The Gilded Ones #2: The Merciless Ones Hardcover – May 31, 2022

My 14-year-old absolutely loved this book, and the series. Great writing.

“She herself threw other girls on the metaphorical and even physical pyre. I should be used to it now, the way women sometimes betray other women, the way they align themselves with men, if only to guarantee their own safety, such as it is, but I can't fathom it.”✨✨Six months have passed since Deka learned who she really is. Six months have gone by since she freed the goddesses of Otera, and now, darkness is gathering across the kingdom with war imminent. However, Dena’s powers are changing and secrets are coming to light that could unravel everything Deka knows. Does Deka have the power to save or destroy?✨✨Forna developed an interesting, distinct tale in The Merciless Ones. I loved The Guilded Ones and was so excited for this sequel. However, with this one I both enjoyed and was frustrated by it. With Deka being the lone character able to commune with the goddesses, she often stood alone, separated from her companions. This resulted in a lot of telling taking away from the experience for me. There was also a repetitive cycle of Deka being lied to and shocked about it. After a certain point, she would’ve been better off just assuming everyone was lying. I was completely shocked by the truth Deka ultimately uncovered during her journey. I definitely did not see the series going in the direction it did. I did really appreciate how Forna navigated gender and identity. I thought it was really well done. Overall, I feel like this was meant to be a major set up book with significant info dumping to prepare for the next book. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it, it just wasn’t what I was expecting. I do recommend reading it, and I’m excited to see where all the revelations take us.

Which side do you believe after all these years?? It’s in the blood. Finished in time for book 3 🥳🥳

Such a great book with beautiful character development. I could not have fully imagined the end. Great read with so many diverse characters and themes of inclusion and equity.

Came perfect

I enjoyed the first book, but this one feels like filler to make it a trilogy. Yes, some big stuff happens, but it happens in the midst of so much filler that I hardly noticed or cared. I don’t think I’ll read the third book. Currently, my local library doesn’t have it to borrow as an ebook, and I’m not going to buy it. Too bad because the first book had potential!

This was a good read. I read the first book which is great as well and had to get the second. Can't wait to read book three.

My daughter loved the first book and she equally loves this one and waiting on the third book to be released.

Am screaming!! I love this book, the story is amazing. Secrets being revealed, Deka learning more about who she was is just mind blowing! I love this book!!

Il libro mi ha annoiata tantissimo. Tralasciando il fatto che non mi è piaciuta la storia, ci sono troppe descrizioni per i miei gusti: l'autrice sente il bisogno di spiegare tutto quanto più volte, come se i lettori non fossero in grado di capire niente da soli. Noioso.

I love the cover of this book!

Beware: a page turner. An action movie on paper. The Fast And The Furious are geriatric in comparison. Quite often I had to put the book down to cope with my excitement. My pause button. Combine this with the summary of the story and you get an idea what to expect. And enjoy. It’s fun.

Such a captivating read. Love the characters, the storyline, the depth and narrative. Really great read, highly recommend this book.