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A review by jennalabollita
Exquisite Ruin by AdriAnne May
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!!
Overall this was a unique and detailed story! Daesre, a demigod turned daemon, and Sadare, a mortal witch, find themselves in a precarious situation involving a maze. As the story progresses, we learn much more about them both and how intertwined they are.
Personally, I felt as though there wasn't a lot of depth in the story or the characters. The story felt a bit forced and unorganized, and just didn't *grab* me. I did read it all - it's a good story, but the dialogue bounces back and forth between being more modern versus an older style.
<SPOILER>
I also wasn't a huge fan of Sadare's connection to the aether being related to pain. Self-inflicted injuries are hard to read, especially for those who have a history of self-harm. This was a pretty poignant part of the book, and while I understand the context within the story, the descriptions did pull me out of the story quite a bit.
Overall this was a unique and detailed story! Daesre, a demigod turned daemon, and Sadare, a mortal witch, find themselves in a precarious situation involving a maze. As the story progresses, we learn much more about them both and how intertwined they are.
Personally, I felt as though there wasn't a lot of depth in the story or the characters. The story felt a bit forced and unorganized, and just didn't *grab* me. I did read it all - it's a good story, but the dialogue bounces back and forth between being more modern versus an older style.
<SPOILER>
I also wasn't a huge fan of Sadare's connection to the aether being related to pain. Self-inflicted injuries are hard to read, especially for those who have a history of self-harm. This was a pretty poignant part of the book, and while I understand the context within the story, the descriptions did pull me out of the story quite a bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail