Reviews with content warning for Fire/Fire injury - The Merciless Ones

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The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna

21 reviews

businesswife's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring 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

5.0

This series is so good. Deka is a badass FMC who is coming into her power in book two. She is uncovering so much about the world she is living in, the Gods, and about herself. This is such a spectacular look at faith and what it can do to people. I also love how it allows these young women to be angry and messy. There is such a diverse set of experiences in this from backgrounds, families, and sexuality. Also just when you think you know whats going on, you don't which I love in a book series. The world that is laid out is also so rich and beautiful.

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abby_can_read's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

4.0

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hue's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Though it is sometimes overwritten, and has some typical YA-type writing, there's much more flesh to this story than a lot of the "popular" ones. We have a cast of strong female characters with sisterly bonds. The story is raw, yes, but it's written in a tasteful (if you can say that) way. The topic of misogyny and sexism, as well as the opposite, is so well thought out and well written it feeds the story such a realistic feeling I can totally imagine Otera truly existing somewhere.

I ADORE Deka and Britta's friendship. They're truly platonic soulmates, and it's so so so lovely that their relationship keeps going strong no matter what. I love that though Deka is strong and divine by her own, she doesn't fear depending on people. Her blood sisters, Britta, Keita, Ixa (who isn't a person but I guess it counts), White Hands. She has a web of people that she can trust, that trust her and comfort her, stand by her side despite all the blood they have to go through. It's beautiful!

I wish I would've had this story to read when I was a teen. I would've been so empowered and thrilled to follow Deka along as she fights for what is right and what is wrong. If you can stomach blood and gore, this is a gold mine. What YA should be!

THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE QUEER CHARACTERS AS SIDE CHARACTERS! AS NORMAL, REGULAR PEOPLE JUST LIVING THEIR LIVES! PRAISE NAMINA FORNA, YOU BEAUTIFUL SOUL!

I'm sure Namina Forna is going to write some incredible stuff along her career. I'm excited for the next installment (that I'm late getting to), and whatever Namina might write in the future, I'm definitely going to follow her work, whatever it may be!

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emiliemhr's review against another edition

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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? Yes

4.0

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tourmaline1703's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.25

It had been a while since I'd read The Gilded Ones but I enjoyed being back in this world with Deka and, of course, Ixa, who I will always love. It took me a while to remember the first novel and to settle back into the world, which is beautifully developed and well thought out. I think even though it had been a while since I'd read the first novel, the worldbuilding is built on and changes a lot in this book that it didn't matter how much you remembered or not.

I really enjoyed the writing and of course, the characterisation of Ixa. He is absolutely adorable and the writing really helps show his connection to Deka. I think the passages in memories were really well done as well and you could distinguish between Deka and the other characters, particularly the gods. Although it didn't bother me too much, at times I felt like the worldbuilding was being re-explained a lot at the start. It might've bothered me more if I'd read this immediately after the first book but because it's been a while, I appreciated the recap.

The plot was well placed and detailed. You can't go wrong with a fantasy novel that's based around a quest, and this is no exception. There were twists and turns that I didn't see coming, characters that reappeared when we thought they'd gone and a plot that kept building wonderfully. The big twist at the end was maybe slightly predictable but I'm still excited to see how it plays out in the final book and how Deka will adjust.

I think Deka's character is well written, particularly how she deals with her emotions. We see her growth from denial to learning how to channel and understand her feelings. I think all of the main characters are brilliant and so emotionally mature that it is refreshing to read. Miscommunication is a huge pet peeve of mine in life and literature but the maturity and understanding of these characters means that, whilst the plot is building, their bonds stay true which I loved.

Content Warnings

jagodasbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark slow-paced

3.0

"The Merciless Ones includes scenes of violence, including some graphic violence and description of sexual violence, which some readers may find distressing."

Where was this warning in the first book, huh? I'm still traumatised after it. This book is less descriptive than the first one, but still it's one of the most terrifying, violent and brutal books I've ever read and I would add more content warnings to that.

Content Warnings