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artemis_bean's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Homophobia
lyonsdenprojects's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was an enjoyable story with interesting and sweet main characters. The magic system is what I probably loved most about it though there were some holes in the world building and the ending conflict seemed a little too easy after the build up to it. However I still enjoyed the journey and would gladly read another book featuring these characters. TW: The dog is killed. I hate being surprised by that in books and movies. The reactions of Cadence redeemed the story, but I did almost put the book down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Torture
Moderate: Homophobia
yoda32's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Ruinsong tells the story of both Cadence- a mage for the queen who works her magic through song. We’re told multiple times throughout the book how powerful she is; but we don’t really see it until the end.
On the outside she’s terrifying but on the inside, she’s an orphan who did the only thing she could to survive and hates herself for bowing to the ruthless queen. Cadence didn’t get as much growth as I expected from a stand alone. She hides and appears weaker than the queen but yet at the end she can miraculously perform a spell through a song that “just comes to her”. Okay..
Remy- born into nobality Remy had it all until Elena took the throne, and her family fled to avoid her wrath. However every year they’re forced to attend a lethal opera in which, the queen gets her starred mage to torture the nobility while they sit. Remy is fierce, brave, and the ex best friend of Cadence.
I think Remy is my favourite and yes it’s totally to do with the fact that she’s both a lesbian and fat. However, she makes the most idiotic decisions. I rolled my eyes so much because of her actions.
The romance develops slowly- which I did like- but it seemed unrealistic and bland.
The ending was meh and felt really modern in comparison to the 90 percent fantasy novel. For example- Remy’s mother- who is sick by the way, so she’s better??- is running for president and she’s handing out flyers. Hmm, okay
Ruinsong had an interesting magic system, that I did like reading about, and characters that were fun if nothing else, but the plot and concept just weren’t executed as well as I expected. It sometimes read like the beginning of a series and for a stand alone novel- that’s not good. Furthermore,- this is a personal pet peeve- it took WAY too long for the events of the blurb to occur.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Torture
literarybakunawa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
valpuri's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I was excited to read this, but sadly the book just fell flat towards the end and I struggled to finish it. I'm so disappointed that I can only give this one 2/5 stars.
The concept of magic that is sung and a romance between two women that are on opposite sides of a rebellion are what convinced me to pick up this book, but it just didn't really deliver on either of those. There is very little world-building or character development, and the latter half of the book feels very rushed. :( The first half of the book is pretty good and promising... I just wish that there was something more to the end.
The concept of magic that is sung and a romance between two women that are on opposite sides of a rebellion are what convinced me to pick up this book, but it just didn't really deliver on either of those. There is very little world-building or character development, and the latter half of the book feels very rushed. :( The first half of the book is pretty good and promising... I just wish that there was something more to the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Medical content, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Chronic illness, Grief, and Vomit
sethxo's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
3.75
Ruinsong is a gorgeous read, with fantastic worldbuilding and amazing descriptors. I was incredibly into the magic system, the aspects of religion presented to us, and how beautiful everything was described.
Unfortunately, this strength made glaring other weaknesses, at least for me. Cadence and Remi were interesting characters in their own rights, but while I cared about their problems, I found myself more into the world of Bordea itself, and learning about the people in and around it. Every time the book ventured farther out, I was compelled.
Still, I had nothing against the main characters. Cadence’s motivations, while complicated, were understandable, and on the other side of the table Remi’s motivations made just as much sense. You could really feel Cadence’s conflict and Remi’s stubbornness.
Queen Elene, on the other hand…while the book explains well enough how she got to where she is, it inspires no care for her character whatsoever. I spent the entire book actively rooting for her downfall, and outright despising her. It’s good to develop your villains, but in this case, it felt so pointless because of just how awful she is.
There is also some animal death, something that I’m never cool with on any given day, so that was equally unpleasant to read. We get it, the queen is awful. Driving the point home like this feels like beating a dead horse, and in her case, I’d believe it was literal! Honestly though, the book is very dark. Unpleasant things happen every so often, so at least it’s staying true to its theme?
In general, this was a slow book. The pacing was never rushed, and this extended to the main relationship. It was certainly a slow burn as well, but in a way, it almost wasn’t, because there’s a mild percentage of the book where the main characters haven’t even met up. Still, once it got there their build-up romance was very sweet, for all these characters have been through.
The ending itself isn’t entirely satisfying. I enjoyed the direction they were leading it towards, but despite this book claiming to be a standalone it felt like it ended on too much of a cliffhanger for my liking.
Overall, I did enjoy it. My investment wasn’t always at peak levels, but I was certainly engaged and eager to finish it. Like I said, it’s a gorgeous world with a unique system, and I’ll love it for that alone (but certainly other things, as well).
Unfortunately, this strength made glaring other weaknesses, at least for me. Cadence and Remi were interesting characters in their own rights, but while I cared about their problems, I found myself more into the world of Bordea itself, and learning about the people in and around it. Every time the book ventured farther out, I was compelled.
Still, I had nothing against the main characters. Cadence’s motivations, while complicated, were understandable, and on the other side of the table Remi’s motivations made just as much sense. You could really feel Cadence’s conflict and Remi’s stubbornness.
Queen Elene, on the other hand…while the book explains well enough how she got to where she is, it inspires no care for her character whatsoever. I spent the entire book actively rooting for her downfall, and outright despising her. It’s good to develop your villains, but in this case, it felt so pointless because of just how awful she is.
There is also some animal death, something that I’m never cool with on any given day, so that was equally unpleasant to read. We get it, the queen is awful. Driving the point home like this feels like beating a dead horse, and in her case, I’d believe it was literal! Honestly though, the book is very dark. Unpleasant things happen every so often, so at least it’s staying true to its theme?
In general, this was a slow book. The pacing was never rushed, and this extended to the main relationship. It was certainly a slow burn as well, but in a way, it almost wasn’t, because there’s a mild percentage of the book where the main characters haven’t even met up. Still, once it got there their build-up romance was very sweet, for all these characters have been through.
The ending itself isn’t entirely satisfying. I enjoyed the direction they were leading it towards, but despite this book claiming to be a standalone it felt like it ended on too much of a cliffhanger for my liking.
Overall, I did enjoy it. My investment wasn’t always at peak levels, but I was certainly engaged and eager to finish it. Like I said, it’s a gorgeous world with a unique system, and I’ll love it for that alone (but certainly other things, as well).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
coophone's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia
lapis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was just what the doctor ordered: queer fantasy.
It takes you into a really interesting world, where a revolution occurred some years back, and now the nobility are openly-reviled by the ruler.
There's also a song-magician class of people who are more open to the changing norms. Poly-relationships are referred to, most characters in this book are under the queer umbrella (which is why I don't mind that the villain is queer, because there is so much representation).
There was so much world-building that I'm really hoping for more in this world.
It takes you into a really interesting world, where a revolution occurred some years back, and now the nobility are openly-reviled by the ruler.
There's also a song-magician class of people who are more open to the changing norms. Poly-relationships are referred to, most characters in this book are under the queer umbrella (which is why I don't mind that the villain is queer, because there is so much representation).
There was so much world-building that I'm really hoping for more in this world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Homophobia
Animal Deathmushr00mcore's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
At least the sapphic romance was handled well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Homophobia
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