I’ve abandoned my quest for the alicorn horn. And I’ve abandoned Col, the prince in exile who declared his love for me. Now it’s time to pick up the pieces of my heart and forget what could have been. But my destiny is entangled with Col’s. I learn that The Harrow knows his location, and I’ve got to warn him before it’s too late. Following him means braving the wilds on my own, and monsters aren’t the only things lurking in the mountains of the northern kingdoms. Enemies are everywhere. Not only do we have to face orcs, mages, and a possible spy, but The Harrow himself. He will stop at nothing until Col is installed as a puppet king, and that includes using me as a pawn, and trying to hurt what I love most. But The Harrow underestimates me. I may be a lowly half-breed and a thief, but I will save the ones I love. Even if it means my life. Of Kings and Thieves is book two of the Wanderers of Ruin Series. It is a spicy fantasy romance with found family, heartbreak, intrigue, and heart-stopping action. This book is meant for adults 18 and over. It contains mature language, graphic violence, and explicit content with darker elements. Please check the author’s website for CW/TW.
I received a free ARC of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.
I was so excited for this book and it did not disappoint. The first book sets up our characters, the dynamics, and introducing us to the world. Book 2 takes this into account and runs with it.
The beginning is a bit slow. It’s not bad but there’s a bit too much focus on wanting sex for me. And I don’t mean that in the sense of the sex itself. I mean, I wanted to see more of the longing for the person—the first book really did a good job establishing their feeling of connection so the beginning felt almost disingenuous.
But once things get going, we’re right back to the characters we love, the dynamics, the banter and what I enjoy most—an exploration of the world and consequences of the first book. There’s some great call backs to hints in the first book which I always enjoy. It shows the author keeps track of things and expects the reader to as well. I love a writer that treats their audience like intelligent readers.
All in all, while not quite as good as the first book, definitely a must read and I look forward to the next!
This book was longer than I expected, so it took me a little bit longer to read, but boy, it was worth it! I loved this second installment in the Samara and Col anthology even more than I loved the first one! I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity, because I had a great time reading it.
First of all, the chemistry between Samara and Col was INSANE. I mean, it was good in the first book, but it really ramped up in this book and in a really good way. It made the spice that much more rewarding.
And speaking of spice, there was a healthy amount of it. I loved it. 🌶️🌶️🌶️ I have a problem sometimes reading books where it seems like it’s all spice and no plot or chemistry, but this book did not have that problem. The plot was intense and interesting and the spice just added depth to it. Plus, who can resist a hottie like Col?
The emotional buildup was fantastic. The emotions the different characters were experiencing were well described and I felt like I was on the journey with them. I felt like I was rooting for them the whole time.
The plot was fantastic. It had me interested the whole time and didn’t ever seem boring. It kind of felt like I was watching a whole epic D&D campaign play out, which was awesome. The friendship, the loyalty, the BOND — it was all awesome.
I think the only things I didn’t like about the book were 1) Col was always telling Samara to stay put or go somewhere else (which, yeah I mean he cares about her, but come ON man, she’s very capable. 🤣) And then there was one spelling error near the end where it said, “Do you want me to take you to her know?” where I assume it was supposed to be “now,” but honestly that was the only error I saw and it can be easily fixed.
I loved how it ended because I felt satisfied with it, but it also left me wanting more. I really hope I get to see the end of this saga and to see justice be served.
One last thing: my favorite line from the book was “Don’t get dead.” 🤣
Highly recommend this one (but read the first one first) and I can’t wait for the next one!
Of Kings and Thieves by Tiffany Hunt is the second book of the Wanderers of Ruin series. This is an adult romantic fantasy that continues the story of the lost prince Col and Part-Siren Samara, whose fates are intertwined. Tropes include secret identity, found family, political intrigue and a bonded connection. Do check trigger warnings before reading, and this is an adults only book.
The Lovely: I loved the characters, especially as we met more of Col’s friends (Scarlet is hysterical). Col and Samara’s relationship is spicy, but also so sweet and caring. He helps her to try to develop and become more as a member of their group, and in doing so, helps himself. In addition, the plot and tension were perfect. I loved the unique (and surprising) way the author brought Col and Samara back together (at least for a time), and their connection. The tension built over the course of the book to what the reader could tell would be the major conflict.
The Mundane: I received a digital copy of this book for my honest review. The world building in terms of imagery was much improved in this second book although I would have liked to learn more about the newly introduced characters.
The Dreadful: nothing. zip. nada.
Rating: 5/5 Stars. 4/5 Flames.
Recommendation: I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This experience of reading this second book exceeded that of the first book and the first book was amazing. It’s hard to describe how the relationship in this book makes me feel except to say it’s all the warm fuzzies. I’m amazed at how the author fits such a complete and wonderful story into what is a relatively short book (343 pages). If you love romantasy with a sweet couple that is utterly devoted to each other, and/or you want a quicker read, this series is for you.
When I read book 1, I was instantly hooked. I loved the flow, the chemistry between the characters, the world, the baddies, etc. I was so sad when it ended on a cliffhanger. This book picks up right where we left off and at first I was worried we'd have to go a whole book with Col and Samara apart until book 3. It reminds me a lot of Robin Hood and his band of merry men, especially with the world building greatly improved. Happily that didn't happen!
What I liked: --- the chemistry between Col and Samara is spot on and just plain sweet and sometimes super steamy hot especially when they use their 'connection' --- I loved the description of the keep where the Harrow did his dirty work --- the hunger games type maze to get into the castle had my nerves on edge --- I need more of their merry band of thieves, ruffians and shifters/magical/demi magical people
What I didn't like: --- I didn't like that the focus at first was all hormone raging teenager feel, it was kind of annoying, but it didn't last super long, but long enough to annoy me --- I wanted it to be longer so we could see more from Col's POV or even some of the other characters so we got a better picture about what was happening behind the scenes ---We are introduced to side characters that didn't do anything to further the plot, but rather created strife and not much else. I think we will see more of them in book 3 so that's why I didn't dock my rating down to a 3 star. ---I wanted a lot more world walking, I think it would have greatly expanded on the characters as well as the big baddie's actions ---I noticed a lot of plot holes around some characters and some arcs but again, I'm hoping more will be explained in book 3
Spice: 4/5 Plot: 4/5 Character Dev: 4/5 Overall: 4/5
The plot of the story was good, I think the powers were interesting, however none of the characters made me love them? Flints death in book 1 felt forced to further the plot. I was intrigued by Samara in book 1, but she became quite an annoying character to me in book 2. I understand the author wanted to capture how a person would just run into danger without thinking but even her way of talking sounded immature most of the time to me. I also understand smutty scenes to give us that somethin’-somethin’ but chapters upon chapters thereof felt like it was used to fill the book. I couldn’t help thinking about them not having had a bath in a WHILE and then going down on each other or the MC just being on a battlefield earlier in the day, holding people with blood all over him etc, then using his fingers on her, like SIR DID YOU WASH THOSE HANDS BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU YOUR FINGERNAILS ARE MOST LIKELY NOT CLEAN, not to mention your clothes?! Once that thought was in my head about them being so road weary and dirty I couldn’t even read through the smut scenes because I kept thinking they are smelly and dirty AF and then they want to do the hanky while people are laying close by? No thank you. 🙂↔️
That being said, Tiffany’s book about The Dark Lords Guide to Dating is such a great and fun book that I can’t wait for book 2 and should not dismiss her work based on a review like mine which is obviously personal opinion.
Of Kings and Thieves is the second book of the Wanderers of Ruin series. It continues Col and Samara’s journey to defeat the evil Harrow and for Col to be raised to his throne.
The book took a while to get going. The first third concentrated too much on how horny Col and Samara were for each other. Even in the midst of peril, all they could think of was having sex. However, once the action started, with a big battle against some orcs in a castle, all hell broke loose.
There is a lot of action, the story does get dark, and of course there are daring rescues. While I enjoyed the book overall, I was disappointed in Samara’s character in this one. In Of Exile and Song, she was a total badass, and I felt like she was just a weak lovestruck female in most of this one, only focused on sex. However, she does find her strength again at the end of the book. I’m hoping that in book three she continues being the strong FMC she was in book one.
Despite my issues with the focus on most of this book (it’s all me, I prefer plot driven versus spice/romance driven books), it has a great storyline, is very well written and has lots of action. I’m definitely interested in seeing what happens in book three!
I received an advance reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I read this book in two days (and I was trying to not rush) I just couldn’t help it!
I absolutely love the inner battles as well as the physical ones in this book. It has action, drama, and strong emotions. It’s not just about being big and strong but also being deserving and earning what you have. It shows how people who do good can still struggle with their worth and that it will be a constant thing not easily won over one battle. It’s being real emotion to the fantasy world making it even more captivating.
The romance is.. wow! The spice is definitely there, it’s like you can never get enough even though Tiffany doesn’t leave the reader wanting. I love the passion and gentleness Col shows. I love that the main female is strong and discovers that she is capable of being everything she needs on her own while releasing that it doesn’t mean that’s how it has to be.
This book is a feel good with twist and turns leaving you on the edge of your seat and your heart racing. The multiple leads in the book was so welcomed and I truly love each character in their little group. Everyone has depth and I can’t wait to dive deeper into their stories!
3.5 stars. This book is in 2 halves and i very nearly dnf, in fact read another book in-between. The first was excessively long with minimal action. Approx 35%+ just describing mfc training and constant yearning to touch mmc. This could have been done in 1x chapter. The 2nd half was good and full of action and then is spoilt by a ridiculously long description of the 2x characters having sex. This went in for a full chapter and a half!! It's well written with a good storyline, but I think could have benefited from some harsh editing. I will read the sequel, though - it's only 270 pages!!
It such a great feeling to participate in an ARC read for a series for the first book and then again for book two. I’ve loved seeing this series and world grow. It is such a great action-packed fantasy romance series.
The best part to this series, and especially book 2, is the relationship between Col and Samara. The end of the first book things are left on quite the cliffhanger, but I loved how these two came back together again. It was a sweet little “you came”, “you called” moment. The chemistry between these two is great and their banter is perfect.
I also really loved getting new characters and seeing more of this world. Our little “iron guard” is quite hilarious and I hope to learn more about them in the next book! This book truly thrives on its fascinating world building. It is all just so beautifully depicted. There’s also a lot of magic and monsters in this series and it just adds to the LOTR vibes this book gives.
My only qualm is that I wish this book was dual pov. The ending felt a tad rushed and I think getting Col’s pov there would have been perfect. But that just my opinion. This book ends on a HFN, and though there are many questions that are still unanswered, I’m excited to see what happens next!
Of Kings and Thieves continues right where book one leaves off. Samara decides to go leave Col to his quest and return home to her family but things get in the way that brings her back to Col. I really enjoyed the new side characters. The second book focused more on the characters. It helped me get more immersed in the story. I also liked the way Samara and Cols relationship develops. I can’t wait for book 3 to come out so I can continue this amazing series!
As with the first book, the writing was excellent with a perfect blend of character development, plot, and romance.
The side characters really come into play in this book as you meet new people and travel to more places. The chemistry between the main characters is so good all thanks to the buildup of the first book.
It’s a quick read in comparison to some other romantacy books but has all of the same elements without having to invest in 1000 pages of reading.
I'm so happy with this book and I need the next one immediately! Picked up from where we last left off smoothly, not confusing at all, and no drag/lull to get back into the story! More action, more witty banter, more humor, much more spice!! Loved every bit of this book, from Magnus to Killian to the bard and on. Samara is brave and persistent in what she wants and Col is exactly what/who she needs. Brilliantly done and can't wait to see what happens next!!!!
2.75. I LOVED the first book, it pulled me right in and I fell in love with the characters. This sequel was a let down. It felt extremely rushed, and yet it dragged so much. None of the stakes seemed high even though they were supposed to be, and I found I didn’t care about any of the characters anymore. Really wanted to love this book just as much as the first one but to be honest, it took everything in me not to DNF it.
I was lucky enough to recieve a arc to continue the continuation of col and samaras story. The first book had me on the edge of my seat. This one had spice heart tears and more. Samara and col both grow in themselves and start to open themselves up to the possibilities. I oove how tiffany left the book open for more.
So disappointed. I finished, if you could call it that. I skimmed the last 40 pages. Everything about this book was rushed. I loved the first book. It’s almost as if the writer is someone else. I had a hard time finishing. The ending was just bleh and a big no for me. Look how long it took to finish. Boooo
I was engrossed with this book, like completely absorbed and... You are such a meanie!! Lol loved the ending and I better get news of when book 3 is released!! Great author ❤️
This book is one of those rare exceptions where the sequel is even better than the first! Starting off right where book one left us, we see our characters separated and working towards their own goals. That quickly falls apart however and Col and Samara find themselves together again. Through shared challenges, our hero and heroine learn about themselves and what they are capable of. This is definitely a book you won't want to miss!