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Cursed Empire #4
Empire of Ruins
Book 4 in the Cursed Empire series.
474 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2022
17 people are currently reading
999 people want to read
About the author
Rachel L. Schade
15 books505 followersRachel L. Schade was born on the first day of summer in a small town in Michigan, only to end up in another small town in Ohio. She attended The Ohio State University to learn how to write obnoxiously long papers, cite people who use big words, and discuss her passion: books. She has a great love for the color blue, sunshine, chocolate, and not folding her laundry. Currently she lives with her husband and surrounds herself with coffee and books on a regular basis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 18, 2023
That was like 90% pain and 10% happiness but still I can totally recommend!
Oh and I’m totally gaslighting myself with the ending 😂
Oh and I’m totally gaslighting myself with the ending 😂
June 23, 2022
This book...oh, this book. In some ways, it was such a trial to write. Maybe I just wasn't prepared, deep down, to say goodbye.
But it was amazing to see my MCs come so far.
Once again, there is action, there is darkness, there is hope, and there are plenty of emotions. For my lovers of my original trilogy, Silent Kingdom, there are some character cameos I might have literally fangirled over. (I missed those characters too!) I swooned, I held back tears of happiness and sadness... And let me tell you, I'm not normally one to feel choked up while writing (maybe because I expect the twists and turns before they come...you know, as the author). These characters have my heart, though, and they tugged on it numerous times.
I hope you love this conclusion as much as I loved writing it, and that it tears at your heart in all the same ways it did mine. I hope it both wrecks you and heals you.
Much love and thanks for sticking with me to the end, dear readers.
But it was amazing to see my MCs come so far.
Once again, there is action, there is darkness, there is hope, and there are plenty of emotions. For my lovers of my original trilogy, Silent Kingdom, there are some character cameos I might have literally fangirled over. (I missed those characters too!) I swooned, I held back tears of happiness and sadness... And let me tell you, I'm not normally one to feel choked up while writing (maybe because I expect the twists and turns before they come...you know, as the author). These characters have my heart, though, and they tugged on it numerous times.
I hope you love this conclusion as much as I loved writing it, and that it tears at your heart in all the same ways it did mine. I hope it both wrecks you and heals you.
Much love and thanks for sticking with me to the end, dear readers.
November 1, 2022
(WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR THE ENTIRE SERIS!)
I began this journey when I accidentally signed up for three different book tours for Empire of Dragons, Book 1 in the Cursed Empire series. Then Rachel invited me to join the street team for Empire of Traitors, Book 2, and I never left. These books have everything you could want from an epic fantasy romance. There is no spice, but it isn’t needed, honestly. I absolutely love these books!
Empire of Ruins takes up where Empire of Monsters leaves off. The capital is in ruins, the Forwyn and their allies have fled, and our MCs are all grappling with impossible decisions, being forced to choose between duty and love. No one will come away unscathed and not everyone will survive. Nesrelle becomes more and more determined to destroy everything and everyone in her path. This final installment is going to be the most explosive and the most heartbreaking yet. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride through all of your emotions.
Lo’laeni Nolanhou. Damn this woman never gives up! She has become my favorite character. She has always been tenacious and fiercely loyal to her people and her god, Elhani. Starting out as a slave who slays the Empress in order to save her people and then becoming a nun and then growing into this fierce badass who will stop at nothing in order to protect those she loves. Her journey has been nothing short of miraculous. When she’s forced to face her own past, in horrifying ways, she has to decide if she will continue on the path she’s chosen or if she will forgive and move forward. That’s never an easy choice, is it? How do you forgive all the ugliness in your life?
Jalie. She is succumbing to the demands of the Queen of Death, Nesrelle, who has her hooks in her. Jalie is a tormented soul. She’s grown up believing that hers is the superior race and all others merely exist to serve them. She was haughty and spoiled and unwavering in her hatred of others. She was determined to become just like her mother, because that’s what she’s being told her destiny is. I hadn’t liked her much from the beginning. She wasn’t my least favorite character but not my favorite either. But, I love her journey. She faces the same crisis of faith in the end. Does she continue on toward becoming just like her mother? Does she continue to allow Nesrelle to corrupt her even further? Or does she take a stand and decide to make her own way down her own path? I think Jalie’s demons are worse than the others because of the hatred and bigotry that has been instilled in her. Not to mention Nesrelle fanning the flames at every turn.
