I am so extremely conflicted about this book. I love and hate it. I want everyone to read it and I want to tuck it away and let it stew in my mind alone forever.
The plot in book 2 picks up immediately, and in general, I have no complaints about the plot. It was extremely confusing at times, and I felt tied up in a knot in my brain, but I think Gem did as well, and it helped build a convincing story.
Each of the characters is unique and challenging in their own way. Being gods that have been alive for millennia on Earth at this point, each one has witnessed their fair share of ups and downs, and that is evident in the way they interact with one another. Gem (the Magician), Enzo (the Shade), and Rory (the Mountain) as our three central characters all exhibited these ups and downs, and are all very grey in morality. It is fascinating to read a book that takes a character you love, doing things you hate, and yet you are still able to accept them, and see that reflected in the other characters.
This book took a strange but not completely anticipated twist at about 50%, which shook up both the plot and the character story. If this had not happened, I would have honestly wanted just a longer stand-alone, but this helped. It was also an improvement on one of my biggest gripes with Edgmon's first duology.
The one thing I was most conflicted about was the writing. While sometimes the writing was beautiful and well scripted, I often struggled to fully feel in the moment, because as soon as I started to appreciate the writing or prose I got knocked out of the book by some offhanded comment that sounded like it came out of a friend's mouth on a walk around campus. While I get the dichotomy of gods in teenagers' bodies, sometimes it only made things more confusing. It reminded me of people who are only able to talk about themselves when they are throwing a million jokes around, never to fully be taken seriously. This, unfortunately, happened with me and this book. I loved it and the story and the characters, and I will be purchasing both of this duology to reread once it is published, but I could not take it seriously.
Overall it is a great read. The conversations around love, trauma, growing up and grappling with not being a perfectly good person were wonderful, I just wish I could take it seriously.

*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Merciless Saviors in exchange for a fair and honest review*
Edgmon has earned another solid 4 stars from me. After my interest was piqued in Godly Heathens (Ouroboros #1), I was happy not to have to wait too long for the 2nd installment.
After reading back on my review of book #1, I feel my critiques were heard in Merciless Saviors (Ouroboros #2). I was underwhelmed by the character development (outside of their sexual orientation and/or identity as it was overdeveloped) in book #1. Book #2 has done a much better job of giving more insight into Gem especially. I was also bummed with the lack of elaboration of "The Ether" in book #1 and that was definitely expanded on in book #2.
One of my favorite aspects of these books continues to be the inclusion. The inclusion of indigenous people as well as queer/trans/non-binary. I appreciate it more in book #2 as it was not such a focal point.
The world-building was improved from book #1. I was surprised at how similar "The Ether" was to Earth. I was pleased to learn more about this place from which our characters originated.
The character development was much more...developed! The characters had actual progression aside from their orientation and how they identify. I valued the look into Gem's haunted past. It definitely helped give things perspective, to come together better, and make more sense.
I really liked this book as well as its predecessor. However...my mind was a little blown at the ending! In the best of ways, of course. I mean, WTF did I just read? Was this a well-spun story of gods sent to another world? OR did I just read the inner machinations of a troubled teen? Was this all a mythological story about gods and other worlds or was this a look into the psych of a traumatized teenager? Was this all real or fragments of Gem's twisted imagination?
This alone raised this book from 3.5 stars to 4 solid stars for me. This mystery alone elevated the story in my eyes. I have mad respect for the underlying message hidden in between the lines.

I removed my review because of the St. Martin's boycott, and will not review or promote any other St. Martin's Press books until St. Martin's Press has addressed and denounced the islamophobia and racism from their employee.

Oh my god. Edgmon calls this book a catharsis in the author’s note, and I can see it.

Picking up immediately after the end of Godly Heathens, this is such an intense, wild ride of a book. It’s the kind of book that scoops out your soft insides and shows you they can be replaced in a stronger configuration. So much happens to Gem, Rory, Enzo, and everyone else, but this is a fantastic conclusion to a duology that wraps things up satisfyingly.

I made so many highlights while reading this because Edgmon’s writing is just so good and hits such perfect balances of healing and hurting and loving and being true to oneself. I really adored this book and the ending was so good and I cannot wait to see what Edmon will write next.

