Reviewed by Melanie Kennedy for Readers' Favorite

Mercy: A Novel by Steve Crown is a satirical short story about everyday life and the struggles most of us have to go through in the 21st century. We are introduced to Mercy, a sweet baby boy born into a rich family. However, his life and family soon fall apart as Steve explores the absurdity of what it means to be a human being. Mercy is left to struggle through his childhood and adolescence as he navigates the difficult path of not being fortunate enough to be a part of the rich or popular crowd. The social criticism is poignant as the author lambasts the housing crisis and student debt. Most of us can relate to these problems, and unfortunately, even future generations might have to deal with them too. This makes Mercy a timeless piece of literature, as just as Mercy struggles through the pitfalls of life, someone out there will too, and might just need the right book to get them through the craziness that is life on earth.

Steve Crown has written a witty commentary on life, loss, and love in Mercy. The novel is full of sarcasm and would’ve made me laugh if it wasn’t for the state of the world we are in. However, the author knows that any good satirical story should end on a happy note. No matter how bad life gets, we must have hope and live each day like it might be our last. I utterly enjoyed Mercy and his turbulent and uncertain story. It’s refreshing to read a novel full of sad twists and turns, only to end on a hopeful note. I wish all our stories could end on a bright note.