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Rose's Thorns
Freedom is hidden on a path covered in thorns.
Meri and I escaped the Moles, but everything was terrifying at first. Now, she’s healing from a life they forced on her, and I’m learning to stand beside men instead of running from them. Together, we’re building a future among the Dragons - one that finally feels honest.
But Callah is still trapped in the compound - and the Moles?
They’re adapting.
Their hunters should’ve been predictable. Controlled. Instead, they've managed to surprise us. Although, that move reveals what their “righteous mission” truly is. We had our suspicions, and now it has all been confirmed.
This isn't a war between God and the Devil raging on earth, but the Moles are evil. They don't care who they hurt or how many suffer. Every day, freeing Callah seems more and more impossible, but I can't give up, can I?
Armed with my knowledge of the enemy, we're ready to stand our ground. They cannot make me pick between my many new friends and one old one. Instead, I'll find a way to make this work. I have to!
Unfortunately, not all plans are foolproof.
~
*Rose's Thorn is book 3 in the projected 5 book Ruins of Men series.
Meri and I escaped the Moles, but everything was terrifying at first. Now, she’s healing from a life they forced on her, and I’m learning to stand beside men instead of running from them. Together, we’re building a future among the Dragons - one that finally feels honest.
But Callah is still trapped in the compound - and the Moles?
They’re adapting.
Their hunters should’ve been predictable. Controlled. Instead, they've managed to surprise us. Although, that move reveals what their “righteous mission” truly is. We had our suspicions, and now it has all been confirmed.
This isn't a war between God and the Devil raging on earth, but the Moles are evil. They don't care who they hurt or how many suffer. Every day, freeing Callah seems more and more impossible, but I can't give up, can I?
Armed with my knowledge of the enemy, we're ready to stand our ground. They cannot make me pick between my many new friends and one old one. Instead, I'll find a way to make this work. I have to!
Unfortunately, not all plans are foolproof.
~
*Rose's Thorn is book 3 in the projected 5 book Ruins of Men series.
530 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2026
61 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 7, 2026
DNF @ 80% and yes, I’m mad about it.
I wanted so badly to like this book. There were choices I saw coming from Book 2 that I was initially mad about, but as this book went on, I ignored them. I was loving certain aspects - Callah and Tobias in particular.
But Jesus Christ, the constant conversations about how Ayla doesn’t want children and that’s okay made me stop. Like, guys, there are bigger things at stake here. We don’t need another conversation about this. It annoyed me so much when *yet another conversation* about this occurred that I had to put the book down. And I am mad about it, because there were aspects of the story I was enjoying, but being slapped in the face with multiple different conversations about the same thing (not wanting children and that’s okay) I was just done. Yes, it’s perfectly okay for women to not want children and I love to read books with women who don’t have children and that’s okay. But I don’t need conversations about that when you’re literally sitting around trying not to die.
And the constant game of “we’re *dragons* we’re not like the moles” is getting old after three books. Every time a new mole turns up in the village, they have the same tired conversation about how their world is different. It’s getting old.
Argh. I may try to go back to it at some point, but I was so angry.
I wanted so badly to like this book. There were choices I saw coming from Book 2 that I was initially mad about, but as this book went on, I ignored them. I was loving certain aspects - Callah and Tobias in particular.
But Jesus Christ, the constant conversations about how Ayla doesn’t want children and that’s okay made me stop. Like, guys, there are bigger things at stake here. We don’t need another conversation about this. It annoyed me so much when *yet another conversation* about this occurred that I had to put the book down. And I am mad about it, because there were aspects of the story I was enjoying, but being slapped in the face with multiple different conversations about the same thing (not wanting children and that’s okay) I was just done. Yes, it’s perfectly okay for women to not want children and I love to read books with women who don’t have children and that’s okay. But I don’t need conversations about that when you’re literally sitting around trying not to die.
And the constant game of “we’re *dragons* we’re not like the moles” is getting old after three books. Every time a new mole turns up in the village, they have the same tired conversation about how their world is different. It’s getting old.
Argh. I may try to go back to it at some point, but I was so angry.
January 17, 2026
This third book was so good I devoured it in five or six hours.
I love Ayla's growth and the evolution of her relationship with the guys.
I love what Callah and Tobias, but mostly Callah, are doing.
I love that we never get bored with this story.
The only drawback is the amount of time we spend with Meri. I don't dislike her but I'm not really interested in her so all those chapters about her are the only thing I don't adore. But I love Drozel and Omden so that's the comfort !
