I always get monstrously pleased when a sequel doesn’t disappoint, and Avenged (Ruined #2) was a GLORIOUS.
Last year, Ruined was one of my top reads for it’s levels of epic sass, cheesebread, and stabbing. And while Avenged does fail with the cheesebread (#heartbroken) it is a fabulous continuation on Em’s story.
I also am such a huge fan of Amy Tintera’s writing style — dry humour, sharp dialogue, and characters who will break your heart. Like, literally break it. Probably pull it out of your chest…BUT OKAY. LET’S MOVE FORWARD. This was quite a bloody sequel (although not gory) and I’m impressed!
NOTE: This is a sequel review but will have NO SPOILERS for this book. May contain very teeny spoilers for book 1, but I’ll be super careful and vague so read on without fear!
The plot of this one is very different to the first.
More meetings and politics and travelling…all things I’m not such a fan of? But at least it’s concise and balances it with epic action scenes where EVERYBODY DIES AND IT’S TERRIFYING. Nice.
Also Em and her nearly freed sister, Olivia, are being co-queens. I can’t even summarise how EXCITING THIS IS. I’ve never read a book with two lethal epic badass sister queens?!??? Now I want 900 more. Immediately. Olivia is pretty terrifying. Like did you blink wrong? SHE’LL PULL YOUR SPINE OUT YOUR NOSE WITH HER POWERS. And while it was bloody, it wasn’t super dark or anything. I think this is the reason it didn’t win me over as hard as book 1? The stakes were high but I just didn’t feel super worried because the main characters got cushioned.
But I am also a horrible person so please excuse me.
I also have to admit I don’t like the cover… It doesn’t even look like the same smudged and tired and forcefully determined Em on the first cover? But the blue is a delicious shade.
There are also 4 narrators this time: Em, Cas, Olivia, and Aren!
- EM: I love her so much! She is so wry and sarcastic and diplomatic and sensible. While Olivia is bathing in the blood of her foes, Em is like “ok but could we talk to them first”. Communication levels with Em are A+ WHICH IS SO REFRESHING TO READ.
- CAS: MY DARLING CAS CHILD. He gets smacked about a lot in this book and yet he is the sweetest and most precious cinnamon scone. I love reading about sweet boys and lovely kings and Cas is BOTH and he is glorious. And so dryly sardonic too. He gets poisoned and his #1 reaction is “Okay but the poisoned soup at least was delicious.” #BlessHim
- OLIVIA: Well, she is a bucket full of psycho. But I loved how the story showed her venerable side too and how she joked with Em and was fiercely loyal and defending of her people. BUT SHE’S SCARY, OK. She loves to kill.
- AREN: I was dubious about him having a narrating POV because: why sir. But turns out I love Aren. He is super powerful and yet has a lot of PTSD meltdowns and he was so well written and realistically done that I just <3 <3 <3
- GALO & MATEO: They’re Cas’ most trusted guards and also an item and also SO fiercely protective of him. This news just in: Cas is everyone’s cinnamon child.
- VIOLET: She’s a new addition and she’s such a delightful contrast to the epic badass Ruined warriors. She’s kind and thoughtful and highly capable with weapons and lovely.
- JOVITA: Cas’ cousin makes a play for the throne and tries to declare him insane/poison him…she’s been watching too much Game of Thrones. ALSO I WANT TO FRY HER INTO SOUP.
- It’s dialogue centric. And the dialogue is crisp and often witty!
- The humour is pretty modern. Which I adoooooore. Sure it’s not like medieval-style, but the jabs and jokes are the best so, hi. I’m a fan.
- Pacing is fabulous. Because we’re not left with chapters of info dumps!
- I never even felt the need to wander off and take a sandwich because 500% engaged THE WHOLE TIME. Which is surreal because I love sandwiches.
- because I love
- The characters are never what you expect. Because they’re…like original and unique?!
- Cas throws a “woe is me everyone hates me” pity party and his guard smacks him in the head. #Friendship
- Cas tho. Too precious for this world.
- It balances war and strife between 3 different countries. And they all felt different and well developed!
- So. much. shipping. Cas and Em are still pretty dysfunctional, but they don’t have ANGST tantrums and I love love love that. They are in mild denial of their feelings, but that’s brief and I just want to hug the book for not being overly dramatic. They need to sail. THEY NEED TO. I want them to dryly sass each other to death. Or a happily ever after. Whatever comes first.
Avenged was definitely a bucket of engaging epicness with a sidedish of psychotic lollipops.
The best combination.
I don’t think it was quite as good as the first book, but still absolutely amazing and I swallowed it whole. This is the kind of YA fantasy I want to read! Complex characters, interesting worlds, wit and sarcasm, and people with magical powers that can rip the world to pieces. Lovely. I WANT MORE.
