Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'

The Merciless by Danielle Vega

4 reviews

bashsbooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

To be honest, The Merciless was not what I would call a great book. I started it three or four times before I finally committed to finishing it - and the only reason I felt compelled to do that is because I impulse-bought the entire series at Barnes & Noble six or so years ago. This is billed as a teen horror on par with Stephen King, which is a laughable comparison. The plot twists were predictable and boring, and not much actually happened, despite Vega's desperate attempts to make it seem like there was a lot going on. It was just a slog through a nothing burger. Also, gore and grossness alone don't make a piece of media good horror. They have to serve a particular theme or plot in an interesting way. This book had so much potential, too, in its premise - a teen mil brat moves to a new town and gets embroiled with religion? That's a great premise. But it was rushed and it was nothing. Disappointing.

I may eventually read the other three books... but only because they're sitting on my shelf collecting dust.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Torture, Toxic friendship, Violence, Vomit, Blood, and Death

Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

-Graphic descriptions of insects (specifically cockroaches) -Religious trauma

ilaxaria's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Death, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Torture, Animal death, Alcohol, Violence, Animal cruelty, Religious bigotry, Blood, Gaslighting, Bullying, Body horror, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Self harm, Drug abuse, and Vomit

Minor: Sexual harassment and Infidelity

aliteraryadventure's review

adventurous dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book went left really quick and I was not ready for it. Jesus Danielle Vega can pull you into a scene and keep you there whether you like it or not.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Grief, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Death, Addiction, Toxic friendship, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore

werewolvesnotswearwolves's review

dark tense

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Alcohol, Murder, Physical abuse, Gore, Blood, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Animal death, Body horror, Toxic friendship, and Violence

Moderate: Mental illness, Vomit, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Dementia, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Gaslighting, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Self harm