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Deathless #2
The Merciless Ones
It's been six months since Deka freed the goddesses in the ancient kingdom of Otera and discovered who she really is... but war is waging across the kingdom, and the real battle has only just begun. For there is a dark force growing in Otera—a merciless power that Deka and her army must stop.
Yet hidden secrets threaten to destroy everything Deka has known. And with her own gifts changing, Deka must discover if she holds the key to saving Otera... or if she might be its greatest threat.
The Merciless Ones is the second thrilling installment of the epic fantasy series in which a young heroine fights against a world that would dare tame her.
Yet hidden secrets threaten to destroy everything Deka has known. And with her own gifts changing, Deka must discover if she holds the key to saving Otera... or if she might be its greatest threat.
The Merciless Ones is the second thrilling installment of the epic fantasy series in which a young heroine fights against a world that would dare tame her.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published May 31, 2022
About the author
Namina Forna
10 books2,910 followersNamina Forna is a young adult novelist and the author of the New York Times bestselling fantasy YA series The Gilded Ones. Originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, she moved to the US when she was nine and has been traveling back and forth ever since.
Namina's books have been translated into 25+ languages, nominated for several awards, and optioned for film and TV. Namina herself is an accomplished public speaker, especially on the topics of feminism, storytelling and challenging dominant narratives.
Namina's books have been translated into 25+ languages, nominated for several awards, and optioned for film and TV. Namina herself is an accomplished public speaker, especially on the topics of feminism, storytelling and challenging dominant narratives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,454 reviews
August 27, 2022
This was an anticipated release, I read and loved The Gilded Ones so much and I was itching to get back into Deka's world and see what she does next. However. This story... wasn't quite what I expected.
At lot of the humour and wit of The Gilded Ones, and the friendship bonds that Deka and her friends have, seems to be a little missing here. Instead, the focus switches over the (excessive) use of Arcane Objects and Divine Gifts, which never really made an appearance in Gilded.
Another thing that never appeared in Gilded were Queer people, and it was a little jarring to see so many of us basically stuffed into this book. There's not many new Queer characters either, leading me to wonder why they were all revealed to be Queer here, and there was no hint of that in the first book.
I did have to slog through a lot of this story, but I will say that the ending was really, really good, almost making me excited to read the final book, although I am still wary due to how much I had to push myself to get through this book. I'm hoping it's just a case of Second Book Syndrome.
At lot of the humour and wit of The Gilded Ones, and the friendship bonds that Deka and her friends have, seems to be a little missing here. Instead, the focus switches over the (excessive) use of Arcane Objects and Divine Gifts, which never really made an appearance in Gilded.
Another thing that never appeared in Gilded were Queer people, and it was a little jarring to see so many of us basically stuffed into this book. There's not many new Queer characters either, leading me to wonder why they were all revealed to be Queer here, and there was no hint of that in the first book.
I did have to slog through a lot of this story, but I will say that the ending was really, really good, almost making me excited to read the final book, although I am still wary due to how much I had to push myself to get through this book. I'm hoping it's just a case of Second Book Syndrome.
July 10, 2022
For me, The Merciless Ones succeeded more thematically than it did in practice. I’m hesitant to call any book set in such an oppressive society “fun”, but I can’t say this one left me breathless in the same way The Gilded Ones did. It’s been over two years since I’ve read the first book in the series, but it’s been a consistent crowd-pleaser even amongst friends of mine who don’t read a ton in this genre. And unfortunately, I think the scarcity of both figurative and literal human elements in the book held it back from reaching the level of its predecessor.
Deka, by nature of what her character has become, felt very disconnected from her peers the majority of the time. She alone was able to converse with the gods, so all of the important exposition and big reveals happened while she was alone, usually telepathically. A pattern began to emerge for me——and blunted the stakes somewhat.
Without getting too deeply into the plot, there’s a pretty significant pivot in how we’re meant to perceive the gods, with Deka slowly peeling back the layers of myth from truth in the stories surrounding the Gilded Ones. Forna’s use of fantasy to confront gendered violence was so well executed in the first novel that it’s really interesting to see how she’s decided to tackle the topic in the second installment.
I found the rest of the commentary on gender and identity smartly done—gender roles are an invention, its stereotypes are arbitrary, anyone can be an oppressor, one group’s survival should not depend on another’s oppression, etc. Though we don’t end up going very deep with anyone besides Deka, I know even the inclusion of characters from so many marginalized communities will mean a good deal to readers who relate to them.
I did find the pairing off of literally every single named character with one another to be an unnecessary exercise. So much of the character development in The Gilded Ones occurred through the friendships forged between the alaki, and from the constant forced couplings and the number of scenes where Deka is lost in her own head, there wasn’t much room for those kinds of relationships to flourish. Come to think of it, the only supporting character that had a solid, emotional presence was Britta. Keita could have been replaced by a broom half the time and you’d never know.
I think there’s two kinds of second books in trilogies, either they’re climaxes (The Wicked King, The Kingdom of Copper, Thunderhead) or they’re connectors (Siege and Storm, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, The Obelisk Gate). One is not better than the other, but I feel like I’ve read more connectors than climaxes, and The Merciless Ones is likely going to end up under the ‘connector’ umbrella. But some of the best series, like Broken Earth, are able to make the most of that position in the trilogy and set up an incredible finale. I retain my high hopes for the last leg of Deka’s story but hope she and her friends are able to recapture some of the magic from the first book.
Also, they audiobook was very well done for anyone interested.
*Thanks to Delacorte Books for the complimentary copy and PRH Audio for the ALC!
**For more book talk & reviews, follow me on Instagram at @elle_mentbooks!
Deka, by nature of what her character has become, felt very disconnected from her peers the majority of the time. She alone was able to converse with the gods, so all of the important exposition and big reveals happened while she was alone, usually telepathically. A pattern began to emerge for me——and blunted the stakes somewhat.
Without getting too deeply into the plot, there’s a pretty significant pivot in how we’re meant to perceive the gods, with Deka slowly peeling back the layers of myth from truth in the stories surrounding the Gilded Ones. Forna’s use of fantasy to confront gendered violence was so well executed in the first novel that it’s really interesting to see how she’s decided to tackle the topic in the second installment.
I found the rest of the commentary on gender and identity smartly done—gender roles are an invention, its stereotypes are arbitrary, anyone can be an oppressor, one group’s survival should not depend on another’s oppression, etc. Though we don’t end up going very deep with anyone besides Deka, I know even the inclusion of characters from so many marginalized communities will mean a good deal to readers who relate to them.
I did find the pairing off of literally every single named character with one another to be an unnecessary exercise. So much of the character development in The Gilded Ones occurred through the friendships forged between the alaki, and from the constant forced couplings and the number of scenes where Deka is lost in her own head, there wasn’t much room for those kinds of relationships to flourish. Come to think of it, the only supporting character that had a solid, emotional presence was Britta. Keita could have been replaced by a broom half the time and you’d never know.
I think there’s two kinds of second books in trilogies, either they’re climaxes (The Wicked King, The Kingdom of Copper, Thunderhead) or they’re connectors (Siege and Storm, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, The Obelisk Gate). One is not better than the other, but I feel like I’ve read more connectors than climaxes, and The Merciless Ones is likely going to end up under the ‘connector’ umbrella. But some of the best series, like Broken Earth, are able to make the most of that position in the trilogy and set up an incredible finale. I retain my high hopes for the last leg of Deka’s story but hope she and her friends are able to recapture some of the magic from the first book.
Also, they audiobook was very well done for anyone interested.
*Thanks to Delacorte Books for the complimentary copy and PRH Audio for the ALC!
**For more book talk & reviews, follow me on Instagram at @elle_mentbooks!
November 2, 2022
It’s often nerve wracking to start a sequel to a book you’ve absolutely loved because all you can think is ‘what if it isn’t as good as the first book? What if that makes me dislike the whole series?’ So you can understand why I went in a little hesitant. But The Merciless Ones was definitely NOT disappointing- it was actually incredible and made me love this series even more!! ❤❤
The Merciless Ones is the sequel to The Gilded Ones, which I read last year and loved. This series is about a girl called Deka who finds out she’s an alaki- a near-immortal whose blood runs gold. In Book 1, she joins an army of other alaki in an attempt to regain her purity in the eyes of her people and ends up entangled in a terrible plot. The Merciless Ones picks up where that book left off, pitting Deka against deadly enemies as she untangles centuries and centuries of buried secrets.
Firstly, the characters. Our MC is Deka and this series has loads of cool side characters, like Britta, Keita, Belcalis, Ixa, and many others. I wasn’t an enormous fan of the characters for a large chunk of The Gilded Ones, but they have definitely grown on me since then and I have come to really love them. Deka is an amazing heroine- she’s been through so much and she’s still scarred from those experiences, but she’s determined to keep going and secure peace and equality for everyone. She’s super strong, but she also has this vulnerable side that she doesn’t want to show anyone, in case they judge her for it. Even tho she’s the ‘Chosen One’ in a sense, it isn’t done obnoxiously, and instead shows all the pressure Deka puts on herself to save everyone. Deka went through so much growth in this book and I was 👏 HERE 👏 FOR 👏 IT 👏 I really liked her!! ❤
The side characters were also great! They were all pretty well-developed and likeable, and the bonds between them and Deka were all so lovely. I adored Deka and Britta’s friendship- Britta was so supportive and caring, and that was amazing to see! 💕💕 It was giving found family vibes, which I LOVED. You guys know how much I adore that trope 😉😉😜😜 So, yeah, really liked the characters!!