Caesiem and Kovi. Kovi remains the stoic and fierce soldier he always has been. He also has his past to contend with and needs to decide if his possible future with Jalie is more important to him than his duty to his people. Caesiem is so wrapped up in his past that you don’t see any way forward for him after a while. He feels obligated to Ravaed because of all he’s done for him, but at the same time, he also sees a better way for the future of the empire. The steps toward that future may be too hard to take. His love for Lo may be the one thing that can save him…or destroy him completely.
This story has so many ups and downs, twists and turns. It truly starts running from page one and ends still running. It is so well-written and the world-building is some of the best I’ve seen. I don’t know how writers build and build and build up to that peak. You think, okay, here we go. But no. You’re still building. When it all comes crashing down in one of the most epic battles I’ve read in a long time, you think there’s no way anyone survives this. I sobbed off and on all through the last 100 or so pages. Then comes the ending (I’m writing this through tears yet again.) My heart was crushed. I immediately texted Rachel to tell her she had shattered my poor heart. While talking to her, I came to the conclusion that we have to learn to create happy endings out of messy situations and that not everyone gets a happy ending after all. For me, that pretty much sums up this book. I hate to say good-bye to this series, but, man, what a fantastic journey it’s been! Thank you, Rachel, for this amazing series and allowing me to be a part of it all. When I read the acknowledgements, I was in tears again. Thank you!
Empire of Ruins has become my number 1 read this year. I highly recommend it, and the entire series, to fans of fantasy, fantasy romance, epic fantasy, fierce heroines, morally gray characters, evil villains, enemies to lovers, and forbidden romance.
I began this journey when I accidentally signed up for three different book tours for Empire of Dragons, Book 1 in the Cursed Empire series. Then Rachel invited me to join the street team for Empire of Traitors, Book 2, and I never left. These books have everything you could want from an epic fantasy romance. There is no spice, but it isn’t needed, honestly. I absolutely love these books!
Empire of Ruins takes up where Empire of Monsters leaves off. The capital is in ruins, the Forwyn and their allies have fled, and our MCs are all grappling with impossible decisions, being forced to choose between duty and love. No one will come away unscathed and not everyone will survive. Nesrelle becomes more and more determined to destroy everything and everyone in her path. This final installment is going to be the most explosive and the most heartbreaking yet. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride through all of your emotions.
Lo’laeni Nolanhou. Damn this woman never gives up! She has become my favorite character. She has always been tenacious and fiercely loyal to her people and her god, Elhani. Starting out as a slave who slays the Empress in order to save her people and then becoming a nun and then growing into this fierce badass who will stop at nothing in order to protect those she loves. Her journey has been nothing short of miraculous. When she’s forced to face her own past, in horrifying ways, she has to decide if she will continue on the path she’s chosen or if she will forgive and move forward. That’s never an easy choice, is it? How do you forgive all the ugliness in your life?
Jalie. She is succumbing to the demands of the Queen of Death, Nesrelle, who has her hooks in her. Jalie is a tormented soul. She’s grown up believing that hers is the superior race and all others merely exist to serve them. She was haughty and spoiled and unwavering in her hatred of others. She was determined to become just like her mother, because that’s what she’s being told her destiny is. I hadn’t liked her much from the beginning. She wasn’t my least favorite character but not my favorite either. But, I love her journey. She faces the same crisis of faith in the end. Does she continue on toward becoming just like her mother? Does she continue to allow Nesrelle to corrupt her even further? Or does she take a stand and decide to make her own way down her own path? I think Jalie’s demons are worse than the others because of the hatred and bigotry that has been instilled in her. Not to mention Nesrelle fanning the flames at every turn.
Caesiem and Kovi. Kovi remains the stoic and fierce soldier he always has been. He also has his past to contend with and needs to decide if his possible future with Jalie is more important to him than his duty to his people. Caesiem is so wrapped up in his past that you don’t see any way forward for him after a while. He feels obligated to Ravaed because of all he’s done for him, but at the same time, he also sees a better way for the future of the empire. The steps toward that future may be too hard to take. His love for Lo may be the one thing that can save him…or destroy him completely.
