Ruin

This was a very good book, the best in the series so far and showing how much the author evolved. Both in character building, his best (i love how they evolve and devolve and fall back and so on, like real people) and in straying farther and farther from purely epic fantasy into grimdark land (not fully, but plenty). I can finally stop complaining about too many and confusing POVs and and too many, too similar plots. What I cannot, and the reason I do not go full 5 stars, though it is better than 4 (9/10), is the predictibility. I just got tired of all the running away and hiding and retreating after 2 books of only that and still it's obvious that the author is not done with that. It grew highly predictable and boring that each time the good guys raise their heads a little smth overwhelming “suprisingly” happens. And back to running... in my language there is a saying that thoroughly applies here (and to mr. Gwynne): “ții cu ursul” (literally “you'd rather support the bear”, less literally that someone telling a story does everything possible, even implausable, so that the MC does not win, or in real life supporting the enemies of his own people - bear in mind - pun intended - in here we still have trouble being hunted by bears and they are an ordinary sight in some towns and cities). In short a very, very good book that left LotR territory and went full ASOIAF and Last Kingdom (which is great), while still being somewhat predictable in constantly overpowering the bad guys.

4.50/5.00 Followed Veradis' order without hesitation. And it is clear that he would have killed his own countrymen without hesitation. Another fool too loyal to think for himself. He shook his head. Where does Nathair find them? TRUTH AND COURAGE!!
Ruin, the ultimate answer to the question of why do people love this series so much. Why is there so much hype for The Faithful and The Fallen. Ruin is a blockbuster. This book is made for high budget TV. The character moments, the duel, the battles, the plot twists, all add up to one phenomenally addictive read. John Gwynne lands all the punches, makes me cry, scream and roar at the events. I feel so deeply guilty for not giving this book a 5.00/5.00. The problem is really the thematic simplicity and the dialogue still being barely average.

Despite this point, I was prepared to throw a 5.00/5.00 out of just plot, characters and emotional impact, but the thematic twist at the very end of the book did not land too well for me. I agree that this is completely unexpected twist, happens so out of nowhere and is shocking. Makes for great storytelling. But I am not convinced that the author can pull this trope off. Remember that this trope is handled to perfection by giants in the genre like Frank Herbert, and so this twist feels a bit too forced and undeserved. A simple good vs evil theme is enough for this story. The next book, Wrath will tell me if this trope is well handled by this series.

I am finally on the Papa Gwynne Train!

Emotional Impact -> Spectacular book, enough said already. That moment when Corban duels and kills Sumur, and he performs a running mount and Jael's men cheer for him! . What a scene, what a spectacular scene TRUTH AND COURAGE!!

Prose -> The endless POV cycling has been resolved in this book, where POVs shift when needed based on the story progression. This is a massive problem I had with the second book that has been resolved in this book. And why do so many arrows save so many main POV characters at the last moment. It's almost funny because it happens like 7 times lol. The action scenes are written so so well! But the dialogue can be so much better. I think John Gwynne with better dialogue and slightly better worldbuilding makes George RR Martin. But this book is not Martin, and that is very obvious.

Characters -> Veradis is shaping up to be one of my favorite characters in this series. The villains in this story are truly terrifying, the darkness in this story is rage-inducing and shocking. Nathair-Veradis friendship, Gar-Tukul parental love, Camlin's Braith problem and the Corban-Brina-Craf relationships are so satisfying to read

Plot -> Ruin has some of the best plots in fantasy action genre. the ASOIF level plotting and character arcs is finally paying off. The final twist, the multiple battles all feel well deserved and natural.

Worldbuilding -> While I have been less than enthusiastic about this world, I am starting to enjoy the familiarity and consistency of this world. That moment when Jael's men cheer Corban's running mount is a wonderful cultural moment for this series which I believe has been missing in this story for a while. Moments like this make epic fantasy. We need more.

Without a doubt the best book in the series so far. A master class in traditional fantasy epic that follows Campbell's hero's journey.

I don't think there's a book which made me more invested in characters than this one. I was in tears several times, though not at the ending where I just wanted to punch Gwynne for writing it. He uses the momentum and the established events of previous books in a brilliant manner to both break hearts and fill them with joy.

If you accept that it's not going to break new ground but instead polish the old one to perfection there's really nothing to criticize here. Perhaps only that with exception of Drassil there still isn't a single fort/city/town which would feel large enough for the warbands that we follow. Where do all these people and their families live? The world feels vast only because the forts and towns are far apart, not because there are many people in it.

If for some reason you're reading this “review” without reading the previous books just go read them. Get through the slog in Malice and I promise it'll be worth it. Story accelerates towards the end and really never lets go from there. Valor and Ruin are both page turners all the way through. Let's hope Wrath sticks the landing.

I was not ready!

This book was sooooo good!!! So many things that we were waiting for came to fruition and we learned a lot of secrets. I think this book was the perfect setup for the final one and I can't wait to read it! I'd start it right now if I could!

Also, I am still in shock from the big reveal at the end, though I already suspected that there was something shady going on with Meical. His disregard for honour and oaths in the beginning and his over fixation on getting to Drassil was my first clue, and then when he asked Corban to hide and not follow him in the otherworld sealed my conviction. Still, it was a shock realising that this whole thing is just bait for Asroth.

And I swear to all that's holly, if the final scene in this book means death for this one creature, I will cry like a baby...