The Merciless Ones is the second book in Namina Forna's epic fantasy series, The Gilded Ones. It continues the story of Deka, a girl with the power of a goddess, who must now face a new world and an even greater threat. After uniting the twelve emperors of Otera and ending the war, Deka sets out to free the remaining goddesses, only to discover a terrible secret about the ancestors who built their world. As Deka's power grows, she must decide if she will embrace her destiny or be consumed by the dark forces intent on destroying Otera.