Dangerous secrets and forbidden desires lead to shocking consequences… Don’t miss book two of the fantastical Harbinger trilogy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout.“Jennifer L. Armentrout’s intoxicating new fantasy is her best yet!” —New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter on Storm and FuryHalf-angel Trinity and her bonded gargoyle protector, Zayne, have been … author Gena Showalter on Storm and Fury
Half-angel Trinity and her bonded gargoyle protector, Zayne, have been working with demons to stop the apocalypse while avoiding falling in love. The Harbinger is coming…but who or what is it? All of humankind may fall if Trinity and Zayne can’t win the race against time as dark forces gather.
As tensions rise, they must stay close together and patrol the DC streets at night, seeking signs of the Harbinger, an entity that is killing Wardens and demons with no seeming rhyme or reason. Forbidden to be with each other, Zayne and Trinity fight their feelings and turn to unusual sources for help—the demon Roth and his cohorts. But as deaths pile up and they uncover a sinister plot involving the local high school and endangering someone dear to Zayne, Trin realizes she is being led…herded…played for some unknown end. As anger builds and feelings spiral out of control, it becomes clear that rage may be the ruin of them all.
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Rage and Ruin is a smash hit. It broke my heart, kicked me while I was down, then picked me back up and made me smile all over again. This book left me bruised, battered, and battle-worn…and I absolutely cannot wait until the next one. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would, and I may need to borrow a few thumbs because this book deserves all the accolades.
The story for Rage and Ruin was really good as everyone from Zayne, Trinity, Roth, Layla, and Cayman all work together to figure out who the Harbinger is and what they are planning. It made for an exciting story that really was interesting, had action, and brought back the characters that I love. Of course I’m talking about Roth and Layla since they still are the most interesting part of this book.
JLA completely threw me off when we find out who the Harbinger is and how all the dots connected. It was probably my favorite part of this book and that alone and throw in Roth being Roth and I lived for his one liners.
Now, as much I loved this story overall what killed this book for me and dropped it to 3 stars is Trinity. She is the absolute worse character and I really can’t stand her. She treated Zayne like crap and her jealousy was too much. Their romance was not one I enjoyed and she spent most of her time hating on Layla and Stacy and the relationship they had with Zayne. In reality, if she wanted him then they came with the package because they are his friends and they will always be a part of his life and spending time with any of them is not a bad thing that she needed to get an attitude about every. single. time. Just super petty and pathetic and it made my head hurt. I hate that I had to knock down my rating because the main character is not at all enjoyable to read about.
Nonetheless, the ending was super exciting and has me very hyped for the nest book. Hopefully, Trinity will act like an adult and not the child she acts like.
• •
: Rage and Ruin
: The Harbinger #2
: Jennifer L. Armentrout
: 4/5
I was so glad there was more of Roth in this book as well. I like Zayne, don’t get me wrong… but Roth is just number one in my eyes. The writing was great and the book was paced ok. I feel like this book moved a bit slower than the first book, so the pacing could have been better. That said, I am totally immersed in the world of the wardens, demons, angels and whatnot. I loved all the pop culture references, they are so much fun and I hope they will age well!! I also loved all the action scene’s (and Trin being her bad ass self). There were so many emotions and so much heartbreak in this book, but I know everything will make sense in the end, because Jen will not let me down. It was just such an emotional roller coaster… Also, the ending was just crazy and let’s just say I am really really really glad I can immediately go read the next installment!
A lot of my reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
As a fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout and her books, you should always be prepared. When you know a book will be released, sleep and eat the whole week before release date because once you start reading, you cannot stop.
Rage and Ruin is the second book in the Harbinger Series and follows the events of Storm and Fury, which is a spin- off to the Dark Elements trilogy.
Three years ago, when I discovered the world around Dark Elements, I wasn’t a big fan of Zayne, but once I started reading Storm and Fury last year, I could easily tell how much he has changed. And I liked that change. Zayne was always a difficult character for me while reading the Dark Elements books, but Jennifer showed us a new side of him and I loved that experience.