Next, the writing. AAAAHHHH I ADORE THE WRITING 😍😍💕💕 It’s so beautiful & descriptive, and has this lovely magical quality to it. I LOVED all the gorgeous descriptives and the way it plunged you right into the story. The worldbuilding was elegantly woven into the narrative and introduced in such a great way. I thought we’d learned so much about Otera in The Gilded Ones, but there was actually so much more!! The action scenes were really well-written and so were the emotional ones. I now really want to read more of Namina Forna’s work, because her writing is just TOP NOTCH 🤌🤌
Thirdly, the plot. Although the plot did take a while to warm up, it was still really good!! After we got past the first 150 or so pages, which were just explaining the situation and setting up what was to come, it went at a whirlwind speed, with lots of action and twists. Just when I thought I knew what was going out, another twist would arrive and shake everything up. This book honestly took a completely different direction than what I was expecting- but I LOVED IT 😁😁👌👌It still worked so well as a continuation of the series and the ending set up the third book perfectly!!! I can’t WAIT for it to release, because I NEEEED to know what happens next 😩😩
Lastly, the romance. The romance in the first book wasn’t the BEST- it was kinda insta-lovey and overall just could’ve been better. But it was a lot better in this one- really sweet, tender, but still a bit uncertain. I’m really happy with what the author did with it and overall it’s just so cute! Deka’s love interest is also so much better in this instalment, so I was rooting for them as a couple a lot more. So, I did enjoy the romance as a subplot in this one and am excited to see where it goes!
Overall, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS 😍😍😩😩🤌🤌 From the gorgeous writing to the fast-paced & twisty plot to the well-developed characters, everything was done SO WELL!! The Merciless Ones was such a satisfying sequel that has gotten me SUPER excited for the third book. I can’t wait until it releases!!
~ BEYOND 5 stars ❤
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guys, THIS BOOK. IT WAS FREAKING INCREDIBLE!!!! 😍😍🤌🤌😩😩 Arguably even better than the first book! RTC ❤
The Merciless Ones is the sequel to The Gilded Ones, which I read last year and loved. This series is about a girl called Deka who finds out she’s an alaki- a near-immortal whose blood runs gold. In Book 1, she joins an army of other alaki in an attempt to regain her purity in the eyes of her people and ends up entangled in a terrible plot. The Merciless Ones picks up where that book left off, pitting Deka against deadly enemies as she untangles centuries and centuries of buried secrets.
Firstly, the characters. Our MC is Deka and this series has loads of cool side characters, like Britta, Keita, Belcalis, Ixa, and many others. I wasn’t an enormous fan of the characters for a large chunk of The Gilded Ones, but they have definitely grown on me since then and I have come to really love them. Deka is an amazing heroine- she’s been through so much and she’s still scarred from those experiences, but she’s determined to keep going and secure peace and equality for everyone. She’s super strong, but she also has this vulnerable side that she doesn’t want to show anyone, in case they judge her for it. Even tho she’s the ‘Chosen One’ in a sense, it isn’t done obnoxiously, and instead shows all the pressure Deka puts on herself to save everyone. Deka went through so much growth in this book and I was 👏 HERE 👏 FOR 👏 IT 👏 I really liked her!! ❤
The side characters were also great! They were all pretty well-developed and likeable, and the bonds between them and Deka were all so lovely. I adored Deka and Britta’s friendship- Britta was so supportive and caring, and that was amazing to see! 💕💕 It was giving found family vibes, which I LOVED. You guys know how much I adore that trope 😉😉😜😜 So, yeah, really liked the characters!!
Next, the writing. AAAAHHHH I ADORE THE WRITING 😍😍💕💕 It’s so beautiful & descriptive, and has this lovely magical quality to it. I LOVED all the gorgeous descriptives and the way it plunged you right into the story. The worldbuilding was elegantly woven into the narrative and introduced in such a great way. I thought we’d learned so much about Otera in The Gilded Ones, but there was actually so much more!! The action scenes were really well-written and so were the emotional ones. I now really want to read more of Namina Forna’s work, because her writing is just TOP NOTCH 🤌🤌
Thirdly, the plot. Although the plot did take a while to warm up, it was still really good!! After we got past the first 150 or so pages, which were just explaining the situation and setting up what was to come, it went at a whirlwind speed, with lots of action and twists. Just when I thought I knew what was going out, another twist would arrive and shake everything up. This book honestly took a completely different direction than what I was expecting- but I LOVED IT 😁😁👌👌It still worked so well as a continuation of the series and the ending set up the third book perfectly!!! I can’t WAIT for it to release, because I NEEEED to know what happens next 😩😩
Lastly, the romance. The romance in the first book wasn’t the BEST- it was kinda insta-lovey and overall just could’ve been better. But it was a lot better in this one- really sweet, tender, but still a bit uncertain. I’m really happy with what the author did with it and overall it’s just so cute! Deka’s love interest is also so much better in this instalment, so I was rooting for them as a couple a lot more. So, I did enjoy the romance as a subplot in this one and am excited to see where it goes!
Overall, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS 😍😍😩😩🤌🤌 From the gorgeous writing to the fast-paced & twisty plot to the well-developed characters, everything was done SO WELL!! The Merciless Ones was such a satisfying sequel that has gotten me SUPER excited for the third book. I can’t wait until it releases!!
~ BEYOND 5 stars ❤
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guys, THIS BOOK. IT WAS FREAKING INCREDIBLE!!!! 😍😍🤌🤌😩😩 Arguably even better than the first book! RTC ❤
April 19, 2024
The Merciless Ones is the second-book in Namina Forna's Deathless series. Admittedly, it took me a minute to recommit to this story, but Forna definitely got me in the end.
I'm glad I waited until now to read it, as the next book is releasing just a few months from now, in February 2024. This had an exciting conclusion and I can hardly wait to find out what is going to happen next!
This book picks up 6-months after the final events of The Gilded Ones. We continue to follow Deka, who is currently residing in Otera with her new friends. They've freed the goddesses, but should have known in a world as brutal as this, their fight was far from over.
When strange happenings begin to put all they've fought for at risk, and signs point to a dark force growing in the kingdom, Deka and her crew need to figure out what's going on ASAP. Known now as the Gilded One's, Nuru ((explained as a bit of a chosen one)), Deka feels it her duty to continue to lead the charge.
The investigation into what is happening takes the group on quite an adventure and of course, puts them in a lot of additional dangers.
Most surprising, a few figures from Deka's past pop up and the reunions are not warm and fuzzy. Yet again, Deka goes through it in this story. The hits, they just keep on coming, and by the end, I had gained even more respect for this hella strong and resourceful character.
This story is interesting. It started slowly for me and through the initial set-up, I couldn't see where it was going. After finishing, it's no wonder I couldn't. I never in a million years could have guessed some of these revelations.
The final portions of this book contained so many jaw-dropping moments. It pretty much took what I thought was well-established about this world and flipped it on its head.
It was an extremely exciting conclusion, and as mentioned above, I am so glad that the next book is releasing fairly soon. I can't imagine having to have waited like a year to find out what is going to happen next.
Overall, I wasn't as crazy about this sequel as I was the first-book, but honestly, that happens to me a lot. I just get so immersed in the initial world-building, that I fall in love.
Then when it starts to slow down a bit, in order to build up tension, or establish future conflicts, I begin to lose a bit of interest, or connection.
Nevertheless, I'm still pretty obsessed with this series and this book blew my mind by the end. Forna's world-building is incredible. It's a fairly complex system, but written in a way I feel is accessible to a wide-range of Readers.
I've found it easy to empathize with Deka. I'm definitely rooting for her. Her character saw a lot of growth in this installment and even some shifts in her powers.
I don't even think we know yet the true extent of her powers, and I'm so anxious to learn more in the next book. I also love the friend group, more of a found family, that Deka has gathered around her. They've bonded so deeply after the hell they've been through, and those bonds run deep.
If you haven't started this series yet, now is the perfect time to do so. The world and characters are so well developed, it's easy to get swept up in the action.
Forna has created a brutal world and doesn't pull punches in her action scenes. You're going to read some things that will make your toes curl. For me, that's a plus. It gets me even more invested. You can feel how high these stakes are.
I love Deka and am so excited for The Eternal Ones!!
I'm glad I waited until now to read it, as the next book is releasing just a few months from now, in February 2024. This had an exciting conclusion and I can hardly wait to find out what is going to happen next!
This book picks up 6-months after the final events of The Gilded Ones. We continue to follow Deka, who is currently residing in Otera with her new friends. They've freed the goddesses, but should have known in a world as brutal as this, their fight was far from over.
When strange happenings begin to put all they've fought for at risk, and signs point to a dark force growing in the kingdom, Deka and her crew need to figure out what's going on ASAP. Known now as the Gilded One's, Nuru ((explained as a bit of a chosen one)), Deka feels it her duty to continue to lead the charge.
The investigation into what is happening takes the group on quite an adventure and of course, puts them in a lot of additional dangers.
Most surprising, a few figures from Deka's past pop up and the reunions are not warm and fuzzy. Yet again, Deka goes through it in this story. The hits, they just keep on coming, and by the end, I had gained even more respect for this hella strong and resourceful character.
This story is interesting. It started slowly for me and through the initial set-up, I couldn't see where it was going. After finishing, it's no wonder I couldn't. I never in a million years could have guessed some of these revelations.
