Reviews

Ruinsong by Julia Ember

emmhardt's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

selkietoes's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

While I did enjoy the overall story (Sapphic high fantasy inspired by Phantom of the Opera? Sign me up), it did have some flaws.

The pacing was a bit off where it felt a bit slow and then everything happened all at once very quickly. I think this could have been helped by being a duology.

I really enjoyed the musicality of everything and the music based magic system, I think a little more world building would have made things even better. 

Overall, I think it's a solid book and I am going to add more from this author to my "to read" pile.

starrynightsandfirelight's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

dailysnack's review against another edition

1.0

*shrug* wasn’t awful enough

robynanne44's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful medium-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? Yes

4.5

sapphic_reader2's review against another edition

3.0

This is a solid young adult fantasy. I do feel like this story could have been made into a series. I just feel like the beginning and middle was so strong but with the ending, everything just kind of happened so fast. I would have loved to see more of the 2 MC's interacting with each other and would love to have Cadence fully realize her gift. Overall, the story kept me interested and the characters were well thought out and realized.

elzi13's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I read it. Which is about all I can say. I was truly so surprised when this book ended because it felt like nothing had ever actually happened. I find the main character mildly compelling, but remi I find unbearable. Honestly none of the character felt very active. It felt like everything was just happening to them. 

ashction's review against another edition

4.0

I love a good Phantom retelling, and there was a lot here that worked! It was really fun seeing a female Phantom and a wlw take on the friends to lovers of Christine and Raoul. I did think Cadence was a bit weak, but I also think that she's very much like Christine in that sense so it works as a retelling. The magic system evolving from music was really clever, and I loved seeing the power dynamic between Elene and Cadence. However, I found the end to be a bit fast - the rebellion plot comes kind of out of nowhere, and I think the finale was less grand than I wanted. Also, for those looking for romance, it's definitely an afterthought - which isn't a bad thing, but should be known so you don't spend time seeking it! But, for a stand-alone, this overall was a good, quick read with a lot of clever work done to take a timeless tale and breathe fresh life into it.

lassiter's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

isabelfisher's review against another edition

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

2.0