Back to Rage and Ruin. This book was a rollercoster of feelings for me. I still love Trinity and Zayne and they both developed so well but there where also moments I wanted to hit them.
In my opinion, Trinity is a really refreshing character, she is strong and brave but she is also very vulnerable and has to deal with her illness, and I had the feeling that she learned much about herself in this book.
I really enjoyed the evolution of Trin’s and Zayne’s relationship because although it is forbidden, they have strong feelings for each other and they are awesome together. But I think my favorite part of that book was, that we were reunited with Roth, Layla and Cayman. God, did I miss them. Also the growing friendship between Roth and Trin is more than amazing.
Rage and Ruin finished with a really big bang and a cliffhanger and plot twist that made me cry and shocked me so much. I couldn’t stop crying for ten minutes and I am still shocked.
After that ending I could’t be more excited and interested for the third book because I have now idea how the story will continue and end.
I wish I could give more than five stars, because that book was just phenomenal. I loved the tension, I laughed and smiled, I loved the growing friendships and relationships and in the end I couldn’t be more surprised. That was one plot twist I didn’t see coming.
Meet Zayne: Protector of his love, Trinity:
“You needed me, and I needed to be there.” Zayne made it sound so simple, as if that was the way it always had been.”
Meet Trinity: Protector of all puppies:
“The demon had scared the poor puppy, causing it to yelp and topple onto its side with its little legs rigid. And that flipped me straight into Bitch Got to Die mode.”
first of all, that ending? my heart is not okay, i’m an actual sobbing mess. i NEED the next book. NOW:(
“That half grin grew. “Maybe I’m just lying here because I’m enjoying myself.”
I blinked. “What—”
Zayne’s hands landed on my hips, and a burst of shock left me unbalanced. A heartbeat later, I was on my back and Zayne was over me, his knees digging into the mats on either side of my hips. I started to sit up, but he caught my wrists and pinned them to the mat.”
^^can i say how much i LOVED their training sessions! JLA has perfected the art of writing these scenes with the right amount of steaminess. the sexual tension increased tenfold in rage and ruin. Cue the unresolved emotions, the stolen looks, flirtatious banter and lingering touches that will eventually get so strong that they end up making out! just magnetising. And the parts where they’re sparring and zayne falls on the floor and trinity ends up straddling him. and then he flips their positions around?? MY KINK. 20 seconds later after staring at each other and breathing heavily, they are STILL not kissing but they both desperately want to. Also when zayne lands back on the ground after flying with trinity, this holds the same amount of power as their training sessions. His arms are still fully wrapped around her waist when they’re not even in the air anymore??? Beautiful. this honestly gives me life<3
Rage and Ruin was my most anticipated read of 2020 and it was incredible but also kind of disappointing. I mean, so many parts were a 4/5 stars for me and utterly beautiful but also there were a few parts that were two stars and I just couldn’t ignore it. I'm torn whether i should rate up or down. Side note: when the hell is goodreads going to add a half star rating option?? because this is a 3.5 star read. I enjoyed the fuck out of this read and zayne makes me SOFT. However, i'm so pissed at what took place in this book. STACEY. stacey. stacey. stacey. This bitch. My blood pressure was through the fucking roof. Okay, so of course zayne has two past love interests who are still present in his life. At least the whole does he still love layla drama ended in storm and fury. But wait, there's MORE. This time, with stacey. I had to endure through another love triangle??? shit, at this point it's a love quadruple. Okay, not really because it's not as though he was torn between stacey and trinity as he didn't have any romantic feelings towards her. But the miscommunication was draining and never-ending. It felt like trinity's jealousy of stacey was a huge plot device for most of the book.
I did not like how protective zayne was over stacey throughout rage and ruin. He met up with her not just once but MULTIPLE times and hid it from trinity which was messed up. He took stacey to the ice cream parlour that is important to him, a place his father use to take him. And he did this RIGHT AFTER he shared these memories with trinity, he never once offered to take her. ALSO, he can literally feel trinity's emotions- how she's jealous and sad when stacey is with them or when she's mentioned but he still goes to meet her all the time? He acts so insensitive and makes it seem like its trinity's fault? She felt like a burden and zayne wasn't even trying to reassure her.
Even after trinity and zayne have a conversation about this situation, he still goes to meet with stacey???? excuse me? am i suppose to be content and happy with that?
“I was going to tell you about Stacey,” he said, halfway to the compound.
Staring out the window, I nibbled away on my thumbnail. “You don’t have to tell me.”
“I know I don’t,” he replied, and I made a face at the window, unsure why he thought confirming that helped.”
He had the AUDACITY to say i know i don't????? Aiden St. Delphi would never do this to Alex.
Listen, I know he is not romantically interested in stacey but he was too friendly, protective and defensive about her and that is not okay idc. It just kind of ruined it for me, zayne & trinity had a hot make out session after this and he was saying ALLLL of the right things but i didn't enjoy it like i was suppose to lol. Eventually I did after my anger dispersed, but i hate that i felt like this for several?? chapters when i adore this series. The Stacey drama lasted the majority of the book and he didn't even grovel much about this situation??!!! Why did this even have to happen???
but even with all that bullshit, it was so entertaining and heartwarming, i truly missed zayne & trinity!! AND omg who is the girl that peanut hangs around with?? i bet she's going to play an important role in the final book, i'm calling it!!
“The fact that you can kiss me when I look like this?” His voice was like sandpaper. “It...it undoes me, Trin. It really does.”
My heart swelled and then squeezed, torn between the understated beauty of his words and disbelief. “I can kiss you like this because you’re beautiful like this.”
A tremor rocked him as he pressed his forehead to mine, holding me tight for another all-too-brief second, and then he lowered me to my feet, letting go with a slow slide of his hand.”
anyway, i can't wait for the third installment!!
All I can say is that I am so glad I have Grace and Glory (book 3) on hand, because that ending!!! Wow, I can’t wait to see where this story goes, and how it all plays out.
I love Trinity, she is one of my favorite heroines- because of her RP, and vision problems, she trips and stumbles into things, but on the flip side, because of her training and who she is, she can leap across buildings and take out demons like nothing. She is so complex and unique.
I had to admit I was yelling at Trin and Zayne through half of this book- like figure this out people, come on. But I do really love them together.
There were quite a few surprises in this one, and the way it ended, and the things that it hinted at, I am so excited to see what comes next
This is a good series. While this series isn’t as great as the original series, I like it. Zayne just isn’t a strong character you’ll remember.
Loved this! It took a different path from the other JLA books, and I really loved these characters. How dare that ending happen though!
Gargoyles are Grrrreat!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration:
Romance:
Heat/Steam:
Story/Plot:
World building:
Character development:
The heroine: Trinity – the daughter of an Archangel, Trinity has finally been called upon by her father to fulfill her life’s purpose. Along with her warden guardian she is searching for something called the Harbinger that has been killing wardens (Gargoyles) and demons alike
The Hero(es): Zayne – he is a warden that looks at things a bit differently than most. He works with demons and doesn’t indiscriminately kill demons like the rest of the wardens. This has alienated him from his clan.
The Story: Trinity and Zayne become much closer after her father appoints Zayne her guardian. They are forbidden to be together now that Zayne is her guardian. It doesn’t dampen the attraction they have felt toward each other.
This storyline has gotten better and better. I am enthralled with this world and can’t wait to hear more. The narration was great again, I like the young woman who is doing the narration and she is Trinity to me, not just someone reading the words. She is good a putting emotion into her voice as well as wit and sarcastic humor.
My favorite person was her ghost friend Peanut again but the rest of the supporting cast is gaining ground as well. I really like Roth, the crown prince of Hell and the two main characters are fascinating and they have all the chemistry you could ask for.
Another great thing is all the pop culture references, like Supernatural, Star Wars, Dr. Who and time they compare themselves to the Avengers.
Roth: “What about you, Zayne? Would you kill baby Harbinger?”
“Yes. I would. Now that we’ve all agreed that we’d kill baby Harbinger, can we get a move on?”
“Sure. I don’t know about you guys, but this sharing and caring moment makes me feel like we’re a real team that can get stuff done. Like the Avengers, but more evil.”
