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zoec24's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I like the plot. However, I'm a bit concerned about the fact that they hadn't even seen a portrait of Mary before. Also, the romance. I know the idea is that taking down an entire country is going too far. However, the only alternative I can think of is 'still raid the castle but take the royal family somewhere to negotiate ending the genocide/something Olso wants'. The romance didn't have to be thrown in to emphasise this. And Cas was just a stereotypical nice person who thinks through everything. And really, Wenda Flores was horrible-I get it. But the genocide of the Ruined is completely disproportional and Em needs to put her people above the stereotypical love interest who happens to be the son of the guy who did this. And really, the books try to make the argument that they are ending a generation-long war where no one is innocent...except for the fact that the Ruined enslaved everyone generations(I'm getting the sense centuries) ago and there is a genocide being committed against the Ruined RIGHT NOW. But yeah, Em's 'invade the country that's doing this' response was not well thought through, because she could have just negotiated? Because ONE PERSON being a master torturer getting responded to with killing of the Ruined shows that both sides are equally at fault. It doesn't. And Em trying to kill specifically the guys who are leading the country murdering all the Ruined is what you would expect. I mean, Olso won't be amazing to the Lerans while they're occupied, but they're probably going to be around average rulers. This just irritated me so much because that was the direction potentially good commentary went in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Xenophobia, Genocide, Grief, Death, Torture, and War
kassidyreads's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
booksthatburn's review against another edition
Starts with a "describe every swordstroke" kind of action scene, has someone pretending to be someone else (not a trope I like) while doing a romance (lying in relationships stresses me out), then lets me know what color the wallpaper and flowers are. Great for someone, but not me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
ashleyvharris's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Ruined was a solid page-turner that romance fans will love.
While I didn’t exactly get what I expected going into the first book of the trilogy, Amy Tintera crafted compelling characters and plot that kept me reading. I was expecting more work-building, fantasy, and political repartee, but found that the heart of this story is the romance between Em and Cas.
The progression of their relationship didn’t seem to outlandish until they began a passionate affair after Em’s plan and betrayal has been revealed . The pain these two characters experienced at the hands of one another’s families makes it hard to believe their fresh but seemingly insurmountable feelings for someone they don’t know well. Somehow, despite that cavern of unbelievability, I still found myself rooting for them.
Tintera is fantastic at building tension and chemistry between characters, whether their friends, family, or lovers. The intracies of Cas’s relationships with his family and Galo were compelling, as was Em’s with Aren and her love for Olivia. It would have been great to have even more moments where we so those vulnerabilities and humorous interactions.
While I will definitely give the next book a try, I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone looking for a meatier fantasy or political drama. Romance fans will find Cas and Em irresistible though.
Ruined is a romance-heavy, but promising, trilogy starter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Genocide, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, and War
grace_yin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, Blood, and War
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Torture
davidreyno's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Lead by a non-magic princess, the magic make an alliance to strike back at those that have decided to exterminate those with magic. The Romeo/Juliette romance is well handled, and the ending is foreboding, leaving the romance in doubt. A good commentary on people not taking the time to understand each other.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
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