I'm now worried because I heard this was a 5 books series and I don't know if I can wait so long to see the end of this perfect story...! ;)
I love Ayla's growth and the evolution of her relationship with the guys.
I love what Callah and Tobias, but mostly Callah, are doing.
I love that we never get bored with this story.
The only drawback is the amount of time we spend with Meri. I don't dislike her but I'm not really interested in her so all those chapters about her are the only thing I don't adore. But I love Drozel and Omden so that's the comfort !
I'm now worried because I heard this was a 5 books series and I don't know if I can wait so long to see the end of this perfect story...! ;)
January 12, 2026
3.5 stars, warning: this book has a couple chapters from one of the author’s other books at the end so it isn’t as long as you think. A solid 50 pages aren’t this book anymore, so be prepared for it to end sooner than you expect. It caught me off guard for sure.
I’ll start with my biggest annoyances: the repeating conversations about consent and how MM/FF is allowed in the dragon’s society are so exhausting. It reads as if it’s meant to be empowering for the main girls, but it actually feels like they all think the girls are too dumb to understand their own feelings and boundaries. It makes them feel small to me, while I’m sure that’s not the author’s intention. They’re also sometimes explaining Meri’s trauma and her reactions to Meri, as if Meri herself isn’t aware of it. Spoiler: I disliked how Ayla’s guys immediately went and got a token for her to make their relationship an official relationship (it felt equivalent to an engagement for me in terms of gravity) but afterwards still spend so much time thinking she’s just a friend and kissing/touching isn’t allowed/good because Ayla surely doesn’t know what she wants or is okay with. Nooo, they still have to explain a million times to her what she should be ready for and what not. Like they should’ve skipped that whole thing until after their relationship was more established in my opinion. All in all, I think these repeated conversations about their consent and what they’re ready for read very denigrating towards the girls, like they’re still superfragile should-be-protected dumb kids. I’d love to see WAY less of this in the next one.
I like the pacing of the book. I prefer Tobias and Callah’s POV’s because I think they’re the most interesting (and least likely to have consent conversations 🤣), so I did sigh a bit when another Ayla or her guys POV’s came up where I knew it was probably gonna be yet again about consent and their relationship. However, the book didn’t feel slow. The chapters with action were well placed in between so it didn’t start to drag too much despite being quite a thick book. The chapters where we get more info and pieces of the puzzle keep falling in place are my favourites. I also quite like some of the relationship focused chapters, when they focus more on the feelings and actions and not on the conversations about the relationship.
I still really love the concept and how it’s being expanded on, and I’m really excited to see how everything will get solved.
I’ll start with my biggest annoyances: the repeating conversations about consent and how MM/FF is allowed in the dragon’s society are so exhausting. It reads as if it’s meant to be empowering for the main girls, but it actually feels like they all think the girls are too dumb to understand their own feelings and boundaries. It makes them feel small to me, while I’m sure that’s not the author’s intention. They’re also sometimes explaining Meri’s trauma and her reactions to Meri, as if Meri herself isn’t aware of it. Spoiler: I disliked how Ayla’s guys immediately went and got a token for her to make their relationship an official relationship (it felt equivalent to an engagement for me in terms of gravity) but afterwards still spend so much time thinking she’s just a friend and kissing/touching isn’t allowed/good because Ayla surely doesn’t know what she wants or is okay with. Nooo, they still have to explain a million times to her what she should be ready for and what not. Like they should’ve skipped that whole thing until after their relationship was more established in my opinion. All in all, I think these repeated conversations about their consent and what they’re ready for read very denigrating towards the girls, like they’re still superfragile should-be-protected dumb kids. I’d love to see WAY less of this in the next one.
I like the pacing of the book. I prefer Tobias and Callah’s POV’s because I think they’re the most interesting (and least likely to have consent conversations 🤣), so I did sigh a bit when another Ayla or her guys POV’s came up where I knew it was probably gonna be yet again about consent and their relationship. However, the book didn’t feel slow. The chapters with action were well placed in between so it didn’t start to drag too much despite being quite a thick book. The chapters where we get more info and pieces of the puzzle keep falling in place are my favourites. I also quite like some of the relationship focused chapters, when they focus more on the feelings and actions and not on the conversations about the relationship.
I still really love the concept and how it’s being expanded on, and I’m really excited to see how everything will get solved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2026
Flippin’ Brilliant !!!
This book, series and basically anything written by this author is well worth reading.
The women are strong, they are very different even amongst themselves but all strong in their own ways. The men too or at least the good guys (and the ones trying to be better), the bad guys are amazingly written just the kind you love to really hate. Not as well rounded as the main characters but definitely notable.
If you’re browsing at random then this is a post apocalyptic story, some people took shelter in a bunker and over the years they turned into religious zealots. On the surface a liberal dose of science was used to genetically alter some people, to adapt and survive. Both groups survived, over the years those from the bunker calling themselves The Righteous attacked those on the surface, raiding for food and anything else they could get. The main story centres around three young women who share a room in the bunker, Ayla, Merienne and Callah. Between them they discover some shocking truths. It turns out that the world above is not on fire and that’s only the beginning.
There are TW’s applicable to this series primarily starting at domestic violence, crimes against women (including rape) but no graphic details, religious fanaticism, kidnapping, combat and death.
It’s a stunning story showing the worst and best that people are capable of. This is book 3 of a planned 5, yes it finishes in a rough spot for characters that you’ll care about but right before that an awesome thing that needed to happen, a little sparrow fights back. This author is one that I have to read as soon as new books are released, for most other authors I wait until a series is complete before I start reading.
This book, series and basically anything written by this author is well worth reading.
The women are strong, they are very different even amongst themselves but all strong in their own ways. The men too or at least the good guys (and the ones trying to be better), the bad guys are amazingly written just the kind you love to really hate. Not as well rounded as the main characters but definitely notable.
If you’re browsing at random then this is a post apocalyptic story, some people took shelter in a bunker and over the years they turned into religious zealots. On the surface a liberal dose of science was used to genetically alter some people, to adapt and survive. Both groups survived, over the years those from the bunker calling themselves The Righteous attacked those on the surface, raiding for food and anything else they could get. The main story centres around three young women who share a room in the bunker, Ayla, Merienne and Callah. Between them they discover some shocking truths. It turns out that the world above is not on fire and that’s only the beginning.
There are TW’s applicable to this series primarily starting at domestic violence, crimes against women (including rape) but no graphic details, religious fanaticism, kidnapping, combat and death.
It’s a stunning story showing the worst and best that people are capable of. This is book 3 of a planned 5, yes it finishes in a rough spot for characters that you’ll care about but right before that an awesome thing that needed to happen, a little sparrow fights back. This author is one that I have to read as soon as new books are released, for most other authors I wait until a series is complete before I start reading.
March 15, 2026
So I was under the wrong impression that this would conclude the series.
It doesn't.
It is even more repetitive than the first two. I can't take it anymore, more talks about consent, more infantilization of traumatized survivors, while sexing them up, group sex/poly relationships included.
SPOILERS AHEAD
I skimmed most of the Phoenix stuff, read about Callah and Tobias a bit. But honestly, this has sooooo many plotholes (e.g. no one knows how to leave the compound except two people...seriously - NO ONE would risk starvation with hundreds of people, even the men who see that the other guys get killed of all the time, don't do anything, they just wait until they are killed as well etc. etc.,) and I just lost all interest. I tried not to think about that stuff too deeply and tried to enjoy the series, but the writing really didn't help.
It went so far that I won't pick up any other books by this author.
I finished the story in my head - they finally find out how to open the stupid compound doors (why only hunters know the code, when the gatherers need to bring in the plants as well?), they kill all the bad guys. Callah and Tobias do they deed (after 235 discussions if Callah REALLY REALLY wants to have sex, 437 confirmations that it DOES NOT HURT).
Everyone is happy, and they all have one big, consensual orgy.
THE END.
It doesn't.
It is even more repetitive than the first two. I can't take it anymore, more talks about consent, more infantilization of traumatized survivors, while sexing them up, group sex/poly relationships included.
SPOILERS AHEAD
I skimmed most of the Phoenix stuff, read about Callah and Tobias a bit. But honestly, this has sooooo many plotholes (e.g. no one knows how to leave the compound except two people...seriously - NO ONE would risk starvation with hundreds of people, even the men who see that the other guys get killed of all the time, don't do anything, they just wait until they are killed as well etc. etc.,) and I just lost all interest. I tried not to think about that stuff too deeply and tried to enjoy the series, but the writing really didn't help.
It went so far that I won't pick up any other books by this author.
I finished the story in my head - they finally find out how to open the stupid compound doors (why only hunters know the code, when the gatherers need to bring in the plants as well?), they kill all the bad guys. Callah and Tobias do they deed (after 235 discussions if Callah REALLY REALLY wants to have sex, 437 confirmations that it DOES NOT HURT).
Everyone is happy, and they all have one big, consensual orgy.
THE END.
January 10, 2026
Wow! I love this series
Talk about anxiety rushing at the end of this book, I have it bad. What an ending and I can't wait for the next book, Wow!
