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A review by cait_wms_reads
Exquisite Ruin by AdriAnne May
4.0
I first noticed this book because of the cover. Something about it just caught my eye and I wanted to know more! Immediately the opening line captured me and I knew I was going to like this author. The depth of the world and the richness of the descriptions really created a movie in my mind, allowing me to fall into the story even more. I loved the idea of the maze, and that the maze itself was sentient, a character all its own.
As for character's, I really loved that we were trying to figure out the main character the same as she was if you will. The idea of a lost memory, and having those little snippets flitter just outside your reach is so relatable, but now imagine traversing a maze with no memory of how you got there AND with someone that clearly is NOT a fan of you. Chaos would surely ensue, which it does, and the banter of the two MCs is "chef's kiss". The tension is juuuust right and the payoff for said tension is 10/10. Also, the sidekick was something I didn't know I needed!
As for the story, it's lush and moves at just the right pace. I did NOT see the plot twist coming and sort of just had to sit there for a second when I realized what was happening. I thoroughly enjoyed being made to sit down and revisit everything I had just read, to see now what I didn't know then. I enjoyed the ending, and that there COULD be more, but was happy with the way things worked out!
Thank you to the team at Gallery Books and AdriAnne May for the e-ARC via Net Galley!
As for character's, I really loved that we were trying to figure out the main character the same as she was if you will. The idea of a lost memory, and having those little snippets flitter just outside your reach is so relatable, but now imagine traversing a maze with no memory of how you got there AND with someone that clearly is NOT a fan of you. Chaos would surely ensue, which it does, and the banter of the two MCs is "chef's kiss". The tension is juuuust right and the payoff for said tension is 10/10. Also, the sidekick was something I didn't know I needed!
As for the story, it's lush and moves at just the right pace. I did NOT see the plot twist coming and sort of just had to sit there for a second when I realized what was happening. I thoroughly enjoyed being made to sit down and revisit everything I had just read, to see now what I didn't know then. I enjoyed the ending, and that there COULD be more, but was happy with the way things worked out!
Thank you to the team at Gallery Books and AdriAnne May for the e-ARC via Net Galley!