Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Selling Pitch:
Did you want more of the first book’s incoherent action scenes? Do you want to read some gratuitous sexual violence against children? Do you love the it was all a dream and the revenge thriller tropes?

Another for the do not read list.

Pre-reading:
I don’t particularly want to pick this book up after I disliked the first one. This series got so many beautiful special editions though.

Thick of it:
OK, assumptions going into this. Willa is going to be evil, and something’s gonna happen with the god of love, and like maybe all the gods will come back to life. (All dead wrong.)

Oh, now they’re saying that one of the grandparents was clutching one of Rory‘s tampons. I’m so confused. Why are we doing this with the tampons?

Why on earth would you reward a would-be rapist with another child for them to abuse?

I don’t think forcing another woman to carry a pregnancy that’s going to kill her or make her upset is the solution. This is upsetting to read.

That makes no sense. He’s seen your trauma so he owes you his? That’s bullshit.

I would dnf this book right here. I am tired. I don’t wanna read more rape.

This book’s format is changing. I have no idea what’s going on. I’m so annoyed.

There's so much rape in here, and I hate it.

This is literally so much rape. I’m very upset.

Oh my god, and they’re killing the dog. What is this?

Things I don’t like: the fact that this book has been all rape, but now there’s underage children having a threesome. I don’t like it here.

I'm bored.

I don't know who the intended audience for this book is. Because it feels firmly YA but w/ how much rape and how graphic it is…like that's not for kids.

I'm getting more and more annoyed with this.

I know they're ageless gods now, but if you put in that little aside of lol they're also still high schoolers it feels icky to read about!

Also, what's with the media causes transness nonsense? The fuck is a line like that doing in a book like this?

I mean Apollo’s a massive rapist so maybe don’t liken your love interest to him?

I know the book is trying to be quirky and do memory flashbacks, but it’s just coming across very disorganized.

I just- there’s no logic to this book. Everything‘s a rule until it’s inconvenient for the plot, and then it just doesn’t matter anymore, so nothing feels like it has any stakes.

Again, all these books can try and teach me that immortality is bad, but my Capricorn ass does not believe them.

This book did not just pull the it was all a dream card. You made up murderous imaginary friends because you’re a traumatized child. Be so for real.

You know it really rubs me the wrong way that this book basically tells us that the Shade was born from Gem’s trauma, so essentially the message is to sexualize your trauma and everything will be OK. That’s so yucky.

Cool motive, still murder.

Yep, don’t like the messaging. Don’t know who the intended audience is. Going on my do not read list.

Post-reading:
I think I knew I wouldn’t like this going into it, but I had hoped that it would dig itself out of the hole that the first book set it up for.

It did not. It dug itself so much deeper.

This book gives you trigger warnings, which I appreciate given the scope of the content, but then I’m very confused who the intended audience for this book is. It reads like a YA. The characters are in high school. They do not have mature voices or perspectives. The amount of sexual abuse of children that’s on page is gross. It has revenge thriller fantasies that are unproductive and harmful to indulge. If you’re traumatized by rape, the solution isn’t to go and rape someone else.

I don’t want to read about highschoolers sex lives. I just don’t. It’s weird to me that you would point out that they’re ageless gods, so they can have sex now and have it be kosher, but then put in a little aside that mentally they’re still high schoolers. I just think you can write about underage relationships, even if there’s a sexual component to them, without trying to make them sexy.

I also have a big big issue with the book’s idea that the Shade character was born out of the main character’s trauma. Because then we’re essentially told the trauma loves the main character, and then the main character sexualizes their trauma, and that’s how they heal. That’s deeply fucked. I don’t think that’s the message that the author was trying to send. I do think it inadvertently comes across that way. I think it needs to be rewritten to not come across that way.

The sequel suffers from the same flawed logic regarding the magic system. It’s impossible to keep up with. The audience is told a rule in one chapter, only for the next chapter to immediately break that rule. That negates any of the stakes of the book. The explanation is always just because magic. It’s cheap. It’s lazy. So many of the action scenes end in stalemates or they work through the issues within the fight itself so there’s no need to even include them. They’re unproductive. It seems like they’re just in there for visuals and vibes and then they’re not crafted well enough for the audience to visualize what’s happening.

The only saving grace that the first book had was that it had something interesting to say about morally gray characters. This book abandons that. Everyone’s getting a redemption arc. It’s not mental illness. It’s just magic. And then to end your book essentially by saying that it was all a dream, it was all made up-I don’t think it’s possible for me to be on board with that kind of ending. It feels pointless. It feels like I just wasted all my time reading then.

For a book that is clearly attempting to champion diversity and queerness and mental health, there are some upsetting lines and mentalities present. There’s a particular line about media causing a character’s transness that has stuck with me. I think it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but it’s never properly addressed that that was a joke and that the character doesn’t actually feel that way.

I got nothing from this. I think because of the gruesomeness of the content it’s not appropriate for the intended audience, and I won’t be recommending it to anyone.

Who should read this:
No one
Compulsive finishers who need series closure

Do I want to reread this:
Nope.

Similar books:
* Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker-YA virtue signaling diversity, ensemble cast, urban fantasy
* The Night Hunt by Alexandra Christo-YA fantasy romance, Greek gods inspired
* Masters of Death by Olivie Blake-ensemble cast, gods and creatures vs each other, urban fantasy romance
* Guardians of Dawn: Zhara by S. Jae-Jones-ensemble cast, YA fantasy romance, fairytale retelling, reborn gods
* Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hannah-YA Midwest gothic, magical realism, ensemble cast
* This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham-cringe YA dystopian horror, virtue signaling

This was a solid sequel to the first book, and I really liked the ending. It's not one I would have predicted, but it made me smile. I also though the author did a great job of helping us process through the trauma and pain experienced not only by Gem/Magician, but also by some of the other characters. It was a difficult read at times, but you could absolutely feel Gem's pain. My favorite character was Rory, both in the first book and in this one, and I was captivated by the journey the three of them, Gem, Rory, and Enzo, take to develop the healthy relationship they have by the end.

The other thing that I liked and which I would have liked more of, was finding out more about their grandmother's culture and heritage. But I was glad to see them wanting to reconnect with that heritage. The epilogue left me wanting more, but it also gave Gem and the readers closure over some of their past trauma. While this ending was very satisfying, it makes me want a sequel series, maybe concentrating on some of the other characters, like maybe Murphy.

Where the book fell short for me was that I often got confused by whether we were reading about a memory or some that was happening at that time. While the writing itself was really good, I felt like a good editor could have made things clearer in terms of what was happening in the context of the bigger story. Many times, I found myself flipping back and trying to figure out if I had missed something. I couldn't always figure out if it was a memory, dream, or a little bit of both.

Overall, I did enjoy this book, but I found myself confused more often than not. But getting to the end was worth it, so I'm glad I read it. I look forward to seeing where this author will go in the future.

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

I am such a sucker for a good fantasy duology, and H.E. Edgmon delivered with this one! The tension, romance, and magic were so delectable. And the semi-ambiguous ending left me wishing for even more story! I can't wait to see what Edgmon will write next!

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for the copy of this eARC for my honest review. All ratings and any reviews are opinions of my own.

I will not be reviewing this title due to the boycott of St. Martins Press and its imprints. More information at @readersforaccountability on Instagram

“By loving me, you have undone a grief so big it consumed a world.”

This book is a raw and difficult thing to read, but so are the topics it covers. Absolutely check out the trigger warnings the author includes before diving in.

This story and characters are beautiful and awful and I cried so much. You have to read it. It’s hard to summarize the power this story has so I’m finding myself a little speechless.

I struggled with keeping all the characters in their god and human form straight, as well as the pacing.

This is the third book from Edgmon I have read and I all of their books are on my auto buy list from now on.

I like the idea behind these a lot, I just think it's laid out in a way that can be confusing and I struggled to keep track of what the actual plot was and who was who. Each god is also a teenager and I didn't follow why sometimes the character was called Enzo and other times he was Shade (applied to about 8 characters). It didn't feel like there was a hard line between the two identities, so I wasn't sure how they blended.

I didn't really like Gem, especially how they treated their mom and dog. I know a lot is going on, but you just keep going MIA and don't seem to care how that affects others. Poor Hank :(

In the end, this just didn't hit for me, but I hope others enjoy it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the copy.

"Merciless Saviors" by H.E. Edgmon is a gripping continuation of the Ouroboros series. It delivers a deeply emotional and thought-provoking narrative that earns a solid four stars.

The novel seamlessly picks up where its predecessor left off, thrusting readers back into the tumultuous world of Gem and the pantheon without missing a beat. While the pacing may falter at times, with moments that drag and others that leave you yearning for more, the overall journey is undeniably engrossing.

Edgmon's writing shines brightest in this installment, showcasing some of their best prose yet. There are moments of sheer brilliance where sentences and passages demand to be savored, demonstrating the author's skill in crafting evocative imagery and poignant emotions.

Trigger warnings are prominently featured at the beginning of the book, a thoughtful inclusion that prepares readers for the deeper exploration of sensitive topics. While the gender commentary takes a backseat compared to the first book, the thematic depth remains palpable, focusing instead on trauma, healing, and the messy complexity of teenage emotions.

At its core, "Merciless Saviors" is a love story—not just romantic love, but the journey towards self-love and acceptance. Through the trials and tribulations of Gem and their companions, the novel beautifully explores the intricacies of identity, relationships, and the resilience of the human spirit.

In conclusion, while "Merciless Saviors" may have its pacing issues, its powerful themes, exquisite writing, and emotional resonance make it a worthy addition to the Ouroboros series. This book is a must-read for readers seeking a captivating tale of self-discovery and the bonds that hold us together.

a great sequel and conclusion to this duology. Gem and their crew really pull at your heartstrings with the things they are dealing with and learning to deal with.

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

3.5/5, rounding up. This book, like its predecessor, is a fast read with loads of gore and morally complex characters. It picks up right where Godly Heathens left off, with the scales of balance toppled and the Reaper and Lionheart after Gem and the other gods. Since the magic has been disrupted, the gods have difficulties using their powers, or being able to access them at all. It's interesting discovering who these characters are when their whole persona, literally the thing they are named for, isn't working as intended.

The last third of the book was emotionally gut-wrenching and was nearly a perfect ending...except for the last page. The last plot twist was unexpected and I felt like it cheapened Gem's sacrifice, because in the end, it wasn't much of a sacrifice. Although I could also see it being a metaphor for survivors reclaiming their power. The cycles of time and time happening all at once is a recurring theme that I really liked, however I think it became too meta and went "is any of this really happening? Maybe it's all in your head!" which was annoying.

As a warning, this book covers the topic of child abuse by a family member and the repercussions of surviving such abuse.

⋆⋆⋆½

this is one of the most unique and fascinating books i have ever read. it's also one of the most insufferable books i have ever read, but that's neither here nor there. the characterisation was much more in-depth in this installment. the fragmented narrative style truly made me connect with gem's mental state. i liked them slightly more in this book, but gem still isn't making my favorite characters list. i don't necessarily think that's a bad thing—at least 70% of my dislike towards them comes from the fact that i empathize with marian so much. marian is my twin. if we get a book about her and poppy (my favorite crazy lesbians btw) in the ether, i'd eat it up. the other 30% of my dislike for gem comes from their insufferable victim complex. i understand no one goes around saying things are their fault, much less an amoral god, but you can't go around murdering people's sisters and then say they started it when they fight back? let's look within? that's really my only issue with them—they almost never own what they do. (unlike enzo. he doesn't care. be like enzo. not that i like enzo either. well.) there was a semi-plotline about the shade being held hostage(?) by the other gods in the ether? i think that would have been interesting to explore more, unless it was just the classic school shooter ramblings of being previously bullied. the ending sort of felt like a cop-out, but i can't see it end any other way. and marian and poppy are alive and together, so bonus points for that. all in all, this was an enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Merciless Saviors is the second book in the Ouroboros duology, picking up right where book 1 left off, as Gem must grapple with the consequences of using the Ouroboros on Zephyr.

I felt like this book was pretty on par with Godly Heathens in terms of reading experience. The characters remained solid and interesting, the plot was twisty and engaging, and the world was incredibly intriguing. I did feel like the tension and emotions were dialed up in Merciless Saviors, which was an aspect I enjoyed a lot. I think any good sequel knows how to take an established base and ratchet it up just enough to keep readers engaged, and this book definitely accomplished that for me. I have some mixed feelings on the way things did ultimately play out, but in all, Ouroboros is a solid duology that I definitely will be picking up for a reread in the future.

Right off the bat you're going to want to read (or reread) Godly Heathens before diving into this sequel. Merciless Saviors picks up immediately after the events of Godly Heathens, There are none of the subtle little reminders that authors will give to refresh reader's memories.

I did struggle with this one more than I did with the first. I realize I'm not technically the target audience for this duology (I like to read YA and LGBTQIA+ books in hopes it helps me to be a better ally), but this duology might be a little too niche perhaps? There is so much angst and self loathing from the main character that I had a hard time staying with the storyline. I also wish that there were less gods to try to keep track of. I think the love story was meant to be front and center in the novel but the plot kept trying to get in the way and so they both kind of fell flat for me.

All in all, I know there are going to be people that will read this and really feel a connection with Gem, Enzo, and/or Rory so I do recommend this book even if I wasn't able to.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Wow. This book is the sequel to Godly Heathens, which ended on a cliffhanger, so if you're reading this review wondering if you should pick up the series, go look at reviews for the first book. If you've read the first book and are reading reviews to see if you should bother with the sequel, the answer is YES, you should!!

I spent the first half of this book feeling like if an epic poem had a baby with a fever dream, it would be this story, and I couldn’t tell if I was enjoying the ride or not. Then, with the shift at the halfway point, I was hooked. Still hadn’t been certain how I felt about the story, but invested nonetheless. And finally, finally, Chapter 30 pushed this into a 5-star read for me. I do not want to give anything away, either about the story or my own past, but that chapter was like a gut punch. All the way through to the last sentence of the Acknowledgements, which brought me to tears. A truly unexpected duology. This might be a book series I reread, which is rare for me. Usually I wait to post my review to let a story marinate for me before I gather my thoughts, but I couldn’t wait to write this review. I just finished the book and had to post this.

Congrats (slightly belated) on your pub date yesterday H.E. Edgmon! And thank you, and NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books, so so much for a free copy of Merciless Saviors in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC for this book! I was approved for this ARC months ago. I waited until it was a little closer to release time, but it took me longer to finish than I expected. The world building and themes were too heavy to read as quickly as I might usually.

Godly Heathens left us on a massive cliffhanger. Everyone in the pantheon now knows that they're gods. For better or worse, really, because not all of them are happy about it. And while the first book was about Gem learning they were a god. This book was all about learning what that actually means. What kind of a god they were, and kind of figuring out what kind of god they want to be.

And the kind of god they were? A tricky one! So tricksy that they still don't remember everything they've done. So tricksy that they always have something up their sleeve. And that something is usually the powerful magical dagger that got them into this whole mess in the first place!

Hank is, once again, the MVP of this book. He is the goodest boy!!

**Spoiler Alert**

The idea that the pantheon and the Ether were born of Gem's trauma was a really interesting take. So is the magic real, or is it all made up. Or does it being made up make it less real? It was a very interesting (albeit tragic) theory to introduce.

Gem Echols had been betrayed and forced to use the Ouroboros knife, and now has the powers of the God of Air. It wouldn't have been so bad if Gem wasn't already the reincarnation of the Magician, because now the power of the Gods is thrown out of whack. Gem, Rory, and Enzo search for a way to restore the balance without sacrificing themselves, new horrors make them question how far they're willing to go.

In this sequel to Godly Heathens, we pick up where the first book left off. Nonbinary Gem had realized they were the reincarnation of the Magician, who had done incredible trickery to escape into our world. Gem and several of the people they know are these reincarnations, as they all gravitate toward each other in our world. Using the Ouroboros knife would be able to sever connections, but killing a god means taking on their power. Gem had been an impulsive and emotional teen, and for all that they tried to push people away and isolate themselves. Now we see the consequences of their actions.

With power unbalanced, death doesn't quite stick and Poppy can raise zombies. Rory can not only control land but animals as well and makes them spread. Enzo as the Shade can make forbidden things, but even that goes awry, too. This volume is a bloody violent mess, with gods dying, the specter of abuse in Gem's past, and the Ether in disarray. Body horror elements and the literal manifestations of grief and suffering abound. Gem continually says they're not a good person, they don't deserve to be loved, and they are a monster. They are selfish, as teenagers can be, as omnipotent gods never told no can be. But those are also the tortured emotions of a traumatized child who didn't believe that they could deserve better.

Gem is truly at their worst here, and is forced to contend with the poor choices the Magician made, as well as their own darker side. It's only by confronting that past and letting go of it that Gem can heal, which would allow the Ether to heal, as well as the rest of the pantheon. It's a messy path, often a literal bloodbath in the Ether, but shows that unconditional love and understanding is usually the first step in becoming whole again.

If you liked the first one you'll enjoy this as well. It's a good sci-fi urban, paranormal novel and if you connect with the characters then it is a satisfying read. I want to reread these together as audiobooks before making a final review.

I genuinely wasn't sure about where this was going to go for a bit about halfway through this, but this is honestly a great end to this duology. It feels like the real thing Edgmon has been getting at the whole time was about breaking cycles, and being able to move forward with you life. As it turns out, gods reincarnated into Appalachian teenagers is the perfect way to go about talking about this, and Edgmon gets to do cool shit with the cast of characters we met last book. I feel like I got the full scale of these kids' tale, and I want to let them go off to do whatever they want to do with their lives now. Definitely pick up this book.

St Martin’s Press has still not responded to the Readers For Accountability simple demands, thus I won’t have a review of this UNTIL they speak up. Such a shame really, they’re losing out on thousands of readers providing free marketing for their books.

#SPEAKUPSMP