A review by kianareads
The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

4.25

"When gods dance, humanity trembles." 
 
Many moments in this made me feel like I was reading a psychological thriller. Deka, previously so sure in her understanding of herself, her world, and her goddesses is made to question everything. Even her own memories. 
 
The first book focused in on how misogyny impacted and harmed its main target: women. The journey was about Deka and the other alaki finding their power as women, learning to love themselves, and to fight for their freedom. THE MERCILESS ONES expanded on this theme making it clear that, as Fannie Lou Hamer once said, “nobody’s free until everybody’s free”. 
 
I am grateful for the way Forna highlighted how misogyny negatively impacts (to varying degrees) everyone not just women. And this sequel doesn’t stop at misogyny. It addresses homophobia, transphobia, generational trauma, grief, found family, religious genocide, and the need to move beyond seeing the world through restrictive binaries. 
 
Simply cannot wait for the third book (even more than I was anxiously waiting for the second!) 🔥 
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