Despite the powerful start, Merciless Saviors failed to maintain interest for me. My critique for Saviors is very similar to Heathens: pacing. I can forgive a slow start in the first novel, but this duology did not utilize the extra pages, as the cycle continued into Saviors. There are stretches of the book that feel very long-winded and repetitive, where I found myself speeding through to get somewhere. On the other side, I recall a specific moment near the finale where a character was dealing with the ramifications of a massive emotional reveal, but within a few pages they did an absolute 180 and were fine and "handled it". With this, I think this should have been a single book, not a duology.

A plus that stayed true in the sequel is the characters. Heathens and Saviors are very emotional stories, specifically for the titular character Gem. They are angry, vindictive, and at the cusp of losing themselves completely by this book. Edgmon does extremely well presenting Gem as a character you want to see succeed, despite massive mistakes made throughout the story. Enzo is still my favorite of the trio, and spending time with him is always a pleasure. There is a particular moment in the beginning with Rory's family members that was just... *chefs kiss*

It's an unfortunate outcome, but I do not regret my time with it. I would still recommend this series, despite my issues. It could have been better, but the pacing and filler is what kept it from being better.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an e-arc of this book.

In the sequel to Godly Heathens, Gem picks up exactly where they left off--having made a potentially incredibly bad decision. What else is new? Now, Gem, Rory, and Enzo are faced with even greater risks and consequences as the balance of their lives--and their universes--is called into question.

This book was so good! I am so grateful that I was able to get an e-arc and read it right after I finished Godly Heathens. This duology was such a ride and this book gets even more introspective.

I love how much this book dug into Gem's past and their reasons for feeling the way they have. I feel like Gem's character was developed really well and I loved the moments of realization for what something meant in the first book.

The poly relationship in this series makes me so happy. It is hella messy but so so good and I seriously love it so much!

CW: ptsd, mental illness, childhood trauma, body horror, pregnancy, rape/sexual abuse, suicidality, depersonalization, incest, pet death, murder, torture

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy.

Gem, Rory, and Enzo have returned and are set on a battle for their lives, as the events of the last book have turned everything inside out and upside down. Poppy and Marian are closing on their tracks, especially with Poppy's new abilities and they are hell-bent on revenge. It's up to Gem, the God of Magic and Keeper of the Scales to right that balance.

Holy heck, this book was wild! THere was so much going on that I barely felt that I could keep my breath. I devoured this book, which is something that I love to see in a series. H.E. Edgmon is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors with their undeniably queer and morally gray characters.

There are some things in this book that definitely require trigger warnings, so please make sure that you read up on them. Things like gore, teen death, violence, some misgendering, and mental health issues take front and center stage, so please, take caution if these things easily trigger you.

Their triumphs and traumas, heartbreaks, and resolutions that they encounter really brought this book to life for me. I felt like I was very much back home in Georgia with some of Gem's descriptions, especially how Edgmon DID NOT shy away from showing poverty, mental illness, and how cruel teenagers can be to each other. I think that society has rose-tinted glasses when it comes to high school and "drama", but this story and how these gods who were reincarnated into the body of teens really snatched those glasses off.

There was also a lot of poignancy that really touched my heart and made me get a little teary-eyed at times while I read it. I wanted to feel, like truly from this book, and I did. I felt like I lived a thousand lifetimes without going anywhere. As I said before, this book has awesome queer representation, as well as a good view of a polycule that truly loves each other and isn't a disaster, which seems to have been a common theme for some books.

Though there were some things that I wish were resolved towards the climax and ending of the book (I won't reveal them because of spoilers), so that's why I can't give this five stars, but this book is a solid 4 stars for me. Go read it and support excellent authors, especially those who write fully fleshed out trans characters and don't focus on just transition and trans pain. :)

I grabbed this book as it was available as read now and I had an arc for the first book. I ended up not meshing with the first book and Dnfing it so I won’t be continuing the series unfortunately.

Merciless Saviors takes the intense emotions and anger found in Godly Heathens and elevates them to an even higher level right from the very first page. It seamlessly continues the story from where Godly Heathens left off and maintains its breakneck pace throughout.

