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A review by abby_ace_of_books
The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey
5.0
"For a moment, Dafyd Alkhor saw the universe the way a Carryx would, and it was beautifully simple and utterly horrific."
The Mercy of Gods is one of the very few adult sci-fi novels I've read, and it's going to be one that sits with me for a while. I'm not saying YA books can't be enriching, but there's something ... "heavy" about adult novels like this one. It discussed colonialism and human nature in a haunting way, and there were parts that truly made me feel things.
Aliens are real, and only those they deem useful are allowed to live. Following an attack on the human population of the planet Anjiin that leaves 1/8 of them dead, a number of "promising" humans are taken to an alien world where they must prove their usefulness in order to save their friends and family. The pacing was well done, although the story itself felt as though it didn't begin until about the 10% mark (but this was important for character and world development, so it makes sense). The whole book felt like an emotional roller coaster, and the ending was heart-wrenching. I will be anxiously awaiting the sequel in the meantime.
I also found myself very attached to most of the main cast. Jessyn and her declining mental health, as she holds out hope for her brother's survival. Synnia's all-consuming grief. Tonner's pride caving to the weight of responsibility and failure. Campar's humor being his sole connection to sanity. Else's internal struggle with losing her humanity. Dafyd's quest to understand his enemies but still prevent himself from becoming something alien. Their struggles felt genuine, and I cared for all of them in different ways. The end hurt me. I know I'm only going to be more hurt in the next book.
The Mercy of Gods is the first novel in a stunning new sci-fi series following humanity's last hopes as they struggle to prove themselves "useful" to a mysterious alien race.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4.5/5
The Mercy of Gods is one of the very few adult sci-fi novels I've read, and it's going to be one that sits with me for a while. I'm not saying YA books can't be enriching, but there's something ... "heavy" about adult novels like this one. It discussed colonialism and human nature in a haunting way, and there were parts that truly made me feel things.
Aliens are real, and only those they deem useful are allowed to live. Following an attack on the human population of the planet Anjiin that leaves 1/8 of them dead, a number of "promising" humans are taken to an alien world where they must prove their usefulness in order to save their friends and family. The pacing was well done, although the story itself felt as though it didn't begin until about the 10% mark (but this was important for character and world development, so it makes sense). The whole book felt like an emotional roller coaster, and the ending was heart-wrenching. I will be anxiously awaiting the sequel in the meantime.
I also found myself very attached to most of the main cast. Jessyn and her declining mental health, as she holds out hope for her brother's survival. Synnia's all-consuming grief. Tonner's pride caving to the weight of responsibility and failure. Campar's humor being his sole connection to sanity. Else's internal struggle with losing her humanity. Dafyd's quest to understand his enemies but still prevent himself from becoming something alien. Their struggles felt genuine, and I cared for all of them in different ways. The end hurt me. I know I'm only going to be more hurt in the next book.
The Mercy of Gods is the first novel in a stunning new sci-fi series following humanity's last hopes as they struggle to prove themselves "useful" to a mysterious alien race.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4.5/5