Scan barcode
hue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I ADORE Deka and Britta's friendship. They're truly platonic soulmates, and it's so so so lovely that their relationship keeps going strong no matter what. I love that though Deka is strong and divine by her own, she doesn't fear depending on people. Her blood sisters, Britta, Keita, Ixa (who isn't a person but I guess it counts), White Hands. She has a web of people that she can trust, that trust her and comfort her, stand by her side despite all the blood they have to go through. It's beautiful!
I wish I would've had this story to read when I was a teen. I would've been so empowered and thrilled to follow Deka along as she fights for what is right and what is wrong. If you can stomach blood and gore, this is a gold mine. What YA should be!
THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE QUEER CHARACTERS AS SIDE CHARACTERS! AS NORMAL, REGULAR PEOPLE JUST LIVING THEIR LIVES! PRAISE NAMINA FORNA, YOU BEAUTIFUL SOUL!
I'm sure Namina Forna is going to write some incredible stuff along her career. I'm excited for the next installment (that I'm late getting to), and whatever Namina might write in the future, I'm definitely going to follow her work, whatever it may be!
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Misogyny, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, Grief, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, and Blood
emiliemhr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Homophobia
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
tourmaline1703's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really enjoyed the writing and of course, the characterisation of Ixa. He is absolutely adorable and the writing really helps show his connection to Deka. I think the passages in memories were really well done as well and you could distinguish between Deka and the other characters, particularly the gods. Although it didn't bother me too much, at times I felt like the worldbuilding was being re-explained a lot at the start. It might've bothered me more if I'd read this immediately after the first book but because it's been a while, I appreciated the recap.
The plot was well placed and detailed. You can't go wrong with a fantasy novel that's based around a quest, and this is no exception. There were twists and turns that I didn't see coming, characters that reappeared when we thought they'd gone and a plot that kept building wonderfully. The big twist at the end was maybe slightly predictable but I'm still excited to see how it plays out in the final book and how Deka will adjust.
I think Deka's character is well written, particularly how she deals with her emotions. We see her growth from denial to learning how to channel and understand her feelings. I think all of the main characters are brilliant and so emotionally mature that it is refreshing to read. Miscommunication is a huge pet peeve of mine in life and literature but the maturity and understanding of these characters means that, whilst the plot is building, their bonds stay true which I loved.
Graphic: Confinement, Blood, Death of parent, Child death, Death, and Misogyny
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Torture
jagodasbooks's review against another edition
3.0
"The Merciless Ones includes scenes of violence, including some graphic violence and description of sexual violence, which some readers may find distressing."
Where was this warning in the first book, huh? I'm still traumatised after it. This book is less descriptive than the first one, but still it's one of the most terrifying, violent and brutal books I've ever read and I would add more content warnings to that.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Child abuse, Cursing, Physical abuse, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Animal death, Death of parent, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Torture, War, Violence, and Vomit
graceful_nate's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Grief, War, Blood, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Religious bigotry
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Death, Animal cruelty, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexism, Self harm, Blood, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Vomit, War, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Body horror, Murder, Pedophilia, Deadnaming, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Confinement, Cursing, Misogyny, Grief, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Torture, Classism, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Genocide
lpdx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Violence, War, Blood, Death, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury
katsmedialibrary's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: War, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Homophobia and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Transphobia
emmakchapman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Death of parent, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
rachelroo13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Mental illness, Transphobia, Death, Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Sexism
Minor: Homophobia, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, and Rape