The Cruelest Mercy

By: Natalie Mae

Narrated by: Jesse Vilinsky

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?

©2021 Natalie Mae (P)2021 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"In this charming, well-rounded follow-up to The Kinder Poison, Zahru’s entertaining, funny narrative voice continues to engage and balance out the otherwise heavier tone of a story that deals with power dynamics, dark magic, horrific betrayals, and social injustice and that offers a thoughtful examination of just what a ruler should be willing to sacrifice for the greater good. A fantastically rewarding sequel." (Kirkus, starred review)

Great story

I enjoyed this dystopian story. It showcases the battle we fight between doing what is right, and giving into our fears and making decisions based on those emotions.

Great Dialect

The person reading does a great job capturing the different voices, along with the dialects of the characters. I had no problem understanding who was talking or when we were in the Main Characters mind versus her actual dialogue.

In regards to the storyline, you have to read the first book to understand what is happening. I loved Zahru’s character arc in this book. I am a sucker for redemption stories and I can’t wait to read the 3rd book when it comes out. I don’t know how to feel about the ending. I don’t believe you can strip a whole part of a person that makes them who they are and then expect for everything to turn out fine. I’m excited to see where the author goes with that. Definitely recommend this book and this audible version of it.

Love it!

Great book! Great speaker! I am very excited for the next book to see what it brings!

Instant Favorite

This book is amazing!

If you've ever wanted a book where the heroine turns darker than this one is for you!

Where is the final book

Wish I could finish the series but I can’t find an audio version of the third book

Unpredictable, and so Well Done

This book is so masterfully done. In this book we are privy to the stress Zahru’s is under, as she goes back and forth between distrusting Kasta and distrusting herself. Each time, Mae had me wholly convinced of the truth. But whether you go through the book thinking that Zahru is paranoid or that she is naive, I promise you will be caught by surprise in the end.

Utterly unpredictable

Zahru’s character development flowed naturally throughout this story, emphasizing both her flaws and her growth. She sways back and forth on the pendulum between the kind dreamer she was in the first book and the more paranoid ruler she is forced to become in this one, taking a darker, chaotic turn, yet she ultimately ends up finding a balance and grows into herself beautifully.

I feel like both books in this series ultimately center around Zahru and Kasta’s relationship, as they grow or fall in opposite yet similar directions, which is further proven by the titles of both books. Even with her tense relationship with Kasta, I always couldn’t help rooting for their crazy chemistry throughout the story.

Not to mention how many times I’ve listened to the confrontation between Zahru and Kasta when they argued about what happened in book 1. I think this quote from Zahru might be one of my favorite snap-backs of all time:
“I trusted you with my life, Kasta. And you couldn’t even trust me to keep my word.” (Chapter 13)

By the end of this story, you’ll understand perfectly why the title of this story was truly and absolutely fitting. I’m waiting avidly for book 3.

Unexpectedly Great

I did not anticipate the ending. The author did a great job of luring you in to possible scenarios but ultimately keeping you guessing only to pull the rug out. It went this way all the until the very last scene. You might think you know but....you don't or atleast I didnt. I love how strong but still caring the lead was. She grew, she was naive but alert and learned from her mistakes. I was fooled too so I get why she is almost fooled.

Next book please

Wish that there was a little more romance between the main characters but still really enjoyed the 2nd book as much as the first. Ready for another.

Great Story I need Book 3!!!

I really flew through both the first, and now this book. I was really on the edge of my seat while reading this, especially at the end!!!! I'm so glad the third book is out.