Who Would Like This Book:
If you love steamy fantasy romance with a sharp-witted heroine and a broody, dominant dragon shifter, A Ruin of Roses will check a lot of your boxes. This one's a racy Beauty and the Beast retelling but with a totally fresh, shifter-centric world, tons of banter, raunchy humor, and non-stop tension. Fans of high spice, dark fantasy, and bold character dynamics - especially those who appreciate a story that doesn't always take itself too seriously - will find themselves hooked. If you crave both fantasy world-building and over-the-top sexy times, this book is calling your name.
Who May Not Like This Book:
This book definitely isn't for everyone! If you're not a fan of explicit scenes, irreverent humor, or modern language in fantasy settings, you might find yourself rolling your eyes more than swooning. The high heat (and even kink) factor overshadows the plot for some, and the heroine's sassy, contemporary voice can feel out of place alongside classic fantasy vibes. Some readers found the intimate descriptions a bit... excessive, and the pacing occasionally repetitive around the sexual tension and banter. Glittering prose purists and those looking for delicate, slow-burn romance may want to look elsewhere.
About:
In "A Ruin of Roses," Finley, a shapeshifter living in a cursed kingdom, discovers a way to slow down a devastating illness caused by the demon king's takeover. As she navigates the dangers of the kingdom, she encounters Nyfain, a dragon shapeshifter, and forms a close bond with him. The story delves into their growing relationship, the curse that plagues the land, and the dark forces at play. The book offers a unique retelling of Beauty and the Beast, blending elements of the original tale with a fresh and intriguing world created by K.F. Breene. The writing style is fast-paced, engaging, and filled with humor, suspense, and a touch of eerie mystery that keeps readers hooked till the end.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include explicit sexual content, violence, references to sexual coercion, and themes related to curses and personal trauma.
Has Romance?
Yes, romance is a significant aspect of the story, highlighted by the intense bond and chemistry between the main characters.
From The Publisher:
I could save him, but he would ruin me.
The beast.
The creature that stalks the forbidden wood.
The dragon prince.
He has suffered a fate worse than death. We all have. A curse put upon us by the mad king.
We are a kingdom locked in time. Shifters unable to feel our animals. Stuck here by a deal between the late king and a demon who seeks our destruction.
The only one keeping this kingdom alive is Nyfain, the golden prince to a stolen throne. The last dragon shifter.
He's our hope.
He's my nightmare.
When he catches me trespassing in the forbidden wood, he doesn't punish me with death, as he's entitled.
He takes me, instead. Forces me back to the castle as his prisoner. Seeks to use me.
Apparently, I can save him. I can save the whole forgotten kingdom, locked away by the demon king's power.
But it would mean taming the monster beneath his skin. It would mean giving myself to him.
It would mean my ruin.
_ _ _ _ _ _
This is a dark and spicy Beauty and the Beast retelling featuring an anti-hero, a strong heroine, and a humorous supporting cast. This is an enemies-to-lovers and possible fated mates story suitable for 18+. It's the first of a trilogy, ending on a cliffhanger.
Ratings (88)
Incredible (20) | |
Loved It (26) | |
Liked It (14) | |
It Was OK (15) | |
Did Not Like (11) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (231):
Read It (93) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (115) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (20) |
2 comment(s)
I tried. I really, really did. Immediately out of the gate, I had no knowledge what time period we were in and what was happening. I thought this was a historical setting but there were references to electricity and the way that the characters talk threw me off. The writing style was just so FAR from the mark that I was expecting I thought I must have hallucinated the ratings of this book. The FL way of talking gave me the sensation of
hearing nails on a chalkboard. Sort of like The Golden Dynasty but with a lot less... everything. I hate to DNF. I do but life is too short to be reading books that you don't like.
Who doesn't like a good Beauty and the Beast retelling? Especially if it has some (or a lot) of steam? I know I'm first in line for that book :D :D
Unfortunately... while this one sounded super promising, it fell flat :( (and was pretty confusing as well).
Character development:
I have a confession to make... I did not like Finley at all :( I wasn't even one quarter into the story before I felt like I wanted to strangle her.
Several reasons, where foul language actually was one of them (and people who know me, know I can handle a lot and I'm no prude lol, but this just felt more like a neverending stream of profanity). Another reason was her decision making, or, quite honestly, lack of any thinking at all.
It was just totally out of character for someone who should have a good head on her shoulders.
So yeah, the main character didn't do it for me.
Nyfain could have done with a bit more depth earlier on in the book and not just in the last parts, it would have made the story more viable. Also, could he make up his mind for crying out loud?! All the hot/cold got old pretty fast.
From all the characters in the book, it's a sad day when the main character's siblings make the most sense.
Pacing and flow:
The story felt a bit too slow until about 75% into the book, then it picked up speed right till the end.
The book:
It is 386 pages long, spread out over 18 chapters and told from Finley's point of view (though there are some Nyfain chapters as well).
While there are tons of orgies going on in the book, you'll only get a few steamy scenes between the two main characters, and no sex (if that is important to you).
Final thoughts:
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and I was pretty sad after finishing this one. I kept waiting for it to turn around and actually start making sense, but it didn't :(
While I like other books the author has written, this series is, unfortunately, a no-go for me.
What can you read after
A Ruin of Roses?
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