Step into the wildly irreverent world of the Mercury series, where a ping-pong-loving angel named Mercury flips the apocalypse script with a smirk and a quip! Written by Robert Kroese, this speculative fiction gem blends satire, theology, and adventure, delivering a hilarious yet profound take on free will, bureaucracy, and the end of days. If you love sharp wit and cosmic chaos, this series is your ticket to a divine comedy.
With its motley crew of angels, demons, and humans navigating a universe where Armageddon is just another corporate deadline, the Mercury series has carved a cult following. Kroese’s knack for mixing absurd humor with deep philosophical questions makes every page a delightful rollercoaster. Ready to meet a slacker Antichrist and a jaded reporter saving the world? Let’s dive in!
How Mercury Began
Robert Kroese, a Michigan native with a philosophy degree and a penchant for irony, stumbled into writing after a career in software development. In 2009, he unleashed Mercury Falls, the first book in the series, drawing on his love for theology, pop culture, and Douglas Adams-style humor. Self-published initially, Kroese’s relentless social media hustle turned the book into a word-of-mouth hit, sparking a five-book saga that’s as quirky as it is thought-provoking.
Inspired by the absurdity of bureaucratic systems and apocalyptic tropes, Kroese crafted a universe where heaven and hell are tangled in red tape, and angels like Mercury would rather play card tricks than follow divine plans. His background in philosophy shines through, grounding the series’ humor in questions about fate and free will.
The Heart of Mercury
The Mercury series kicks off with Mercury Falls (2009), where jaded reporter Christine Temetri meets Mercury, a rogue cherub more interested in Rice Krispy Treats than orchestrating Armageddon. Together with Karl Grissom, a film-school dropout turned Antichrist, they accidentally thwart an assassination, setting off a chain of events to stop the apocalypse. Mercury Rises (2011) ramps up the stakes as Christine and Mercury face a billionaire’s plot to unravel the universe’s secrets, while Mercury Rests (2012) concludes the trilogy with Lucifer’s scheme to storm heaven’s gates. Mercury Revolts (2014) and Mercury Shrugs (2016) expand the saga, introducing new conspiracies and anti-surveillance themes.
The series’ setting—a bureaucratic cosmos where angels and demons debate the apocalypse like office workers—blends Monty Python surrealism with sharp social satire. Themes of free will, the absurdity of rigid systems, and the human spirit’s resilience shine through, wrapped in Kroese’s razor-sharp dialogue. Whether it’s Mercury’s banter or Christine’s grit, the characters feel like old friends you’d want at the end of the world.
Kroese’s style, often compared to Douglas Adams and Christopher Moore, balances laugh-out-loud moments with existential musings. From parodies of Harry Potter to jabs at corporate culture, the series is a love letter to those who question authority and embrace life’s chaos.
Why Mercury Resonates
The Mercury series has won a devoted niche for its fearless blend of humor and theology, appealing to fans of speculative fiction who crave something offbeat. Its cult status stems from Kroese’s ability to make readers laugh while pondering life’s big questions. Reviews praise its witty dialogue and unpredictable plots, with readers on Goodreads calling it a “hilarious romp” that’s “genius in the humor department.” Though not a mainstream blockbuster, its influence lies in inspiring readers to embrace irreverence and curiosity.
The series’ legacy endures through its timeless satire of bureaucracy and power, resonating in an era of complex systems and surveillance debates. For those who’ve chuckled at heaven’s paperwork or rooted for Mercury’s rebellion, the series is a reminder that even the end of the world can be a riot.
- Publication Years: 2009–2016
- Number of Books: 5
- Genres: Speculative Fiction, Satire, Fantasy
Grab Mercury Falls and dive into a world where angels slack off, humans save the day, and the apocalypse is one big cosmic joke. Your next binge-read awaits!