The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna

I would like to thank Usborne Publishing for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review

Publisher – Usborne Publishing

Published – Out Now

Price – £8.99 paperback £3.99 Kindle eBook

It's been six months since Deka freed the goddesses in the ancient kingdom of Otera, and discovered who she really is... But war is waging across the kingdom, and the real battle has only just begun. For there is a dark force growing in Otera – a merciless power that Deka and her army must stop.

Yet hidden secrets threaten to destroy everything Deka has known. And with her own gifts changing, Deka must discover if she holds the key to saving Otera... or if she might be its greatest threat.

Warning – This review will contain spoilers for the previous book The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna its was one of my favourite reads of last year so you should read that too!

Occasionally you may hear reviewers sigh about fantasy series – too predictable tends to be an accusation. As there is an act like structure to the books we know we have the path from exploring the plot; giving us a bridge up to a grand finale. After a while you can see these things repeat but why I still like to read a series is because those cunning authors know these dangers too. Sometimes a series will take a turn you’ll not see coming and just by doing that subvert what you’ve already seen. In Namina Forna’s The Merciless Ones we get just that type of game-changing event that definitely means I’ll be ready for the ending when it arrives!

In the previous (and excellent) novel The Gilded Ones we saw the rise of Deka a young woman in the Oteran Empire. A society that very much saw women as subservient to men. Deka though has a certain ability that both made her reviled – her father and community tried to kill her but also prized by the Emperor. As an Alaki she has amazing regenerative abilities and can survive even beheading and burning. Each time her skin goes gold and allows her to repair itself. She was chosen to work for the Emperor’s own army of women fighters. But eventually Deka learns the truth the Emperor is actually supressing the Gods that made the women powerful and even Deka’s notorious foes the Deathshriekers are revealed just to be Gilded Ones. Deka leads a fightback; fights the Emperor and restored her Gods and is ready for the next big fight. But her opponents have been enhancing their own armies and Deka is about to find out what her name truly means.

Initially this second volume felt exactly what I was expecting. We find Deka now a leader of fighters working to free her trapped Gilded Ones from Oteran forces. It is so satisfying to see Deka now as a mature, confident and level-headed warrior compared to the frightened restrained woman we met a book ago. I also loved the imagination shown in the hideout of the Gilded Ones with magic rivers, many fantastic creatures and also the women fighters all learning their own powers. The reveal that the Oterans too have apparently learnt regenerative magic is quite a shock and provides a very suitable set of skilled opponents for Deka to overcome. All of which appears at first pretty much par for the course in a trilogy’s second act and yet very skilfully Forna then upturns the entire plot we have followed to date.

It's not often you get to see a book decide to question what seemed to be the first message. The Gilded ones had a great discussion of societies where women’s rights were contained and extruded. Seeing these cruel and often vile men finally humbled was indeed gratifying but Forna actually has much more to say about society’s views on gender. The matriarchal society that Deka fights for now itselgf has issues and Forna makes quite a few points about both worldviews having a very binary view on gender. The Oteran worldview is homophobic; the Gilded Ones though have very a very narrow view of what a woman is and is not; here we get to question any religious society that requires obedience. Deka has to navigate her reaction and as the apparent Chosen One for the Gilded Ones we get a much more interesting internal challenge for Deka than just another big bad to fight.

It is not though just a fascinating exploration of how narrow-minded assumptions on gender are we do get a number of well written set pieces. Deka and her team (including the irrepressibly cheeky Britta) all return to aid Deka in the fightback. Forna is not afraid to put their characters through the wringer and there are several heart in mouth scenes that spell danger for everyone. At the same time, we get some lovely quieter moments in between battles for characters to discuss things and their own feelings. Deka’s own trauma battling so much starts to drain her and watching her friends support her and take her side really helps build up a team to face the battles to come.

There is an interesting set of characters provided in contrast to Deka who have taken sides and exploring their reasons for doing so also helps explore why Deka stands out in her quest to do the right thing and also how easy a society can brainwash people into thinking a certain action or hatred is valid. This makes me ponder how often in fantasy our leads take what they are told at face value – the ability to question things is what brings about real change. The other interesting turn the book takes is the exploration of the gods both sides worship. We get a greater understanding of where they came from and what this conflict is about. It moves the action to the metaphysical and opens up the finale to come but we are moving away from just a revolution story to something really truly mythic.

As you might tell I’m being careful here about the story’s developments but it’s a really intelligent and surprising approach that took me by surprise and suggest you don’t know too much going in. There is plenty of action; character development, word changing events and an intelligent exploration of how the next revolution is not always going to mean the end of the battle for equality or justice. Young Adult books are far too often accused of a lack of complexity and depth. Forna very eloquently shows that such views are daft and again I’m very very impressed about how this series is developing. If you loved the Gilded Ones you’ll love this. If you’ve still not tried The Gilded Ones hurry up and don’t miss out. A series to watch!