I listened to the audiobook of Blood and Ruin this month! I'm simply copy-pasting my review from my Storygraph over to here!
The first half of Blood and Ruin, while charming, experimental, and filled with a lot of interesting world building, felt a tad hard to get into and feel connected with. Rumer Hale's characters are as equally unique as they are frustrating, but that is what makes them charming: as a reader, my preference is with frustrating, annoying, or even outright obnoxious characters.
But I think the early
disconnect comes with Hale's characters and their interpersonal
relationships not being easily explained in the beginning. As a reader
(and viewer) who is able to easily immerse themself in worlds without
prior explanation of said worlds, I really struggled through the first
half of this book to be connected with Kiarra herself, and then her
relationship to all these Alpha men.
But it was somewhere around the middle of the book, specifically at the 52% mark that I can remember, that I got so turned on to this novel and could not put it down. I became so invested in Kiarra and her friendships, her relationships, and her life. I became so invested in her fight against two of the antagonists, and then when a third, tertiary antagonist was revealed, I could feel Kiarra's betrayal and mourning so clearly.
I appreciated that at no point did this novel turn into an atmosphere fueled by jealousy. I loved the companionship Kiarra found in everybody, even when she felt jealousy creeping up on her. Kiarra is a truly unique character, and dedicated to her friends and family.
The copy I read was the audiobook, narrated by Scarlett Everdeen, and Scarlett's voice acting goes above and beyond to maintain a sensual, sweet, and shifty tone throughout the novel. Her particular tonal direction is so beautiful, and I became so fond of the way she delivered her lines, be they about Kiarra's personal betrayals or the sensual nature of the relationship Kiarra had with these men important to her.
The cover art is utterly gorgeous as well; it feels feminine without feeling overbearing. It stands on its own, like Kiarra does. And it has a sensuality to it, a touch of glamour, and feels regal.
All in all, Rumer Hale's Blood and Ruin became such an enjoyable read for me, and I look forward to reading more about Kiarra.
But it was somewhere around the middle of the book, specifically at the 52% mark that I can remember, that I got so turned on to this novel and could not put it down. I became so invested in Kiarra and her friendships, her relationships, and her life. I became so invested in her fight against two of the antagonists, and then when a third, tertiary antagonist was revealed, I could feel Kiarra's betrayal and mourning so clearly.
I appreciated that at no point did this novel turn into an atmosphere fueled by jealousy. I loved the companionship Kiarra found in everybody, even when she felt jealousy creeping up on her. Kiarra is a truly unique character, and dedicated to her friends and family.
The copy I read was the audiobook, narrated by Scarlett Everdeen, and Scarlett's voice acting goes above and beyond to maintain a sensual, sweet, and shifty tone throughout the novel. Her particular tonal direction is so beautiful, and I became so fond of the way she delivered her lines, be they about Kiarra's personal betrayals or the sensual nature of the relationship Kiarra had with these men important to her.
The cover art is utterly gorgeous as well; it feels feminine without feeling overbearing. It stands on its own, like Kiarra does. And it has a sensuality to it, a touch of glamour, and feels regal.
All in all, Rumer Hale's Blood and Ruin became such an enjoyable read for me, and I look forward to reading more about Kiarra.
rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
This review was for an ARC of the audiobook narration provided by Rumer Hale, Scarlett Everdeen, and Dreamscape Media. Thank you!
This review was for an ARC of the audiobook narration provided by Rumer Hale, Scarlett Everdeen, and Dreamscape Media. Thank you!
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