Darkest Mercy is the fifth and final book in Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely YA urban faery series, and is a finale to a number of the plotlines that have run through the other books.
The book begins where Radiant Shadows ended. Summer King Keenan has left, former Dark King Irial is injured after a confrontation with Bananach, and the veil between Faerie and the mortal realm has been closed. From the opening pages, it is clear that Darkest Mercy will move towards an inevitable showdown, which will put the lives of all the characters at risk. Added to this, Marr revisits the love triangles of previous novels in the series (Niall-Irial-Leslie and Aislinn-Seth-Keenan – though this is more of a square, with the fourth corner occupied by Donia) and offers some satisfying conclusions to these.
Like all the books in the series, Darkest Mercy has some romantic moments, but also some dark ones. There is violence and death is all the books of the series, and the final installment is no exception. However, this is balanced by compelling and sympathetic characterization, which allows the reader to understand the ‘difficult’ moments through the experiences of likable protagonists.
The Wicked Lovely books are a strong series. Marr’s faery world is a fascinating creation, peopled by callous, cruel, seductive and charming fairies – all of whom are bound by both ancient laws and their own strong desires. Darkest Mercy is a fitting conclusion to the series. As well as resolving some of the plot-threads, there is development of central characters and some new additions as well. Almost all the central characters from the various books in the series (with the exception of Sorcha, Devlin, Ani and Rae) are brought together for the dramatic conclusion. I think the epilogue, particularly, will make avid fans of the series smile.
Compared with other books in the series (especially the earlier ones), Darkest Mercy is not as clearly urban fantasy. While Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange told the story of ordinary ‘human’ girls, with one foot in the ‘real’ world and one (reluctant) foot in the supernatural, Darkest Mercy is set almost entirely in the fairy world. This isn’t a criticism as such, but it does remind us how much some of the characters have given up during their stories.
Darkest Mercy is recommended to fans of urban fantasy, and is highly recommended to those who have enjoyed the rest of the Wicked Lovely series. It belongs alongside the YA fairy novels of Holly Black, Aprilynne Pike and Carrie Need.
Contains: references to sexuality, death and violence (not explicit)
Reviewed by: Hannah Kate