Reviews with content warning for Gore - Fall of Ruin and Wrath

Reviews tagging 'Gore'

Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout

14 reviews

birbpal's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 Stars

I am confused to the point that my brain feels as though it has melted through my ears. I am either incredibly stupid, or I have no idea what was happening for the majority of the book.😖🤷‍♀️

For a good chunk of the story, it was endless exposition that made little to no sense along with sexy times between Lis and Thorne. I was hooked at the beginning of the book, but the middle dragged on and on; simultaneously making little sense but also info dumping??

The last 20% of the book hooked me again. Finally, there was action! And some questions were answered! But wait, those answers only made me more confused, so yeah, I don't know what to think lol.😅

Someone else described this book perfectly: Fall of Ruin and Wrath read more like a prequel than an actual fully-formed book. Nevertheless, I am somewhat hooked, so I will be reading the next book. Depending on how I like it, I might change this review. For now, I will keep it at 3.5. 🐥💕

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chelbawamba's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

2.75

This was fine. Much less involved than From Blood and Ash, but there were plot similarities between the two. Writing was slightly better than JLA’s recent additions to her other series, but still suffered greatly from repetitive phrasing.

Also an interesting choice by the author to borrow terms and characteristics from another, much more popular series.

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rasha_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.0

Since being introduced to the ‘romantasy’ genre by reading the ACOTAR series (which I loved) and the Empyrean (to which I am enthralled) I decided to give Jennifer Armentrout a try.

I wish I could say that I was transported to another world that I didn’t want to leave, but that it would only be partially true. This is the first of a new duology/trilogy/series that has potential but it has gotten off to a somewhat stilted start. The world she creates is somewhat hazy and undefined and her characters have trouble hitting their stride. It does get more interesting and clearer but it takes the author most of the book to get there. And just as it starts to get interesting, it ends. GRRRR!!! 🤬

Despite the above points, I would not be adverse to returning to this world because despite a slow start, one thing that Armentrout knows how to write is escapist, steamy scenes that will have reaching for ice water.

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izzyproudfoot's review against another edition

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adventurous dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Warnings** this is not spicy it's filthy smut so do not pick up to read unless you're prepared for that type of story.

I haven't read any of JLA newer stuff, I read the Aplloyon one years ago and recently re read the first. My library got a copy of this, after wanting to read her newer stuff but not wanting to spend a fortune on them I picked it up.

This was not what I was expecting. It's incredibly smutty to the point where is pornographic. We can even have dinner without something smut happening.

The plot itself wasn't a unique one. It reminded me of PC Cast, there were creatures made from clay and brought to life and some creatures made me think of that. The other creatures were just new names on similar things already in other books. A normal not too attractive girl, is an orphan, is oh so interesting is obviously super special but of course she's too stupid to realise until the end pages. The man, so amazing, so gorgeous, so tall, and strong and gifted and just the thing every woman and man wants. Obviously they're going to get together. What a surprise they're mated or fated or whatever spin you put on it.
So yeah, unoriginal plot smothered in smut. I didn't mind the writing so much and there was an actual plot there unlike other super smut books so it gets points for that. I didn't hate the characters another point. It was actually an enjoyable read. I would read the next one when it's out.

There is also a whole lot of graphic violence/gore and also torture so don't read if that's a problem for you.

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deedireads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

TL;DR REVIEW

Unfortunately, Fall of Ruin and Wrath was a bit of a miss for me. I didn’t dislike it enough to DNF, but I probably will not be continuing with the series.

For you if: You have enjoyed JLA’s previous books (otherwise I don’t recommend).

FULL REVIEW

I was extremely excited by the prospect of the first book published by Bramble, Tor’s new romance imprint. Unfortunately, this one was a bit of a miss for me. I didn’t dislike it enough to DNF, but I probably will not be continuing with the series.

The main character of the book is a young woman named Calista, paramour (slash courtesan, kind of) to a Baron who’s kind enough. She has a unique ability to read a person’s thoughts and future by touching them. She and her best friend grew up on the streets, so she’s not complaining about their comfortable position. Then her encounter (actually, re-encounter from childhood) with a Hybhorn (read: angel) prince disrupts it all.

Like I said, I didn’t hate this enough to DNF; I could see the potential of a strong ending to make my complaints worth it, and I was having fun enough. Unfortunately, such an ending didn’t materialize, so I walked away with three main issues.

First, consent in this novel is EXTREMELY questionable. JLA tries to address the question head-on and make it clear that Calista is willing, but…is she??? It’s uncomfortable at least.
Second, I couldn’t keep any of the worldbuilding details straight in my head. I kept forgetting all the different ranks and types of magical races, etc. I read a LOT of high fantasy and am pretty darn good at this; it was a book problem, not a me problem.
Finally, I love spice as much as the next romantasy reader, but this is not really about romance, it’s just about sex (she uses the word “f*cking” every time). There is a lot of it (in public, no less), which is fine, but it got repetitive. And yet somehow it’s also a slow burn? The raunchiness completely overshadowed the worldbuilding and the plot (even the romance plot).

At the end of th day, I was surprised by all the 4- and 5-star reviews on Goodreads, but then I realized all the high reviews were from her existing fans, and everyone else felt similar to me. (I guess that means, at least, if you’re already a JLA fan, chances are good you’ll like this book!) A bummer, but on to the next one.

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purplepenning's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

2.25

I haven't read any other books by Armentrout but picked this one up because it's the first in Tor's new romance imprint, Bramble. I read pretty widely, including fantasy and romance, and I can see why readers are drawn to "romantasy" in general and to Armentrout and this book in particular. I can also see why reviews here vary so much — amusingly, with the same things being both *loved* by some and *hated* by others (the writing style, the dialogue, the main characters, the chemistry, the side characters, the steamy/spicy content, the world building, the ending). Readers bring a lot of previous experiences and expectation with them to their reading, but perhaps trope-heavy fantasy and romance taps into that most of all. A key phrase ("who hurt you?") or characteristic can tap right into an established set of feelings and expectations and can do a lot of heavy lifting as far as characterization goes. But that's a ramble for another time...

"Good and evil are real. They always have been. Yet the weight of the realm has always fallen on those in-between. Ones neither good nor bad."

My experience with A Fall of Ruin and Wrath is that it's like the beginning of a Sarah J Maas story written by Katee Roberts. It leans into the theme of "morally gray" like it was the assignment and plays with the push-pull of "fated mates" and "star-crossed lovers" in a way that could get interesting if a lazy "chosen one" trope doesn't get in the way.

Parts of it were kind of a mess for me — sometimes in ways I didn't mind and sometimes in ways that I did. The world seems like standard high fantasy at first but then it's also sort of post-apocalyptic and maybe less fae and more seraphs and demons? I don't need the world building to be completely nailed down in the first book in a series so I wasn't too fussed about this. If anything makes me pick up book two it'll be wanting to figure out this fantasy world and system. I mean I did not have

moral rot, climate disaster, and divine intervention

on my bingo card for what created this world, but I'm kind of here for it. I also didn't expect our vaguely angel-y immortal prince to come from

some Uruk Hai-style underground creation process

and I might be less here for that. Our female main character is gifted with insight, foresight, and intuition but hasn't learned to control her mouth or expressions and doesn't use her gifts for much of anything, including advancing the plot. There does seem to be some self-awareness about that eventually, but there's also a realization that she has some

intuitive, unearned ability to fight, which... sigh

. The story is drenched in public, partner-sharing sex and the premise of a powerful species of overlords and personal partner who "feeds on pleasure" but much of it feels like set dressing and lacks connection. And for all the sex positivity, casual queerness, and bisexuality rep, it still seems to be mostly / entirely women who are draped on laps, played with in public, sent to service visiting nobility, etc. in a system of class and power differential that makes it all pretty sexist and sketch.

I mean how is a baron expected to have a diplomatic meeting with a powerful visiting prince WITHOUT feeling up and fingering his trusted spy/companion/rescued orphan in front of said prince and then sending her over to him to finish so the diplomacy can be punctuated with her orgasm? It's okay — she has a *choice.*

Our male main character is entirely logical, taciturn, always gets what he wants, and is never wrong but finds himself

staked down and tortured in a barn

and wants the FMC with no logical reason for it and blabs a whole lot of seemingly sensitive and personal information to her almost immediately.

