I received a complimentary copy of Ruthless Gods by Emily A. Duncan from Wednesday Books through Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Ruthless Gods was released on April 7th!
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Ruthless Gods is the sequel to Wicked Saints. Since this is a sequel and I don't think I can say much about the plot without ruining Wicked Saints for those who haven't read it yet, I'm going to talk about Ruthless Gods in more general terms. First, the writing style is very much the same as the first book, so if that bothered you the first time, it will bother you again. For me, reading Duncan's writing feels like reading someone's description of a dream. It's often hard to picture the setting, sometimes leaps happen that don't make much sense, and you just generally feel like you're missing something most of the time. Serefin's storyline is way more interesting in Ruthless Gods and we learn more about the Kalyazi Gods, which is fun. These books are dark, bloody, and sometimes disturbing. Ruthless Gods definitely went a level beyond Wicked Saints, so if you read Wicked Saints, enjoyed it, and are ready for some really dark fantasy, you should definitely pick up Ruthless Gods!

This book was a bloody mess - literally spoken.
And I loved every second of it. I barely have ever read a book that is that bloody and explicit without being a thriller and it was intriguing to live in this super dark, but divine fantasy world with those morally grey characters. Every single one of them was good but also bad in a super interesting way and made me love them to bits for their mistakes and wrong decisions.

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Nadya and Malachiasz. I never saw a more twisted pair in love and it was bloody glorious to read about their struggles. About their fight between good and bad. About their fight between sense and feelings.

Serefin was also a super interesting character. I loved everything about his transfiguration and also Duncans idea to make the gods a bad and cruel thing, beings that were once human but then became something more. I don't know if the author meant it like that, but for it felt like a message. That every human can be MORE than its simple human self, alone by wanting it and rising above their past. But in a very dark way.

The only thing I disliked at times, was that the storyline was a bit messy. The focus was on the interaction between the characters and their relationship. But the different POVs and the focusing on the small made me question the big whole Plot. The characters traveled really fast and there wasn't much explanation of their surroundings and sometimes I had to go back some pages to get what was going on at the moment and where they were stated. The many Russian names and phrases also made me stop a lot while reading and confused me. I wished all the nicknames and full names and place names haven't been that complicated so I could have focused more on the story itself.

The Ruthless Gods by Emily A Duncan is a fantasy sequel with elements of gothic horror, and although the book has intriguing parts these are matched by the negative aspects.

The plot of the book starts out as fairly straightforward but becomes muddled as the story progresses. They want to venture to venture to the Salt Mines to rescue Zaneta, then afterwards the plots splits into several branches. Each character has their own goal which they keep from all the others and after a while it becomes difficult to follow. The conclusion is especially confusing, with the locations changing constantly, it is difficult to make out where each character is in relation to the other and what exactly is happening. Character motivations are vague at best and change to quickly to keep track of.

The world building is extensive which helps makes the world more fleshed out but this comes at the expense of any real character development. The arc of each character is essentially the same arc they had in the first book but in reverse, with each of them returning to where they were, in regards to mentality, at the start of the first book. The relationships between the characters served the plot more than they did the characters themselves. The relation between Nadya and the Black Vulture was rushed in the first book and their reunion in this one was even more forced. With that being said the friendship between and Nadya and Parijahan felt like the only organic relationship and was a welcome change of pace. The latter was my personal favorite character and it was nice to see her own origin and conflicts developed a bit more in this sequel.

Ruthless Gods raises many questions and mysteries about the characters, who they are being controlled by, and where their magic comes from, but fails to answer any of them. This series will undoubtedly have a third book if not more but a few answers would have gone a long way to satiate the readers curiosity and help this book feel a bit more like a cohesive story as opposed to a bridge between the first and third book.