The final portions of this book contained so many jaw-dropping moments. It pretty much took what I thought was well-established about this world and flipped it on its head.
It was an extremely exciting conclusion, and as mentioned above, I am so glad that the next book is releasing fairly soon. I can't imagine having to have waited like a year to find out what is going to happen next.
Overall, I wasn't as crazy about this sequel as I was the first-book, but honestly, that happens to me a lot. I just get so immersed in the initial world-building, that I fall in love.
Then when it starts to slow down a bit, in order to build up tension, or establish future conflicts, I begin to lose a bit of interest, or connection.
Nevertheless, I'm still pretty obsessed with this series and this book blew my mind by the end. Forna's world-building is incredible. It's a fairly complex system, but written in a way I feel is accessible to a wide-range of Readers.
I've found it easy to empathize with Deka. I'm definitely rooting for her. Her character saw a lot of growth in this installment and even some shifts in her powers.
I don't even think we know yet the true extent of her powers, and I'm so anxious to learn more in the next book. I also love the friend group, more of a found family, that Deka has gathered around her. They've bonded so deeply after the hell they've been through, and those bonds run deep.
If you haven't started this series yet, now is the perfect time to do so. The world and characters are so well developed, it's easy to get swept up in the action.
Forna has created a brutal world and doesn't pull punches in her action scenes. You're going to read some things that will make your toes curl. For me, that's a plus. It gets me even more invested. You can feel how high these stakes are.
I love Deka and am so excited for The Eternal Ones!!
June 8, 2023
This review and others @Bookerification
Rating: 4.5 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Everything about this design - the colours, illustration, and text font - works perfectly to create a stunning cover. I am even tempted to get a physical copy of this book, so I have both gorgeous books on my shelf!
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Namina tremendously expands the rich, brutal world of Otera with impressive mythology, creatures and powers. The considerable information needed for this was gradually introduced in bite-sized pieces throughout the story, so it never felt overwhelming. Bringing this world to life is a descriptive writing style that makes it easy to picture every scene. A deliciously tense atmosphere was also quickly established and maintained, making the story hard to put down.
"When gods dance, humanity trembles. And a lot of dancing is happening these days."
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
The story plunges straight into the action, with a brief recap and update on the situation in Otera seamlessly woven in. As the characters go from one violent mission to the next, the continuous action and twists are well-balanced by emotional scenes. This made the story fast-paced but also highly entertaining and engaging. Besides this, I loved the message of equality, which was well-explored and even more satisfying than the previous theme of dismantling the patriarchy. However, so much goes on in this story that I was too overwhelmed to remain deeply invested in the final fights.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
From the start, it is clear that Deka struggles with the adverse impact of her previous actions and the final revelations in the preceding book. Her complex emotions are regularly detailed, allowing readers to understand her decisions throughout the story. As her powers grow, Deka also experiences some personal growth that makes her character easy to connect with and realistic. It felt great to see her gain even more confidence and seek the truth for herself rather than completely trust what she is told.
"Everything we experience matters… Not one thing outweighs the other."
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Despite the large character cast that was hard to track, a good proportion of these are given some depth and are easy to like. Even the animals (Masaima, Braima and Ixa) are brilliantly infused with cute and funny personalities! The support and loyalty Deka received from key secondary characters were heartwarming, and I enjoyed what little banter they shared. More specifically, Britta and Keita stood out for their love for Deka and concern for her well-being.
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟.5
Deka's romance takes a backseat in this story, and I loved this since the story has so much going on. We are given a few cute moments between the characters, and these made me root for them even more. However, the sudden pairing of most secondary characters was weird, especially since we are given little or no hints about these before they are revealed.
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Imani Jade Powers does a phenomenal job with the narration of this story. The variation in the pace and pitch of her reading effortlessly conveys the intensity and sentiments of the story. On top of this, cute accents and voices are done for the various characters, making the audiobook more entertaining.
The intricate world and endearing characters of 'The Merciless Ones' make it my favourite read of the year so far! Somehow Namina Forna surpassed my expectations, and I am excited to see what direction the story goes in the next book! Those looking for another fast-paced and action-packed read should pick up Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Everything about this design - the colours, illustration, and text font - works perfectly to create a stunning cover. I am even tempted to get a physical copy of this book, so I have both gorgeous books on my shelf!
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Namina tremendously expands the rich, brutal world of Otera with impressive mythology, creatures and powers. The considerable information needed for this was gradually introduced in bite-sized pieces throughout the story, so it never felt overwhelming. Bringing this world to life is a descriptive writing style that makes it easy to picture every scene. A deliciously tense atmosphere was also quickly established and maintained, making the story hard to put down.
"When gods dance, humanity trembles. And a lot of dancing is happening these days."
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
The story plunges straight into the action, with a brief recap and update on the situation in Otera seamlessly woven in. As the characters go from one violent mission to the next, the continuous action and twists are well-balanced by emotional scenes. This made the story fast-paced but also highly entertaining and engaging. Besides this, I loved the message of equality, which was well-explored and even more satisfying than the previous theme of dismantling the patriarchy. However, so much goes on in this story that I was too overwhelmed to remain deeply invested in the final fights.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
From the start, it is clear that Deka struggles with the adverse impact of her previous actions and the final revelations in the preceding book. Her complex emotions are regularly detailed, allowing readers to understand her decisions throughout the story. As her powers grow, Deka also experiences some personal growth that makes her character easy to connect with and realistic. It felt great to see her gain even more confidence and seek the truth for herself rather than completely trust what she is told.
"Everything we experience matters… Not one thing outweighs the other."
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Despite the large character cast that was hard to track, a good proportion of these are given some depth and are easy to like. Even the animals (Masaima, Braima and Ixa) are brilliantly infused with cute and funny personalities! The support and loyalty Deka received from key secondary characters were heartwarming, and I enjoyed what little banter they shared. More specifically, Britta and Keita stood out for their love for Deka and concern for her well-being.
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟.5
Deka's romance takes a backseat in this story, and I loved this since the story has so much going on. We are given a few cute moments between the characters, and these made me root for them even more. However, the sudden pairing of most secondary characters was weird, especially since we are given little or no hints about these before they are revealed.
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Imani Jade Powers does a phenomenal job with the narration of this story. The variation in the pace and pitch of her reading effortlessly conveys the intensity and sentiments of the story. On top of this, cute accents and voices are done for the various characters, making the audiobook more entertaining.
The intricate world and endearing characters of 'The Merciless Ones' make it my favourite read of the year so far! Somehow Namina Forna surpassed my expectations, and I am excited to see what direction the story goes in the next book! Those looking for another fast-paced and action-packed read should pick up Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye.
May 17, 2022
This sequel of The Gilded Ones starts with four female corpses around Deka’s age, and that scene alone, that sentence actually, got my eyes glued to the pages right away.
What I loved most about the first book was the writing, lush and even lyrical at times. The moment I started reading, I immediately recognized the same writing, and I was so happy about that. Whereas The Gilded Ones was focused on racism and sexism in a world where men dominate, The Merciless Ones concentrates far more on gender identity and sexuality. I was really pleased to see so much more queer representation. Therefore, I highly recommend this story to people who mainly read queer stories. Because it’s a trilogy, I’d suggest reading The Gilded Ones first.
Some things I liked a little less. I found the pacing off at times, and I could see the plot twists coming from a million miles. Because of that, I felt that this book was a bit less exciting than the first one.
My actual rating is somewhere between 3.5 and four stars (where are those half stars when you need them!), and I round it up because overall, I really enjoyed the story.
I received an ARC from Usborne Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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What I loved most about the first book was the writing, lush and even lyrical at times. The moment I started reading, I immediately recognized the same writing, and I was so happy about that. Whereas The Gilded Ones was focused on racism and sexism in a world where men dominate, The Merciless Ones concentrates far more on gender identity and sexuality. I was really pleased to see so much more queer representation. Therefore, I highly recommend this story to people who mainly read queer stories. Because it’s a trilogy, I’d suggest reading The Gilded Ones first.
Some things I liked a little less. I found the pacing off at times, and I could see the plot twists coming from a million miles. Because of that, I felt that this book was a bit less exciting than the first one.
My actual rating is somewhere between 3.5 and four stars (where are those half stars when you need them!), and I round it up because overall, I really enjoyed the story.
I received an ARC from Usborne Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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May 30, 2022
I loved The Gilded Ones and was so excited to jump right into the second book. While I did enjoy some aspects of this, I was overall a little disappointed.
First, some of the things I liked. I've enjoyed watching Deka grow in her confidence. I really loved the friendships that have evolved and the trust and loyalty that have developed between the characters. I also enjoyed learning more about the relationships between the gods.
There were several things that bothered me. First was the pacing. I felt this book was so fast-paced that I didn't really get to sink my teeth in and enjoy each moment. One scene flitted so quickly to the next that it seemed quite jerky and rushed. I would have really enjoyed more details about the history of the gods. I also loved the idea of doors leading to other realms and would have liked to learn more about them.
Second, while I loved Deka's development in the first book, I felt like she became too powerful here, to the point that her arc started to feel unbelievable. Throughout the book she discovers one power after another and learns one earth-shattering revelation about herself after another, that the intended shock began to wear off and I was left with an overwhelming urge to roll my eyes. I didn't like that the author gave her so many gifts. I no longer felt any sympathy for her plight or wondered how she would get out of the next scrape. Never fear, here is another astoundingly powerful gift to fix everything!!
And lastly, I didn't like how almost every character paired up romantically with someone else. While I'm a sucker for a good lovestory, the quick and off-handed pairing up felt unnecessary and again, rushed.
Overall, I did like the book. But I would have enjoyed it more if some parts were more detailed and others left out completely. I also would have preferred it if Deka had more of the struggle and humanity I felt from her in the first book. I'll probably read the last book, but my eagerness has wilted a bit.
The Merciless Ones will be released in May 31, 2022.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
First, some of the things I liked. I've enjoyed watching Deka grow in her confidence. I really loved the friendships that have evolved and the trust and loyalty that have developed between the characters. I also enjoyed learning more about the relationships between the gods.
There were several things that bothered me. First was the pacing. I felt this book was so fast-paced that I didn't really get to sink my teeth in and enjoy each moment. One scene flitted so quickly to the next that it seemed quite jerky and rushed. I would have really enjoyed more details about the history of the gods. I also loved the idea of doors leading to other realms and would have liked to learn more about them.
Second, while I loved Deka's development in the first book, I felt like she became too powerful here, to the point that her arc started to feel unbelievable. Throughout the book she discovers one power after another and learns one earth-shattering revelation about herself after another, that the intended shock began to wear off and I was left with an overwhelming urge to roll my eyes. I didn't like that the author gave her so many gifts. I no longer felt any sympathy for her plight or wondered how she would get out of the next scrape. Never fear, here is another astoundingly powerful gift to fix everything!!
And lastly, I didn't like how almost every character paired up romantically with someone else. While I'm a sucker for a good lovestory, the quick and off-handed pairing up felt unnecessary and again, rushed.
Overall, I did like the book. But I would have enjoyed it more if some parts were more detailed and others left out completely. I also would have preferred it if Deka had more of the struggle and humanity I felt from her in the first book. I'll probably read the last book, but my eagerness has wilted a bit.
The Merciless Ones will be released in May 31, 2022.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2022
“There’s nothing worse than ordinary men.”
Sadly, this really didn’t live up to its predecessor and falls into several of the traps and issues that second books in a trilogy suffer from: super powered MC, contrived plotting meant to force a turning point in the series, large info dumps for a super expanded world, slow pacing.
Deka’s power is seemingly limitless and always convenient at every turn or battle which got old very quickly. While I loved that in book 1 Deka had to fight and struggle to come into her own, here she feels like a power vessel, getting all these divine gifts one after another and not always with purpose or to help her grow. We also see her get increasingly isolated from the rest of the alaki which was an interesting choice since that bonding and friendship was so central in the first book.
“There is nothing in my life so painful that I would destroy all of who I am to erase it.”
There is also so much talk of memories and how pain and trauma molds and shapes us, so again, it’s an interesting and almost strange choice the way the alaki and other supporting characters are seemingly forced aside like Deka no longer needs them or is too important for them, even though that shared trauma and healing was pivotal for all of them in the previous book.
This lacks the finesse and clever plotting, endearing characters, and cutting commentary that made book 1 such a success. Despite blaring examples, it’s as if Deka wills herself to be ignorant and fooled of the truth, which is frustrating time and again.
There’s also just so much included in this book that never featured or was mentioned in book 1. So much happens off page or with brief references to taking place during the gap time between books that it feels disorienting and doesn’t improve as we move forward. It definitely feels like the author changed course on the trilogy and added in a lot of other elements and perspectives that didn’t seem at all central before. For example, arcane objects didn’t feature in book 1, but now they’re everywhere, can do anything, and are always tipping the scales.
This felt too convenient to spread the wealth of power and could have been better incorporated instead of just being wielded as magical bazukas. There’s several other terms and powers introduced with little time spent letting them land with the audience so this quickly felt confusing, convoluted, and overwhelming. It was disconnected and felt like the start of an entirely different series.
Next, the twists didn’t land as surprising or shocking because early on you could feel that not everything is at it seems and Deka is all too eager to trust in any new power system that instead places women at the helm. We also get a lot of heavy handed hints throughout that it felt like the author didn’t trust the audience to be able to put it together or grasp the grander viewpoint. And that might be true because we’re too busy being bogged down with the introduction of so many divine entities and ghouly things.
Where the disconnect between books really comes through though, is in how this evolves from a “take down of the patriarchy, feminist rage arc” to a generalized fight against all inequality. We see it first with several characters decrying the position of women at the top of the power chain, while men are viewed as less than by the Mothers, and then it evolves to include other marginalized communities and groups of people. I feel like I can understand where the author was trying to lead us with this, but I also can’t say it felt as well executed in the way feminist rage against the patriarchal power structure was presented and discussed in book 1.
“But humans always hurt the ones they cannot easily measure.”
I’ll put this next piece in spoiler tags to be safe and not ruin anyones reading journey.
I’m hopeful book 3 somehow gets us back on track or at least shares the burden for creating a better world with the men in power and humans, not just remaking the divine status quo.
Sadly, this really didn’t live up to its predecessor and falls into several of the traps and issues that second books in a trilogy suffer from: super powered MC, contrived plotting meant to force a turning point in the series, large info dumps for a super expanded world, slow pacing.
Deka’s power is seemingly limitless and always convenient at every turn or battle which got old very quickly. While I loved that in book 1 Deka had to fight and struggle to come into her own, here she feels like a power vessel, getting all these divine gifts one after another and not always with purpose or to help her grow. We also see her get increasingly isolated from the rest of the alaki which was an interesting choice since that bonding and friendship was so central in the first book.
“There is nothing in my life so painful that I would destroy all of who I am to erase it.”
There is also so much talk of memories and how pain and trauma molds and shapes us, so again, it’s an interesting and almost strange choice the way the alaki and other supporting characters are seemingly forced aside like Deka no longer needs them or is too important for them, even though that shared trauma and healing was pivotal for all of them in the previous book.
This lacks the finesse and clever plotting, endearing characters, and cutting commentary that made book 1 such a success. Despite blaring examples, it’s as if Deka wills herself to be ignorant and fooled of the truth, which is frustrating time and again.
There’s also just so much included in this book that never featured or was mentioned in book 1. So much happens off page or with brief references to taking place during the gap time between books that it feels disorienting and doesn’t improve as we move forward. It definitely feels like the author changed course on the trilogy and added in a lot of other elements and perspectives that didn’t seem at all central before. For example, arcane objects didn’t feature in book 1, but now they’re everywhere, can do anything, and are always tipping the scales.
This felt too convenient to spread the wealth of power and could have been better incorporated instead of just being wielded as magical bazukas. There’s several other terms and powers introduced with little time spent letting them land with the audience so this quickly felt confusing, convoluted, and overwhelming. It was disconnected and felt like the start of an entirely different series.
Next, the twists didn’t land as surprising or shocking because early on you could feel that not everything is at it seems and Deka is all too eager to trust in any new power system that instead places women at the helm. We also get a lot of heavy handed hints throughout that it felt like the author didn’t trust the audience to be able to put it together or grasp the grander viewpoint. And that might be true because we’re too busy being bogged down with the introduction of so many divine entities and ghouly things.
Where the disconnect between books really comes through though, is in how this evolves from a “take down of the patriarchy, feminist rage arc” to a generalized fight against all inequality. We see it first with several characters decrying the position of women at the top of the power chain, while men are viewed as less than by the Mothers, and then it evolves to include other marginalized communities and groups of people. I feel like I can understand where the author was trying to lead us with this, but I also can’t say it felt as well executed in the way feminist rage against the patriarchal power structure was presented and discussed in book 1.
“But humans always hurt the ones they cannot easily measure.”
I’ll put this next piece in spoiler tags to be safe and not ruin anyones reading journey.
I’m hopeful book 3 somehow gets us back on track or at least shares the burden for creating a better world with the men in power and humans, not just remaking the divine status quo.
October 29, 2022
3.5 Stars
This sequel to The Gilded Ones starts off with a bang and the violence, horror, and brutality that our heroine Deka goes through is pretty much nonstop.
Make no bones about it, this world is not nice and it certainly isn’t pretty. Having fought valiantly to sever the bonds that held her prisoner, Deka and her friends have escaped their cruel patriarchal society and are set to rebuild their lives with the newly freed goddesses who promote equality and peace.
Well, the dream had to die at some point right? Secrets abound, sinister plots have been in the making for thousands of years, and what Deka and her friends find out is that they’re far from winning the war because of course, their and everyone else’s existence is in danger of extinction.
Never shirking on tough topics of religion, oppression, and slavery, this world holds nothing back on callous self-serving power plays nor the gory cruel bloodshed. This might be YA, but it surely is rated R. However, because of the depressing heavy themes dealt with, no one will be surprised that there’s very little enjoyment here, hence the lower rating. Regardless, I look forward to Deka coming into her full glory and saving herself, her found family and ultimately, the entire world of Otera in the last installment to come!
This sequel to The Gilded Ones starts off with a bang and the violence, horror, and brutality that our heroine Deka goes through is pretty much nonstop.
Make no bones about it, this world is not nice and it certainly isn’t pretty. Having fought valiantly to sever the bonds that held her prisoner, Deka and her friends have escaped their cruel patriarchal society and are set to rebuild their lives with the newly freed goddesses who promote equality and peace.
Well, the dream had to die at some point right? Secrets abound, sinister plots have been in the making for thousands of years, and what Deka and her friends find out is that they’re far from winning the war because of course, their and everyone else’s existence is in danger of extinction.
Never shirking on tough topics of religion, oppression, and slavery, this world holds nothing back on callous self-serving power plays nor the gory cruel bloodshed. This might be YA, but it surely is rated R. However, because of the depressing heavy themes dealt with, no one will be surprised that there’s very little enjoyment here, hence the lower rating. Regardless, I look forward to Deka coming into her full glory and saving herself, her found family and ultimately, the entire world of Otera in the last installment to come!
October 3, 2022
The Merciless Ones is the second in Namina Forna’s “Deathless” series. For a follow-up novel, I thought The Merciless Ones did a decent job in furthering worldbuilding and character development. It took me a bit to get into, but once it got going, the book had me hooked! (Of course, spoiler warnings for the content ahead if you haven’t read the first book, The Gilded Ones.)
The Merciless Ones takes place six months after the events of the first book, The Gilded Ones.
Our heroine, Deka, and her friends are finding out that freeing the goddesses was just the first step in a long, long battle to save the kingdom of Otera. (I would hope that that wasn’t the biggest obstacle, seeing as how I thought that it was a relatively easy, but rushed ending for just one book, as some YA books are prone to do. Thankfully book one is just the first in a series!)
Namina Forna has a style of writing that is very hypnotizing and lyrical. As soon as I started reading The Merciless Ones, I felt like I was returning home.
Deka is still reeling from the events in the first novel, understandably. She is a bit traumatized from her time imprisoned for being of impure blood (her blood bleeds gold, not red as humans do, as a sign she is descended from the divine).
Now, as the Gilded One’s “Nuru,” (their version of a “chosen one”) she faces increased stakes in a battle to remove those from power who perpetuated an empire-wide code that served to put women in subservient, silencing roles.
Except, of course, those forces upholding the patriarchal system do not want to be dethroned, nor want the way Otera is governed to change. Deka and her friends are fighting for an Otera where gender equality is the norm.
Elder Kadiri, the villain from Deka’s home village, returns in a position of even higher power, having even coopted Deka’s former friend Elfriede into the movement as the first Oteran priestess.
Backing up those mortal elites who want to maintain the status quo are various divine forces.
The foremost among them is Idugu, a militaristic version of Oyomo, the sun god worshipped in Otera. Let’s just say Elder Kadiri and his ilk are arguing that those like Deka need to be exterminated once and for all, and are whipping up the majority population into a killing frenzy, with religion as the main weapon.
There are many ups and downs, mostly psychological, for our characters, especially Deka, who questions throughout the novel as her powers grow if she is the savior of Otera or its doom.
Without spoiling much more of the book, I’ll just say, consider reading the “Deathless” series. I think it is a decent YA series with a compelling story. (Looks like there’s a third book in the works, which I am very excited for!)
Happy reading!
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
The Merciless Ones takes place six months after the events of the first book, The Gilded Ones.
Our heroine, Deka, and her friends are finding out that freeing the goddesses was just the first step in a long, long battle to save the kingdom of Otera. (I would hope that that wasn’t the biggest obstacle, seeing as how I thought that it was a relatively easy, but rushed ending for just one book, as some YA books are prone to do. Thankfully book one is just the first in a series!)
Namina Forna has a style of writing that is very hypnotizing and lyrical. As soon as I started reading The Merciless Ones, I felt like I was returning home.
Deka is still reeling from the events in the first novel, understandably. She is a bit traumatized from her time imprisoned for being of impure blood (her blood bleeds gold, not red as humans do, as a sign she is descended from the divine).
Now, as the Gilded One’s “Nuru,” (their version of a “chosen one”) she faces increased stakes in a battle to remove those from power who perpetuated an empire-wide code that served to put women in subservient, silencing roles.
Except, of course, those forces upholding the patriarchal system do not want to be dethroned, nor want the way Otera is governed to change. Deka and her friends are fighting for an Otera where gender equality is the norm.
Elder Kadiri, the villain from Deka’s home village, returns in a position of even higher power, having even coopted Deka’s former friend Elfriede into the movement as the first Oteran priestess.
Backing up those mortal elites who want to maintain the status quo are various divine forces.
The foremost among them is Idugu, a militaristic version of Oyomo, the sun god worshipped in Otera. Let’s just say Elder Kadiri and his ilk are arguing that those like Deka need to be exterminated once and for all, and are whipping up the majority population into a killing frenzy, with religion as the main weapon.
There are many ups and downs, mostly psychological, for our characters, especially Deka, who questions throughout the novel as her powers grow if she is the savior of Otera or its doom.
Without spoiling much more of the book, I’ll just say, consider reading the “Deathless” series. I think it is a decent YA series with a compelling story. (Looks like there’s a third book in the works, which I am very excited for!)
Happy reading!
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
February 21, 2024
I didn’t find this one as gripping as book 1 at all.
Granted, I may have waited too long to pick this up and I couldn’t remember a lot of the words and different elements of the fantasy.
I found myself getting lost at times, and by extension losing interest.
Granted, I may have waited too long to pick this up and I couldn’t remember a lot of the words and different elements of the fantasy.
I found myself getting lost at times, and by extension losing interest.
October 23, 2022
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#1 The Gilded Ones - ★★★★★
#2 The Merciless Ones - ★★★★★
#3 Untitled - TBR
I am in love with the Deathless series! First, The Gilded Ones blew me away with the amazing story of Deka and her finding out more about herself, and then The Merciless Ones threw some twists and spins I never expected and savagely devoured!
The Merciless Ones is a beautiful and inspiring continuation of the Deathless series and Deka’s adventures. As this book is the second book in the series, I strongly recommend reading The Gilded Ones first, to be able to enjoy the story to its full potential.
After the newly acquired knowledge from the end of book one and the intense cliffhanger, Deka continues her journey. Saving the women that are imprisoned and avenging everyone that lost their lives. However, things are never that easy. When she starts unlocking some additional powers, but also starting to lose power as well, things start to take an interesting turn. Deka finds out something that makes her doubt everything she knows. All of a sudden, she needs to find answers again and travel further away from everything she trusts.
I adored and devoured this book! There is intensity and adventure in every single chapter. The pace of the book gradually increases and the last few chapters are filled with anticipation and power.
If you are looking for a fantasy adventure with a lot of magic and fierce female characters, do not miss Deka’s story. It’s by far one of the most thrilling fantasy adventures I’ve ever read!
#1 The Gilded Ones - ★★★★★
#2 The Merciless Ones - ★★★★★
#3 Untitled - TBR
I am in love with the Deathless series! First, The Gilded Ones blew me away with the amazing story of Deka and her finding out more about herself, and then The Merciless Ones threw some twists and spins I never expected and savagely devoured!
The Merciless Ones is a beautiful and inspiring continuation of the Deathless series and Deka’s adventures. As this book is the second book in the series, I strongly recommend reading The Gilded Ones first, to be able to enjoy the story to its full potential.
After the newly acquired knowledge from the end of book one and the intense cliffhanger, Deka continues her journey. Saving the women that are imprisoned and avenging everyone that lost their lives. However, things are never that easy. When she starts unlocking some additional powers, but also starting to lose power as well, things start to take an interesting turn. Deka finds out something that makes her doubt everything she knows. All of a sudden, she needs to find answers again and travel further away from everything she trusts.
I adored and devoured this book! There is intensity and adventure in every single chapter. The pace of the book gradually increases and the last few chapters are filled with anticipation and power.
If you are looking for a fantasy adventure with a lot of magic and fierce female characters, do not miss Deka’s story. It’s by far one of the most thrilling fantasy adventures I’ve ever read!
May 27, 2022
See, I was planning on reading this in two or three goes to stretch it out, but once The Merciless Ones sunk its claws into me, it didn't let go and I had to read the whole book at once, naturally.
Similarly to the first one, this one is also fast paced and doesn't feel long. I think it's a bit longer page wise, but yeah, I was too immersed to notice.
It was at the 5% mark that I cried the first time. And rest assured that I cried many times after that too. So expect the same amount of emotion, as book one had.
What I love is how easy it was to jump back into the world, even though it's been a year and 4 months since I last saw these characters. To be honest, they've been living in my head rent free so it's not all that surprising.
Deka and her friends grow as the story goes on, some mentally and others physically (like in Ixa's case). Ixa is just as adorable as he was, maybe even more so.
As for the romance part, I can't tell if there's less of it or around the same amount as before? Everyone is so busy fighting that there's hardly time for anything else, which is accurate, and it makes those few stolen moments much sweeter.
The lgbt characters are featured a lot more too. As well as slightly different but no less important themes.
And WE HAVE PLOT TWISTS AND BETRAYALS GALORE! Some I saw coming, others I had to follow the clues for. And it's because of those plot twists, that the book ends on a semi cliffhanger, but at the same time has a good amount of stuff wrapped up.
Just know that when you pick this up, you'll HAVE TO read book three, it's a must. And obviously if you haven't read The Gilded Ones yet (what are you doing with your life?), you should read that first to get the full story.
I know that I'll be (not so) patiently counting down the days until one of my ultimate favourite series reaches its conclusion. Come, join me.
*Huge thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Similarly to the first one, this one is also fast paced and doesn't feel long. I think it's a bit longer page wise, but yeah, I was too immersed to notice.
It was at the 5% mark that I cried the first time. And rest assured that I cried many times after that too. So expect the same amount of emotion, as book one had.
What I love is how easy it was to jump back into the world, even though it's been a year and 4 months since I last saw these characters. To be honest, they've been living in my head rent free so it's not all that surprising.
