kfriend's review
5.0
OH MY HEART. How does Amo Jones so perfectly marry the dark and twisted with the sweet intensity of unconditional love? No one quite writes it quite like she does, and in her most lauded series with her most iconic pairing, she delivers an astounding heartbreaking and heart healing finale for a world that has mesmerized me for so long. Ruined Castles is an impassioned, revelatory, and bittersweet swan song to the EKC dark magic, but most importantly, for the infamous MADSHIP. And it was so much more than the closure I needed. It was an emotionally chaotic and cathartic emotional gauntlet, and I am all in my Madship loving feelings.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but Amo intensified my love for them both, while also helping me see them in a whole new light. Understanding decisions and choices, and narratively, Amo brilliantly structures the story in a way that ensures we see their world from both of their eyes. But even then, Amo guts us over and over- because even when we know what’s coming, it somehow hurts even more when we experience their pain. There is so much to discover, and it’s an Amo story, after all, so buckle up!
Theirs is a love that has been tinged with heartbreak and suffering from the very beginning. They’ve basically reinvented drama, with Amo creating her own reshaping her own breed of tormented dark angst. They’ve ruined each other and their love time and time over with their toxicity and mind games- but their chemistry and love never wanes, never falters. And in Ruined Castles we get to watch them break and heal, often all at once. But that’s what I love most about this world, and Amo’s writing- she marries the dark, twisted, and traumatic with the optimism of soulmate and familial love. She creates stories where trauma and pain become a source of strength and power- one that catalyzes healing. And Madship certainly had the longest journey to take, but what a rewarding and rich one. And the HEA they get, wow, I tear up just marveling in the beauty of it. Simply perfect.
Ruined Castles wasn’t the finale expected, but it was the finale Madship deserved. And i found myself emotional more than once, squeezed by the heartbreak and touched by their emotional resolve. I’m so thankful Amo announced the second generation stories to come, because I’m not ready to say goodbye to my favorite Amo Jones world.
EDITTED TO ADD: Some fans may not like what Madship endures and how they're story plays out. Is this what I wanted for them to experience? Well, no. But this isn't an epilogue- it's a finale, so while I hurt for the things that happened, I also can't deny it's befitting this couple- the seemingly unnecessary ways they are harmed, and also how they harm each other, is what MADSHIp is all about. Theirs is a love story about what love (or their version of it) can endure- so Amo tests them. And us. Just know, parts of this story are hard, really hard.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but Amo intensified my love for them both, while also helping me see them in a whole new light. Understanding decisions and choices, and narratively, Amo brilliantly structures the story in a way that ensures we see their world from both of their eyes. But even then, Amo guts us over and over- because even when we know what’s coming, it somehow hurts even more when we experience their pain. There is so much to discover, and it’s an Amo story, after all, so buckle up!
Theirs is a love that has been tinged with heartbreak and suffering from the very beginning. They’ve basically reinvented drama, with Amo creating her own reshaping her own breed of tormented dark angst. They’ve ruined each other and their love time and time over with their toxicity and mind games- but their chemistry and love never wanes, never falters. And in Ruined Castles we get to watch them break and heal, often all at once. But that’s what I love most about this world, and Amo’s writing- she marries the dark, twisted, and traumatic with the optimism of soulmate and familial love. She creates stories where trauma and pain become a source of strength and power- one that catalyzes healing. And Madship certainly had the longest journey to take, but what a rewarding and rich one. And the HEA they get, wow, I tear up just marveling in the beauty of it. Simply perfect.
Ruined Castles wasn’t the finale expected, but it was the finale Madship deserved. And i found myself emotional more than once, squeezed by the heartbreak and touched by their emotional resolve. I’m so thankful Amo announced the second generation stories to come, because I’m not ready to say goodbye to my favorite Amo Jones world.
EDITTED TO ADD: Some fans may not like what Madship endures and how they're story plays out. Is this what I wanted for them to experience? Well, no. But this isn't an epilogue- it's a finale, so while I hurt for the things that happened, I also can't deny it's befitting this couple- the seemingly unnecessary ways they are harmed, and also how they harm each other, is what MADSHIp is all about. Theirs is a love story about what love (or their version of it) can endure- so Amo tests them. And us. Just know, parts of this story are hard, really hard.
dellyreads's review
5.0
The hardest goodbye
How can you say goodbye to a world and to characters who gave you so much, who took you on the craziest rides, who broke your heart countless time but always managed to piece it back together, who brought you so much love, laughter, tears and anger but you wouldnt change a single thing... well its an impossible goodbye and a goodbye you will never forget... jesus i legit feel like im writing an f'ing eulogy here lol!