The profound feelings of anger, rage, and love depicted in this book are beautifully portrayed, making it an incredibly engaging read that I couldn't put down. Gem's handling of their trauma and the way they grapple with the horrific experiences they've endured are brutally honest and exceptionally well-executed. Their emotions are so vivid that you can practically feel them, and their self-disgust is painfully relatable, particularly for any teenager who has experienced moments of self-loathing.

Amidst all the graphic and devastating elements in Merciless Saviors, there is also a profound sense of love. The story emphasizes the importance of finding people who will stand by you, love you, and support you even when you're at your lowest point. These individuals don't give up on you, and they help you recognize your self-worth. This theme of unwavering support and love is one of the standout aspects of Merciless Saviors.

Despite the fact that the characters are far from perfect and often make questionable decisions, their flaws make them all the more endearing.

DNF @40%

The way this book deteriorated instead of improving like?? I had four free hours of read this but I couldn't make myself go through another chapter.

Truly very disappointing.

I'm sorry but I couldn't enjoy this one as much as I hoped I would.

It has one dimensional characters and a plot which is executed terribly. The writing style in this one didn't work out for me.

After the hurricane of a book Godly Heathens that absolutely obliterated my bookish world in the best way possible for a booknerd. I jumped at the opportunity to read the sequel without a second thought. I needed to know the fates of Gem and company so badly.
After the cluster bomb that was the finale of book 1 (which I won’t spoil) we find our group of main characters in the cusp of war. Gem is teetering on the edge of becoming a full blown villain. And as I was reading this story I could get my heart racing, feeling the sense of dread that started this novel out.
This book is one hell of a ride with such vivid characters and scenes that make you shiver with even imagining them.
Building upon the first book was a challenge and this book met it head on. Gem and company are on a race against time to fix the consequences of the events of the first book. The power balance is collapsing and everyone’s God like powers are starting to become… ugly.
I once again found myself racing through this book with a hunger I haven’t known in awhile. Edgmon for sure created a gripping world of chaos with flicks of dark humor.
My only complaint would be that this book, and the previous one could have been combined into one book. There was a lot of filler and I was speeding through because it got repetitive and I wanted it to get to the point. Overall, this book was kind of a step down from the first one. I enjoyed out for the first half but the back half dragged a lot. And again it could’ve been combined with the first book with how repetitive it got. Overall a 3.5 star read
Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for the opportunity of reading a ARC of this book. My review is honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.

"Merciless Saviors" by H.E. Edgmon is the captivating conclusion to the Ouroboros series, offering a thrilling blend of contemporary fantasy and the exploration of identity.

Gem Echols' life took a dramatic turn at the First Church of Gracie, where they were betrayed by Marian and Poppy. Gem found themselves compelled to use the Ouroboros knife on Zephyr, a character who had kidnapped their parents, leading them to inherit the powers of the God of Air. While this might seem like an incredible gift, the role of the Magician within the pantheon is to maintain balance. Having the power of another god disrupts this equilibrium.

As a result, the world is thrown into chaos. The Goddess of Death can now reanimate the dead, the God of Art's powers become twisted, and the God of Land's communication with creatures of the Earth becomes a chorus of anguish. Gem, alongside Rory and Enzo, embarks on a quest to restore this balance without having to make personal sacrifices. However, as new horrors emerge, they are faced with the difficult question of how far they are willing to go. In the end, Gem might have to fully embrace their ruthless nature, even if it means sacrificing their own humanity.

"Merciless Saviors" dives deep into themes of identity, sacrifice, and the consequences of wielding immense power. It's a thrilling journey that forces its characters to confront the darkest aspects of themselves, and it will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

#MercilessSaviors #HEEdgmon #Fantasy #YoungAdult #BookReview #NetGalley

I really love this type of book, I read the first one and kinda loved it. When I saw this, it got me hooked. Maybe it will be better, it was. Both books in the doulogy are pieces of art, seriously. I am not so much into fantasy but I love Gem's story. If a book has something related to gods, I love it with my heart. 4 out of 5.

I am giving this one five stars mostly because the first book is on my favorite books of all time and I really love the three main characters. It also had a strong perfect ending that made me smirk. However the plot throughout the middle of this book was one big mess of confusion. Which partly makes sense for the story since balance is thrown out of whack. I just really hate the chosen one trope so I didn't like that new character.