I have ever heard. I would definitely listen to other books that he narrates in the future. I love his voice and the emotion that bleeds through it. He is truly worthy of this series.

One Last Gripe: I have hated Keenan through this entire series so I was frustrated that I actually liked him in this book. I wish I had been able to see beyond his flaws in the other books.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: The Battle

First Sentence: Niall walked through the ruins of the tattoo shop.

Favorite Character: Donia

Least Favorite Character: Bananach 

Summary:

The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.

Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.

Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything.

The thrilling conclusion to Melissa Marr's New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series will leave readers breathless.