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adrierising 's review for:
A Kingdom of Ruin
by K.F. Breene
Was it entertaining?
I feel like KF Breene books are entertaining by definition. Every one I’ve read has been a thoroughly wild ride and this was no exception. Far more drama and action than the last one, but it’s perfect. I’m not usually a fan of repeated torture in my fantasy romances but it works. I won’t say it was necessary because Finley absolutely had plenty of suffering before this but it works. I also very much appreciate that Hadriel and Leala (and the other castle staff) weren’t relegated to idle handwringing, screams of terror, and running away. And while I absolutely abhor an angsty cliffhanger, I feel a little bit unhinged at the prospect of waiting months for the next book so well done. 5/5
Was it enjoyable?
Definitely more than the last one. I know what I’m signing up for when I read an adult fantasy romance — especially one with shifters — but the sex scenes felt a little gratuitous in the last book. I like a good, strategic rage fuck as much as the next person but they’re not really an effective plot device when they’re in every chapter. And obviously the MCs were separated for most of this book, but in an erotic romance, sex should function to further the plot. It was 100x more well done in this one. There are a lot of loose threads left in this one (Hadriel, Hannon, Dolion, Ami, Micah, the fae, etc) but I don’t feel like I was cheated with this one.
Maybe nitpicky but it did feel a little rambling at the end. I know the existential crisis about wings and “do I deserve her/him” is part of the crucial character development but it started to feel gratuitous in the last few chapters. But even though it took some doing and my eyes definitely started to cross, I didn’t skim through any of it. I even went back and re-read parts to make sure I understood everything. The scene where Hadriel sees the blue dragon overhead and the foreshadowing about his wolf come to mind. Again, I feel slightly breathless about the next one. 4.5/5
Was it well-written?
No notes. 5/5
Overall: Release the next book. 4.8/5 stars
I feel like KF Breene books are entertaining by definition. Every one I’ve read has been a thoroughly wild ride and this was no exception. Far more drama and action than the last one, but it’s perfect. I’m not usually a fan of repeated torture in my fantasy romances but it works. I won’t say it was necessary because Finley absolutely had plenty of suffering before this but it works. I also very much appreciate that Hadriel and Leala (and the other castle staff) weren’t relegated to idle handwringing, screams of terror, and running away. And while I absolutely abhor an angsty cliffhanger, I feel a little bit unhinged at the prospect of waiting months for the next book so well done. 5/5
Was it enjoyable?
Definitely more than the last one. I know what I’m signing up for when I read an adult fantasy romance — especially one with shifters — but the sex scenes felt a little gratuitous in the last book. I like a good, strategic rage fuck as much as the next person but they’re not really an effective plot device when they’re in every chapter. And obviously the MCs were separated for most of this book, but in an erotic romance, sex should function to further the plot. It was 100x more well done in this one. There are a lot of loose threads left in this one (Hadriel, Hannon, Dolion, Ami, Micah, the fae, etc) but I don’t feel like I was cheated with this one.
Maybe nitpicky but it did feel a little rambling at the end. I know the existential crisis about wings and “do I deserve her/him” is part of the crucial character development but it started to feel gratuitous in the last few chapters. But even though it took some doing and my eyes definitely started to cross, I didn’t skim through any of it. I even went back and re-read parts to make sure I understood everything. The scene where Hadriel sees the blue dragon overhead and the foreshadowing about his wolf come to mind. Again, I feel slightly breathless about the next one. 4.5/5
Was it well-written?
No notes. 5/5
Overall: Release the next book. 4.8/5 stars