Most books of this type are excessively flowery with an overuse of abstract metaphors and personification, but this book could have used more of that floweriness, especially given that it is a gothic horror/ fantasy. The author’s style occasionally comes off as too dry and straightforward and relying on some more figurative language could have helped establish the tone and mood for such a unique setting. Nonetheless, she makes up for it with the dialogue between the characters. The thin balance between tension and friendship among the characters, especially Nadya and Malachiasz is best conveyed with the dialogue. Thematically the book explores interesting ideas in regards to religion, blind faith, and what gods are, and the follow up to this book would benefit greatly if these themes are continued.

4.5 stars - Ruthless Gods is a bloody, brutal fantasy novel with elements of horror that cranks all the gore of the Wicked Saints up to an 11. This is such a dark, weird fantasy series that will strongly appeal to the right reader and be indescribably off-putting to the wrong one. Emily A. Duncan’s writing has clearly grown leaps and bounds; witty banter and sarcasm abound in the on-page character interaction that was often missing between major scenes in the first installment. The first half of this novel spends many quiet moments allowing our characters to develop and showing, not telling, how they grow to care about each other over time. Plotting and pacing are more consistent. If you felt lukewarm about Wicked Saints, as I did, I would beseech you to give the sequel a try.

She loves him. He's a monster. And they kiss. So that's cool.

3.5 (but like, the rounded up version, as opposed to the rounded down version of Wicked Saints)

I'll say this: I can 100% see why there are people who looove this series. And if you enjoyed the first one, you are sure to like this one. There's arguably a lot of things in this book that I can appreciate: brutal relationships, dark magic, betrayal, Serefin-like characters. The kind of things I love/love to hate. But still this series just isn't doing it for me, unfortunately. And I do mean that, I want so much to love these books. The premise of this series is so intriguing and could be sooo cool. If not for a few factors.

One of my biggest things in the first book was just a lack of fully fleshed-out characters and worlds. Both of these were a little bit better in this one. Particularly with Serefin (who I liked in the first one already) and a bit with Nadya, too. But I'm kind of at a loss when it comes to most of the characters. I'm still not really sure what Malachiasz's overall goal is and why. But that could just me not paying enough attention. This book was super long and at times a long-winded.

On that note, the plot of this one wasn't quite what I was expecting. Fighting gods, all the back and forth—sure. Love it. Let's go. The traveling? Not so much. It didn't seem useful to me. And several legs of it could have been sped up quite a bit. Especially since these people (albeit, young people) are the supposed leaders of a country. Like, come on, Serefin, you're the damn king now. Let's focus on what's important.

Then there's Nadya and Malachiasz. I can sense the spark (rather, the fiendfire) between them. It's there. I appreciate it. They are so messy and so complicated and that is great. But, like, also. It kind of felt like they would just start kissing every other time they argued. Can't complain too much about the heat, but I also don't want to see plot sacrificed for a bit of making out.

Anyway, overall, I did enjoy the parts of this book that I didn't skim. I was just hoping for a bit more. In my experience, series (especially debuts) often get better in the second book if the first was kind of meh. My interest is piqued enough to probably read the third book (eventually), but I'm thinking that this author's writing style may not be for me.

A magical world where the ruthless thrive, the magic is hidden, and you don't know who to trust. Ruthless Gods is the much anticipated sequel to Wicked Saints.

It's a wild ride. I fell right into this world and did not want to come out. I couldn't put the book down. Every twist, every turn, each and every character....gah. It's just perfect. And dark. Twisty. Magical. Dark magic. Blood magic.

Gothic.
Dark.
Twisted.
Ruthless.

Ruthless Gods is an adventure you just have to take.

I absolutely fell in love with Wicked Saints, the first book in the Something Dark and Holy trilogy by Emily A. Duncan. It connected with me on a level that I can’t fully explain; all I know is, it was one of those rare books where I read the ARC and went out to buy the published version that very same day.

Needless to say, I have been eagerly awaiting the sequel, Ruthless Gods, and was overjoyed to receive an ARC for it. I’m a bit disappointed to say that it didn’t resonate with me as strongly as its predecessor did. Its strong points came through splendidly, but its low points were detracting and, in some cases, downright annoying.

Those strong points take the form of Duncan’s creepy, weird, and morbid world-building. I am still as enamored with this Eastern European-inspired world that’s full of saints, gods who may or may not be gods, blood magic, and magic that’s decidedly other. I love how the lines dividing them all began to blur until they were indistinguishable. Duncan’s descriptions of horror—body, cosmic, and bloody—came through here as even more rich and liberal than in her past book. Every single interaction with Velyos and the Kalyazi witch Pelageya left me filled with delight, and watching how our main characters’ magic has each shifted toward something monstrous was equal parts exciting and worrisome.

The other reason for the high rating, however, goes to one character in particular: Serefin Meleski. He was easily my favorite character in Wicked Saints, and that sentiment is the same here—with a notable difference. I was fully invested in his journey, trials, and character arc more than I was in any of the others. In fact, Serefin’s poor back must be close to breaking because my boy carried this entire novel by himself, so his exhaustion through the entirety of the book comes as no surprise.

Without giving away spoilers, Serefin has a time of it, and his self-deprecating humor is put to the test like never before. I would like to wrap him in a blanket and give him something warm to drink that’s not alcohol, but I’m pretty sure Kacper and Ostyia beat me to the idea and were first to be rejected. These three have a relationship that I came to fully appreciate here, and I support them wholeheartedly.

If those were some of the highs, then what were some of the lows?

Right off the bat, it’s Nadya and Malachiasz’s relationship. I didn’t fully get it in Wicked Saints until the end, and I was so excited because Ruthless Gods seemed to be following a path for them that I understood and was eager for. Nadya going underground into the Salt Mines to confront him when he’s in full Black Vulture mode was my brand. It was the actual villain/monster/heroine romance I had sorely missed through nearly the entirety of Wicked Saints. Malachiasz chose power over Nadya! Her love and his attraction to her weren’t enough compared to the power he could obtain! He’s fully a monster and no longer completely human and maybe a god! But something in him recognizes her and still wants her! But the power!

The way the Black Vulture was toying with her, trying to learn her secrets and why she is important to him was so good. How Nadya was toeing the line between her feelings for him and the horror he had become, how she was trying to get what she wanted out of him while making sure he stayed interested enough to not kill her, how she strategically used his name as a weapon—it was all so good.

And then it was over.

Then Malachiasz, the anxious, nervous boy who picks at the skin around his fingers because he’s so anxious and nervous was back. The troubled boy who’s a monster but also such a tragic boy was back. The boy who Nadya loves but he betrayed her, and she should keep her distance but she just can’t because this poor foolish monstrous boy was back. And I was never allowed a moment in Nadya’s POV to forget it.

I had to realize that I just don’t understand how Duncan chooses to write Malachiasz. I never know why she chooses to have him act kind of like his Black Vulture persona—a dark and in control kind of person—and when she’s going to have him be a nervous wreck who flinches for the third time as Nadya calls him a monster or reminds him that he betrayed her. I just do not get it. And I don’t get their romantic beats at all. One second Nadya’s thinking to herself how she’s going to betray him this time, how horrific he’s become, how she should stay away from him, how nothing is forgiven, how everything between them has been doomed from the start—and then in the next scene, they’re tracing each other’s palms tenderly or she’s letting him sleep beside her because it’s the only time he can, or they’re making out after he’s pulled her from a pool of blood. And fam, I just don’t get it. Why am I getting this soft boy? I don’t want it. Put him back how he was, with the iron claws and the blatantly unrepentant attitude and the inclination to kill.

What’s tragic about this situation is I truly like Nadya’s character and her journey she’s on. Any time Nadya struggled with being rejected by her gods or was trying to figure out the true source of her magic, I was on board. Any time she was pushing herself toward her goal no matter the consequences, I was rooting for her. But it seemed like no matter what she was doing or reaching for, her thoughts inevitably turned to Malachiasz and making all of her actions, her thoughts, her being about him—and none of it was anything new. It got to the point where I dreaded reading Nadya’s chapters because I knew I was just going to go around in circles with her about her messed up feelings for Malachiasz for the twentieth time. And I don’t care about Nadya and her nervous boy.

