Mercy by Rebecca Lim
Release Date: May 17, 2011
Publisher: Hyperion
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288
Format: E-Galley
Source: NetGalley
Interest: Debut
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon
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?
Mercy is a promising start of what is sure to be a captivating series.
This book was so... different. In a good way. There are definitely elements of this story that I loved and other elements that I felt were lacking in one way or another.
I loved the story of Mercy waking up in these various girls' bodies and inhabiting them for short periods of time, not knowing exactly why she's there, but somewhat unseeingly helping them all the same. She feels their presence within the host body, and she keeps their best interests in tact although she may act out of character at times. The body that she currently inhabits, Carmen, is bit of a quite girl, but Mercy gives her a voice when she might have normally shied away.
I was a little confused with the introduction to Luc... there was something going on there but I'm not sure what. I didn't understand Mercy's wanting to be with Luc, there was a connection for some reason... but why? Did I miss that part? Perhaps a story arc that will span the entire series? Hopefully it includes Mercy's backstory too. I'd like to know more of the who, the what, and the why. I loved the small story arc of Lauren's disappearance... I knew she must be alive, but I had no idea who did it or why, or how extremely twisted the whole thing really was.
And Ryan... I am hoping this is not the last that we see of him! Please have more Ryan!
Eagerly anticipating book two!