The Ruthless Ring

by Jessica Kemery

To defend his comrades, he’ll risk profane sorcery. But when he’s bewitched by an evil enchantment, will he destroy everyone he loves?

Jord Broadbent is ready to serve. Answering the call to enlist in the Emperor’s army, the headstrong eighteen-year-old farm boy is confident he’ll return a hero. But when a deadly battle leaves him in mortal danger, the young soldier willingly dons a cursed ring to save his companions from a gruesome demise.

Earning victory in fight after fight, Jord’s newfound savagery catapults him to fame and power. But as he’s seduced by the stolen heirloom’s sinister whispers, the once-innocent youth covets treasure beyond his reach.

Balanced on a razor’s edge of sanity, will he descend into a malevolent abyss?

The Ruthless Ring is the page-turning first book in The Cursed Heirlooms dark fantasy series. If you like compelling antiheroes, epic combat scenes, and sweeping sagas, then you’ll revel in Jessica Kemery’s bloody tale.

Buy The Ruthless Ring to fall under an insidious spell today!

Genres: Fantasy

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2023

About the author

Called by some a multi-tasking ninja, Jessica Kemery lives in Crystal Lake, Illinois, where she works a day job so that her dog, Rocky, can live a life of pampered luxury. The Hobbit is the first book she read, and she has been searching for dragons ever since. She has two teenagers who firmly believe their mother is slightly unhinged and roll their eyes every time she starts playing the greatest hits of the '80s. She also has a husband who dreams of becoming her business manager one day when she "makes it big." Powered by caffeine and the bare minimum of sleep on a nightly basis, she thinks the world's greatest invention is meal delivery services.

Reviews

[MikeLikesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book and the story flows very well. There is not a lot of twist and turns. It felt like a YA novel to me. I like the plot of Jord, Leo and Rae finding a ring, sword and shield that make them almost invincible, but at what cost? I like the novel very much. It kept my attention and interest as the three begin to change, and not for the better.

[Erica Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

The really is a dark fantasy novel, deadly, magical and cursed. The plot follows some familiar arcs, it touches on theming typical for the genre and leaves you wanting our vulnerable hero to rise to the challenge and be the man you know he could be.

There is some interesting world building, unexpected twists and leaves you wanting to know what’s next for Jord Broadbent.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story contains a lot of well developed tropes but there are some entertaining bits. I would love to see it fleshed out more with deeper characters, more dialogue and description. I'm curious enough to see where it's going to go that I will likely read the next one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

[Katherine Rawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Ruthless Ring: Anti-Hero Dark Fantasy," the first installment of "The Cursed Heirlooms" series, lays the groundwork for a gripping and multifaceted epic. Within the tumultuous backdrop of the 50-year war between the formidable Maldavan Empire and the resilient Stovan Kingdom, Jessica Kemery introduces readers to a world steeped in power, curses, and moral ambiguity.
The Ruthless Ring follows three main characters, introducing the reader to their characters and motivations before they obtain the objects. Jord, an ordinary farmer thrust into the Maldavan army, yearns for nothing more than a return to his betrothed. Rae, consumed by a desire for vengeance following her fiancé's tragic death, wields the sword. Leo, the misfit son of a wealthy innkeeper, finds himself with the shield in a Medieval battlefield, far removed from his comfortable life.
Throughout the narrative, "The Ruthless Ring" meticulously documents Jord's transformation from a loving, principled individual into a vengeful, power-hungry man, as the malevolent influence of the ring takes hold. Rae, linked to the sword, and Leo, guardian of the shield, are inexorably tied to Jord as he ascends the ranks to General, their fates forever intertwined.
Kemery's strength lies in her vivid portrayal of realistic battle scenes and the heart-wrenching aftermath of war. The cost of conflict is palpable in every page, as the characters grapple with the moral complexities of their actions. However, the narrative's numerous characters and shifting points of view, while adding depth to the world, can be a tad overwhelming, occasionally detracting from the reader's connection with the central protagonists. Yet, it's evident that a tale of this magnitude necessitates such character development and perspective diversity.
The morally complex characters, intricate plots, and rich world-building, make this book is an entertaining fantasy read. It sets the stage for a promising epic that's sure to captivate fantasy enthusiasts. I eagerly anticipate the next installment to delve further into the enigmatic Rae and the sympathetic Stovan King.

[Callie Woodridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Ruthless Ring" by Jessica Kemery is a dark fantasy novel that immerses readers in a world of sorcery, sacrifice, and relentless battles against malevolent forces. From the very beginning, this captivating story pulls you into its intricate and foreboding universe.

The narrative follows Jord Broadbent, a headstrong eighteen-year-old farm boy who enlists in the Emperor's army with dreams of becoming a hero. However, after a deadly battle places him and his comrades in grave danger, Jord makes a fateful decision to don a cursed ring to save his friends from a gruesome fate.

Jord's journey takes a dark turn as the cursed ring bestows upon him unnatural power and a newfound savagery. While his victories in battle bring him fame and influence, the sinister whispers of the ring start to consume his innocence, driving him to desire wealth and power beyond his reach. The book masterfully explores the moral conflicts that arise from the choices Jord makes as he teeters on the edge of malevolence.

Jessica Kemery weaves a gripping tale of epic combat scenes and intricate character development. The strong female protagonist and the well-developed characters add depth to the story, making it a compelling and multi-layered narrative. If you're in search of a dark fantasy story filled with action, magic, and a sweeping saga, "The Ruthless Ring" is an excellent choice. This is a must-read for those who appreciate compelling antiheroes and crave a captivating blend of fantasy elements that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

[Cammy M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ruthless Ring is a solid start to an epic adventure. I liked the characters and the world. I am interested to see how they both develop in the next book.

That being said, I am a little torn about the pacing of the book. It is efficient and right to the point. However, I feel like I was not as attached to the main three characters as I would hope to be.

My best guess as to why this is, for one reason or another, I didn't feel like I had a satisfying enough time with the characters before things started to heat up. For example, Jord starts in a blank state and you don't get to know him that well before big changes start happening. Thus, the impact of the change isn't as strong as it could be.

I usually don't want books to wax on too much, but I think a prologue or a couple of chapters of what these characters were like before they left for war (not the night of) would have helped a bit.

However, I do acknowledge that this is building to a series and it is very possible that we don't need to know who these characters were in a deeper sense than I'm personally craving. As in, in the long run, it's more important who they become for what is to follow than what was before.

Either way, I liked this book and look forward to more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[readit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a young man named Jord who is conscripted into an army to fight in a brutal war. During a particularly deadly battle, he dons a magical ring that gives him the power to fight like he never could without it. But it doesn’t take long for the cursed object to change his life, and exert another power, one that consumes his thoughts and life.

The story is dark fantasy that has been written well, and I found myself drawn into the story, and the lives of all the characters. I felt for Jord throughout his journey. He started out a simple farm boy, unsure he was ready to be a soldier. But he embraced his new life and fought well alongside his fellow soldiers. When he finds the ring, it takes him on a dark magic and psychological journey into a life he never would have wanted. The decisions he makes weigh heavily on him. It made me think of Smeagol in The Lord of the Rings, and how finding that magical ring turned him into a covetous creature of evil.

The characters are well-developed, and the world-building is extensive. It was easy to get caught up in the story and found myself feeling all the emotional turmoil all the characters were going through. Highly recommended for epic fantasy lovers.

[S M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-plotted dark epic

This book is the first installment of a series, and ends on a cliffhanger.

The plotting is tight, and I am sure this is not an author who makes it up as she goes along; the story is thought out, purposeful, and character driven. I think it will develop in interesting ways as the series continues.

The story centers around a war, and it gradually becomes clear that the protagonists’ side is not necessarily the “good guys.” But the characters are initially just ordinary people who want to serve their country and protect their homes.
I really appreciated the clear sense the book communicated of the differences between the motivations of the people who declare war and those of the people who fight them.

The cursed items that are pivotal to the story make an interesting theme of overpowered weapons and the moral ambiguity of using them.

Although the groundwork is clearly laid for the transformation the main character undergoes, I did feel like it happened rather abruptly. The writing is unpolished but the writer has good storytelling instincts and I think will only get better with each effort.