I care about Nadya and the Black Vulture. I care about the actual pining of this monster—in form and deed—who doesn’t want or fully grasp his desire for her, claiming it’s about the power she possesses and nothing else. I care about this saintly girl who has darkness of her own that’s inevitably drawn to his while being revolted by what he’s chosen to become. That’s the relationship I want to sink my teeth into. Not this same dance that Malachiasz did in Wicked Saints of, “Well, I’m just going to act pitiful, so she’ll trust me again. It’s me, but it’s not.” It was not needed. Nadya already needed him to come with her, was already suspicious of him (though that didn’t matter), so this act was redundant and frankly painful to read about. It made me feel like I was reading Wicked Saints all over again, but it wasn’t as good for me because I expected more.

Now, the increasingly tangled relationship between Serefin and Malachiasz? I could’ve used so much more of that. The nature of their relationship shifted in such a small yet significant way that I felt like a puzzle piece found itself in the right place at last, and it was so satisfying to experience. I bought Serefin’s position toward Malachiasz so much more than Nadya’s. I was instead begging Nadya to please find a purpose outside of him, any purpose. I didn’t care. Just something else.

I’m so thankful she had Rashid and Parijahan to talk to, even though their conversations with her became about Malachiasz more times than I care to remember. In fact, I was disappointed that these two took more of a backseat once Malachiasz returned to the narrative. These two Akolans intrigue me so much more, and I am increasingly concerned about Parijahan and the choices she will make, what her role in all of this will be.

Kostya was also a worthy addition that I’m glad Duncan brought back and didn’t forget about, even though I also wasn’t surprised about certain story events surrounding him. I loved that Nadya and Kostya still cared about each other as best friends even though they were no longer on the same page and never could be again. Each of them experienced life-changing and traumatic events that shifted their views on the world and each other, and neither of them could ever fully understand what the other had been through. Though their interactions were rocky and painful, I enjoyed reading about them because of how real they felt as these two friends fought to reconcile their memories of how they used to be to the reality of who they’ve each become.

Another character was introduced that I did also like, but I’m not really sure at all why she’s here besides prophecy shenanigans. Or why she so willingly went along with Serefin on his journey when he’s the enemy king. It’s not due to romance at least, and I am looking forward to learning more about her. I just thought the whole thing was a bit too easy.

And okay, fine, I’ll go ahead and say it. There wasn’t nearly as much action or blood magic usage in this book, and frankly, I missed it real, real bad.

Then there’s the forest. I was so ready for each of our characters’ paths to collide in this forest that was full of ancient malice, cosmic horror, and monsters your mind could barely perceive waiting to hunt and kill you. I saw Serefin visit it in his head, heard Nadya recount tales of it, so once we got there, I was thinking it was going to get a bit nuts.

To my surprise, Duncan barely describes the forest at all beyond it being alive and our heroes being trapped to wander inside it. At one point, a few of them are hunted by an ill omen, but before I can “see” this monster, the book cuts away to another character who didn’t see it, and I later learn that Nadya somehow killed it with her magic off-screen. That was a huge let-down because Duncan demonstrates that she can describe these kinds of things well when she chooses to; instead, I got more page time dedicated to Nadya and Malachiasz’s nonsensical relationship.

However, once we all got to our final destination, the ending ignited and soared, even though one particular character and their willful ignorance made them look like a complete fool, but whatever. Once again, I was genuinely surprised by certain events, and I look forward to the ever-changing states (and continued suffering) of Serefin and Nadya and all their friends. Also, getting answers. I certainly learned things about Velyos and the other beings compared to the canonical twenty gods, but so many more questions got opened up.

Even though Ruthless Gods suffered from a bit of second-book slump for me—with the rating probably being closer to 3.5 than 4, but rounding is hard—it was mostly because of a romantic relationship I don’t care for or understand (but still hope to one day). The actual plot is still a hit for me, the world-building and descriptions sing to my soul, and I’m still highly invested in most of the characters in this trilogy. I still love Wicked Saints, and I hope I will love the third book just as much if not more.

If anything, at least Serefin will be there! I’m not kidding. I love that guy. I would follow him to the ends of the earth and all the way to hell and back. For the comedy and the drama.

I will not be reviewing this book because i just couldn't get into it. I will try again at a later time but right now the story doesn't pull me in .

Nadya doesn’t trust her magic anymore. Serefin is fighting off a voice in his head that doesn’t belong to him. Malachiasz is at war with who--and what--he’s become.

That is a pretty decent description of what is going on in this second installment of the Something Dark and Holy series. The action picks up a little past the halfway point. Up until then it is a bit meandering. I enjoyed the story but was a bit confused with the sheer number of Gods. I think we are up to possible 40. Also there is so much bleeding. All I can picture in my head is how many scars these characters must have along their arms and hands!

There is one major thing in this book that might cause me to pause before picking up the next in the series. I am not okay with the relationship between Nadya and Malachiasz. They are contantaly lying and betraying one another. How in the world can you have any love for a person when you don't even know who the heck they really are? I am not a fan of toxic relationships and theirs is as toxic as they come.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received this as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me access.

This took me FOREVER TO FINISH! Okay, so 12ish days isn't forever, but it is when you usually read a book a day.

I won't lie, this wasn't my favorite read. I struggled with Wicked Saints...twice and thought it was because I listened to the audiobook and the narrators are bleh. So I figured I would give Ruthless Gods a try and hoped for a better outcome.

Well that outcome was just a dream.

I didn't find myself actually enjoying the book until about 60% of the way finished. Heck, I even took a break and read 10 other books because maybe I was just in a funk and needed a break from this one.

The story all over the place and was getting confused between who the character was around/talking to. I had to go back and reread just to make sure I wasn't crazy...well, any more than I already am.

Even though this book didn't meet my standards of entertainment, Duncan does an amazing job at creating this world we are in. With the gods and the Vultures, and clerics and all of the different casts of magic. I could imagine it perfectly in my mind.

The ending was my favorite part, not because it was over, but because it wasn't your typical ending. No spoilers, but I need more endings like this. Just saying. Because of the ending I'll bump my rating from 3 stars to 4 stars.

Maybe it's me/my mood/spring/covidì19 but even if I loved the style of writing and the world building the plot didn't keep my attention and it was hard to finish it.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A great second book of this series. The story continues to grab our attention and not let go. You will so enjoy this book. I highly recommend

For the first half of this book, I was really worried that I had fallen directly into a sophomore slump of a story. Once I got further in, however, an actual plot started to unfold! I might be in the minority, but I really enjoyed Wicked Saints. In a sea of overhyped YA fantasy, it was honestly a stand out for me. Ruthless Saints picks up right where we left off in Wicked Saints, with our characters trying to deal with the fallout of the events in the first novel. I obviously won't go in to any detail, but let's just say, shit went down.

Ruthless Gods was an enjoyable read and I'm very much looking forward to the next installment. We got to explore the dynamics between the characters so much deeper in this one, and I honestly really love most of the characters. Relationships progress in the most satisfying ways and thats all I will say about it, but get excited. The side characters are equally engaging and I found myself caring deeply about their well being.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My biggest complaint is the length of time it took to get into what I feel like was the actual meat of the story. I am probable closer to a 3.5 instead of 4 stars, but I feel like Ruthless Gods deserved to be rounded up.

Chaos is happening and we are witness to it, and that’s all that’s guaranteed in Ruthless Gods.