(Information about what can be done with all of his parts, yes, all of them — and his fluids — if they are harvested from him. I know there's been a lot of blood loss at this point and you're busy regrowing eyes and such, but, sir — kept your secret semen info to yourself!)

Anyway... a lot of the character building felt muddled and a lot of the "steamy scenes" felt disconnected and kind of cringe — like they were included because auction winners won the right to have their personal fantasies written into the book.

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anoelle896's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Thank you to Black Crow PR for sending a copy my way and including me in the Book Tour. All opinions remain my own.

This was my first Jennifer L. Armentrout novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I found the pacing to be great, with a focus on drawing our anticipation and action, never verging on being boring, whilst simultaneously not being overwhelming in content.

To accompany and complement the pacing, I appreciated the chapters being concise and manageable. It added to the desire of the every famous reader phrase of 'just one more chapter'.

I found the characters to be intriguing (especially our MFC) & I quickly grew ever more curious about these highborn lords particularly wanting to know what kind of immortal being they were. Would they fall more under the fae type being or a sort of energy vampire? I feel like this could have been called My Hyhborn lord, but not sure that would have been as catching a title for me.
I thought the lure of the deminyens was pretty cool with the idea of them radiating desire and their origin story was interesting too.

I would have loved to explore deeper the relationship between Lis and Grady. I was shown how their bond was so tight in the childhood but I don't think it was carried as strongly into adulthood enough in example. I would have also have loved to see more expansion between Lis and Naomi.

The romance was super spicy and I was blushing, let me tell you. I think that was one of my favourite parts about the book. It was definitely more romance than fantasy, but there was definitely more than enough magic and fantasy themed political intrigue to not fall too far behind the steamy scenes.

I cannot wait to see where book 2 takes Lis.

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alisswift's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

1.0

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kayanoelle'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? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I love this book!!
Calista is a great protagonist! She asks the right amount of questions (*cough* Poppy) and I feel like her character is very realistic. She’s brave and sometimes even bold when her intuition tells her to be but she has a sense of self-preservation, too (which I loved).
Thorne as a love interest is… something. I LOVE him. At the beginning, I was a little put off by his bluntness and how he just decided things but after finding out how other Hyhborn behave, he seemed mellow in comparison lol. Anyway, I enjoyed how he actually listened to Calista and tried to respect her wishes after she explained why it’s so important to her. And I genuinely just love men who simp for their love interests👀

The story was perfectly balanced in my opinion, it was heavy on the romance especially in the middle (which I liked though) whereas the beginning explored the characters & world and the last third focused on the plot. Also, we didn’t get a lot of info dumping concerning the world building which is something that bothers me in FBAA, especially the Crown of Gilded Bones and the War of Two Queens. Instead, it was incorporated into the story in a way that made it seem natural but we still get all of the information we need in order to understand the world.
I also feel like the world building isn’t too complex and there’s things that are revealed throughout the book or still unclear at the end (in a good way).

I liked the writing style, it was very easy to read and had a flow to it that made it hard to stop. I also noticed that there weren’t any typos as opposed to some of her other novels, so that’s an improvement.
Every scene that JLA included felt necessary and that also added to the flow of the story. None of the conversations or scenes were too long or seemed forced which made this really fun and I was never bored while reading. We got the perfect amount of information about the characters, their relationships and the world while simultaneously leaving enough room to elaborate in the sequel.
One minor thing that bothered me was that I found two inconsistencies within the storytelling.

1) At the beginning of one chapter, Lis said that several weeks had passed since she saw Thorne in the garden but then when she went to see Claude, she referred back to his “earlier outburst” which to me sounded like the outburst happened on the same day (because why would she still be referencing it as “earlier” if it had been several weeks ago?)

2) When Thorne asked Lis to sleep in his bed, she said that she’d only ever shared a bed with Grady but later in the story (when she was looking for Claude in his chambers before the attack) she talked about a memory of hers in that chamber where she woke up with Claude and they had breakfast in bed??

Apart from that, I loved this book and I can’t wait for the second one! I wouldn’t say the ending was a terrible cliffhanger but I wouldn’t mind having the next book in my hands right now:)

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