All of us at Gray Wolf— including Braxton, and certainly me— we are all liars here.

Ruling Destiny was a fast paced romantasy with a love triangle that will keep you on your toes! With so many answers swirling within the pages, I loved how that ending left us desperately needing that next book now! And with short chapters, it was easy to keep entertained, and always needing to know what happened next.

“So, which is it?” I snap. “Are you angry or worried?”
Killian loosens his grip. “Can’t I be both?” His voice is thick in a way that has me averting my gaze. “If something were to happen to you—”
“Arthur would never forgive you. I know.” I grind out the words.
“No, Shiv,” Killian says, looking at me in a way I’d rather not see. “It’s me who’d never forgive myself.”

The two love interests Killian and Braxton left me constantly guessing. Was Killian truly bad or just acting paranoid around Baxton because he couldn’t trust him? Or where we supposed to think that Braxton was the one we shouldn’t trust? Both of these men kept us and Natasha in the dark. Over what truly happened in their pasts and other aspects about them too. The things we learned, oh my goodness! I almost felt like it was Shatter Me all over again. I always chose the right person in love triangles, except for that series. BUT I’m still holding out hope and doubling down, which may go epically wrong haha. I’m hoping a certain someone will redeem themselves. Because Natasha and that one, oh my heart. They are the WHOLE story for me! The emotions he created within her, even if she wanted to deny them. I feel everything when they were together. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed for that final book. That things will flip around, because I love him so much *cries*! Yes there was so much more going on then the romance, but for me that was everything.

Without hesitation, Killian presses a hand to his heart and, in a solemn voice, says, “I swear to you, Shiv. I swear on the moon to every last word.”

Natasha did such a fabulous job of growing within these pages. While at times I thought she might be naïve, looking back she definitely wasn’t. She used her instincts beautifully. It was hard not to be impressed with her. Although her bravery definitely scared me a few times. And as her world expanded, I loved learning more about those that surrounded her. And her world. Ohhhhhh what we learned, it was mind boggling. I didn’t even think about those certain aspects. I was completely interested in learning more. So with drama, romance and stealing pieces from the past while trying to put clues together, this book was a magical ride!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy of ruling destiny. I have been a long time fan of Alyson noel since I was younger and read her earlier works. I was so excited for this new series, although this is a book two already. I cannot wait for more from her.

Thank you to Entangled teen for my complimentary eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Great continuation of the story started in Stealing Infinity. The mystery continues as life at Gray Wolf is starting to take its toll on Natasha. Who can she trust? I was sitting on the edge of my seat as I read this one. I could only take in a few chapters at a time because of all the tangled webs I was trying to unwind.

Great for readers who enjoy:
YA Fantasy
Time travel
Historical fantasy

Looking forward to the next installment!

En bref, j'ai aimé retrouver les personnages et j'ai dévoré les pages, curieuse de voir ce qu'ils allaient nous réserver. Les événements s'enchainent de plus en plus vite, le début est un peu long mais ensuite on ne sait plus où donner de la tête et j'ai adoré les voir se battre pour ce qui compte pour eux. Natasha va aller de surprise en surprise, certaines bonnes et d'autres qui le sont beaucoup moins et elle va devoir agir en conséquence. Elle m'a parfois un peu agacée mais on comprend aussi qu'elle soit paumée et cherche son chemin dans ce nid de vipères... Le final est pour le moins intense et je suis vraiment curieuse de voir ce que la suite va donner !!

Having not long finished 'Stealing Infinity' I was keen to get back into the time travelling world Alyson Noel has created. Noel did not disappoint and I was excited to see the next chapter of Gray Wolf Academy.

I really fell in love with Stealing Infinity (the first book in this series) last year. I rated it five stars. It was a total surprise hit with me: I found it to be charming, interesting, a ton of fun, and an absolute page-turner. I found it to be a breath of fresh air at the time for letting its fun flag fly and still managing to keep its time travel system consistent and not too weighty for the average reader. So I was really looking forward to this book and the continuation of the story.

Ruling Destiny is interesting and a page-turner. It may even be more interesting than Stealing Infinity due to the time periods our characters travel to, the artifacts they see and the people they meet. The plot is propulsive and compelling and that’s what keeps the pages turning. Sadly, a lot of the charm from the first book is lost to melodrama due to an unnecessary love triangle (seriously?) that takes up far too many pages and too much of the plot, and most of the fun got sucked out of the book by that absolutely dreadful love triangle, some convenient absences by certain characters, and protagonist Natasha’s constant brooding.

I’m sorry. I am. I can’t abide by love triangles. Not in this day and age. Not when the FMC usually has a strong will and backbone. Swooning over boys, brooding over boys, doubting herself, doubting her feelings…Natasha might as well be picking daisies and playing “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not”. Love triangles are such an outdated and overdone trope I can’t stand reading them anymore. They ruin just about every book they touch. The only reason this book didn’t lose more stars (the four stars you see here are a very reluctant four stars) is because of how much I love the rest of the book that doesn’t involve the love triangle: the worldbuilding, the continued overarching plot, the mystery surrounding Natasha’s father, questioning whether or not Arthur should be allowed to complete his quest, why Natasha was the one chosen to do it…All of these things and more allow this book to keep those hard-earned four stars, because that love triangle made me an unhappy reader.

We’ll see what happens in the last book of the series when it's released, but this one leaves off on one heck of a cliffhanger. It’s a doozy.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All opinions, thoughts, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Fantasy Series/Book Series/Kindle Unlimited/KU/Science Fiction/YA Book Series/YA Fantasy/YA Fantasy Romance/YA Fiction/YA Sci Fi/Young Adult

I was super excited about this book, and it destroyed me from the start. But I love seeing a villain get his redemption. The book is fast-paced, filled with secrets and magic. The characters, especially Natasha, were developed nicely. I couldn't predict what would happen next, and I love that. I hope this series goes beyond three books because I need more of this world. Overall, a great follow-up with lots of mystery, magic, and sexual tension. Bring on the next one!

I read and reviewed Stealing Infinity last year. I loved it. The mystery, the time travel, the magic was all so well-written that I was sucked right into Gray Wolf Academy and that whole world. Time travel is something I’d truly love to do, so that part of this story is what first hooked me.

Thank you to Entangled Teen for inviting me to read the sequel, Ruling Destiny, and for the gifted e-arc. If it’s possible, I loved this book even more than the first.

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOR BOTH BOOKS FROM HERE FORWARD!

Ruling Destiny takes up where Stealing Infinity leaves off. The prologue tells a pretty big secret and starts this book off with a bang. So, I knew from there we were in for one heck of a ride. I was spot on!

There are so many secrets, twists, and turns that connect events and characters that I don’t know what I can say without giving something away. There’s no fun in that.

Alyson has written a fantastic story. The world building is so cool, borrowing from historical moments in time. The magical system is unique. The time travel reminded me somewhat of the original Star Trek TV series, and I loved that series. The Stealing Infinity series would make for an amazing movie or short TV series!

Natasha is strong-willed, impulsive, and so determined to prove herself that she doesn’t take the time to think her actions through first. This is infuriating to me at times. I understand the why behind it but it’s frustrating all the same.

Braxton and Killian seem like they both have their own agendas. Each assures Natasha that they are the one to trust and the one who has her best interests at heart. The more they talk, the more I’m convinced that neither of them is who they say they are. But that is for Natasha to figure out and decide on.

When things started coming to light, I was blown away. The secrets, lies, and betrayals would have laid me out. Natasha has other ideas, though. And, because of the major cliffhanger, we have to wait for Book 3 to find out what those ideas are! I need Book 3, like right now!

I highly recommend Ruling Destiny (after reading Stealing Infinity) to fans of fantasy, time travel, historical fantasy, adventure, quests, enemies to lovers, and mystery.

Whelp I obviously read that way too fast and now I'm STUCK with that ending and twiddling my thumbs until the next book.

Ruling Destiny takes off in a great place from Book 1, and continues with a fast pace and engaging story. I absolutely love the fact that the art mentioned in the story is from history and isn't made up.

I also love the mix of numerology and tarot and reading through Tasha's thoughts as she puts the clues together. For me, it adds so much to the story.

The time traveling aspect of this series is pure enjoyment and the next book cannot come soon enough. This is another favorite for 2023 and is one I highly recommend for fans of YA Fantasy.

I sincerely appreciate Entangled Teen for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Ruling Destiny serves as a great follow-up to the first novel in this series, Stealing Infinity, though still left me wanting a little more from it.

I think Ruling Destiny was an overall fun read and answered a lot of questions I had after reading the first book (while also creating a lot more questions along the way). We also got to see a little more of some of the characters and dive a little deeper into them. Obviously, the main focus of the story is Natasha and her boys, Killian and Braxton. No spoilers, but there were some twisty twists which made me excited to find out what Natasha was going to do next.

The historical aspects again were fun, but also seemed to happen a little too quickly so I wasn't completely immersed in the world with Natasha. I was excited for her Regency England trip, but I felt like those scenes were too fast paced and left me a little confused by the whole thing--granted, by the end of the book, a lot of it made more sense.

I liked the appearance of historical figures! I think it makes it more fun when people you know pop up and interact with the characters.

I thought this was a solid sequel! There's still a lot to understand that makes things confusing, but overall I enjoyed reading it!

Back at Gray Wolf Academy!

And it was fabulous!

Natasha, Braxton, Killian and co are on the slippery slope of lies, deceit and there are secrets at every angle - who to trust?!

The above was delivered flawlessly and I ate up every moment! Braxton forevs!!!!

If you are thinking of reading this series then I urge you to because it is a gem!

Quick Summary: A thrilling ride!

My Review: Ruling Destiny by Alyson Noel is book two in the Stealing Infinity series. It is a masterpiece in storytelling and an epic adventure through time.

There is so much that I could say about this book. Much like the first, it catapults the reader into a stratospheric level of who, what, when, why, and the like. What seems most obvious is that questions, though answered, continue to spiral into more.

My Final Say: With character play, high emotions, and rampant intrigue, this installment rules.

Other: There are so many fantastic novels that should be promoted, but this one needs to be snapped up and broadcasted to the masses in every way possible. It is a whirlwind that deserves to be highlighted. Books, yes! Audios, yes! Series on television, yes! Movie, YES! I need more!!!

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: T to A
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Series: Yes

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Entangled Publishing), and to NetGalley, who provided access to a digital ARC of this work in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book. I just finished it and I'm in awe!!
So many twists and turns with Killian and than another many twists and turns with Braxton. Wow my head was like "What is happening?", but then something would happen that contradicted what twist and I was like "What now??". I can't find enough words to explain!
Natasha kept improving as a character throughout the book. She's resilient, fierce and so intelligent. The way she handled what she found out about Braxton and then about Killian and then about herself, would kill anyone's mind. And even tho she was confused and shattered, she didn't cower and she managed to get what she needed to get and save the person she was supposed to.
That final chapter left me wanting to know what's happening now at that Trip she's making and Elodie blew my mind on that chapter... Gosh I can't make my kind about her, she's always confusing me more but what she did at the very very end left me as surprised as it did Natasha.
Another great book of this series. Gosh I need the 3rd book 😱

This was an interesting turn to the storyline of the first book. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the twists and turns and definitely enjoyed reading this book more than the first one.

Tasha is still a little self centered and not always questioning things that raise huge red flags, but she's sorta growing as a person and after the final twists and turns I am interested in what happens in the next book. Elodie and Mason are still interesting and the issues between Braxton and Killian are explosive.

This reminds me of The Inheritance Games with a time twist.

4 out of 5 stars, some sexual tension and fade to black scenes of sexual situations.

Wow! This book was such a good addition to the series!

The questions right from the start, who to trust, all of Tash’s distrust, all of the confusion and time travel! It was so intense!

uling Destiny, the second book in Alyson Noel's enthralling series, expands upon the rich world established in its predecessor, captivating readers with its blend of fate, magic, and self-discovery. Continuing the journey of the protagonist, this sequel delves deeper into the intricacies of destiny while introducing new characters and testing the bonds of love and friendship.