Deka and her friends grow as the story goes on, some mentally and others physically (like in Ixa's case). Ixa is just as adorable as he was, maybe even more so.
As for the romance part, I can't tell if there's less of it or around the same amount as before? Everyone is so busy fighting that there's hardly time for anything else, which is accurate, and it makes those few stolen moments much sweeter.
The lgbt characters are featured a lot more too. As well as slightly different but no less important themes.
And WE HAVE PLOT TWISTS AND BETRAYALS GALORE! Some I saw coming, others I had to follow the clues for. And it's because of those plot twists, that the book ends on a semi cliffhanger, but at the same time has a good amount of stuff wrapped up.
Just know that when you pick this up, you'll HAVE TO read book three, it's a must. And obviously if you haven't read The Gilded Ones yet (what are you doing with your life?), you should read that first to get the full story.
I know that I'll be (not so) patiently counting down the days until one of my ultimate favourite series reaches its conclusion. Come, join me.
*Huge thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
April 15, 2024
Absolutnie uwielbiam te serię! Drugi tom był pełen intryg, zdrad i mnóstwa emocji! Jeśli mieliście niedosyt dotyczący wątku z bogami, to w tym tomie jest go znacznie więcej. Jeśli „Naznaczone złotem” macie już za sobą to nie zastanawiajcie sie – czytajcie„Nieznające litości”!!!
Want to read
July 28, 2021HOW THE HECK CAN I WAIT UNTIL APRIL 5th FOR THIS?? The cover, the ending of its prequel, it has me PUMPED.
September 5, 2022
3.5 Stars
Don’t let my rating fool you. This YA fantasy series is a wild-ride, full of cross-country adventure, heart-stopping fight scenes, moral questing, and so much loyalty, love and friendship among the core characters that makes the stakes particularly high.
This isn’t a standalone. The story is complex and very much carries on from the events that took place in The Gilded Ones. Deka and her friends face newer, more ruthless challenges, questioning their missions and the truth of what they’ve been told, when one reveal after another puts everything they think they know into question.
The story is unending in its brutally, which always takes me by surprise (but shouldn’t), considering its target audience. The world Deka and her friends inhabit is cruel and unforgiving and it often takes me a hot minute to reconcile with the things these characters have to do to survive.
For the most part, this was a strong sequel, both action-packed and emotionally wrought, building nicely on the foundations laid in book one. Unfortunately, though, my attention waned a time or ten, making this a more prolonged reading experience than is typical for me. I think my problems here came twofold…
Firstly, I struggled with Deka’s behaviour and decision making, over and over again. For an immortally super-powered warrior woman, she certainly became inept or unconscious a hell of a lot. There was also one or more emotionally charged breakdowns in there too, which, sure, made sense considering the devastation she faced and the weight of responsibility on her shoulders, but it still felt a tad out of place at times. Had it not been for the calming, logical, rational minds of her closest friends—I’m looking at you Keita, Britta and Belcalis—I fear Deka’s choices/behaviour may have ended the story in a whole different way.
Secondly, the plot took a side turn I wasn’t expecting, which muddled the core themes and ideas in my mind regarding what this series was even about, thematically speaking. Many readers will love the twists and turns and the layer upon layer of reveals made throughout the telling of this sequel, but my mind was overloaded; it felt like too much too fast. But at the same time, some things that were written as shocking reveals, seemed obvious to me, particularly to do with The Gilded Ones.
What I continue to love about this series is the female empowerment and the diversity represented in these strong, intelligent and imperturbable core characters. And it’s in this cast of support characters—among the dearest and closest to Deka—that the story is its most engaging. Thankfully, these characters spend the entirety of the story at Deka’s side, travelling across Otera on one mission or another, so the presence of my favourites is always there, which I have no doubt helped hold my attention at times that my focus may have been further waylaid.
By the end, so much has been revealed and so much still needs to be done for these characters to find peace of mind and happiness in their lives, and because of this, reading book three will be an absolute no-brainer for me.
Don’t let my rating fool you. This YA fantasy series is a wild-ride, full of cross-country adventure, heart-stopping fight scenes, moral questing, and so much loyalty, love and friendship among the core characters that makes the stakes particularly high.
This isn’t a standalone. The story is complex and very much carries on from the events that took place in The Gilded Ones. Deka and her friends face newer, more ruthless challenges, questioning their missions and the truth of what they’ve been told, when one reveal after another puts everything they think they know into question.
The story is unending in its brutally, which always takes me by surprise (but shouldn’t), considering its target audience. The world Deka and her friends inhabit is cruel and unforgiving and it often takes me a hot minute to reconcile with the things these characters have to do to survive.
For the most part, this was a strong sequel, both action-packed and emotionally wrought, building nicely on the foundations laid in book one. Unfortunately, though, my attention waned a time or ten, making this a more prolonged reading experience than is typical for me. I think my problems here came twofold…
Firstly, I struggled with Deka’s behaviour and decision making, over and over again. For an immortally super-powered warrior woman, she certainly became inept or unconscious a hell of a lot. There was also one or more emotionally charged breakdowns in there too, which, sure, made sense considering the devastation she faced and the weight of responsibility on her shoulders, but it still felt a tad out of place at times. Had it not been for the calming, logical, rational minds of her closest friends—I’m looking at you Keita, Britta and Belcalis—I fear Deka’s choices/behaviour may have ended the story in a whole different way.
Secondly, the plot took a side turn I wasn’t expecting, which muddled the core themes and ideas in my mind regarding what this series was even about, thematically speaking. Many readers will love the twists and turns and the layer upon layer of reveals made throughout the telling of this sequel, but my mind was overloaded; it felt like too much too fast. But at the same time, some things that were written as shocking reveals, seemed obvious to me, particularly to do with The Gilded Ones.
What I continue to love about this series is the female empowerment and the diversity represented in these strong, intelligent and imperturbable core characters. And it’s in this cast of support characters—among the dearest and closest to Deka—that the story is its most engaging. Thankfully, these characters spend the entirety of the story at Deka’s side, travelling across Otera on one mission or another, so the presence of my favourites is always there, which I have no doubt helped hold my attention at times that my focus may have been further waylaid.
By the end, so much has been revealed and so much still needs to be done for these characters to find peace of mind and happiness in their lives, and because of this, reading book three will be an absolute no-brainer for me.
Shelved as 'dnf'
July 3, 2022DNF at 60%. A huge disappointment after the promising first novel.
The characters turned from fully rounded people into paper cutouts, devoid of personalities and very uneven. I just couldn't understand them anymore. They were all over the place, especially the main character who suddenly turned into a male apologist.
The plot veered into strange directions, it was moved along by a series of conveniences and with each chapter I liked less and less where it was going. It's like the series forgot what it wanted to be.
But all of that wasn't why I finally decided I just can't take another page. What I loved about The Gilded Ones was how deeply feminist it was in the most traditional way. It centered on women fighting patriarchal oppression and reclaiming their power. But this book, after continuing in the same vein for the first part, out of nowhere took 180 degrees turn into mechanical checking off the list of liberal "feminism" ideas. So from a feminist series, it turned into a man-pandering, anti-feminist one.
I'm done with this series and with this author.
The characters turned from fully rounded people into paper cutouts, devoid of personalities and very uneven. I just couldn't understand them anymore. They were all over the place, especially the main character who suddenly turned into a male apologist.
The plot veered into strange directions, it was moved along by a series of conveniences and with each chapter I liked less and less where it was going. It's like the series forgot what it wanted to be.
But all of that wasn't why I finally decided I just can't take another page. What I loved about The Gilded Ones was how deeply feminist it was in the most traditional way. It centered on women fighting patriarchal oppression and reclaiming their power. But this book, after continuing in the same vein for the first part, out of nowhere took 180 degrees turn into mechanical checking off the list of liberal "feminism" ideas. So from a feminist series, it turned into a man-pandering, anti-feminist one.
I'm done with this series and with this author.
December 26, 2023
"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.
Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
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.
Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1645808644i/7494844._UX200_CR0,6,200,200_.jpg)
May 3, 2022
I didn't love it as much as I loved The Gilded Ones (this is a theme for my sequels this year), but it was still fantastic!!
I really, really liked the direction Forna takes this one—I ended The Gilded Ones on an iffy note, and my suspicions were confirmed.
Full RTC, and it's going to be spoilery because...if you haven't read the first one there will be spoilers.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I really, really liked the direction Forna takes this one—I ended The Gilded Ones on an iffy note, and my suspicions were confirmed.
Full RTC, and it's going to be spoilery because...if you haven't read the first one there will be spoilers.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
June 23, 2022
“But even though I’m frightened by it, I’m not daunted. Because I have my friends, all of them now powerful beyond imagining. When I falter, they’ll be there to support and guide me. When I stumble, they’ll be there to take the next step.
And even if they’re not, I have myself.”
God I hate when a series disappoints me. This took me forever to get through and I was checked out by halfway through.
After Deka freed the Gilded Ones and took her place by their side, life has continued to be full of battles and blood. She is the Nuru, one true daughter of the goddesses, and she is set to awaken them and bring equality to her kingdom. But things are more complicated than that, and as Deka journeys to fulfill the Gilded Ones' wishes, she will unearth many revelations that lead her to wonder whether her mothers are even who they say they are.
I absolutely loved The Gilded Ones. I gave it 5 stars, I raved about it, I actively preordered this sequel because I wanted to know what twists were coming next. I loved Deka's growth, everything about Ixa and their relationship, and the girls being brought together in the brutality they experienced.
