Member Reviews

I really thought that I would enjoy revisiting this world more. I was very excited to rejoin Serefin, Nadya and Malachiasz and the world of the Tranavians and Kalyazin, but I was thoroughly disappointed.

There really wasn’t a lot of reminder information from the first book so if you don’t have a great memory and haven’t read Wicked Saints recently, then I would go back for a refresher.

We following the characters as they travel west. Not much else happens. We don’t have any if the action/adventure type story that I loved so much from Wicked Saints.

I really loved the magical system of this world but we don’t even really get a lot of magic mentioned in this story.

This story just really fell flat for me. I will, of course, read the finale because I really enjoyed Wicked Saints and feel like there is a good chance that the third book will have a lot if the elements that I enjoyed in the first book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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In this sequel to Wicked Saints, the characters head off on a journey into darkness again. Nadya has something wrong with her powers, Serefin hears a mysterious voice in his head, and Malachiasz has turned to the dark side. They have to travel across the country to find their gods.

It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did, I was hooked. This book was just as dark and gruesome as the first book. It’s a unique fantasy world. The demon creatures are described in such detail that I felt like they were real. There were also many injuries and a lot of blood.

I can’t say much without giving away spoilers. Many of these characters were fighting, yet they had to work together. They didn’t like each other all the time, but they saved each other’s lives. That made for some strange situations, since they didn’t necessarily like each other yet they had to work together against a common enemy. There were also some new characters and new relationships mixed into their group.

This book had an exciting end. I have no idea what will happen next!

Thank you Wednesday Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Ya'll know I like my stories dark and disturbing. But there were times in Emily A. Duncan's Ruthless Gods where even I was like, "Damn, girl!" Which only means I LOVED this book even while it tore me open and made me bleed.

Ruthless Gods is dark. SO much darker than the first book in the series. This is not your average Disney fairy tale, people. There is going to be no happily ever after for any of these characters. It is so dark that I honestly have no idea how anyone is going to end this adventure still alive and, well, sane.

Starting six months after the end of Wicked Saints, Malachiasz is off still trying to overthrow the gods, Serefin is now king and trying to stave off those who oppose him as well as end the war. And Nadya, poor Nadya, must repair her broken heart and figure out what is next for her now that her gods no longer speak to her. It is as depressing an opening as one will find. Once they finally take action, it is one step forward and two steps back for this trio. Think Empire Strikes Back except they still don't quite know who the puppeteers are to their puppet states.

As you get to know these characters a bit better, their personalities come to the fore more than they did in the first book, when you were basically trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Serefin is a pawn. He is ruthless in his determination to end the war, but he rarely does anything of his own volition. Rather, he lets others make his decisions and do his dirty work. He is afraid of taking action, and when he finally grows a pair, it is too late.

Malachiasz is literally the Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde of Eastern Europe mythology. You want to love him because he is capable of such depths of love and longing. But his Mr. Hyde state is brutal. His outward appearance in this form mirrors the depths of his depravity. I ended the novel not trusting a word out of his mouth and not even wanting his redemption. His ability to repeatedly manipulate and hurt those who love him make him a lost figure to me.

My heart lies with Nadya, our Joan of Arc figure. She is still too gullible and naive for her own good, but she creates a mothering instinct in you where you just want to protect her and make sure she is happy. She trusts Malachiasz too much, even though she says she doesn't. My heart literally ached for her throughout the entire novel because I don't want her to get hurt once again. For this reason, all my hopes are with Nadya. I want to see her become a badass bitch in the finale. I want her to stop being reactive and start being proactive. I want her to hurt Malachiasz as much as he hurt her, maybe more.

Also, can we just take a minute to appreciate the fact that Ms. Duncan's world takes place in a pseudo-Slavic world? It makes sense then that the story is so dark because if you know anything about Slavic/Polish history, you know it is nothing but misery. Their myths and folklore are going to reflect their experiences, and their experiences include nothing but being conquered over and over again. Plus, I just really like the names and the fact that I can pronounce them correctly.

Ruthless Gods was my most anticipated release for 2020, and I am so glad to say that it did not disappoint. In fact, my respect for Ms. Duncan only increased because she refused to let her characters settle or take the easy route through their adventures. In my opinion, she gives Jay Kristoff a run for his money in creating characters you adore and then breaks your heart with the pain and suffering he puts them through, and I love that. I love the despair that oozes from the pages. I love that she rivals any horror novelist for terrifying, gory af scenes that mentally imprint themselves into your brain. Ruthless Gods is disturbing and somewhat depressing but you care so much for Nadya and want to see Serefin and Malachiasz receive their comeuppance that you keep going and find yourself falling in love with this very unusual, deliciously evil story.

