A Throne of Ruin and Rose

by Katherine Ann

Follow along as Riven, a seemingly Mortal woman, is lured from her village on a Red Moon night. By a twist of cruel fate, she finds herself held captive, beaten and starved by Faye creatures she never knew existed—all for a power she didn’t know she possessed.
Faced with an impossible choice, Riven must decide whether to take the easy way out and allow the realms to fall into chaos beneath the tyranny of an ancient being, or to fight back with everything she has.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Dark Romance, Fantasy Romance, Romance, Fae, Slow Burn

582 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2023

Reviews

[Hannnah_Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that the FMC was very strong and determined. The concept of this story was interesting.

I really struggled with all of the characters since there were so many. Anytime someone was brought up, I couldn’t remember who they were and if they were good/bad. I will say she has a list with all of the characters and who they are in the beginning of the book, but I read on kindle so it would’ve been better if I read a physical copy.

I honestly felt sort of confused for a lot of the book. This could’ve at least partially been on me so I’m still giving the book 3 stars.

My friends loved this book, so if you liked ACOTAR, maybe check this one out too.

[AshleyReadsThings · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐
2🌶️

His lip twitched. “It’s a small price to pay. And I’d pay it over and over if it meant I got the chance to stand here.”

Content Warnings: Violence, gore, public execution/punishment, drug usage, suicidal ideation, depression, abuse of power, ideation of harming another, death

First off, the dedication made me chuckle in the best way. I could not put this down and once again have found myself refusing to go to bed until I have every available part of this story dwelling in my brain. The descriptors in the story made it really easy to imagine the story, especially in the final chapters, the images dancing in my mind as I read the story had me sobbing. We mainly follow Riven throughout the story as her life completely changes. One moment she is living in poverty just trying her best to not only look after herself but the other people struggling to survive in her village. Early on in the book she finds herself captured by the faye and she is beaten and starved as Demetrius, also known as the Commander, tries to get her to submit and give him her power. A power she didn't even know she had. All her life she thought she was mortal, but as the story unfolds her reality is not so clear.

Tropes:
📖Touch Her and Die
📖Fated Mates
📖Enemies to Lovers
📖Faye
📖Magic

This is technically a fantasy romance, but more so in he would burn the world for her, but she thinks he's the enemy. She continually denies her feelings. This is more fantasy with adventure and action that's not so focused on a love story, yet perhaps ^all the side eyeing*. You can tell through reading that he cares for her and he is continually protecting her even if she doesn't see it. Throughout the book I just really wanted Riven to finally accept Alekxander. Which like girl I get it too, you have just been through some major stuff and he felt really centered at it.

If you like strong a FMC that really just pushes through the worst of the worst to survive this is a really good book! I look forward to the next one!

I hope you like cliffhangers!



-----
Adding a few things since I finished up a reread via audiobook:

The narrator does a FANTASTIC job and I realize that while doing my reread I still remember so much of the story. Which impressive to my brain cause this book is THICK.

Also now that I have finally read ACOTAR and I can totally see why people compare it to a dark ACOTAR. Alekxander gave total Rhys vibes with the situation he was in and helping her without her knowledge with the front that he was her enemy. But also don't like go into this book expecting it to be ACOTAR because it's not. It's has some similar bits but it's still very much unique and has it's own story to tell.

[Simoné Wolmarans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a 6 star read for me…

FMC is probably the best I’ve seen in a while. Complete underdog and her growth during this book is nothing short of spectacular.
MMC - Alekxander - I mean, come on. Just stop it. My heart can’t handle this kind of perfection.

Plot - SIX FREAKING STARS!!! So intricate. Perfectly executed. So detailed yet I didn’t once feel like I was bombarded with unnecessary information and details.
I was 100% invested from the get go and it remained until the end. Such an incredible storyline and the writing is absolutely amazing!!

Love story - definitely a Slowburn BUT let me tell you, you can feel that this is going to be one of the greatest love stories ever told!!! I am so excited to see where it goes.

I am absolutely in love with this series and I have just started but more than that I am thankful for the fact that 3 books are out and I don’t have to wait for it because I would not have survived.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

[Cee_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book not knowing a whole lot about what I was getting into, aside from it being a fantasy and I’m glad I did. This book had almost like a dark ACOTAR vibe but it a great way. The character development and the storyline were very impressive and I loved Rivens character and all that she endured.

The whole fated mates, touch her and die, enemies to lovers vibes I was totally here for it.

[Kat Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accurate rating 3.5☆

[Kayla (Kayuhlareads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so invested in Riven now! This woman went through it the strength and resilience she up held even after being beat down over and over was truly amazing! I would have loved to see Alekxander POV through out all this, I feel like his mind would have been all over the place. Hopefully we do get some of that in the next book! That last scene, has me broken for him and her!

It was different getting the POV of the Villian (Commander), I feel like in another life he would have definitely been infatuated with her in a different way but his need for power definitely outweighed anything good about him!

The Spice was definitely an emotional edging situation, it was more the tension between the two made it so great! I am curious to see how things unfold after what craziness happens at the end! I need These two to get their SH*T together and accept the bond!! The hate S3X is going to be INTENSE and I am So ready!

[Lex Lpz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7 ⭐️

1.5 🌶️

There is not a lot of reviews on this book so I wanted to write one. If you’re just coming off the ACOTAR train this is a great place to get your fix.

It’s so beautifully written and very plot forward. The tension between the love interests is palpable but not too present, this very heavy on ENEMIES to lovers so if you’re looking for a love story with a little plot this isn’t the book but most likely the next will be heavy. There are so many books that the character goes from hating to loving their love interest within a couple lines and it’s so sudden that it almost seems forced or whiplashy. This book does it so amazingly, it feels right and natural.

The action and suspense.. so good.

Also, king of death and shadows? Yes pls.

I would say, give it a chance and you’ll be hooked. I can’t wait to read the next one.

[Alex ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wild ride! I loved having a glimpse inside the Commander's mind and his version of his "kingdom". Riven was such a strong fmc and had such passion for those she trusted and cared for. I enjoyed learning about the kingdoms and all the characters alongside Riven. I didn't know who to trust and it made the story a great one! I cannot wait for the second book. However, I wish there was some type of glossary for the High Kings/Queens for the different kingdoms. I had a hard time remembering everyone and their advisors. Riven would mention someone and I'd get distracted by trying to figure out if they were friend or foe. I loved Alekxander and wished there was his POV as well. Maybe in book 2 👀 He did a good job making Riven hate him while protecting her the entire book.

[Michaela Underwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really 3.5 stars but I’ll be generous and give it 4. A good read nonetheless.

What truly throws me off about this book is the amount of grammatical errors I came across. Periods where there shouldn’t be, Sentence fragments all over the place, you name it. Decently bearable to get through the book but distracting enough.

The other reason is the fight between Riven and Demetrius didn’t even start until probably the last maybe 15 pages and it ended so abruptly, it wasn’t a fulfilling ending.

The story itself was great, and the actions leading up to the ending were captivating. I’m hoping this will be a continued series based off how the ending left you without answers of what Riven will do- will she go home or stay and fulfill her destiny?

[Alonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a dark ACOTAR vibe. I went into this book with absolutely no idea what it was about other than, fantasy. I was surprised to find the plot to be as unique as it was. The author did an amazing job bringing this world and it's characters to life. My heart weeped for Riven and all she endured. The ending I will admit felt a bit rushed and we didn't even get Alekxander’s side of things, which I had hoped it would end the way it did, but the author did a good job keeping us in the dark with most of the character's true thoughts and feelings. I need a novella or something with Alekxander's POV. Overall amazing read, and I hope there is more to come.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, the dedication was everything! Lol! I was not expecting this book to be so dark, but I loved every minute of it! The world building, the emotions and the fast pace of it all was everything I want in a fantasy book. I was kept on edge with every twist and turn leading up to a gut wrenching ending. This truly is ENEMIES to lovers where I’ve seen it to the extreme. Usually books take the enemy part too lightly. The tension between each character was palpable in the political aspect. This truly is an amazing beginning to a series that for sure will be amazing. I have so many questions left unanswered and I hope the next book is going to be just as good!

[Sarah McArthur · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could not finish

I could not read this book. I gave it a good try, but from the beginning so many characters and concepts were introduced and not explained. There is a thing called a Red Moon that happens every month, but all we know is everyone is supposed to remain inside and it involves the Faye, nothing else is explained. There is a man named Jerimiah who the FL hates, apparently, but it gives no background as to why she just does.
I stopped reading when she turned into the stereotypical blonde woman from a horror movie and left her house during the Red Moon to follow someone, who was obviously an illusion, into the Faye forest. Great idea.

[Bee Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. At first I found it to be very confusing and I wasn’t quite sure what was happening with regards to the plot but I feel this was the pain to picture and allow you to get into the storyline. I found myself very intrigued by everything that was happening. I found myself warming to the FMC and MMC really easily and quickly even though there is a slight element of enemies to lovers. I am excited to see what happens in the next book. I found myself rooting for the FMC and found it to be more realistic development of her character. I also found the MMC to be intriguing and the history between them both has definitely caught my interest.

[casiareine · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book felt really slow paced most the way through, and I definitely got bored often. there are a ton of different characters introduced all at once that feel impossible to keep straight. I’m not sure I really knew what was going on most of the time. there were also a decent amount of spelling and grammar errors, and a ton of sentences that are missing a subject so they’re not actually full sentences. I think it can work for emphasis but not in every single sentence - it got a bit grating for me personally.

I’m interested to see how things continue between riven and alekxander (maybe? I think? hopefully the next book in the series is more engaging). side note, the commander’s POV felt super unnecessary and icky to me. I don’t think it added to the story at all lol

[Jessica Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you were given the choice to either give up your power you did not know you had or fight with everything in you to keep it.
This was the first Fantasy Romance I have read in years and let me tell you I could not put it down to save my life. The description and character building in this story had me turning pages so quick.

I absolutely love everything the High King of Nightfall does to protect her and give her all the strength and hope she needs.

5/5 star read for me.

[Kirsty W · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like high fantasy, a slow burn with a bunch historical fiction thrown in this is definitely your kinda story. Katherine draws you into her story following the hardships of Riven a seemingly normal girl who along with her found family and father help their village survive, that is until she chooses to protect a child who’s likeness will bring her into a twisted fairytale. Read on to find Faye Kings and Queens trapped without their powers by the “Commander” who’s on a power trip to take over and prove he is better than his big brother and Riven connection to the old kingdom, the old gods Gods and the king of the Dark Faye.

[Chelsea (thatbookishteach) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this was a really solid fantasy. I was gifted an audible code to redeem to listen to and review the audiobook. I think the narrator did a solid job overall, but I was not expecting their to be entire chapters from a male perspective with her doing the male voice the ENTIRE chapter lol this really thew me off, especially when she was pretending to be a man talking about his sexual encounters and explicit content. It felt so strange and made it hard to enjoy the explicit aspects. But again, I thoroughly enjoyed the actual storyline itself and the main characters!

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ~

It was kind of slow in the beginning. Worth it.



“May the Veil keep you. May it protect you. May it guide you to the eternal stream and fill you with the sweetest water. May it wash away your sorrows and your burdens. Leaving you unhindered and new.” She gently laid her hand over his eyes. “May we meet again.”

“I am the High King of Nightfall. The Commander of the Exodus. The protector of the Veil and the deliverer of death. I am older and stronger than any born into this realm. And I didn’t come alone.”

“Hope is just the beginning. The rest is up to us.”

[Amanda Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book. The resolve and courage Riven had throughout the whole book was everything. This book had me feeling all the emotions. Riven is a young woman who lives her life helping those she can and then finds out that the world is not as it seems and neither is she. And now she must survive a strange new place. It is a wonderful story with fae and magic and I can nit wait to read more from this author.

[Birdie Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're wanting to read a book that will capture your heart this is the book. I've now read the second one as well & I haven't been this engrossed in a book since ACOTAR! The characters are all so homey for lack of a better word. You get to know them all so well even in book one! There is a lot of groundwork done in book one, as there is in every series. This book will take you on a roller coaster of emotions! Highly, highly recommend everyone who reads fantasy puts this on their TBR!

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ OBSESSED with the plot and characters, but I think the execution was not all there. Could totally be my fault but I kept getting confused and I think I was trying to read between the lines of things I either shouldn't have been or maybe they'll be addressed in another book? Idk but also I'm obsessed with Knox and Phelan and Viktor and Alekxander of course and I'm sorry but I need more of all of them

[Kelsey West · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book! Def slow burn. Didn’t have as much spice I intended but it was still a good slow burn and not the ending I expected when dealing with “fated mates”. HELL OF A CLIFFHANGER though good Lord!! Book 2 is en route…
Review wise this book reminded me a LOT of ACOTAR. We have high Faye, lesser Faye, nullified powers from an evil being, shadow daddy, FMC that is an underdog grows up poop having to support family etc.
It’s good though!

[Allison Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book very confusing from the start and it was filled with typos and missing words. The story could have been good but everything felt rushed. The setting and characters' relationships were not fully fleshed out to make you care about them. The "love" story never felt like it got off the ground and the enemies to lovers trope felt forced. I hate read the end but won't be continuing the series.

[Mikayla Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 for me.
I absolutely loved this. It was a really good story line and there were many parts where we would get a teaser of, “is he going to finally tell her the truth?” And he didn’t. I was frustrated and happy all at the same time. I cannot wait for this to continue. The author definitely left it on a cliffhanger.

[Nessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read! From the first chapter your back into the world of Terling. Watching the outcome of the last book unfold you see the heart break that has been uncovered. Your heart and emotions are bound by the words of the author. Watching the struggles emotionally that both Alek and Riven go through was both sad and yet beautiful. I can’t wait to see where their adventure takes them next.

[Mel · Rating 1 out of 5]

READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGs provided in the book FIRST!

Spoiler alert and trigger warning


The first commander’s point of view excerpt contains non-consensual sex acts that were not included in the original trigger warning. The scene was not relevant to the story line and his need for power could’ve been depicted differently.

[Kristens_korner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved every minute of this book. From the moment I picked it up, I couldn't stop reading . The main female character is everything you want in and underdog and heroine. The chemistry yet hated between the FMC and the MMC is so perfectly in the edge of tipping it was a fanstatic journey to follow. Im going to go straight to the store to buy copies for my shelf.

[Ainsley Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4. I flew through this book. I almost DNF’d in the first chapter because it has a very cheesy start but I’m glad I stuck with it. I like pretty much everything about it, but I feel like there are a lot of things that are introduced but never explained. Hopefully most of the loose ends will be tied up in the next book!

*also quite a few editing issues.

[Raeann Wolfley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! As soon as I read the first page, I couldn’t put it down until I finished! This Author knew the assignment and delivered! The story is about Riven. If you love Fae and Magic this is a must read. I can’t wait to read more by this Author!

[Amber Plasek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great!
It gives off ACOTAR vibes but it's a bit darker and different in its own way.

I highly recommend reading this book. Especially if you liked acotar but wanted it to be darker and didn't care for the tamlin bit.