Long ago, the world was destroyed by gods. Only nine cities were spared. Separated by vast wilderness teeming with monsters and unimaginable dangers, each city is now ruled by a guardian―royalty who feed on mortal pleasure.
Born with an intuition that never fails, Calista knows her talents are of great value to the power-hungry of the world, so she lives hidden as a courtesan of the Baron of Archwood. In exchange for his protection, she grants him information.
When her intuition leads her to save a traveling prince in dire trouble, the voice inside her blazes with warning―and promise. Today he’ll bring her joy. One day he’ll be her doom.
When the Baron takes an interest in the traveling prince and the prince takes an interest in Calista, she becomes the prince’s temporary companion. But the city simmers with rebellion, and with knights and monsters at her city gates and a hungry prince in her bed, intuition may not be enough to keep her safe.
Calista must follow her intuition to safety or follow her heart to her downfall.
Rating: 4✨
FALL OF RUIN AND WRATH was my first Jennifer L. Armentrout novel and it certainly didn’t disappoint. This book was set in a manor where Lis lives with the Baron of Archwood where she helps him through her gifts by sifting out enemies and unbecoming individuals. This book was filled with lots of steamy scenes that were surprising. I loved the protagonist, Calista (Lis), an intriguing character with premonitions and the gift of foresight and reading minds through touch and connections. Lis also deals with difficult individuals such as the Baron’s cousin who treats her like an object.
Her relationship with her best friend, Grady and other characters like Naomi were fun to read about. Lis undergoes a lot through the novel, beginning from her childhood as an orphan till adulthood where she still struggles to find a balance between her gifts and learning more about herself. As for Lis’s love interest Prince Thorne, he reminded me of Arcturus from the Bone Season series and Rhysand from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. The characters are similar in the way that they’re described and how they’re made not born.
Most of the scenes took place between Lis and Thorne and you simply can’t get enough. The exchanges between Thorne and Lis were filled with transformation and was quite literally slow burn. I liked the banter between him and Lis. There were some hilarious moments which really lightened up the story. Thorne was intriguing in how he behaved toward Calista and was patient in understanding her needs and wants.
Despite the slow parts of the novel, the pacing picked up at 80%. I enjoyed how the best part of the book happened toward the end. I can’t wait to read the sequel!
Thank you Pansing Books for sending me a copy of FALL OF RUIN AND WRATH in exchange for an honest review.
FALL OF RUIN AND WRATH now available at all good bookstores!
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