I don’t usually like to lump together reviews, but these are my first two fantasy reads of 2026 so I wanted to share my thoughts. These books meet the Speccy Fiction Challenge hosted by Book’d Out.
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
I really liked this book, and I loved all the strong emotions in this story. But there were also some things I didn’t like.
I loved the fantasy world where it takes place. There are old gods and new gods, souls are lodged in the appendix, bodies can be animated by lost souls, and the dead are sent to their rest in wooden boats. Mercy is an undertaker, managing the family business for her father. Hart is a demigod who never knew his father and lost his mother. As a marshal, he spends his days dispatching drudges, bodies animated by lost souls. Correspondence in this world is delivered by rabbits and owls.
Bannen does a good job setting up the “hate” between Hart and Mercy, more so than many enemies-to-lovers romances. Misunderstandings, insecurities, and Hart’s distrust of Mercy’s profession all contribute. I found Mercy more than a little dense at times, but I also get frustrated by romances where the characters seem to know exactly what the other person is thinking, just by looking into their eyes.
On the other hand, the hate-to-love felt much too sudden. These two who distrusted each other for years are suddenly soul mates, which felt like too much to believe. Especially after Mercy cuts him down so thoroughly during a certain almost-date.
One of my biggest pet peeves in a romance novel is secret-keeping. I would have enjoyed this one more if Hart had actually revealed his secret to Mercy rather than failing to do so over and over again. It’s a frustrating plot device, because as a reader you always know exactly how it will play out.
I also found Bannen’s use of certain words jarring. Words like “Dungarees” and “underpants” felt dated and awkward. I laughed and groaned at the same time, and maybe that was the intent. Or, maybe these terms just vary by region and are common in other places.
What redeemed this book for me was the raw emotion of the characters, especially Hart. Plot devices aside, he was one of the best romantic characters I’ve read in a while. He’s grumpy and sometimes selfish and so full of grief, and I loved his uncertainty about who he is and where he comes from.
An entertaining and moving, if sometimes frustrating read.
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
Schwab has written an epic dark fantasy novel that spans centuries and explores the legends of vampires. She brings to this story her usual storytelling skill, with deep character development and the raising of issues that are larger than just vampire lore. What does it mean to be alive, to be a monster, to be free? And what are the costs of that freedom?
There’s a lot I enjoyed about this novel, although I liked The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue much better. For one, I related to the character of Addie much more than Maria, Charlotte, and Alice. I also found the concept of Addie LaRue fascinating (would you choose immortality over being remembered?), while vampire lore has been told often. And, Addie LaRue focused more on the history of the years spanning the story, while I found that lacking in Bury Our Bones. The references to certain times in the story mostly focused on the acceptance of lesbians rather than other historical events of the time.
That said, anyone looking for a great horror/vampire tale will love this book, especially if you’re interested in a story that focuses on women’s wants and needs (sexually, but also freedom, power, strength). It will also appeal to those who like a slowly drawn out story, rather than a fast paced one. As a horror story, Schwab builds a lot of terror into small moments and slow build-up. And I appreciated the story’s focus on toxic relationships.
I would have liked more understanding of Alice, as she was the most interesting character to me, but also felt underdeveloped.
All in all, a satisfying story, just not my favorite of Schwab’s.
