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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
Review Note: this book was completed as an audio book - ymmv with the printed edition.
CW// possible light spoilers
Wow. Wow wow wow.
I almost gave up a fourth of the way in and I’m glad I pushed through.
Initially, I was a bit jarred each time the narration changed and a new character showed up. It felt like I was missing something - had I misunderstood the prophecy? Had I not been paying enough attention earlier? Was this a character that had been mentioned in Wicked Saints? Each new introduction added to the story ultimately (Tho, I’m a bit miffed Nadya decided to free Kostas. He was a drag and not a fun addition to the self loathing she already had going on. But in a way, it was an excellent device to reinforce why her internal monologue was so in turmoil over Malachiaz.)
The tensions are ratched up in this instalment as the group is all drawn towards the seat of the gods. It’s when they all are gathered together that the plot really hits its stride. Petty boundaries are put aside as they realise they are just pawns in a cosmic game of all-powerful eldritch horrors.
I’m excited to see where the author takes the final instalment when Blessed Monsters comes out!
As an aside, this book does get significantly gory - even more so than the initial one. If vivid descriptions of body mutilation are a trigger, I’d either skip or tread lightly.
Review on the audiobook - if I revisit this series in the future, I plan on reading a physical copy. The audiobook is fabulously done - the two narrators do an excellent job of infusing the dialogue with emotions and weight. I did however get lost in the weeds with the Eastern European accents - something I think was a good addition, but personally had me distracted from what was going on.
CW// possible light spoilers
Wow. Wow wow wow.
I almost gave up a fourth of the way in and I’m glad I pushed through.
Initially, I was a bit jarred each time the narration changed and a new character showed up. It felt like I was missing something - had I misunderstood the prophecy? Had I not been paying enough attention earlier? Was this a character that had been mentioned in Wicked Saints? Each new introduction added to the story ultimately (Tho, I’m a bit miffed Nadya decided to free Kostas. He was a drag and not a fun addition to the self loathing she already had going on. But in a way, it was an excellent device to reinforce why her internal monologue was so in turmoil over Malachiaz.)
The tensions are ratched up in this instalment as the group is all drawn towards the seat of the gods. It’s when they all are gathered together that the plot really hits its stride. Petty boundaries are put aside as they realise they are just pawns in a cosmic game of all-powerful eldritch horrors.
I’m excited to see where the author takes the final instalment when Blessed Monsters comes out!
As an aside, this book does get significantly gory - even more so than the initial one. If vivid descriptions of body mutilation are a trigger, I’d either skip or tread lightly.
Review on the audiobook - if I revisit this series in the future, I plan on reading a physical copy. The audiobook is fabulously done - the two narrators do an excellent job of infusing the dialogue with emotions and weight. I did however get lost in the weeds with the Eastern European accents - something I think was a good addition, but personally had me distracted from what was going on.
Tries too hard to be poetic, often at the expense of clarity, and uses the word "eldritch" too much
3.5
Much like Wicked Saints, I didn’t hate this. I really like Serefin’s character and I liked his chapters. I still just don’t like Nadya nor do I care for the main relationship, though, so half of the book just fell flat and I didn’t care for it. I do think it’s better than the first book, though.
Much like Wicked Saints, I didn’t hate this. I really like Serefin’s character and I liked his chapters. I still just don’t like Nadya nor do I care for the main relationship, though, so half of the book just fell flat and I didn’t care for it. I do think it’s better than the first book, though.
This book is dark and bloody, both good things for the continuation of this story from Wicked Saints. The book is a road trip that splits the characters up into two groups, bringing them back together for the last of the story. This series gets compared to the Grisha series (which I also loved), but this is a darker book with an entirely different plot. I enjoy that the "Gods" are real in the story but not all powerful. The characters are all interesting, with romances that feel natural to the story. The ending left me anxious for the last book in the trilogy. I would recommend this book for teens and young adults looking for a thrilling, twisty, and fast-paced book.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 ⭐ Duncan's second entry in the Something Dark and Holy series, Ruthless Gods suffers the same deficiency as many self-published, or smaller publishing house, books I've read this year: lack of editing. The fact that this is a major release from a St. Martin's imprint makes that lack all the more unforgiveable. Did no editor look at the phrase "weird and eldritch" for the sixth time and think "hmmm, maybe we could tighten this up?" Or look at the hundreds of pages of Nadya voicing angst over Malachiasz, and thought "we could lose 50% of this and replace it with adequate descriptions of this world." Seriously, this is a world at war and has been for decades. As our characters travel along the whole axis of the front they see nary a burned out field, but more interestingly, they encounter no people. In hundreds of miles they come across one fort which is used for a dramatic face-off, but that's it.
And the lack of editing is especially disappointing because Duncan has the bones of a decent story and interesting premise. I'm not mad that I read this book, but I think I'll be stepping away from the series at this point and calling it good.
And the lack of editing is especially disappointing because Duncan has the bones of a decent story and interesting premise. I'm not mad that I read this book, but I think I'll be stepping away from the series at this point and calling it good.
Betrayal, Gods, Monstrous boys, Power, and forbidden romance all while kingdoms are at stake. Continuing where the first book left off, Nadya is still reeling from Malachiasz’s betrayal and his pursuit into becoming a god... into becoming something more. The kingdom is at it’s near breaking point and with the death of the king and Prince Serefin being the new king.... after coming back alive from being killed and gifted with new powers, moths flying around him, a strange eye, and a god intwined in his soul. Nadya must decide what to do with Malachiasz now as he has begun to sink into the otherness... and yet the boy she loves still remains underneath it all. Between the lies, the betrayal, the guilt, and the pain.... there is still a twisted love between the two of them. The girl, the prince, and the monster find themselves all thrown together again as a larger game is at play and with so many gods with so many different plans, they’ll have to scramble to make their next move before it destroys them all. Nadya has been outcasted by her gods who refuse to speak to her... yet she has untapped powers that she is finding she must accept. Malachiasz is playing a larger game, but between killing gods, becoming a god, and loving a cleric, things can become complicated. Serefin just wants to save his kingdom, but with a god hellbent on revenge stuck inside his soul, he’ll have to figure out how to get rid of him before everyone he loves dies and he is consumed. This was a great continuation of the first book and I did enjoy the complicated relationship between all the characters.
It was good. It was long. At some places it was tedious. Was nice to see the developments of all the cast of characters. The Gods are a little "out there" but they ARE Gods after all so they should be. Twists and turns and a few "didn't see that coming" moments. But also quite a few "get on with it, you told me that already" moments.