Ruined

Emelina Flores leads a group of rebels in the kingdom of Lera, seeking revenge after her parents were killed. As a useless Ruined - someone born without magical abilities in a world where magic defines power - she must rely on her combat skills and determination. Em infiltrates the royal palace by impersonating Prince Casimir's bride-to-be, Princess Mary. Her mission involves gathering intelligence and weakening Lera from within, all while maintaining her cover among the royal court. As Em navigates palace politics and her complex relationship with Prince Cas, the lines between duty and personal feelings begin to blur. The fate of her people and the future of multiple kingdoms hang in the balance as tensions escalate between those with magic and those without. The novel explores themes of power, identity, and the cost of revenge, questioning whether the cycle of violence can ever truly bring justice. Through Em's story, the narrative examines what happens when personal and political motivations collide.

Readers rate this YA fantasy revenge story 3.9/5 on Goodreads (24,000+ ratings) and 4.4/5 on Amazon (500+ ratings). Readers praised: - Fast pacing and action sequences - Chemistry between main characters - Villain's complex motivations - World-building details like the magic system - Balance of romance and plot Common criticisms: - Predictable plot twists - Romance developing too quickly - Side characters lacking depth - Worldbuilding gaps around politics/history - Similar to other YA fantasy books Multiple reviewers noted the book works well as a standalone despite being part of a series. Several mentioned putting it down initially but enjoying it more on a second try. Many readers compared it favorably to Red Queen and Shadow and Bone, though some felt it was too derivative of those works. The romance received mixed feedback - some found it compelling while others thought it followed overdone YA tropes. Younger readers (13-16) generally rated it higher than adult readers.

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Graceling by Kristin Cashore A woman with the power to kill must protect a royal secret while navigating political intrigue in a world of deadly abilities.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir A girl infiltrates a military academy to save her brother and becomes entangled in a rebellion against a brutal empire.

🏰 Though the story takes place in a fantasy world, many locations are inspired by real medieval castles and ruins throughout Europe, particularly those in the Loire Valley of France. ⚔️ Author Amy Tintera wrote the first draft of "Ruined" in just six weeks during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). 👑 The magic system in the book draws from ancient folklore about bloodlines carrying power, similar to beliefs held by many royal families throughout history. 🗡️ The main character Em's fighting style was influenced by both traditional sword fighting techniques and modern mixed martial arts, creating a unique hybrid combat approach. 💫 The book was originally pitched with a different title and underwent several major revisions before becoming the "Ruined" we know today, including a complete change in the magic system.