One of the strengths of Ruling Destiny lies in its character development. The protagonist undergoes a significant transformation, grappling with her newfound powers and the responsibilities they entail. Alyson Noel adeptly explores the complexities of her emotions, allowing readers to connect with her on a deeper level. Moreover, the sequel introduces a vibrant cast of new characters who bring freshness and intrigue to the story. Each character serves a purpose in the narrative, contributing to the overarching plot and adding depth to the relationships that develop and evolve throughout the book.

In comparison to the first book, Ruling Destiny raises the stakes and expands the mythological aspects of the series. While the debut novel introduced readers to the magical realms and the protagonist's initial journey, this sequel delves deeper into the mechanics of destiny itself. The world-building remains immersive, with vivid descriptions that transport readers into a captivating realm. The pacing is well-maintained, striking a balance between thrilling action and introspective moments that further explore the characters' motivations and inner conflicts.

Alyson Noel's writing style is engaging and elegant, ensuring that readers are glued to the pages from start to finish. While the pacing occasionally feels rushed during the climax, the plot twists and revelations are skillfully executed, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Ruling Destiny is a worthy sequel that builds upon the strengths of its predecessor, providing an exhilarating continuation that will leave fans eager for the next installment.

Overall, Ruling Destiny is an enchanting and thrilling addition to the series, boasting compelling character development and a deeper exploration of destiny. Alyson Noel's masterful storytelling transports readers into a world where magic and fate intertwine, and the bonds of friendship and love are put to the test. If you enjoyed the first book, this sequel will not disappoint, leaving you eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this captivating series.

I can’t stop falling for this series, it’s addictive!!

This book starts with a bang and didn’t let me go! That prologue- oh my goodness, my heart!

These books are fast paced, full of twists and turns, secrets abound, agendas are aplenty, and the romance is gripping and angsty!

THIS is what I love about the YA genre and this series does it all so well!

Read if you like:
-dark academia vibes
-time travel
-heists
-romance
-secrets
-history
-art
-tarot and numerology

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for my advanced E-Arc of this book! I’m obsessed and can’t wait for book 3!!

Is the third book out already??? Please, tell me it is!
While Stealing Infinity left us with so many questions but in a quiet place, Ruling Destiny gives us more questions and a cliffhanger. And not one where everything is rainbows and sunshine, nooo, it'd be too much to ask. But that's how we like them, don't we?
In this second installment, Tasha had me pray so many times when it came to her choices, and dare I say, I was not disappointed. In fact, sometimes, I was annoyed at her reasoning, at her uncertainty, but I must say she's not living the best of lives, or the most truthful, or is she surrounded by the most trustworthy people. Let's say, if you're not already by default, Grey Wolf will make you paranoid, and with a good reason!
I must say, this felt too much like a love triangle to me, which, yes, it's the trope that it wants to give, but it's also one of those triangles in which the choice is pretty damn clear, all you have to do is wait for the story to unfold.
This to say that we got too much Killian for my taste (something I'd never thought I'd say when referring to a Killian, but here we are lol), and very little Braxton, but again, there's a good reason for that so, if you're like me and love him, hold on to your seat and enjoy the ride.
I did love the historical aspect of it, quite accurate (yes, a quick research can give all the answers, but this has gone way beyond that) and interesting to read (my patriotism is rising, yes).
So now I guess I'll stay here, rolling my thumbs, trying not to go insane while waiting for book three. God, how I wish I could trip, too!!!

Thank you @netgalley and @entangledteen for the eARC!!!

I enjoyed the suspense of this book. I do t typically enjoy love triangles but this story didn't have the same feel. Knowing some back ground info as the reader definetly made me want to scream things at them...
I am excited for the next book.

The first book in this series was an unexpected joy for me. The cover intrigued me and it turned out to be a really good book.

I was nervous about the second book, but it was a good follow up!

We pick up almost exactly where the last book left off. It has all of the troups a YA fantasy has. But in this case, that's ok! This one is fast paced and I flew through it. The love triangle is good and even though I was HIGHLY ANNOYED that this is not a duology...I'm here and waiting for the next one. I must know if a certain character really is...well I don't want to spoil it so READ THE BOOK!

Thank you to Net Galley for the Arc.

All opinions are my own.