Vita has known for a long time that she is a pawn in other people’s political games. When she was little, she knew that she would be used by her father, the king, to make an alliance with someone rich or powerful. The lesson about just how little agency she has really hit home when Vita saw her mother executed in front of her and her father exiled her to the opposite side of their island kingdom. All of this happens in the first chapter or so of Maren Chase’s Crueler Mercies. Chase never lets the pace of this novel slow because, just as Vita seems to have settled into her captivity, a foreign army captures the city and has roped her into a new game.
The years before Ardaric invades are long and lonely for Vita. She’s been confined to one room, given irregular meals, and kept in near total isolation ever since her mother’s murder. Thankfully, Vita is surprisingly good at rolling with her changes of fortune—mostly by staying quiet, observing, and planning before she does or says anything. It doesn’t take her long to realize that Ardaric is just as dangerous as her father. Both of them could have her killed before the end of the day. It also doesn’t take Vita long to realize that there are benefits to being underestimated. If she is careful enough, canny enough, she might be able to change everything.
Vita has few allies. Most of the invaders are terrified of getting on Ardaric’s bad side and would rat Vita out as soon as look at her, so it’s surprising when Vita learns that her new maid, Soline, is actively seeking revenge against the all-powerful Ardaric. Together, they scheme and bide their time as Ardaric begins his drive north, towards the island’s capital and a final showdown against Vita’s father. They’re not masterminds, however. Their plans often go awry and I lost count of how many times Vita and Soline almost get themselves killed. There’s never a full moment in this book; Crueler Mercies is absolutely nail-biting.
Her life isn’t the only thing Vita risks as she plots against Ardaric. She also risks her humanity. How far is she willing to go to secure even a small measure of safety and power? Is violence really the only way to take the throne of Carca? Ardaric clearly believes that the authority to rule comes from fear and force, even cruelty. He doesn’t believe in mercy and, as time goes on, Vita starts to wonder how much she’ll have to surrender her sense of compassion and empathy. Is it foolish of her to even try? It isn’t until the very end of this gripping novel that we get our answers.