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goodthingsread's review
adventurous
dark
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
4.5 rounded down to 4 because there were a lot of things unravelling towards the end.
I was very excited to read this book after having finished The Gilded Ones and I, for one, was not disappointed. Perhaps it helped that I read each in quick succession and didn't have a year to dwell on the first book and anticipate the second. Given the ending of the first book, without any real cliffhangers, I assumed the second would be different in form and function. And it was. The story takes quite a turn, quickly establishing the setting now as a war, potentially long and protracted, between the awakened goddesses and basically the entire male population of Otera. Deka has been skyrocketed to a place of honor, duty, and responsibility beyond all others, creating a natural divide between her and her friends.
That said, one of the things I loved about this book (and series, so far) is that those friendships are not diminished by this distance. While her compatriots do note that Deka has been separated from them, that she's growing in ways they are not, that she has a different role and perspective, they don't hold that against her. She has a romance with Keita and a strong friendship with Brita, and never once do those two feel jealous of the other or begrudge Deka for focusing on her purpose or the other relationships. Some might feel this too easy, but frankly I find it refreshing. I'm too used to the artificially strained relationships in most YA novels, so to not have to deal with that but focus on everything else in the world was a relief.
Eventually, Deka learns that she -- and everyone -- have been lied to and the war that was essentially female vs. male transforms into a situation of Everyone Sucks Here.I found the division of the original entities into male and female and that being their downfall, the beginning of their descent into humanity and madness, to be interesting. It reminded me of "The Origin of Love" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch though... far less bittersweet. Just nasty instead. I saw someone criticize this choice as "both sides"-ing the conflict, but as far as I'm concerned, feminism has always been about equality for all. The Goddesses being just as foul, if not more in some respects, as The Merciless Ones, does not take away from the suffering that Deka, the alaki, and other women experienced during the reign of the emperors and Oyomo. The narrative never suggests this, only that the Goddesses are shittier for pretending to be better. Given how betrayed Deka must feel, twice over now because of a fabricated religion and its shitty followers, I think that's a fair perspective for her to have.
I didn't find the sudden influx of queer identities to be all that strange either. As with all first person narratives, we're limited by the knowledge and understanding of the main character. Deka has a lot to focus on in the first novel, a lot to learn because in many respects she's been held back, so it doesn't surprise me that she doesn't notice the relationships of those around her or cares to mention/focus on the various gender identities hiding in a restrictive society. Now, in this second book, where she is ripping off the rose colored glasses of herself and everyone, of course it comes up. Now, when certain other people matter more and are being viewed by her outside of that restrictive society, of course how they express gender and love comes to the forefront. I don't think it's shoe-horned in at all and makes incredible sense in a lot of cases, especially that of White Hands.
My main critique, honestly, is that we could have used some more editing here. At a certain point, Asha leaves the main group to help another, then is directly mentioned as being present with the main group, and then in the next chapter comes back to join the main group after helping the other. Etzli rises from her chair and walks down the dais, then two paragraphs later she floats down from her throne. Ixa is so often central to the action and then just as often disappears completely that it feels like he's lost and Forna forgot he should be there. I noticed this too with the first book, how the equus are described as human from head to stomach and then horse below, as a traditional centaur; but then Maisama nuzzles Deka's hair with his snout at one point and I was completely thrown. These mistakes felt like Forna was on a role with her writing, creating at a fast and furious pace, and whoever was double checking her work didn't slow her down enough.
On the whole, though, I loved this and I am excited to pick up the final installment. This reading journey has been truly refreshing and such a rewarding change from typical YA fantasy that I'll accept a few soft spots here and there to enjoy the fruits of Forna's labors.
I was very excited to read this book after having finished The Gilded Ones and I, for one, was not disappointed. Perhaps it helped that I read each in quick succession and didn't have a year to dwell on the first book and anticipate the second. Given the ending of the first book, without any real cliffhangers, I assumed the second would be different in form and function. And it was. The story takes quite a turn, quickly establishing the setting now as a war, potentially long and protracted, between the awakened goddesses and basically the entire male population of Otera. Deka has been skyrocketed to a place of honor, duty, and responsibility beyond all others, creating a natural divide between her and her friends.
That said, one of the things I loved about this book (and series, so far) is that those friendships are not diminished by this distance. While her compatriots do note that Deka has been separated from them, that she's growing in ways they are not, that she has a different role and perspective, they don't hold that against her. She has a romance with Keita and a strong friendship with Brita, and never once do those two feel jealous of the other or begrudge Deka for focusing on her purpose or the other relationships. Some might feel this too easy, but frankly I find it refreshing. I'm too used to the artificially strained relationships in most YA novels, so to not have to deal with that but focus on everything else in the world was a relief.
Eventually, Deka learns that she -- and everyone -- have been lied to and the war that was essentially female vs. male transforms into a situation of Everyone Sucks Here.
I didn't find the sudden influx of queer identities to be all that strange either. As with all first person narratives, we're limited by the knowledge and understanding of the main character. Deka has a lot to focus on in the first novel, a lot to learn because in many respects she's been held back, so it doesn't surprise me that she doesn't notice the relationships of those around her or cares to mention/focus on the various gender identities hiding in a restrictive society. Now, in this second book, where she is ripping off the rose colored glasses of herself and everyone, of course it comes up. Now, when certain other people matter more and are being viewed by her outside of that restrictive society, of course how they express gender and love comes to the forefront. I don't think it's shoe-horned in at all and makes incredible sense in a lot of cases, especially that of White Hands.
My main critique, honestly, is that we could have used some more editing here. At a certain point, Asha leaves the main group to help another, then is directly mentioned as being present with the main group, and then in the next chapter comes back to join the main group after helping the other. Etzli rises from her chair and walks down the dais, then two paragraphs later she floats down from her throne. Ixa is so often central to the action and then just as often disappears completely that it feels like he's lost and Forna forgot he should be there. I noticed this too with the first book, how the equus are described as human from head to stomach and then horse below, as a traditional centaur; but then Maisama nuzzles Deka's hair with his snout at one point and I was completely thrown. These mistakes felt like Forna was on a role with her writing, creating at a fast and furious pace, and whoever was double checking her work didn't slow her down enough.
On the whole, though, I loved this and I am excited to pick up the final installment. This reading journey has been truly refreshing and such a rewarding change from typical YA fantasy that I'll accept a few soft spots here and there to enjoy the fruits of Forna's labors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Torture, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
clotalksbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Sadly, I'm disappointed with this one. Things that I struggled with in the first book seemed magnified in this one. The writing was a little... immature for me which was in stark contrast to the brutality of the action. Some of the descriptions of death were rather disgusting haha. Internal eye rolls at the "revelations" by Deka, who is rather slow and would say things that frustrated me.
The story has such potential, and this book just didn't deliver fully for me. It weirdly felt like not much was happening, despite lots of repetitive action, until the very end which (similar to the first book) saved it for me. There are some scenes towards the end that really touched me and got me feeling like yes, this is the glimmer of gold I have been waiting for. Hence my overall rating.
There are lots more diverse representations in this book, which at times felt like unnecessary spotlighting without feeding the story. I'm hoping this gets explored in greater depth in the next book.
Maybe this is just a scene setter for the third book. I will still continue the series as I am invested. Fingers crossed the third one is more for me.
The story has such potential, and this book just didn't deliver fully for me. It weirdly felt like not much was happening, despite lots of repetitive action, until the very end which (similar to the first book) saved it for me. There are some scenes towards the end that really touched me and got me feeling like yes, this is the glimmer of gold I have been waiting for. Hence my overall rating.
There are lots more diverse representations in this book, which at times felt like unnecessary spotlighting without feeding the story. I'm hoping this gets explored in greater depth in the next book.
Maybe this is just a scene setter for the third book. I will still continue the series as I am invested. Fingers crossed the third one is more for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
magnoliaash's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Just as good as the first. Lots of character development which is great. Loved all the twists and turns.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Body horror, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexism and Vomit
Minor: Sexual violence and Religious bigotry
emiliemhr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Homophobia
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
jagodasbooks's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
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.
Content Warnings
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
rayyan3's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Confinement, Death of parent, Grief, and Violence
professional_strawberry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child abuse, and Violence
marena02's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Slavery, War, Abandonment, Genocide, Grief, Blood, Body horror, Death, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Transphobia, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Torture
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Supposing queer and gendervague representation this book has diverse found family working together to right the wrongs of their world.
Interesting and unique gods system it has me engaged and ready for the final book
Interesting and unique gods system it has me engaged and ready for the final book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence