10/10 , the book & audio paired together is perfection! I really enjoyed the narrators. They kept me interest through the entire book.

First, let me say this was my first experience with a true reverse harem, I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't this.

This story is soulshattering in its beauty, the love story between Kiarra and "the boys" imagine having love and not knowing what it was until it had been taken away, or thinking that the person you were meant to be with had left you when really she'd been taken or even finding out the person you had been so mad at for so long had been tortured into silence.

This book just left me wanting more over and over and over again and I'm here for it. It's also pretty low on the spice scale, so if you're not sure how you feel about the idea of multiple people in a relationship this might be a good place to start.

Since I had the privilege of listening to this book I have to say both narrators are fantastic, Scarlett Everdeen did a phenomenal job giving voices to all of our characters until that last scene, and then Chase T. Walker stole the breath out of me.

I will be looking for audiobooks with dual or even multiple narrators from this point, it gives so much more depth to the story.

Now I will say there are a few things that just didn't work for me but maybe that's because I'm new to this genre, I will say I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing a copy of this audio-book, I have voluntarily listened to it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The magic system in this book seems like something that will be interesting to follow along in the next books of the series. I did like all the characters, I just felt like given the amount of love interest versus the length of the book, I just didn't get to connect with them. I think this book is best read as a series, so I will be looking for the next installment to see how the connections, plot, and Magic World develop. It was an enjoyable book, I actually just wish it was longer.

This book gives The Bonds That Tie vibes, if you read that series you'll enjoy this one. While there is no "spice" in book one, I can tell the next books will get spicy. And just because there are no spicy scenes doesn't mean there aren't a couple of hot and heavy scenes. #BloodandRuin #NetGalley

I listened to the audiobook version. I was definitely a dark and traumatic story but with a very slow burn. It had great world building and description of the magic system. I’ll admit I was expecting the cliffhanger, but that was fine. There was great build of to finding answers of the FMC treatment. Overall great first story, I look forward to the second.

Blood and Ruin by Rumer Hale is a fantasy romance focused on the FML. It is a really well-done audiobook with narration.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book because I hadn't read anything by Rumer Hale, but I enjoyed the story overall! The story was so captivating that by the end, I felt really immersed in the world-building and the characters and rooting for them to succeed. I listened to the audiobook version, and I really enjoyed it. Although I am interested in continuing with the series, I want to wait until the next audiobook is released because the VA did an AMAZING job.

If I had to focus on anything that might bother others, I would say that the world-building and the magic lore could have been more in-depth and explained in more detail.

I wasn't really into this. I didn't connect really with the characters and I just didn't care much for the plot.

I loved it. I read the first one without the audio the first time and the narrator for this was just so good. Her voice was so soothing and the way I could tell by the tone of her voice things were hurting. Sooo good worth it. Looking forward to book 2.

The narrator did a fantastic job. The different magic creatures and shifters were interesting and cliffhanger at the end was predictable, but I could see how it would entice a reader to continue. The writing felt like I was reading a teenage girl's diary. Overall, I need to stop reading books that have pretty covers, but Wattpad writing.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Blood and Ruin by Rumer Hale is about a woman who is stuck with her horrible step father who experiments on her. This started when her mother was killed and her step father took her 6 years ago. This story begins with her reuniting with her childhood best friends in the most unexpected way.
I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book but I am so glad I received the arc for this book. It was so good. By the end I was getting emotional with the characters and wanted everything for them. It was great as an audiobook and I want to continue with the series but I want to wait until the next audiobook comes out.
I will say the world building, the magic system specifically, could have been explained more but that isn't really the reason to pick up this book so I pushed it to the back of my mind. I hope more is explained later in the series.
If you like scifi fantasy romance I would definitely recommend this book. I can't wait to continue in the series!

🖤🤍🖤
📖Book Review📖
4🌟
📖Book 6/100

💫Genre:
Romantacy with a twist of Horror
✍️Author:
Rumer Hale
🗣️Narrator:
Scarlett Everdeen & Chase T. Walker

📝Synopsis 📝
Kiarra has been under King’s control for six years against her will and undergoing the worst of torturous treatment. She finally catches a break when her childhood besties come back into her life. They had their plan with her but after realizing that she didn’t ghost them they have a change of heart.

My thoughts 💭
This was an incredible paranormal romance that I didn’t expect to enjoy. The narration was spot on perfect. I also enjoyed the plot which was so good and kept me engaged, but I do feel it was a tad bit repetitious. I honestly hadn’t read any vampire books since Twilight and this was a good start to a series. I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2 since this one ended on a suspenseful cliffhanger.