“So, pretty much like Tony Stark?”
“Tony Stark is not evil!”
I feel like I sound like a broken record but I really do love this book. Or should I say, anything Jen writes? lol and I love book 1 but book 2, man it wrecked me!!!
Book 2 picks up where book 1 left off. Trin and Zayne have to navigate through some emotional dark water. There were so many parts where my heart was just pounding and some parts where I was giddy like little girl with a crush.
And through all of that, Trin was also learning about her gifts and working on not being too proud to ask for help when she needed it.
I love seeing Roth befriend Trin, I mean we already know he has a bromance going on with Zayne, so it was nice to see Trin have someone besides Zayne to sort of hang out with.
Warning: be ready for an emotional rollercoaster and even bigger emotional cliffhanger ending.
“You just said that you missed the stars from your bedroom back home, and I wanted…I wanted to give you stars that you could see every night.”
Rage and Ruin picks up where Storm and Fury leaves off. Micah is dead, Trinity is bonded to Zayne and he is now her Protector. They’re trying to figure who the Harbinger is so they can stop the apocalypse from happening. In the midst of all of that, they are also trying to fight their growing feelings and attraction to one another because a Trueborn and a Protector being together is forbidden.
I’ve already said in my review for Storm and Fury that I love Zayne and Trinity. They are EVERYTHING! Trinity is such a badass and Zayne is like the perfect guy. He’s protective of Trinity while also not treating her like she has a deficiency because of her eye sight. He actually puts Trinity’s wants and needs above duty, and that’s something that she’s never had before. Not to mention the fact the he’s more than willing to say screw the rules so that he and Trinity can be together. Now don’t get me wrong, they both make mistakes and inadvertently hurt each other in this book. I mean let’s face it, it wouldn’t be a real relationship if that didn’t happen. But they also learn and grow from those mistakes, which is incredibly important.
We once again get to see characters from The Darkest Elements. In fact, we get to see a lot more of Roth, Layla, Cayman and even Bambi, which I absolutely love. Seriously these characters will forever hold a special place in my heart so I’m always happy when I get to see more of them. Stacey also makes an appearance in this book and let’s just say that I don’t like her. Ok, I actually kind of hate her in this book and I have found that it makes me not like her in TDE. Is that fair? Probably not, but oh well, it is what it is. But she does serve an important part in this book, so I’ll deal with it, but I still don’t like her.
I already love Jennifer Armentrout’s books, but throw in a hot protective Warden and forbidden romance and I think I’m about to pass out. Seriously, I think this may be one of my favorite books that Jen has written. I always worry a little bit about how a sequel is going to do especially when the first book is so amazing. I should have known that with Jen I wouldn’t have anything to worry about, because Rage and Ruin was incredible. And while I’ll be sad to see the end of the story, I also can’t wait for Grace and Glory.
“You’re under my skin and in my blood. I can’t get you out.”
She did it again! I love Jennifer L Armentrout. She is my Queen. Period. Whoever is reading this, please just go and read all her books. Trust me, once you finish, you will go and reread them all over again!
Rage and Ruin is one of those books you can’t put down until you finish it. I’ve laughed, cried, suffered, and more! I still have my feelings all over the place for all the angst and shock this baby caused. This book is everything!
Trinity is a total badass and I love her with all my heart and some more. In Storm and Fury, I perceived some Alex vibes (Covenant Series) from her, but here? I totally confirmed that. She is like a mature version of Alex (sorry Alex): brave, tough, stubborn as hell, impatient, and with great comebacks. I wanted to shake her (with love) so many times though! *sigh* Good god, she is definitely one of my favorite JLA female characters!!! Did I already say that I love her? Well, I also admire and want to be like Trin when I grow up. As for Zayne, he just kept surprising me a lot. I mean, by the end of the first book I knew he was not at all like I thought he was back in The Dark Elements Series, but shit! He was beyond perfect. He did *almost* everything right.
And the end. THE END!!!!! OMG. SPEECHLESS
Get ready to have your heart broken (and repaired) by JEN!
So ready for Grace and Glory.