THANK YOU TO ALLEN & UNWIN FOR THE REVIEW-COPY. Avenged (Ruined #2) by Amy Tintera was published May, 2017.
★★★★☆
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 have devised a plan that will 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, but 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 colouring her judgement.
Em is determined to bring peace to her home. But when winning the war could mean betraying her family, Em 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.
\\ click to read reviews //
I haven’t read any books in the Ruined series but I did read Reboot and Rebel by the same author and liked those books. Is the Ruined series going to be a trilogy? I might have to keep my eye on it and add the series to my wishlist :). You have the talent to make books sound so good lol. I also love how you make lists (ie. of things you loved, or in other books things you didn’t love, or the character appreciation list in this review). I love lists! In my daily life I write a lot of lists. How goes the move? I wish you a good weekend :)! (I know, it’s maybe a little early seeing as it’s only Thursday afternoon here in the Netherlands at the time I write this, but oh well :P).
Reboot was the BEST. And yes I believed Ruined is a trilogy! I’ll have to do a full series re-read before the next book hehehe. Excellent excuse.😂 And aww, thank you for that! I’m so glad you like how I do the reviews. I try to make them as reader-friendly and useful as possible. Lists are LIFE.
(And eep, thanks! The move went well! Still just waiting on constant wifi, but my bookshelves are all set up. #priorities I hope you have a lovely weekend too!)
Honestly, Cait, you had me at “bloody sequel.” It’s been quite a while since I read the first one but I remember that I really did enjoy the fast pace/awesome pacing. So I’m definitely looking forward to this one! (I also love Amy Tintera’s pervious series. SO GOOD.)
Ahhhh I’ms o glad you’ve read Tintera books too!! THE WORLD IS A BRIGHTER PLACE. 😂 I feel like her books always slip through the cracks of the blogosphere which is so annoying because tHEY’RE SO GOOD.
Oh man! This book sounds amazing! And the cover is so pretty too <3 I love a book that can be engaging yet have good humour in it. Adding this to my tbr!
Humour in books = I’M SO SOLD. GIVE ME ALL OF THEM. 😍😍
Well I am extremely excited. The first was very pleasing and quite surprising. I picked it up because I had nothing better to read, and then it was like: “LOL I’M AMAZING. Surprise.”
It is marvelous to hear the second book does not disappoint. 🙂
Eeeep, I’m so glad you’ve read the first!! I feel like it kind of just slipped through the blogosphere cracks and I’m sitting here yelling about my cheesebread-loving cinnamon children of stab and sass. <3
I have not read Ruined or Avenged but you have DEFINITELY snabbled my interest, which you always do, and I am going to go read your first review. I am so glad you posted a review of a second book in a series, I have been trying to find reviews of second books in series to look at to see how people do it because I haven’t posted a review in like, what feels like forever, because ALL I’VE READ LATELY IS SEQUELS. I’m sitting here like ok do people even like these?? Should I make a password protected spoiler page for it but give the password out on the main page???? I DON’T KNOW HOW TO FUNCTION LIKE THIS. Then I’m, like, trying to frantically get through this book I have for review so I could post a review of it today but of course that didn’t happen either 😅 Holy plums, I am a m e s s .
I feel like I don’t read enough underrated authors?? Whenever anyone asks that question I scour my brain for one and I have a really hard time coming up with one! Perhaps I need to branch out?? I will do that thing!
Sequel reviews are HARD.😂 I honestly avoid them because like review-posts aren’t super popular in the first place and I feel sequel-reviews are even LESS popular.😂 Buuuut, it’s fun to talk about sequels too, right?!? Pfft, I don’t know how to function either. NONE OF US CAN FUNCTION. WE ALL JUST FAKE IT.
Haha, now I want to read it! I’ll have to look into these books …
EXCELLENT. My work here is done.😂
OKAY CAIT. LISTEN UP. Each time I read your reviews, I want to read the book??? (Unless it was a bad book.) Like do you see the problem??? OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE BRAINWASHING ME AND MUST STOP. I don’t care about plot I CARE ABOUT CHARACTERS AND THESE CHARACTERS SOUND AMAZING. Sass is my #1 favorite thing ever so obviously this is going on the TBR and I lowkey love/hate you.
(Just kidding how can I hate this wonderful smol queen of cake??? <3)
I DON’T SEE A PROBLEM, ACTUALLY, MAY. I’M ENRICHING YOUR LIFE. And I’m saaaaame. Characters > plot. EVERY TIME. And these are such precious damaged cinnamon scones I just love them so much.
*throws the book at you*
READ IT AND FLAIL WITH ME.
Have not read, very intrigued to add to my daunting TBR thanks to this review!! Sounds most definitely like my cup of tea 🙂
I’m not sure I have a favourite underrated author . . . mostly because if I love them, I assume they are loved by many? Because I am naive and blissfully out of the loop?