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This series gets better with each book! Wicked Saints were really good, and Ruthless Gods are AMAZING! I was so invested in the story that I didn't know when I had reached half of it! The story continues fast, and I think this story is better explained than the one in WS, and due to that, I LOVED it, instead of just liking it. I think I would classify this story as a fantasy adventure, that follows really intriguing events and full-blooded characters! The journey that is EPIC continues and gets even MORE epic!
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Nadya, the cleric, grew a lot on me in this story, she had developed in a way that was amazing. Ms. Duncan did a great job here with her. I need more characters like Nadya in the literature!
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To sum up, this story is addictive, thrilling, full of darkness and goth vibes that are present in Polish fairytales that this story is coming from (some names can be strange for English speakers, but they are coming from my language - Polish). There is some romance, but it's not coming to the first plan, as the adventure and fantasy theme is the most important here.
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This is all I will say as or would probably spoil the story for the future readers, and I avoid that at all costs. This story was just amazing and book three is a MUST have to me from now on, and I can't wait to get my hands on it next year!

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Nadya's magic has been corrupted and the gods don't talk to her anymore. Serefin survived his father's plots but now hears voices and sees visions that go along with the mysterious voice demanding his allegiance. Malachiasz is more than mortal, but not quite what he had hoped to be. In spite of their actions, the war continues to rage and there are signs that something else has gone very, very wrong with the world.

Ruthless Gods is a direct sequel to Wicked Saints, taking place four months after the conclusion of that novel. As a result, you really need to read that one first. Otherwise, you're at a disadvantage as to who the characters are in relation to each other, as well as how magic works in this world. Nadya, who had always been sure she knew had magic worked and that she would remain faithful to her cleric origins had done the unthinkable in the conclusion to the first novel. Now her gods have fallen silent and don't allow her to tap into their power. Instead, she has a line connecting her to what's left of Malachiasz, and it's killing her by inches. Malachiasz had always been called a monster and Vulture before due to the way that tortures had been used to transform people into something more within that death cult. Now he has taken it to a whole new level of monstrous, becoming more like an eldritch horror befitting a Chthulu mythos. As for Serefin, he continues to drink and casually drive away those closest to him. Perhaps it's being raised in the treacherous court of a country with casual bloodletting for magic purposes, but he is awfully cavalier about the death threats he receives.

The dark and dramatic imagery in this novel is likely the stuff of nightmares. The Salt Mines, mentioned before as the home of the Vultures and as a place no one wants to ever enter, is every bit as horrible as was implied. Blood, bone, screams, and death are everywhere, and the horrid shape-shifting properties are especially vivid here. Nadya has incredible bravery to offer to enter and to try to draw out the humanity in the monsters that reside there. It's something that remains true even as she realizes she's changed so much from the first novel and is still an admirable quality about her. The curiosity remains the same, as well as her loyalty to those she cares about. That combination catapults the quest she chooses to undertake, which seems like more of a fool's errand at first.

Serefin initially comes across as even whinier than he had at the close of the first novel, and the drinking and arguing really make me lose respect for him. For someone introduced in such a fierce and terrifying way, his plight truly seems less engaging. It changes when the voice and hallucinations start, though he is still trying to escape his fate. In the final third of the book, I really like him more, though he still remains somewhat passive. Malachiasz has his passive moments as well, and it seems as though everyone is lying and everyone has ulterior motives. The book summary mentions a stunning betrayal, but it's more accurate to say that there are several betrayals, and as much as they had foreshadowing, I was still surprised by them. I can't wait to see what Emily has in store for the conclusion of the trilogy.

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*We received an early copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are our own and do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of the publisher or author.

Quick Take: a continuation of the New York Times bestseller Wicked Saints, Ruthless Gods continues the stories of Nadya, Serefin and Malachiasz right where things left off in the first novel as all three wrestle with

What I Loved: I love Russian/Slavvic-based magic systems. Ever since falling in love with The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden, However, as anyone who has read Wicked Saints will know, this series is incredibly dark which I am totally here for. I think one of the most powerful aspects of both books is Nadya’s development from the beginning of the series to this point. Speaking from personal experience, I know what its like to completely deconstruct your own worldview and then do your best to pick up the pieces. It can be incredibly jarring and the internal monologues Nadya has, along with the philosophical conversations she participates in about the gods were really fascinating and touching to me personally.