I hate religion. I see so many correlations of a patriarchy and the dominance over women in religion, politics, and our society. I cringe at the belief of the righteous and how they want to control others.
I felt a strong theme was the myth of monogamy. It's so hard to change a programming that you grew up believing. As I have evolved in my belief system, I really believe in love is love and it's ok to have polyamorous lifestyle and I support it (if it isn't force on anyone like a religion).
This book followed many different characters per chapter and what was happing to them. I enjoyed reading all of these side stories.
Again I loved Ayla with her dogs and her dragons. I loved Meri’s transformation. With Tobias and Callah, I loved their friendship / marriage and starting the rebellion with the mole women.
It's so good. Yes, it ends with a cliffhanger. I can barely wait to find out how it all plays out. It's going to be hard waiting for the next book.
Talk about anxiety rushing at the end of this book, I have it bad. What an ending and I can't wait for the next book, Wow!
I hate religion. I see so many correlations of a patriarchy and the dominance over women in religion, politics, and our society. I cringe at the belief of the righteous and how they want to control others.
I felt a strong theme was the myth of monogamy. It's so hard to change a programming that you grew up believing. As I have evolved in my belief system, I really believe in love is love and it's ok to have polyamorous lifestyle and I support it (if it isn't force on anyone like a religion).
This book followed many different characters per chapter and what was happing to them. I enjoyed reading all of these side stories.
Again I loved Ayla with her dogs and her dragons. I loved Meri’s transformation. With Tobias and Callah, I loved their friendship / marriage and starting the rebellion with the mole women.
It's so good. Yes, it ends with a cliffhanger. I can barely wait to find out how it all plays out. It's going to be hard waiting for the next book.
January 13, 2026
Such a great read!
If you are a true fan you completely expected the ending. You know this story couldn't be completed in three books.
I honestly love this series so much. I am so connected to ALL of the characters! And that is something special. I am invested in each and every one of their story lines and I can not wait to read the next installment.
Ignore the bad ratings because people are upset about a cliffhanger. The ratings do NOT reflect the writers talents or their amazing ability to tell a story.
It is very worth the read and my favorite story from them so far!
If you are a true fan you completely expected the ending. You know this story couldn't be completed in three books.
I honestly love this series so much. I am so connected to ALL of the characters! And that is something special. I am invested in each and every one of their story lines and I can not wait to read the next installment.
Ignore the bad ratings because people are upset about a cliffhanger. The ratings do NOT reflect the writers talents or their amazing ability to tell a story.
It is very worth the read and my favorite story from them so far!
January 7, 2026
Every time I read a new release from Auryn I am absolutely blown away. She continues to top her previous work, making it more epic, more emotional and just evolving the story in such a phenomenal way. This series is definitely not for the faint of heart but I adore everything about it. If you want to rage, cry, laugh and enjoy complex characters, this is definitely the series for you. I can’t wait to see what happens next with the gang.
January 16, 2026
I can’t get enough!!
This series drew me in so completely, I love how the characters are complex, lovable, and loved for their differences! When I saw a new book in this series came out I re read the first two, and this one didn’t disappoint!! Sometimes sequels lose momentum, but not this one. It’s a good mix of action, romance, growth, learning, and scheming! I’ll definitely come back and read it again and again. I can’t wait for the next
This series drew me in so completely, I love how the characters are complex, lovable, and loved for their differences! When I saw a new book in this series came out I re read the first two, and this one didn’t disappoint!! Sometimes sequels lose momentum, but not this one. It’s a good mix of action, romance, growth, learning, and scheming! I’ll definitely come back and read it again and again. I can’t wait for the next
January 20, 2026
hdslsjchddjsisbdvdbsudgs. my brain after that ending
It’s midnight. I’ve just finished rose’s thorn but how am I supposed to sleep after that?? I freaking love this story.. it has become one of my favourites but honestly I say that about all of auryns books. I’ve never read another author that draws you into their world so thoroughly. Ayla, Merri, Callahan, Tobias, I couldn’t tell you who I loved most coz they are all special.
Damn it.. now I have to tr y to sleep but how?
It’s midnight. I’ve just finished rose’s thorn but how am I supposed to sleep after that?? I freaking love this story.. it has become one of my favourites but honestly I say that about all of auryns books. I’ve never read another author that draws you into their world so thoroughly. Ayla, Merri, Callahan, Tobias, I couldn’t tell you who I loved most coz they are all special.
Damn it.. now I have to tr y to sleep but how?
January 14, 2026
4 ⭐️/1.5 🌶️—Still a really weird post-apocalyptic series set hundreds of years in the future. It is an interesting series though with great characterization, if more sparse worldbuilding. I have no idea how many books the series will be. I would guess the story couldn’t continue past another one, but Hadley’s books tend to be very long.
January 16, 2026
Love the story building and the world this author has created.
In a nutshell : Puritist cult meets futuristic human lizard hybrids and we follow the main character, a lady warrior, with the development of her polyamory relationships.
If this intrigues you, it’s a must read series!
In a nutshell : Puritist cult meets futuristic human lizard hybrids and we follow the main character, a lady warrior, with the development of her polyamory relationships.
If this intrigues you, it’s a must read series!
February 2, 2026
panicked , but oh so good
This series is so good. Love the world building. When I saw 3 out of three, I was like great, a completed series. As I got closer and closer to the end of book 3 the panic started. Wait a minute this isn’t complete, oh noooo! So I will be patiently (maybe) waiting for the next book. The good news is a whole other book in this world. Yeah!
This series is so good. Love the world building. When I saw 3 out of three, I was like great, a completed series. As I got closer and closer to the end of book 3 the panic started. Wait a minute this isn’t complete, oh noooo! So I will be patiently (maybe) waiting for the next book. The good news is a whole other book in this world. Yeah!
February 27, 2026
I really like the overall story in this series. The part that bothers me is that the focus is on weaknesses rather than strengths. Thrown into the mix are the overarching sex education lessons. We get it. Let it go. I will try the next book to see if I'm not angry while reading it the whole time. Fingers crossed.
March 13, 2026
A must read series
I unfortunately did not wait until the whole series came out to start reading, but I have no regrets! My heart is pounding and it will be a bit until I calm down because that was one heart stopping ending. I absolutely recommend you go read this series today. And I cannot wait for the next installment.
I unfortunately did not wait until the whole series came out to start reading, but I have no regrets! My heart is pounding and it will be a bit until I calm down because that was one heart stopping ending. I absolutely recommend you go read this series today. And I cannot wait for the next installment.
January 10, 2026
Seriously addictive.
This unique series just keeps getting better and better! I have read the first three books this week, and will be eagerly awaiting the next installment. The writing and grammar are superb, the characters intense, and the world expansive.
This unique series just keeps getting better and better! I have read the first three books this week, and will be eagerly awaiting the next installment. The writing and grammar are superb, the characters intense, and the world expansive.
January 16, 2026
On the edge of my seat!
Had I known this wasn’t the last book, I would have waited! Not saying it wasn’t amazing, I just don’t do well with cliffhangers! I can’t wait to read what comes next!
Had I known this wasn’t the last book, I would have waited! Not saying it wasn’t amazing, I just don’t do well with cliffhangers! I can’t wait to read what comes next!
January 16, 2026
Things are starting to ramp up
I feel like this book is where all the chips are being thrown, like, everything is gonna be turned up from here on out, and it was already at an 11 before! I'm so excited to see what happens next
I feel like this book is where all the chips are being thrown, like, everything is gonna be turned up from here on out, and it was already at an 11 before! I'm so excited to see what happens next
March 12, 2026
OMG Again!
Auryn Hadley does it again. Even though I was hoping for the HEA in this book, I loved reading about the Dragons again. This series is full of heartbreak, humor, heroism and love. I can hardly wait for the next book in this series. Write faster Auryn!
Auryn Hadley does it again. Even though I was hoping for the HEA in this book, I loved reading about the Dragons again. This series is full of heartbreak, humor, heroism and love. I can hardly wait for the next book in this series. Write faster Auryn!
January 10, 2026
Best yet.
I loved that we had more povs in this book. Tobias and Callah are my favorite side characters. That cliffhanger though, that was brutal.
I loved that we had more povs in this book. Tobias and Callah are my favorite side characters. That cliffhanger though, that was brutal.
January 12, 2026
Sooo good!
It’s long. 790 ebook pages. Full of adventures and very mild spicy scenes over halfway through.
I love all these characters and I can’t wait for book 4!
It’s long. 790 ebook pages. Full of adventures and very mild spicy scenes over halfway through.
I love all these characters and I can’t wait for book 4!
February 1, 2026
Amazing
Book 3 and the plot and storyline just gets better. Multiple POVs which keeps the storyline going. The relationships are moving along nicely. Cant wait for the next book!!
Book 3 and the plot and storyline just gets better. Multiple POVs which keeps the storyline going. The relationships are moving along nicely. Cant wait for the next book!!
February 19, 2026
I’m glad when I wait for a book with bated breath and it lives up to my expectations. I love this series
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews