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hilary89's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
God, this series has me in a chokehold. I didn't find this first book in the Duke's trilogy to be any darker than the Lord's books, but it definitely had a lot more in the way of political intrigue and worldbuilding. Though I did find it harder to read about Lavinia's circumstances in comparison to Story's as Lavinia has be stripped of any and all agency and is at the complete mercy of the men around her. Considering what she's gone through, I can anticipate a revenge arc in the future and am looking forward to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Blood, and Gaslighting
Minor: Drug use, Sexism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Classism
readsbykirby's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
**Review of *Dukes of Ruin* by Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue**
Holy mother of WTF did I just read?! *Dukes of Ruin* is an electrifying plunge into a world where dark secrets, complex characters, and twisted relationships reign supreme. This gripping tale introduces us to the Bruins: Pretty Nick, the narcissistic and obsessive brother; Simon, the adorably awkward “horny virgin” with a unique reason; and Remy, their troubled friend grappling with mental health and addiction. The narrative is anything but ordinary—a cocktail of laughter and shock that leaves you bewildered yet craving more.
At the heart of this story is Lavinia Lucia, the formidable daughter of the King of Counts, sold into a world dominated by power and manipulation. The richness of royal history intertwined with the sinister undertones of the Bruins' lives paints a vivid picture that's both thrilling and darkly alluring. This is not your average romance; it's a ride through a twisted labyrinth of emotions and consequences.
Lawson and Rue have outdone themselves with *Dukes of Ruin*. With each turn of the page, the tension escalates, leaving readers desperate for answers. How will Nick earn forgiveness? What truth lies within Tate's story? The anticipation is unbearable, and the only thing I’m certain of is that I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment. If you’re ready to dive into a world where nothing is as it seems and characters are beautifully flawed, then grab a copy of *Dukes of Ruin*. You won't regret it!
Holy mother of WTF did I just read?! *Dukes of Ruin* is an electrifying plunge into a world where dark secrets, complex characters, and twisted relationships reign supreme. This gripping tale introduces us to the Bruins: Pretty Nick, the narcissistic and obsessive brother; Simon, the adorably awkward “horny virgin” with a unique reason; and Remy, their troubled friend grappling with mental health and addiction. The narrative is anything but ordinary—a cocktail of laughter and shock that leaves you bewildered yet craving more.
At the heart of this story is Lavinia Lucia, the formidable daughter of the King of Counts, sold into a world dominated by power and manipulation. The richness of royal history intertwined with the sinister undertones of the Bruins' lives paints a vivid picture that's both thrilling and darkly alluring. This is not your average romance; it's a ride through a twisted labyrinth of emotions and consequences.
Lawson and Rue have outdone themselves with *Dukes of Ruin*. With each turn of the page, the tension escalates, leaving readers desperate for answers. How will Nick earn forgiveness? What truth lies within Tate's story? The anticipation is unbearable, and the only thing I’m certain of is that I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment. If you’re ready to dive into a world where nothing is as it seems and characters are beautifully flawed, then grab a copy of *Dukes of Ruin*. You won't regret it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
These books are a fast paced slow burn! So many different things going on at once but it all flows and works together to make one badass story! HIGHLY recommend to read them in order so you do not miss any of the back stories that are being developed as the series moves along. These characters made me HATE them.....they made me FEEL for them.....they made me loathe them entirely UNTIL they made me fall hopelessly in love with them at the end of their story!annick's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
1.5
The drama and indulgence. Nope. Bored for most of it. Only around ch28-29 did it get to some interesting spice and tensions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Murder
amberlinanderson's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Let me start by saying that I LOVED the Lords trilogy, but the Dukes are not doing it for me. I’m big on believability when I read. I can’t identify with the “I hate you with every fiber in my being, but sometimes I can see how this would work” vibe. With that said, the last 5% of the book did intrigue me, so I’m going to give book 5 a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
zeaing's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.25
in comparison to the lords of forsyth series, i’d say these books are A LOT more dark from the get go. if you thought the lords were bad then the dukes are so much worse.
the dukes are a lot. nick both has this need to dominate and control every little thing to do with lavinia but also loves her free spirit that it confuses me at times. he loves her in this odd way that makes me both hate him and want to see more of their relationship progress. sy is sy. i’m not sure what i can say about him despite the fact that i think he’s absolutely mad, he hates lavinia and she sure as hell hates him but there’s something about the tension between them that is something else. in a room alone full of weapons i don’t know if they’d kill eachother or fuck eachother first. and remy, remy my baby. i love that man with my whole chest. he deserves so much better and i just loved to see him throughout the book. his relationship with lavinia was so oddly soft that i LIVED for the scenes with them both. seeing his come to a realisation about the dreams and everything coming together made sense but also put so many more questions into my head that i just can’t wait for the next two duke books.
lavinia is something else entirely. from her blue hair and aggressiveness to her motherly nature with archie (i swear if something happens to archie i don’t know what i’ll do), she was so different to what i’d expected. i like how despite her having her limits and knowing when enough was enough with her, she rarely failed to stick up for herself. she knew the impossible situation she was in but she still had a backbone and somehow survived. i can’t wait to see her (hopefully) get more freedom and learn to express herself so much more when she can.
lavinia and verity made the most unlikely duo, seeing the ‘royals tree’ kinda image at the beginning of the book made me imagine they’d hate each other but instead seeing their friendship (if we can call it that) made me smile. same with sarah and lavinia, seeing sarah practically give lavinia free reign with her sons makes me hope that sarah will become somewhat of a mother-figure for lavinia. i don’t know what to say about story and lavinia, i was definitely expecting them to have a different relationship but i understand that lavinia hasn’t learnt about the lords’ relationship with story and grown with them the way the reader has. ngl i’m hoping for some chapters in the next book with lavinia babysitting melody…
the dukes are a lot. nick both has this need to dominate and control every little thing to do with lavinia but also loves her free spirit that it confuses me at times. he loves her in this odd way that makes me both hate him and want to see more of their relationship progress. sy is sy. i’m not sure what i can say about him despite the fact that i think he’s absolutely mad, he hates lavinia and she sure as hell hates him but there’s something about the tension between them that is something else. in a room alone full of weapons i don’t know if they’d kill eachother or fuck eachother first. and remy, remy my baby. i love that man with my whole chest. he deserves so much better and i just loved to see him throughout the book. his relationship with lavinia was so oddly soft that i LIVED for the scenes with them both. seeing his come to a realisation about the dreams and everything coming together made sense but also put so many more questions into my head that i just can’t wait for the next two duke books.
lavinia is something else entirely. from her blue hair and aggressiveness to her motherly nature with archie (i swear if something happens to archie i don’t know what i’ll do), she was so different to what i’d expected. i like how despite her having her limits and knowing when enough was enough with her, she rarely failed to stick up for herself. she knew the impossible situation she was in but she still had a backbone and somehow survived. i can’t wait to see her (hopefully) get more freedom and learn to express herself so much more when she can.
lavinia and verity made the most unlikely duo, seeing the ‘royals tree’ kinda image at the beginning of the book made me imagine they’d hate each other but instead seeing their friendship (if we can call it that) made me smile. same with sarah and lavinia, seeing sarah practically give lavinia free reign with her sons makes me hope that sarah will become somewhat of a mother-figure for lavinia. i don’t know what to say about story and lavinia, i was definitely expecting them to have a different relationship but i understand that lavinia hasn’t learnt about the lords’ relationship with story and grown with them the way the reader has. ngl i’m hoping for some chapters in the next book with lavinia babysitting melody…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Abandonment
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Forced institutionalization