Name: Teeeeeesha's review of The Cruelest Mercy by Natalie Mae
Item: The Cruelest Mercy
Rating: 5
Author: Teeeeeesha

Natalie Mae

In this sequel to The Kinder Poison—which People magazine proclaimed a "delicious high-stakes adventure"—the magical kingdom of Orkena is on the brink of war, and the only person who can save it is Zahru, the girl they once doomed to death. After surviving the Crossing, Zahru has sworn off adventures. While Crown Prince Jet navigates the looming threat of war, she's content to simply figure out what the future holds for them. But they're dealt a devastating blow when prince Kasta returns with a shocking claim: he's the true winner of the Crossing and the rightful heir, and he bears the gods' mark as proof. Even more surprising—he's not the only one. Somehow, Zahru possesses the very same mark, giving her equal right to the throne. The last thing she wants is to rule beside her would-be executioner, but she can't let Orkena fall into his merciless hands. So Zahru, Jet, and their allies must race against the clock to find a way to stop Kasta, because once he's crowned, there's no telling what horrors he'll unleash to win the war. Zahru will do whatever it takes to keep Kasta from taking the throne...but to stop a villain, is she willing to become one herself?

The Cruelest Mercy

Both Kasta and Zahru bear the circle of Numet that marks them as heirs to the throne, but Zahru will do whatever it takes to prevent the ruthless prince from ruling, even if she must become a villain herself.

Loïs Zane

Lexi Gotham

Teeeeeesha

The sequel to kinder poison, Zahru is now marked with the symbol of mestrah. And so is Kasta. Now they have to work together. But will kasta betray them again? Lacks a concrete plot.

If the enemies-to-lovers trope were a person, they could step on me and I'd thank them for it.

Short review: I really did consider DNF-ing this audiobook around the 40% mark, not because the writing was terrible or the protagonist/narrator became annoying, but because it slowed down a bit and felt repetitive. But I am SO GLAD I FINISHED IT. I got goosebumps in so many moments, this has so many minor twists and turns like the first book does, I loved how Zahru gradually realised she was becoming an anti-hero 👑. 

Ahhhhh Kasta's relationship with Zahru feels so much like Cardan's devotion to Jude (**ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE GOT THAT CHAPTER IN HIS POV** I can't 😭) This was all versions of hate-to-love trope with the two of them. I love Jet, but the TENSION between them 😩🤌. 

I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE THIRD AND LAST INSTALLMENT. AUDIOBOOK PLEASE BE RELEASED SOON.

Reread: yep, same comments as above. I wish the third book had an audiobook.

If the enemies-to-lovers trope were a person, they could step on me and I'd thank them for it.

Short review: I really did consider DNF-ing this audiobook around the 40% mark, not because the writing was terrible or the protagonist/narrator became annoying, but because it slowed down a bit and felt repetitive. But I am SO GLAD I FINISHED IT. I got goosebumps in so many moments, this has so many minor twists and turns like the first book does, I loved how Zahru gradually realised she was becoming an anti-hero 👑. 

Ahhhhh Kasta's relationship with Zahru feels so much like Cardan's devotion to Jude (**ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE GOT THAT CHAPTER IN HIS POV** I can't 😭) This was all versions of hate-to-love trope with the two of them. I love Jet, but the TENSION between them 😩🤌. 

I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE THIRD AND LAST INSTALLMENT. AUDIOBOOK PLEASE BE RELEASED SOON.

Reread: yep, same comments as above. I wish the third book had an audiobook.

Emily B

3.5 STARS ROUNDED UP TO 4:

Unfortunately, I didn't like this one as much as the first. Not to say it wasn't well written, but some parts stuck out to me.

First, let's start with the positives. Zahru's descent/character arc was exceptionally well done. It was so slow and expertly plotted that I got to the middle of the book and realized, with a jolt, just how much she'd changed. I still love her character, but now I see her in a more tragic light.

Kasta was also fantastic. I can't say much without spoiling the ending, but he really sucker punched me. It cemented him as a favorite.

Another interesting element was how character driven this book was. The first book was more of a balance between plot and character-driven, and it moved pretty fast. This book was slower but really focused on diving into the characters. That being said, it did drag in some places, which brought the book down a bit.

