Ruin by Gillian Eliza West: A Spoiler Free Review
Working Title: A spicy debut inspired by the gods of ancient Greece
Romantasy Realms is one year old! I’d like to begin by saying thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy reading these posts as much as I love writing them. This first anniversary also makes this review special considering one of my biggest goals was to provide a platform where I could help new romantasy authors promote their novels. As a writer, I know the amount of dedication and courage it takes to go from “I have an idea for a story” to “Would you consider reading the depths of my heart and soul that are splashed across these pages?”
I was delighted to receive an ARC of Ruin from Gillian Eliza West’s marketing team in exchange for an honest review. The best part for you, dear readers, is that Ruin is available now for purchase. If romantasy duologies set in the underworld featuring a battle between dark and light magic are your cuppa, this spicy book should be considered for your TBR.
Ruin introduces the reader to Oralia Solis, the 245-year-old ward of sun King Typhon of Aethera. At birth she was gifted with the light and life affirming magic of her mother. Sadly, guilt and fear take over her life in her earliest years, as the bite of a daemoni afflicted her with dark magic that reduces any human or God she touches to a heap of ash. A danger to all around her, she has spent her miserable life in isolation. When the dark magic arises out of her in the form of deadly shadows, only the searing touch of Typhon’s light magic can stop it.
When her magic overcomes her with deadly consequences, Oralia flees and finds herself in the rival kingdom of Infernis. King Renwick, God overseeing this land of the dead, has an innate understanding of Oralia’s magic. Hoping to use it to his advantage, he takes her prisoner.
Rife with tension from their forced proximity, Oralia must decide if she should embrace the magic that flows within her.
Ruin by Gillian Eliza West
Romance: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 out of 5 hot peppers.
⚔Enemies to lovers
☠Touch her and die
💦 First time
🌟Fated mates
Worldbuilding/Fantasy Elements:
👿 Shadow Daddy
☯ Dark and Light magic
🤴Gods inspired by Greco-Roman mythology
Trigger Warnings: None
The Romance: Get it girl!
Gillian Eliza West’s first forrays into publishing were in the Dramione fan-fic sphere. It should come as no surprise then that she can write some very spicy encounters. Readers who are more into the romance aspects of romantasy will delight in the arc of change between Oralia and Ren as it goes from ice cold to sizzling hot.
The blossoming chemistry between the leads is enhanced by the fact that Oralia is touch starved at the onset of the story. Because of the daemoni bite, anyone who comes into contact with her flesh is reduced to a heap of ash. While she is not banished per se, she is lonely. Anyone with even the smallest amount of psychological knowledge can see this is a form of abuse, but it is all Oralia knows. Just like the fish does not see the water in which it swims, Oralia can only trust this is done with the greatest good in mind.
So yes, there is a lot of spice, and some folks might complain and say it isn’t necessary. I disagree and find that her longings and desires to be natural, and when she is finally allowed to touch and feel, it is well deserved.
The Fantasy: Hades and Persephone Vibes
Folks familar with the Greco-Roman myth of Hades and Persephone/Pluto and Prosperina will quickly recognize the source material that inspired the worldbuilding of the Infirnis duology. Renwick is the God of the Infirnis, realm where souls go to heal before they are reincarnated back into the land of the living. Oralia has elements of spring and renewal in her magic, just like Persephone, goddess of spring. Many of the other names used in the story have Greco-Roman orgins that hint at a character’s magical abilites or true personality traits. For those in the know, it is fun to see what was used and what was changed or subverted.
The story is set in a second world that has more of a medieval feel than that of the ancient western Mediterranean, which I enjoyed. (I’m a sucker for women in gowns and men swinging swords). However, unlike the Classical past, this world is accepting of folks who identify as non-binary and same-sex couples. While there are kings and queens, God is used interchangibalby for both males and females. I applaud West for making a point to represent a variety of characters on page.
My Favorite Steamy Quote
“Tilting her head back, I crushed my mouth to hers, swallowing her gasp as I drew my other arm around her waist, pulling her to the tips of her toes. This feeling. Stars. It was more than the way she had burrowed her way beneath my skin. More than the way she had carved out a place for herself in my chest. She had dug her way into my very soul, filling the space where the broken pieces had lain.”
Final Thoughts
Anyone who reads romantasy on the spicer side will love Ruin. The steamy encounters were expertly written, and there was just enough variation in the world-buiding to differentiate it from other myth-inspired novels. My only complaint is that during the first half of the book, there are instances in which the plot is driving the action. While this does underscore some of the character’s internal emotions of confusion, it can also leave some readers feeling like the story arc is disjointed in places. However, this didn’t hamper my enjoyment of Ruin. After the cliffhanger ending I’m dying to know what happens next!
Looks great! Thanks for the review!