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A review by courtofsmutandstuff
The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
The world building just doesn't stop - it's not a sophomore/sequel slump for me, but it does sound a bit different (I read book 1, adored it, then bought book 2 when it came out, but held onto it because I wanted to wait til book 3 came out, so I just read 1 & 2 back to back). Part of that might be the audiobook narrators are different (and I really loved the 1st book's narrator, so even though this narrator isn't bad, I *adored* Shayna Small's narration). The world expands and there are a lot of reveals that I don't want to spoil.
In the beginning it does seem like there is a lot of telling, however some of that is also of the "hey, I'm pretty sure this is foreshadowing..." variety. We still get the importance of the female friendships, but romantic love is also more featured this book, however it's all very chaste (which I think I would have really appreciated reading as a 15/16 year old). I feel like there is so much plot development, and we don't get the same level of character relationships development, but I still adored this book and highly recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy/action books.
Also - omg is this book about the patriarchy (not complaining)! I haven't read a book - especially a YA book - that so succinctly and clearly in its world building is very much about the damage of patriarchy, and I really love how she is still emphasizing not the rule of women as the solution, but equality for all (including those in between who have solid representation here) as a need for justice and peace.
In the beginning it does seem like there is a lot of telling, however some of that is also of the "hey, I'm pretty sure this is foreshadowing..." variety. We still get the importance of the female friendships, but romantic love is also more featured this book, however it's all very chaste (which I think I would have really appreciated reading as a 15/16 year old). I feel like there is so much plot development, and we don't get the same level of character relationships development, but I still adored this book and highly recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy/action books.
Also - omg is this book about the patriarchy (not complaining)! I haven't read a book - especially a YA book - that so succinctly and clearly in its world building is very much about the damage of patriarchy, and I really love how she is still emphasizing not the rule of women as the solution, but equality for all (including those in between who have solid representation here) as a need for justice and peace.