In the final book in the New York Times bestselling Ruined series, the romance of The Selection and the epic stakes of Red Queen come together in a story of revenge, adventure, and unexpected love.Emelina Flores and her sister, Olivia, were determined to bring peace to the people of Ruina. But as the war for liberation raged on, what triumph and freedom meant to Em and Olivia slowly changed. As … and freedom meant to Em and Olivia slowly changed. As Olivia’s violence and thirst for vengeance became her only ambition, Em was left to pick up the pieces.
But it’s not only Em who is upset by Olivia’s increased violence. Other members of the Ruined army are beginning to see the cracks, and soon a small group of them defects from Olivia’s army and joins Em instead.
The two sisters are soon pitted against each other in an epic battle for the kingdom and the future, and only one will win.
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In book 1, we determine there is a kingdom killing off every once-powered (as in superpower) person from a neighboring kingdom to make sure they aren’t at risk of being overthrown, should those abilities come back. A young woman from that targeted kingdom infiltrates the royal family of the other, posing as the prince’s arranged bride. She intends to kill her groom, his parents, and all other remaining members of the royal family in revenge for the relentless slaughtering of her people–including that of her parents, and the kidnapping of her sister by the king. Then she falls in love with the prince and starts to see that maybe there are other options.
In book 2 we learn more about how this happened, and the ramifications of releasing Em’s (very angry) sister from her dungeon.
In book 3 we see alliances form and reform, the true colors of people who are changing, and characters becoming who they want to be rather than tools in a war they didn’t start.
I tore through this trilogy. It had a solid romance in it, interesting secondary characters, surprises, and a good amount of diversity (in this world, they don’t label sexuality or raise an eyebrow at who you decide to date…also, gender isn’t always such a social construct. For example, yes the bride is sent from another land in a dress to marry a man for political reasons, but jobs, clothes, respect aren’t so gender-based). I don’t like when “war stuff” gets too complex or weighs down the character arcs in the story, and this had just the right amount. The people behind the decisions during power struggles and battles were changing, and it was reflected in those battles.
A fun series I recommend, each book just as good as its partners.
This took me entirely way too long to finish. About 3 months. Why? Well it wasn’t very good.
I do t have many words for this book. I almost DNF’d it on multiple occasions but I promised myself I’d finished the series off.
I was really let down. Em and Oliva the whole I’m on your side but not really on your side continues to roll over from book two. It was drugged out it seemed just to fill that pages so that this would be a novel and not novella.
The relationship that developed between Em and Cas continues but still came off a stoic and selfish. These two are supposed to be running their own country but they seem to be putting their own needs and wants amongst the highest priority. The main point of view again seemed to be added in only to lengthen the book as well.
This was at best mediocre.
This wasn’t my favorite in the series. I actually think the second book was the strongest.
This one picks right up where the last one left off, so I had to go read a synopsis of Avenged to refresh my memory.
There is a lot going on and never boring. The relationship between Em and Olivia as sisters is quite strained as they no longer have the same goals in life. Emelina is still wanting peace with humans, and Olivia is still wanting revenge.
Em realizes her sister will do everything in her power (which is strong) to fight, even if her sister stands in the way. War is inevitable, but at what cost?
This book wraps everything up. There are ups and downs and I’m still unsure how I feel about the ending.
**There is heavy kissing, sex (cut off, but plenty of description beforehand), homosexual and heterosexual relationships, sexual thoughts, and lots of heavy violence.