Ruthless Gods is an aesthetic wonderland filled with perpetual influence and betrayal-- from the gloomy, dark tones, villains and monsters to the bone chilling landscapes dripping with mystery and suspense. With darkness often comes a sense of horror and dread. Nadya, Serefin, and Malachiasz are at the epicenter of all this, contemplating their eternal damnation as they try to avoid plunging the world into darkness as they try to save it from dominant powers hostile to humanity. This sequel delivered and firmly sets things up for the finale.

As soon as I first heard about this series last year I found myself to be in love with both cover and blurb. I was lucky to be able to join the blog tour for Wicked Saints and had a fantastic time reading what was a dark, gothic and simply glorious read. YA fantasy sadly tends to be on the sappy side, but Wicked Saints most definitely had none of that! I’ve been looking forward to the sequel ever since, and I was stoked to discover my Netgalley wish was actually granted a few months ago. I was fully expecting to fall in love with the sequel too, but somehow that didn’t happen… It might have been my own fault as I didn’t reread the first book to refresh memories or it might have been the fact that my mind simply wasn’t able to cope with high fantasy right now… But the sad fact is that I was seriously underwhelmed by this sequel. I’ll try explain briefly why. First of all I have to state that the beautiful writing is still there, and Ruthless Gods still has that dark and gothic feel. BUT. I felt the spark of the first book was missing, and I struggled to stay focused and interested in the story. There were a few elements that probably contributed…

We have the plot, or rather lack of a proper plot. I felt that there was no solid plot to follow in the sequel and the story felt more like a filler between book one and what is still to come. This made it harder to stay focused… The multiple POV structure and setting changes had the same effect, and distracted instead of enriching the plot and structure of the story. Not only do we have to juggle multiple POVs, but all those strange foreign names and chapter introductions with more foreign names and saints can become confusing and it’s a real chore trying to keep up with them all… On top of that, I wasn’t able to connect to the characters in the same way as I did in Wicked Saints. I struggled considerably with this sequel and even started skimreading at some point as the constant bickering, overdose of strange names and lack of plot really got to me. And no, even the beautiful writing couldn’t rescue that. This might have been the wrong story for me in these strange times, but the fact is that this series has lost its enchantment for me… Don’t give up on this series yet if you enjoyed the first book though, because I’m having a feeling that my reaction to this story resulted into one of those unpopular opinion reviews all over again.

I have such mixed feelings about Ruthless Gods. On one hand, I really enjoy this world, magic, and mythology. However, I can't ignore the confusing and messy plot. The plot is extremely convoluted and never seems to unfold in a logical fashion. There aren't enough foreshadowing and bread crumbs so events and reveals feel as though they happen randomly with no planning. The plot structure is messy. I think this series has a LOT of potential and a super intriguing concept. But, it is falling short of that potential because of the lack of organization and thoughtlessness when it comes to executing the concept.

I really, really wanted to love this book.
I wish I did.

I didn't hate it, but I just didn't really care.
I didn't care about the characters and what was happening to them, I felt like they kept making stupid decisions.
I just couldn't connect with any of them.
I'm really bummed.

I really wanted to love this story.
But I guess this one just wasn't for me

I was very disappointed in this book. It was disjointed and I didn’t enjoy the writing at all. There were a lot of cliches and repetitive phrases.

This ARC was provided for review, but in no way affects the following impartial and unbiased review:
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2,5*
Pros: Beautifully described world-building. Interesting take on slavic folklore and heritage. Further development of the leading characters. Interesting scenes with a touch of horror in them. LGBT representation.
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Cons: If ignoring red flags was a sport, this girl would take home gold. I lost count of how many times the word "monster" and its derivatives were used in this book, heck, in each sentence. Extremely repetitive. Jumbled logistics and mechanics. Useless arcs. Secondary characters used as props. Too many dangling threads.

I really enjoyed the first book but felt like book two was a bit of a mess. At times I felt like the plot kept withering way to dust then something convenient would come to resurrect it. I still really enjoy these characters... I just wanted more. Going to hold reviewing on my blog until I reread after the current life stressors of COVId19 die down.