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Ruin Road
"My twin, Lamar, is a phenomenal innovative storyteller... A true king!" -- Tiffany D. Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Grown and The Weight of Blood
Sometimes a little fear is a good thing...
Cade Webster lives between worlds. He's a standout football star at the right school but lives in the wrong neighborhood--if you let his classmates tell it. Everywhere but home, people are afraid of him for one reason or another. Afraid he's too big, too fast, too ambitious, too Black.
Then one fateful night, to avoid a dangerous encounter with the police, he ducks into a pawn shop. An impulse purchase and misspoken desire change everything when Cade tells the shopkeeper he wishes people would stop acting so scared around him, and the wish is granted...
At first, it feels like things have taken a turn for the better. But it's not just Cade that people no longer fear--it's everything. With Cade spreading this newfound "courage" wherever he goes, anything can happen. Fearless acts of violence begin to escalate in both his neighborhood and at school. With the right moves, and brave friends, Cade might have one -- and only one -- chance to save all he loves. But at what cost? After all, the devil's in the details.
Sometimes a little fear is a good thing...
Cade Webster lives between worlds. He's a standout football star at the right school but lives in the wrong neighborhood--if you let his classmates tell it. Everywhere but home, people are afraid of him for one reason or another. Afraid he's too big, too fast, too ambitious, too Black.
Then one fateful night, to avoid a dangerous encounter with the police, he ducks into a pawn shop. An impulse purchase and misspoken desire change everything when Cade tells the shopkeeper he wishes people would stop acting so scared around him, and the wish is granted...
At first, it feels like things have taken a turn for the better. But it's not just Cade that people no longer fear--it's everything. With Cade spreading this newfound "courage" wherever he goes, anything can happen. Fearless acts of violence begin to escalate in both his neighborhood and at school. With the right moves, and brave friends, Cade might have one -- and only one -- chance to save all he loves. But at what cost? After all, the devil's in the details.
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2024
52 people are currently reading
7099 people want to read
About the author
Lamar Giles
33 books622 followersLamar "L. R." Giles writes books for teens and adults. FAKE ID, his debut Young Adult Thriller, will be published by HarperCollins in 2014. He is represented by Jamie Weiss Chilton of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency and resides in Chesapeake, VA with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
September 23, 2025
**4.5-stars rounded up**
Do I think Ruin Road will work for everyone? No. Was Ruin Road for me? Absolutely. This intriguing and heart-wrenching YA Horror was right in my lane.
Lamar Giles has quickly become a new favorite!
I first read from Giles when I picked up The White Guy Dies First: 13 Scary Stories of Fear and Power a few weeks back. His story, The Protege, stood out as one of my favorites of that collection.
I knew after I read it, I would need to pick up more of his work as soon as possible. As luck would have it, I already had a copy of his latest Ruin Road, but with this absolutely STUNNING cover, I knew I wanted to save it for closer to Halloween, which is exactly what I did.
In this story we follow high school student, Cade Webster. Cade is star wide receiver, with the hopes and the potential to eventually be drafted into the NFL.
Cade works hard and stays humble. He lives with his parents and little sister, all of whom he loves and adores. Cade also attends a private school, where he is one of only a handful of Black students.
He's sort of a guy living between two worlds; the one he grew up in, and the one of his peers at the posh private school. His quarterback drives a 911, or something insane like that. It's quite different from the world Cade came up in.
Cade tries not to let those details phase him though. He just needs to stay focused, follow his father's life advice and achieve everything he can in order to make an easier life for himself and the rest of his family.
No matter how hard he works, however, no matter how much he achieves, Cade always has some people judging him incorrectly. Y'all, can guess. He's big, he's fast and he's Black. People keep their eye on him on the bus, let's say.
With that in mind, one fateful night, when his helpful actions are misjudged, Cade is forced to flee a sketchy situation and ends up ducking into a pawn shop to avoid further altercation.
It's there that Cade makes an impulse purchase, and utters a poorly-worded wish, that will change everything.
I loved this. It was such a perfect blend of hard-hitting Contemporary mixed with intense, brain-scrambling Horror-Thriller elements. The content and themes explored were so well done, but the character work was really the star of the show for me.
I can't tell you how much I appreciated Cade as a main character. First, I loved the fact that he was such a serious football player. Football is one of my passions and I've never really read any YA story that had that rep done so well.
Additionally, everything else about Cade was impressive. I loved being in his head, and getting his perspective, as this story played out.
The Webster family is so fantastic. It was nice to read about such a close-knit group, with both parents engaged and involved and with Cade loving on his little sister so much. You could tell he felt the responsibility of being a big brother, and I felt like that was such a special thing to read.
I also loved the set-up of the detour into the pawn shop being the match that really lit this fire. It was giving me Needful Things, or The Auctioneer vibes, which I loved to see.
Overall, this story was completely my style. If I am picking up a YA Horror-Thriller, this is what I am looking for. I would absolutely recommend this, particularly if you are a fan of Tiffany D. Jackson. IMO, this is giving the same level of quality as a Jackson work.
In other words, top-freaking-notch!
Thank you to the publisher, Scholastic Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. My next task is to deep dive into this author's backlist. I'm looking forward to it, and whatever he has coming next!!!
Do I think Ruin Road will work for everyone? No. Was Ruin Road for me? Absolutely. This intriguing and heart-wrenching YA Horror was right in my lane.
Lamar Giles has quickly become a new favorite!
I first read from Giles when I picked up The White Guy Dies First: 13 Scary Stories of Fear and Power a few weeks back. His story, The Protege, stood out as one of my favorites of that collection.
I knew after I read it, I would need to pick up more of his work as soon as possible. As luck would have it, I already had a copy of his latest Ruin Road, but with this absolutely STUNNING cover, I knew I wanted to save it for closer to Halloween, which is exactly what I did.
In this story we follow high school student, Cade Webster. Cade is star wide receiver, with the hopes and the potential to eventually be drafted into the NFL.