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three characters, three unlikely "friends", three fates and lives intricately woven together by powerful three powerful "cursed heirlooms" - a sword, a shield, a ring.

Kemery has done an excellent job in the first installment to a new dark fantasy series. In this book she lays the groundwork for promising series that will keep readers hooked. There are multiple POV in this book - and at times this might seem a bit overwhelming, however, Kemery has done this masterfully so that each of the three characters is developed richly and fully. Without the multiple POV one might be missing some of the depth of the characters.

The world building is excellent. This world is rife with magic, challenges, epic battles which Kemery fully describes.

A great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joseph Minart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2023

The Ruthless Ring: Anti-Hero Dark Fantasy (The Cursed Heirlooms Book 1) by Jessica Kemery was a good read for anyone who is looking for a medieval-style setting where knights are fighting between two empires. We have Jord, a Stoven Knight, who wears a cursed ring—something that whispers to him every so often to do this and do that—which gives him the urge to fight the enemy nation, Maldaran Empire. He hopes to seek revenge against them.

I liked the interactions of Jord, Rae, a red-haired woman who got burned early on, and Salvatore, who wants to reclaims his royalty one day. There are other characters, such as Leo, too. I found that I liked where most of the book’s characters were involved with the medieval-style military battle preparations, and the social interaction when they were not directly fighting to be pleasant. Overall, it was a quick read to spend the time.

[Payton Cavallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ruthless Ring is a very interesting book. It’s premise is quite simple, Jord, Rae, and Leo, the three protagonists of the series find objects of power from a dead king that grants them boons. Jord’s ring gifts him magic, Rae with an unstoppable sword, and Leo with a shield that shields him from harm. But they all come with detriments that slowly corrupt them throughout the book.

Jord most of all, who goes from a good hearted farm lad to…well, I’ll let you read the rest of the book to see! Safe to say, out of all of them, Jord is the one I was least expecting to turn, as most books have the corruption get cut out via magic or some other means. Not so here!

Either way, I quite liked the book, and eagerly look forward to more from this author!

[SI Vann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for fans of dark fantasy that challenges conventional notions of heroism and villainy. It clearly shows that nobody is either all good or all bad when the cursed heirlooms join the main characters and the protagonists change. The cursed heirlooms drive the story and blind the main characters to the faults of their friends and their own.

Am a bit sad that the author seemingly rushed through some parts the story. It would have been good to slow it down a bit. Nevertheless, it’s an intriguing start to the series and I'm definitely going to read the other books in this series, especially to see how life treats Rae and the Stoven monarch.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[stephanie cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ruthless King is the first book in the 'Anti- Hero dark fantasy series The Cursed Heirlooms.
The first book sets the path for the series, with characters such as Jord, Rae, and Leo who are on a mission to find objects of power that will grant them boons. Each character has their own personal set of skills that helps them on this journey, regardless of the struggles they face.

I love the way the characters are written, and how they each find a way to carry on despite the trials that await them, making them relatable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lara R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid start into a new dark series.

The world building is great, the characters have depth and you get hooked quickly. There's battles, sacrifices, magic and so much more that kept me interested from start to finish.

This is a fast-paced story, which I read in one day because I couldn't put it down and wanted to know how the story progresses… then there's a cliffhanger 🤯

I'm definitely going to read the other books in this series as soon as they're available.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shakella "The Singing Bibliophile" Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! This is my first ARC read and it did not disappoint! This is my kind of storytelling, I was a character in the story, on the battlefield, involved in the lovers' interactions. Action-packed, enjoyable world-building, character-building was followable and for me, the story moved at a decent clip. The details were enough to transport you!

[Hanna Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, this book has everything I have been looking for in a fantasy book! Action, romance (complex but good), great characters, interesting dynamics, and a great setting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica Kemery]

My newest dark fantasy will be released at the end of October 2023. Find the link here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJDJ8W4L

[James Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Ruthless Ring" by Jessica Kemery is a dark fantasy debut that plunges readers into a world filled with danger, sorcery, and the relentless pursuit of power.