City of Ruin

Potentially Spoilery Review (if you haven't read The Witch Collector yet):

Holy Moly, Charissa Weaks! What have you done to my heart? What have you done to my brain? I am BEGGING you all, if you haven't read The Witch Collector yet, please please please read it! This series has everything I love about adult high fantasy. Complex world building with twists, turns, and connections you don't see coming, action scenes that had me holding my breath, spicy romance, and it's multi-POV. If y'all have been here a bit, you know I love a multi-POV story. I love how much more rounded out the story feels by seeing it on all sides. When I wrote my review for The Witch Collector, my only critique was that I wanted more from Alexus, and boy do you get more of him in City of Ruin— so much more! The story continues where it left off in TWC. The pacing for me was pretty fast , but I am also super invested in these characters' stories. We meet more amazing side characters which include many strong females and diverse characters, which I loved. Charissa upped the spice in this book, and I was here for every bit of it! There's a one horse moment (underrated trope in my opinion and on of my favorites) and a ‘good girl' moment

I don't know where to start for the review of this book... my emotions are all over the place. I liked it and I think it was a great sequel for the Witch Collector! However, I must confess that I'm a bit anxious for the third book as, in addition to the awful cliff-hanger this book leave us in, it opens some doors I usually dislike.The story starts immediately after the Witch collector and I'm glad I reread the first book as I believe it includes some foreshadowing and it allowed me to have some details clearer in my mind.What I liked about the book:- Multiple POV, including the Villain. This book includes several morally grey characters and clearly shows that evil might be an issue of perspective - Good character development and world expansion- It has a lot of action, twists and turns and I was surprised about some of thoseWhat I think it could have been done better:- I have a lot of issues with Finn and I wish he was just not included in the story. Additionally, I feel there are some inconsistencies with some characters personalities and actions that might spoil the series.- The book included, what if felt for me, unnecessary suffering and longing. I was hoping Charissa would have a greater focus on the action and leave the main romance as it was. The book opens with the inclusion of several characters which we believe can create impediments to Alexus and Raina love. Luckily, Charissa chose well and did not took that path, however, the later “conflict” created did not add anything to the plot. This is always an issue I have with Fantasy Romance as I always expect more of the fantasy side. Honestly, it is mostly my fault.I still think this is a great series and I absolutely recommend it to Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer Armentrout fans.I'm very curious about the next book and I wish I didn't need to wait a whole year for it. The cliff-hanger... I just can't believe [a:Charissa Weaks 17990512 Charissa Weaks https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1525524558p2/17990512.jpg] left us hanging like this.