Cade works hard and stays humble. He lives with his parents and little sister, all of whom he loves and adores. Cade also attends a private school, where he is one of only a handful of Black students.
He's sort of a guy living between two worlds; the one he grew up in, and the one of his peers at the posh private school. His quarterback drives a 911, or something insane like that. It's quite different from the world Cade came up in.
Cade tries not to let those details phase him though. He just needs to stay focused, follow his father's life advice and achieve everything he can in order to make an easier life for himself and the rest of his family.
No matter how hard he works, however, no matter how much he achieves, Cade always has some people judging him incorrectly. Y'all, can guess. He's big, he's fast and he's Black. People keep their eye on him on the bus, let's say.
With that in mind, one fateful night, when his helpful actions are misjudged, Cade is forced to flee a sketchy situation and ends up ducking into a pawn shop to avoid further altercation.
It's there that Cade makes an impulse purchase, and utters a poorly-worded wish, that will change everything.
I loved this. It was such a perfect blend of hard-hitting Contemporary mixed with intense, brain-scrambling Horror-Thriller elements. The content and themes explored were so well done, but the character work was really the star of the show for me.
I can't tell you how much I appreciated Cade as a main character. First, I loved the fact that he was such a serious football player. Football is one of my passions and I've never really read any YA story that had that rep done so well.
Additionally, everything else about Cade was impressive. I loved being in his head, and getting his perspective, as this story played out.
The Webster family is so fantastic. It was nice to read about such a close-knit group, with both parents engaged and involved and with Cade loving on his little sister so much. You could tell he felt the responsibility of being a big brother, and I felt like that was such a special thing to read.
I also loved the set-up of the detour into the pawn shop being the match that really lit this fire. It was giving me Needful Things, or The Auctioneer vibes, which I loved to see.
Overall, this story was completely my style. If I am picking up a YA Horror-Thriller, this is what I am looking for. I would absolutely recommend this, particularly if you are a fan of Tiffany D. Jackson. IMO, this is giving the same level of quality as a Jackson work.
In other words, top-freaking-notch!
Thank you to the publisher, Scholastic Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. My next task is to deep dive into this author's backlist. I'm looking forward to it, and whatever he has coming next!!!
November 6, 2025
One of "my" students asked me for a YA horror/thriller. Mr. Giles' RUIN ROAD was my answer.
"My" student was impressed, and fortunately, I have plenty more books by Mr. Giles to share with the class.
"My" student was impressed, and fortunately, I have plenty more books by Mr. Giles to share with the class.
March 30, 2024
So happy I can be the first review for this book! After The Getaway, I knew I would be a huge Lamar Giles fan. The level of intensity and violence that book had made my heart race with anxiety. This sounded like a perfect mixture of horror and supernatural elements that pulled me in and didn’t let me go. I also absolutely love the cover. It captures the entire story so well.
I’ll start by saying I went through so many emotions. Anger, sadness, and heightened anxiety. My heart was picking up like crazy. There was so much going on that calling what would happen was almost impossible. I called one plot point which broke my heart but everything else just kind of blew my mind. Cade is such a lovable person that the fact this is happening to him hurts so much. He only wants to get through school and get a football scholarship to help his family and friends. To do right by his community. He’s treated differently at school for being one of the only black students and treated like a criminal in public for being a big black teenager. Why wouldn’t he wish that people weren’t afraid around him? I’ve always liked the money’s paw storylines and this one was done so well. The supernatural elements to this were so well done. You see little bits and pieces throughout the book and when it all fits together it starts to make so much sense. The level of violence wasn’t as extreme as his last book, but one scene was so intense I was gasping.
Cade’s love for his family and his friends was admirable. He was willing to do anything and everything for those around him. The micro aggressions and full on racism that was displayed towards him made my blood boil. I wanted to throw something at everyone in that stupid school. The teachers too?! Like come on. And that stupid kid who got in his face and said absolutely nothing and got everyone to clap for him. I would have shoved him down some stairs. And Brady. Jeez Brady. What can you even say to him?
The bittersweet ending got to me. I wasn’t sure how I was feeling. Much like The Getaway, you just want what’s best for our MCs. They are innocent and have done nothing wrong. But things can’t be ok in the worlds that Lamar Giles has created.
I’ll start by saying I went through so many emotions. Anger, sadness, and heightened anxiety. My heart was picking up like crazy. There was so much going on that calling what would happen was almost impossible. I called one plot point which broke my heart but everything else just kind of blew my mind. Cade is such a lovable person that the fact this is happening to him hurts so much. He only wants to get through school and get a football scholarship to help his family and friends. To do right by his community. He’s treated differently at school for being one of the only black students and treated like a criminal in public for being a big black teenager. Why wouldn’t he wish that people weren’t afraid around him? I’ve always liked the money’s paw storylines and this one was done so well. The supernatural elements to this were so well done. You see little bits and pieces throughout the book and when it all fits together it starts to make so much sense. The level of violence wasn’t as extreme as his last book, but one scene was so intense I was gasping.
Cade’s love for his family and his friends was admirable. He was willing to do anything and everything for those around him. The micro aggressions and full on racism that was displayed towards him made my blood boil. I wanted to throw something at everyone in that stupid school. The teachers too?! Like come on. And that stupid kid who got in his face and said absolutely nothing and got everyone to clap for him. I would have shoved him down some stairs. And Brady. Jeez Brady. What can you even say to him?
The bittersweet ending got to me. I wasn’t sure how I was feeling. Much like The Getaway, you just want what’s best for our MCs. They are innocent and have done nothing wrong. But things can’t be ok in the worlds that Lamar Giles has created.
November 17, 2024
RUIN ROAD was such a unique and suspenseful read! Lamar Giles is REALLY good at what he does. He's able to build up a situation, make you feel kind of comfortable, and then pulls that proverbial rug right from under you. In RUIN ROAD we get that suspense and touch of horror that will definitely leave the reader thinking long after the fact.
Though I got hooked right when things picked up, I will admit that this had a bit of a slower start. I know we need to have the exposition at the beginning of a book so we aren't completely blind going in, but I'm finding that some books are starting to make them either too long or not really engaging enough. I stick along because I know things are going to get interesting, but I know too much initial exposition can be a deterrent. THAT BEING SAID, I did appreciate that we get that introduction of what the MC is experiencing in his life and just how much his wish will play on his experiences.
One of the really unique things about this book is how it tackles the topic of racism. It dives into that fear and hatred that thrives beneath racism and puts it on its head. In a way, it shows that there is safety in that fear, but that there is also something so inherently dangerous in that same fear. What if you didn't have that fear of repercussion when you say something racist? And what if it's that fear that also pushes you to have racist biases against those who look different from you? Giles explores this so, so, so well, alongside the heartbreaking topic of grief and societal expectations.
This book was hard to read at times because of some of the topics it dives into, but it was such an important read, too, because of these very topics. One of the things I love about horror is how it can be a very powerful tool when it comes to social commentary and honestly, Giles does it well with RUIN ROAD.
I need a sequel.
Happy reading!
Though I got hooked right when things picked up, I will admit that this had a bit of a slower start. I know we need to have the exposition at the beginning of a book so we aren't completely blind going in, but I'm finding that some books are starting to make them either too long or not really engaging enough. I stick along because I know things are going to get interesting, but I know too much initial exposition can be a deterrent. THAT BEING SAID, I did appreciate that we get that introduction of what the MC is experiencing in his life and just how much his wish will play on his experiences.
One of the really unique things about this book is how it tackles the topic of racism. It dives into that fear and hatred that thrives beneath racism and puts it on its head. In a way, it shows that there is safety in that fear, but that there is also something so inherently dangerous in that same fear. What if you didn't have that fear of repercussion when you say something racist? And what if it's that fear that also pushes you to have racist biases against those who look different from you? Giles explores this so, so, so well, alongside the heartbreaking topic of grief and societal expectations.
This book was hard to read at times because of some of the topics it dives into, but it was such an important read, too, because of these very topics. One of the things I love about horror is how it can be a very powerful tool when it comes to social commentary and honestly, Giles does it well with RUIN ROAD.
I need a sequel.
Happy reading!
September 18, 2024
Cade is one of the only Black students at an all-white school, his father is dying of lung cancer, he lives in a neighborhood that's heavy with gang activity, and he just wants to be a big football star so he can help his family and friends out of their imperfect situation.
After a frustrating day of being racially profiled (also due to his size, he's over 6 feet and a bulky football player) he comes across a pawn shop. He picks up a ring and makes a wish while paying for it - "I wish people would stop acting so scared around me." Turns out wording matters...
He doesn't quite know what's happening at first, but it ends up that everyone around Cade loses their fear. Sometimes it's good, like his friend getting over her stage fright and singing in public, and sometimes it's bad, like his dad allowing his 11-year-old sister to drive him around. And when Cade gets around the wrong people... who have let fear stop them from doing really bad things...
Yeah, this was thrilling, and the parts involving his dad and his family were heart warming. I didn't feel super attached to any one part of the story, but I had a good time with it! I think teens will either hate or love the ending, which is fun. There was also at least two references to his previous works which is fun! The DJ from Spin is mentioned as well as discussion of the "theme park" from The Getaway.
Also there's like no romance which is good for your non-romance readers!
After a frustrating day of being racially profiled (also due to his size, he's over 6 feet and a bulky football player) he comes across a pawn shop. He picks up a ring and makes a wish while paying for it - "I wish people would stop acting so scared around me." Turns out wording matters...
He doesn't quite know what's happening at first, but it ends up that everyone around Cade loses their fear. Sometimes it's good, like his friend getting over her stage fright and singing in public, and sometimes it's bad, like his dad allowing his 11-year-old sister to drive him around. And when Cade gets around the wrong people... who have let fear stop them from doing really bad things...
Yeah, this was thrilling, and the parts involving his dad and his family were heart warming. I didn't feel super attached to any one part of the story, but I had a good time with it! I think teens will either hate or love the ending, which is fun. There was also at least two references to his previous works which is fun! The DJ from Spin is mentioned as well as discussion of the "theme park" from The Getaway.
Also there's like no romance which is good for your non-romance readers!
October 26, 2024
Lamar Giles is one of my favorite YA writers! He writes such real characters, great dialogue, and intriguing storylines that offer important social commentary.
Ruin Road had me on the edge of my seat. I felt myself going through so many emotions — fear, sadness, anger, anxiousness to name a few. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and picked up the audiobook to continue listening while driving. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this one.
Giles needs more hype!!
Ruin Road had me on the edge of my seat. I felt myself going through so many emotions — fear, sadness, anger, anxiousness to name a few. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and picked up the audiobook to continue listening while driving. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this one.
Giles needs more hype!!
August 9, 2024
I’m not a horror fan but this was so clever and propulsive that I was not bothered; it’s pretty light on horror until the end- and man! What an ending, completely unexpected. This is the 3rd Lamar Giles book I’ve read and I feel like he’s really hitting his stride as a writer.
Thank you to Scholastic who kindly send me an ARC that I didn’t even ask for.
Thank you to Scholastic who kindly send me an ARC that I didn’t even ask for.
August 31, 2024
Thank you so much @ireadya for my book.
Lamar Giles has done it again!
This is the third book that I have read by him and just they keep getting better. Now this story did have a slow start, but once it picked up I couldn’t read the pages fast enough. One scene had me near tears towards the end of the book. A parents’ love is something else and that’s all I will say to avoid spoilers. The horror parts of the book were on point and that ending!!!! 😮💨 You definitely want to add this book for spooky season reading.
Lamar Giles has done it again!
This is the third book that I have read by him and just they keep getting better. Now this story did have a slow start, but once it picked up I couldn’t read the pages fast enough. One scene had me near tears towards the end of the book. A parents’ love is something else and that’s all I will say to avoid spoilers. The horror parts of the book were on point and that ending!!!! 😮💨 You definitely want to add this book for spooky season reading.
December 27, 2025
Not for me, but it was at least an interesting YA thriller. I’m glad to read it for the sole purpose of being able to recommend to kids who want a horror that isn’t also romantically based. There were a lot of random elements to the plot of this book. I picked up for BOTB and didn’t recall much about the plot summary before reading. The voodoo type sinister bad guy threw me for a loop. I at least liked that this wasn’t a predictable story line. The concept of what happens when people lose their sense of fear was interesting.
January 19, 2025
4.25/5
Wow what an entertaining ride!! I’m definitely going to check out Lamar’s other work. Definitely recommend this one!
Wow what an entertaining ride!! I’m definitely going to check out Lamar’s other work. Definitely recommend this one!
September 20, 2024
In Ruin Road, we are immediately introduced to Kincade (Cade) Webster IV, our main character. A young Black senior, Cade is hopeful for his future in football while navigating the balance between two vastly different worlds. While attending a predominantly white and wealthy private school, he’s reminded daily that he doesn’t fit in. Though seen as a promising football star, he’s still feared and perceived as a threat due to his Blackness and coming from the worst neighborhood in his area. For Cade, being feared always comes at a detriment. All he desires is to be seen for his talent, his passion, and his love for his family. But after unknowingly making a deal with the devil, Cade quickly recognizes that wishes come with both good and bad consequences.
This book is a roller coaster ride. You keep inching up, and it’s not until you’re about to drop that you realize how high you’ve gotten. But that drop, baby—it’ll have you holding on to your seat for dear life. At first, I worried things were moving too slowly, but in hindsight, there’s an undercurrent in the story, ready to take everyone down at any point. I really enjoyed the balance of magic realism and harsh reality. As readers, we know these characters voices exist in real life. A Brady, Gabby, Cade, or even a Book. Each of them looks to be treated differently or to be recognized, but all are wishing for different things with different outcomes.
While there’s some aspects a reader might see coming, it by no means takes away from the story, hurt, or impact of the characters’ experiences. Giles perfectly navigates what we can predict and what we desire to discover. I also love that this is a young adult book, but reading it as an adult gave me a lot of other perspectives. On the surface, this book is about cursed deals, sacrifices, and being careful what you wish for. But it’s so much deeper than that!
Giles did an excellent job capturing the layers of oppressive systems, racial biases, conformity, complicity, and sacrifice through the narrative of deals, devils, and fear. I mean, what is fear but something that holds you back… but from what? Ruin Road is surreal, cursed, and haunting. The magic realism in this story exemplifies the ways Black and Brown people are reduced to pain for the benefit of others. Giles gives us a clear villain in Skinner, as the devil we know, and Eddie as the unwilling accomplice. But even Skinner is merely a player in a larger scheme of suffering, acting in service to a greater power of oppression. We all know a Skinner out there. Yet we’re shown numerous times that fighting back against these powers requires sacrifice—sacrifice of the spirit and even the body.
Ruin Road is a book I could talk about for days. I’ll definitely have to go into spoilers another time, but this one is worth the read.
Beyond grateful to Scholastic, Lamar Giles, and Colored Pages book tour for my arc!
This book is a roller coaster ride. You keep inching up, and it’s not until you’re about to drop that you realize how high you’ve gotten. But that drop, baby—it’ll have you holding on to your seat for dear life. At first, I worried things were moving too slowly, but in hindsight, there’s an undercurrent in the story, ready to take everyone down at any point. I really enjoyed the balance of magic realism and harsh reality. As readers, we know these characters voices exist in real life. A Brady, Gabby, Cade, or even a Book. Each of them looks to be treated differently or to be recognized, but all are wishing for different things with different outcomes.
While there’s some aspects a reader might see coming, it by no means takes away from the story, hurt, or impact of the characters’ experiences. Giles perfectly navigates what we can predict and what we desire to discover. I also love that this is a young adult book, but reading it as an adult gave me a lot of other perspectives. On the surface, this book is about cursed deals, sacrifices, and being careful what you wish for. But it’s so much deeper than that!
Giles did an excellent job capturing the layers of oppressive systems, racial biases, conformity, complicity, and sacrifice through the narrative of deals, devils, and fear. I mean, what is fear but something that holds you back… but from what? Ruin Road is surreal, cursed, and haunting. The magic realism in this story exemplifies the ways Black and Brown people are reduced to pain for the benefit of others. Giles gives us a clear villain in Skinner, as the devil we know, and Eddie as the unwilling accomplice. But even Skinner is merely a player in a larger scheme of suffering, acting in service to a greater power of oppression. We all know a Skinner out there. Yet we’re shown numerous times that fighting back against these powers requires sacrifice—sacrifice of the spirit and even the body.
Ruin Road is a book I could talk about for days. I’ll definitely have to go into spoilers another time, but this one is worth the read.
Beyond grateful to Scholastic, Lamar Giles, and Colored Pages book tour for my arc!
April 11, 2025
I received a gifted copy of RUIN ROAD by Lamar Giles from Scholastic Press.
RUIN ROAD is a YA horror novel following Cade Webster. Cade lives a life split between worlds. On the one hand he lives in what is considered the wrong part of town, but Cade’s skill at football has landed him a scholarship to a fancy school in a much more affluent neighborhood. Though praised for the positive attention he brings to the football team, Cade still faces discrimination and racism at every turn.
When a situation on his bus commute turns dicy, Cade winds up getting off in a part of town he doesn’t recognize, one where he doesn’t fit in. He ducks into a pawn shop to avoid another confrontation and this decision changes everything. When he spots a ring and makes a purchase, he also makes a wish. This is no ordinary pawn shop and that wish becomes a plague of courage which turns his entire life upside down.
I wound up having a few mixed opinions on this book and I think that largely was about false expectations. It is very much a blend of horror with contemporary and it takes quite a while for the supernatural horror elements to come into play. The first half of the book is much more about setting things up, showing Cade’s conflicting lives between home and school and the different people he interacts with. There is also a lot about family and grief, class and privilege. I think these conversations were really well done.
The way that Cade’s unknowing wish impacts everyone around him was really interesting as well. While courage can be a good thing, so can fear and I think the author played with this really well. The horror of this situation does become more intense as you head into the ending of the book and I thought it came to a good conclusion, I just found myself struggling at time with the pacing getting there.
Overall I think this was an enjoyable read and I think it is one to pick up with the right set of expectations!
RUIN ROAD is a YA horror novel following Cade Webster. Cade lives a life split between worlds. On the one hand he lives in what is considered the wrong part of town, but Cade’s skill at football has landed him a scholarship to a fancy school in a much more affluent neighborhood. Though praised for the positive attention he brings to the football team, Cade still faces discrimination and racism at every turn.
When a situation on his bus commute turns dicy, Cade winds up getting off in a part of town he doesn’t recognize, one where he doesn’t fit in. He ducks into a pawn shop to avoid another confrontation and this decision changes everything. When he spots a ring and makes a purchase, he also makes a wish. This is no ordinary pawn shop and that wish becomes a plague of courage which turns his entire life upside down.
I wound up having a few mixed opinions on this book and I think that largely was about false expectations. It is very much a blend of horror with contemporary and it takes quite a while for the supernatural horror elements to come into play. The first half of the book is much more about setting things up, showing Cade’s conflicting lives between home and school and the different people he interacts with. There is also a lot about family and grief, class and privilege. I think these conversations were really well done.
The way that Cade’s unknowing wish impacts everyone around him was really interesting as well. While courage can be a good thing, so can fear and I think the author played with this really well. The horror of this situation does become more intense as you head into the ending of the book and I thought it came to a good conclusion, I just found myself struggling at time with the pacing getting there.
Overall I think this was an enjoyable read and I think it is one to pick up with the right set of expectations!
Want to read
February 22, 2024this cover is so clever! it's giving me chills 🥶️
February 2, 2025
Initial reaction: OMG...we need to talk about this. It was a solid YA horror with elements of grief and grappling with trauma and fear at its heart. I definitely felt for Cade for all of the things he went through, along with his family. I didn't love some pieces of it (pacing did have its pros/cons, for example), but was it worth the ride? Absolutely 100%. Recommended.
Full review:
So it's not a secret that I loved this book as a rather solid, dark YA horror. (I was not expecting it to go as dark as it went either.) It's not the first book from Lamar Giles that I've read, but it is the first one that I'm fully reviewing so I'm prepared to dive in. I was pleasantly surprised when getting the galley for "Ruin Road", and I was able to pick up the audiobook on my own later as well. This story focuses on Cade, a high school student who is going through his share of difficult situations. His goal is to focus on his future in order to help out those he cares about, whether his family or friends considering the neighborhood he comes from. He plays football and navigates between focusing on his efforts with the team and helping out his family. His father's sickness getting worse and his friend getting in and out of trouble with the local neighborhood gang are some of the things he has to contend with. But Cade also notes that he looks intimidating to people around him, navigates that as best he can. But one fateful night changes all of that.
On the run from someone who accuses him of something he didn't do, he ducks into a mysterious store which sells antiques. He picks up an "authentic" Super Bowl ring for $5 from the seller. He also inadvertently speaks a "wish" that other people wouldn't be so scared around him.
Well, you know what they say - be careful what you wish for. Strange things start happening around Cade with everyone he's around. Like no one is afraid of things that - frankly - freak Cade out. Whether its the cop driving his car way too fast, or his usually sick father taking a trip that should take a big toll on his body, or even worse than that. Cade has to put the pieces together to figure out what's causing the effect and what the cost is to undo it. If he's not paying the price himself.
This was such a compelling book for the intense horror pieces, steadily building tension and it makes you feel for Cade as he navigates everything going on around him. The bargaining chips make sense, toggling between present and past, between dream and reality, and even between Cade and other involved players to an extent, though Cade's the focus of the novel. I think where I had issues with the pacing came with some of the side narratives that are meant to explain these bargains gone wrong, but they make sense for the overarching story and thankfully don't run too long to break the tension before getting back to the main story. The book reaching a harrowing climax and Cade rushing to save one member of his family in the aftermath of already suffering traumatic losses really had me on the edge of my seat, no pun intended. I wondered even getting towards the final parts of the book where it would end up, but I found it to be both dark and satisfying for the build up.
Definitely looking forward to seeing more of what Giles has to offer, really appreciated this read. The audiobook, if you can pick it up, has a great narrator with J.D. Jackson. Does well with getting into Cade's voice as well as the surrounding characters.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley from the publisher, but I also purchased an audiobook copy.
Full review:
So it's not a secret that I loved this book as a rather solid, dark YA horror. (I was not expecting it to go as dark as it went either.) It's not the first book from Lamar Giles that I've read, but it is the first one that I'm fully reviewing so I'm prepared to dive in. I was pleasantly surprised when getting the galley for "Ruin Road", and I was able to pick up the audiobook on my own later as well. This story focuses on Cade, a high school student who is going through his share of difficult situations. His goal is to focus on his future in order to help out those he cares about, whether his family or friends considering the neighborhood he comes from. He plays football and navigates between focusing on his efforts with the team and helping out his family. His father's sickness getting worse and his friend getting in and out of trouble with the local neighborhood gang are some of the things he has to contend with. But Cade also notes that he looks intimidating to people around him, navigates that as best he can. But one fateful night changes all of that.
On the run from someone who accuses him of something he didn't do, he ducks into a mysterious store which sells antiques. He picks up an "authentic" Super Bowl ring for $5 from the seller. He also inadvertently speaks a "wish" that other people wouldn't be so scared around him.
Well, you know what they say - be careful what you wish for. Strange things start happening around Cade with everyone he's around. Like no one is afraid of things that - frankly - freak Cade out. Whether its the cop driving his car way too fast, or his usually sick father taking a trip that should take a big toll on his body, or even worse than that. Cade has to put the pieces together to figure out what's causing the effect and what the cost is to undo it. If he's not paying the price himself.