BRING IT ON
This book was intense and suspenseful to say the least. I’m still not fully over the ending and all the more amped up for the third and last book. June the first cannot be here soon enough.
While I am absolutely and tragically in love with the climax and ending of Rage and Ruin I gotta be honest, I had issues at the start of this book. The beginning was kind of a slow poke with a lot of recapping and rambling that felt unnecessary (explanations that we already gotten in previous books). It made the story kind of stand still with the only real focus between Zayne and Trinity. From the drama in Storm and Fury I had really high hopes of drama in the relationship, but even that was kind of on a stand still. Enter Stacey.
As soon as the plot picked up, around the time Stacey started getting involved in the story, I was completely drawn into the story. I loved the fights, drama and arguments between Zayne and Trinity caused by Stacey (among other things) and I was kind of angry on Trinity’s behalf. I loved it even more when it lead to something even bigger between the two along with their joke full banter. The only thing that annoyed me a bit was how it was kind of made to seem as both was at equal fault when, according to me, Zayne was more in the wrong. Then him saying the things he did and then never again acknowledging it or apologizing was kind of unsatisfying. They kind of just moved on from it like it never happened. It made it more forgivable though with the moments of them together and then the ending.
I wish to say so much about the ending but cannot say anything I want without spoiling it. The only thing I can say is that it moved me to tears and I have never been so excited for the conclusion. The only thing that could have made it even better would be to remove the evil villain “reveal all my plans and secrets for no reason” monologue. That with the slow beginning makes the book land on four stars for me, but really close to five.
I really enjoyed the story
4.25/5 stars
This second in the trilogy finds Trinity and Zayne searching for the Harbinger, the instigator of the end times.
I think I enjoyed this one more than the previous (Storm and Fury) as it featured further character development/growth, more backstory and an even more suspenseful plot and evil villain. There’s love angst, moral angst, jealousy angst and all sorts of other angst in this one that are, rather than being annoying, more in line with real-life dilemmas. So while, yes this is a surreal story set in a fantasy world, it speaks to readers on a human, every-day-issues level.
I’m definitely looking forward to the third and final book.
I just finished Rage and Ruin and my mind is completely blown to smithereens. And that ending! That ending will be on my mind for a long time to come. Jennifer surely knows how to make a reader beg for more. She never ceases to amaze me, that woman. Another master piece full of jaw-dropping, emotionally gripping and heart-stopping moments.
Rage and Ruin follows Trinity and Zayne who is now Trinity’s Protector. This means they are forbidden to be together. But they have bigger problems than their relationship status on their hands. A lunatic that calls himself “The Harbinger” is running amok, killing Wardens and demons, and it is up to Trinity and Zayne, along with their demonic and half-demonic friends, to catch him.
Trinity is my hero and I want to be her when I grow up. I admire her strength, her stubbornness and her willingness to do what is necessary no matter the cost. I love how sassy she gets when she fights demons and does not cover from anything, a trait that is especially admirable in her because of her inability to see very well. She doesn’t let her eyeballs hold her back and that is one of the many things I love about Trinity. No wonder she caught Zayne’s attention.
Someone please tell me what the hell was wrong with me that I was not fan of Zayne in The Dark Elements series?! Roth must have fried my brain with his demonic powers. But I am all well and good now and I am able to see Zayne for who he really is. Which is totally amazing and swoon-worthy and someone that deserves to be admired. I love the person he is when he is with Trinity. They really bring out the best in each other.
This book was everything. It evoked so many different emotions and it most definitely made me cry a little. I wish this book was longer because I want to keep on reading about Trinity and Zayne because there is still so much to be figured out. I am seriously made of so many questions right now. The way it ended. It ripped my heart out and left it lying in pieces at my feet.
I loved catching up with Roth, Layla and Cayman. I missed those goof-balls! It was great seeing all of them working together trying to catch the Harbinger. I know they don’t normally see eye to eye, but they joined their forced when it really counted. And there is a thing that happens that made me extremely happy as I was waiting for this moment for what seems like forever.
