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musgrovej's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
readfreak05's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
eliserose_vdb's review
3.0
Definitely not what I was expecting. I picked it up because the setting sounded interesting. It definitely delivered. I especially love how the author wove in elements of different fairy tales, mostly because they were so unexpected, but still managed to flow seamlessly with the plot.
I liked the mc, but I can’t remember her name (which is probably one of the main things I dislike about first person pov), so that’s awkward. She didn’t annoy me at all, and got pretty dang cool there at the end. Confidence is hot, people, you don’t have to go over the top and make characters rude to prove it, as shown here.
The supporting cast was great, too. I really enjoyed how different characters changed over the course of the book, usually in ways I wouldn’t have predicted. The friends-to-enemies and enemies-to-friends game was no joke.
THERE WAS AN ALL GIRL GANG FOR A MINUTE!! We stan hardcore. All it takes is getting the love-interest kidnapped… let’s do this more often.
Speaking of which, thank goodness the romance was a slow burn. I don’t think I could have stood for another insta-love, especially since I’m barely recovering from the last two. (*gag*) But Mercer (unfortunately, a woefully unappealing name) was lots of fun. There was even some sarcastic banter!
The writing teetered somewhere around vividly descriptive, eye-roll cheesy, and confusing. At some parts, I couldn’t get over a gorgeous sentence; at others, I was so confused by an oddly phrased description or use of a synonym that it completely jerked me out of my flow. In general though, I really appreciated the unique word-choice and interesting details.
It was fast paced and felt like it knew where it was going, which was a relief after “Graceling.” A solid climax with a resolution that was a little funky. The mc ended up with a sort of villain vibe, which—considering her role in a lot of the fairy tale elements—felt like an actualization and was probably my favorite thing about the book.
The overall impression is a respectable filler, with reasonable characters and a notable magic system.
I liked the mc, but I can’t remember her name (which is probably one of the main things I dislike about first person pov), so that’s awkward. She didn’t annoy me at all, and got pretty dang cool there at the end. Confidence is hot, people, you don’t have to go over the top and make characters rude to prove it, as shown here.
The supporting cast was great, too. I really enjoyed how different characters changed over the course of the book, usually in ways I wouldn’t have predicted. The friends-to-enemies and enemies-to-friends game was no joke.
THERE WAS AN ALL GIRL GANG FOR A MINUTE!! We stan hardcore. All it takes is getting the love-interest kidnapped… let’s do this more often.
Speaking of which, thank goodness the romance was a slow burn. I don’t think I could have stood for another insta-love, especially since I’m barely recovering from the last two. (*gag*) But Mercer (unfortunately, a woefully unappealing name) was lots of fun. There was even some sarcastic banter!
The writing teetered somewhere around vividly descriptive, eye-roll cheesy, and confusing. At some parts, I couldn’t get over a gorgeous sentence; at others, I was so confused by an oddly phrased description or use of a synonym that it completely jerked me out of my flow. In general though, I really appreciated the unique word-choice and interesting details.
It was fast paced and felt like it knew where it was going, which was a relief after “Graceling.” A solid climax with a resolution that was a little funky. The mc ended up with a sort of villain vibe, which—considering her role in a lot of the fairy tale elements—felt like an actualization and was probably my favorite thing about the book.
The overall impression is a respectable filler, with reasonable characters and a notable magic system.
misswinchester84's review
5.0
Love the world of Nissera! Like how the fairytale is interwoven into the story. More surprising connections and revelations in this book makes the reader instapton for the next book. I fell in love with the world West created and can't wait what she has in store next.
utopiastateofmind's review
4.0
(Disclaimer: I received this free book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
What I loved about Realm of Ruins is that it looks about the cost of ambitions and the price of the rules when they are broken. It's almost like a mixture of Beauty and the Beast with The Little Mermaid and more! It feels like this blending of stories you know, but always with a new twist, a different option - another ending. One of the things I adore about this book is that it celebrates the idea that we cannot pretend to be someone we aren't. Valory struggles with her power and taming it, but what it she were to let it go?
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/blog-tour-realm-of-ruins-by-hannah-west-giveaway/
What I loved about Realm of Ruins is that it looks about the cost of ambitions and the price of the rules when they are broken. It's almost like a mixture of Beauty and the Beast with The Little Mermaid and more! It feels like this blending of stories you know, but always with a new twist, a different option - another ending. One of the things I adore about this book is that it celebrates the idea that we cannot pretend to be someone we aren't. Valory struggles with her power and taming it, but what it she were to let it go?
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/blog-tour-realm-of-ruins-by-hannah-west-giveaway/
megant713's review
4.0
This was a fun read! Great YA fantasy with elements from several classic stories woven into the plot. Highly recommend if you're looking for some familiar elements in a modern fantasy story.
sofsloth's review
4.0
i feel like i can’t rate this book accurately because i had a massive reading slump while i was reading it. my teachers are realizing we have 3 weeks left of school i guess.
but when i finally did get around to finishing it, i thought the story and the characters were interesting and the ending was so satisfying. also the plot twist had me SHOOKETH. not gonna spoil it but there’s a reveal near the end that was actually insane.
some of the issues i had with koab were resolved in this as there was (one) same sex couple. (progress, right?)
diversity aside, this was a bomb book and if you like fantasy, definitely give kingdom of ash and briars (the first book) a try.
but when i finally did get around to finishing it, i thought the story and the characters were interesting and the ending was so satisfying. also the plot twist had me SHOOKETH. not gonna spoil it but there’s a reveal near the end that was actually insane.
some of the issues i had with koab were resolved in this as there was (one) same sex couple. (progress, right?)
diversity aside, this was a bomb book and if you like fantasy, definitely give kingdom of ash and briars (the first book) a try.
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