One of the other reasons I wouldn't say I liked this book as much was that I felt the relationships were not as pronounced. Zahru spends much of the book isolated in her paranoia, which got a bit aggravating. It was still well done, and I saw the point of it. I just felt like too much of Zahru was stripped away, and it was hard to recognize her core features in the end. It was a little drastic for someone who showed no signs of this in the first book.

As much as I loved the ending, there was one element that turned my stomach. See spoiler=(view spoiler)[ Zahru used her mind magic to alter Kasta's mind. It was not too drastic of a change, and it did resolve the conflict. However, I just couldn't help but be angry for Kasta. It felt violating.  (hide spoiler)] That last element made me have a hard time rooting for the romance in the end. I had to reread some parts a few times to help it settle in my head. I'm hoping the next book will fix this problem. 

Overall, I will be continuing this series. I love a good villain romance, so I'd be remiss not to continue. I do recommend this series, despite the personal issues I had with this particular installment. I'm looking forward to the finale!

Kassia Skorzewska

This was SUCH a good sequel to The Kinder Poison!! Natalie Mae’s world of magic in this book is amazing and such a unique magic system! I enjoyed reading up on Kasta, Jet, Melia, Marcus and Zahru, and this book had me hooked until the very last page!! I can not wait until the third book comes out later in 2022!! 

Irina 

I really enjoyed The Kinder Poison. I really hoped this book would be equally as good. I did not expect it to be better. Epic knife to the throat scene? Check. Tension and angst? Check. Powerful, badass female lead? Check. This book kept me on the edge of the metaphorical seat. I LOVED THIS BOOK! And I will never stop recommending it. 

Someone else wrote in their review that fans of DARKLINA would like this book- and YES! Yes they would!

Aleena Korell

This book was really hard for me to enjoy.

One one hand, I love a good exploration of inner darkness and antiheroism. In fact, there's a lot that--on paper-- I should really love about this book. 

But overall my main struggle is watching someone spend an entire book planning to do something really stupid, instead of dealing with conflict maturely and having an actual conversation. The first book was just so much fun, but I couldn't have as much fun this time around when consequences of stupidity and deceit were hanging over my head for literally the whole book. 

This enemies-to-lovers? embracing-inner-darkness sort of story is exactly the sort I feel like I should be going nuts for and yet I just didn't. I think my other struggle is such sketchy, fluffy worldbuilding, which was entirely appropriate for the first book because it wasn't about the world-- but this one tried to go deeper into politics and it just felt very surface-y. 

The ending was really interesting, though, and not at all what I expected. If there's another book, I'll read it, because I'm curious to see where Kasta and Zahru end up.

Aparna Eeshwar

AHHH !!! A love triangle, magic, betrayals and slowly falling for the guy who’s a brand ambassador for red flags. I’ve your attention now, don’t I? You started reading when you saw the red flag written in bold, didn’t you? Well, that’s one sign that you should start this book right away. 

The cruelest mercy takes place after the deadly race among the three heirs and the human sacrifice. 
Jet is all set for his coronation while Zahru is the first sacrifice to live after the challenge. Which makes her the living-sacrifice/holy one. She is also blessed with the mark to rule the kingdom of Orkena and but she’s done with reaching out for adventurous life after a week in the desert and plans to hide the mark until Jet has been officially given the throne. But it can’t be that easy, can it? 
Our stabby prince Kasta walks into the coronation hall with the mark of the winner which makes them worthy to rule after completing the challenge. And thus the chase begins again. Zahru and Kasta get a month to prove to Mestrah that they can rule together in peace or the one that doesn’t cooperate can work as the other one’s advisor. Zahru can’t risk ruling forever besides her archnemesis nor can she let him rule alone. This sequel revolves around their arguments and schemes against each other while Zahru tries to explore her new magical powers. She continues to believe it’s necessary to stop Kasta due to his past recklessness and, you know...stabby behaviors. But, To stop Kasta, she might have to think and be like Kasta. How fun !!

