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A review by queer_bookwyrm
Merciless Saviours by H.E. Edgmon
adventurous
dark
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
4 ⭐ CW: (provided by the author) incest, childhood sexual abuse, other sexual violence involving minors, violence, murder, torture, body horror, nonconsensual pregnancy mention, pregnancy loss mention, animal death, mental illness, suicidality, depersonalization
Merciless Saviors by H.E. Edgmon is book two in The Ouroboros duology. I did really enjoy this one, but for some reason I think I liked book one a little more. This one is just as raw, chaotic, and messy, but it took a very different turn in vibes. Spoilers for book one ahead.
We pick up with Gem Echols I'm the church after they have used the Ouroboros to kill Zephyr and gain his powers. With Gem being the Magician, the god that is supposed to keep the balance, things are now suddenly very out of balance. The other gods powers aren't working the way they should. Rory's power of communing with the animals now makes it so everyone can hear them, not just her; Enzo's power isn't working at all; Death can reanimate corpses; and the Muse is being his art to life. Gem, Rory, and Enzo must search for a way to restore the balance, but they will have to make the biggest sacrifice in order to achieve it.
We really get to see Gem spiral out of control here. They are having a hard time hanging on to reality. Gem continues to make not great decisions due to poor impulse control, which affects all the gods, pulling them all back to the Ether to face what they left behind. Even while back in their own world Gem doesn't really feel like the self, and constantly makes things worse. In the end, the story is really about letting go, accepting the love you're given, and being okay with not having complete control. It's also about giving yourself permission to heal.
These are all such complex characters. There are no heroes, but they all have the capacity to love and to change as humans. I love that Edgmon writes messy queer characters that reflect the self-loathing and confusion a lot of people feel. Not every character needs to be the hero to matter, and the same is true in life. There is so much pain in this story, but so much heart.
I will be keeping an eye out for more H.E. Edgmon in the future. They might become an auto buy author for me.
Merciless Saviors by H.E. Edgmon is book two in The Ouroboros duology. I did really enjoy this one, but for some reason I think I liked book one a little more. This one is just as raw, chaotic, and messy, but it took a very different turn in vibes. Spoilers for book one ahead.
We pick up with Gem Echols I'm the church after they have used the Ouroboros to kill Zephyr and gain his powers. With Gem being the Magician, the god that is supposed to keep the balance, things are now suddenly very out of balance. The other gods powers aren't working the way they should. Rory's power of communing with the animals now makes it so everyone can hear them, not just her; Enzo's power isn't working at all; Death can reanimate corpses; and the Muse is being his art to life. Gem, Rory, and Enzo must search for a way to restore the balance, but they will have to make the biggest sacrifice in order to achieve it.
We really get to see Gem spiral out of control here. They are having a hard time hanging on to reality. Gem continues to make not great decisions due to poor impulse control, which affects all the gods, pulling them all back to the Ether to face what they left behind. Even while back in their own world Gem doesn't really feel like the self, and constantly makes things worse. In the end, the story is really about letting go, accepting the love you're given, and being okay with not having complete control. It's also about giving yourself permission to heal.
These are all such complex characters. There are no heroes, but they all have the capacity to love and to change as humans. I love that Edgmon writes messy queer characters that reflect the self-loathing and confusion a lot of people feel. Not every character needs to be the hero to matter, and the same is true in life. There is so much pain in this story, but so much heart.
I will be keeping an eye out for more H.E. Edgmon in the future. They might become an auto buy author for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Incest, and Sexual violence
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy