Narrators Michael Gallagher and Rachanee Lumayno bring life to a whimsical fantasy romance between a demigod zombie-hunting marshal and the beautiful undertaker who infuriates him. Lumayno narrates as Mercy, the undertaker who is determined to keep her family’s business afloat. Lumayno’s compassionate narration helps listeners understand Mercy’s growing appreciation for her solemn task. Gallagher’s steady pace and gravelly voice convey the loneliness of Hart, in the wilderness and on the hunt. When Hart and Mercy unknowingly strike up an anonymous correspondence by magical post, listeners will grin as the characters deliver increasingly heartfelt letters to each other. Then attacks from their enemies increase, and the two find themselves drawn together in real life. Can they—and their romance—survive the dangers and secrets of their magical world? E.E.C. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy
Narrated by Michael Gallagher, Rachanee Lumayno
Megan BannenUnabridged — 12 hours, 15 minutes
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy
Narrated by Michael Gallagher, Rachanee Lumayno
Megan BannenUnabridged — 12 hours, 15 minutes
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Overview
"A uniquely charming mixture of whimsy and the macabre that completely won me over. If you ever wished for an adult romance that felt like Howl's Moving Castle, THIS IS THAT BOOK." -Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient
Hart is a marshal, tasked with patrolling the strange and magical wilds of Tanria. It's an unforgiving job, and Hart's got nothing but time to ponder his loneliness.
Mercy never has a moment to herself. She's been single-handedly keeping Birdsall & Son Undertakers afloat in defiance of sullen jerks like Hart, who seems to have a gift for showing up right when her patience is thinnest.
After yet another exasperating run-in with Mercy, Hart finds himself penning a letter addressed simply to “A Friend”. Much to his surprise, an anonymous letter comes back in return, and a tentative friendship is born.
If only Hart knew he's been baring his soul to the person who infuriates him most-Mercy. As the dangers from Tanria grow closer, so do the unlikely correspondents. But can their blossoming romance survive the fated discovery that their pen pals are their worst nightmares-each other?
Set in a world full of magic and demigods, donuts and small-town drama, this enchantingly quirky, utterly unique fantasy is perfect for readers of The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Invisible Library.
"Truly outstanding romantic fantasy." -India Holton
"An unabashedly offbeat adventure." -Freya Marske
"I cried twice and smiled plenty." -Olivia Atwater
"A little sweet, a little spicy, a little sharp and entirely moreish!" -Davinia Evans
"I showed up for the fantastic, fun fantasy setting but it was Hart and Mercy that kept me reading." -Ruby Dixon
Editorial Reviews
05/23/2022
Bannen’s adult debut (after The Bird and the Blade) mixes You’ve Got Mail, Wyatt Earp, and The Walking Dead to create an ambitious but uneven fantasy rom-com. Hart Ralston, a demigod and marshal in the Old West–inspired land of Tanria, is so lonely that he looks forward to his trips to Birdsall & Son Undertakers. At least when he’s dropping off zombie remains (called drudges), he can play with the dog belonging to his nemesis, undertaker Mercy Birdsall. When Hart writes an anonymous letter to no one in particular—he addresses it “Dear friend”—as a way of processing his loneliness, the note is magically delivered via nimkilim (anthropomorphic messenger animals) to Mercy. It was hate at first sight when Hart and Mercy met in real life, but soon each falls for the other’s pen pal persona—just in time for an uptick in drudges to get in the way of their romance. An overarching fantasy mystery about how and why drudges exist rests uneasily on top of this rom-com framework, and an abrupt tonal shift in the third act will throw many readers. Still, fans of the Ask a Mortician webseries and those who love gore and rom-coms in equal measure will find plenty to enjoy in this quirky outing. (Aug.)
"Romantic, wildly creative, and utterly charming, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a fantasy unlike any I've read before." —Lana Harper, author of Payback's a Witch
"With its wonderfully unique setting, lovable characters, and engaging mix of humor and spice, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a truly outstanding romantic fantasy. I loved both its kookiness and its deep authenticity. An instant favorite!" —India Holton, author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
"The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy broke my heart, put it back together, then tucked me into bed with a forehead kiss. Packed with earnest characters, wit, action, and reluctant yearning, this is easily my favourite fantasy romance of the year." —Jen DeLuca, author of Well Met
"A uniquely charming mixture of whimsy and the macabre that completely won me over. If you ever wished for an adult romance that felt like Howl's Moving Castle, THIS IS THAT BOOK." —Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient
"Megan Bannen remains the queen of swoons upon swoons upon swoons! The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a playful, quirky gem-full of feels and guaranteed to deliver the perfect grumpy/sunshine fix!" —Sierra Simone, USA Today bestselling author
"If Lewis Carroll and Nora Ephron teamed up to write a magical Western, this would be the result. An unabashedly offbeat adventure full of dead gods and mostly dead zombies, family drama, swoon-worthy letters, and a Very Good Dog, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy oozes romantic fun lie a corpse oozes dubious fluids." —Freya Marske, author of A Marvellous Light
"Perfect for readers who love enemies-to-lovers mashed up with a touch of secret pen pal romance. I showed up for the fantastic, fun fantasy setting but it was Hart and Mercy that kept me reading." —Ruby Dixon, author of Ice Planet Barbarians
"This book is a gooey (and hot!) romance immersed in a tasty layer of quirky fantasy, like some decadent chocolate treat. A little sweet, a little spicy, a little sharp, and entirely moreish!" —Davinia Evans, author of Notorious Sorcerer
"A lovely, macabre fantasy romance about life, death, and Actually Living. I cried twice and smiled plenty." —Olivia Atwater, author of Half a Soul
07/01/2022
DEBUT Hart Ralston, a marshal tasked with patrolling the magical lands of Tanria, drops off a body to his least favorite undertaker, Mercy Birdsall. A comment from their most recent verbal sparring sticks with him, spurring him to write a letter to no one, just a Friend. He slips it into the mailbox even though it couldn't possibly be delivered to anyone, but it does get delivered and ends up in the hands of the last woman he would ever want to read about his loneliness—Mercy, who is barely keeping her family undertaking business going. When family secrets begin piling up, the unexpected letter from a stranger gives Mercy the outlet she needs to feel less alone with her burdens. As danger brings Hart and Mercy closer together, can they overcome years of misunderstandings to find their way home to each other? VERDICT In Bannen's (Soulswift) adult debut, the roller coaster of Mercy and Hart's journey is full of sizzle and emotional turmoil, as well as plenty of sci-fi adventure and humor. Readers will be captivated by the land of Tanria and will want to stay connected with these characters long after the book ends.—Morgan Lockard
Narrators Michael Gallagher and Rachanee Lumayno bring life to a whimsical fantasy romance between a demigod zombie-hunting marshal and the beautiful undertaker who infuriates him. Lumayno narrates as Mercy, the undertaker who is determined to keep her family’s business afloat. Lumayno’s compassionate narration helps listeners understand Mercy’s growing appreciation for her solemn task. Gallagher’s steady pace and gravelly voice convey the loneliness of Hart, in the wilderness and on the hunt. When Hart and Mercy unknowingly strike up an anonymous correspondence by magical post, listeners will grin as the characters deliver increasingly heartfelt letters to each other. Then attacks from their enemies increase, and the two find themselves drawn together in real life. Can they—and their romance—survive the dangers and secrets of their magical world? E.E.C. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940176452778 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Hachette Audio |
| Publication date: | 08/23/2022 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
| Sales rank: | 408,651 |
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