A review by lit_vibrations
Ruin Road by Lamar Giles

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Special thanks to the author @lamargiles @coloredpagesbt & @ireadya for my gifted copy‼️

This book was really good first thing that came to mind was the 1986 movie Crossroads. It’s not completely similar aside from the making a wish/deal with the devil aspect. But in so many ways they both portray the same concept of “Be Careful What You Wish For.”

Cade Webster lived between two worlds and didn’t really have the best in either. With his dreams so close in reach his way out of hell was a football scholarship and soon the NFL so he could take care of his family. One night while on the way home he got involved in a situation and to avoid confrontation he ran into a pawn shop. His experience that night would be one to remember and would lead him straight to Ruin Road. 

It was such a thrill seeing everything unfold and wondering how Cade would break his wish. The author was very detailed in painting a vivid picture of how fear can hold you back, the horrors of simply being a Black man/boy, the consequences of being mislead, and how greed can consume you. I also like how the author created Skinner’s character he was the grantor of tainted wishes and the collector of souls. The people of Jacob’s Court feared him and I felt their fear was what kept him alive. 

Overall, the book was great and the pacing was fair enough to keep you engaged. He did an amazing job blending the eerie paranormal elements into the narrative. Nothing about this book was too scary to imagine. It also explored themes surrounding racial profiling, social acceptance, self-sacrifice, grief, family dynamics, and selflessness. Here’s another great book to add to your TBR.