Megan Bannen’s adult fantasy debut, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, is a literary paradox that shouldn’t work but absolutely does—a romance that blooms in a funeral parlor, between two people who can barely stand each other in person but pour their souls out to each other in anonymous letters. It’s Jane Austen’s epistolary tradition reimagined through the lens of magical realism, where death magic and undertaking meet enemies-to-lovers romance in ways that feel both refreshingly original and timelessly familiar.
The Beautiful Irony of Opposites Attracting
Characters That Breathe Life Into Death
Hart Ralston is a marshal patrolling the dangerous magical wilds of Tanria, carrying the weight of potential immortality like a curse rather than a blessing. Bannen crafts him as a man frozen by the terrifying possibility of endless existence, making his loneliness palpable and his fear of connection tragically understandable. His character development from a gruff, seemingly heartless official to someone capable of vulnerability represents some of the novel’s strongest writing.
Mercy Birdsall operates as his perfect foil—a woman who faces death daily yet radiates life. As the backbone of Birdsall & Son Undertakers, she embodies resilience and warmth while dealing with corpses and grief. Bannen’s genius lies in making Mercy’s profession feel like a celebration of life rather than a morbid obsession with death. Her character serves as both the heart of the novel and its moral compass.
The Magic of Miscommunication
The central conceit—that Hart and Mercy despise each other in person but fall in love through anonymous correspondence—could easily feel contrived. Instead, Bannen makes it believable through careful character work. Their face-to-face interactions crackle with tension that reads as genuine antagonism, while their letters reveal the vulnerable souls beneath their defensive exteriors.
This dual relationship structure allows Bannen to explore themes of authenticity and masks we wear in different contexts. Hart’s letters reveal his philosophical nature and deep loneliness, while Mercy’s responses showcase her empathy and strength. The dramatic irony becomes deliciously painful as readers watch them fall for each other while remaining oblivious to their true identities.
Worldbuilding That Serves Story
Tanria: Where Death Has Teeth
Bannen creates a fantasy world that feels lived-in rather than constructed for plot convenience. Tanria, the magical wasteland where Hart patrols, serves as more than mere backdrop—it’s a character itself. The drudges (reanimated corpses) and the concept of the “appendix” as the source of both soul and infection create a magic system that’s both unique and thematically relevant.
The town of Eternity provides a perfect contrast to Tanria’s dangers. Bannen populates it with a cast of supporting characters who feel real rather than functional, from Leonard the dog to the nimkilim mail carriers who facilitate the central correspondence. The worldbuilding never overwhelms the romance but provides a rich foundation that makes the stakes feel genuine.
Where the Writing Soars and Stumbles
Bannen’s Distinctive Voice
Coming from her YA background (The Bird and the Blade), Bannen demonstrates remarkable range in transitioning to adult fantasy romance. Her prose strikes an admirable balance between accessibility and sophistication. The dialogue sparkles with wit and authentic banter, particularly in the letters that form the novel’s emotional core.
The author excels at small, telling details that bring scenes to life. Mercy’s habit of singing in the bathtub, Hart’s tendency to duck through doorframes, the smell of pine in Mercy’s hair—these specifics create intimacy without relying on overwrought description.
Pacing: The Double-Edged Sword
The novel’s structure, alternating between present-day conflicts and the developing letter romance, creates excellent tension. However, some sections feel rushed while others drag. The revelation of the letter writers’ identities comes at exactly the right moment, but the aftermath feels somewhat compressed given the emotional weight of their discovery.
The external plot involving increased deaths in Tanria and possible conspiracy takes backseat to the romance, which works for the genre but occasionally makes the pacing feel uneven. Some readers may wish for more development of the magical threat.
Romance That Transcends Tropes
Beyond Enemies-to-Lovers
While The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy employs the popular enemies-to-lovers trope, Bannen elevates it beyond formulaic execution. The central misunderstanding isn’t based on simple miscommunication but on deeper questions of identity and authenticity. When the truth emerges, the conflict feels earned rather than manufactured.
The physical relationship develops naturally from emotional connection, and Bannen handles intimate scenes with appropriate heat while maintaining character focus. The romance feels mature and grounded in genuine compatibility rather than mere attraction.
Family and Community
The Birdsall family dynamics add depth and authenticity to the story. Roy Birdsall’s relationship with his children, Lilian’s pregnancy, and Zeddie’s coming-of-age subplot create a believable family unit. These relationships provide stakes beyond the central romance and ground Mercy’s character in meaningful connections.
Critical Considerations
Strengths That Shine
- Original premise: The combination of undertaking, magical realism, and epistolary romance feels fresh
- Character development: Both protagonists undergo genuine growth
- Emotional authenticity: The feelings between Hart and Mercy develop believably
- Supporting cast: Secondary characters feel real and contribute meaningfully
- Thematic depth: Exploration of mortality, identity, and connection adds substance
Areas for Improvement
- Subplot resolution: Some secondary plot threads feel underdeveloped
- Pacing inconsistencies: Certain sections could benefit from more balanced development
- Magic system clarity: Some magical elements could use clearer explanation
- Stakes balance: The external threats sometimes feel overshadowed by romance
Literary Positioning and Comparisons
Finding Its Niche
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy occupies a sweet spot between cozy fantasy and steamy romance. Readers who enjoyed The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow or The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab will appreciate Bannen’s blend of magical elements and emotional depth.
The epistolary elements will appeal to fans of historical romance, while the fantasy setting attracts genre readers. This cross-appeal represents both a strength and potential challenge in finding its ideal audience.
Series Potential
As the first book in the Hart and Mercy series, this novel establishes a world and tone that promises rich development. The hints at Zeddie and Lilian’s future stories suggest Bannen plans to explore different aspects of love and family within this universe. The upcoming installments, titled “The Undermining of Twyla and Frank” and “The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam,” will be intriguing to read.
Similar Reads Worth Exploring
Readers who enjoy The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy should consider:
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune – for cozy fantasy with emotional depth
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab – for immortality themes and romantic tension
- Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – for atmospheric gothic elements
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – for character-driven storytelling
- Beach Read by Emily Henry – for enemies-to-lovers with emotional complexity
Final Verdict: A Promising Beginning
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy succeeds as both a standalone romance and series opener. Bannen demonstrates impressive growth from her YA work, crafting characters and relationships that feel authentically adult while maintaining accessibility. The novel’s central conceit of anonymous correspondence allows for deep emotional exploration while the fantasy elements provide engaging stakes.
While not without flaws—pacing issues and some underdeveloped subplots prevent it from reaching masterpiece status—the book delivers exactly what it promises: a heartfelt romance with magical elements that celebrates both love and the people who help us process death and grief.
For readers seeking comfort fantasy with genuine emotional depth, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy offers a satisfying escape that doesn’t insult intelligence or rely solely on trope fulfillment. Bannen has created something special here: a book that makes you believe in the power of words to connect souls across any divide, even the one between life and death.
- Recommended for: Fans of adult fantasy romance, epistolary fiction enthusiasts, readers who appreciate character-driven plots, and anyone looking for a cozy fantasy with emotional substance.
- Content considerations: Mild to moderate romantic content, discussion of death and grief, fantasy violence, emotional themes suitable for adult readers.
