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A review by simmerandseek_ig
Exquisite Ruin by AdriAnne May
3.0
ARC Review: ⭐⭐⭐/5
Exquisite Ruin by AdriAnne May offers an intriguing premise that blends enemies-to-lovers romance, magical conflict, and a dark, mysterious setting. The story follows Sadaré, a sorceress with amnesia, and Daesra, a hooved-and-horned demon who despises her. Forced into close quarters in a constantly shifting maze, the two must rely on each other to survive while navigating betrayal, pain magic, and secrets from their pasts.
While the book promises a captivating fantasy adventure, I found it difficult to connect with the characters. Sadaré’s amnesia felt more like a plot device than a meaningful obstacle, and Daesra’s intense hatred toward her never evolved in a way that resonated emotionally. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic should have added depth to their relationship, but the betrayal between them lacked the emotional weight necessary for their eventual reconciliation to feel satisfying. While the characters were complex on paper, I never truly sympathized with them, which left me detached from their fates.
One element that stood out was the labyrinth itself. It was a compelling, almost character-like presence—shifting and ever-changing, creating an atmosphere of tension. As Sadaré and Daesra venture deeper, Sadaré begins questioning everything she thought she knew, even whether the true monster is Daesra, the labyrinth, or herself. Unfortunately, despite the potential for high-stakes danger, the plot twists never quite landed, and I never felt the urgency that the story seemed to demand. This lack of emotional investment in the peril left the twists feeling underwhelming.
Despite its promising concept, Exquisite Ruin ultimately felt forgettable. The world-building and magic were interesting, but the characters didn’t fully engage me, and the outcome didn’t leave me feeling fulfilled. I found myself wishing for more development, particularly with Daesra, whose internal struggles were only briefly touched upon. With a deeper exploration of his pain and transformation, I think the connection to his character could have been much stronger. Sadaré also came across as a bit juvenile in her dialogue, which, while perhaps fitting for her circumstances, made it difficult for me to connect with her on a more mature level.
The plot did keep me engaged, and I appreciated the unexpected twists, but the overall experience didn’t quite live up to its potential. Exquisite Ruin has all the ingredients of a gripping fantasy, but its execution left me wanting more, especially when it came to character development and emotional depth.
I’m curious to see what more this author has to offer, but unfortunately, this book didn’t quite deliver the immersive experience I had hoped for.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review
Exquisite Ruin by AdriAnne May offers an intriguing premise that blends enemies-to-lovers romance, magical conflict, and a dark, mysterious setting. The story follows Sadaré, a sorceress with amnesia, and Daesra, a hooved-and-horned demon who despises her. Forced into close quarters in a constantly shifting maze, the two must rely on each other to survive while navigating betrayal, pain magic, and secrets from their pasts.
While the book promises a captivating fantasy adventure, I found it difficult to connect with the characters. Sadaré’s amnesia felt more like a plot device than a meaningful obstacle, and Daesra’s intense hatred toward her never evolved in a way that resonated emotionally. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic should have added depth to their relationship, but the betrayal between them lacked the emotional weight necessary for their eventual reconciliation to feel satisfying. While the characters were complex on paper, I never truly sympathized with them, which left me detached from their fates.
One element that stood out was the labyrinth itself. It was a compelling, almost character-like presence—shifting and ever-changing, creating an atmosphere of tension. As Sadaré and Daesra venture deeper, Sadaré begins questioning everything she thought she knew, even whether the true monster is Daesra, the labyrinth, or herself. Unfortunately, despite the potential for high-stakes danger, the plot twists never quite landed, and I never felt the urgency that the story seemed to demand. This lack of emotional investment in the peril left the twists feeling underwhelming.
Despite its promising concept, Exquisite Ruin ultimately felt forgettable. The world-building and magic were interesting, but the characters didn’t fully engage me, and the outcome didn’t leave me feeling fulfilled. I found myself wishing for more development, particularly with Daesra, whose internal struggles were only briefly touched upon. With a deeper exploration of his pain and transformation, I think the connection to his character could have been much stronger. Sadaré also came across as a bit juvenile in her dialogue, which, while perhaps fitting for her circumstances, made it difficult for me to connect with her on a more mature level.
The plot did keep me engaged, and I appreciated the unexpected twists, but the overall experience didn’t quite live up to its potential. Exquisite Ruin has all the ingredients of a gripping fantasy, but its execution left me wanting more, especially when it came to character development and emotional depth.
I’m curious to see what more this author has to offer, but unfortunately, this book didn’t quite deliver the immersive experience I had hoped for.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review