I have to admit I liked The Kinder Poison more than the sequel, the latter has a lot less action. But The Cruelest Mercy gives us insight into the palace politics and foundations of the upcoming war. This series amazes me with its character building. I loved that I got to see more of Hen in this book. Jet continues to the absolute sweetheart that he is. I made peace with Mestrah’s behaviors towards his sons and everyone else by the end of this book. He had to be a god, cut him some slack! Melia and Marcus, *sigghhhh* I wish I knew you both in my real life. Finally Kasta, you jerk (in a flirtatious way)! So much pain SO MUCH. There were a lot of moments when I just wanted to hug that boy and tell him “there, there”. 

“I can’t let her give up as I once did. If she wants peace, I can’t let her forget it. And if that means my only purpose from here forward is to sew her back together as she did for me, to remind her that good can come from even the most lost of causes . . . then I must do it.”
Finally, I don’t know how to thank Natalie Mae for that epilogue. That was the most beautifully painful thing. The epilogue alone deserves its own review. You managed to melt my heart with sadness with just one epilogue!!!! 

Please please please please be more of this series, make it a trilogy, quartet, or even more. Here take my money and heart, just give me more of these AMAZING characters.

Samantha Bass

Like The Kinder Poison, The Cruelest Mercy slowly eases you into the storyline and gives some great background and character development before quickly shooting us off into an intense plot line and all the action! I love, love, loved the character development Zahru goes through in this book, especially after the events of book one. Always the kind, caring, and trusting person, Zahru has to rethink how she goes about life. Clearly, trusting and believing in the good in everyone doesn't always work out and it was so interesting to watch her doubt that innate kindness less and less. 

Of course, then we have her friends, like Jet, who also see the change Zahru is going through and aren't sure what to make of it. I mean, having to rule alongside your attempted murderer and nemesis is awful, and I don't blame Zahru for not only wanting to get as far away from Kasta as possible, but for doing everything she can to make sure he can't seize power. Though it does make her friends hesitate a little bit...

Unfortunately, just like in book one, I totally fell in love with Kasta's character. He is just so charming and horribly manipulative and I fell for it. Again. I was rooting for him the entire time and was so excited to see him be so kind and considerate with Zahru, especially in uncomfortable and awkward moments. Until I realized I'm a clown and what did I really expect? I still love him though and I need an epilogue to the epilogue to know what happens next!

And similarly to book one, though Zahru is going through some changes, she still preaches kindness above all. The last thing she wants is to push the country to war, or hurt anyone. And even though she kind of sees the benefit of cruelty at times, kindness seems to be her main motivator. Even if it ends up being her ruin. 

This book, this series in general, is just so beautifully written. The transition from book one to two was so seamless and the struggles Zahru faces, while different, are equally challenging. I adore this series and highly recommend everyone read it! The rich history of these nations, the important messages and narrative, the cool world and powers that come along with it - this book has everything you could want in a fantasy novel. 

And Natalie is the queen of epilogues. I was slack jawed when I read it and I am so sad this is the ending. There's no more books when there absolutely should be! Though Natalie has said that she hopes this will be a trilogy, so maybe we'll get more books! Ahh, I hope so! Overall, if you liked The Kinder Poison, you will love the ending The Cruelest Mercy brings. And I can't wait for more books from Natalie!

Caitlin Johnson

ROUND THREE LETS GO RAZORBILL

Yet again, that was an absolutely WILD ride from start to finish, while having just the right amount of pauses for us to catch our breath. This series has made me scream EXCUSE ME WHAT in my car a ridiculous amount of times, and every time I thought I knew who was good or bad, something else happened to make me question EVERYTHING. WE DEMAND BOOK 3, RAZORBILL/PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE. M O O A A R R.

Ashlee

*whew* This one was even angstier than the first and I loved the turn of events that played out through it! I love how this one gets darker as it progresses and seeing characters toe the line of villain and not. 

My bad boy loving heart is still Team Kasta.

Lexi Gotham &
The Cruelest Mercy by Natalie Mae

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Lexi Gotham &The Cruelest Mercy by Natalie Mae

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Lexi Gotham &
The Cruelest Mercy by Natalie Mae