Post by saewod on Oct 21, 2011 19:39:23 GMT -5
Ruined by Kinley Baker
(Reviewed by Saewod Tice)
Ruined is the steamy and stormy tale of Jessa and Vale, the Healer and the reluctant Shadow Shifter King.
Vale, after his brother King Zander’s death, is faced with a throne he doesn’t want, a corrupt court, advisors who are not afraid to use murder or threaten the passion he feels for the Senior Healer.
Jessa risks her own life each time she saves someone from death. This selflessness isn’t enough to deter the rumors floating around her people for being so close to the dead king. Rumors of being Zander’s mistress are enough for Vale to dismiss her from her position as Senior Healer- regardless of his deep draw to her.
Kinley Baker takes this premise and pushes it into a new world. Shadow Shifters, Healers, Seers, Sensitives, Portal Openers, the possibilities seemed endless within her world. Ruined was a refreshing take on the different realms without losing the mortal aspect. Her explanation of Anglo-Saxons being the cause for the Shadow Shifters to find a new realm was a really interesting portrayal of their beginnings. The ancestors, bond, and the shadow shifting were immensely hot.
Kinley also took the ‘lovers who couldn’t be’ and gave it an interesting spin, leaving Vale and Jessa unable to wed due to the court’s fear of possible children- a healer cannot sit on the throne with access to the well of souls. The past taught them this lesson all too well.
Now, the ‘lesson’ was a bit weak where the Healer King was involved. I wanted it to be a bit darker, making it impossible. I didn’t quite get there with the explanation.
Jessa and Vale’s emotions were written well and I felt a connection and understanding to both their situations. However, I have to admit that by the time we neared the end I’d grown tired of the alternating point of views- there were just too may for me and sometimes I wasn’t clear about who was talking to whom.
Overall, this was a decent steamy read with an interesting premise.
GMTA Rating: 3 Ravens
Recommending reading for 18+
(Reviewed by Saewod Tice)
Ruined is the steamy and stormy tale of Jessa and Vale, the Healer and the reluctant Shadow Shifter King.
Vale, after his brother King Zander’s death, is faced with a throne he doesn’t want, a corrupt court, advisors who are not afraid to use murder or threaten the passion he feels for the Senior Healer.
Jessa risks her own life each time she saves someone from death. This selflessness isn’t enough to deter the rumors floating around her people for being so close to the dead king. Rumors of being Zander’s mistress are enough for Vale to dismiss her from her position as Senior Healer- regardless of his deep draw to her.
Kinley Baker takes this premise and pushes it into a new world. Shadow Shifters, Healers, Seers, Sensitives, Portal Openers, the possibilities seemed endless within her world. Ruined was a refreshing take on the different realms without losing the mortal aspect. Her explanation of Anglo-Saxons being the cause for the Shadow Shifters to find a new realm was a really interesting portrayal of their beginnings. The ancestors, bond, and the shadow shifting were immensely hot.
Kinley also took the ‘lovers who couldn’t be’ and gave it an interesting spin, leaving Vale and Jessa unable to wed due to the court’s fear of possible children- a healer cannot sit on the throne with access to the well of souls. The past taught them this lesson all too well.
Now, the ‘lesson’ was a bit weak where the Healer King was involved. I wanted it to be a bit darker, making it impossible. I didn’t quite get there with the explanation.
Jessa and Vale’s emotions were written well and I felt a connection and understanding to both their situations. However, I have to admit that by the time we neared the end I’d grown tired of the alternating point of views- there were just too may for me and sometimes I wasn’t clear about who was talking to whom.
Overall, this was a decent steamy read with an interesting premise.
GMTA Rating: 3 Ravens
Recommending reading for 18+