Ruthless Gods by Emily A. Duncan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ruthless Gods, the second installment of Emily A. Duncan’s debut YA Fantasy trilogy, Something Dark and Holy, continues to bring the dark atmosphere I cherish.
Significantly darker than your average YA Fantasy, this second book especially, toed the line of Horror and I’m here for it.
Our three main characters, Nadya, Serefin and Malachiasz, return and, y’all, they go through it.
This world is hella brutal. The magic, the landscape, it seems everything is out to get them, maybe even each other.
I enjoyed the character growth in this sequel, as each of them is faced with their own private battles. As they seemingly grow closer towards one another, outside forces are simultaneously pushing them apart.
Each is conflicted with their own demons, causing conflict amongst them. Meddlesome Gods play them like pawns in a game. The intensity is constant.
This was definitely an action-packed ride!
I’ll admit, I wish I would have taken the time to go back and review the first novel, particularly the ending, prior to picking this one up.
Up to around the 50% point of this book, I was confused. I was enjoying it, but it was a confused enjoyment.
My plan is to reread the first two books prior to the release of the third. I absolutely will be following through with this until its, no doubt, brutal conclusion.
I love this world. Based on an Eastern European culture and landscape, I find that the aspects of terrain and local folklore and legends, really add to my overall enjoyment of the story.
If you are a fan of Grimdark Fantasy, Blood Magic and Gods who manipulate the greater worlds around them, then you should definitely pick this series up!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Wednesday Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I appreciate it so much!