This story has so many ups and downs, twists and turns. It truly starts running from page one and ends still running. It is so well-written and the world-building is some of the best I’ve seen. I don’t know how writers build and build and build up to that peak. You think, okay, here we go. But no. You’re still building. When it all comes crashing down in one of the most epic battles I’ve read in a long time, you think there’s no way anyone survives this. I sobbed off and on all through the last 100 or so pages. Then comes the ending (I’m writing this through tears yet again.) My heart was crushed. I immediately texted Rachel to tell her she had shattered my poor heart. While talking to her, I came to the conclusion that we have to learn to create happy endings out of messy situations and that not everyone gets a happy ending after all. For me, that pretty much sums up this book. I hate to say good-bye to this series, but, man, what a fantastic journey it’s been! Thank you, Rachel, for this amazing series and allowing me to be a part of it all. When I read the acknowledgements, I was in tears again. Thank you!
Empire of Ruins has become my number 1 read this year. I highly recommend it, and the entire series, to fans of fantasy, fantasy romance, epic fantasy, fierce heroines, morally gray characters, evil villains, enemies to lovers, and forbidden romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2022
This is the finale you’ve been waiting for. Our four main characters need to face a new series of tribulations and creative torture by the one and only goddess of death and despair. A breathtaking story, full of pain and doubt… but hope always shines at the end of the tunnel.
No one pulls you into an epic story like Rachel. If you dream of battles, of dragon rides and powerful loves, this series is for you. Beware… your heart might break but you’ll still want to read it.
No one pulls you into an epic story like Rachel. If you dream of battles, of dragon rides and powerful loves, this series is for you. Beware… your heart might break but you’ll still want to read it.
December 13, 2022
I’m crying it’s fine it’s fine it’s fine everything’s fine how are you
August 22, 2023
A stunning finale 🤌🏻
April 25, 2025
oh my oh my oh my it's over 😭😭😭😭
It's always bittersweet saying goodbye to characters after a long series! You just get so attached, and this series is no exception! I found myself constantly changing who my favorite character was (Jalie-->Lo-->Lo-->Kovi-->Jalie-->Lo) and I did love all of the characters but Lo ended up being my favorite. I just really liked her views on right and wrong and justice and I related to her a lot; she is so strong and I love her for it!
This series is a bumpy ride for these characters FOR SURE! They go through so much, and just when you think things can't get worse, they do. Rachel really put them all through the blender, poor sweet babies 😂 but that just makes the ending that much more satisfying-- and bitter sweet too!!
It's always bittersweet saying goodbye to characters after a long series! You just get so attached, and this series is no exception! I found myself constantly changing who my favorite character was (Jalie-->Lo-->Lo-->Kovi-->Jalie-->Lo) and I did love all of the characters but Lo ended up being my favorite. I just really liked her views on right and wrong and justice and I related to her a lot; she is so strong and I love her for it!
This series is a bumpy ride for these characters FOR SURE! They go through so much, and just when you think things can't get worse, they do. Rachel really put them all through the blender, poor sweet babies 😂 but that just makes the ending that much more satisfying-- and bitter sweet too!!
January 5, 2023
You’ve hurt my soul, Rachel L. Schade.
November 21, 2022
Oh, it's so bittersweet to be done with a fantasy series like this, where you've gone on the ride with the characters. And it's wonderful to see how their stories wrap up, but terribly difficult to say goodbye to them. 🥰🥹 I loved it. The whole book was marvelous.
Nesrelle is the most vile antagonist who you hate with a passion, but is a legitimate foil to the Fab Four. It's so much fun to have Lo, Caesium, Jalie, and Kovi all together, interacting with each other, after having spent so much of the series separated from one another (at least after the first book). Each character has grown so much. Jalie and Lo should not be friends based on their history, and yet they make total sense by the end.
The writing and emotion in this book is so strong. This series would be great for fans of An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir.
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How it ends: It seems like Lo has died, because Nesrelle is allowed to take one mortal soul every year and wants to make her suffer. Lo called out for Elhani to come save her people and he does come and defeat the nymphs and undead army and Nesrelle. But, he can't bring Lo back from the dead. So Caesium makes a deal with Nesrelle to become immortal and be a Prince of Death in exchange for Lo being alive again. Caesium will ferry dead souls to the beyond in a peaceful way, always trying to keep Nesrelle from feeding on sorrow and misery, AND he will get some time with Lo.
Ravead died to save Caesium even though Caes had chosen Lo over Teramyl.
Kovi and Jalie work together with Alrenian and Forwyn people to rule and unite everyone. Dragon hatchlings seem promising.
Nesrelle is the most vile antagonist who you hate with a passion, but is a legitimate foil to the Fab Four. It's so much fun to have Lo, Caesium, Jalie, and Kovi all together, interacting with each other, after having spent so much of the series separated from one another (at least after the first book). Each character has grown so much. Jalie and Lo should not be friends based on their history, and yet they make total sense by the end.
The writing and emotion in this book is so strong. This series would be great for fans of An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir.
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How it ends: It seems like Lo has died, because Nesrelle is allowed to take one mortal soul every year and wants to make her suffer. Lo called out for Elhani to come save her people and he does come and defeat the nymphs and undead army and Nesrelle. But, he can't bring Lo back from the dead. So Caesium makes a deal with Nesrelle to become immortal and be a Prince of Death in exchange for Lo being alive again. Caesium will ferry dead souls to the beyond in a peaceful way, always trying to keep Nesrelle from feeding on sorrow and misery, AND he will get some time with Lo.
Ravead died to save Caesium even though Caes had chosen Lo over Teramyl.
Kovi and Jalie work together with Alrenian and Forwyn people to rule and unite everyone. Dragon hatchlings seem promising.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2025
"The darkness of your past can no longer hold power over you, because you are stronger now than you were in that moment. What once overcame you is exactly what you are capable of overcoming now." 🐉⚔️
I really enjoyed this series, and this final book tied everything together beautifully. I loved the characters and only wish they all could have had happy endings. 🥲
I really enjoyed this series, and this final book tied everything together beautifully. I loved the characters and only wish they all could have had happy endings. 🥲
June 12, 2025
Out of 5? 10.
October 21, 2022
This is how you do a bittersweet ending! It's always difficult saying goodbye to characters you've grown to love, but this series ended the way it needed to when war is involved. For fear of spoiling anything, I'll just say that this book is my absolute favorite in the series. Rachel pulls you in with action, the creepy ass villain, and of course, those swoon worthy boys that you can't help but love! The world building, the magic, literally everything about this book is everything you want in a fantasy read! Absolutely loved it!
November 7, 2022
“Then I’ll walk through the darkness with you”
Like what 🥰 * swoon *
What an amazing ending to a great series!!
Character growth, deeper understanding of the world and what the villains/ gods want for their people. She even goes in depth more about magic and how they wield it and the consequences of using such things. War and death follow our main characters but they find together they are a greater force against the darkness.
This story was so good I nearly cried a few times in it!! You love all the (main) characters and cheer them on giving them the power of courage like they’re real. I wish they were and the dragons?! Gold!!
Like what 🥰 * swoon *
What an amazing ending to a great series!!
Character growth, deeper understanding of the world and what the villains/ gods want for their people. She even goes in depth more about magic and how they wield it and the consequences of using such things. War and death follow our main characters but they find together they are a greater force against the darkness.
This story was so good I nearly cried a few times in it!! You love all the (main) characters and cheer them on giving them the power of courage like they’re real. I wish they were and the dragons?! Gold!!
December 18, 2022
I have no words. I devoured this book. It was phenomenal. I felt all the feels and I'm still trying to recover. The character growth blew me away. It was amazing to see our 4 main characters grow so much and to also struggle! From chapter one everything flowed so great and it was hard to put down. This was an epic conclusion to a fabulous series and Rachel just did an absolutely fantastic job of wrapping up all loose ends. Side note: if you haven't read the Silent Kingdom series, I would recommend reading those before this series. Some characters from SK make an appearance and it may be helpful as a reader to be familiar with those characters as well. But it is not required. Rachel gives enough explanation in EoR that you won't be lost if you haven't read SK. All in all, I adored this book and I'm sad to see it come to an end, but love how it all came together. Congrats Rachel on finishing this epic fantasy adventure!
February 12, 2023
This series just did not need to be as long as it was. It became very repetitive to me and I was not happy with how it ended. It was really kind of boring.
July 30, 2023
My rating system:
5 stars - Absolutely loved it! I would definitely read again anytime!
4 stars - Really liked it! Will most likely read again sometime.
3 stars - Liked it. Glad I read it but probably won't read again.
2 stars - Didn't like it. Glad I'm done with the book and I'll never read it again.
1 star - Very rare rating. Absolutely hated the book. Will never read again and I'll probably burn any copies I come across.
I mostly enjoyed this series but I really didn't like this last book and I am upset about how it all ended. Jalie has been annoying the entire series and I was okay with her redemption arc, but then she gets her perfectly happily ever after too?! I liked Lo and Caes so much more than Jalie and Kovi and I'm so disappointed in how their story ended. Nesrelle was frustrating the entire series as well, obviously, she's the "master villain" but I hated her influence on Revaed. He deserved so much better than following in his father's footsteps (side note, did we ever learn what happened to his father? I'm completely blanking on that right now so I'm guessing not but I was also fast reading the end portion of the book because I just wanted it to be over) (side, side note, that shouldn't be how I feel about a book, I shouldn't want it to end, not be anxious to get the book over with).
Overall I was really enjoying this series and the conflicts between the three countries and the Romeo and Juliet style forbidden romances, but this last book let me down. Why couldn't Elhani step in earlier? He finally did when Lo called for him at the end, but if he didn't like what Nesrelle was doing then why didn't he command her to stop earlier? Ugh I just am so not satisfied with anything that happened in this final book.
5 stars - Absolutely loved it! I would definitely read again anytime!
4 stars - Really liked it! Will most likely read again sometime.
3 stars - Liked it. Glad I read it but probably won't read again.
2 stars - Didn't like it. Glad I'm done with the book and I'll never read it again.
1 star - Very rare rating. Absolutely hated the book. Will never read again and I'll probably burn any copies I come across.
I mostly enjoyed this series but I really didn't like this last book and I am upset about how it all ended. Jalie has been annoying the entire series and I was okay with her redemption arc, but then she gets her perfectly happily ever after too?! I liked Lo and Caes so much more than Jalie and Kovi and I'm so disappointed in how their story ended. Nesrelle was frustrating the entire series as well, obviously, she's the "master villain" but I hated her influence on Revaed. He deserved so much better than following in his father's footsteps (side note, did we ever learn what happened to his father? I'm completely blanking on that right now so I'm guessing not but I was also fast reading the end portion of the book because I just wanted it to be over) (side, side note, that shouldn't be how I feel about a book, I shouldn't want it to end, not be anxious to get the book over with).
Overall I was really enjoying this series and the conflicts between the three countries and the Romeo and Juliet style forbidden romances, but this last book let me down. Why couldn't Elhani step in earlier? He finally did when Lo called for him at the end, but if he didn't like what Nesrelle was doing then why didn't he command her to stop earlier? Ugh I just am so not satisfied with anything that happened in this final book.
December 12, 2022
Let me start out by saying I loved this book and series.
Without giving too much away, holy character growth batman! It seemed genuine and natural. Well done!
Um, dragons, they have my heart.
Just kidding, Caesiem has my heart. I love him. So much. And it makes perfect sense that Lo was my favorite character. These two FOREVER.
Kovi and Jalie finally came into their own. They finally got with the program.
The conclusion definitely had all the fight scenes and battles I wanted!
Also, surprise, Schade actually hurts a bit. Won't say more than that. ;P
I'm sad to be leaving this world! I've gotten quite attached!
Btw, a lot of parents are constantly looking for appropriate books for their teens, this is it!
Don't get me wrong, I'm in my 30s and loved it but this is totally appropriate for teens!
Without giving too much away, holy character growth batman! It seemed genuine and natural. Well done!
Um, dragons, they have my heart.
Just kidding, Caesiem has my heart. I love him. So much. And it makes perfect sense that Lo was my favorite character. These two FOREVER.
Kovi and Jalie finally came into their own. They finally got with the program.
The conclusion definitely had all the fight scenes and battles I wanted!
Also, surprise, Schade actually hurts a bit. Won't say more than that. ;P
I'm sad to be leaving this world! I've gotten quite attached!
Btw, a lot of parents are constantly looking for appropriate books for their teens, this is it!
Don't get me wrong, I'm in my 30s and loved it but this is totally appropriate for teens!
January 22, 2025
I got the first book of the Cursed Empire series for free during a Stuff-your-Kindle event. I mainly took it because I liked the cover, but I did absolutely not expect that I would enjoy the series so much ! Definitely did not regret having read it !
Some characters felt a bit cliché, but I liked that the "bad guys" were not fully bad as in "I'm-bad-because-I'm-the-vilain" type but were rather complex people guided by their emotions and duties.
The ending of the last book clearly left a bitter taste in my mouth tho 🥲
In short, if you're looking for a short Fantasy series with dragons, this one is for you 😁
Some characters felt a bit cliché, but I liked that the "bad guys" were not fully bad as in "I'm-bad-because-I'm-the-vilain" type but were rather complex people guided by their emotions and duties.
