I know prophecy’s don’t always make sense and they are obscure so that the characters can figure it out on their own, but it felt unmoored from the story Duncan had created in the first novel. There is the prophecy that is referred to, in Wicked Saints and is mentioned again in Ruthless Gods, but it’s vague in what’s supposed to be accomplished.

In Ruthless Gods though the characters have no idea (at least Nadya and Serefin) what to do or what is expected of them until the end. In Wicked Saints everyone knew what they were doing, it was clear to them as it was to the reader. The other concern I had was how disconnected the characters were with their objective. I almost wished the book had started when Nadya and Serefin left Tranavia if only to get things moving. Although, after three chapters in, with no major action happening, the characters and the story started to feel stagnant. I understood these characters had been through a lot. I wanted the dark fairy tale, with a searing romance to keep pulling me under so that I wouldn’t want to ever come up for air.īut, in Ruthless Gods, I had a few concerns. They take authors to another level because of expectations set by the original book: to push the story further, revealing new deceptions, plot twists, while maintaining a strong and fast pace, and also continuing to expand their world building and the depth of their characters.Īfter reading Wicked Saints I was ready for the next novel to sink its iron claws deep and take me on another mesmerizing journey that was equally as fast paced and intriguing as the first novel. Will each play a part, one that will either cost them their lives or theĭestruction of the world as they know it. Together with blood and a dark magic, a magic they don’t fully understand.Ī prophecy is made, the girl, the prince, and the monster

Her connection to the gods, Serefin is grappling with the voice inside his headĪnd the fact that he is now king, and Malachiasz is scheming to take on settingīut even as these characters deal with their inner failingsĪnd grow further apart, their fates are ultimately intertwined, stitched Nadya Lapteva, Serefin Meleski, and Malachiasz CzechowiczĪre all dealing with the aftermath of their choices in the Black Vultures

“A book filled with razor sharp teeth, drenched in blood, and monsters you’ve never dreamed of.” Cecelia Beckman, Sheaf and Ink The Story

Ruthless gods a novel