Reviews

The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons

_bird_'s review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

It took me being maybe 10 pages into the book to realize I had read this before. A few years ago at least. I believe the sequel wasn’t readily available so after I finished it, I moved on to something different. Nevertheless, here I am. Great world building, character development and storyline. Can’t wait to start the second book. 

cbair's review against another edition

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2.0

This was truly tough to finish, and the only reason I did was so I could count it for a book event. I listened to all 28(?) hours and this audiobook was so hard to follow. Maybe it’s easier to read, but even after finishing it I still don’t really understand what the plot of the story was, and couldn’t really give spoilers even if you wanted them.
It kept flipping back and forth between past and present (I think) and I learned about 75% of the way through that it was actually 2 of the characters who were telling the story? This was not clear at all. Some parts were intriguing but it felt more like a compilation of smaller stories all somehow strung together into an overarching, not very good one.
Definitely has potential, but sadly i would not recommend.

iforgotilivedhere's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

My sibling is currently reading the ACOTAR series and that’s one of my least favorite series, so I thought that since they are going through that torture, I should read one of their least favorite books.
But surprisingly, I actually really enjoyed this book. Now, by no means is this book good. The term “mind rape” is used too much, there’s a lot of incest, and some very dumb things that happen in this book, but I absolutely loved the main character, Kihrin, especially his angst with Teraeth. I don’t much care about Janel, but I will read her book shortly so, I can’t have much of an opinion on her yet. 
My main problem with this book was how often rape is used. I did like that we didn’t just let Talon go on what she did to Kihrin. There were actual parts where we saw that Kihrin did feel grief and pain from the traumas that the D’Mons put him through and I liked that! I would like some more queer rep tho, but I know there’s gonna be more. 
I absolutely love Thurvishar. That man is amazing. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

atomecko's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

katsbooks__'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

darkskybooks's review

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4.0

Epic, multibook fantasy seems a lot less common these days, but Jenn Lyon's A Chorus of Dragons is an intriguing new entry into this niche subgenre. The Ruin of Kings is an impressive setup. Told through two narrators of questionable reliability an impressive amount of world building and character development is achieved. We have some dubious prophecy, gods walking around as men and a deep history of conflict and conquest across multiple species. There is plenty to keep a fantasy nut interested!

Even though we have two narrators, the story follows a single character (one of the narrators) and is told from their perspective or from the jailor's perspective in alternating chapters, with their story tending to be more current compared to the jailor's telling of the older parts of their history. With roots in both the criminal underworld and the ruling upper classes we have an insight into all parts of the society we are witness to.

This was a fun read - plenty of swashbuckling action, myth building and general epicness. Whilst it falls into a few tropes in places, these do not feel to tired and the general sense of story is carried impressively through the alternating story telling. The voice of the narrators is clear enough too.

An impressive start to what is slated to be a 5 book arc. I look forward to seeing where this one goes!

leathor's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious medium-paced

4.25

honnomushi13's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

I have no idea what is going on but having fun with the chaos

radiatorpasta's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense slow-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

5.0

ssssooo complicated but also the most moreish book i have read in ages. love the diversity and the richly detailed characters. love the capital f Fantasy of it and the horrific elements
singers the Old Man keeps especially
. so good!! so rewarding!! if the 2nd book is shit i will scream

advertfor's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5