This was such a compelling book for the intense horror pieces, steadily building tension and it makes you feel for Cade as he navigates everything going on around him. The bargaining chips make sense, toggling between present and past, between dream and reality, and even between Cade and other involved players to an extent, though Cade's the focus of the novel. I think where I had issues with the pacing came with some of the side narratives that are meant to explain these bargains gone wrong, but they make sense for the overarching story and thankfully don't run too long to break the tension before getting back to the main story. The book reaching a harrowing climax and Cade rushing to save one member of his family in the aftermath of already suffering traumatic losses really had me on the edge of my seat, no pun intended. I wondered even getting towards the final parts of the book where it would end up, but I found it to be both dark and satisfying for the build up.
Definitely looking forward to seeing more of what Giles has to offer, really appreciated this read. The audiobook, if you can pick it up, has a great narrator with J.D. Jackson. Does well with getting into Cade's voice as well as the surrounding characters.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley from the publisher, but I also purchased an audiobook copy.
February 20, 2025
3.5 stars!
I always think that YA horror is going to hit the spot for me, and luckily I was right this time! While this book obviously took inspiration from Stephen King's Needful Things, it put it's own twist on it in a way that I really appreciated. The trope of a pawnshop that can grant your greatest wish at the cost of something that seems so minor will always be one of my favorite things to read about. And I think this book did a really good job talking about the lengths people will go to get what they want. The horror in this is super ligbht but it was still creepy enough that I was invested in what was going on, but it felt more like a thriller than a true horror. As always, I enjoyed the social commentary about racism and how it affected the main character and it wasn't the main "Big Bad" in the story, which I will always enjoy more than books about black trauma. My biggest complaint is that the characters felt very 2 dimensional and I never really grew to care about any of them. Cade is "The Football Guy" and his little sister is just "Little Sister" and I wish we had gotten to know a bit more about them so I could feel more connected, but this could've just been a personal preference thing. Overall though, I had a good time and I was invested in the plot! Despite my struggles with the characterization, I think I would check out other books this author writes in the future!
Thank you to Scholastic Press for providing me with an eBook copy to review on NetGalley.
I always think that YA horror is going to hit the spot for me, and luckily I was right this time! While this book obviously took inspiration from Stephen King's Needful Things, it put it's own twist on it in a way that I really appreciated. The trope of a pawnshop that can grant your greatest wish at the cost of something that seems so minor will always be one of my favorite things to read about. And I think this book did a really good job talking about the lengths people will go to get what they want. The horror in this is super ligbht but it was still creepy enough that I was invested in what was going on, but it felt more like a thriller than a true horror. As always, I enjoyed the social commentary about racism and how it affected the main character and it wasn't the main "Big Bad" in the story, which I will always enjoy more than books about black trauma. My biggest complaint is that the characters felt very 2 dimensional and I never really grew to care about any of them. Cade is "The Football Guy" and his little sister is just "Little Sister" and I wish we had gotten to know a bit more about them so I could feel more connected, but this could've just been a personal preference thing. Overall though, I had a good time and I was invested in the plot! Despite my struggles with the characterization, I think I would check out other books this author writes in the future!
Thank you to Scholastic Press for providing me with an eBook copy to review on NetGalley.
September 22, 2024
Special thanks to the author @lamargiles @coloredpagesbt & @ireadya for my gifted copy‼️
This book was really good first thing that came to mind was the 1986 movie Crossroads. It’s not completely similar aside from the making a wish/deal with the devil aspect. But in so many ways they both portray the same concept of “Be Careful What You Wish For.”
Cade Webster lived between two worlds and didn’t really have the best in either. With his dreams so close in reach his way out of hell was a football scholarship and soon the NFL so he could take care of his family. One night while on the way home he got involved in a situation and to avoid confrontation he ran into a pawn shop. His experience that night would be one to remember and would lead him straight to Ruin Road.
It was such a thrill seeing everything unfold and wondering how Cade would break his wish. The author was very detailed in painting a vivid picture of how fear can hold you back, the horrors of simply being a Black man/boy, the consequences of being mislead, and how greed can consume you. I also like how the author created Skinner’s character he was the grantor of tainted wishes and the collector of souls. The people of Jacob’s Court feared him and I felt their fear was what kept him alive.
Overall, the book was great and the pacing was fair enough to keep you engaged. He did an amazing job blending the eerie paranormal elements into the narrative. Nothing about this book was too scary to imagine. It also explored themes surrounding racial profiling, social acceptance, self-sacrifice, grief, family dynamics, and selflessness. Here’s another great book to add to your TBR.
Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
This book was really good first thing that came to mind was the 1986 movie Crossroads. It’s not completely similar aside from the making a wish/deal with the devil aspect. But in so many ways they both portray the same concept of “Be Careful What You Wish For.”
Cade Webster lived between two worlds and didn’t really have the best in either. With his dreams so close in reach his way out of hell was a football scholarship and soon the NFL so he could take care of his family. One night while on the way home he got involved in a situation and to avoid confrontation he ran into a pawn shop. His experience that night would be one to remember and would lead him straight to Ruin Road.
It was such a thrill seeing everything unfold and wondering how Cade would break his wish. The author was very detailed in painting a vivid picture of how fear can hold you back, the horrors of simply being a Black man/boy, the consequences of being mislead, and how greed can consume you. I also like how the author created Skinner’s character he was the grantor of tainted wishes and the collector of souls. The people of Jacob’s Court feared him and I felt their fear was what kept him alive.
Overall, the book was great and the pacing was fair enough to keep you engaged. He did an amazing job blending the eerie paranormal elements into the narrative. Nothing about this book was too scary to imagine. It also explored themes surrounding racial profiling, social acceptance, self-sacrifice, grief, family dynamics, and selflessness. Here’s another great book to add to your TBR.
Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
January 17, 2025
Kincade Webster IV, or Cade for short, goes to an elite high school—the mostly-white Neeson Preparatory Academy—on an athletic scholarship. He’s a dedicated wide receiver, but always feels like he’s being judged because he’s one of the few Black students, and also one of the largest. Cade dreams of making it in the NFL so that he’ll be able to support his mom and younger sister, for his Pop, a former lawyer, is now dying of lung cancer. Cade also looks out for Book, his best friend, and Book’s sister Gabby, who also live with him in a poorer area of town, Jacob’s Court. One day, he gets off the bus at a different stop, and ends up in a wealthier neighborhood where everyone clutches their purses and steers clear of him. When the police notice him, he runs into a pawn shop. There, Cade utters this wish: “I wish everyone would stop acting so scared around me.” These words trigger something loose, and then exactly that happens. No one—Cade’s teammates, classmates, family, and friends—is now scared when they are around him. Of anything. Strange things start happening, leading Cade to a mysterious villain and a place called Ruin Road.
Lamar Giles is back and better than ever! This is a 5-star book for me not just because of a strong protagonist and a killer storyline, but it’s the thought behind it. Real world issues are at every turn, like slime-ball racist property owners, gentrification, and how hard it is to achieve your dreams when those in power are always doing dirty stuff to bring you down. Most importantly, I still keep asking myself, what else could really happen to our country—this world—if so many people weren’t afraid to do or say what they really mean? We may be about to find out.
Lamar Giles is back and better than ever! This is a 5-star book for me not just because of a strong protagonist and a killer storyline, but it’s the thought behind it. Real world issues are at every turn, like slime-ball racist property owners, gentrification, and how hard it is to achieve your dreams when those in power are always doing dirty stuff to bring you down. Most importantly, I still keep asking myself, what else could really happen to our country—this world—if so many people weren’t afraid to do or say what they really mean? We may be about to find out.
January 27, 2025
(3.5 rounded up)
A smart, creative spin on getting what you wish for. Cade is a compelling and refreshing MC, and the story has very little drag considering how many characters and situations are developed. Huge props to Giles for writing in a way that is both direct and thoughtful.
My main and only gripe is that the last few pages feel disconnected from the rest of the book. They lean more heavily into the supernatural elements in order to set up a sequel, and Cade is (I feel) abruptly shaped up into a Series Protagonist with a Unique Attribute™️ (mist arm). Up until pg. 342 or so, I thought that Ruin Road was mostly settled and I was okay with not having everything answered. The ending/epilogue lessened the emotional impact I felt from the pages before that and made the book feel a little monster (demon)-of-the-week-y.
Personal preference aside, the first 95% of Ruin Road is so good that I’m confident that Giles will write a great sequel. I’m looking forward to editing this review one day to say that the sequel only made the first better.
A smart, creative spin on getting what you wish for. Cade is a compelling and refreshing MC, and the story has very little drag considering how many characters and situations are developed. Huge props to Giles for writing in a way that is both direct and thoughtful.
My main and only gripe is that the last few pages feel disconnected from the rest of the book. They lean more heavily into the supernatural elements in order to set up a sequel, and Cade is (I feel) abruptly shaped up into a Series Protagonist with a Unique Attribute™️ (mist arm). Up until pg. 342 or so, I thought that Ruin Road was mostly settled and I was okay with not having everything answered. The ending/epilogue lessened the emotional impact I felt from the pages before that and made the book feel a little monster (demon)-of-the-week-y.
Personal preference aside, the first 95% of Ruin Road is so good that I’m confident that Giles will write a great sequel. I’m looking forward to editing this review one day to say that the sequel only made the first better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2024
This will be my 3rd Ya horror book I read just this week and just like the last one this was also 5 ⭐️. I feel like I finished this fast (in like 3 days) the chapters were short and the writing was engaging which explains why I was able to finish quickly. Check tw's if you need them.
There wasn't a lot of horror in this besides the horrors that life brings you, but it still was anxiety inducing so don't let that deter you from this. There were two scenes in this book that left me sad and utterly shocked I wasn't really expecting any of that to happen. The blantant racisim and microaggressions the Mc faced made me so upset for him especially because he went to a predominantly all white school and he didn't know who to trust and keep his head down for the most part. This is told through the pov of Cade (the mc) but we also get a few other pov's from different characters as the story progresses. The ending was bittersweet but also left off a possibility for a second book. Fingers crossed 🤞.
There wasn't a lot of horror in this besides the horrors that life brings you, but it still was anxiety inducing so don't let that deter you from this. There were two scenes in this book that left me sad and utterly shocked I wasn't really expecting any of that to happen. The blantant racisim and microaggressions the Mc faced made me so upset for him especially because he went to a predominantly all white school and he didn't know who to trust and keep his head down for the most part. This is told through the pov of Cade (the mc) but we also get a few other pov's from different characters as the story progresses. The ending was bittersweet but also left off a possibility for a second book. Fingers crossed 🤞.
October 27, 2024
Actual Rating: 4.5
I entered this book hesitantly because I find I'm pretty sensitive to teen angst and trendy slang that is likely to "go out of style" within the year. And, admittedly, interaction between teenagers did take some getting used to. With that said, the high stakes of this narrative and the crucial social commentary set this YA horror apart for me. I was really impressed by the range of emotions Lamar Giles infused in this horror focused on themes such as making a deal with the devil, the difference between healthy fear and harmful fear, and generational oppression. I really felt for Cade and his family, and I rooted for him the entire way.
A gripping first experience with this author!
CW: terminal illness
I entered this book hesitantly because I find I'm pretty sensitive to teen angst and trendy slang that is likely to "go out of style" within the year. And, admittedly, interaction between teenagers did take some getting used to. With that said, the high stakes of this narrative and the crucial social commentary set this YA horror apart for me. I was really impressed by the range of emotions Lamar Giles infused in this horror focused on themes such as making a deal with the devil, the difference between healthy fear and harmful fear, and generational oppression. I really felt for Cade and his family, and I rooted for him the entire way.
A gripping first experience with this author!
CW: terminal illness
January 13, 2026
Lamar Giles writes the kind of compelling YA realistic horror that I love to recommend to students. When I first read his The Getaway, it rose to the top of my recommendations for kids who crave a strong male protagonist who is up against a system built to control or restrain them. The same can be said for our awesome protagonist in Cade Webster, a football star with a complex family and background and a struggling socioeconomic set of circumstances, someone who is sick of being judged and people being scared of him just because of the color of his skin. When he makes a series of poor choices that end up with him in a random pawn shop making a quick sale and an uttered wish, he doesn’t realize what he’s accidentally done. I loved this book for its great narration and creative premise.
October 15, 2024
4.5 rounded up!
RUIN ROAD by Lamar Giles was a fast-paced, dark and twisty ride!
Blending real-life horrors of gentrification and racism with the folklore/magical realism of making deals with the devil, this book packed a major punch 🥊
This is one of those books that once I started reading it, I COULD NOT STOP and tears were most definitely shed 🥺
Come for the cover (JUST LOOK AT IT), but stay for the fast-paced, heart-wrenching, gore-riddled story!
RUIN ROAD by Lamar Giles was a fast-paced, dark and twisty ride!
Blending real-life horrors of gentrification and racism with the folklore/magical realism of making deals with the devil, this book packed a major punch 🥊
This is one of those books that once I started reading it, I COULD NOT STOP and tears were most definitely shed 🥺
Come for the cover (JUST LOOK AT IT), but stay for the fast-paced, heart-wrenching, gore-riddled story!
January 11, 2025
I truly enjoyed this. I had a great feeling about this book after reading The Getaway by the author and this did not disappoint me. I like that we got different feelings in this book. There was hope, there was grief, there was conflict. I was hooked from the beginning. I also like the supernatural aspect and how well it tied with real life. There were some gems and some good humor in here as well. Well done again, Lamar Giles.
January 30, 2025
I would give this more of a 2.5 than a 2. I was confused for most of the book and didn't fully understand the plot. I found it to be a bit repetitive as well. I liked the main character and liked how he developed throughout the story. I also liked how the book's point-of-view changed but didn't change too much. Overall, the story wasn't my type of book.
Read
May 2, 2025BOOOO you don't deserve my stars
October 16, 2025
BOTB - So demonic. I feel bad for any children who have to read this. It was a fast read though.
dnf
October 31, 2025Nope.
Nope.
Nope.
Dnf at 100 pages
Nope.
Nope.
Dnf at 100 pages
December 14, 2024
yk what hell yeah
December 3, 2024
Be careful what you wish for....you might end up with more than you bargained for.
One night when high school football star, Cade Webster, got off the bus early he ended up in a pawn shop. While there he finds a Superbowl ring, a faux ring in his opinion, but it might not be, and makes a wish that no one would be afraid of him anymore. He lives between two worlds, the prep school he goes to and the "wrong" neighborhood he lives in. His white friends and students of the school see him as thug solely because he's black. Cade is tired of the way society sees him. His mumbling of a wish comes true though because the artifacts in the pawn shop make dreams come true. The problem is once you make a wish, even one you didn't intend to, you can't take it. The stopping a wish, or even making one, may be your life.
Ruin Road is the latest YA horror novel from Lamar Giles. It's the first book I've read by Giles and I really enjoyed it. While I found the pacing a little slower, it did allow for the story to naturally develop. As a reader you could see that Cade is unlike most who visit the pawn store and aren't actually seeking out wishes. He was just looking for a place to lay low for a few minutes. The final act provided the final showdown that had been promised throughout the novel. It reminded me in part of NOS4A2 because a car plays a big part of it and the fight takes place in a different realm.
I know I'll be picking up Lamar's previous YA horror novel, The Getaway, in the not-so-distant future.
Thank you to Scholastic Press and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for review consideration.
One night when high school football star, Cade Webster, got off the bus early he ended up in a pawn shop. While there he finds a Superbowl ring, a faux ring in his opinion, but it might not be, and makes a wish that no one would be afraid of him anymore. He lives between two worlds, the prep school he goes to and the "wrong" neighborhood he lives in. His white friends and students of the school see him as thug solely because he's black. Cade is tired of the way society sees him. His mumbling of a wish comes true though because the artifacts in the pawn shop make dreams come true. The problem is once you make a wish, even one you didn't intend to, you can't take it. The stopping a wish, or even making one, may be your life.
Ruin Road is the latest YA horror novel from Lamar Giles. It's the first book I've read by Giles and I really enjoyed it. While I found the pacing a little slower, it did allow for the story to naturally develop. As a reader you could see that Cade is unlike most who visit the pawn store and aren't actually seeking out wishes. He was just looking for a place to lay low for a few minutes. The final act provided the final showdown that had been promised throughout the novel. It reminded me in part of NOS4A2 because a car plays a big part of it and the fight takes place in a different realm.
I know I'll be picking up Lamar's previous YA horror novel, The Getaway, in the not-so-distant future.
Thank you to Scholastic Press and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for review consideration.
October 22, 2025
Ruin Road by Lamar Giles tells the story of Cade Webster, a high school student who makes a wish to stop being feared, only for it to set off a terrifying series of events. Cade exists between two worlds. He is a respected and well-liked football star at a prestigious school, but he comes from an impoverished neighborhood. Everywhere he goes, people are afraid of him because he is either too big, too ambitious, or too black.
One fateful night, Cade slips into a pawn shop to avoid an encounter with the police. Inside, a ring catches his eye, and he decides to buy it. He tells the shopkeeper that he wishes people would stop being scared around him. Little does he know, his wish is granted.
Cade enjoys the feeling of no longer being feared. However, he soon realizes that people are no longer afraid of anything. Wherever Cade goes, he spreads this newfound “courage,” which leads to chaos as people react violently. Cade fears that something dark is at play and wants to stop it before it harms more innocent individuals.
I have read another book of the author’s, The Getaway by Lamar Giles, and this novel follows a similar premise. It presents a scary story with social commentary woven into it. I found the book to be an interesting read. It was compelling to see how a “simple wish” becomes corrupted, the destruction it causes, and how Cade grapples with it. The first half of the book was slow, but it picked up in the second half. I would be open to reading more works by the author.
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