1.64k reviews for:

The Merciless Ones

Namina Forna

3.95 AVERAGE

thackercat16's review against another edition

4.0

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Think liked the first book a bit more. Cool to see other alaki to gain their power. The author continued Deka's questioning of if she's good enough for those in power. She gained confidence but could see how the mothers continued to influence over her. Made me think how we need to continually assess those in power and policy to make sure they're fair. Keep our laws accountable and up to date

tjohnso89's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

kirandean's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional 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: Complicated

sxtellites's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

chloegodden_98's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

smugthedragon's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

cmucce01's review against another edition

5.0

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A fantastic sequel to The Gilded Ones. Book 1 was a clear takedown of the patriarchy, while Book 2 reminded me of the summer’s Barbie movie, which questioned whether a female-dominated matriarchy is really the utopia that we’d like to imagine. Again, I loved the character development of Deka and the other alaki and unuri, and I loved the shifting allegiances and surprise twists — there was some wonderful foreshadowing at the start of the book but I didn’t see the big plot twist coming at all. I can’t wait to read the third book in the trilogy when it comes out next year!

amtrench's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous challenging reflective 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: Complicated

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I liked this way better than the first book! Love a stronger female lead and the growth here seems like it’ll keep happening in the next book!

meltheredhead's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

nightblood's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced