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Kings of Ruin
Danny Kelly cares only for rock 'n' roll and fast cars. Too bad he's stuck in the capital of country music and he's banned from driving until he turns twenty-one. Plus he likes other boys, a secret that he's vowed to keep until he graduates high school. When his stepdad's new truck roars off on its own, Danny discovers a secret that is endangering cars and drivers across America. It almost kills Danny, too, until he's saved by seventeen-year-old Kevin Clark. Kevin's gay, handsome, and confident, but working with his dad's secret government organization has left him lonely. It's going to take a weekend of car chases, fiery explosions, and country-western singing to save the citizens of Nashville from certain death—but can Danny protect his heart and secrets as well?
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2013
78 people want to read
About the author
Sam Cameron
19 books10 followersA Navy veteran, Sam Cameron spent several years serving in the Pacific and along the Atlantic coast. Her transgender, romance, and science fiction novels have been recognized for their wit, inventiveness, and passion. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and currently teaches college in Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 6, 2013
A fun, well paced young adult adventure. The idea of the Ruins is interesting, and different. It's nice reading something that doesn't feel like a hundred other books I've read before. I like how the government agency involved was the Department of Transportation, and not the FBI, CIA, or a mysterious unknown agency.
The characters are relatable, and well drawn. I felt like I was able to understand their fears, and motivations, and it was nice to read gay characters where their sexuality, while an important part of the story, wasn't the entirety of the conflict, and plot. The secondary characters were interesting, and diverse, and I was glad to see that characters you didn't like weren't restricted to the role of villains.
Overall an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the rest of the series especially after that ending.
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley. My thanks to everyone involved for allowing me to read, and review it.
The characters are relatable, and well drawn. I felt like I was able to understand their fears, and motivations, and it was nice to read gay characters where their sexuality, while an important part of the story, wasn't the entirety of the conflict, and plot. The secondary characters were interesting, and diverse, and I was glad to see that characters you didn't like weren't restricted to the role of villains.
Overall an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the rest of the series especially after that ending.
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley. My thanks to everyone involved for allowing me to read, and review it.
October 28, 2013
Fun, lively, and exciting. This book was better than I expected, and I admit I expected very little due to my poor luck with the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, and to a string of same-old same-old Young Adult fictions with all the publishers. Is there any Young Adult fiction where saving yourself and the world doesn’t take a backseat to the Romance? Because good grief.
Control, The Waking Dreamer, The Trials of Renegade X, Tandem — desist your Romance shit. Yes, that includes the two of you books that I rated 3-stars, which means I like you. Desist. Y’all are series; you can do it, says the crazy person talking to books. Anyway.
What I Liked
+ the couple
Danny was a sensible main character. It was surprising because bad decisions haunted his past so I fully expected him to repeat them, but he didn’t. It was refreshing because, speaking as an avid reader of Young Adult fictions, I rarely come across Young Adult main characters who are sensible. I mean, holy shit. Finally, it was pleasant because it excused the matter that he was in the closet. Rural America, enough said. I loved how Danny skillfully balanced putting his life at risk to figure out what was going on (because ignorance could kill) and knowing when to back off to stay safe.
Kevin was adorably nice despite the fact that he was working that whole mysterious Bad Boy image. I was elated to see a love interest that was only a Bad Boy in appearance and not an asshole because Bad Boys in Young Adult fictions are usually assholes.
+ the romance
Infidelity is a huge pet peeve for me so when it was a bomb of surprise when I didn’t get angry at how Danny used his unwitting girlfriend to disguise as straight. Danny and Laura’s relationship was too casual for me to take it seriously. Danny was at least honest and guilty about his reason for having a girlfriend, and he treated her nicely if one put aside the using-her thing. Equally important was how respectfully the book treated her. I was very happy with how in the process for the reader to gain sympathy for Danny, Laura was never “bitchified.” Laura was a minor character and her relationship with Danny was very downplayed so it would have been easy for the book to do so. But it didn’t, and I was glad. I was free to be happy without guilt; I could ignore Danny’s relationship with Laura, which allowed me to focus on just Danny and Kevin.
Danny may have been in the closet, but his romance with Kevin wasn’t angsty. It was a little angsty in the beginning but it quickly tapered off because Danny was honest and open about his feelings and sexuality with Kevin. I liked how between the two boys there was no dilly dallying with the attraction and the clearing up of misunderstandings. “I like you but I’m in the closet.” “I like you but you appear to be straight.” Talk, talk, talk. “We now know both of us like each other.” OMG, y’all, kiss already. *squee*
+ Danny’s family and friends
Danny may have family issues but I loved how it was obvious for the reader to see beyond Danny’s biased viewpoint that his family was a loving family. His stepfather was a not jerk, and his stepsister was not a bitch. His mother was someone who did really give a shit about her son. I also like how Danny’s friend Eric was a true friend and was also a sensible person like Danny. The only I would have changed is for Danny’s stepsister to be part of the action because she seemed pretty cool, and it would have been nice to read about step-siblings fighting bad guys.
+ the plot
It was fast-paced. I couldn’t believe how quickly I went through the book. The book fully delivered on its promise of car chases and fiery explosions. I was just “Yaaaaaaay!” Homicidal alien-possessed cars, a secret government agency, a national conspiracy; what fun!
What I Didn’t Like
+ the world building
It was shoddily built. I didn’t mind how the human characters have little idea of what the aliens were, or Ruins as the aliens were called, but I did mind how the human characters poorly explained their theories of what they thought the Ruins were. Because of the book description’s failure to mention aliens, I thought they were evil spirits for the entire beginning. Then I spent the middle of the book being confused to learn that was not the case and annoyed with trying to find out what was the case. Though at the end I got a good grasp of what the Ruins were, I wish it hadn’t happened so late. I didn’t see any good reason to withhold the information considering that some of the story was told in Kevin’s viewpoint and not poor ignorant Danny’s.
What I Was Okay With
+ the ending
It was Happy For Now. The romance was unresolved among a few other things. Usually, I would file such an ending under things I didn’t like but I was okay with it, believe it or not. What helped was how Danny didn’t have to hide who he was anymore and was accepted and his family issues were resolved. The book ended on an optimistic note. I was left in a good place where I didn’t feel the urge to demand a sequel so I can get my closure yet I would be elated to read the sequel if there was one. Either way is good for me, and this rarely happens because I’m a fanatic for closure.
Conclusion
I rate Kings of Ruin 3-stars for I liked it. If you took the movie Transformers, focused it on the humans, and made the main characters two gay boys who have the hots for each other, you would get this book. Recommended for readers looking for a light drama and thriller read.
Control, The Waking Dreamer, The Trials of Renegade X, Tandem — desist your Romance shit. Yes, that includes the two of you books that I rated 3-stars, which means I like you. Desist. Y’all are series; you can do it, says the crazy person talking to books. Anyway.
What I Liked
+ the couple
Danny was a sensible main character. It was surprising because bad decisions haunted his past so I fully expected him to repeat them, but he didn’t. It was refreshing because, speaking as an avid reader of Young Adult fictions, I rarely come across Young Adult main characters who are sensible. I mean, holy shit. Finally, it was pleasant because it excused the matter that he was in the closet. Rural America, enough said. I loved how Danny skillfully balanced putting his life at risk to figure out what was going on (because ignorance could kill) and knowing when to back off to stay safe.
Kevin was adorably nice despite the fact that he was working that whole mysterious Bad Boy image. I was elated to see a love interest that was only a Bad Boy in appearance and not an asshole because Bad Boys in Young Adult fictions are usually assholes.
+ the romance
Infidelity is a huge pet peeve for me so when it was a bomb of surprise when I didn’t get angry at how Danny used his unwitting girlfriend to disguise as straight. Danny and Laura’s relationship was too casual for me to take it seriously. Danny was at least honest and guilty about his reason for having a girlfriend, and he treated her nicely if one put aside the using-her thing. Equally important was how respectfully the book treated her. I was very happy with how in the process for the reader to gain sympathy for Danny, Laura was never “bitchified.” Laura was a minor character and her relationship with Danny was very downplayed so it would have been easy for the book to do so. But it didn’t, and I was glad. I was free to be happy without guilt; I could ignore Danny’s relationship with Laura, which allowed me to focus on just Danny and Kevin.
Danny may have been in the closet, but his romance with Kevin wasn’t angsty. It was a little angsty in the beginning but it quickly tapered off because Danny was honest and open about his feelings and sexuality with Kevin. I liked how between the two boys there was no dilly dallying with the attraction and the clearing up of misunderstandings. “I like you but I’m in the closet.” “I like you but you appear to be straight.” Talk, talk, talk. “We now know both of us like each other.” OMG, y’all, kiss already. *squee*
+ Danny’s family and friends
Danny may have family issues but I loved how it was obvious for the reader to see beyond Danny’s biased viewpoint that his family was a loving family. His stepfather was a not jerk, and his stepsister was not a bitch. His mother was someone who did really give a shit about her son. I also like how Danny’s friend Eric was a true friend and was also a sensible person like Danny. The only I would have changed is for Danny’s stepsister to be part of the action because she seemed pretty cool, and it would have been nice to read about step-siblings fighting bad guys.
+ the plot
It was fast-paced. I couldn’t believe how quickly I went through the book. The book fully delivered on its promise of car chases and fiery explosions. I was just “Yaaaaaaay!” Homicidal alien-possessed cars, a secret government agency, a national conspiracy; what fun!
What I Didn’t Like
+ the world building
It was shoddily built. I didn’t mind how the human characters have little idea of what the aliens were, or Ruins as the aliens were called, but I did mind how the human characters poorly explained their theories of what they thought the Ruins were. Because of the book description’s failure to mention aliens, I thought they were evil spirits for the entire beginning. Then I spent the middle of the book being confused to learn that was not the case and annoyed with trying to find out what was the case. Though at the end I got a good grasp of what the Ruins were, I wish it hadn’t happened so late. I didn’t see any good reason to withhold the information considering that some of the story was told in Kevin’s viewpoint and not poor ignorant Danny’s.
What I Was Okay With
+ the ending
It was Happy For Now. The romance was unresolved among a few other things. Usually, I would file such an ending under things I didn’t like but I was okay with it, believe it or not. What helped was how Danny didn’t have to hide who he was anymore and was accepted and his family issues were resolved. The book ended on an optimistic note. I was left in a good place where I didn’t feel the urge to demand a sequel so I can get my closure yet I would be elated to read the sequel if there was one. Either way is good for me, and this rarely happens because I’m a fanatic for closure.
Conclusion
I rate Kings of Ruin 3-stars for I liked it. If you took the movie Transformers, focused it on the humans, and made the main characters two gay boys who have the hots for each other, you would get this book. Recommended for readers looking for a light drama and thriller read.
January 28, 2021
This was really fun!! An audiobook easily listened to in one afternoon. I'd say it's Men in Black meets Transformers meets Bumblebee —with two gay teens as the main characters!
There's cars and rock music, a mention of the 27-club, small town vibes, futuristic technology meets AI meets potential alien species, a lovely coming out situation, a cute boy who wears leather jackets, a bit of step-dad tension, a super supportive best friend, a wise old man who enlightens Danny to the truth; and the truth is related to like... how factories are closed down but the environmental impact still wrecks places. He's "got Detroit in his blood" and the 'ruins' are drawn to him, and does the government know more than it's letting on (yes, always.) This whole uncovered plot situation is suuuch a cool set up!
I loved Kings of Ruin, and like many of the Audible reviews, am desperate to know if this is the start of a series. It really feels like it but I'm seeing no signs irl :( It also would honestly also be a cool show or movie!
Content warnings: Parental death, fatal car crashes, grief. An attempted rape scene that's brushed off afterward, underage drinking, reckless driving.
There's cars and rock music, a mention of the 27-club, small town vibes, futuristic technology meets AI meets potential alien species, a lovely coming out situation, a cute boy who wears leather jackets, a bit of step-dad tension, a super supportive best friend, a wise old man who enlightens Danny to the truth; and the truth is related to like... how factories are closed down but the environmental impact still wrecks places. He's "got Detroit in his blood" and the 'ruins' are drawn to him, and does the government know more than it's letting on (yes, always.) This whole uncovered plot situation is suuuch a cool set up!
I loved Kings of Ruin, and like many of the Audible reviews, am desperate to know if this is the start of a series. It really feels like it but I'm seeing no signs irl :( It also would honestly also be a cool show or movie!
Content warnings: Parental death, fatal car crashes, grief. An attempted rape scene that's brushed off afterward, underage drinking, reckless driving.
May 23, 2019
**audio version review**
This was a different and very interesting gay YA adventure read with a romance subplot. I don't want to spoil too much, but I thought the villains were pretty creative, in that paranormal sense. The relationship progression between Danny and Kevin is cute, and very YA-paced, which felt very appropriate for the book.
For people who like YA-level adventure/action reads, you may enjoy this. At the end, I wanted to read a bit more- like another book in the series. Props for the author for writing such an interesting, sci-fi-ish read. Also, the audio narrator did a great job. Really added to the story.
This was a different and very interesting gay YA adventure read with a romance subplot. I don't want to spoil too much, but I thought the villains were pretty creative, in that paranormal sense. The relationship progression between Danny and Kevin is cute, and very YA-paced, which felt very appropriate for the book.
For people who like YA-level adventure/action reads, you may enjoy this. At the end, I wanted to read a bit more- like another book in the series. Props for the author for writing such an interesting, sci-fi-ish read. Also, the audio narrator did a great job. Really added to the story.
January 9, 2019
Well! That was one hell of a ride. The story is interesting, however the ending (in my opinion) leaves much to be desired. It does end on a promising note like a start of a new beginning sort of feel, which is nice. Reading through this book felt as if I was watching an action-packed movie with gay heroes, hence it’s enjoyable!
October 23, 2019
A fun and interesting sci-fi YA that I thoroughly enjoyed.
December 8, 2020
I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK.
It's a low-angst gay teen supernatural Fast & Furious, and I really cannot express how happy it made me.
It's a low-angst gay teen supernatural Fast & Furious, and I really cannot express how happy it made me.
Read
February 20, 2021DNF @ 30%
March 2, 2013
For more reviews go to George's Bookz and Bitz
I did it again. I went for cover love. I was getting a bit bored with the usual YA paranormal stuff, and wanted some good old fashioned action. I was expecting a book along the lines of Alex Rider or something by Charlie Higson.
Kings of Ruin launches straight in, Kevin’s mum is dead. Danny’s Dad is dead. Both died in car wrecks, but Kevin knows there is more to these wrecks than just your normal mechanical malfunctions. There were Ruin’s behind them, I can’t tell you what ruins are, in case I ruin (ha! ruin!) the story, but safe to say there is more to the story than meets the eye, and when a Ruin King arrives in Danny’s town, the boys meet and work together to put an end to its rule.
The book is a sci-fi romp, its great, classic science fiction - a good, a bad and then a scene that could flip it all around, a what you know might not be all there is to know, type of thing. When I requested Kings I didn’t realize that it was advertised as a LGBT book, in fact it wasn’t until the end when I went to review that I realized it was really being pushed for a specific market. I don’t know why. Yes Kevin and Danny are gay, but their story, the feelings they have are not specific to those who fancy the same sex, they are the usual teen feelings, and handled beautifully. There was not a point in the book where the relationship took over the story, it just was. The same cannot be said for mainstream books where the teenage girl is fawning all over said boy that is dangerous/miserable/both, the fact that the boys are gay is irrelevant, the romance in the story would have been a perfect compliment to the sci-fi regardless of the gender of the two leads. I was really impressed with Cameron’s writing of the boy’s relationship, there was no attempt to shove it in the readers face, or tell the reader that it was ‘ok’ or ‘normal’ for them to feel this way, there was just an expectation that the reader should be as ok with it as they would be with a straight couple - and so they should.
I loved the characters, particularly Danny, a lad that is trying his best to do good, to try and fit it, deny who he is, and do his best for his mom, but that seems to end up in trouble anyway. I was ready to hit his step-dad, particularly after the crash, and felt for his mom, who was stuck between the two of them.
There was one major problem with the book, it was over too quick, there was so much scope for the development of the story, the ruins were not explained brilliantly - perhaps that will come from future books in the series, but even more of a clue as to where they came from (rather than the vague explanation about walls) would have been welcomed. I read the book in a day, it was pretty fast paced and a good fun read, but the depth was missing, I will definitely be reading further books by Cameron, and I’m presuming there will be more in the series, but I’m hoping for a little more from them. But for my first (albeit accidental) into the LGBT (try writing that correctly when your dyslexic, its not easy1) genre, I enjoyed it, although I would stress that although its pinned as LGBT, I’d label it as action/sci-fi, well worth a read whether you are LGBT or not.
ARC/eGalley kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest, fair, review.
I did it again. I went for cover love. I was getting a bit bored with the usual YA paranormal stuff, and wanted some good old fashioned action. I was expecting a book along the lines of Alex Rider or something by Charlie Higson.
Kings of Ruin launches straight in, Kevin’s mum is dead. Danny’s Dad is dead. Both died in car wrecks, but Kevin knows there is more to these wrecks than just your normal mechanical malfunctions. There were Ruin’s behind them, I can’t tell you what ruins are, in case I ruin (ha! ruin!) the story, but safe to say there is more to the story than meets the eye, and when a Ruin King arrives in Danny’s town, the boys meet and work together to put an end to its rule.
The book is a sci-fi romp, its great, classic science fiction - a good, a bad and then a scene that could flip it all around, a what you know might not be all there is to know, type of thing. When I requested Kings I didn’t realize that it was advertised as a LGBT book, in fact it wasn’t until the end when I went to review that I realized it was really being pushed for a specific market. I don’t know why. Yes Kevin and Danny are gay, but their story, the feelings they have are not specific to those who fancy the same sex, they are the usual teen feelings, and handled beautifully. There was not a point in the book where the relationship took over the story, it just was. The same cannot be said for mainstream books where the teenage girl is fawning all over said boy that is dangerous/miserable/both, the fact that the boys are gay is irrelevant, the romance in the story would have been a perfect compliment to the sci-fi regardless of the gender of the two leads. I was really impressed with Cameron’s writing of the boy’s relationship, there was no attempt to shove it in the readers face, or tell the reader that it was ‘ok’ or ‘normal’ for them to feel this way, there was just an expectation that the reader should be as ok with it as they would be with a straight couple - and so they should.
I loved the characters, particularly Danny, a lad that is trying his best to do good, to try and fit it, deny who he is, and do his best for his mom, but that seems to end up in trouble anyway. I was ready to hit his step-dad, particularly after the crash, and felt for his mom, who was stuck between the two of them.
There was one major problem with the book, it was over too quick, there was so much scope for the development of the story, the ruins were not explained brilliantly - perhaps that will come from future books in the series, but even more of a clue as to where they came from (rather than the vague explanation about walls) would have been welcomed. I read the book in a day, it was pretty fast paced and a good fun read, but the depth was missing, I will definitely be reading further books by Cameron, and I’m presuming there will be more in the series, but I’m hoping for a little more from them. But for my first (albeit accidental) into the LGBT (try writing that correctly when your dyslexic, its not easy1) genre, I enjoyed it, although I would stress that although its pinned as LGBT, I’d label it as action/sci-fi, well worth a read whether you are LGBT or not.
ARC/eGalley kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest, fair, review.
April 4, 2013
KINGS OF RUIN is a compelling mix of contemporary and the supernatural. I sat down to read a few chapters and before I knew I’d finished the whole book. I was that into the story and the characters.
Danny and Kevin are teenagers with one big thing in common: they each lost someone they loved in a car crash. Otherwise, they have some differences. Danny won’t admit that he’s gay, and has a girlfriend to keep up appearances. He doesn’t know the truth about how his father and brother died. Kevin is proudly out but single because of his job -- he and his father are part of a team from the Department of Transportation who hunt down Ruins all over the U.S. Kevin’s mother died in a crash caused by the Ruins. Think of Ruins as malevolent spirits that take over cars because they like killing people and creating chaos.
The characters were one of my favorite parts of the book. Aside from Danny and Kevin, there’s the rest of the Ruin hunting team, and I got the feeling they all had interesting back stories of their own. In particular, I liked Mrs. Morris, and the way Danny thought about her when she fills in for his physics teacher: “She was easily the most beautiful woman Danny had ever seen. If it weren’t for the whole gay thing, he might have fallen a little bit in love with her right then and there (p. 17, ARC).”
Some of the other characters that shined were 2KEWEL, FIREBUG, and CHOPR. I don’t know if they would appreciate being described as cute, but they were! The author infused personality into the toy cars and helicopter, and they were an important part of the story even though they couldn’t talk.
I had fun reading KINGS OF RUIN, and I hope there will be another book to continue Danny and Kevin’s story. As you can probably guess, a spark pops up between the two boys. I liked how meeting Kevin made Danny re-evaluate keeping his sexuality a secret. And, although both boys are gay, KINGS OF RUIN isn’t a coming out story. It’s just part of who they are.
I only wish the book had been longer. I thought there could have been more explanation about the Ruins, as I had some questions about them (how does the government know about them? what happens to Ruins after they’re zapped? etc.), and I would also have liked to see some more romance between Danny and Kevin. However, the hints of romance in the book were realistic, and I was happy that they didn’t fall instantly in love and ride off into the sunset together.
KINGS OF RUIN is a well-written YA book full of adventure. I’d recommend it for guys, because there’s a lot of car talk and both main characters are guys, but I think anyone would enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews:
Danny and Kevin are teenagers with one big thing in common: they each lost someone they loved in a car crash. Otherwise, they have some differences. Danny won’t admit that he’s gay, and has a girlfriend to keep up appearances. He doesn’t know the truth about how his father and brother died. Kevin is proudly out but single because of his job -- he and his father are part of a team from the Department of Transportation who hunt down Ruins all over the U.S. Kevin’s mother died in a crash caused by the Ruins. Think of Ruins as malevolent spirits that take over cars because they like killing people and creating chaos.
The characters were one of my favorite parts of the book. Aside from Danny and Kevin, there’s the rest of the Ruin hunting team, and I got the feeling they all had interesting back stories of their own. In particular, I liked Mrs. Morris, and the way Danny thought about her when she fills in for his physics teacher: “She was easily the most beautiful woman Danny had ever seen. If it weren’t for the whole gay thing, he might have fallen a little bit in love with her right then and there (p. 17, ARC).”
Some of the other characters that shined were 2KEWEL, FIREBUG, and CHOPR. I don’t know if they would appreciate being described as cute, but they were! The author infused personality into the toy cars and helicopter, and they were an important part of the story even though they couldn’t talk.
I had fun reading KINGS OF RUIN, and I hope there will be another book to continue Danny and Kevin’s story. As you can probably guess, a spark pops up between the two boys. I liked how meeting Kevin made Danny re-evaluate keeping his sexuality a secret. And, although both boys are gay, KINGS OF RUIN isn’t a coming out story. It’s just part of who they are.
I only wish the book had been longer. I thought there could have been more explanation about the Ruins, as I had some questions about them (how does the government know about them? what happens to Ruins after they’re zapped? etc.), and I would also have liked to see some more romance between Danny and Kevin. However, the hints of romance in the book were realistic, and I was happy that they didn’t fall instantly in love and ride off into the sunset together.
KINGS OF RUIN is a well-written YA book full of adventure. I’d recommend it for guys, because there’s a lot of car talk and both main characters are guys, but I think anyone would enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews:
March 3, 2013
Originally posted on Feb 20 2013 at Butterfly-o-Meter Books
Fluttering Thoughts:
World Building: Nashville mixes with aliens or paranormal entities (I'm not clear what these Ruins and Kings are) in a funny and intriguing way. The world of the story was cool but I would have liked to be a bit clearer on these Ruins - what are they, aliens, paranormals? What's their deal?
Characters: Danny was the confused high-schooler struggling to accept and embrace himself. He had a rough past that made me get very emotionally in tune with him and he had very realistic reactions. I liked him, he was fun and well developed. Kevin had a better grip on everything - his identity, he works with his dad in this secret program thing about the Ruins - and it was a nice balance to Danny's confusion. They had some teen romance going on and there were two kisses, and that was pretty much it. Young adult romance is, well... underwhelming for me, as you guys know.
Plot: A good blend of action, teen angst and self-discovery and a sprinkle of romance (romance-to-be maybe). I liked it, it was an alert story that kept me engaged but not enthusiastic. That's something that happens a lot with YA stories for me, sadly.
Writing: Lovely third person narrative from Danny's POV most of the time but with some inserts from Kevin.
Curb Appeal: Good presentation, gorgeous cover and good blurb. It wouldn't be an impulsive buy necessarily but a strong candidate for a buy nonetheless.
This has a lot of series potential but I'm not sure at this point if it's meant to be a part of a series or not.
All in all, this was a good story with young characters. If you're into that and you'd like to read about two young adults doing a bit of growing up, then I say give this a try.
Fluttering Thoughts:
World Building: Nashville mixes with aliens or paranormal entities (I'm not clear what these Ruins and Kings are) in a funny and intriguing way. The world of the story was cool but I would have liked to be a bit clearer on these Ruins - what are they, aliens, paranormals? What's their deal?
Characters: Danny was the confused high-schooler struggling to accept and embrace himself. He had a rough past that made me get very emotionally in tune with him and he had very realistic reactions. I liked him, he was fun and well developed. Kevin had a better grip on everything - his identity, he works with his dad in this secret program thing about the Ruins - and it was a nice balance to Danny's confusion. They had some teen romance going on and there were two kisses, and that was pretty much it. Young adult romance is, well... underwhelming for me, as you guys know.
Plot: A good blend of action, teen angst and self-discovery and a sprinkle of romance (romance-to-be maybe). I liked it, it was an alert story that kept me engaged but not enthusiastic. That's something that happens a lot with YA stories for me, sadly.
Writing: Lovely third person narrative from Danny's POV most of the time but with some inserts from Kevin.
Curb Appeal: Good presentation, gorgeous cover and good blurb. It wouldn't be an impulsive buy necessarily but a strong candidate for a buy nonetheless.
This has a lot of series potential but I'm not sure at this point if it's meant to be a part of a series or not.
All in all, this was a good story with young characters. If you're into that and you'd like to read about two young adults doing a bit of growing up, then I say give this a try.
February 2, 2013
Okay, so this book doesn’t come out until March, but I received a copy to review from NetGalley. I love Sam Cameron’s YA series Fisher Key Adventures, and just like those books, this one does not disappoint.
This book has definite science fiction elements. The Ruins are a sort of alien being that come and enter engines to take over them. The Kings are the biggest Ruins and are set on having fun and do not care about destruction.
I loved the characters, both human and Ruin. Danny is a great character because he’s flawed but trying to do his best. He is gay, but he so desperately wants to hide that part of him. When things get strange and he meets Kevin, who is open about his sexuality, he almost blows his chance at something.
The author included great non-human characters. Even though they didn’t speak and weren’t on the page for long, I completely fell for FIREBUG, 2KEWLE, and CHOPR. These Ruins were tiny and had very human reactions to what went on around them. I hope this series is going to be a sequel because I want to see them again.
The book is filled with action and drama, both real and science fiction based. It might be the book that bridges the gap for some kids who aren’t sure if they like science fiction novels. This is definitely a book worth having on your YA shelf!
This book has definite science fiction elements. The Ruins are a sort of alien being that come and enter engines to take over them. The Kings are the biggest Ruins and are set on having fun and do not care about destruction.
I loved the characters, both human and Ruin. Danny is a great character because he’s flawed but trying to do his best. He is gay, but he so desperately wants to hide that part of him. When things get strange and he meets Kevin, who is open about his sexuality, he almost blows his chance at something.
The author included great non-human characters. Even though they didn’t speak and weren’t on the page for long, I completely fell for FIREBUG, 2KEWLE, and CHOPR. These Ruins were tiny and had very human reactions to what went on around them. I hope this series is going to be a sequel because I want to see them again.
The book is filled with action and drama, both real and science fiction based. It might be the book that bridges the gap for some kids who aren’t sure if they like science fiction novels. This is definitely a book worth having on your YA shelf!
February 25, 2013
This was exactly what I like to read in a lgbt story intended for a young adult audience. This isn't for the reader who wants something of a more erotic nature, instead Kings of Ruin is a sci-fi story about Danny and Kevin. Danny is young, turning 16 in this novel, and he already has a rap sheet for joyriding and a fake girlfriend. Kevin, on the other hand, reminds me a lot of Dean Winchester from Supernatural. His mom died in an accident caused by the Ruins and his dad and him now go out hunting them.
In this book Danny comes to terms with his sexual orientation, helps stop a massive accident from occurring, saves his friends and family a couple times, and falls for Kevin. Kevin starts to doubt a little bit of what he's been told about the Ruins, saves some people, including Danny, and eventually leaves town. But while some people may complain about this book being a tease (I assume because of the lack of sex) that works perfectly in this case. Let's not forget that Danny and Kevin are only 16 and 17 years old respectively.
The story was cute and well-paced, and left a lot of questions unanswered in such a way that I'm hoping for a sequel. I want to know more about these Ruins, and I want to see Kevin and Danny meeting up again in the future.
In this book Danny comes to terms with his sexual orientation, helps stop a massive accident from occurring, saves his friends and family a couple times, and falls for Kevin. Kevin starts to doubt a little bit of what he's been told about the Ruins, saves some people, including Danny, and eventually leaves town. But while some people may complain about this book being a tease (I assume because of the lack of sex) that works perfectly in this case. Let's not forget that Danny and Kevin are only 16 and 17 years old respectively.
The story was cute and well-paced, and left a lot of questions unanswered in such a way that I'm hoping for a sequel. I want to know more about these Ruins, and I want to see Kevin and Danny meeting up again in the future.
May 23, 2013
I really hope that Kings of Ruin is, as it seems to be, the first book of a series. Although thankfully it does not leave me stranded with a cliffhanger, the plot and characters are engaging enough to leave me wanting more, and the ending of the book leaves open a variety of possibilities. Sam Cameron's concept of the Ruins is compelling, with room for more world-building growth in future books, and her storytelling and technical writing skills are solid.
Her main characters, Danny and Kevin, are sympathetic and proactive but realistically imperfect teens. They demonstrate a good mix of strength, vulnerability, and genuine humanity while trying to figure out who they are and who they're becoming, not to mention trying to figure out the Ruins. I look forward to getting to know both boys better, especially Kevin, as individuals and as a potential couple. There are many more mysteries to explore and share in the world Cameron has created here.
(And I didn't have a single cringe-worthy Transformers thought!)
Her main characters, Danny and Kevin, are sympathetic and proactive but realistically imperfect teens. They demonstrate a good mix of strength, vulnerability, and genuine humanity while trying to figure out who they are and who they're becoming, not to mention trying to figure out the Ruins. I look forward to getting to know both boys better, especially Kevin, as individuals and as a potential couple. There are many more mysteries to explore and share in the world Cameron has created here.
(And I didn't have a single cringe-worthy Transformers thought!)
January 29, 2013
This is a fast-paced adventure story for young adults. Its focus is on cars and the way these ruins take over them and cause havoc.
The main two characters, Danny and Kevin meet because of the Ruins arriving in Danny's hometown and kevin working to keep everyone safe.
ALthough there is a paranormal, or sci fi thread (where do these ruins orginate? What is their purpose?), none of it is explained in too much detail, the idea I think is more to go along for the ride.
I like that we get both boys' points of view. I like that Kevin has already figured out his identity and that Danny is still working on being out. I liked the attraction between them, and how that part of the story develops.
I guess you could call it a satisfactory conclusion, but I also wouldn't be surprised if there are more. There certainly is enough scope to build on the premise and the adventures this secret organization has.
Good fun, lots of action, and great storytelling.
This copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley with thanks.
The main two characters, Danny and Kevin meet because of the Ruins arriving in Danny's hometown and kevin working to keep everyone safe.
ALthough there is a paranormal, or sci fi thread (where do these ruins orginate? What is their purpose?), none of it is explained in too much detail, the idea I think is more to go along for the ride.
I like that we get both boys' points of view. I like that Kevin has already figured out his identity and that Danny is still working on being out. I liked the attraction between them, and how that part of the story develops.
I guess you could call it a satisfactory conclusion, but I also wouldn't be surprised if there are more. There certainly is enough scope to build on the premise and the adventures this secret organization has.
Good fun, lots of action, and great storytelling.
This copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley with thanks.
March 3, 2013
This was a refreshing break from the tropes that have been influencing today’s young adult novels. There was no love triangle, insta-love, or abuse thinly disguised as love, no there was only action, adventure, and learning more about oneself.
I really enjoyed the paranormal aspect of the book, even though there were similarities to Maximum Overdrive, Cameron put enough of himself to make it his own. I liked the fact that not all the Ruins were evil, that some even became friends with Danny.
So if you are looking for a fun action adventure with a hint of romance this is a good book to read.
I received this book from NetGalley, thank you for letting me read, and review this novel.
I really enjoyed the paranormal aspect of the book, even though there were similarities to Maximum Overdrive, Cameron put enough of himself to make it his own. I liked the fact that not all the Ruins were evil, that some even became friends with Danny.
So if you are looking for a fun action adventure with a hint of romance this is a good book to read.
I received this book from NetGalley, thank you for letting me read, and review this novel.
June 15, 2016
Kind of disappointed with the ending.
At first, when I found out what it was, I was like REALLY? Then I was like, okay, but I can't deny that this is what went through my head throughout the book.
Vroom, Vroom, Bitches!
At first, when I found out what it was, I was like REALLY? Then I was like, okay, but I can't deny that this is what went through my head throughout the book.
Vroom, Vroom, Bitches!
August 1, 2013
3.5 full review later
August 8, 2013
3.5 stars.
More?
More?
January 14, 2015
Couldn't finish it. Wasn't working for me.
Want to read
December 17, 2013I gotta read this, because -- Nashville! I grew up here. Gotta see if this guy got the city right!
February 28, 2013
Visit davinajamison.tumblr.com for a review coming soon.
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