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Mercy

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Perfect for fans of Sawkill Girls, Bone Gap, and Dark and Shallow Lies, this suspenseful contemporary mystery delves into a small town’s supernatural, multigenerational curse—and the girl determined to break it.

Mercy was named for her mother’s hopes.

Mercy, in the hope that the Sorrowing—the curse that Mercy and her family had lived with for generations—might take pity on them.

But Mercy’s name never did her any good, and it certainly didn’t save her mother.

The Sorrowing ensures that Mercy, her family, and the core families in Arbor Falls aren’t able to grow, dream, or prosper. It makes sure they stay exactly as they are—mired in the mud. Mercy has learned to live with the the only way to escape the Sorrowing is to accept it.

Until the Bowens move back to town.

The Bowens are a cursed family, too, and they should know better than to test the Sorrowing. Instead, their ignorance sets off a wave of fury that promises to destroy everything.

Now, Mercy will have to unearth the horrors that unfolded that terrible night the Sorrowing was born—to face the despicable secrets of her town and break the curse before it breaks everything she has left.

An immersive mystery laced with supernatural dread that's perfect for fans of of Courtney Gould and Kyrie McCauley, Mercy slowly and relentlessly digs into the buried crimes of a small, insular town and provokes questions about the lies we silently allow and the duty current generations have in exposing the harms of the past.

368 pages, Hardcover

Published October 7, 2025

12 people are currently reading
4937 people want to read

About the author

Patricia Ward

4 books61 followers
I am Lebanese-American, born and raised during the civil war in Beirut, Lebanon. I moved to the States when I was 18. Much of my work explores themes of civilian wartime suffering, emigration, and tensions around nationality and identity. Having grown up surrounded by the Armenian side of my family in Beirut, I often use my mother's maiden name of Sarrafian on my works as a way to honor that part of my life story.

I got my MFA from University of Michigan and published many stories, poems, and essays, and then published my first novel, The Bullet Collection (Graywolf Press, 2003). It received the GLCA New Writers Award, Anahid Literary Award, and Hala Maksoud Award for Outstanding Emerging Writer.

I wrote a few more novels that were not placed, and then, after my son was born, I decided to explore the world of book arts. For some years, I made miniature books and dioramas and enjoyed showing my work in a variety of venues both in the U.S. and abroad. Eventually, I published Skinner Luce (Talos Press, 2016), and I slowly turned back to writing full time. My YA supernatural The Cherished came out April 2023 from HarperCollins, and Mercy is forthcoming in October 2025.

I still create paper objects and recently have taken to sewing as well. I love the counterpoint and balance the tactile arts afford my writing life.

I've moved so much over the years, and I remember every place I've lived, the people, the moments, the landscapes. I now live in Vermont, and hopefully will not have to move again.


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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Laura (crofteereader).
1,344 reviews62 followers
October 3, 2025
I think I wanted to see more of the “outsider” perspective, like from the people who didn’t believe in the curse but still existed in this town with its nasty mold problem and tendency towards tragic deaths and accidents where absolutely nothing changes or grows. I also couldn’t imagine that this crazy conspiracy didn’t inspire many more rumors and a lot more talk throughout the town, even if it was like 70 years before.

I did, however, really like that the adults were involved. Not just because the kids had to get the story from the adults but that the adults joined in the confrontation or shielded their children or buried their heads in the sand and tried to pretend that everything was fine.

I really liked the creepy descriptions of the Sorrowing, with the spreading burnt-smelling mold and maybe a maggot or two; but I think we could have used a bit more of it, especially comparing the places that were heavily affected vs ones that weren’t. I also liked that a central tenet of the story was confronting the way older generations refuse to change, though I think Mercy was a little too forgiving of her grandfather.

{Thank you HarperAudio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review}
Profile Image for Victoria.
240 reviews
June 17, 2025
~thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for giving me a chance to read & review this book~

2 stars 🥲 I wanted to like this a lot. It sounded up my alley but I got bored of it very quickly. The beginning had me hooked and then I just got bored. I wasn’t interested anymore. :(
Profile Image for Courtney.
205 reviews4 followers
April 28, 2025
First, this cover with the words “I’m sorry” all over drew me in immediately! Especially with the one word title, Mercy. This young adult supernatural mystery follows Mercy, who is navigating living with a decades old curse that haunts her family. The author does an amazing job at describing The Sorrowing. I could vividly picture the rot and just how heavy and prevalent it is within these cursed families’ lives (physically/mentally). I couldn’t put this down as I needed to know what would happen next immediately!! I really enjoyed all of the characters and the relationships within. Overall, Mercy is a great YA supernatural mystery that will keep you wanting more. This will be the perfect read for spooky season in October!