I am still in state of disbelief. Rage and Ruin was as heart-warming as it was heart-breaking and I am a complete emotional mess right now. This book caused me to have hungover of epic proportions. It came in like it owned the place, set up a camp and is most likely here to stay until the third book comes out. I’ll be bundle of nerves waiting for that to happen…Summer 2021?!… excuse me while I go scream into my pillow as I don’t know what else to do with my life now.
Omg this book was phenomenal. Zayne & Trinity are absolutely amazing together. This story has me completely hooked. I was captivated from the beginning to end and wtf that ending omg, I need the next book ASAP. This book had twists that I didn’t see coming at all. Definitely another 5 star read by Jennifer that will have everyone hooked.
This is the second book in The Harbinger series, and it was fantastic. We continue with Trinity and Zane’s story we get a great appearance of Roth and Layla. The story keeps getting better and better, the ending was so emotional and I can’t want for the final installment, the wait will kill me but I am sure I will be getting everything I need from this characters and story. However, be warned of the emotional side of things with this one you are getting a twist in it. Brilliant 5 stars!
Excellent sequel! Rage and Ruin is an incredible novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout that continues the Harbinger series, giving it more momentum and passion.
Every Page is Engaging
Rage and Ruin picks up not too long after Storm and Fury, following Trinity and Zayne as they try to navigate their new bond.
First and foremost, the story is impressive. It delves into the past of the demons, the angels, and the gargoyles interestingly and uniquely. It is still reminiscent of Gargoyles but in such a fresh and inventive way. By bringing all these fantastical elements together, Armentrout gives readers a high tension, fast-paced story that glues the reader to the pages.
There is something to be said about the pacing of the story. It moves at such a quick pace, but the dialogue, the narratives, the detail, hook the reader into the story. A lot is happening in some of those more action-packed scenes, but they do not lack for detail. Armentrout’s attention to detail grounds the reader in the story and the action and her compelling narrative just works to engage the reader further.
Trinity and Zayne
Trinity and Zayne are amazing. Armentrout does an excellent job of giving her female characters attitude and power. In this novel, Trinity recognizes that her retinitis pigmentosa is a disability and it is nice to see that work used. It is nice because Armentrout is highlighting the fact that her main character is a disabled person and yet she is not weaker for it. It does bring to life some of the real-world belittling inflicted upon disabled people through Trinity’s perspective. The reader gets to see that a disability does not make a person any less than someone without a disability.
It is a refreshing outlook and delves more into the emotional spectrum of Trinity. There is much tension between her and Zayne, and exploring that tension, growing out these characters, is just addicting to read. They have depth, personality, and life to them, and their growing dynamic is pulse-pumping. It is incredible to see these characters grow together, to see them flourish into something more and it creates just the right amount of tension and drama without being overbearing.
Final Thoughts
Rage and Ruin is an incredible sequel. It continues to amazing readers with fantastic storytelling, great characters, unpredictable plot twists, and marvelous tension.
What a crazy wild ride. The book pretty much starts odd where the last one ended.
Trin and Zayne learning how to live not only with the bond, but also with each other and their growing but yet forbidden feelings for each other. Things get complicated of course, things get messy and awkward…. but things also get steamy and fun.
Trin part of the book was a bit annoying , she seemed naive and selfish , and I think one of of my favorite scenes was , when Zayne called her out on her behavior. But I loved her on any other level and that she never despite her poor eye site, gives up or steps back. I just wished we had more Peanut in this book. I’ve kinda miised him and he was absent most the time. I also enjoyed her being able to talk and interact with ghosts one of the things I enjoyed the most.
Zayne, I always liked Zayne but in theses last two books, I really starting love him more and more. We get to see some other fun sites of him and I like it.
We see some familiar faces and some new ones but most of all we have plot twists and surprises all the way. I had a theory about the harbinger and it seemed like I was right allllll the way to the last few chapters when all of the sudden shit hits the fan and all kind if things are being revealed. Some truly shocking things are happening and I really hate to admit it but I was wrong about my theory.
Overall another fantastic book, that makes you guess, laugh, cry swoon and hold on to your seat to the last minute. The end was not only shocking but also a huge cliffhanger and I wanted to yell and scream. I can’t wait for the next book to come out.
I rate it 4.5