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A review by stephbakerbooks
Beasts of Ruin by Ayana Gray
adventurous
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? Yes
2.0
Not going to lie, this sequel was a disappointment. For some reason, I thought this series was a duology, but it's a trilogy at least, and this book quickly felt like a middle filler book and nothing at all like the first one.
The plot just moved so slowly, it took me forever to get through this book. I just kept getting bored with it, but I hate DNFing so I was determined to finish. And I do like the main characters and their development. But this book introduced SO MANY new characters, and a love square that did not feel necessary, and the urgency of the first book is talked about a lot but never felt (I remain confused as to why the main villain just kinda...disappears from the story, even though he is supposed to be right there and an ever-present threat). Certain things that happen to advance the plot don't always make sense with regards to the characters or the rules of magic that have been established (which honestly get a little murky with this book).
The world of the first book was so interesting to me, but this one didn't expand it at all, and by the end of the book, I felt like we were basically in the same spot as the beginning. Koffi and Ekon are fun and interesting characters—and the reason this gets two stars instead of one—but I'm not sure they'll be enough to get me to read the third book...
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for my e-ARC.
The plot just moved so slowly, it took me forever to get through this book. I just kept getting bored with it, but I hate DNFing so I was determined to finish. And I do like the main characters and their development. But this book introduced SO MANY new characters, and a love square that did not feel necessary, and the urgency of the first book is talked about a lot but never felt (I remain confused as to why the main villain just kinda...disappears from the story, even though he is supposed to be right there and an ever-present threat). Certain things that happen to advance the plot don't always make sense with regards to the characters or the rules of magic that have been established (which honestly get a little murky with this book).
The world of the first book was so interesting to me, but this one didn't expand it at all, and by the end of the book, I felt like we were basically in the same spot as the beginning. Koffi and Ekon are fun and interesting characters—and the reason this gets two stars instead of one—but I'm not sure they'll be enough to get me to read the third book...
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for my e-ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death and Classism