Book Review: Mercy by Rebecca Lim

Mercy by Rebecca Lim

Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (May 17, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10:1423145178
ISBN-13: 978-1423145172
Source: Purchased from Books-A-Million
Cover: I don't actually love this cover as much as the original but it is beautiful. Since we spend so much time with Mercy in another body, I like that we see her true form on the cover and I love the indentation of wings. Very attractive cover indeed! Even better up close.
First Sentence: "There is something very wrong with me."

Mini-Review: A new and interesting take on angels with vivid writing and a fascinating plot that sets it apart from others in its' genre.

Book Summary:

Mercy ‘wakes’ on a school bus bound for Paradise, a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business… or thinks they do. But Mercy has a secret life. She is an angel, doomed to return repeatedly to Earth, taking on a new ‘persona’ each time she does, in an effort to resolve a cataclysmic rift between heavenly beings. The first of a brilliant new series sees Mercy meeting Ryan, an eighteen-year-old whose sister was kidnapped two years ago and is presumed dead. When another girl is also kidnapped, Mercy knows she has to act quickly and use extraordinary powers to rescue her, even if it means exposing her true identity.

Book Review:

Mercy begs the question of what a person would do when thrust into another body in another life with nothing to go on but instincts. This is the only life that the character Mercy has ever known and it's was interesting to read a novel about a character who was as unsure of things about herself as she was about her hosts. Coupled with a twisting plot and incredibly vivid writing, it made for one excellent read.


I found myself drawn to Mercy because of her confidence. She wasn't some shy young girl. She was an older soul and had had plenty of time to figure out who she was. At the core she was an honest, tough-as-nails and funny because it of. It was interesting dealing with a girl that didn't even know her real name but she still had confidence in herself. It was really refreshing to read a character who knew she could do anything and proved it constantly. She helped not only herself but also the bodies she fell in and those around her.


Being a chorus nerd, I loved the singing angle and the way the author described the music, the mechanics of sining and the elation the character felt was just gorgeous. It felt as familiar as being home and wasn't so techinical as to allinate other readers. I thought the plot was fasy paced and worked to highlight what Mercy is good at. Her connection with the uber-cutie Ryan was undeniable and I really liked their relationship. Mercy repeats quite often that Carmen isn't anything to write home about as far as looks but Ryan is able to see inside and falls for the person Mercy is. I also loved the twin connection between Ryan and his missing sister.


The reason I'm not giving this is a five is that I found some bits of dialogue a little confusing. Someone would respond to a question that was never asked or I'd have to re-read lines a few times and still couldn't understand what the character was trying to say or describe. However, the author was particularly skilled at describing people in unique ways.


Mercy is one of the books that really utilizing a confident voice and plot to make it the best it can possibly be. Though it's relatively small, it packs a powerful punch and is a breeze to get through. I'd definitely let Mercy slip into your life for a little while. I don't think it's a story most will regret living in!

Rating: