We love a good duology here at THP, and this next one hit all the right notes! I. V. Marie just released Ruinous Ends, the conclusion to The Souls of Blackwood Academy duology. We jump right back into the action after the end of book one, Immortal Consequences.
Ruinous Ends reunites us with a group of six unfortunate acquaintances who end up scattered across the plains of Purgatory. August and Wren must find a way to escape the Demien Order. Masika, Olivier, and Emilio embark on a treacherous search for the True Headmaster. And Irene plots to infiltrate the Council and take it down from within.
Told in six unique perspectives, we couldn’t put down this fantasy novel. You won’t want to miss the action either! Here are three things we love about Ruinous Ends by I. V. Marie!
Book Overview: Ruinous Ends
Content warning: death/dying, gore, bodies, graphic violence, kidnapping, forced captivity, torture, serious injury, drinking, warfare, weapons, skulls, swearing, mentions of car accident, hospitalization, and drug use (Please read at your discretion!)
Summary: The Decennial is over, but for the students of Blackwood Academy, the fight for the afterlife has just begun.
The infamous school was hiding more secrets—and lies—than any of the Decennial’s participants could have imagined. And there’s still so much that remains buried beneath its ancient foundations. Now the future of the academy, and all the souls within it, rests in the hands of six former pupils:
The charmer and the golden boy . . .
The traitor and the girl desperate to save her . . .
The Chosen One and the one who would choose her over and over again . . .
Any of them could be the hero the afterlife needs . . . or the villain who will destroy it for good. Because the truth is, Blackwood’s biggest secret has yet to come to light—and when it does, it will shake the institution to its core.
August & Wren’s Angsty Romance
We were told to expect lots of banter and yearning in Ruinous Ends, and we’re so glad to report that it delivered. Following the developments at the end of book one, August and Wren soon cross paths again in the Demien Order. The trust between them has shattered, along with their budding romance. But August stops at nothing to prove his commitment to Wren. He’d willingly succumb to the shadows if it meant that Wren lives. As they say, a man who yearns is a man who earns. And even with his precarious position as General, August looks out for Wren and saves her on more than one occasion.
Everything Ties Together
Even with six vastly different points of view in Ruinous Ends, we didn’t lose track of anyone or what they did. August and Wren deal with the Demien Order and what they call “The Soulless One.” Masika, Olivier, and Emilio ally with the Resistance on finding the True Headmaster. And back at Blackwood Academy, Irene works on gaining access to the Council. Every plotline weaves together smoothly. By the time their stories intersect in the last part, readers get a clear picture of what needs to happen. All the searching and escaping culminates in an action-packed showdown.
Such A Bittersweet Ending
Finally, we’ll do our best not to spoil the ending for Ruinous Ends too much. What we will say is we did not expect the tears that followed. Our six unfortunate acquaintances became something like friends. Purging the evil and corruption that have taken over Blackwood Academy came with an enormous cost. One that no one was expecting to pay until it happened. And once the mantle got passed down to someone who deserved it, the rest of the characters thus found the ending that they deserved as well. In a way, each of them are saved. (Yes, even those in the Demien Order.)
Ruinous Ends by I. V. Marie wraps up her duology with a bittersweet ending like no other. We can’t get enough of the angst, the yearning, and the plot tying everything together.
Ruinous Ends by I. V. Marie comes out July 14th, and you can order a copy of it here!
What do you think of I. V. Marie’s new novel, Ruinous Ends? Did you enjoy this duology conclusion? Let us know on Twitter! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram!
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