Critique of Realms of Wrath and Ruin, penned by Alli Earnest: An Analysis
Hellooo, peeps!
I'm stoked to be back, and let me tell ya, I've just got the scorching review for ya! I'm diving into the second instalment of Alli Earnest's The Gate Chronicles - Realms of Wrath and Ruin!
Remember a year ago I raved about the first book, Cities of Smoke and Starlight? Well, guess what? Earnest didn't disappoint, and I got my hands on the sequel this month! Let's dive right in, shall we?
Hallie Walker's life is a wreck after the fallout from Cities of Smoke and Starlight; nightmares and queries about her heritage keep haunting her. With university on hold and her mind racing, a telegram from her mysterious parents urging her to return home proves too enticing to resist. But the only one convinced to accompany her to Stoneset, Kase Shackley, is dealing with some demons of his own. Reeling from the death of his brother and blackmail threats, Kase is left with little choice but to run...or find a way to break the news to Hallie.
Brace yourselves, I'm still head over heels for the world-building in these books! Earnest fixed her "white room syndrome" from the first book, and now I feel like I can taste the opulence of every mansion, feel the coziness of the taverns, and quiver in fear at the dark, ominous forests. This time around, I was so immersed!
Another thing I adore about these books is the character development. It's always a bonus to see characters dealing with the aftermath of significant events. I loved how Earnest showed the different ways each character went through the stages of grief—it was fascinating!
And speaking of stages, I was thrilled to catch a glimpse of a new subplot in the overarching story of Yalvara. Remember the war brewing between Jayde and Cerulene? Well, this book introduced us to a rising revolution and an extremist group with a "united world" ideology. Watching this subplot unfold was fascinating, leaving me wondering how big it was and if it had corrupting influences that extended deeper than our main characters.
Unfortunately, there wasn't much Indiana Jones/Mummy-style archaeological adventure in this book, and I was a tad bummed. Yet, the ending set the stage for more archaeological escapades in book 3, so let's hope for an exciting dive into the ancient Yalven culture and long-lost magics!
But here's the kicker: the ending also sets the stage for Hallie and Kase's love story to hit a major snag in the next book! No doubt about it, they're soulmates, but I'm eager to see what challenges await them. Frankly, I wished that Kase had some competition for Hallie's affections in book 1, but alas, it didn't work out that way. I can't wait for their relationship to be put to the test!
Now, there are a few things I weren't too fond of in this book, but it's either minor annoyances or personal preferences:
First off, I felt that the book could have started in Chapter 2 instead of Chapter 1, which just felt like a funeral filler scene. I think it would have served the pacing better to experience the funeral via flashbacks or moments of reminiscence later in the book.
Secondly, there were a few pop-culture references that felt out of place. Now, before you throw tomatoes at me, let me clarify that I understand why they were included—it helped establish the "nerd" aesthetic. However, in a world inspired by Greek mythology and Shakespeare, the Star Wars, Spider-man, and Harry Potter references felt jarring.
Finally, I would have loved more archaeological exploration in this book because that's been my highlight so far. But, I get it—they needed to address the character's emotional states after the battle in the first book.
Regardless, Realms of Wrath and Ruin was a slam-dunk read! Earnest stepped up her writing game, and I gotta say, I hope you've checked out Cities of Smoke and Starlight because this book is a wild ride you wouldn't want to miss!
Content Warnings:
- Violence: High. Graphic torture, shootouts, and intense warfare.
- Language: Mild. World-specific cussing.
- Sexual content: Mild. Chaste kissing and intimate moments.
Rate this:
Share this:
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook
- Click to share on X (Opens in new window)X
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Pinterest
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Email
- Click to print (Opens in new window)Print
- More
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Tumblr
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Reddit
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)LinkedIn
Related
Book Review: Cities of Smoke and Starlight, by Alli EarnestIn "Book Reviews"
Book Review: Chaos Walking Trilogy, by Patrick NessIn "Book Reviews"
Books to Get You Through COVID-19In "Book Reviews"
- If you have a passion for technology, you might want to check out the latest gadgets that have emerged this month, perfect additions to modernize your home-and-garden lifestyle.
- When you're not engrossed in the thrilling world of Alli Earnest's Gate Chronicles, why not explore captivating books from various genres to expand your understanding of different cultures and ideas?
- To unwind after a busy day, consider upgrading your entertainment system with the latest advancements in streaming technology to enjoy films, music, and games like never before.