But I have to say, almost nothing of what I love transferred over to this sequel. Things are told at a breakneck pace immediately here, so there's never any spare moment to sit with things and get to re-know our characters. Shit is thrown at readers left, right, and center until the very last page...and yet, I was also bored out of my mind.
Because characters make a book for me. I want to invest in them, and once I do, then I'm invested in the story. Deka here has become so overpowered, it's ridiculous. She's no longer relatable, no longer interesting. Her friendships and relationship with Keita are just transferred over from book one with no further development, but I absolutely, positively did not care about any of them.
I hate stories about gods. Hate them. They feel too big for me to feel like I'm living them, too overdone to be interesting. I loved the first book here because it was interesting and different, but now, with gods involved and an MC reminiscent of Poppy in From Blood and Ash with her level of power, I just totally checked out.
I also absolutely loathed the dialogue here. It's SO WOODEN and not at all realistic. Everyone says these things that should be emotional or impactful or whatever, but they never hit because the way they're written is so poor.
Sad to have another YA fantasy that left me feeling angry rather than absorbed and curious about the world and interested in the lore. This is not a series, nor an author, that I'll return to.
And even if they’re not, I have myself.”
God I hate when a series disappoints me. This took me forever to get through and I was checked out by halfway through.
After Deka freed the Gilded Ones and took her place by their side, life has continued to be full of battles and blood. She is the Nuru, one true daughter of the goddesses, and she is set to awaken them and bring equality to her kingdom. But things are more complicated than that, and as Deka journeys to fulfill the Gilded Ones' wishes, she will unearth many revelations that lead her to wonder whether her mothers are even who they say they are.
I absolutely loved The Gilded Ones. I gave it 5 stars, I raved about it, I actively preordered this sequel because I wanted to know what twists were coming next. I loved Deka's growth, everything about Ixa and their relationship, and the girls being brought together in the brutality they experienced.
But I have to say, almost nothing of what I love transferred over to this sequel. Things are told at a breakneck pace immediately here, so there's never any spare moment to sit with things and get to re-know our characters. Shit is thrown at readers left, right, and center until the very last page...and yet, I was also bored out of my mind.
Because characters make a book for me. I want to invest in them, and once I do, then I'm invested in the story. Deka here has become so overpowered, it's ridiculous. She's no longer relatable, no longer interesting. Her friendships and relationship with Keita are just transferred over from book one with no further development, but I absolutely, positively did not care about any of them.
I hate stories about gods. Hate them. They feel too big for me to feel like I'm living them, too overdone to be interesting. I loved the first book here because it was interesting and different, but now, with gods involved and an MC reminiscent of Poppy in From Blood and Ash with her level of power, I just totally checked out.
I also absolutely loathed the dialogue here. It's SO WOODEN and not at all realistic. Everyone says these things that should be emotional or impactful or whatever, but they never hit because the way they're written is so poor.
Sad to have another YA fantasy that left me feeling angry rather than absorbed and curious about the world and interested in the lore. This is not a series, nor an author, that I'll return to.
Want to read
April 17, 2023#1) The Gilded Ones ★★★★☆
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
April 1, 2024
No secret from the gods is considered safe, and Deka will eventually figure out the truth. Let's maybe stop underestimating her. Also, I'm slightly freaking out with how this one ended and can't wait to jump into the next book!
November 7, 2022
I actually enjoyed this one more than the first and I'm so glad. I remember thinking while reading the first one that the book had so much potential but fell flat in many places. But the second installment was on point.
Now that Deka knows the truth of the deathshrieks, she's on a mission from the Goddesses to free all of the alaki and take back the power in Otera. However, there seems to be another power rising that is taking over all of the males and raining hell on the women of this world. Deka finds herself again facing war but something isn't adding up. Are the Goddesses lying to her about their histories and what they really want? Or is this new power instilling this disruption and fear as a means to conquer Otera?
I think that since the first book explained the world and what was going on, we were able to just dive into the story. I really loved Deka's journey here as she stopped blindly following everyone and started really thinking for herself. Not only that, but she surrounded herself with such a great group of people to support and help her - and that just made all of the difference. I also really like how the main focus of the story isn't romance as so many YA's lean to. Yes there is a romance but it doesn't take over this dire world situation and instead, their relationship grows as they both grow. It felt natural and loved seeing the little moments we got of them.
While there were moments I was frustrated with Deka and her love of running head first into things, I know that she is still learning and growing. But that bombshell about her family that dropped at the end - wow. I cannot wait to see how this all plays out in the final book. Great second book. I will eagerly be awaiting the final next year.
Now that Deka knows the truth of the deathshrieks, she's on a mission from the Goddesses to free all of the alaki and take back the power in Otera. However, there seems to be another power rising that is taking over all of the males and raining hell on the women of this world. Deka finds herself again facing war but something isn't adding up. Are the Goddesses lying to her about their histories and what they really want? Or is this new power instilling this disruption and fear as a means to conquer Otera?
I think that since the first book explained the world and what was going on, we were able to just dive into the story. I really loved Deka's journey here as she stopped blindly following everyone and started really thinking for herself. Not only that, but she surrounded herself with such a great group of people to support and help her - and that just made all of the difference. I also really like how the main focus of the story isn't romance as so many YA's lean to. Yes there is a romance but it doesn't take over this dire world situation and instead, their relationship grows as they both grow. It felt natural and loved seeing the little moments we got of them.
While there were moments I was frustrated with Deka and her love of running head first into things, I know that she is still learning and growing. But that bombshell about her family that dropped at the end - wow. I cannot wait to see how this all plays out in the final book. Great second book. I will eagerly be awaiting the final next year.
July 10, 2022
The second part of Deka’s duology story is even more suspenseful and harrowing than part one as she must free the imprisoned goddesses and will find a few unexpected twists. A gripping story that concludes with thoughts that her story still has more to tell. A (100%/Outstanding)
November 26, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Wow! I loved this as much as The Gilded Ones. Ms Forna built such a fascinating universe with very strong and lovable characters. I just hated that the romance took a back seat in this installment…..we barely got any scraps 😔
Wow! I loved this as much as The Gilded Ones. Ms Forna built such a fascinating universe with very strong and lovable characters. I just hated that the romance took a back seat in this installment…..we barely got any scraps 😔
Want to read
February 9, 2021hoping this one is stronger than the last!!!
rooting for Britta to get her moment to shine, she's too sweet.
:)
rooting for Britta to get her moment to shine, she's too sweet.
:)
February 6, 2024
"Gods require worship, and the purest worship is sacrifice."
TW: alcohol, animal death, blood, body horror, child abuse, child death, classism, confinement, conversion therapy, death, death of a loved one, deadnaming, domestic abuse, drug use, dysphoria, emotional abuse, fire/fire injury, genocide, gore, grief, homophobia, injury/injury detail, medical content, mental illness, misogyny, murder, panic attacks/disorders, pedophilia, pregnancy, rape, religious bigotry, ritual abuse, self-harm, sexual assault, sexual content, slavery, torture, transphobia, violence, war.
Where do I even start with this?
I've been hesitant to pick this up ever since I read The Gilded Ones last year and felt extremely conflicted about it. I had found some parts excellent and other parts decidedly not. But I loved the excellent parts so much that I ultimately wanted to give book 2 a chance.
And in so many ways, it was such an improvement from book 1. Without giving spoilers, the story took the exact direction I was hoping for, the writing remained fantastic, and a lot of the things that made me feel weird were absent.
I saw some people saying that this book lost all sense of feminism and to those people I would like to suggest other reading materials such as "Reading Comprehension for the Purposefully Dense". Yes, this book was a slightly less... female rage centric story; no, it did not lose all feminism. In fact, I would argue that this simply introduced its audience to a more complex feminism and the realization that the same systems that oppress and harm women, also harm people of other gender identities, orientations, abilities, and even simply men that from day one have been hammered into a shape they never chose; a fact that is inarguably true.
They did not lose their feminism, there was even plenty of female rage directed at what women experience at the hands of men but! they simply realized that acting as if women are the only beings harmed by these systems is inaccurate.
Now, while I am incredibly grateful and impressed by Namina Forna's abilities and willingness to discuss this complex issue, I do feel like it could have been handled a bit better at times. Insinuating that the most perpetrators of harm to queer men are other queer men was problematic, even if I do understand the root of the point being made.
I did struggle a bit with the characterization in this one, which surprised me because an aspect I loved of The Gilded Ones was the extremely vivid cast of characters. This book, however, had characters that almost felt like a direct-to-video Disney sequel; they're the same characters, yes, but the voice actor is wrong, the animation is off, and the dialogue seems to have lost some of what made that character so real in the original movie.
This seemed to extend to the romantic relationships as nearly everyone (and I mean everyone, save a single aro/ace character) was paired up with somebody. It felt oddly rushed, despite the fact some of the couples weren't revealed until the very end of the novel? I understand that this may have been a... side-effect of their age and the graphic things they're experiencing, leading them to need romantic comfort but it still felt forced.
That's really such a minimal part of the story and there's so much to be praised here. I loved the fact that - for how graphic the violence can get in this series - it is treated as graphic and horrific. Too many stories show overwhelming violence/abuse and simply gloss over it, the characters returning to their daily life with minimal scars to show for it (except for maybe a well-timed anxiety attack for the sake of furthering the romantic subplot, which is so annoying.) This series doesn't do that.