Thank you to Patricia Ward, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the review copy.
Profile Image for Desirae.
3,115 reviews182 followers
December 9, 2025
Patricia Ward’s Mercy is a novel built on a genuinely compelling premise—curses, generational trauma, and the eerie phenomenon known as “the sorrowing.” On paper, it promises a dark, emotionally textured story with supernatural resonance. Unfortunately, the execution rarely matches the strength of the concept. While the book reaches toward depth, its immature tone and one-dimensional characters prevent it from ever fully realizing its potential.

The most frustrating element is the tone of the writing, which often feels oddly adolescent regardless of the scene’s intended emotional weight. Dialogue swings between stilted declarations and melodramatic bursts that feel out of sync with the atmosphere Ward seems to be aiming for. Instead of inviting the reader into a layered emotional world, the prose flattens it, glossing over complexity in favor of easy sentiments or simplistic metaphors. Even when the story deals with heavy themes—grief, family wounds, supernatural burden—the language lacks the subtlety or nuance needed to make those moments resonate.

Characterization suffers even more. Most of the cast feels like they were sketched rather than developed, defined by a single trait or trauma and rarely allowed to evolve beyond it. Their motivations are often telegraphed, their arcs predictable or abruptly resolved. The protagonist in particular never quite becomes a fully formed person on the page; instead, she behaves as though she’s performing emotions rather than experiencing them. As a result, it’s difficult to invest in her journey, no matter how high the stakes are meant to be.

All of this is especially disappointing because the novel’s magical conceit—the “sorrowing”—is genuinely intriguing. There’s a raw, folkloric energy to the idea, something that hints at deep history and psychological ruin. But Ward never commits to fully exploring it, either as a metaphor or a supernatural mechanism. Instead, the sorrowing is introduced, repeated, and gestured toward without ever being expanded into a coherent mythology. It becomes a plot device rather than the rich, haunting force it could have been.

In the end, Mercy feels like a novel with enormous potential held back by shallow characterization and underdeveloped worldbuilding. For readers drawn to stories about curses and inherited darkness, the premise may spark interest—but the execution is unlikely to satisfy.
66 reviews
December 28, 2025
I feel like I spent a lot of the time wondering if this was a mystical horror or all in their heads. I liked the mystery element of it though!
608 reviews13 followers
April 2, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Patricia Ward’s “Mercy” is a haunting, slow-burning supernatural mystery set in the cursed town of Arbor Falls. While marketed as horror, the book leans more toward atmospheric suspense, creating a story of generational trauma, buried secrets, and the weight of history on those who remain. With its compelling themes of racial and cultural discrimination, small-town insularity, and the desperate fight for truth, “Mercy” is a gripping read for fans of YA mysteries with a supernatural twist.

Mercy has always lived under the weight of the Sorrowing—a generational curse that has plagued her family and several others in Arbor Falls for decades. The Sorrowing acts like a creeping infection, manifesting as black soot that spreads across the town, sickening those most connected to the sins of the past. The curse keeps the affected families stagnant, preventing them from growing, dreaming, or leaving behind the town’s shadowed history. But when the Bowen family returns to Arbor Falls, everything changes. Their ignorance of the town’s unspoken rules sparks a chain reaction, forcing Mercy to dig into the dark history of the Sorrowing. As she unearths long-buried secrets—ones that involve erasure, racial discrimination, and the cover-up of a wealthy white man’s crimes—she realizes that the only way to break the curse is to finally confront the truth.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its immersive world-building. The Sorrowing is not just a metaphorical burden but a tangible, eerie presence—marked by the relentless appearance of black soot, the physical decay of the town, and the strange, selective way it afflicts certain families. This curse serves as a powerful allegory for the slow deterioration of rural towns weighed down by their own unspoken histories. The book also excels in its exploration of justice, guilt, and complicity. Mercy’s journey is not just about breaking a supernatural curse; it’s about challenging the lies and cover-ups that have allowed injustices to fester for generations. The book’s commentary on cultural and racial discrimination is brought up naturally into the story, adding depth and relevance without overshadowing the story’s core mystery.

The characters are another highlight. Mercy is a compelling protagonist—resigned to her fate at first, but gradually evolving into someone who refuses to accept the silence that has defined her town. The side characters, including Mateo, all contribute meaningfully to the story. Rosie, with her hopeful attempts to beautify the town, provides a stark contrast to the curse’s destructive presence, though I do wish her role had been further developed.

While the book’s mystery is engaging, some aspects of the curse’s mechanics feel inconsistent. The Sorrowing’s reach is sometimes unclear—certain extended family members are affected, while others seem untouched without explanation. Additionally, the pacing can feel repetitive at times, with certain revelations drawn out longer than necessary. For those expecting outright horror, Mercy may not fully deliver. While the atmosphere is undeniably eerie, it leans more into supernatural mystery and generational trauma than outright thrills. Readers looking for jump scares or intense horror elements may find the story a bit slower than expected.

Overall, “Mercy” is a beautifully written, deeply atmospheric book that explores the weight of generational curses—both literal and metaphorical. Its themes of racial injustice, small-town secrets, and the necessity of truth make it a thought-provoking read, especially for YA audiences. Ward definitely delivers an engaging supernatural mystery with an ultimately hopeful and satisfying ending.
Profile Image for Teenage Reads.
861 reviews6 followers
April 23, 2025
Initial Thoughts:
The moment I saw the burning house on the cover and the one-word title Mercy, I had to read it—and Ward absolutely delivered. The title is a perfect double meaning: it's not only the name of our main character, but also reflects the central theme of the story. Mercy is haunted by the Sorrowing, a supernatural affliction that affects her family and the entire town of Arbor Falls. This slow-burn mystery gives you all the groundwork early on and then carefully layers in tension, eerie details, and emotional weight as the Sorrowing intensifies.

Ward blends psychological horror with physical decay, making the Sorrowing feel like a living presence creeping into every corner of the town. Add in the suffocating weight of small-town judgment and racial undertones, and this story becomes something deeper—a tale about inherited guilt, trauma, and truth-seeking. The ending was compelling, logical, and ultimately satisfying.

Characters:
Mercy is the heart of this novel. Raised in a town where no one dares to dream too big, she’s been taught to accept a life of limitations. Her mother once tried to escape Arbor Falls with her, and failed—an event that left a lasting sense of hopelessness in Mercy’s life. Like her grandfather, she resigns herself to the belief that she’ll never leave. At one point, her biggest dream is simply to have an apartment where she can clean off the Sorrowing every day. That quiet desperation broke my heart.
But what makes Mercy compelling is her growth. Slowly, she begins to question the narrative she’s been handed, to want more—more life, more truth, more freedom. Watching her challenge the curse that’s hung over her family for generations made her journey all the more powerful.

Plot and Writing:
Ward’s writing is atmospheric and tight, creating a perfectly paced story that never feels rushed, even as the stakes rise. The supernatural elements are handled with just enough realism that they feel plausible—eerie, yes, but never too far-fetched. The Sorrowing is more than just a metaphor; it’s tangible. Black soot creeps through cracks in the pavement, climbs the walls, lingers in Mercy’s thoughts. It’s haunting, but not in a jump-scare horror way—this is gothic fiction through and through, with themes of generational trauma, buried secrets, and the desperate need for release.
The curse originated years before Mercy was born, when a hidden crime tore through her family’s legacy. That act of silence, of failing to tell the truth, grew into the Sorrowing—rotting the town from the inside out. That blend of mystery, history, and haunting visuals made the novel gripping from beginning to end.