Ahhhh I’m so pleased to have convinced you! *flails happily* 😂 And, I mean, an author is always loved by more than one person….😂 hha I just feel some books are EVERYWHERE and everyone talks about them, but other books seem to never get talked about.
That is definitely true. The books I find I love that no one talks about are either old or local… Like I absolutely adored “Cold Pastoral” and no one ever knows what I’m talking about… it was written years ago by a Newfoundland woman, and I was amazed when I read it that I had never heard tell of it..
SDFGHJKL is it bad that I honestly didn’t like the first book that much? WHAT INTERESTED ME WAS THE ROMANCE CONCEPT THING. But I feel like the romance was a bit rushed…
(but your review made me want to read the second book because I am 100% there for stabbing. Mission accomplished, Cait.)
ALSO YES IT’S PROBABLY BAD THAT I FORGOT 57.3% (accurate number) of the stuff that happened in book 1 so I was like “Wait… Em who?” #OopsPleaseDon’tKillMe *hides*
Fabulous review, Cait!
Pfft, I don’t remember my own name half the time.😂 YOU’RE FINE. Actually I thought I’d have more trouble with remembering book 1, but I didn’t!! This just got me sucked right back in and I Wasn’t focused at all. #miracles
I NEED to read Ruined! So many people adore it, and I want to read it so badly! It is sad when an author that you adore is underrated! I think Lauren Nicolle Taylor (The Woodlands, Nora & Kettle, Breaker and the Sun) is so underrated. I wish I could shove her books at everyone, because she has such a gorgeous writing style and always spot on character development. I also have one of Amy Tintera’s other books, so I really need to start reading her, especially since she’s Cait-recommended 😀
I still feel bad for not having read Nora & Kettle yet. I like bought it the second it was released and yet…still have not read it. *weeps* But afjdskald yes do try Amy Tintera! I don’t understand why her books aren’t more famous?! I’ve read 4 now and they’re all so fabulous. 😍
Wait a minute… This is a book about sister-queens who AREN’T trying to slit each other’s throats??? *mind explodes*
This sounds like a wonderfully stabby book… Pulling someone’s spine out their nose is…um…actually quite interesting. Is this an actual thing that happened????? I am all the intrigue… XD And Cas sounds like a smol cinnamon roll, and I want to meet him so bad!!!! Perhaps I should read book one??
OH!!! I’m also currently reading This Savage Song, because I remember reading a positive review for it on your blog, so yeah. This is my first V.E. Schwab book, though! I’m so nervous, hahahahahahahahahahahaha….ha.
Weeeell…sort of and maybe.😂 They love each other at the beginning but Olivia is a bit psycho.😂 AND YES THE SPINE THING ACTUALLY HAPPENED. SO LOVELY. Definitely read book 1 first and then flail with me. 😍
AFJSDKLAFJDKLF VE SCHWAB IS LIKE MY 2ND FAVOURITE AUTHOR AFTER MAGGIE STIEFVATER SO YES YES YES I HOPE YOU LOVE IT IS THE BESSSST.😍😍😍
So, I have not heard of this series before, but I have seen her Reboot books around the Interwebs. This looks so good, Cait! I have some assassin-y books to read this summer first to check if I can handle this stuff, but THEN, I’ll try to read this series. 1) Cas sounds like an adorable little peanut. 2) Sister co-queens (WHAT. THAT SOUNDS SO REFRESHING AND EPIC). I hope your ship sails!
CO-QUEENS IS SO REFRESHING AND EPIC. And it pains me that I’ve never read it till now?!? New goal: write so many books with co-queens. 😍
YES! I remember we twinned with Ruined (not that anyone’s surprised) so when I heard you were reading this I was crossing my fingers that it was as good as the first book. 🙂 It sounds like a great sequel and I’m so glad it lived up to your expectations. I am so excited to read it! Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3
YESSS. I hope you love it too! I’ve had such rotten luck with sequels this year, so it’s nice to finally read one that doesn’t let me down.😂
I am so excited for this one! I am first rereading Book 1 with a friend so that will be fun since I remember nothing.
Cas was definitely my favourite character. he’s so squishy and adorable.
Great review!
Remembering nothing about first books is mY ENTIRE LIFE. *sobs* But I actually didn’t feel too disorientated reading this without a re-read first! I cheer for this miracle. 😂 CAS IS THE DARLINGEST.
hmmm. i read ruined a while ago and own it but haven’t read avenged yet.
this must be solved
I NEED MONEYYYYYYYYYYYYY
It’s definitely a worthwhile sequel to devour!! Total recommend!!
I will say again, you Aussies get the best book covers! The US cover is boring compared to yours. I loved the book also and think Amy is an underrated by many. Great Review!
I do think we definitely got the better cover this time round. 😉 I loooove the cover for the first book the most though. 😍 And SO glad you’re a fan of Amy Tintera too!! *flails*