Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Merciless Saviors

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Merciless Saviors by H.E. Edgmon

8 reviews

dundiesbooks's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This 2nd installment steps up the game in the god department and I don't think it's for me. I do like the personal stories and relationships at the base of it all. There are even a few wholesome moments. The overall very dark vibe and the many violent scenes didn't do much for me though, neither positively nor negatively.
I could critique a lot, it just wouldn't be fair though, because most of it comes down to personal preference and I'm sure this is great for the right audience.* So I'll leave it at: It's a solid story with fantastic (literal) ideas and complex characters. It's just not entirely my cup of tea.

Edit: *After looking at a couple of other reviews, I realised how much I'm not the target audience and it's no wonder I couldn't get into it as much, since I can't relate at all.
I also forgot to mention how confusing the "time jumps" were, listening to the audio book.

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alphabetseeds's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book is a hot mess, in both good and bad ways.

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princegene95's review

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dark emotional 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

5.0

This duology is amazing. I read the first book several months ago when it came out, and just read this one.
The story invests you, wanting to know more about the dark world of the Ether and the background of its many gods.
But this story is also about a kid trying to deal with past trauma and new relationships. About someone ready to face those who have hurt them and (maybe) become a better person for it.
In the acknowledgments at the back of the book, it’s stated

every page of this story is dedicated to survivors of childhood trauma

and it shows. There’s times when you can feel the pain these characters have been through as they carve through the world to try and make a place better for themselves.
As someone who has recently entered their first throuple, and is still trying to navigate how to interact with all members of the group, and this book perfectly describes those feelings.

”But when jealousy and anger are cut open, the gooey organs of fear spill out. If they come to like each other-hells forbid even love each other-then what would they need me for?”

I’ve thought about this exact same thing many times, and yet, it seems all the more real when reading it from a character dealing with similar issues as myself.
I had really enjoyed the first book, and when opening the second to see a full list of content warnings, including things I don’t normally like to read about because it hits too close to home as someone both trans and has childhood trauma, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to read this book. But I am so glad I did. I can see why others wouldn’t like it. If they aren’t queer, or gender diverse, or haven’t dealt with trauma like this, they probably wouldn’t like it, or at the very least, not be able to relate to it like I have. And that’s something I love being able to do, is relate to the books I read. And this book is one that I can relate to, and I plan on rereading several months down the line because this is a story and a world I would like to revisit.

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mythian's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

3.5/5, rounding up. This book, like its predecessor, is a fast read with loads of gore and morally complex characters. It picks up right where Godly Heathens left off, with the scales of balance toppled and the Reaper and Lionheart after Gem and the other gods. Since the magic has been disrupted, the gods have difficulties using their powers, or being able to access them at all. It's interesting discovering who these characters are when their whole persona, literally the thing they are named for, isn't working as intended.

The last third of the book was emotionally gut-wrenching and was nearly a perfect ending...except for the last page. The last plot twist was unexpected and I felt like it cheapened Gem's sacrifice, because in the end, it wasn't much of a sacrifice. Although I could also see it being a metaphor for survivors reclaiming their power. The cycles of time and time happening all at once is a recurring theme that I really liked, however I think it became too meta and went "is any of this really happening? Maybe it's all in your head!" which was annoying.

As a warning, this book covers the topic of child abuse by a family member and the repercussions of surviving such abuse.

Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley.

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pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I actually liked Merciless Saviors better than Godless Heathens! I thought the first was a bit too camp, the dialogue was very edgy and didn't quite feel like teens? Merciless Saviors is more toned down with the forced quips and one-liners, they are still there, just not totally saturating the dialogue.

How the story all comes together was really heartbreaking and cathartic. A truly beautiful rendition of a child's experience with deep deep trauma. There were some parts that felt a bit repetitive, but then I thought about my own experiences and thoughts during CPTSD spirals and realized it was spot on. The evolution of the characters is really sweet. I was honestly fine with the story focusing more on the main three instead of the entire cast.

I do agree with other reviewers that the existential time crises were sometimes hard to follow, or maybe out of place? I can't put my finger on it, but something about the portrayal didn't quite mesh with the story? It wasn't enough to derail or ruin anything, just kind of distracting. There were a few confusing or convenient things towards the end of the book that I went back and read twice to make sure I didn't miss anything... but somehow I'm still not understanding certain characters survival... This is a hard part to dive into without spoilers, so I'll just leave it at that. The plot holes got me pacing.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC, appreciated as always.

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kimwritesstuff's review

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challenging emotional reflective 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

Every now and again I read a book that I wish I could have read when I was younger. This is one of those books. Merciless Saviors is the second in a duology and both books are so beautiful and heartbreaking. In the second novel, Gem is dealing with the ramifications of their decisions and their identity. The balance of power no longer exists and everyone's powers are feeling the change.

Gem is running out of time and everyone is out for their head. When Gem makes a decision to end the fight, they find themselves pulled back into the Ether. But even there, they aren't really the Magician anymore; Gem is still sort of Gem. The Shade is still sort of Enzo and the Mountain is still sort of Rory. Gem starts to unravel who they are and just how deep trauma is rooted in themselves. This book's narrative is like puzzle pieces that come together, weaving the far past of the Magician and the more recent past of Gem.

This book is dark, but there is also so much hope. I wish I could have read a book like this when I was going through depressive episodes in high school. I know that feeling of fear that your trauma makes you unlovable. Gem is a complex character who is coming to terms with their trauma and how that trauma has informed their own choices in life. This book felt like a love letter to survival. The love between Enzo, Rory, and Gem was *chef's kiss*. I like that all three were complex characters with flaws that weren't resolved. Flaws make characters relatable and I hate when a book has a magical solution that just makes everyone perfect.

The one thing I didn't love about this book was the pacing of the narrative. It felt like we could have spent more time in the Ether and less on Earth. Also, the intertwining of past and present was just a little jarring in places. I wish there could have been more multiple POVs in this book, especially from Lionheart or Death. I kind of hope there are more stories set in this world even if Gem isn't the main character.

This is a wonderful story about coping and healing, though the pacing could have been stronger. Honestly, I think this duology might become a staple for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the ARC; all opinions are my own.

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betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

Gem’s life completely changed last year when they learned that they’re actually a reincarnated god. And after using the Ouroboros knife to kill a different god at the end of the year, now everything is out of balance. Because in addition to their original powers, Gem now has the power of the god of air.

Now it is up to Gem, Rory, and Enzo to put things back in balance. The tricky part will be figuring out how to do that without any of them sacrificing their lives–or their humanity. As new dangers start popping up, they have to decide if their godly powers are worth it.

Thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Merciless Saviors by HE Edgmon to review! I was hooked by the first book in the duology, Godly Heathens, last year, so I was excited to read the sequel. And it did not disappoint! If you enjoyed the characters and the driving plot from the first book, you will be just as hooked in the second.

Where Edgmon excels in this book is the character work. Gem, Rory, and Enzo are complex, interesting characters, and their relationships reflect that. There’s an underlying theme of found family all throughout this book, which is absolutely one of my favorite tropes. And such an important theme for queer characters as well, whose own families might reject them for who they are.

Plot wise, the beginning of the book is stronger than the second half of the book. The plot loses itself a little towards the end, but Edgmon is still able to bring everything full circle by the time the book is finished. And it is an overall satisfying ending for these characters that you’ve come to love.

I wish more series were just duologies because I think they work so much better than longer series (for the most part). Edgmon is excelling at creating dark fantasy worlds, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

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readingwithkaitlyn's review

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