The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna (The Gilded Ones #2)

Reviewed by Sam!

Minda’s review for book 1 here.

What I drank prior: so, i wanted a staycation, so i decided to have one. Parker helped me out on day 1 by spending the evening watching Scrubs and Julie and the Phantoms, which is a fab show and if you haven’t seen it you should but be prepared to be disappointed cause it got CANCELLED too soon. ANYWAY, I’ve had a bottle and a half of wine and two shots.

Goodreads Overview:

It’s been six months since Deka freed the goddesses in the ancient kingdom of Otera and discovered who she really is… but war is waging across the kingdom, and the real battle has only just begun. For there is a dark force growing in Otera—a merciless power that Deka and her army must stop. 

Yet hidden secrets threaten to destroy everything Deka has known. And with her own gifts changing, Deka must discover if she holds the key to saving Otera… or if she might be its greatest threat.

The Merciless Ones is the second thrilling installment of the epic fantasy series in which a young heroine fights against a world that would dare tame her.

Drunk Overview: so this is the sequel to the Gilded Ones and what we know is that Deka is the chosen one and has to be the warrior lady chick who takes down the patriarchy but omg maybe the goddesses aren’t telling the whole truth and that’s what we’ve got.

Spoiler-free Thoughts: This was not as good as book 1 but didnt fall in to second book syndrome which was great. I’m too drunk to separate my thoughts so I’m just gonna go.

• The characters have been weirdly annoying and endearing for two books now and it’s RUDE
• Deka is trying to do her hob as like… the boss. Only to find out maybe she’s not fighting for what she thought she was. It’s an interesting journey and oh by the way she loves a boy omg. How dare.
• The series of event wer so weird, like… ok so i was going to describe all the beats but then realized that was stupid so i didn’t but they’re weird
• they really like “big twists” but they’re not super big. But while they’re not super big, they’re still significant and wonderful.
• Wonderful enough for me to care and think its worth paying attention to. I never rolled my eyes, they were just not as surprising as i think the author wanted
• Like they weren’t eye rolling moments, but they weren’t out of the blue either. Not sure that’s good or bad.
• ANYWAY
• Why are all the characters paired off? I’m probably wrong, or at least I hope I am, but all the couples are hetero or with non-binary folk. There are no same-sex couples. And EVERYONE is in a couple.
• I could 100% have this wrong though so Sober Sam should check on this.
• Either way… I liked this book and if you were at least marginally interested in the rest of the story after book 1, you should read booze 2.

What to pair it with: a shot of your fave in between two of your fave drinks (at least I hope the next one is a fave)

Rating: 2.55

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,
Sam