In the Ruins - Kate Elliott

In the Ruins by Kate Elliott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In the Ruins was definitely a transition book. The cataclysm took place at the end of the last book, and now what? Now the face of the world has changed, and so have allegiances. Power vacuums must be filled, and broken empires must band together or take advantage of the chaos.

Ultimately, this was a large-scale moving of chess pieces into place for the coming confrontation over what the world will look like. Whose religious vision will win out? The fanatics, the heretics? Which empire will be the strongest? Will people find peace or continue to slaughter each other over ancient grudges and differences?

Bewitching Season - Marissa Doyle

Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Usually the London season is a backdrop, not the entire plot of a book. This may be the most boring Regency I've ever read, and that's with a kidnapping, secret magic, and a plot to take the throne. So much potential unrealized.

A Court of Mist & Fury - Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't really sold on the romance in the first book, but I love the direction that it took in this one. It felt authentic and realistic to me. There are real relationships and issues here, not just fairy tales. And the world grows wider along with the complexity of the plot and characters. I loved it. I'm glad I waited so I can follow up soon with book 3.

My only complaint is how often Feyre was sick for the first half or so - that is not something I enjoy reading about. Hence an alert for the squeamish. I did get past it though.