The ending of the last book clearly left a bitter taste in my mouth tho 🥲
In short, if you're looking for a short Fantasy series with dragons, this one is for you 😁
October 1, 2023
loved the series but…
Overall I loved this series. The storyline is great and the characters are impeccable. The last book irked me though, mainly because the battles (especially with the vision aspect) became horrible repetitive. I think this book could have been much shorter and fast paced without them. Regardless this is a great read just prefer the first 3 books as they move a little quicker.
Overall I loved this series. The storyline is great and the characters are impeccable. The last book irked me though, mainly because the battles (especially with the vision aspect) became horrible repetitive. I think this book could have been much shorter and fast paced without them. Regardless this is a great read just prefer the first 3 books as they move a little quicker.
May 21, 2023
This was one of the best books of this series, and the action was very interesting. I liked how the characters matured, and the whole group cared for each other. The book was a bit overshadowed for me by Caesiem sacrificing himself for Lo and becoming essentially an immortal slave. That was a straight bummer, and felt contrived to force a bittersweet end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2024
This book continued the stories of the characters from books 1-3. It was fast paced and loved the romance! I cried screamed and begged the characters at different times of the books! I didn’t love the ending because it wasn’t the predictable happily ever after I was craving but it was still worth the read!
January 10, 2023
Rating: 3.5 stars
A bittersweet end to the series. Jalie and Kovi really shined in this book for me. Their duel was so intense and had me on the edge of my seat. They were my favorite part of the series and I’m sad to say goodbye to them.
A bittersweet end to the series. Jalie and Kovi really shined in this book for me. Their duel was so intense and had me on the edge of my seat. They were my favorite part of the series and I’m sad to say goodbye to them.
September 29, 2023
Mixed feelings with this last book
Great story and characters. Clean and complex story line. Was really enjoying the series until this last book. Super disappointed in one half of the ending. I don’t want to give any spoilers so I’ll leave it at that.
Great story and characters. Clean and complex story line. Was really enjoying the series until this last book. Super disappointed in one half of the ending. I don’t want to give any spoilers so I’ll leave it at that.
October 19, 2023
Great ending to the series! I did cry a few times in the last chapters. No spoilers, but it was the best book in the series for sure.
January 5, 2024
reshmita the caterpillar. OOO!
January 27, 2024
A very dissatisfying ending. It got boring for me and there was so much left unanswered.
May 12, 2024
I was too angry at the end of caes and lo, They did not deserve that ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2024
I'm still processing, but Holy shit what a great ending to the series. Catch me buying everything this author has ever written IMMEDIATELY.
September 6, 2023
Summary: This is the conclusion of the series with lots of epic battling and some INTENSE redemption arcs for some of our very gray characters.
Pros: I love a good redemption arc and that despite how dark everything got, I liked that we ended with some hope and that the romance stayed cleanish (max heat: complete fade-to-black with a happily married couple).
Also, baby dragons. :)
Cons: There were a few magical things at the end that I wished were explained/foreshadowed a bit better because they felt a little random, but I’m okay with where everyone ended up regardless.
Conclusion: Good series. A bit darker than my usual reads, but I was able to deal. I’m curious to read more from this author in the future! Especially if she keeps putting them on audio for me!
Pros: I love a good redemption arc and that despite how dark everything got, I liked that we ended with some hope and that the romance stayed cleanish (max heat: complete fade-to-black with a happily married couple).
Also, baby dragons. :)
Cons: There were a few magical things at the end that I wished were explained/foreshadowed a bit better because they felt a little random, but I’m okay with where everyone ended up regardless.
Conclusion: Good series. A bit darker than my usual reads, but I was able to deal. I’m curious to read more from this author in the future! Especially if she keeps putting them on audio for me!
February 19, 2023
This book was incredible. Each book in the Cursed Empire was better than the last and the epic conclusion in Empire of Ruins truly made Rachel Schade's series a must read. I absolutely loved seeing all four of our main characters come together at last. Jalie's story arc was SO. WELL. DONE. And the moment when Lo and Jalie finally really talk had me in tears. While I have enjoyed Lo and Caesiem's storyline the most for the majority of the series (y'all they have a MOMENT in this book that made me lose my mind), Rachel's ability to write Jalie's grief is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. If Lo is the hope for what could be, Jalie is the longing for what might have been but never was. They are all the parts of our humanity - faith and despair and love and loss and a ceaseless desire to fight for more despite it all. These two incredible women compliment one another perfectly and make this story so powerful and poignant. Read this series. (And then come scream about it with me!)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews