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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
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
inez_hunter's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, and Mental illness
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
kickitupanotch7'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
4.5
Graphic: Violence and Death of parent
Moderate: Gaslighting, Child death, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
megsmagiclibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Transphobia, Sexism, Death of parent, Child death, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cannibalism
kianareads'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
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Death, Misogyny, and Torture
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Violence, War, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Transphobia
Minor: Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
literaryintersections's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
What I loved: The alaki, jatu, and Deka's friends. The relationship between Deka and Britta is *chef's kiss*. I love seeing how they rep for each other, how they support each other, are always there to fight for each other. It's chosen family AT IT'S BEST. It was nice to see the small moments between the friend group but I wanted more - these kids are experiencing so much pain and death and I wanted more happy moments.
I am not sure how I feel about the direction the book took but, and it was extremely slow in the beginning. But once the threads started to pull together, and Deka started to figure out the mysteries of The Gilded Ones and Idugu, I was invested.
Overall, a book about children having to fight for their rights, fight for the rights to live and have autonomy over their bodies, feels extremely relevant to what we are dealing with in our society now. And as much as it's hard to read at times, it reminded me that no one makes change alone. The friendships and love we build, the community, is what will make that change happen.
Graphic: Violence and Child death
kilic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death of parent, Blood, Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Misogyny, and Grief