Scan barcode
A review by anyacrittenton
Ruinsong by Julia Ember
2.0
I enjoyed this book, especially as a Phantom retelling, but it definitely starts stronger than it finishes and it has some serious pacing issues in the middle.
I loved the world of this book and really want to learn more about it, which is why I'm not mad that the book finished by hinting at a sequel. Remi and Cadence were both wonderful protagonists and Ember's writing helped me realize I don't hate first-person POV on principle, I just hate how most authors employ it. But I didn't mind the first-person POV of this book at all, even switching between our two leads. Elene was a little thin as a character and villain, however. A lot of the book felt thin and underdeveloped, but I'm hoping that can be fixed in a sequel if there is one.
As a queer Phantom retelling, I was fairly happy, but I hope if there is a sequel, that the pacing is fixed and it doesn't drag as much as the middle/end of this book did. Also, this book has a VERY abrupt ending, which I didn't love.
I loved the world of this book and really want to learn more about it, which is why I'm not mad that the book finished by hinting at a sequel. Remi and Cadence were both wonderful protagonists and Ember's writing helped me realize I don't hate first-person POV on principle, I just hate how most authors employ it. But I didn't mind the first-person POV of this book at all, even switching between our two leads. Elene was a little thin as a character and villain, however. A lot of the book felt thin and underdeveloped, but I'm hoping that can be fixed in a sequel if there is one.
As a queer Phantom retelling, I was fairly happy, but I hope if there is a sequel, that the pacing is fixed and it doesn't drag as much as the middle/end of this book did. Also, this book has a VERY abrupt ending, which I didn't love.