Synopsis:
The monstrous Carryx empire was built by subjugation and war. Thousands of species are bound to their Sovran’s command in an endless, blood-soaked test: be useful in the eternal conflict or be slaughtered.
Dafyd Alkhor, highest among their human captives, is feared and despised by the very people he champions. Ruthless in carving out his niche in the eternal war machine of the empire, he will reshape human nature itself as a tool for their alien masters’ use. But Dafyd’s loyalty is not what it seems.
The Swarm, an agent of the Carryx’s deathless enemy, has been smuggled into the Carryx world-palace along with the human slaves. Its mission: discover a way to bring down the empire’s eternal reign. But the longer it lives among and within humanity, the more it forgets that it is a weapon.
As the human captives spread through the battlefronts of empire, the awesome power of the Carryx becomes clear. And with it, a desperate plan for their destruction. But empires hide secrets, and even the deathless enemy may not be what it appears . . .
Review:
The Mercy of Gods was one of my favourite reads of 2024, so I went into the sequel terrified – both for the characters and for my moon-high expectations.
This series is deeply existential. It takes an unrealistic situation and makes it entirely plausible and possible.
Without spoilers for either book, The Mercy of Gods saw humans lose against an alien invasion and taken captive; treated as animals and kept alive only for their worth to the Caryx.
This continues in book two as humans continue to do what we do best: find solace in small moments, hold onto connection and relationship, and tend to a kernel of hope.
Vices, kinks, sins. Humanity had been trying to flay them off their souls since someone came up with the idea of souls, and they’d never managed. Even the Carry hadn’t been enough of a break to change human nature. Not that the big fuckers had tried enforcing any ethical guidelines. They’d have been fine with humans murdering and eating each other if the projects kept producing useful results.
This balances characters and plot fairly well. There are a lot of POVs and bumping around to different parts of the universe, but the authors do an amazing job at adding small details and humanity to each person. Important for a series about humans trying to keep their humanity whilst enforcing/carrying out extremes in order to survive as a race.
I find it interesting and terrifying to be in Dafyd’s head. He is both the saviour and villain for the humans. He must manage a semi-infinite list of things that he needs to look into, manage, control.
He seems too perfect in terms of a nobody thrust into the position of a for-the-good-of-all leader.
The tension at his temples felt like he was wearing an invisible crown.
Why not five stars?
I think The Mercy of the Gods astounded me as a one-off experience. Obviously, the concept is developed here, but the initial shock and WOAH mind-blowing realisation isn’t as impressive the second time around.
I still 100% recommend the sequel. It is a worthy sequel and has made me excited to continue.
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