Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout – a Review

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Description:
SHE LIVES BY HER INTUITION. HE FEEDS ON HER PLEASURE.

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.

Review:

Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the first book in her new Awakening series. Background: 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.

Calista (Lis), our heroine, was an orphan at a young age, not knowing her parents; she befriends Grady, who becomes her best friend and together they manage to live a hard street life. Lis was born with intuition and mind reading abilities, and as she gets older, she finds a safe and comfortable life as a courtesan (and paramour) of the Baron of Archwood. In exchange for his protection, Lis grants the Baron with information, such as her intuition and foresight; as well as giving Grady a job as guard.

One night, Lis senses something wrong, and walks out to the forest, only to see a group of men hurting a man, who happens to be a Hyborn, and she helps safe his life, as well as fix his injuries. In a short time, she will meet Thorne again, when he arrives at the Baron home, and she learns he is a Prince. Thorne is immediately enamored by the beautiful Lis, and the banter between them was fun.  Lis is fighting her feelings for Thorne, as she is torn between her intuition that senses danger and facing a possible doomed fate.  I really liked Lis, as she was brave, strong, independent, though I was not a fan of the many spicy smut scenes Lis has with both the Baron and Thorne. I did really like Thorne, especially since he seemed to really care for her; though despite his charismatic attitude, he was also possessive.

The last third of the book was very exciting and intense with Lis’s life very much in danger. There were a number of surprising twists and turns along the way. Fall of Ruin and Wrath was a compelling story, which I look forward to the next book. Fall of Ruin and Wrath was an amazing world building, at times confusing, filled with great characters, mystery; but it was very well written by Jennifer L. Armentrout. 

Reviewed by Barb

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