Ok. On the Mercy topic:

I wondered if Mercy x Alex’s storyline is perhaps commenting on peoples individuals reactions to fear & trauma either turning them more religious or away from it. Turner comments that he’s grown stronger in his faith after visiting Hell, where Darlington has instead struggled morally and said he’s moved away (understandably lol)

I just figured, since I keep seeing that theme come up, that Mercy’s moral reaction seems to have her turning more to her faith as a way of regaining a sense of control and what she assumes is the safer path. Trauma and fear can truly change a lot about a persons belief and their interpretation of life afterwards. …I also wondered if this could also be a reflection on the change of moral stance in current events due to the current decade of dangers / fear present. Theres been an increase of certain people becoming very pious suddenly or stepping away from their faith entirely. What privilege looking away can give us, that illusion of safety while others are knee deep (in Alex’s words) Shit and trying to wade through the dark reality of it.

Anyways. I’m speculating and for all I know, it could turn out different 😅 I don’t personally agree with Mercy’s decisions but I just wondered if this was the reasoning for it. I love the themes of life and death, spiritually and athiesm, god & demons, supernatural and realistic, the privileged and the oppressed etc — Bardugo is such a gift and her books bring out such rich dichotomy!