Conclusion:
If you're craving a small-town, gothic, supernatural mystery, Mercy is for you. As Mercy seeks the truth behind her family’s curse, Ward crafts a story that’s both haunting and deeply human. I loved the psychological and physical layers of the Sorrowing, and the way the story concludes with a realistic yet redemptive ending. The title says it all—this is a story about mercy: for our past, for ourselves, and for the hope of a future that looks a little brighter.
Profile Image for Annie.
248 reviews3 followers
October 2, 2025
Arbor Falls has been cursed for generations after a tragedy. The core families that were directly involved are hit by the Sorrowing the worst. Mercy has lived her whole life keeping her head down, making sure she didn't dream too big and cleaning up the darkness that the curse left behind. One of the core families moves back to town, oblivious to the Sorrowing, which only aggravates it more. Mercy must decide whether to leave them to their fate or try to finally break the curse.

To start off with, this was a really atmospheric story. The Sorrowing was so oppressive and as the story went on I felt like I was hunching my shoulders down and brushing off my hands to try to get rid of it. This book did a great job of capturing the feeling of a dead-end small town, from the people to the places to all the tragedies that everyone there just accepted as part of life. I think Mercy was the most fleshed out character, which makes sense because it is from her perspective, but I wish that we could have gotten to know the other characters a bit more. They were a bit flat and tended to fall into tropes a bit.

I do wish that the mystery surrounding the Sorrowing had been developed a little bit more. About two-thirds of the book was spent with Mercy trying to decide whether to tell people about the curse or trying to get them to believe her or trying to decide if she should stay out of it or try to help and the last third was actual action. I had hoped that there would be a bit more action in the story than there was. Most of the book felt like it was setting the scene, which I did enjoy, but then the ending felt a bit rushed.

I listened to the audiobook and I think the narrator did a great job capturing the mood of the story. In the beginning it was a bit difficult to differentiate between the voices of different characters, but their voices were more developed towards the end and it was less of an issue.

The synopsis doesn't say this explicitly, but it is revealed pretty early on that the curse is related to the deaths of a family in town, so the story does have mentions of violence. There are a lot of tragedies going on, so people sensitive to that might want to skip this one. I would recommend this one for readers looking for an atmospheric story with elements of magical realism.

Thanks to HarperAudio Children’s and NetGalley for the review copy.
Profile Image for Danielle (mischiefalwayswinsthewar).
218 reviews5 followers
April 15, 2025
A solid 4.25 stars. A really intriguing YA horror with a mystery I desperately wanted to see solved.

Mercy Farr has resigned herself to her fate: her family (along with two other families) have been cursed for decades by the Sorrowing as a result of covering up the murders of the Gracey family. The Sorrowing is an entity all on its own: slowly rotting and decaying the town of Arbor Falls, but especially preying on the families involved in the cover up. Make plans to leave? You'll find your travel plans cancelled for some unbeknownst reason. Want to open a new business? Prepare for a storm to come through town and completely destroy the building. Mercy knows this, she's lived it all her life. It's what took her mother from her. All that changes when the Bowens move in and don't know they're one of the cursed families. When Mercy finally tells the Bowen's son, Matteo, he refuses to take it lying down. Along with their friends, they begin a journey to find out what really happened the night of the Gracey murders - and if there's a way to finally break the curse.

This was a beautifully written story. I could picture the town, the rot, everything so clearly and I think that added to the horror in a great way. I couldn't put the book down, waiting for the next thing to go wrong or for the Bowens to finally get what was happening to them. You could really feel how resigned everyone was to having to live with the Sorrowing; they knew the rules and how to live without aggravating it. Matteo coming in and refusing to settle for this life was the jumpstart Mercy needed, and I'm so glad she had it. The mystery of this had me hooked and each unveiling of a new clue had me eager to turn the next page.

I would have liked to see the Sorrowing interact more with the families - is that awful to say?? I know the families have essentially learned their lessons over the past 70 years with the exception of the Bowens, but there were definitely times in the story that I expected the Sorrowing to interact more with Mercy or Cody.

I would definitely recommend this, especially in the fall for spooky season.

Thank you to HarperCollins for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Torrie Bailey.
87 reviews6 followers
May 3, 2025
Come for the stunning cover art, stay for the small-town supernatural mystery. Mercy isn't here to deliver outright horror but instead fully immerses readers in a small-town gothic story about generational curses ((real and metaphoical)) and what we go through in the face of the circumstances we're dealt. ((Okay, and just a TOUCH of rot horror... which I loved and honestly never get enough of.))