What I Didn’t Love: I honestly thin I would have enjoyed this one more if I had read a physical copy. I listened to it on audio and as a result I feel like I missed a few things. Plus, the narrative is naturally confusing because each of the characters have their own internal monologues with other beings and the narrators aren’t that great at distinguishing between the different voices and characters so yeah, it just became really muddled and while I’ll pick up the next book because I want to now how the trilogy ends, it probably won’t be in audiobook form.

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Ruthless Gods really took everything that Wicked Saints was and took it one step further. This book is dark and creepy and I really had to skip one passage, because it was just a bit too gruesome for me. That's one that that anyone should definitely know before starting this series. There is a lot of blood. Things are pretty dark.

This book included interlude chapters featuring different characters from the book other than the main POVs and while I did enjoy some of them, they took me out of the story a bit and I don't think they were necessary. Overall I think this book didn't have to be as long as it is and it did jump a lot without really showing it on page, but this might be an issue with this early copy. It just confused me at times how quickly the characters moved witho9ut warning.

I did enjoy everything, these characters are well fleshed out, their connections always feel natural and the romance develops at such a good pace. Serefin is still my favourite character in this series and I'm as excited as I am anxious to see his story continued. Even with being so dark, this book has a great sense of humour and the twists are actually surprising.

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I liked this but didn't love it. This really felt like the second book in a trilogy where there is a lot of build up for most of the book and then the last quarter is where all the action is. The pacing was to slow for me and while I enjoyed the general story, I was missing a lot of the world building and character development that I loved from the first book. The big thing that brought this down for me was that I'm just not loving the love story between Nadya and Malachiasz; it's just to love-hate to fully appeal to me. But, that all being said, I'm still interested in this world and theses characters so even though I was a little disappointed by Ruthless Gods, I will still likely read the next book.

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Thank you @netgalley! I absolutely loved this book beginning to end! I love the boys in this book! And I can not wait for the next one to come out!

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Ruthless Gods is book two in the “Something Dark and Holy” series by Emily A. Duncan. Like book one, this was an atmospheric read. I felt like I was in the book and it was scary as hell lol. The pacing was a bit slow this time around and I found myself ready to get to some action. The worldbuilding was good but a tad confusing at times. The characters in this story, both new and old, were well developed. Overall, it was a good follow-up.
Actual Rating: 3.5/ 5 stars

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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I didn't completely hate it. It was boring, and then interesting, but then boring again. The intrigue was not enough to keep me reading and the characters weren't enough. I dnfed it twice before forcing me to finish it and write this.

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Overall, Ruthless Gods is a successful sequel in terms of the plot and expanding its mythology. However, the characters and prose had major setback in terms of enjoyment. I’m still interested with the plot, but the writing and characters are such a struggle, I’m both drawn and repealed by them. I guess we’ll see how long the series will go and how I feel when the next book is released.

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Picking up the pieces left behind from the events in Wicked Saints and working to end the war between Kalyazin and Tranavia (one way or another), Nadya and Serefin find themselves at the brink of something big, dark, and more dangerous than they have ever done.

Serefin’s very sight, although not good to begin with, is changed after his experience in the temple and is now hosting a fallen god within him, while Nadya has been cut completely away from her gods and has been imbued with a strange, dark power that has scarred her hand and left her off-balance. However, despite these struggles, there is work to be done.

Someone in the court is trying to usurp Serefin’s throne.

Nadya must reconnect with her gods so she can fulfill her divine purpose as a cleric.

And the Black Vulture must be confronted before he destroys the world.

Overall I liked the story and I want to know how it ends. There were some very enjoyable parts throughout, such as the descent into the Black Vulture’s layer as well as the later portions of the book when they reach the forest where all hell breaks loose. The plot slowed a little in the middle but otherwise was intriguing. However, I felt that this one suffered a little from the problem that sometimes happens with constantly switching POVs where one is taken out of the story and has a hard time reconnecting. Because of this, it took me longer than I would like to admit to finish it. There are also portions later in the book where it feels like huge swaths of certain character’s stories are missing and it’s very disjointing, although it is certainly plausible that that is the whole point. The last third of the book takes on an interesting, ethereal quality after all. Also, if you’re looking at this for the romance aspect, prepare for that to fall a little short and just enjoy the ride.

I would recommend this to anyone who has read Wicked Saints. I think the story is still a good continuation, and it sets readers up for an explosive third installment!

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

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These books are simply entertaining. Not groundbreaking but if you're looking for dark fantasy featuring some morally grey characters who are in love and also destined to betray one another this is the book for you. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who is looking for groundbreaking fantasy writing but if you're looking for something inherently reylo and you love Kylo Ren (as I desperately do) or you have a weakness for hopelessly hopeless characters this is the series for you. I'm patiently looking forward to the last book.

