Super Short Summary

The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, published in 2020, is a historical fiction novel set in a 1618 Norwegian Arctic town after a storm kills the town's men, leaving the women to rebuild. As imperialist forces impose laws and start a witch hunt, Ursa, the wife of a Scottish commissioner, forms a deep bond with Maren, a local woman, challenging societal norms and exploring themes of mob mentality, gender roles, and fear. This book includes sensitive topics such as witch hunts, executions, and violence.