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moberndaseball's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
got so many conflicting feelings throughout reading the book my head hurts, but still so good
abb_nel's review against another edition
5.0
HOLY SHIZBALLS MAN. I’m still in a post-read giddiness but The Cruelest Mercy is an absolute masterpiece. Huge emotional roller coaster. Had me laughing, screaming, and crying. I knew it was gonna be a great book, but I underestimated just how much I was gonna love it. 5 stars isn’t enough. #teamkasta
meyy's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tallyvauthor's review against another edition
4.0
It was definitely a fun piece to read, unfortunately, the characters this time around were much more annoying. Not like last time, where their annoyingness seemed to be a part of their nature, but rather just bad and lazy writing. Like, if she were to just have a proper discussion with both of the boys instead of assuming then we wouldn't have so many problems. But that being said, it was still a great and fun book with an interesting story line and great pacing.
toastedbagel's review against another edition
4.0
Much more political in the second book, as we get into Zahru's head where she struggles with her beliefs and choices. As with the first book, I couldn't expect where this story was headed to. What a ride!
amarylissw's review against another edition
5.0
Not without its faults, but it was just so enjoyable. I’d come into this book thinking it’d be a trilogy, but knowing there might not be a third book is awful. There are so many things that don’t feel resolved and the ending feels a little rushed. So please, book three.
allisondevine's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow this made me feel things. I wasn’t sure what to think of characters and so compelled by the turns it’s taken
abilyssa's review against another edition
5.0
Maybe this is a cruel mercy, to spare him from servitude only to chain him to me instead.
What to expect:
- Corruption arc; hero becomes villain
- Love-triangle (though this book takes a pretty clear stance)
- Court politics
I didn't love Zahru in this one. I felt she was super out-of-character in her arrogance. She wholeheartedly believes she can rule an entire country, despite the fact that she's illiterate and doesn't know the first thing about international relations. Like, girly, maybe you can look past your own problems for two minutes and take Kasta's advice. Idk, she was just so childish in this one that I got annoyed. Her paranoia was kinda funny because of how it mirrors Kasta's, but it was also annoying because us readers already know it's unfounded since the epilogue of the last book.
Jet continues to be bland as a love interest, but in this one, his existence especially annoys me. Even Zahru notes the standard has been lowered with him:
Now, Kasta is where it's at. In this book, it becomes clear that he's not just a bitter prince who's been denied his birthright. He's actually competent as a ruler. He's merciless when he needs to be, forgiving when he needs to be. Like with the last book, the ending of this one had be at the edge of my seat. Kasta is so unpredictable. In this book, the balance tips slightly away from villainy and toward heroism. Slightly.
I still adore the side characters. Marcus and Melia really start to shine. Hen is still great and deserves more page-space.
Overall:
This is my least favorite book in the series, but it's still great.
What to expect:
- Corruption arc; hero becomes villain
- Love-triangle (though this book takes a pretty clear stance)
- Court politics
I didn't love Zahru in this one. I felt she was super out-of-character in her arrogance. She wholeheartedly believes she can rule an entire country, despite the fact that she's illiterate and doesn't know the first thing about international relations. Like, girly, maybe you can look past your own problems for two minutes and take Kasta's advice. Idk, she was just so childish in this one that I got annoyed. Her paranoia was kinda funny because of how it mirrors Kasta's, but it was also annoying because us readers already know it's unfounded since the epilogue of the last book.
I was born to serve, but now I'll rule.
Jet continues to be bland as a love interest, but in this one, his existence especially annoys me. Even Zahru notes the standard has been lowered with him:
"It's been an etnire moon. During which I've alternated between wondering what it would be like to actually kiss him, and worrying that I only started feeling for him because I was in a high-stress situation and thus found the idea of anyone who didn't want to kill me attractive.
Now, Kasta is where it's at. In this book, it becomes clear that he's not just a bitter prince who's been denied his birthright. He's actually competent as a ruler. He's merciless when he needs to be, forgiving when he needs to be. Like with the last book, the ending of this one had be at the edge of my seat. Kasta is so unpredictable. In this book, the balance tips slightly away from villainy and toward heroism. Slightly.
I still adore the side characters. Marcus and Melia really start to shine. Hen is still great and deserves more page-space.
Overall:
This is my least favorite book in the series, but it's still great.