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I enjoyed Wicked Saints despite a few flaws in the writing and the overly complicated names. I was really hoping Ruthless Gods would improve on book one for me but unfortunately it fell flat for me. The writing seemed awkward in more than a couple places and felt forced instead of flowing. I didn't enjoy the character development, the story was all over the place and I got very tired of the repetitiveness. Overall this one was not for me.

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I mean, you can already guess what books we’re talking about today. No harm in correctly guessing.

Yes, we’re talking about Eliza’s Dog by Betsy Hearne.

(I’d say April Fool’s but we’re a bit late for that.) (Believe it or not that is indeed a real-life book, and I had a copy that I read to death because I, too, was a ten-year-old that wanted a dog and had friends who ditched me because they moved. Good times for child-sized Roni, good times.)

No, this is a review of RUTHLESS GODS by Emily Duncan. A long-awaited book for some, a mystery to others, and I am here to give you THE DEETS on what goes down.

Ish.

I’m not spoiling it for you.

But I WILL tell you that this single story has some of the best literary body horror I’ve read in a hot minute.

So let’s talk about RUTHLESS GODS.


We pick up a bit of time after WICKED SAINTS. Serefin is king, and the tops families are threatening to overthrow him. Nadya can’t hear the gods anymore, and is struggling with the mystical power that boils away inside her. And Malachiasz is fighting the battle between the boy Nadya fell for and the monster he was forged into.

We’ve got a masterclass in multi-POV writing – Emily keeps them clear and distinct, while allowing each narrator to build off each other’s tension. Also, as stated above, I absolutely adore the body horror of this novel. (Emily on Twitter talked about her favorite part to write, and I have to concur that it was easily my most favorite part to read. Monster god statue scene, you are my new best friend.)

Nothing about this sequel dragged or doubled back on what was laid out in the first volume. I fully enjoyed each and every inch of this story, and I’m excited to see what this cliffhanger is leading us into.

It actually plays well with next week’s reviews, THE UNSPOKEN NAME and HEARTS OF OAK. Both Nadya and Csorwe were raised basically for slaughter – Nadya is the accepted sacrifice to be the gods’ pawn and mortal voice, Csorwe the actual literal sacrifice to the Unspoken. And with both of them being raised in that sort of environment bring out the only two outcomes: leaning all the way into it, or rebelling as hard as possible against it. Nadya sees herself as a the a savior and the only. thing standing between her and complete annihilation, Csorwe sees herself as an innocent who wanted more than the choice foisted upon her.

Good trope, great way to explore both outcomes. Highly reccomend reading both in the same time frame.

ANYWAYS, as I’ve said, RUTHLESS GODS is downright amazing. 10/10 will reread and reread until the next book appears in my hands.

Don’t forget to check out the podcast review, out now on your favorite podcatcher!

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I enjoyed Emily A. Duncan’s first book in this trilogy, Wicked Saints but this second book is definitely superior. I love the gothic, dark writing. The characters are more developed in this second book as well. If you like a dark, YA series, keep these in mind.
Now I have to wait, impatiently, for book three!
#Netgalley #RuthlessGods #StMartinsPress #WednesdayBooks

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Ruthless Gods was everything you can find in Wicked Saints but times 2. More blood, more action, more sexy, more Gods, more existential crisis. So anyone that liked the first one will love this next installment.

The writing is beautiful and poetic, however it has a flaw that you can find all throughout the book : it is very repetitive. The questions the characters are asking themselves or each others, their emotions, etc. Is repeated over and over again which really slowed my reading. Once the action starts it's better, but otherwise in the slower parts it can become annoying.

Will be waiting for the next last installment !

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First off I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy of Ruthless Gods. I thoroughly enjoyed Wicked Saints and couldn't to dive into the sequel. I am guilty as charged when it comes to the enemies to lovers trope and I am just waiting for that book that brings two unlikely people together or where a girl falls down the path of destruction for love regardless if it is right or wrong. I am really hoping that is how this trilogy will end. I have hope given to what Nayda and M ( not sure how to spell his name) have gone through in this story and I am hoping she is able to pull him back from the depths of hell and save the world from his destruction. There is just something about a broken boy who needs to be rescued by an unlikely person who is supposed to be against everything he is. The story has ripped my heart out just to put it back in and give me hope that not all is lost in M.

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Wow this was even more intriguing that Wicked Saints. It is a lot darker and so much more betrayal and plot twists and blood, so much blood. All this magic coming from every where and every one having an existential crisis. If you like Gothic themed magic this is definitely the book for you.

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