Hope's Ruin

by Neil J Hart

When the last shreds of hope crumble to dust... the dead shall rise!

Erin loved Number Twelve with all her heart. She was the kindest, bravest, most terrifying scarecrow in all creation. But she’s dead now... Isn’t she?

The oceans have retreated and a desiccated world now dwells beneath monstrous clouds that threaten a second storm. Erin knows it’s coming. She’s been busy. She’s prepared for anything. But when an urgent knock rattles her door in the dead of night, she’s dragged into a grave new world governed by her darkest nightmares.

Erin has not prepared for this. Erin needs another miracle.

'Return to Oz' meets 'The Wild Robot' in Neil J Hart’s adorably terrifying fantasy adventure where climate change has ravaged the planet, destroyed humanity, and ushered in a grave new world!

328 pages, Paperback

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

Neil J Hart is a multi-award-winning author of YA and MG dystopian / paranormal fantasy, horror, and sci-fi books packed with adventure, peril, and heart.

Neil also works as a graphic designer and a musician. He fosters for Cats Protection. Relies on coffee. Adores a perfectly made cheese and cucumber sandwich. And collects Tomb Raider memorabilia.

Reviews

[MikeLikesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wait! What? Its finger twitched? Yes! This is book 2 of Scarecrows of Coldharbour Farm. Hope’s Ruin takes off a few months after the end of the Last Scarecrow. Erin is on the hunt for her brother, Clyde but also dealing with the devastating loss of Scarecrow #12. These scarecrows are not ordinary scarecrows you see in a cornfield. They can be scary but I love them. Erin has a lot to deal with in this book but has a friend Rani that joins her. This is YA but not a cute and cuddly YA. You have dead bones everywhere and bad guys. If you are looking for an edgy novel this series is the way to go. I would suggest you go read book one first so you get the beginning of the story. It leaves us on a cliff hanger so now I’m eagerly waiting for the final book of this trilogy.

I want to thank BookSirens and the author for an advanced copy of the ebook. My review is voluntary.

[merlin513 · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Hope’s Ruin’ starts with our intrepid heroes from ‘The Last Scarecrow’ still at Coldwater Farm.

The Endless Blue waters have receded, but the land revealed is a barren desert of salt and sand, studded with detritus from the waters. Marshall goes out nightly scouring the surrounding area for anything edible or salvageable, but Erin is stuck. It’s been over a year since Twelve ‘died’ and Erin has yet to recover any of her fighting spirit. That spark left along with whatever animated her favorite scarecrow. But then the unthinkable happens! A motor in the night and a knock on the door. Another survivor! and she has another of Erin’s original twelve scarecrows, in her possession.

‘Hope’s Ruin’ reunites us with many of the characters from the first book but expands upon the world introducing a whole new set of survivors and new fantastic settings and places for us to meet. Along with new rivals and old enemies are even stranger things happening and over all is the ominous rebirth of the worldstorm ramping up to yet another cataclysm. Will anyone survive this time?

Revisiting this wild, hallucinogenic world was great fun and has some truly terrifying moments. If you liked the films ‘Flow’ or ‘9’ or are a fan of the Land of Oz, you’ll love the broken world of The Last Scarecrow and ‘Hope’s Ruin’. It is truly something unique.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tami Wylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited to be revisiting the world and characters from The Last Scarecrow in the second book of the series. Set in the storm threatened world that is almost devoid of hope, Rani and Erin take us on a perilous,intense journey across what’s left of the decimated Earth. The author uses their journey to expand the world we knew and show us new places as well as introducing new characters. The story is full of emotions; fear, resilience and hope among the darkness. I devoured this book as quickly as I could because I was so invested. The author is a true master of his craft, having created a story that will engage adult readers as well as the target YA audience.

[BookGoose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow
I mean...where do I start?
19/5 stars

I know there's a third coming, but I don't want it to end.

NjH has captured the essence of survival perfectly by working through the "biomes" of this new world. The characters have been forced to live to survive, and what an amazing bunch they are!

You can easily follow every character like you know them, loving, hating, hoping. Such an amazing book...what will I do with my life now I have to wait for the third?!

Well done sir

[Charlotte’s Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I was very excited and curious to revisit the characters and the world from book 1, The Last Scarecrow, and see what adventures/dangers they would get themselves into this time.

Just like the first book, Hope’s Ruin is filled with gripping adventure, unique characters, courage, hope and friendship. We even get some new amazing characters and new places to explore.

If you like a post-apocalyptic ya fantasy then you should definitely give this series try.

Here are some of my favourite quotes from the book.

“A fearless heart can weather any storm.”

“You must be strong. For yourself. For Erin. For the horrors of this world will soon come calling. And when they do, to resist them, fight them, you must become a true believer.”

“You only fail when you choose to stop trying.”

[Sazerina Wilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Hope’s Ruin, the long-awaited second installment in The Last Scarecrow series, is a gripping and emotionally rich return to a world I was more than ready to revisit. After falling in love with the characters in The Last Scarecrow, I eagerly stepped back into Erin’s story and Neil J. Hart did not disappoint. Set in a desiccated, storm-threatened Earth where hope feels as fragile as survival itself, this sequel expands the world in compelling ways, introducing new places and characters that immediately pull you back in.

This time, it was Rani alongside Erin who truly guided me through the story, leading me on an adventurous, nerve-wracking journey across what remains of the world. Hart’s storytelling once again shines, drawing the reader into deep currents of human emotion, fear, hope, resilience, and even moments of laughter amid the darkness. I found myself racing through the pages, desperate to know whether everyone would make it through the next challenge. While the pacing felt a little fast at times, it only meant I reached the end far sooner than I expected. Well written and deeply moving, Hope’s Ruin proves that Neil J. Hart has truly nailed the post-apocalyptic thriller/horror genre, delivering a story that resonates just as strongly with YA readers as it does with adults.

[John Repplinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a solid post-apocalyptic read, this one is a whopper of a tale for you. Erin’s experience after a flooded Earth and the Many Years Storm pivots to a hot and thirsty planet. Hardly any life remains, and what little is left struggles under oppressive heat and humidity. The roiling storm clouds above refuse to offer even a single drop of relief.

Depression and hopelessness for humanity runs rampant, yet small threads of life and hope crop up in the most unexpected places. Several of Erin's scarecrows make an appearance, perhaps drawn to their maker. It is delightful to watch their personalities develop, whether humorous or downright terrifying. Also, Erin’s story intertwines with Rani, a girl who is forced to leave a small community of survivors with one of Erin’s reanimated scarecrows.

The description of ‘Return to Oz’ meets ‘The Wild Robot’ is accurate, although I would add heavily laced with elements of ‘Survivor’ and 'Doctor Who.'