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magnoliaash's review
- 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: Torture, Body horror, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexism and Vomit
Minor: Sexual violence and Religious bigotry
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
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
sewer_rat's review
- 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
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Gore, Violence, Slavery, Sexism, and Blood
Moderate: Vomit and Sexual violence
readingelli's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Forma’s writing is phenomenal, her plot was twisty and took me completely by surprise several times and the characters were well constructed, complicated people (or gods).
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, War, and Sexism
Moderate: Ableism, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Sexual violence
dhwani's review
- 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
5.0
However, as she goes about this journey, she encounters a lot of people who make her question her loyalty to the mothers. She discovers powers she never thought she possessed, and a lot many truths are revealed to her. On the other hand, there is also the enigma of the symbol that makes her lose her senses and the story behind it. She knows that whatever she is against is no common army she can defeat easily, and her only weapon to get out of this battle alive and save the people of Otera is herself.
I’m the kind of person who doesn’t remember the previous books easily when a sequel is released, and I didn’t have enough time to reread The Gilded Ones. This book, although, summarised the previous points such that I recollected everything perfectly and the elements leading up to the building of the new story weren’t lost. Deka’s character was my favourite, like always. She is written in a way that lays her vulnerable with both her strengths and weaknesses. Her powers don’t mean that she forgets the trauma she has from what happened to her.
The side characters were also all so well-written. I loved getting an insight to their backstories and despite having so many side characters, none of them were useless or just standing by.
I also liked the fact that unlike other liberal feminist stories, this one focused on the problems faced by all the genders and people instead of the usual man-hating feminism that the mainstream is reverting towards. The values set in this book were so good and I liked that part the most. AND WE LOVE TO SEE BADASS WOMEN FIGHTING AJHBHSB ALL THE CHARACTERS WERE SO SO COOL IMAGINE HAVING POWERS AND FIGHTING TOGETHER AS A TEAM TAKE MY HEART ALREADY!!!
There were also so many plot twists and THE ENDING HABJHHJNFJDSB I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL TO BE HERE ALREADY!!!
I totally loved this book and please read it and let me know so we can scream about it together!!!
Graphic: Sexism, Torture, Vomit, War, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death of parent, and Misogyny
Moderate: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
Minor: Transphobia, Gaslighting, Homophobia, and Sexual assault