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A review by mahiyaa
The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
So, Ruin of Kings is absolutely fantastic, if you know what to expect. If you're looking for a huge fantasy saga with slow-paced, intense politics or pages upon pages of worldbuilding, look elsewhere. That's not to say that Ruin of Kings lacks in it—there are a large cast of characters, names, and family dynamics for you to keep track of, and personal histories aplenty—but that is not where the book shines.
Ruin of Kings does a fine job with weaving a world with its own histories, almost all of which go beyond the scope of our protagonist Khirin; giving the story a large sense of scale. But the book truly shines in its personality. The way it is written (the book itself is a compilation made by a certain character who puts their own quips in the footnotes) is quite unique—and the dialogues can be downright hilarious at times. Pair that with fast-paced, alternating narratives and a writing style that will keep you absolutely hooked from one chapter to the next, and you have a solid, addictive read that will entertain you to pieces, if nothing else.
TL;DR — Sure, the book has some nitpicks. But it is a hilarious, fast-paced read that you'll find super hard to put down. Just be aware, it's not a slow-paced, sprawling saga type of fantasy book, so if that's what you're looking for, go elsewhere! If not, strap in, give it a try! The way that it is written and the humor it carries is quite one-of-a-kind when it comes to the fantasy genre, so you are guaranteed a wild ride.
Ruin of Kings does a fine job with weaving a world with its own histories, almost all of which go beyond the scope of our protagonist Khirin; giving the story a large sense of scale. But the book truly shines in its personality. The way it is written (the book itself is a compilation made by a certain character who puts their own quips in the footnotes) is quite unique—and the dialogues can be downright hilarious at times. Pair that with fast-paced, alternating narratives and a writing style that will keep you absolutely hooked from one chapter to the next, and you have a solid, addictive read that will entertain you to pieces, if nothing else.
TL;DR — Sure, the book has some nitpicks. But it is a hilarious, fast-paced read that you'll find super hard to put down. Just be aware, it's not a slow-paced, sprawling saga type of fantasy book, so if that's what you're looking for, go elsewhere! If not, strap in, give it a try! The way that it is written and the humor it carries is quite one-of-a-kind when it comes to the fantasy genre, so you are guaranteed a wild ride.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault