Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna

12 reviews

hue's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Though it is sometimes overwritten, and has some typical YA-type writing, there's much more flesh to this story than a lot of the "popular" ones. We have a cast of strong female characters with sisterly bonds. The story is raw, yes, but it's written in a tasteful (if you can say that) way. The topic of misogyny and sexism, as well as the opposite, is so well thought out and well written it feeds the story such a realistic feeling I can totally imagine Otera truly existing somewhere.

I ADORE Deka and Britta's friendship. They're truly platonic soulmates, and it's so so so lovely that their relationship keeps going strong no matter what. I love that though Deka is strong and divine by her own, she doesn't fear depending on people. Her blood sisters, Britta, Keita, Ixa (who isn't a person but I guess it counts), White Hands. She has a web of people that she can trust, that trust her and comfort her, stand by her side despite all the blood they have to go through. It's beautiful!

I wish I would've had this story to read when I was a teen. I would've been so empowered and thrilled to follow Deka along as she fights for what is right and what is wrong. If you can stomach blood and gore, this is a gold mine. What YA should be!

THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE QUEER CHARACTERS AS SIDE CHARACTERS! AS NORMAL, REGULAR PEOPLE JUST LIVING THEIR LIVES! PRAISE NAMINA FORNA, YOU BEAUTIFUL SOUL!

I'm sure Namina Forna is going to write some incredible stuff along her career. I'm excited for the next installment (that I'm late getting to), and whatever Namina might write in the future, I'm definitely going to follow her work, whatever it may be!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

jagodasbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

inez_hunter's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • 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


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

marena02's review against another edition

Go to review page

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


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

wrensreadingroom's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

booksaremythirdplace's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark tense slow-paced
  • 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? It's complicated

3.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

librarybookscene's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

dannilmp's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.75

A beautiful continuation to The Gilded Ones, with plenty of twists and turns to keep your brain jogging to keep up! I put off reading this book for a little while as I was concerned it wouldn't be able to live upto the engagement and quality of the first book, but this was on par with the first book all the way!

I loved how the story took things you thought you knew from the events of The Gilded Ones and turned them on their head once more. Truly I have no idea what to expect the final book will tell but I am certainly looking forward to it! I loved watching these girls and some of the lads grow into their own and becoming these fully fleshed characters while exploring some back stories and flaws. 

The only downside is, like the first book, I felt the pacing was medium except when I hit the last quarter or so of the book. The pace seemed to quite rapidly pick up here, it was still written very well, I just would have prefered more time spent with their characters and the stories they have to tell. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

fungivibes's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional medium-paced

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

canascorner's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings