Reviews

Road to Ruin by Hana Lee

ladyrivers's review against another edition

5.0

I cannot believe how well written this is. The writing feels so modern and I couldn't put it down. Its such a fun story! The twists! The turns! What an absolutely wild ride! Highly recommend to anyone!

kassiereadsbooks's review

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

rdh217's review

adventurous emotional mysterious relaxing 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? Yes

4.5

shanthecitygirl's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious slow-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

3.5

This was a fun but strange read. I enjoyed the post-apocalyptic setting and the complex characters (and the triad dynamics) but the plot felt unbalanced. The beginning was slow and then the set piece at the end pulls so many threads together so quickly but a few get missing along the way. If there is a second one, I will probably read but it wasn't a favorite. 

himalaya's review

4.0

 I enjoyed this overall! a fun fast paced adventure set in a mad max-esque world with dinosaurs and magic. 

I quite liked the polyamorous love triangle going on - I even liked the guy which is a win. It does start with them all already having a crush on each other so we kinda miss seeing how that developed in the first place, but I think I prefer this considering the book is only set over a number of days. 

I will say - I read assuming it’s YA and only now after finishing it it seems to apparently be adult., the worldbuilding and character relationships felt more YA to me - and I don’t mean that as an insult, I just probably would have expected more complexity in certain areas if I knew this was adult. I dunno. (Things like - every single plot relevant character is either an ex or relative of the MCs, kind of thing)

I also didn't realise this is a series and like....I feel satisfied with this narrative-wise, I don't particularly need any more of that. BUT it doesn't resolve the relationship, and that one thing left hanging feels a little awkward?

I feel like it could have ended with her on the precipice of ‘will she stay or leave’ instead of straight up leaving, idk. I feel like the future narrative will deal more with the politics and that that'll have a different vibe narratively? 

It is unfortunate that the magic is called mana. But that is so deeply entrenched in fantasy that I guess I can’t critique any individual book for it that hard.  

ashleykta's review

adventurous funny 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

4.75

juliafrat's review

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I loved nearly everything about this book.

The characterization was phenomenal. The characters were fully realized almost as soon as each walked onto the page. I loved all their internal angst, and the romance was so sweet to read about. 

The prose was so dynamic and engaging, it felt like the plot was moving at a break neck pace for almost the entire book. The world building was intricate, but even with all of the made up fantasy words and concepts it was easy to understand and follow along. The world gave me Zelda vibes with the long lost ancient technology and glowing magic.

I thought there were too many POVs included in the second half, but it was still enjoyable despite that.

Reading this book felt like watching a fun, bi panic-inducing action movie. I’m beyond impressed that this is the author’s debut. I cannot WAIT for the sequel. 

Thank you to the publisher for the e-ARC.

limerson's review

fast-paced

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

4.25

I just finished this book and the ending has made me so mad. I am physically heated at how frustrated i am. 

The book itself very well done, i love the pacing, the story, the characters. But the last 10 pages have genuinely distroyed me. I have no clue if there is gonna be another book, but i need something, please i am begging. 

lareads36's review against another edition

4.0

Road to Ruin

4⭐

Mad Max, Jurassic Park, and the alphabet Mafia all rolled into one. 
Mage courier, Jin-Lu  is in love with a prince and a Princess which is how she was convinced to rescue said princess from an arranged marriage... 

Least to say that's the most boring part of this book. A non stop adventure filled with magic, motorcycles, and mystery. 


It was short and enjoyable! 

holocene10's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-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

4.75