I have to talk about Patrica Ward's masterful character development. Mercy gives us a unique cast and a front row seat to watch their growth, but my favorite characters are the non-human ones. The Sorrowing feels like a character in itself, as does the town as a whole. I'll point it out any time I come across it, but I love authors who are able to create characters out of locations- Ward did a truly exceptional job of this. My gripe is that I'd have liked to have a bit more of The Sorrowing's interactions included. It does feel ominous knowing it's ever-present, but for something this large, we don't get as much detail around its impact over the years.

Under the surface of this easily bingeable mystery is also something deeper: a commentary on small-town mindsets, racism, the power of perspective, sexism, and the ways that we fight to overcome ((or succumb to)) generational trauma. Look closely at our characters, and you'll see each of the stages of grief represented. You'll see loss, pain, and suffering. But you’ll see strength, determination, and connection, too- a reminder that we don't have to be a product of what's been done to us unless we choose to.

For a book that felt like I flew through it, Mercy says a lot. I'd recommend this book to fans of mystery with a supernatural edge and readers who like to dig between the lines of the books they read. This is one I'll absolutely be adding to my physical library.

((While the viewpoints shared are my own, I want to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Patricia Ward for this complimentary copy.))
1 review2 followers
July 20, 2025
As a NYC public school teacher, I spend my days surrounded by young people navigating tough environments and complicated legacies, so Mercy struck a deeply personal chord. Mercy’s quiet strength and deep-rooted resignation to a generational curse felt heartbreakingly familiar—like watching one of my students accept a burden they didn’t ask for. The Sorrowing, with its slow, creeping rot of Arbor Falls, is one of the most effective metaphors for generational trauma I’ve read in a long time. The lush writing and poignant cross-generational relationships made this story incredibly moving. When Matteo Bowen arrives—unaware of the curse but unwilling to be cowed by it—it reignites something in Mercy. Their partnership, built on truth and refusal to settle, felt like the kind of spark I try to nurture in my classroom every day.

The mystery itself is gripping—I tore through pages, needing to know what really happened to the Gracey family. You feel the weight these characters carry; the pain and relentless pressure of living under the Sorrow. The town, the rot, the growing sense of dread were so vividly written I could smell the decay. This is a book that lingers. 5 STARS!

I’ll be recommending it to colleagues and friends, especially as fall creeps in. There’s something powerful about stories that ask what we inherit—and what we can choose to break. Thank you, PATRICIA WARD, HarperCollins and NetGalley
Profile Image for Toni Decaro.
52 reviews
July 14, 2025
Mercy is about a girl who was born into a cursed family. The curse is called the Sorrowing. The Sorrowing affects multiple families that live in the town Mercy lives in. The families and town have just accepted the effects of the Sorrowing. They do not try to achieve their goals. They are content not disturbing the Sorrowing and living Their lives how they are until the Bowen’s come back to town. The Bowen’s family is also affected by thee Sorrowing and when Matteo’s mom becomes sick because she tries to open up a cafe in town. Mercy helps Matteo try and break the curse.

Patricia’s writing helped to be affected by what the characters in the book were going through. There were characters like Mercy’s grandfather that you felt bad with the life he wad dealt and everything he had went through. It was nice to see even though Mercy was cursed that she had true friends like A.J. Who stood by her.

All in all I enjoyed this book it was a quick easy read and kept the story moving throughout the whole story.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tori.
438 reviews17 followers
May 5, 2025
⭐⭐⭐

MERCY by Patricia Ward

Thank you Netgalley and Harpercollins for the earc (Oct 7)

The Sorrowing, that's what keeps Mercy and the other core families of Arbor Falls from prospering. They're cursed because of what happened ages ago. When the Bowens move back to town, however, things change, and soon Mercy has to unearth what happened that night in hopes of stopping the curse.
I really, really wanted to love this book, but I'm not sure how I felt about this book. At first, I found MERCY to be confusing. The characters kept referring to The Sorrowing with no details on what it actually was, and when it was finally explained it made the book make more sense. But, the book wasn't as thrilling as I would have liked...for the first half or so. Once the second half started playing out, I grew more intrigued. I guess trying to solve and stop the curse made for a better read than all the talk of the actual Sorrowing and whatnot.
Profile Image for Jada Jade.
420 reviews8 followers
October 2, 2025
ALC 🎧 Book Review 🤍

⭐️⭐️⭐️

A town cursed by a generation of lies, our FMC (Mercy) must seek out the truth to break free.

