rachelroo13's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
"It's never easy, is it, Deka." Britta says it best and this quote can easily encompass this entire sequel. Forna has masterfully woven the continuation of Deka and the alaki's story with twists, turns, and betrayal once again. In a fictional world touted for it's feminism and woman power this book not only empowers its women and girls but also extends the conversation to all genders. I don't think I've ever read a book with as many trans or non-binary characters and the best part is, these things are not a "big deal." They aren't made a large part of the characters' personalities, it isn't talked about exhaustively; it's just a thing that is mentioned, accepted, and then everyone moves on as normal. Where the first book in this series pushed the reader to think about misogyny, the idea of misandry is added here. Deka and her friends want true equality for all, regardless of gender. Of course that's not going to be easy, especially in a culture as twisted around as Otera's. The mythology of Otera and the continued worldbuilding make this a dynamite sequel, and I'm excited to see where Deka goes next.
Moderate: Mental illness, Transphobia, Death, Gore, Blood, Injury/injury detail, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Sexism
Minor: Homophobia, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, and Rape
azidearest's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I was slightly concerned at the beginning because but once it became apparent that that was on purpose, I got even more into the book than I expected to. There are very few (no?) other books that so deftly address the nuance and complications of true conflict like this one- maybe Hunger Games, but it's been too long since I've read them. All the characters have differing and complex reasons for participating in the conflict they ways that they do, and precious few (only 1, which is honestly arguable) of those reasons are "I'm just evil". As much as I want and need stories that give me hope that humanity can find a way to stop destroying everything, many of those stories oversimplify into villain vs hero. This book does not. I am slightly worried about where the next book is going- - but Forna surprised me with the first two books, so I'll absolutely give her the chance to surprise me again.
Spoiler
something seemed off and uncomfortable about the MothersSpoiler
Deka being a goddess instead of humanity's rescue being human despite the very strong religion corrupts messagesGraphic: Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Religious bigotry, Violence, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Blood, Murder, Sexual violence, Torture, and Rape
Minor: Pregnancy, Classism, Cursing, and Homophobia
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I read The Gilded Ones last year and absolutely loved it, which marked The Merciless Ones as one of my most anticipated 2022 releases. While I did enjoy it, for the most part, I can’t say that I loved it to the same extent I did its predecessor. Because as much as I adored Deka and the other alaki and all of their uruni, as intriguing and fast-paced as the very beginning and very end of the novel were, regrettably, I found the middle portion of the book kind of boring and hard to push through. I’m not actually sure if that’s because of the book itself or my on-again-off-again reading slump, but either way, it hindered my reading experience.
That being said, I still think Namina Forna is an incredible writer—she’s created a brilliant protagonist and supporting cast, an absolutely adorable romance, and a fascinatingly intricate world. Her plot twists are mind-blowing; I swear, I spent the last 25% of this book in shock, and at one point I nearly threw my phone across the room. (I read an ebook.)
Also, I just want to take a second to shriek—DEKA AND KEITA ARE ADORABLEEEE. 🥹🥹💗💗
Okay, got that out of my system. 😮💨😮💨
Anyway. Despite not being completely sold on this sequel, I’m excited (slash scared) to see how she’ll end this trilogy, and certain that the finale will be spectacular. If you haven’t read this series yet, do it ASAP!!! (But check the content warnings first, bc damn, these books get brutal.)
Representation
That being said, I still think Namina Forna is an incredible writer—she’s created a brilliant protagonist and supporting cast, an absolutely adorable romance, and a fascinatingly intricate world. Her plot twists are mind-blowing; I swear, I spent the last 25% of this book in shock, and at one point I nearly threw my phone across the room. (I read an ebook.)
Also, I just want to take a second to shriek—DEKA AND KEITA ARE ADORABLEEEE. 🥹🥹💗💗
Okay, got that out of my system. 😮💨😮💨
Anyway. Despite not being completely sold on this sequel, I’m excited (slash scared) to see how she’ll end this trilogy, and certain that the finale will be spectacular. If you haven’t read this series yet, do it ASAP!!! (But check the content warnings first, bc damn, these books get brutal.)
Representation
- full cast of brown/Black characters
- multiple queer main + side characters (includes sapphic, achillean, + trans rep, as well as a nonbinary character that uses they/them pronouns)
- two sapphic side couples
Graphic: Death, Murder, Torture, Blood, Gore, Body horror, and Misogyny
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia
Most of the main cast are dealing with PTSD in some form; Deka's is especially bad and occasionally leads to panic attacks. There’s multiple on-page scenes including and/or references to decapitation, various forms of mutilation, and being burned alive, as well as one on-page parent death and references to past deaths of side characters’ parents/families. Lastly, while the main cast is wholly accepting of one another, there are discussions of the homophobic society some characters used to live in.
More...