{Review} Avenged (Ruined #2) by Amy Tintera

Posted by Donna
Release Date: May 2nd, 2017
Finished Date: July 12th, 2017

Publishers: HarperTeen
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: Hardback

Pages: 416
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo 

 

A war that will fuel her. A bond that will destroy her.

Emelina Flores has come home to Ruina. After rescuing her sister, Olivia, from imprisonment in rival kingdom Lera, Em and Olivia together vow to rebuild Ruina to its former glory. 

But just because Em and Olivia are out of Lera doesn’t mean they are safe. Their actions over the past year have had consequences, and they are now targets of retaliation. Olivia will destroy everyone who acts against Ruina. Em isn’t as sure. 

Ever since Em posed as Prince Casimir’s betrothed in Lera, she’s started to see another side to this war. Lera may have destroyed the Ruined for decades, but Em knows that Cas is different. And now that he’s taken the throne, Em believes a truce is within reach. But Olivia suspects that Em’s romantic feelings for Cas are just coloring her judgement.

Em is determined to bring peace to her home. But when winning the war could mean betraying her family, she faces an impossible choice between loyalty and love. Em must stay one step ahead of her enemies—and her blood—before she’s the next victim in this battle for sovereignty.

The Review: You all know that YA fantasy has fast become my favourite genre and I’m always on the lookout for new series to try, so when I read Ruined by Amy Tintera last year I was instantly sold. With the release of Avenged - the sequel to Ruined, this series is now becoming a favourite because I enjoyed Ruined a lot but I enjoyed Avenged even more.

Emelina Flores has done the impossible. She has infiltrated her enemy’s world to rescue her sister from capture. Now finally free, Em and Olivia gather up the remaining Ruina people and try to rebuild their lives. However, with Olivia hell bent on revenge and with the Lera forces breathing down their necks, Em and Olivia aren’t safe yet. And so Em turns to the one person she never thought she could count on – Casimir, the Lera Prince for help while also trying to battle her feelings for him. While a war is brewing from all sides, Em must decide the right choice for her people while trying to stay true to herself in the process. 

I absolutely loved this book! I was actually quite surprised because you know sequels tend to have that problem of being boring or suffering from middle book syndrome but not Avenged. Avenged was action packed from the start with the story becoming stronger and stronger with each page and the story was very unpredictable. It really was hard to work out what was going to happen next. It also has great chemistry between the characters and the romance - just enough to keep you on your toes!

I really enjoyed reading Emelina and Cas’s point of views in the first book but one of the main reasons I enjoyed Avenged more was because we also saw more from Aren and Olivia. As a reader it was great getting to know them more – okay, maybe not so much of Olivia as I really don’t like her but, it was still interesting to read more about her. 

I honestly cannot wait to read the next instalment when it releases. I already know how I’d like the series to end but I honestly don’t know if that will or can happen. Either way, I’m eager to find out!

Thank you to Harper 360 for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

{Review} Ruined by Amy Tintera

Posted by Donna
Release Date: May 3rd, 2016
Finished Date: September 29th, 2016

Publishers: HarperTeen
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: ARC

Pages: 368
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo 

 

A revenge that will consume her. A love that will ruin her.

Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.

But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.

In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.

Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake. 

The Review: This is the second book I’ve read by author Amy Tintera, the first being her YA sci-fi book Rebooted and now YA fantasy book Ruined. I actually preferred Ruined more because it’s a fantasy book and I just can’t get enough of fantasy series. It also helps that Ruined was one of them books that you just can’t help like. It’s an easy read, fast-paced and very intriguing. I could easily have read this in one or two sittings if I didn’t have work commitments. 

The story is about Emelina Flores who has watched family, friends and community killed by a neighbouring kingdom all because Emelina’s people have magic and the other kingdoms see them as a threat. To some extent that is true but most of the Ruined are looking for a peaceful life, however now there is only a small number left and on the run. Em’s sister – the next ruler of the Ruined has been captured by the Kingdom of Lera and Em is determined to get her back no matter the cost – even if that means marrying the Prince of Lera while pretending to be someone else. But one thing Em wasn’t expecting from the prince is his kindness and willingness to see that not all the Ruined are bad people. Soon Em’s feelings start clouding her actions but her plans are already set in place and it’s too late to change what’s to come. 

I really liked Ruined. It’s a good introduction to a series that I believe will get stronger and stronger. I did felt a time the story lagged in parts but I kept going because I was interested in the characters enough to carry. And I’m glad I did carry on. The story was full of suspense and very enjoyable and I’m definitely interested in reading more about the series with the release of the next book.

The romance between Em and Cas is predictable and at times I found myself rolling my eyes but still I couldn’t help but love it. It’s a sweet romance. With them being from two different kingdoms it’s hard to predict what will happen but of course I’m rooting for a happy ending for them. 

In all, Ruined was an enjoyable book and I’ll look forward to reading more when the sequel Avenged is released. 

Thank you to HarperTeen for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.