Imagine not being able to grow, dream, or prosper without being 🪦
Basically not even living. I can’t even imagine life stuck being miserable, nothing going right… I thought the premise was so interesting, I love a good mystery. Although, I kinda wanted a bit more of a twist or something!!
I felt like this kinda lacked on the thrill factor.
All I know is we need to bring back cursing people’s lineage just like this lmfao. Too many are getting away with being rotten!! So, I really resonated w/ that aspect of the story ☠️

Overall, I did however enjoy the story and love the ending that we got. Mercy was really that girl. No matter how many times the older generation tried to sway her, she fr stood on business.
And I think that speaks so much of how the new generation is now these days!!
Keylor Leigh did an amazing job narrating!!
Profile Image for Critter.
977 reviews43 followers
October 16, 2025
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.

This sounded right up my alley, but I unfortunately wanted a little more from it. I think the book was overall good, it just needed a little more development. I felt a bit lost in the first part of this book because nothing felt fully explained. I would have loved the curse to have been explained a little better in the first section. This is also a slower paced book as we build up to the mystery. I did feel the pacing was even where it was slow and then really fast. I did like the characters involved with this, especially the main character, Mercy. She is a fantastic character. For the most part I liked the narrator. There were points with the younger character the high pitched voice got on my nerves a bit and felt like it went on too long. Other than that I did love the performance of the narrator and how she brought the characters to life.
Profile Image for Una.
382 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2025
I wish Goodreads would allow for half stars so I rounded this one up.

Let’s start with the good: the prose? Chef’s kiss. Atmospheric, spooky, and soaked in haunting folklore. You can feel the weight of grief and trauma on every page. The story about Mercy’s mom… the explanation of the curse.. it keeps you reading and wanting more… but then you don’t get more. The curse is interesting but not very well defined. I think that made me lose interest a few times.

The plot kind of wanders. And by “kind of” I mean I occasionally wondered if I’d accidentally skipped pages. Several times I found myself trying to figure out why things were happening.

Overall it was a decent ride! I would recommend it as an easy read.

As I said, 3.5 stars .. Rounded up because I’m scared the sorrowing will find me!

Thank you NetGallery and HarperCollins publishings for the opportunity to read this one early!
Profile Image for Corinne’s Chapter Chatter.
937 reviews43 followers
August 22, 2025
3.5⭐️

I have had this on my shelf for months wanting to read it closer to publication and I think ai may have over hyped it in my head which lead to a bit of a let down.

On the surface the premise is great!! The book started off engaging and sting but then lost its footing for a good chunk of the book unfortunately. Fortunately, it did rebound for the last 15% of the book which at least left me off on a better note. I think the biggest challenge was its repetitiveness of explaining the degradation of the town which was very descriptive and you could easily picture it.

So over all aim glad aI read it and o think many will find something they like about it especially for fall apply season reason.

I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Harper Collins Childrens through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My general rating system is below. Since I primarily read ARC books I rate according to how I think like minded readers will receive the book. I will round up or down depending on many factors and try not to let my personal wants affect a books ratings.

⭐️ Hated It but pushed through as I don’t DNF ARCs I have received.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, content issues, poorly edited.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but it had something that stopped me from rounding up. Usually the book may have much more potential than what was given. I recommend it but with reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Really enjoyed it or think others will. These are solid reads that I definitely would recommend for a variety of reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! These are books that remain rent free in my head for well after unfinished the book. It can be for a variety of reasons from being very well written or just the vibes that captured my mind. These books are also ones I would probably read again
Profile Image for Tamara Browning.
304 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2025
A twist on a family legacy, with a bit of a supernatural spin. The characters were young, and didn’t pretend to be older, like some YA books tend to do these days. And the parents were active participants in the story, which is also a bit rare in a YA.

Strong points: imagery, setting, and characterizations. All deeply developed and put the reader in the scenes, made them care about the overall themes and plot.

Weaker points: I wanted more about the Sorrowing, I think. Not the mystery of its origin, but the creeping coverage of it. I know there was the Disillusionment, but it didn’t make sense all of the time. Yes, I know some magic doesn’t, but for a standalone I sort of expect it to.