Madship... the love i have for this couple is undeniable and everlasting! They have had to overcome some of the hardest things, they made you as mad at them as they were with each other, they had some of the most toxic moments but never absolutely never could you question their love for one another!
This book honestly broke me ive never cried so much and so hard before there was times it felt like Amo was just ripping my heart out of my chest but the queen does that with her writing. You feel every emotion, every moment, every word!
There was a moment with madison and a decision she was about to make (if you read it you will know the one im on about) i swear i could feel my heart stop! I cried so hard with hearbreak, fear and pain for madison.
Bishop there was times i felt like throwing my kindle across the room because i was so mad at him but you just cant stay mad at him cause deep down Bishop motherf*king Hayes is a god with a gentle, loyal side of his heart.
Madship has some of the hottest moments through this series but the hotel room.... hot damn!! And once again Amo makes you question your morals, makes you question if your right in the head because shes out here surprising you with what you are suddenly finding attractive lol!
Amo thank you for giving us the world of The Elite Kings, you took you on the wildest journey with this series and i wholeheartedly enjoyed every single minute and it will hold a very special place in my heart forever! You're writing never fails to amaze me!
Here's to the next generation and the wild ride we are in for with that series.
How can you say goodbye to a world and to characters who gave you so much, who took you on the craziest rides, who broke your heart countless time but always managed to piece it back together, who brought you so much love, laughter, tears and anger but you wouldnt change a single thing... well its an impossible goodbye and a goodbye you will never forget... jesus i legit feel like im writing an f'ing eulogy here lol!
Madship... the love i have for this couple is undeniable and everlasting! They have had to overcome some of the hardest things, they made you as mad at them as they were with each other, they had some of the most toxic moments but never absolutely never could you question their love for one another!
This book honestly broke me ive never cried so much and so hard before there was times it felt like Amo was just ripping my heart out of my chest but the queen does that with her writing. You feel every emotion, every moment, every word!
There was a moment with madison and a decision she was about to make (if you read it you will know the one im on about) i swear i could feel my heart stop! I cried so hard with hearbreak, fear and pain for madison.
Bishop there was times i felt like throwing my kindle across the room because i was so mad at him but you just cant stay mad at him cause deep down Bishop motherf*king Hayes is a god with a gentle, loyal side of his heart.
Madship has some of the hottest moments through this series but the hotel room.... hot damn!! And once again Amo makes you question your morals, makes you question if your right in the head because shes out here surprising you with what you are suddenly finding attractive lol!
Amo thank you for giving us the world of The Elite Kings, you took you on the wildest journey with this series and i wholeheartedly enjoyed every single minute and it will hold a very special place in my heart forever! You're writing never fails to amaze me!
Here's to the next generation and the wild ride we are in for with that series.
kodom251999's review against another edition
5.0
This was a wild ride! I loved it, and hated it. We got inside Madison’s head, and it was tough to read. The thing is… I cried, and laughed. Seeing them all grow up, and knowing the next generation is coming??? Perfect. I didn’t want it to end.
ledamerouge's review against another edition
madship invented toxic but somehow im here for it
can't wait for the next generation of kings
can't wait for the next generation of kings
smootsloot's review
5.0
Happy ever after?
I loved how this series wrapped up! It was a journey but it was so dang good! Can't wait for the next installment!
I loved how this series wrapped up! It was a journey but it was so dang good! Can't wait for the next installment!
carina_cristino's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
gretareadsromance's review
5.0
I sat down tonight to start this book and through all the feels finished it in one sitting.
The details about Madship in this book tied everything up in a beautiful skull covered bow and it’s a story we needed. Just like people in real life you never know what lurks behind their smiles. This book tells all the dirty secrets (some of which are completely heartbreaking) and will leave you with your emotions all over the place.
I’m happy to know what happened and even though the road to get there was filled with a crazy trail the ending was perfection.
The details about Madship in this book tied everything up in a beautiful skull covered bow and it’s a story we needed. Just like people in real life you never know what lurks behind their smiles. This book tells all the dirty secrets (some of which are completely heartbreaking) and will leave you with your emotions all over the place.
I’m happy to know what happened and even though the road to get there was filled with a crazy trail the ending was perfection.