Things are dark and bleak and horrific; the characters all witness and experience indescribable horrors and have to keep moving. We see the moments that they fear what they've been through is too much for them and we see the choice to keep going. Each of the characters has their own trauma and ways of handling it, and though we mainly see through Deka's experience, there's never a moment where it feels like the darkness is ignored for the sake of a fast plot.
Overall, this was really such an improvement from book 1 (which was already good!) and in many ways, this was exactly what I had hoped it would be. If you struggled with book 1, I would recommend giving this one a try. Especially if you love corrupt gods, found family, an animal companion (I love him, your honor), and a main character that constantly has to accept that everything she knows to be true is very possibly a lie.
TW: alcohol, animal death, blood, body horror, child abuse, child death, classism, confinement, conversion therapy, death, death of a loved one, deadnaming, domestic abuse, drug use, dysphoria, emotional abuse, fire/fire injury, genocide, gore, grief, homophobia, injury/injury detail, medical content, mental illness, misogyny, murder, panic attacks/disorders, pedophilia, pregnancy, rape, religious bigotry, ritual abuse, self-harm, sexual assault, sexual content, slavery, torture, transphobia, violence, war.
Where do I even start with this?
I've been hesitant to pick this up ever since I read The Gilded Ones last year and felt extremely conflicted about it. I had found some parts excellent and other parts decidedly not. But I loved the excellent parts so much that I ultimately wanted to give book 2 a chance.
And in so many ways, it was such an improvement from book 1. Without giving spoilers, the story took the exact direction I was hoping for, the writing remained fantastic, and a lot of the things that made me feel weird were absent.
I saw some people saying that this book lost all sense of feminism and to those people I would like to suggest other reading materials such as "Reading Comprehension for the Purposefully Dense". Yes, this book was a slightly less... female rage centric story; no, it did not lose all feminism. In fact, I would argue that this simply introduced its audience to a more complex feminism and the realization that the same systems that oppress and harm women, also harm people of other gender identities, orientations, abilities, and even simply men that from day one have been hammered into a shape they never chose; a fact that is inarguably true.
They did not lose their feminism, there was even plenty of female rage directed at what women experience at the hands of men but! they simply realized that acting as if women are the only beings harmed by these systems is inaccurate.
Now, while I am incredibly grateful and impressed by Namina Forna's abilities and willingness to discuss this complex issue, I do feel like it could have been handled a bit better at times. Insinuating that the most perpetrators of harm to queer men are other queer men was problematic, even if I do understand the root of the point being made.
I did struggle a bit with the characterization in this one, which surprised me because an aspect I loved of The Gilded Ones was the extremely vivid cast of characters. This book, however, had characters that almost felt like a direct-to-video Disney sequel; they're the same characters, yes, but the voice actor is wrong, the animation is off, and the dialogue seems to have lost some of what made that character so real in the original movie.
This seemed to extend to the romantic relationships as nearly everyone (and I mean everyone, save a single aro/ace character) was paired up with somebody. It felt oddly rushed, despite the fact some of the couples weren't revealed until the very end of the novel? I understand that this may have been a... side-effect of their age and the graphic things they're experiencing, leading them to need romantic comfort but it still felt forced.
That's really such a minimal part of the story and there's so much to be praised here. I loved the fact that - for how graphic the violence can get in this series - it is treated as graphic and horrific. Too many stories show overwhelming violence/abuse and simply gloss over it, the characters returning to their daily life with minimal scars to show for it (except for maybe a well-timed anxiety attack for the sake of furthering the romantic subplot, which is so annoying.) This series doesn't do that.
Things are dark and bleak and horrific; the characters all witness and experience indescribable horrors and have to keep moving. We see the moments that they fear what they've been through is too much for them and we see the choice to keep going. Each of the characters has their own trauma and ways of handling it, and though we mainly see through Deka's experience, there's never a moment where it feels like the darkness is ignored for the sake of a fast plot.
Overall, this was really such an improvement from book 1 (which was already good!) and in many ways, this was exactly what I had hoped it would be. If you struggled with book 1, I would recommend giving this one a try. Especially if you love corrupt gods, found family, an animal companion (I love him, your honor), and a main character that constantly has to accept that everything she knows to be true is very possibly a lie.
May 8, 2023
Enthält Spoiler zum Vorgänger!
Deka glaubt, ihre Bestimmung gefunden zu haben. Als Tochter der vier Göttinnen kämpft sie für die Freiheit der Alaki, Todesrufer und all der anderen Frauen Oteras. Aber auch ihre Gegner, die Jatu, sind stärker geworden und plötzlich nicht mehr so leicht zu besiegen. Anscheinend werden sie von einem Gott unterstützt, aber allein die Existenz dieses Gottes stellt Dekas Weltbild erneut auf den Kopf.
Nachdem sie auf der falschen Seite gekämpft hat, ist Deka besonders entschlossen, die Unterdrücker zu entmachten, und sie fühlt sich bei den Göttinnen auch sehr gut aufgehoben. Ihre Welt ist aber auch ständig im Wandel, weil sie auf neue Missionen geschickt werden und die Magie ihrer Welt noch nicht ganz durchschauen. Es gibt oft noch neu entdeckte Fähigkeiten, aber auch viele Geheimnisse. Gerade hält Deka sich noch für eine beinahe unbesiegbare Kriegerin, doch dann ist sie wieder nur eine Spielfigur in einem uralten Machtkampf.
Ich fand es hier etwas schade, dass es so viele Parallelen zum ersten Band gab, also die Plottwists kommen alle aus der gleichen Richtung, sodass es mich kaum noch überraschen konnte. Man muss sich schon wieder an neue Regeln gewöhnen, aber das hat mir auch nicht so viel ausgemacht, schließlich galten die alten Regeln ja auch noch nicht so lange.
Die Freundschaften und Liebesgeschichten haben mir gut gefallen, aber da gab es kaum neue Entwicklungen, was ich sehr schade fand. Dafür stehen die alten Geheimnisse Oteras im Vordergrund und wie Deka sich damit fühlt. Die Geschichte der Göttinnen und gegenseitigen Unterdrückung fand ich sehr interessant, allerdings hatte ich einfach nicht das Gefühl, etwas neues zu lesen, weil die Beziehungen ähnlich waren und auch die Überraschungen so ähnlich waren wie im Vorgänger.
Deka glaubt, ihre Bestimmung gefunden zu haben. Als Tochter der vier Göttinnen kämpft sie für die Freiheit der Alaki, Todesrufer und all der anderen Frauen Oteras. Aber auch ihre Gegner, die Jatu, sind stärker geworden und plötzlich nicht mehr so leicht zu besiegen. Anscheinend werden sie von einem Gott unterstützt, aber allein die Existenz dieses Gottes stellt Dekas Weltbild erneut auf den Kopf.
Nachdem sie auf der falschen Seite gekämpft hat, ist Deka besonders entschlossen, die Unterdrücker zu entmachten, und sie fühlt sich bei den Göttinnen auch sehr gut aufgehoben. Ihre Welt ist aber auch ständig im Wandel, weil sie auf neue Missionen geschickt werden und die Magie ihrer Welt noch nicht ganz durchschauen. Es gibt oft noch neu entdeckte Fähigkeiten, aber auch viele Geheimnisse. Gerade hält Deka sich noch für eine beinahe unbesiegbare Kriegerin, doch dann ist sie wieder nur eine Spielfigur in einem uralten Machtkampf.
Ich fand es hier etwas schade, dass es so viele Parallelen zum ersten Band gab, also die Plottwists kommen alle aus der gleichen Richtung, sodass es mich kaum noch überraschen konnte. Man muss sich schon wieder an neue Regeln gewöhnen, aber das hat mir auch nicht so viel ausgemacht, schließlich galten die alten Regeln ja auch noch nicht so lange.
Die Freundschaften und Liebesgeschichten haben mir gut gefallen, aber da gab es kaum neue Entwicklungen, was ich sehr schade fand. Dafür stehen die alten Geheimnisse Oteras im Vordergrund und wie Deka sich damit fühlt. Die Geschichte der Göttinnen und gegenseitigen Unterdrückung fand ich sehr interessant, allerdings hatte ich einfach nicht das Gefühl, etwas neues zu lesen, weil die Beziehungen ähnlich waren und auch die Überraschungen so ähnlich waren wie im Vorgänger.
January 17, 2024
I absolutely loved The Gilded Ones and was desperate to read this.
Is that why this was a little disappointing?
It's not bad, it just doesn't have the same vibe as the first book.
Everything seemed to happen all at once, which didn't allow for any of it to settle.
This sorted a bit by the halfway point and circled around, so the bits that went by too fast were rehashed a little. That was helpful.
The 3rd and final book (The Eternal Ones) comes out in a few weeks and I am pretty excited to see how this all comes together.
Is that why this was a little disappointing?
It's not bad, it just doesn't have the same vibe as the first book.
Everything seemed to happen all at once, which didn't allow for any of it to settle.
This sorted a bit by the halfway point and circled around, so the bits that went by too fast were rehashed a little. That was helpful.
The 3rd and final book (The Eternal Ones) comes out in a few weeks and I am pretty excited to see how this all comes together.
June 26, 2022
The Merciless Ones continues where the Gilded Ones left off. A dark, epic fantasy, I have to admit while I did enjoy reading this, it did feel somewhat dense at time. I do kind of feel like there there are too many characters and it got hard to keep track of them, but the world building and the mythological system was brilliant.
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