Overall, this was a story about the power of family, breaking the mold from generations before, and standing up for what is right.
Profile Image for Megan.
194 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2025
"Mercy" by Patricia Ward is a brooding, slow-burn YA mystery for readers who crave eerie small-town atmosphere, generational dread, and the ache to confront inherited harm.

While I really enjoyed this book overall, the first third progressed pretty slowly and had me almost skipping pages to get to the heart of the plot. The portrayal of Mercy & her grandfather's relationship as well as her burgeoning one with AJ were highlights of this book.

I might not teach ELA anymore, but I think my middle and high school kiddos would love the thrill of a mysterious curse seeping it's way into the everyday lives of Arbor Falls residents -- especially when only certain families are plagued and no one seems to know exactly why. Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this eARC.
Profile Image for sav.
98 reviews3 followers
May 25, 2025
This thriller/mystery held a dark and dreary energy, with lots of depressing aspects throughout the first half. The story focuses on what is known as the sorrowing - a curse set on certain families because of a family murder that went unsolved for years. It causes mold, dirt, dust, and disgusting things to overtake every part of life & dampens anyone’s chances at success. “Living in the shadows” is what one of the characters refers to it as. Overall, good read that picked up a lot more towards the end, and the history behind it was interesting. Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
Profile Image for Bones99.
125 reviews
June 8, 2025
This book should come with a warning label: if you have depression or anxiety you may want to pass on this book.  The author is THAT GOOD at setting the mood.  I was depressed by chapter 8! I wanted to know how Mercy was going to make it through adulthood. I adored AJ for being by her side no matter what. I cheered when Matteo would push her to think about WHY things were the way they are.  And I absolutely needed to know WHAT HAPPENED all those years ago.  A definite must read. 

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me read the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Kera’s Always Reading.
2,037 reviews78 followers
October 22, 2025
3.5

Filled with curses and a dark town history! Everyone in the town of Arbor Falls knows about The Sorrowing, a curse that has a hold on Mercy, her family, and some of the town’s other families. When a family that had moved away comes back, though… it stirs everything up and Mercy is determined to find a way to break the curse.

This was packed full of sleuthing teens and tons of secrets they uncover along the way. I enjoyed reading this one, but it did take about 25% to find my footing in the story. I thought the ending was great!
Profile Image for Kate | Date With A Thriller.
513 reviews32 followers
October 6, 2025
One spooky and atmospheric read!! 🙌

I started off very engaged in the book but then started to lose interest about halfway through, but everything picked up near the end! Definitely will satisfy YA mystery readers looking for some spooky season vibes! 👏

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children’s for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
Profile Image for Gab.
360 reviews18 followers
October 10, 2025
The imagery in this book is what really sold it for me. It was like the author had pulled you into the story and painted you the town, the rot, the characters and then showed it to you in vivid detail. It was very interesting and intriguing to feel that immersed in a book; I loved every second of it and I liked the take on YA horror this author had.
512 reviews
October 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Children’s for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Exciting thriller. I was very engaged and loved the characters. I wanted to know what the sorrow was- how it happened. This was a great thriller YA.
Profile Image for Marina.
404 reviews3 followers
October 16, 2025
I loved The Cherished so I didn't expect Mercy to be any different for me, but something about it was just missing. This book was the definition of "meh" and it felt like nothing exciting ever really happened. I kept waiting for the story to pick up but it never did.
14 reviews
October 22, 2025
This book was captivating. Written to show all the emotions, sadness, humor, horror, it even pissed me off. The author of this book did an amazing job. This is a book I will recommend! I am so glad I decided to read it. I will be looking for more books by Patricia Ward.
Profile Image for Shauna Morrison.
2,305 reviews5 followers
December 14, 2025
This was an interesting story and the Sorrowing is a cool idea for a curse. I loved the ending.

Keylor Leigh did a great job bringing these characters to life and allowing us to feel Mercy's frustration for her situation.
3,601 reviews16 followers
September 24, 2025
intense and suspenseful novel about a decades-old curse in a small town and one girl's quest to figure out what caused it and to stop it. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Profile Image for Louisa.
8,843 reviews99 followers
October 30, 2025
This was so entertaining to read, loved the set up, and enjoyed watching these characters deal with this situation!
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