Wicked Saints stabbed me in the heart when it took his storyline in the direction it did, and Ruthless Gods dug the dagger in further. God, I would die for Malachiasz (and he would let me). The characters are my absolute favorite part of this series, to no one’s surprise. (Pelageya sums up the characters better than I ever could) Characters The monster who sites on a throne of gilded bones and reaches for the heavens far past his understanding, or the princeling touched by a power he does not believe in.” “The girl who is a cleric but not a clerk, a witch but not a witch. It’s slower, like a predator stalking its prey before it finally leaps. Because oh boy are things happening. While the plot is more character and travel focused, there are plenty of twists and turns thrown at you (most of which I never saw coming), and quite a bit of action mixed in with the adventurous journey. I wouldn’t say this book is fast-paced. This book moves slowly, focusing on the characters and the world, but that doesn’t mean nothing is happening. “Did you expect to return and find everything exactly like it was before you burned it to the ground? There are only ever ashes after a fire, Malachiasz, and I’ll have you at my feet yet” Plot One of the most compelling parts of this series, because it lures you in with a false sense of understanding until everything is thrown on it’s head and you don’t know anything except that you need to keep reading. And the magic and mythology? Outstanding. Her worldbuilding is full of magic and blood, this world has an in-depth history that you get a glance at, but always want more of.

She succeeds in creating an air of mystery and misery, in the best possible way. She does have a tendency to repeat some words and phrases, but it’s pretty easy to ignore as the book pulls you in. The writing is gorgeous, with ominous prose and vivid imagery, but there’s also plenty of dry humor, bad jokes, and fun mixed in with the doom and gloom. Monsters have always slept at the edges of your world.

Ruthless gods emily duncan