🖤Thank you so much @netgalley and @dreamscape_media for approving this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨Publishing Date:
February 27, 2024

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It was ok-I felt the description of the book was a little misleading from the actual book. Not sure if I would continue with the series cause I didn't love the direction it was headed in

I grabbed this for the beautiful cover and wasn't disappointed in the least! I kind of love not reading the synopsis cause every story is a complete surprise! Reverse harem, a feisty and independent FMC, 5 (yes, 5) supernatural alphas that are bonded to her. Soooo glad I picked this up!

Honestly, I DNF this book right in the beginning. It's probably my mistake, because although I had read the summary, I didn't realize what it was... A strong sexual moment between a young woman and 5 men from the first chapter. So cringe, I kept feeling a mixture of discomfort and laughter. I thought I could advance further in my listening, but the fact that they were all his mates took away my desire. For me, this book is clearly an unrealistic desire that the author wanted to live out in her youth. I must still say that I loved the writing in the short time I listen it. Not for me, but thanks for this short adventure!

The cover is phenomenal! Gorgeous and eye catching, for sure.

I am so sad I did not feel a connection with this one.
Their definitely needed to be more development and background for the characters. I was having a hard time paying attention to the audio, because I just couldn't get into this book.

This is a very well-done audiobook. The majority is read from the female perspective and the narrator is spot on. She captures the essence of Kiarra perfectly. The smaller male part is also good but has more of a cameo so the reader does not get as invested in that narration. Overall enjoyable to listen to!

As far as the novel itself goes, this is very much a ‘get to the point’ paranormal romance - - you dive right into the story. There is not a lot of backstory or world-building. I did feel like the protagonist got stuck in a cycle of self-doubt which felt overly repetitive to me but beyond that, it was a decent read.
Please note before picking this book up there are a lot of dark, dark things going on - torture, mutilation, abuse, manipulation. Know what you are comfortable with before picking up.

Review based on an Advanced Audiobook provided by Dreamscapes Media and NetGalley. Thank you!

"Blood and Ruin" by Rumer Hale is a fast-paced paranormal romance that delves into a world where various supernatural beings coexist. The protagonist's determination to escape her oppressive environment drives the narrative forward, and the introduction of her five mates adds an intriguing layer to the story. While the premise is promising and the action scenes are well-executed, the story-building aspect of the book falters. Some plot points feel rushed, and certain character motivations could benefit from further exploration and development. Despite these drawbacks, the audiobook adaptation of "Blood and Ruin" is a compelling listening experience that enhances the enjoyment of Hale's paranormal romance.

This is a supernatural romance. The narrator does a great job of bring this book to life. Kiarra is physically and emotionally abused by King the ruler of the Cardinal Three. This book has good world building and character development. The descriptions of torture and sex can be a little difficult to listen to.

Kiarra is trapped. Alone without true friends, she has been trying to escape the clutches of her powerful stepfather, King, who rules Manhattan. But he is not interested in letting her or her rare powers go. Then, a most unusual thing happens - she reconnects with the five shifters of her youth, her best friends before captivity. Is this fate or design?

First, this is a very well done audiobook. The majority is done from the female perspective and the narrator is spot on. She captures the essence of Kiarra perfectly. The smaller male part is also good but really has more of a cameo so the reader does not get as invested in that narration. Overall very easy to listen to!

As far as the novel itself goes, this is very much a ‘get to the point’ paranormal romance - - you dive right into the story. There is not a lot of back story or world building so if you like just getting into a story and it’s emotions, this is for you. I did feel like the protagonist got stuck in a cycle of self doubt and self sacrifice which felt overly repetitive to me but beyond that it was a decent read. Please note before picking this book up there are a lot of dark, dark things going on - torture, mutilation, abuse, manipulation. Know what you are comfortable with before picking up. 3 stars.

Review based on a Advanced Audiobook provided by Dreamscapes Media and NetGalley. Thank you!

First of all, this book needed to have a trigger warnings page. Even though nothing too graphic happens, it definitely should be acknowledged that there is mentions of torture/abuse and death in this book. The mfc gets sexualized SO much. Like, an annoying amount. Even by her step-father who encourages this by buying clothes two sizes too small. Gross. I was confused as to why her step-father, King, stole her away and tortures her. Nothing was really explained. Why he was the villain was not explained. The characters didn't have personalities, there was no world building, and barely a plot. It was like there was a very strong bond between Kiarra and the boys but it was just stated. It wasn't explained, it wasn't shown. The narrator of the audiobook make Kiarra more whiny then I pictured her to be? I feel like this book read like it should be in a fantasy world but instead it was placed in New York which was under Kings rule?? That wasn't explained either.

The idea behind this book was cool but it just wasn't for me. I just had a hard time connecting with the characters and the writing. The was no spice and the tension was not tension-ing.