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The Princesses of Ruin #3
Dark Artificer
He needs her to exact his dark justice.
She needs him to destroy a corrupted kingdom.
Royal secrets trade high on the black market, and being a quiet princess allows Alyse to hear many things in the palace. What she does with those pilfered confidences would have her mother’s head rolling, but Alyse’s altruism is the only bright spot in her bleak existence outside the pages of her fantasy books. Yet that spot is being swallowed up by a depraved shadow that haunts her her wretched fiancé.
Growing up a slave, pain and suffering were the backdrop of Kazimir’s childhood. Even after escaping, that darkness followed him. With his scribe’s training and his relentless determination, he’s made it into the good graces of the royal palace for one to track down every single person involved in enslaving him, and bathe in their blood.
When a fateful night has Kazimir and Alyse crossing blades, they’re set on a cruel path that leads to the destruction of their souls—and their restraint. As Kazimir trains Alyse to become the weapon he needs for his revenge, they’re pulled deeper under each other’s spells. Will Alyse succumb to the darkness and stand beside Kazimir when the heads begin to topple, or will she use her deadly new skills to bring her wicked fiancé to his knees and set the kingdoms on a path to war?
For fans of Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J Maas. The Princesses of Ruin is a four-part, standalone series set in a magic-based world with Victorian era vibes, possessive men, powerful princesses, and the demons they have to fight to survive in their grim kingdom. Claim your copy now!
She needs him to destroy a corrupted kingdom.
Royal secrets trade high on the black market, and being a quiet princess allows Alyse to hear many things in the palace. What she does with those pilfered confidences would have her mother’s head rolling, but Alyse’s altruism is the only bright spot in her bleak existence outside the pages of her fantasy books. Yet that spot is being swallowed up by a depraved shadow that haunts her her wretched fiancé.
Growing up a slave, pain and suffering were the backdrop of Kazimir’s childhood. Even after escaping, that darkness followed him. With his scribe’s training and his relentless determination, he’s made it into the good graces of the royal palace for one to track down every single person involved in enslaving him, and bathe in their blood.
When a fateful night has Kazimir and Alyse crossing blades, they’re set on a cruel path that leads to the destruction of their souls—and their restraint. As Kazimir trains Alyse to become the weapon he needs for his revenge, they’re pulled deeper under each other’s spells. Will Alyse succumb to the darkness and stand beside Kazimir when the heads begin to topple, or will she use her deadly new skills to bring her wicked fiancé to his knees and set the kingdoms on a path to war?
For fans of Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J Maas. The Princesses of Ruin is a four-part, standalone series set in a magic-based world with Victorian era vibes, possessive men, powerful princesses, and the demons they have to fight to survive in their grim kingdom. Claim your copy now!
439 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2024
61 people are currently reading
1990 people want to read
About the author
Ember Holt
28 books255 followersEmber loves all things with heat! A glass of wine, a comfy, oversized sweater, and a spicy book next to a fireplace is her ideal night. She likes to read about powerful heroines and protective heroes, and write about them, too.
When she’s not writing, Ember is a fox in the henhouse, causing all kinds of hell. She enjoys making pasta while listening to big brass bands, taking long walks with her favorite audio books, playing D&D, and painting—but not very well.
Some of Ember’s favorite authors include Laura Thalassa, Shannon Mayer, and Raven Kennedy. Their powerful heroines inspire her daily to get out of bed and to do her best (or stay in it to keep reading!)
~~~
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When she’s not writing, Ember is a fox in the henhouse, causing all kinds of hell. She enjoys making pasta while listening to big brass bands, taking long walks with her favorite audio books, playing D&D, and painting—but not very well.
Some of Ember’s favorite authors include Laura Thalassa, Shannon Mayer, and Raven Kennedy. Their powerful heroines inspire her daily to get out of bed and to do her best (or stay in it to keep reading!)
~~~
Want a free novella? Sign up for my newsletter on my website!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
April 17, 2024
Dark. Brutal. Passionate.
This is the best book in the series so far imo. We get answers and the chemistry between Alyse and Kaz is intense. I've finally really gotten into the series.
Alyse's magic is wild! A blessing and a curse at the same time, but she manages so so well.
I love that Alyse grows beyond herself and discovers her bloodthirsty side... On the other hand, she doesn't lose sight of her goal of helping the people of the kingdom.
I'm a little fond of Alyse - in case you haven't noticed 😅
The fact that Kazimir and Alyse are both book people definitely adds to their likeability.
The broken found family has grown on me and I'm really looking forward to Reina's book.
Thank you for trusting me with an eARC, Ember 🖤
This is the best book in the series so far imo. We get answers and the chemistry between Alyse and Kaz is intense. I've finally really gotten into the series.
Alyse's magic is wild! A blessing and a curse at the same time, but she manages so so well.
I love that Alyse grows beyond herself and discovers her bloodthirsty side... On the other hand, she doesn't lose sight of her goal of helping the people of the kingdom.
I'm a little fond of Alyse - in case you haven't noticed 😅
The fact that Kazimir and Alyse are both book people definitely adds to their likeability.
The broken found family has grown on me and I'm really looking forward to Reina's book.
Thank you for trusting me with an eARC, Ember 🖤
April 30, 2024
I received an ARC of this for free and am leaving a review in exchange.
I really liked both the main characters in this; they had great chemistry and I enjoyed seeing their relationship progress and the spicy scenes were great.
I know some people read this as a standalone but I'd definitely recommend reading the whole series because I think the magic system makes more sense and there are some characters that come back from previous books.
There was some SA/gore that was a little much for me personally, but there were trigger warnings at the beginning and also warnings in chapter so you could skip that if you wanted and just read a brief description of what was relevant to the plot.
Overall I enjoyed it and look forward to seeing what happens in the rest of the series.
I really liked both the main characters in this; they had great chemistry and I enjoyed seeing their relationship progress and the spicy scenes were great.
I know some people read this as a standalone but I'd definitely recommend reading the whole series because I think the magic system makes more sense and there are some characters that come back from previous books.
There was some SA/gore that was a little much for me personally, but there were trigger warnings at the beginning and also warnings in chapter so you could skip that if you wanted and just read a brief description of what was relevant to the plot.
Overall I enjoyed it and look forward to seeing what happens in the rest of the series.
April 26, 2024
Dark Artificer
RELEASE DATE: 30th April 2024
━━ † ━━
⭐️ overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 plot intensity: 📚📚📚📚
🔥 burn: 🔥🔥🔥
💋 spice: 💋💋💋💋
🍬 sweetness: 🍬
🩵 the feels: 🩵🩵
🤣 humour: 🤣
🩸 gore/violence: 🩸🩸🩸🩸
🍆 peen uniqueness: 🍆
👤 POV: 1st person — Dual POV
━━ † ━━
Whew! What a dark and succulent indulgence of passion, heat and revenge! I really love ‘The Princesses of Ruin’ series by Ember Holt, and ‘Dark Artificer’ is a fantastic new addition to it! All the little pieces of the overall plot are starting to fall into place and I can’t wait to see how it all ends!
What I find so enjoyable about this series is that every book features new protagonists—and this one features Alyse, the third princess of Fynren and Kyazimir, the palace’s head archivist as they walk through the blurred lines of hatred, revenge and despair on the paths they’re forced to tread while falling deeper and deeper into their forbidden love for each other. Along with Alyse and Kaz, there are also some returning characters from the previous books which was really fun to see them through different sets of eyes.
The spice was SPICY and I thoroughly enjoyed all the steamy scenes—which included some mutual “play” (because they can’t touch each other), some inventive uses of objects for toys, fun times in an open grave and some airborne shenanigans, just to name a few!
Now, this book is DARK. A lot darker than the other two and it’s important to read the trigger warnings before reading this book. The author has an extensive list at the beginning of the book as well as using line breaks with warnings before the more graphic and triggering sections so you can skip them if you would like (the author also summarises the scenes, minus the graphic detail, after each line break, so they are entirely skippable). Again, PLEASE take caution of the trigger warnings both below and listed by author.
━━ † ━━
⚔️TRIGGER LIST⚔️
— Explicit sexual content
— Graphic violence against animals (in mind/fantasy)
— Explicit sexual assault (in mind/fantasy)
— Graphic torture (in mind/fantasy)
— Mutilation (in mind/fantasy)
— Physical & mental abuse & fat shaming of the FMC (not by MMC)
— Graphic violence, blood & gore
— Murder & simulated death (on page)
— Drug & alcohol abuse
— Accidental voyeurism
━━ † ━━
‘Dark Artificer’ was a fantastic new instalment of ‘The Princesses of Ruin’ series! It’s dark, gruesome & deliciously tempting with the intertwinement of revenge and forbidden passion. It’s about what sacrifices someone will make to achieve their goals and relinquish themselves to their revenge…when it means they can be free. And, alongside that, it’s about how burning a love can be, branding you from the inside out until the hunger overflows. I loved this book and can’t wait for the next instalment! 5/5 stars!!
━━ † ━━
❗️I received this ARC via sign up and every part of this review is written willingly and genuinely with my own personal feelings/thoughts and is under no conditions or obligations❗️
RELEASE DATE: 30th April 2024
━━ † ━━
⭐️ overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 plot intensity: 📚📚📚📚
🔥 burn: 🔥🔥🔥
💋 spice: 💋💋💋💋
🍬 sweetness: 🍬
🩵 the feels: 🩵🩵
🤣 humour: 🤣
🩸 gore/violence: 🩸🩸🩸🩸
🍆 peen uniqueness: 🍆
👤 POV: 1st person — Dual POV
━━ † ━━
Whew! What a dark and succulent indulgence of passion, heat and revenge! I really love ‘The Princesses of Ruin’ series by Ember Holt, and ‘Dark Artificer’ is a fantastic new addition to it! All the little pieces of the overall plot are starting to fall into place and I can’t wait to see how it all ends!
What I find so enjoyable about this series is that every book features new protagonists—and this one features Alyse, the third princess of Fynren and Kyazimir, the palace’s head archivist as they walk through the blurred lines of hatred, revenge and despair on the paths they’re forced to tread while falling deeper and deeper into their forbidden love for each other. Along with Alyse and Kaz, there are also some returning characters from the previous books which was really fun to see them through different sets of eyes.
The spice was SPICY and I thoroughly enjoyed all the steamy scenes—which included some mutual “play” (because they can’t touch each other), some inventive uses of objects for toys, fun times in an open grave and some airborne shenanigans, just to name a few!
Now, this book is DARK. A lot darker than the other two and it’s important to read the trigger warnings before reading this book. The author has an extensive list at the beginning of the book as well as using line breaks with warnings before the more graphic and triggering sections so you can skip them if you would like (the author also summarises the scenes, minus the graphic detail, after each line break, so they are entirely skippable). Again, PLEASE take caution of the trigger warnings both below and listed by author.
━━ † ━━
⚔️TRIGGER LIST⚔️
— Explicit sexual content
— Graphic violence against animals (in mind/fantasy)
— Explicit sexual assault (in mind/fantasy)
— Graphic torture (in mind/fantasy)
— Mutilation (in mind/fantasy)
— Physical & mental abuse & fat shaming of the FMC (not by MMC)
— Graphic violence, blood & gore
— Murder & simulated death (on page)
— Drug & alcohol abuse
— Accidental voyeurism
━━ † ━━
‘Dark Artificer’ was a fantastic new instalment of ‘The Princesses of Ruin’ series! It’s dark, gruesome & deliciously tempting with the intertwinement of revenge and forbidden passion. It’s about what sacrifices someone will make to achieve their goals and relinquish themselves to their revenge…when it means they can be free. And, alongside that, it’s about how burning a love can be, branding you from the inside out until the hunger overflows. I loved this book and can’t wait for the next instalment! 5/5 stars!!
━━ † ━━
❗️I received this ARC via sign up and every part of this review is written willingly and genuinely with my own personal feelings/thoughts and is under no conditions or obligations❗️
March 20, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I read this book as a standalone, without having read any of the previous books. Which was totally doable, even though it would have helped with some of the characters, but I still loved the book.
The FMC is a young, smart and bookloving woman who tries to find her power and her place in her world. The MMC is a beaten and dark anti-hero which I instantly fell for.
I will definitely read the first books, to get to know more of these characters and their world.
Rating overall 5/5
Spice 3/5
I read this book as a standalone, without having read any of the previous books. Which was totally doable, even though it would have helped with some of the characters, but I still loved the book.
The FMC is a young, smart and bookloving woman who tries to find her power and her place in her world. The MMC is a beaten and dark anti-hero which I instantly fell for.
I will definitely read the first books, to get to know more of these characters and their world.
Rating overall 5/5
Spice 3/5
May 6, 2024
A gripping tale of vengeance and dark alliances in a world where royal secrets can be deadly, and the path to justice is fraught with peril. This third installment in Holt's series can stand alone, though new readers like myself might benefit from the background provided by the previous books for a richer understanding of the complex world-building.
From the first page, Holt plunges readers into a dark narrative where Alyse, a princess with a penchant for eavesdropping, and Kazimir, a former slave with a thirst for revenge, are drawn together by fate and a shared darkness. Their story is not for the faint of heart—it navigates through themes of violence, torture, and sexual assault, addressed with sensitivity by the author through content warnings and optional summarized passages for the more intense scenes. This thoughtful approach allows readers to engage with the story at their comfort level, a practice that deserves commendation and wider adoption.
The dual perspectives of Alyse and Kazimir enrich the narrative, each character bringing a distinct voice and depth to the unfolding drama. As they train and plot together, both characters exhibit significant growth, evolving from their initial motivations to more complex figures tied together by dark desires and a mutual dependency on each other's strengths.
Holt's world-building is intricate, weaving a backdrop that feels both expansive and claustrophobically intense, matching the internal turmoils of the characters. While I occasionally struggled with needing more context—which might have been alleviated by reading the earlier books—the narrative is compelling enough to keep the pages turning. The plot twists are well-executed, offering genuine surprises that enhance the story's engagement and suspense.
"Dark Artificer" is a dark fantasy romance that handles its themes with care, providing a narrative that is as challenging as it is captivating. For those who can handle its darker themes, Ember Holt's novel is a compelling exploration of revenge, power, and transformation, set against a richly imagined backdrop that promises even more depth for those familiar with her previous works.
ARC Acknowledgment: This book was provided to me as an Advance Reader Copy by Ember Holt. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced by the provision of the ARC.
For readers seeking a dark, intricate fantasy romance that challenges as much as it entertains, "Dark Artificer" is a formidable choice. Be sure to heed the content warnings, but also prepare for a tale of dark justice and moral complexities that will keep you engaged until the last page.
From the first page, Holt plunges readers into a dark narrative where Alyse, a princess with a penchant for eavesdropping, and Kazimir, a former slave with a thirst for revenge, are drawn together by fate and a shared darkness. Their story is not for the faint of heart—it navigates through themes of violence, torture, and sexual assault, addressed with sensitivity by the author through content warnings and optional summarized passages for the more intense scenes. This thoughtful approach allows readers to engage with the story at their comfort level, a practice that deserves commendation and wider adoption.
The dual perspectives of Alyse and Kazimir enrich the narrative, each character bringing a distinct voice and depth to the unfolding drama. As they train and plot together, both characters exhibit significant growth, evolving from their initial motivations to more complex figures tied together by dark desires and a mutual dependency on each other's strengths.
Holt's world-building is intricate, weaving a backdrop that feels both expansive and claustrophobically intense, matching the internal turmoils of the characters. While I occasionally struggled with needing more context—which might have been alleviated by reading the earlier books—the narrative is compelling enough to keep the pages turning. The plot twists are well-executed, offering genuine surprises that enhance the story's engagement and suspense.
"Dark Artificer" is a dark fantasy romance that handles its themes with care, providing a narrative that is as challenging as it is captivating. For those who can handle its darker themes, Ember Holt's novel is a compelling exploration of revenge, power, and transformation, set against a richly imagined backdrop that promises even more depth for those familiar with her previous works.
ARC Acknowledgment: This book was provided to me as an Advance Reader Copy by Ember Holt. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced by the provision of the ARC.
For readers seeking a dark, intricate fantasy romance that challenges as much as it entertains, "Dark Artificer" is a formidable choice. Be sure to heed the content warnings, but also prepare for a tale of dark justice and moral complexities that will keep you engaged until the last page.
April 29, 2024
Once again I love this series.
Alyse is such a force. Not your average 'skinny princess' she spends most of her life hiding from her mother's wrath and being reminded she needs to stop eating so much.
Kazimir is... 🔥🔥 I mean damn. That man is one loyal S.O.B. and I'm here for it. As a servant of the crown, sworn to keep his hands off the princess, it was fun to get inside his head.
These two burn for each other the ENTIRE book and man does it pay off. This one was a bit for graphic, gore filled than the prior ones.
I can't wait for Gareth and Cecillia's short story and can't wait to continue the series.
5⭐
4ish🌶️
*I received an eARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily*
Alyse is such a force. Not your average 'skinny princess' she spends most of her life hiding from her mother's wrath and being reminded she needs to stop eating so much.
Kazimir is... 🔥🔥 I mean damn. That man is one loyal S.O.B. and I'm here for it. As a servant of the crown, sworn to keep his hands off the princess, it was fun to get inside his head.
These two burn for each other the ENTIRE book and man does it pay off. This one was a bit for graphic, gore filled than the prior ones.
I can't wait for Gareth and Cecillia's short story and can't wait to continue the series.
5⭐
4ish🌶️
*I received an eARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily*
April 30, 2024
" 'Fuck you', she growls with her first breath, and fuck me indeed, because I can't help but love the way it sounds. "
----------------------—
Story rating: 4.5⭐️
Romance lvl: 4.0⭐️
Spice lvl: 3.5🌶️
Smut frequency: 3.5⏳
----------------------—
Tropes:
🚫 Forbidden love
🤲 They can't touch
🌑 He's morally (dark) grey
👀 She's soft until she's not
👉 "Touch her and 💀"
💎 "Mine"
----------------------—
~ STORY & PLOT 📝 ~
I loved the book before, but "Dark Artificer" WON for me!! The story is so greatly paced I couldn't put the book down, the MCs are sooo magnetic, and so much of the overall plot of the series is discovered in this one!
I can't wait to read the book about Reina 👀✨
Alyse is ultra badass (like all the FMCs of this series, I'm their biggest fan 🥇) and I love how she's growing through the book into what she needed to be to survive but also find her freedom.
Kazimir is an impeccable balance of unhinged but still very docile when she's concerned and I was so down for it 😂🔥
This is definitely a dark but also so alluring story going on, and I can't wait to see the climax of it (...no puns intended 😂) in the next book! ✨
~ SPICE 🌶️ ~
I guess we can say the story is little slow-burn in the sense that they can't/ shouldn't touch and so they get creative to mess around before they finally get to actually touch the way they want. Warning: By that time, they're absolutely feral 😏🔥
---------------------—
This is an arc review. Thanks to the author for the advanced ebook copy 🙏💖
---------------------—
----------------------—
Story rating: 4.5⭐️
Romance lvl: 4.0⭐️
Spice lvl: 3.5🌶️
Smut frequency: 3.5⏳
----------------------—
Tropes:
🚫 Forbidden love
🤲 They can't touch
🌑 He's morally (dark) grey
👀 She's soft until she's not
👉 "Touch her and 💀"
💎 "Mine"
----------------------—
~ STORY & PLOT 📝 ~
I loved the book before, but "Dark Artificer" WON for me!! The story is so greatly paced I couldn't put the book down, the MCs are sooo magnetic, and so much of the overall plot of the series is discovered in this one!
I can't wait to read the book about Reina 👀✨
Alyse is ultra badass (like all the FMCs of this series, I'm their biggest fan 🥇) and I love how she's growing through the book into what she needed to be to survive but also find her freedom.
Kazimir is an impeccable balance of unhinged but still very docile when she's concerned and I was so down for it 😂🔥
This is definitely a dark but also so alluring story going on, and I can't wait to see the climax of it (...no puns intended 😂) in the next book! ✨
~ SPICE 🌶️ ~
I guess we can say the story is little slow-burn in the sense that they can't/ shouldn't touch and so they get creative to mess around before they finally get to actually touch the way they want. Warning: By that time, they're absolutely feral 😏🔥
---------------------—
This is an arc review. Thanks to the author for the advanced ebook copy 🙏💖
---------------------—
April 2, 2024
Ember Holt has done it again! I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down! The action, the trauma and the healing, the love and vengeance all created in a unique and intriguing world. There is just so much emotion in this book. Alyse and Kazimir had such amazing chemistry! The spice is so good and adds to the story and doesn't feel forced. This book can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the first 2 in the series first. Check the trigger warnings, but there are notations at the beginning of the chapter to let you know where you can skip if you'd like.
I received this book as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I received this book as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
May 2, 2024
- ARC Review -
I loved this book! It's the third installment in The Princesses of Ruin series and it can be read as a standalone. I had only read book 1 before and really recommend reading them in order because the stories intersperse with each other.
I loved the main characters a lot: Kazimir the former slave who is seeking revenge on his former master, and Alyse, privileged princess who longs to help her people and escape her fate of marrying a despicable prince.
They both had awesome powers who complemented each other well. It was fun to see how Alyse's magic grew and how she used it to complete her mission (and other interesting things...����).
But truly, can we talk about the fact that for most of the book the MCs cannot even touch each other but somehow the spice is still very much spicing 🌶🌶 Uhm yes, bravo Ember!
Special mention to my man Gareth and his magical sandwiches, I'm gonna need that recipe please and thank you 😁
I loved this book! It's the third installment in The Princesses of Ruin series and it can be read as a standalone. I had only read book 1 before and really recommend reading them in order because the stories intersperse with each other.
I loved the main characters a lot: Kazimir the former slave who is seeking revenge on his former master, and Alyse, privileged princess who longs to help her people and escape her fate of marrying a despicable prince.
They both had awesome powers who complemented each other well. It was fun to see how Alyse's magic grew and how she used it to complete her mission (and other interesting things...����).
But truly, can we talk about the fact that for most of the book the MCs cannot even touch each other but somehow the spice is still very much spicing 🌶🌶 Uhm yes, bravo Ember!
Special mention to my man Gareth and his magical sandwiches, I'm gonna need that recipe please and thank you 😁
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April 30, 2024Happy release day everyone!!! <3
I'm so excited to finally share this book with the world. Thank you so much to my awesome dev editor, my wonderful copy editor, and my amazing ARC readers! You guys make this journey so much better.
Dark Artificer made me reached deep into my creative well and drink from the darkness. I pulled out pieces of my soul and wove it into the narrative, the characters, and the world. This one was very special to me for a lot of different reasons, but mostly it's for those of us who struggle with not being enough.
You are enough, just the way you are.
Alright...on that (somber) note, happy reading book friends <3
~E
I'm so excited to finally share this book with the world. Thank you so much to my awesome dev editor, my wonderful copy editor, and my amazing ARC readers! You guys make this journey so much better.
Dark Artificer made me reached deep into my creative well and drink from the darkness. I pulled out pieces of my soul and wove it into the narrative, the characters, and the world. This one was very special to me for a lot of different reasons, but mostly it's for those of us who struggle with not being enough.
You are enough, just the way you are.
Alright...on that (somber) note, happy reading book friends <3
~E
April 29, 2024
I enjoyed this book so much more than the second in the series. It dives deeper into the corruption that rules the city and how the main characters of this book live in it. Aylse was a great to read because of her power and how she interacted with others because of it as well as having good depth to knowing her mother is a villian but still loving her and not wanting harm to come to her. There were definitely some graphic scenes and I thought Ember did a good job of keeping trigger warnings at the start of those chapters so it would not surprise anyone as well as having a small summary at the end of the chapter so any plot points would not be missing. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 29, 2024
*❗️SPOILERS AHEAD, PROCEED WITH CAUTION❗️*
This book is hands-down amazing. That’s it. That’s the truth. The entire truth. I don’t think I have read a book as beautiful, as page-turning, as magical and heart wrenching as this was.
It’s been a long time since I have something so enchanting that I couldn’t put it down. I finished the entire book in a day and a half, and I’m still reeling from it all.
One of the first things I have to say first-hand is the dialogue. It was amazing. It seriously felt as if I was reading two people having an actually conversation. It felt real, it felt fluid. As a writer myself, I feel that is something I lack, and I feel that I can take some notes from this and learn how to make my own character communicate better. I loved the way the characters spoke, I could feel their personalities through the words, I could sense the way the spoke and I adore it. Not many writers can make dialogue well, but this was definitely an amazing attribute for this book. Now to the two main characters:
Alyse was a breath of fresh air. While I have read books before of a princess who despises how her kingdom runs and the parents who is practically evil incarnate, but I have never, EVER, read a book of a character so unique. Her gifts especially. Someone who can sense the emotions and physical beings of others, and see into their minds through their eyes, AND being able to mind control them, is something I never knew I wanted but now I can’t get enough of. While I have read books of a female MC for us powerful beyond imagine, I love Alyse and how she grows into her magic. How she learns from it and grows to be better. She is courageous, smart, snarky, and down right vicious to those who mean harm. And defending and aiding her kingdom in the shadows and taking none of the applause? Alyse is a dragon; a terrifying, beautiful dragon who isn’t afraid to do the right thing.
Now, Kazimir was not a breath of fresh air. He was quite literally, so antagonizingly charming, so beautifully made, so unique and original, that instead of giving me air, he stole it straight of my lungs. Ironic, right? While Alyse can feel like a character I have read before, I can state without a doubt that Kazimir is a first for me. He is smart, charming, exotic, protective, and possessive, and that’s not even all of the good things about him. Not to mention, he reads to her without complaining. Is that too hard to ask for guys?
And his power. In books, I feel like the powers are always dark and brooding. “Dark, inky power rushed from his hands-“ I feel like is the go-to these days. Every male MC seems to have a dark power that is too strong to handle, but that is not the case with Kazimir. He has full control of his gift. He is skillful and holds his own so well. Unlike most, I feel like his gift is an extension of himself- that the air he can control is him. Like the power is so natural and adherent to his personality that is it incredible. While Alyse is the one who sometimes cannot control her gifts, Kazimir is the one to ground her back down to earth, with him.
I feel like this book is so wonderful that even days later, I want more. I CRAVE more of this book, more than I thought I would.
Now, onto the parts that I believe could have been better.
The book was incredible, I will continue to hold this too my heart for a long time. But I do have a few tweaks.
1. The enemies to lovers trope: I feel like this could have been done a touch better in many parts. Not that I didn’t love the tension, I just wanted MORE tension. In the beginning, I feel that when they first met, both hiding their identities from one another was wonderful. Even when he finds out who she is, I wish they had kept his identity a secret for a bit longer. Training in the night with a man she doesn’t know, feeling something for him but not knowing how to place it. She hates him, or at least despises him to an extent. This strange, mysterious man who halted her in the Underbelly and is now aiding her to become stronger. And then BAM, she finds out it is Kazimir, the man she has been crushing over for the last couple years, the man who holds her heart. I feel like that could have been drawn out for a while longer to create more tension.
2. The forbidden trope: In the book, they cannot touch. They cannot have any sort of touching. Not even between clothes. But in the beginning, when she find out that it is Kazimir, she and him are drawn to each other like a moth to a flame. She burns for him, and he to her. And there were some seriously sweet, hot and heavy moments where I was practically panting on the spot. When they are in the library, chest to chest, staring at one another while Kazimir’s thoughts are running wild. That part was wonderful. But, I wish it would have gone for longer. I wish, despite how lovely their first intimate encounter was in his study, I wish there would have been some more tension and resistance. They seriously cannot touch. If they touch, he will die at the hands of her mother and she will be punished heavily as well. I wish that instead of lavishing each other. Perhaps when he had pressed into her from behind, she could focused on how he breathed into her ear, how his breath swept across her neck. How his hands ached to hold her hips, or to grip her locks, or how she prayed silently for him to kiss that sweet spot on her neck, but never being able to touch AT ALL. I wanted MORE TENSION. I loved the amount there was, but I am a sucker for tension and I always will be.
3. The gore: listen, I love a good gore scene as much as anyone. But opinion, if we are going bloody and gore-y. Why not go all the way and unleash hell on us? I am practically here for anything Ember writes. Whether that be gruesome scenes or love-dovey romance. I am here for it and I’m not going anywhere. And maybe I’m just manic or a psycho for more gore when it comes to horrible characters, but I wanted more, plain and simple. That scene though, where Alyse bit Lardons duck until it was a blood stump was cool as shit, and I give it an A+. It was amazing and badass.
The last thing for me was, I wish- I WISH I had read the other two books before reading this. This book was a great standalone, BUT reading towards the end when her sisters and their lovers came forward and we were introduced to them and reloading that there is much more to the story going on than I had realized, I wish I had that extra backstory in order to really appreciate the scene. I love reading series, so as soon as I am done writing this, I will off to read book 1 and 2, so I can get the entire story before I read book 4 in the future.
Anyway, I think that is it for me. I love this book. Love, love, love, LOVE this book. It is definitely a good 4.5/5 for me. And thank you so much Ember for allowing me to read it early. I appreciate you so much, and I cannot wait to read more of anything you write as a new, loyal reader.
This book is hands-down amazing. That’s it. That’s the truth. The entire truth. I don’t think I have read a book as beautiful, as page-turning, as magical and heart wrenching as this was.
It’s been a long time since I have something so enchanting that I couldn’t put it down. I finished the entire book in a day and a half, and I’m still reeling from it all.
One of the first things I have to say first-hand is the dialogue. It was amazing. It seriously felt as if I was reading two people having an actually conversation. It felt real, it felt fluid. As a writer myself, I feel that is something I lack, and I feel that I can take some notes from this and learn how to make my own character communicate better. I loved the way the characters spoke, I could feel their personalities through the words, I could sense the way the spoke and I adore it. Not many writers can make dialogue well, but this was definitely an amazing attribute for this book. Now to the two main characters:
Alyse was a breath of fresh air. While I have read books before of a princess who despises how her kingdom runs and the parents who is practically evil incarnate, but I have never, EVER, read a book of a character so unique. Her gifts especially. Someone who can sense the emotions and physical beings of others, and see into their minds through their eyes, AND being able to mind control them, is something I never knew I wanted but now I can’t get enough of. While I have read books of a female MC for us powerful beyond imagine, I love Alyse and how she grows into her magic. How she learns from it and grows to be better. She is courageous, smart, snarky, and down right vicious to those who mean harm. And defending and aiding her kingdom in the shadows and taking none of the applause? Alyse is a dragon; a terrifying, beautiful dragon who isn’t afraid to do the right thing.
Now, Kazimir was not a breath of fresh air. He was quite literally, so antagonizingly charming, so beautifully made, so unique and original, that instead of giving me air, he stole it straight of my lungs. Ironic, right? While Alyse can feel like a character I have read before, I can state without a doubt that Kazimir is a first for me. He is smart, charming, exotic, protective, and possessive, and that’s not even all of the good things about him. Not to mention, he reads to her without complaining. Is that too hard to ask for guys?
And his power. In books, I feel like the powers are always dark and brooding. “Dark, inky power rushed from his hands-“ I feel like is the go-to these days. Every male MC seems to have a dark power that is too strong to handle, but that is not the case with Kazimir. He has full control of his gift. He is skillful and holds his own so well. Unlike most, I feel like his gift is an extension of himself- that the air he can control is him. Like the power is so natural and adherent to his personality that is it incredible. While Alyse is the one who sometimes cannot control her gifts, Kazimir is the one to ground her back down to earth, with him.
I feel like this book is so wonderful that even days later, I want more. I CRAVE more of this book, more than I thought I would.
Now, onto the parts that I believe could have been better.
The book was incredible, I will continue to hold this too my heart for a long time. But I do have a few tweaks.
1. The enemies to lovers trope: I feel like this could have been done a touch better in many parts. Not that I didn’t love the tension, I just wanted MORE tension. In the beginning, I feel that when they first met, both hiding their identities from one another was wonderful. Even when he finds out who she is, I wish they had kept his identity a secret for a bit longer. Training in the night with a man she doesn’t know, feeling something for him but not knowing how to place it. She hates him, or at least despises him to an extent. This strange, mysterious man who halted her in the Underbelly and is now aiding her to become stronger. And then BAM, she finds out it is Kazimir, the man she has been crushing over for the last couple years, the man who holds her heart. I feel like that could have been drawn out for a while longer to create more tension.
2. The forbidden trope: In the book, they cannot touch. They cannot have any sort of touching. Not even between clothes. But in the beginning, when she find out that it is Kazimir, she and him are drawn to each other like a moth to a flame. She burns for him, and he to her. And there were some seriously sweet, hot and heavy moments where I was practically panting on the spot. When they are in the library, chest to chest, staring at one another while Kazimir’s thoughts are running wild. That part was wonderful. But, I wish it would have gone for longer. I wish, despite how lovely their first intimate encounter was in his study, I wish there would have been some more tension and resistance. They seriously cannot touch. If they touch, he will die at the hands of her mother and she will be punished heavily as well. I wish that instead of lavishing each other. Perhaps when he had pressed into her from behind, she could focused on how he breathed into her ear, how his breath swept across her neck. How his hands ached to hold her hips, or to grip her locks, or how she prayed silently for him to kiss that sweet spot on her neck, but never being able to touch AT ALL. I wanted MORE TENSION. I loved the amount there was, but I am a sucker for tension and I always will be.
3. The gore: listen, I love a good gore scene as much as anyone. But opinion, if we are going bloody and gore-y. Why not go all the way and unleash hell on us? I am practically here for anything Ember writes. Whether that be gruesome scenes or love-dovey romance. I am here for it and I’m not going anywhere. And maybe I’m just manic or a psycho for more gore when it comes to horrible characters, but I wanted more, plain and simple. That scene though, where Alyse bit Lardons duck until it was a blood stump was cool as shit, and I give it an A+. It was amazing and badass.
The last thing for me was, I wish- I WISH I had read the other two books before reading this. This book was a great standalone, BUT reading towards the end when her sisters and their lovers came forward and we were introduced to them and reloading that there is much more to the story going on than I had realized, I wish I had that extra backstory in order to really appreciate the scene. I love reading series, so as soon as I am done writing this, I will off to read book 1 and 2, so I can get the entire story before I read book 4 in the future.
Anyway, I think that is it for me. I love this book. Love, love, love, LOVE this book. It is definitely a good 4.5/5 for me. And thank you so much Ember for allowing me to read it early. I appreciate you so much, and I cannot wait to read more of anything you write as a new, loyal reader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2025
3.75⭐️
*first read*
Alyse is so Hermione coded (infinity bag!) I love her. it’s hard to say much spoiler free, but I’m so glad we got a point of view in the palace, it’s all coming together🤭🤞
at first I was a lil worried when the mcs relationship developed early on, but I really enjoyed how it was their relationship that got them through the #trauma(😭😭). I’m really digging the individual powers, the non-traditional magic system is one of my fav things in this series (as well as the ruthlessly violent characters ofc😈). the found family is assembling, and I’m just so excited to see how everything plays out!! I have some ideas but with the way things left off for Reina I’m not sure…
***thank you so much to BookSirens for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!!🥰
*second read*
ditto
*first read*
Alyse is so Hermione coded (infinity bag!) I love her. it’s hard to say much spoiler free, but I’m so glad we got a point of view in the palace, it’s all coming together🤭🤞
at first I was a lil worried when the mcs relationship developed early on, but I really enjoyed how it was their relationship that got them through the #trauma(😭😭). I’m really digging the individual powers, the non-traditional magic system is one of my fav things in this series (as well as the ruthlessly violent characters ofc😈). the found family is assembling, and I’m just so excited to see how everything plays out!! I have some ideas but with the way things left off for Reina I’m not sure…
***thank you so much to BookSirens for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!!🥰
*second read*
ditto
April 24, 2024
{4.5/5}
CW: violence, gore, torture, SA, fat shaming, spice, others. Please check all content warnings prior to reading.
A massive thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team!! “Dark Artificer” releases April 30, 2024!
Did you think the series couldn’t get any darker? You were wrong (and you should thank the author, because this was amazing).
The third Hilden princess, Alyse, is set to be married to the eldest prince of Wolfsheim. Until she’s forced to leave her home, though, Alyse is determined to do everything she can for her people. Unbeknownst to her, the castle’s head archivist, Kazimir, has some plans of his own. The two grow closer and their plans combine, but desperation builds as Alyse’s power grows and the day of her wedding draws ever closer.
For some reason, one of the most brutal, rage-filled books I’ve read in a while is somehow also the most cathartic? Both our MCs are used to their power being taken away from them, but the characterization of Alyse in particular resonates strongly for me. For all her various difficulties (which I don’t want to spoil since they’re important for the story), she finds her strength and absolutely *demolishes* that whole ‘character growth’ thing. It was incredibly satisfying to watch her grow and develop in that sense, and watching the support she has to do so was just the cherry on top. If you’ve seen my reviews for books 1 and 2, you already know that I think the author writes incredible MCs. While these two were no different (in the sense that they were amazing, unique, and enjoyable characters), this whole story just hit different because of our FMC. I absolutely adore her, and I could probably read this story 6 times over again just to watch her hold her own with those who would step on her.
A large portion of that growth happens over the course of a really engaging plot line that had me in a vice grip the entire time I was reading. I couldn’t put the book down! All the storylines for the 3 books currently in the series have been that way though; each has been uniquely entertaining to the point that I sat, almost completely immobile, for hours on end because I didn’t want to stop reading. The best part is that all 3 have been incredibly different in the overall vibes and structures, which means none of them ended up feeling repetitive or uninteresting. Of the three, this book probably had the most moving parts and the largest number of things going on behind the scenes, but it feels like a reasonable and necessary scaling up of the action that occurs in an organic, logical way.
My one consistent complaint through the prior 2 books was that I wanted more worldbuilding because I loved the world and wanted to see more about how it worked. I can fully say that this book had no such limitation issues, and while I still want to know more (because I love everything about it and apparently I’m just greedy like that), it’s not for lack of information. We get to see more of the magic, of the political structures, of the classes and day-to-day lives of the people, of a little bit of everything. And it’s *perfect.* The author’s managed to take what was already a very real-feeling backdrop and not just grow it into a slightly more prominent component but actually make it center stage for an MC’s motivation in a way that feels incredibly natural and reasonable. It’s like we were finally able to find the ‘zoom out’ feature on a camera lense, and we’re finally getting to see what was definitely already there, just not as visible. It’s incredible, and I love this universe so much.
Obviously I really enjoyed this book, but I think a lot of other people will, too. If intelligent, bookish heroines with a backbone of steel are your vibe, if hot librarians make you swoon, or if you’ve ever wanted to read about a character who embodies the more ferocious aspects of a book dragon, then this is the story for you! “Dark Artificer” is book 3 in the Princesses of Ruin series. While you can read the series in any order, I think you’ll get a lot more out of the endings of books 2 and 3 if you read everything in order. Plus, all the stories are so good that you really don’t want to miss out on them! A reminder to please check all trigger warnings prior to reading, as some content may not be a good fit for all readers.
CW: violence, gore, torture, SA, fat shaming, spice, others. Please check all content warnings prior to reading.
A massive thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team!! “Dark Artificer” releases April 30, 2024!
Did you think the series couldn’t get any darker? You were wrong (and you should thank the author, because this was amazing).
The third Hilden princess, Alyse, is set to be married to the eldest prince of Wolfsheim. Until she’s forced to leave her home, though, Alyse is determined to do everything she can for her people. Unbeknownst to her, the castle’s head archivist, Kazimir, has some plans of his own. The two grow closer and their plans combine, but desperation builds as Alyse’s power grows and the day of her wedding draws ever closer.
For some reason, one of the most brutal, rage-filled books I’ve read in a while is somehow also the most cathartic? Both our MCs are used to their power being taken away from them, but the characterization of Alyse in particular resonates strongly for me. For all her various difficulties (which I don’t want to spoil since they’re important for the story), she finds her strength and absolutely *demolishes* that whole ‘character growth’ thing. It was incredibly satisfying to watch her grow and develop in that sense, and watching the support she has to do so was just the cherry on top. If you’ve seen my reviews for books 1 and 2, you already know that I think the author writes incredible MCs. While these two were no different (in the sense that they were amazing, unique, and enjoyable characters), this whole story just hit different because of our FMC. I absolutely adore her, and I could probably read this story 6 times over again just to watch her hold her own with those who would step on her.
A large portion of that growth happens over the course of a really engaging plot line that had me in a vice grip the entire time I was reading. I couldn’t put the book down! All the storylines for the 3 books currently in the series have been that way though; each has been uniquely entertaining to the point that I sat, almost completely immobile, for hours on end because I didn’t want to stop reading. The best part is that all 3 have been incredibly different in the overall vibes and structures, which means none of them ended up feeling repetitive or uninteresting. Of the three, this book probably had the most moving parts and the largest number of things going on behind the scenes, but it feels like a reasonable and necessary scaling up of the action that occurs in an organic, logical way.
My one consistent complaint through the prior 2 books was that I wanted more worldbuilding because I loved the world and wanted to see more about how it worked. I can fully say that this book had no such limitation issues, and while I still want to know more (because I love everything about it and apparently I’m just greedy like that), it’s not for lack of information. We get to see more of the magic, of the political structures, of the classes and day-to-day lives of the people, of a little bit of everything. And it’s *perfect.* The author’s managed to take what was already a very real-feeling backdrop and not just grow it into a slightly more prominent component but actually make it center stage for an MC’s motivation in a way that feels incredibly natural and reasonable. It’s like we were finally able to find the ‘zoom out’ feature on a camera lense, and we’re finally getting to see what was definitely already there, just not as visible. It’s incredible, and I love this universe so much.
Obviously I really enjoyed this book, but I think a lot of other people will, too. If intelligent, bookish heroines with a backbone of steel are your vibe, if hot librarians make you swoon, or if you’ve ever wanted to read about a character who embodies the more ferocious aspects of a book dragon, then this is the story for you! “Dark Artificer” is book 3 in the Princesses of Ruin series. While you can read the series in any order, I think you’ll get a lot more out of the endings of books 2 and 3 if you read everything in order. Plus, all the stories are so good that you really don’t want to miss out on them! A reminder to please check all trigger warnings prior to reading, as some content may not be a good fit for all readers.
April 26, 2024
I have loved every book for different reasons and this one just continues the streak in my opinion. I loved this couple and what's cool that if they were real people, I know these would be my ride or die couple friends. I could see us all sitting in a room reading a book and Alyse and me misplacing books just slightly off to annoy Kazimir which means Alyse would be paying for it later (got to help out my girl get her fun times in). I could just relate a little to Alyse which is probably why I wanted to be her friend (the reading and fat shaming are very relatable to my life). This was a couple that BELONGED together, and I would be their ride or die friend helping them out.
Ember has an amazing way of writing characters that are strong on their own but know they will be just as strong if not stronger with their partners because their partners want to help them achieve all their goals even if it means taking someone's head. The MMCs love how strong, powerful and courageous their women are and let them also be the brats they are because they just love them for who they are. You can tell whole heartedly that these couples all belong with each other and it's amazing to hear how they will talk about their partners.
Some things I really liked in this book is that my heart swooned every time I read my dragon and my reaper. When every time Alyse's powers just keep growing and growing Kazimir would never be threatened by her power but instead turned on and proud of how capable she is. The sweet moments Kazimir would come up to make her happy when sometimes she would be suffering. An example is mind reading book passages to her because she is unable to read due to a lockdown. The creative ways they have spicy times together when they aren't allowed to touch. Hot damn these two were creative.
This book is technically a standalone in a series but in my opinion each book should be read in order because it really really enhances the story line and the experience. I have loved where the plot is going and can't wait for the next book. But I am a little sad because I know there are two more books in the series, and I don't think I will ever be ready to let these characters go. EVER.
Overall, I loved the plot, I loved the characters who had amazing spicy chemistry and emotional chemistry and while this part of the story is wrapped up a little it is an ongoing series, and I am dying for the next book.
This book is about Alyse who is stealing palace secrets to sell to try and bring disorder to her mother and other nobles and using the money she makes to help those suffering in the underbelly. These people whose emotions and thoughts she can hear make her aware of all who are suffering in her kingdom and all she wants to do is help them for as long as she can. Which won't be for long as her betrothed will soon be arriving to marry her and take her away from her home to a kingdom where she is alone. So, she wants to do as much good as she can while she can. The only real light in her life are the brief moments in the Archives/Library where she is surrounded by all the wonderful books and where she might run into the head scribe Kazimir. Kazimir who has a dark past as a slave is using his position in the palace to secretly track down the master who enslaved him as a child. However, as consumed as he is with his mission when he hears the gait of her walk, he is more consumed with the thoughts of the moments he can get with his princess. These moments are moments they both wait for.
However, they both have secret lives and one night those lives clash, and their secrets are revealed. Not just their secret lives but the feelings they have for one another. Once they learn what the other one is trying to achieve, they will work together trying to accomplish each other's missions no matter the danger not that Kazimir will let anything happen to his dragon for he is her reaper and will protect her at all costs else he will burn the kingdom to the ground.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ember has an amazing way of writing characters that are strong on their own but know they will be just as strong if not stronger with their partners because their partners want to help them achieve all their goals even if it means taking someone's head. The MMCs love how strong, powerful and courageous their women are and let them also be the brats they are because they just love them for who they are. You can tell whole heartedly that these couples all belong with each other and it's amazing to hear how they will talk about their partners.
Some things I really liked in this book is that my heart swooned every time I read my dragon and my reaper. When every time Alyse's powers just keep growing and growing Kazimir would never be threatened by her power but instead turned on and proud of how capable she is. The sweet moments Kazimir would come up to make her happy when sometimes she would be suffering. An example is mind reading book passages to her because she is unable to read due to a lockdown. The creative ways they have spicy times together when they aren't allowed to touch. Hot damn these two were creative.
This book is technically a standalone in a series but in my opinion each book should be read in order because it really really enhances the story line and the experience. I have loved where the plot is going and can't wait for the next book. But I am a little sad because I know there are two more books in the series, and I don't think I will ever be ready to let these characters go. EVER.
Overall, I loved the plot, I loved the characters who had amazing spicy chemistry and emotional chemistry and while this part of the story is wrapped up a little it is an ongoing series, and I am dying for the next book.
This book is about Alyse who is stealing palace secrets to sell to try and bring disorder to her mother and other nobles and using the money she makes to help those suffering in the underbelly. These people whose emotions and thoughts she can hear make her aware of all who are suffering in her kingdom and all she wants to do is help them for as long as she can. Which won't be for long as her betrothed will soon be arriving to marry her and take her away from her home to a kingdom where she is alone. So, she wants to do as much good as she can while she can. The only real light in her life are the brief moments in the Archives/Library where she is surrounded by all the wonderful books and where she might run into the head scribe Kazimir. Kazimir who has a dark past as a slave is using his position in the palace to secretly track down the master who enslaved him as a child. However, as consumed as he is with his mission when he hears the gait of her walk, he is more consumed with the thoughts of the moments he can get with his princess. These moments are moments they both wait for.
However, they both have secret lives and one night those lives clash, and their secrets are revealed. Not just their secret lives but the feelings they have for one another. Once they learn what the other one is trying to achieve, they will work together trying to accomplish each other's missions no matter the danger not that Kazimir will let anything happen to his dragon for he is her reaper and will protect her at all costs else he will burn the kingdom to the ground.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2024
Dark Artificer is the third book in Holt's The Pricesses of Ruin series. I would encourage you to read them in order as references are made to the first two books and I think readers will have a greater appreciation for the content.
The story centers around Princess Alyse Hilden and Kazimir. Alyse is the third daughter, and this is her story. Her mother has arranged for her marry Miguel Ladron, the first prince of Wolfshein. This wedding is intended to ensure peace between their two kingdoms, however the princess has absolutely no interest if marrying the prince. She has a gift, and can sense the suffering of her people. While her mother has turned a blind eye, she decided to use her remaining time in the kingdom to offer aid, one person at a time. Her gift allows her to collect secrets, which she then sells, and uses the funds to help those in need. It isn't much, but she does what she can. Of course she cannot walk around freely as she would be recognized and her deeds would be reported back to her mother. She therefore sneaks out at night in a covert outfit, and tries to keep her face hidden.
Kazimir Orlov grew up as a slave and suffered at the hands of many. After he escaped, he trained as a scribe to secure his position as Head Archivist at the palace. In that capacity he has known Alyse, an avid reader, for years. Like Alyse, Kazimir also has a secret. He ventures out at night, fully disguised, seeking retribution. He intends to find every single person who did him wrong, and destroy them.
One night, he crosses paths with Alyse. He doesn't recognize her at first, but when they meet again, he realizes who she is, and takes her home to ensure her safety. Alyse however is not one to give up, and when she realizes that she requires additional training to protect herself, she approaches him for combat training. As the two spend more time together, they grow closer, and the embers of attraction and desire are fanned. Their lust turns to love, and the passion between these two is intense.
I had a lot of fun reading this book. Alyse is a smart, sweet, strong-willed and steadfast. She doesn't back down, and fiercely stands her ground. Kazimir is the perfect complement to Alyse, and the chemistry between them is sizzling. He is potent, persuasive and powerful. They are both loyal to what matters, and while they are both fighting a greater evil, they recognize that together they can achieve so much more than they can alone.
A few of my favourite lines:
"Your mind is the volume of a summer market and your mouth is as quiet as the grave. Your aura is rife with indecision and scheming."
I. Am. A. Dragon. And I'm going to burn him to cinders.
"I'm breaking," she whispers.
You're not. You will not. I have you. I will always have you. And if you break, I will put every piece back together myself and bind it with my blood magic. I will stitch your broken soul with my love and mend your wounds with my touch. You will live past this, my dragon. You will see your vengence enacted through me.
She sucks until I can't stand another second of her affection without passing into the afterlife.
I highly encourage you to check out the Princesses of Ruin. The next book will likely center on Reina, the youngest princess. I also suspect it will bring all the sisters, and their partners, together. I can't wait! Ruthless Scoundrel: A Fated Mates Forced Proximity Romance (The Princesses of Ruin Book 4) is expected August 2024.
The story centers around Princess Alyse Hilden and Kazimir. Alyse is the third daughter, and this is her story. Her mother has arranged for her marry Miguel Ladron, the first prince of Wolfshein. This wedding is intended to ensure peace between their two kingdoms, however the princess has absolutely no interest if marrying the prince. She has a gift, and can sense the suffering of her people. While her mother has turned a blind eye, she decided to use her remaining time in the kingdom to offer aid, one person at a time. Her gift allows her to collect secrets, which she then sells, and uses the funds to help those in need. It isn't much, but she does what she can. Of course she cannot walk around freely as she would be recognized and her deeds would be reported back to her mother. She therefore sneaks out at night in a covert outfit, and tries to keep her face hidden.
Kazimir Orlov grew up as a slave and suffered at the hands of many. After he escaped, he trained as a scribe to secure his position as Head Archivist at the palace. In that capacity he has known Alyse, an avid reader, for years. Like Alyse, Kazimir also has a secret. He ventures out at night, fully disguised, seeking retribution. He intends to find every single person who did him wrong, and destroy them.
One night, he crosses paths with Alyse. He doesn't recognize her at first, but when they meet again, he realizes who she is, and takes her home to ensure her safety. Alyse however is not one to give up, and when she realizes that she requires additional training to protect herself, she approaches him for combat training. As the two spend more time together, they grow closer, and the embers of attraction and desire are fanned. Their lust turns to love, and the passion between these two is intense.
I had a lot of fun reading this book. Alyse is a smart, sweet, strong-willed and steadfast. She doesn't back down, and fiercely stands her ground. Kazimir is the perfect complement to Alyse, and the chemistry between them is sizzling. He is potent, persuasive and powerful. They are both loyal to what matters, and while they are both fighting a greater evil, they recognize that together they can achieve so much more than they can alone.
A few of my favourite lines:
"Your mind is the volume of a summer market and your mouth is as quiet as the grave. Your aura is rife with indecision and scheming."
I. Am. A. Dragon. And I'm going to burn him to cinders.
"I'm breaking," she whispers.
You're not. You will not. I have you. I will always have you. And if you break, I will put every piece back together myself and bind it with my blood magic. I will stitch your broken soul with my love and mend your wounds with my touch. You will live past this, my dragon. You will see your vengence enacted through me.
She sucks until I can't stand another second of her affection without passing into the afterlife.
I highly encourage you to check out the Princesses of Ruin. The next book will likely center on Reina, the youngest princess. I also suspect it will bring all the sisters, and their partners, together. I can't wait! Ruthless Scoundrel: A Fated Mates Forced Proximity Romance (The Princesses of Ruin Book 4) is expected August 2024.
April 23, 2024
A “book dragon” with a social conscience and a sexy archivist take starring roles in the third outing of The Princesses of Ruin series by Ember Holt. Alyse will do anything to protect her people and stop the corruption in Gaien. With time running out before her marriage to the Prince of Wolfsheim, Alyse has very little freedom, but she’ll take every opportunity to escape the castle and “defeat the [evil her] mother has created”. Meanwhile, Kazimir stalks the Underbelly, interrogating collaborators and informants in a relentless quest to exact revenge on the Master. There also be actual dragons, fleetingly.
Unlike the previous novels in the series, body modifications aren’t featured magus abilities, instead both main characters favour manipulation to exert power over their enemies. The more erotic scenes that ensue are a little implausible but I imagine that if blessed with supernatural capabilities most (many) people would investigate the fringe benefits.
On reading the Ember Holt’s introduction/advisory to readers I wasn’t sure whether to proceed, given the reference to imagined and actual abuse, fat shaming, and ill treatment of animals. I persisted, in the knowledge that chapter breaks were in place should the content become too confrontational. I found the real and imagined scenes progressed the story appropriately, however the animal cruelty and the final [torture] scene didn’t add any value for me (as a reader). For this reason, I have downgraded my rating from 4.0 to 3.5 (rounded down to 3).
I found the development of the female character, including the fat shaming, to be cleverly crafted if difficult to read at times. I almost fist-pumped for Kazimir more than once, with his fabulous defence prior to and following confirmation that his affection for Alyse was returned: “She’s not a frail flower one stiff breeze from snapping in half, and that should not earn her this scorn. She’s gorgeous, radiant, the most beautiful woman with a fierce heart and the strongest conviction.”
Kazimir, as the MMC wasn’t as well-rounded for me, leaning on the cliched tall, dark, moody hero archetype (not that I object particularly, Ember presents this extremely well: He looms over me like a grim undertaker. Something about his posture, his lethality, his unyielding power—it’s intoxicating). What I did find particularly interesting was how deftly a disability aid became a both a distinguishing and appealing feature rendering the disfigurement almost inconsequential.
In summary - I enjoyed this novel and will probably read it again. I’ll definitely be following the series through to its conclusion and cheering on what I imagine will be the demise of the evil Queen. I’ve read all three novels in the series now, and found little gems in each - when an experience is captured so intimately I see it reflecting pain or joy from the page:
I shake my head as tears burn my eyes for what feels like the hundredth time tonight. I hold my breath, willing the feelings of worthlessness to run back to the cage I keep them in. But they don’t go. They swarm around me like angry bees, pricking my ego with a thousand stings.
This novel can be read as a standalone, but I'm glad I read the earlier novels in the series first. There is some fun interaction with characters from the previous novels that is probably won’t make quite as much sense without the context, but not a game changer.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Unlike the previous novels in the series, body modifications aren’t featured magus abilities, instead both main characters favour manipulation to exert power over their enemies. The more erotic scenes that ensue are a little implausible but I imagine that if blessed with supernatural capabilities most (many) people would investigate the fringe benefits.
On reading the Ember Holt’s introduction/advisory to readers I wasn’t sure whether to proceed, given the reference to imagined and actual abuse, fat shaming, and ill treatment of animals. I persisted, in the knowledge that chapter breaks were in place should the content become too confrontational. I found the real and imagined scenes progressed the story appropriately, however the animal cruelty and the final [torture] scene didn’t add any value for me (as a reader). For this reason, I have downgraded my rating from 4.0 to 3.5 (rounded down to 3).
I found the development of the female character, including the fat shaming, to be cleverly crafted if difficult to read at times. I almost fist-pumped for Kazimir more than once, with his fabulous defence prior to and following confirmation that his affection for Alyse was returned: “She’s not a frail flower one stiff breeze from snapping in half, and that should not earn her this scorn. She’s gorgeous, radiant, the most beautiful woman with a fierce heart and the strongest conviction.”
Kazimir, as the MMC wasn’t as well-rounded for me, leaning on the cliched tall, dark, moody hero archetype (not that I object particularly, Ember presents this extremely well: He looms over me like a grim undertaker. Something about his posture, his lethality, his unyielding power—it’s intoxicating). What I did find particularly interesting was how deftly a disability aid became a both a distinguishing and appealing feature rendering the disfigurement almost inconsequential.
In summary - I enjoyed this novel and will probably read it again. I’ll definitely be following the series through to its conclusion and cheering on what I imagine will be the demise of the evil Queen. I’ve read all three novels in the series now, and found little gems in each - when an experience is captured so intimately I see it reflecting pain or joy from the page:
I shake my head as tears burn my eyes for what feels like the hundredth time tonight. I hold my breath, willing the feelings of worthlessness to run back to the cage I keep them in. But they don’t go. They swarm around me like angry bees, pricking my ego with a thousand stings.
This novel can be read as a standalone, but I'm glad I read the earlier novels in the series first. There is some fun interaction with characters from the previous novels that is probably won’t make quite as much sense without the context, but not a game changer.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 28, 2024
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice Meter: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Ember Holt has done it again – in her third installment of “The Princesses of Ruin” series, Holt introduces us to Alyse and
Kazmir, a princess and the palaces head archivist. The slow burn between these two sizzles, and when the spice starts,
it’s scorching. Holt has masterfully woven pieces of the previous books in the series as well. This story begins about three quarters of the way through Scarlett’s love affair, and at the very beginning of Lily’s. We also get to see and interact with Holt’s other characters in new ways throughout this book. I was thrilled to see Adrik reappear as Kazmir’s brother! We haven’t seen him interact this way since Brutal Rival. I enjoyed every second of this story!
Tropes:
Arranged Marriage
Touch Her and D/e
Secret Identities
Forbidden Romance
Mentor/Mentee
Check Trigger Warnings
Curvy Heroine
Characters:
Alyse: Already a vigilante, we meet Alyse selling her mother’s secrets all over the city. She sells the secrets, and gives the
gold to the needy, buying them a bed and a bath for the night. Though she is trying to do good, she is an untrained
warrior, and it gets her into trouble. A self-proclaimed “book dragon”, Alyse loves visiting the archive, and looking at the
head archivist. Once trained (in magic and in battle), Alyse is unstoppable.
Kazmir: Looking for the man who sold him into slavery, Kazmir is a man on a mission. He’s done the work, and is now the
head archivist for the Queen. Instantly attracted to Alyse, he maintains a respectful distance…until he can’t. Also a secret
vigilante, Kazmir volunteers to train Alyse with her magic and in fighting, and it becomes harder and harder to stay away.
Some Highlights:
- Holt does a great job weaving the trauma into the narrative. There are warnings aplenty, and most of it takes place in
the minds of the characters, and not in real life. It wasn’t traumatic for me, but it certainly was for the characters.
- There’s a Romeo & Juliet vibe in this story, and it’s perfect. Guaranteed HEA.
- The mirror scene. THE.MIRROR.SCENE. IYKYK.
- Rated this one lower than I have the other two Princesses of Ruin on the spice meter because so much of it takes place
in the mind. Alyse is engaged to be married to a monster, and has a spell on her that means she cannot be touched by
any other man. If she is, it will be revealed and she will be deemed unfit for marriage. Therefore, there isn’t as much “onpage” spice as the previous two books (I mean…Scarlett and Zane had spider spindle s/x hanging from the ceiling!), so it’s a little lower. Don’t get me wrong though – it’s SCORCHING.
- I loved seeing Scarlett/Zane, and Lily/Alastair in this one! I love how the sisters are immediately on board for anything,
and the men just seem to look at each other, shrug, and go along because they know there isn’t anything they can do
about it. Shouldn’t that be how it is in real life?
- Ember Holt can do no wrong. She’s an auto-purchase for me, and always will be. I love her books, and I CANNOT WAIT to purchase the (please!) hardbacks!
Spice Meter: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Ember Holt has done it again – in her third installment of “The Princesses of Ruin” series, Holt introduces us to Alyse and
Kazmir, a princess and the palaces head archivist. The slow burn between these two sizzles, and when the spice starts,
it’s scorching. Holt has masterfully woven pieces of the previous books in the series as well. This story begins about three quarters of the way through Scarlett’s love affair, and at the very beginning of Lily’s. We also get to see and interact with Holt’s other characters in new ways throughout this book. I was thrilled to see Adrik reappear as Kazmir’s brother! We haven’t seen him interact this way since Brutal Rival. I enjoyed every second of this story!
Tropes:
Arranged Marriage
Touch Her and D/e
Secret Identities
Forbidden Romance
Mentor/Mentee
Check Trigger Warnings
Curvy Heroine
Characters:
Alyse: Already a vigilante, we meet Alyse selling her mother’s secrets all over the city. She sells the secrets, and gives the
gold to the needy, buying them a bed and a bath for the night. Though she is trying to do good, she is an untrained
warrior, and it gets her into trouble. A self-proclaimed “book dragon”, Alyse loves visiting the archive, and looking at the
head archivist. Once trained (in magic and in battle), Alyse is unstoppable.
Kazmir: Looking for the man who sold him into slavery, Kazmir is a man on a mission. He’s done the work, and is now the
head archivist for the Queen. Instantly attracted to Alyse, he maintains a respectful distance…until he can’t. Also a secret
vigilante, Kazmir volunteers to train Alyse with her magic and in fighting, and it becomes harder and harder to stay away.
Some Highlights:
- Holt does a great job weaving the trauma into the narrative. There are warnings aplenty, and most of it takes place in
the minds of the characters, and not in real life. It wasn’t traumatic for me, but it certainly was for the characters.
- There’s a Romeo & Juliet vibe in this story, and it’s perfect. Guaranteed HEA.
- The mirror scene. THE.MIRROR.SCENE. IYKYK.
- Rated this one lower than I have the other two Princesses of Ruin on the spice meter because so much of it takes place
in the mind. Alyse is engaged to be married to a monster, and has a spell on her that means she cannot be touched by
any other man. If she is, it will be revealed and she will be deemed unfit for marriage. Therefore, there isn’t as much “onpage” spice as the previous two books (I mean…Scarlett and Zane had spider spindle s/x hanging from the ceiling!), so it’s a little lower. Don’t get me wrong though – it’s SCORCHING.
- I loved seeing Scarlett/Zane, and Lily/Alastair in this one! I love how the sisters are immediately on board for anything,
and the men just seem to look at each other, shrug, and go along because they know there isn’t anything they can do
about it. Shouldn’t that be how it is in real life?
- Ember Holt can do no wrong. She’s an auto-purchase for me, and always will be. I love her books, and I CANNOT WAIT to purchase the (please!) hardbacks!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2024
I was chomping at the bit for 'Dark Artificer' after having read both 'Brutal Rival' and 'Feral Guardian'. Thankfully it was only a matter of days for me from the first book of Princesses of Ruin series until I could read 'Dark Artificer'.
One quick note, I appreciate Ember’s trigger warning at the beginning of the book as well as the very specific warnings at the start of the chapters. I also appreciate the ease of skipping those segments while still being given a non-upsetting summary of the important information.
Alyse and Kazimir’s story of love and support was beautiful. They were able to strengthen each other both emotionally and physically, which also helped Alyse’s powers to grow stronger. Their relationship is one that I think many people would want. It wasn’t easy, bit no real relationship is. It was a partnership in which each person is an equal.
As for the main characters themselves . . .
Alyse:
I loved how much Alyse loved her kingdom and was willing to do anything she could to help those who had very little. She is also intuitive to a level that not many people are capable of reaching and I don’t think it was because of her powers. I also loved that Alyse was willing to lay it all on the line in order to protect not just the people in her kingdom, but those of Wolfsheim too. It would have been so easy to only care about solving her problems, & Ladron was definitely a problem, but she never did that. She’s the kind of person I would want as a friend &/or leader.
Kazimir:
His pain is palpable and it breaks my heart. He has experienced things that no one should have to and I admire that he wants to stop others from having to feel that pain as well. Kazimir’s hunt for the one who has wronged him – emotionally and physically – becomes not only Alyse’s but the reader's too. Is he ruthless in his endeavors? Yes. Are his methods that best way to achieve his end goals? That I will leave for you to decide.
The only negative isn’t really as negative as it is that I will now have to wait to find out Reina’s story as well as how the queen – and her compatriots – are defeated. I really hope that it comes out soon!
One quick note, I appreciate Ember’s trigger warning at the beginning of the book as well as the very specific warnings at the start of the chapters. I also appreciate the ease of skipping those segments while still being given a non-upsetting summary of the important information.
Alyse and Kazimir’s story of love and support was beautiful. They were able to strengthen each other both emotionally and physically, which also helped Alyse’s powers to grow stronger. Their relationship is one that I think many people would want. It wasn’t easy, bit no real relationship is. It was a partnership in which each person is an equal.
As for the main characters themselves . . .
Alyse:
I loved how much Alyse loved her kingdom and was willing to do anything she could to help those who had very little. She is also intuitive to a level that not many people are capable of reaching and I don’t think it was because of her powers. I also loved that Alyse was willing to lay it all on the line in order to protect not just the people in her kingdom, but those of Wolfsheim too. It would have been so easy to only care about solving her problems, & Ladron was definitely a problem, but she never did that. She’s the kind of person I would want as a friend &/or leader.
Kazimir:
His pain is palpable and it breaks my heart. He has experienced things that no one should have to and I admire that he wants to stop others from having to feel that pain as well. Kazimir’s hunt for the one who has wronged him – emotionally and physically – becomes not only Alyse’s but the reader's too. Is he ruthless in his endeavors? Yes. Are his methods that best way to achieve his end goals? That I will leave for you to decide.
The only negative isn’t really as negative as it is that I will now have to wait to find out Reina’s story as well as how the queen – and her compatriots – are defeated. I really hope that it comes out soon!
April 30, 2024
I. Am. Obsessed. With this series.
The world building, magic system, character development, politics and family dynamics, relationships, plot, and overall structure of the story are all sooo good.
These books are 🌶𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲🌶. They are not soft, fluffy, cozy cutesies. They are badass, brutal, crass, fierce, hot 🥵 stories of love, romance, trauma, revenge, and rebellious audacity.
If you have triggers, check the warnings. The author is very honest about this.
Blurb:
𝑯𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆.
𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒖𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒅𝒐𝒎.
Royal secrets trade high on the black market, and being a quiet princess allows Alyse to hear many things in the palace. What she does with those pilfered confidences would have her mother’s head rolling, but Alyse’s altruism is the only bright spot in her bleak existence outside the pages of her fantasy books. Yet that spot is being swallowed up by a depraved shadow that haunts her her wretched fiancé.
Growing up a slave, pain and suffering were the backdrop of Kazimir’s childhood. Even after escaping, that darkness followed him. With his scribe’s training and his relentless determination, he’s made it into the good graces of the royal palace for one to track down every single person involved in enslaving him, and bathe in their blood.
When a fateful night has Kazimir and Alyse crossing blades, they’re set on a cruel path that leads to the destruction of their souls—and their restraint. As Kazimir trains Alyse to become the weapon he needs for his revenge, they’re pulled deeper under each other’s spells. Will Alyse succumb to the darkness and stand beside Kazimir when the heads begin to topple, or will she use her deadly new skills to bring her wicked fiancé to his knees and set the kingdoms on a path to war?
If you like:
🌪Dark Fantasy
🌪Forbidden Romance
🌪Pining and minor angst
🌪Dramione vibes
🌪Mentor/Mentee
🌪Spiiiiiice 🔥
🌪Touch her and 💀
Then you’ll love Dark Artificer. 🖤
I cannot wait for the next book. I’ll read anything Ember Holt writes from now on.
Incredibly grateful to have been on the ARC team for Dark Artificer, because receiving this ARC led me to read all previous books in this series and find a new favorite series to love.
The world building, magic system, character development, politics and family dynamics, relationships, plot, and overall structure of the story are all sooo good.
These books are 🌶𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲🌶. They are not soft, fluffy, cozy cutesies. They are badass, brutal, crass, fierce, hot 🥵 stories of love, romance, trauma, revenge, and rebellious audacity.
If you have triggers, check the warnings. The author is very honest about this.
Blurb:
𝑯𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆.
𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒖𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒅𝒐𝒎.
Royal secrets trade high on the black market, and being a quiet princess allows Alyse to hear many things in the palace. What she does with those pilfered confidences would have her mother’s head rolling, but Alyse’s altruism is the only bright spot in her bleak existence outside the pages of her fantasy books. Yet that spot is being swallowed up by a depraved shadow that haunts her her wretched fiancé.
Growing up a slave, pain and suffering were the backdrop of Kazimir’s childhood. Even after escaping, that darkness followed him. With his scribe’s training and his relentless determination, he’s made it into the good graces of the royal palace for one to track down every single person involved in enslaving him, and bathe in their blood.
When a fateful night has Kazimir and Alyse crossing blades, they’re set on a cruel path that leads to the destruction of their souls—and their restraint. As Kazimir trains Alyse to become the weapon he needs for his revenge, they’re pulled deeper under each other’s spells. Will Alyse succumb to the darkness and stand beside Kazimir when the heads begin to topple, or will she use her deadly new skills to bring her wicked fiancé to his knees and set the kingdoms on a path to war?
If you like:
🌪Dark Fantasy
🌪Forbidden Romance
🌪Pining and minor angst
🌪Dramione vibes
🌪Mentor/Mentee
🌪Spiiiiiice 🔥
🌪Touch her and 💀
Then you’ll love Dark Artificer. 🖤
I cannot wait for the next book. I’ll read anything Ember Holt writes from now on.
Incredibly grateful to have been on the ARC team for Dark Artificer, because receiving this ARC led me to read all previous books in this series and find a new favorite series to love.
April 24, 2024
✨ Dark Artificer By Ember Holt ✨
"I'm breaking," she whispers. "You're not. You will not. I have you. I will always have you. And if you break, I will put every piece back together myself and bind it with my blood and magic. I will stitch your broken soul with my love and mend your wounds with my touch. You will live past this, my dragon. You will see your vengeance enacted through me."
Ember continues to amaze me with her stories. This series is particular is probably my favorite one. She gives you some good banter between the characters. Fantastic plot and the spice in the stories is just chef kiss!
I'm super excited to see where she's going with the storyline and while I'm excited to see how it's gonna end, at the same time I also don't want it to end.
Alyse is super strong while at the same time staying levelheaded. The connection between her and Kazimir was just off the freaking charts. Ember definitely has me hooked.
This series is gonna be one of those stories that I will be re-reading. One of the things that I enjoyed as well was that the timeline overlapped between Brutal Rival and Feral Guardian so we got a different view from the events happening.
If you love
💫 Forbidden Romance
💫 Mentor / Mentee
💫 Dark Fantasy
💫 Touch Her and 💀
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Stand Alone or Series: The Princesses Of Ruin
TWs: It's Ember we're talking about. Best believe there are gonna be some warnings in there. Here is just a few. There are imagined scenes that take place only in the minds of the characters. Those contain: Graphic violence against animals, explicit sexual assault, graphic torture, and mutilation. The real scenes contain: Physical abuse of the FMC (not perpetrated by the MMC), mental abuse and fat shaming of the FMC (not by the MMC), graphic violence, on screen murder, drug and alcohol use.
💋naj_ana_reads💋
Mood Reader
TikTok l Instagram l Goodreads l Amazon l Audible Reviews
"I'm breaking," she whispers. "You're not. You will not. I have you. I will always have you. And if you break, I will put every piece back together myself and bind it with my blood and magic. I will stitch your broken soul with my love and mend your wounds with my touch. You will live past this, my dragon. You will see your vengeance enacted through me."
Ember continues to amaze me with her stories. This series is particular is probably my favorite one. She gives you some good banter between the characters. Fantastic plot and the spice in the stories is just chef kiss!
I'm super excited to see where she's going with the storyline and while I'm excited to see how it's gonna end, at the same time I also don't want it to end.
Alyse is super strong while at the same time staying levelheaded. The connection between her and Kazimir was just off the freaking charts. Ember definitely has me hooked.
This series is gonna be one of those stories that I will be re-reading. One of the things that I enjoyed as well was that the timeline overlapped between Brutal Rival and Feral Guardian so we got a different view from the events happening.
If you love
💫 Forbidden Romance
💫 Mentor / Mentee
💫 Dark Fantasy
💫 Touch Her and 💀
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Stand Alone or Series: The Princesses Of Ruin
TWs: It's Ember we're talking about. Best believe there are gonna be some warnings in there. Here is just a few. There are imagined scenes that take place only in the minds of the characters. Those contain: Graphic violence against animals, explicit sexual assault, graphic torture, and mutilation. The real scenes contain: Physical abuse of the FMC (not perpetrated by the MMC), mental abuse and fat shaming of the FMC (not by the MMC), graphic violence, on screen murder, drug and alcohol use.
💋naj_ana_reads💋
Mood Reader
TikTok l Instagram l Goodreads l Amazon l Audible Reviews
April 29, 2024
I had the absolute honor of being an ARC reader for book two in this brilliantly written series. So, when the opportunity arose to read this sure to be amazing story, I jumped on it and am so glad that I did!
Dark Artificer is book three in the Princesses of Ruin series. It follows the third princess, Alyse, and the Head Archivist of her kingdom, Kazimir. Now, looking at those two descriptions, you wouldn't think this book would be action packed. Alyse likes to read books. Kazimir is in charge of all the books. Seems like an adorable step towards a cozy little meet cute, right? Yeah, I thought so too. For the first time, in a long time, I was more happy to be wrong.
Now, I'm not going to give up too much, because what fun would that be? Let's just say that this book is DARK. It is full of all sorts of trigger warnings, and some of the scenes are ROUGH. Did that turn me off of this book? Heck no! I absolutely DEVOURED every page of this book! It took me ten hours to read and I wish I could go back and do it all over again. Ember took me on a SERIOUS roller coaster that brought in scenes from books one and two, a rather impressive feat that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Not only did this book have that twisted thrill I enjoy in books, it also has some very entertaining moments between the characters. You rally behind Alyse with all she's gone through, laugh at some of the parts where Kazimir faces off with others, and may even shed a tear or two over the ending. I know I did anyway. :D
In conclusion, Dark Artificer is definitely one of my top reads of the year. Ember had me falling in love with these two from the first chapter, and had me hissing at the villains she put down on the page. I am going to be impatiently waiting for the next book to be released so I can dive back in to this fascinating, enticing, and brilliantly written world full of strong women and the protective men that love them. Thank you SO much Ember for including me on this journey of yours, I can't wait to see what happens next!
Dark Artificer is book three in the Princesses of Ruin series. It follows the third princess, Alyse, and the Head Archivist of her kingdom, Kazimir. Now, looking at those two descriptions, you wouldn't think this book would be action packed. Alyse likes to read books. Kazimir is in charge of all the books. Seems like an adorable step towards a cozy little meet cute, right? Yeah, I thought so too. For the first time, in a long time, I was more happy to be wrong.
Now, I'm not going to give up too much, because what fun would that be? Let's just say that this book is DARK. It is full of all sorts of trigger warnings, and some of the scenes are ROUGH. Did that turn me off of this book? Heck no! I absolutely DEVOURED every page of this book! It took me ten hours to read and I wish I could go back and do it all over again. Ember took me on a SERIOUS roller coaster that brought in scenes from books one and two, a rather impressive feat that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Not only did this book have that twisted thrill I enjoy in books, it also has some very entertaining moments between the characters. You rally behind Alyse with all she's gone through, laugh at some of the parts where Kazimir faces off with others, and may even shed a tear or two over the ending. I know I did anyway. :D
In conclusion, Dark Artificer is definitely one of my top reads of the year. Ember had me falling in love with these two from the first chapter, and had me hissing at the villains she put down on the page. I am going to be impatiently waiting for the next book to be released so I can dive back in to this fascinating, enticing, and brilliantly written world full of strong women and the protective men that love them. Thank you SO much Ember for including me on this journey of yours, I can't wait to see what happens next!
May 2, 2024
My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks, BookSirens.
Reading Order: This is the third in an interconnected standalone. Characters from the first book make an appearance and are referenced. You could pick up here, but I would read the first two first.
General Thoughts: Note: this is darker than her other books in the series. Check your triggers. Though less dark than I expected it to be based on her warnings.
This is the third book in this interconnected series that has been building up to this next book since book 1, so I can't wait to see what happens next.
But back to this book: I went in with decently high expectations because I have enjoyed the prior two. I am not sure which has been my favorite because each is so different. Each sister's story, journey, and adventure has been very personalized to their personality. More than many other authors, Ember has done a great job of individualizing each story. I really liked Alyse and Kazimir separately and together. This was paced well and well-written, and I enjoyed the story.
Ember isn't the strongest in world-building, and you'd be a bit lost if you jumped in with this book about the world. But that's okay with me. She's focusing more on the sisters, their journey, and their relationships. There were a few parts that had me a bit confused, but on the whole this was a very enjoyable read, and I'm so happy I read it.
Spice Meter: ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 Spicy and graphic.
Romantic Tropes
-dark romance
-fantasy/romantasy
-series
-interconnected standalone
-romance
-magic
-hidden identities
You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks, BookSirens.
Reading Order: This is the third in an interconnected standalone. Characters from the first book make an appearance and are referenced. You could pick up here, but I would read the first two first.
General Thoughts: Note: this is darker than her other books in the series. Check your triggers. Though less dark than I expected it to be based on her warnings.
This is the third book in this interconnected series that has been building up to this next book since book 1, so I can't wait to see what happens next.
But back to this book: I went in with decently high expectations because I have enjoyed the prior two. I am not sure which has been my favorite because each is so different. Each sister's story, journey, and adventure has been very personalized to their personality. More than many other authors, Ember has done a great job of individualizing each story. I really liked Alyse and Kazimir separately and together. This was paced well and well-written, and I enjoyed the story.
Ember isn't the strongest in world-building, and you'd be a bit lost if you jumped in with this book about the world. But that's okay with me. She's focusing more on the sisters, their journey, and their relationships. There were a few parts that had me a bit confused, but on the whole this was a very enjoyable read, and I'm so happy I read it.
Spice Meter: ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 Spicy and graphic.
Romantic Tropes
-dark romance
-fantasy/romantasy
-series
-interconnected standalone
-romance
-magic
-hidden identities
You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.
April 30, 2024
A huge thank you goes to Ember Holt for letting me read an e-ARC of Dark Artificer, book three in The Princesses of Ruin series! Truthfully this is actually my favourite read of the dark fantasy series so far, but I promise I’ll try really hard not to spoil anything in this review...
Princess Alyse has never had a problem discovering secrets, which helps her give back to those suffering under her mother’s rule. But her quiet yet determined resistance is soon smothered, when her fiancé from a neighbouring kingdom arrives… Desperate to get away from Ladron’s suffocating evil, Alyse forges a friendship with the scribe Kazimir, little knowing he’s hiding a dark secret of his own. As Alyse & Kazimir grow ever closer, is it possible their end goal is the same? Can either of them bring down this corrupt kingdom & those who revel in it? Or will Alyse meet her end in this darkening world?
When I tell you Dark Artificer is a dark fantasy? I mean it is *dark*… As in, please check the trigger warnings for this one. But it still needs to be a happiness boost, because in Ember’s terribly vicious world? I know we’re eventually going to find the light! I love how this amazing author can take us to the very worst of places, yet still never lose sight of the flickering hope which is trying to become a bonfire. Was I disturbed by some events? I’m not going to lie, they weren’t pretty. But I was forewarned & seriously, Ember grabs your heart & doesn’t let go. How can that be anything but a good thing?!
*** You definitely need to read the FULL review of this beauty on my blog here: https://www.immersedinbooks.com/dark-... ***
Princess Alyse has never had a problem discovering secrets, which helps her give back to those suffering under her mother’s rule. But her quiet yet determined resistance is soon smothered, when her fiancé from a neighbouring kingdom arrives… Desperate to get away from Ladron’s suffocating evil, Alyse forges a friendship with the scribe Kazimir, little knowing he’s hiding a dark secret of his own. As Alyse & Kazimir grow ever closer, is it possible their end goal is the same? Can either of them bring down this corrupt kingdom & those who revel in it? Or will Alyse meet her end in this darkening world?
When I tell you Dark Artificer is a dark fantasy? I mean it is *dark*… As in, please check the trigger warnings for this one. But it still needs to be a happiness boost, because in Ember’s terribly vicious world? I know we’re eventually going to find the light! I love how this amazing author can take us to the very worst of places, yet still never lose sight of the flickering hope which is trying to become a bonfire. Was I disturbed by some events? I’m not going to lie, they weren’t pretty. But I was forewarned & seriously, Ember grabs your heart & doesn’t let go. How can that be anything but a good thing?!
*** You definitely need to read the FULL review of this beauty on my blog here: https://www.immersedinbooks.com/dark-... ***
May 5, 2024
I got this book as an ARC on TikTok! I feel like this book could possibly be a 5 star read for me if I had read either of the previous books but due to starting on this book I may be missing some details on the story.
I ADORED the connection between the two characters! The tension made me unable to put the book down! I just needed to know what happened next! I loved the way their characters continued to build throughout the story and their connection continued to grow stronger and more addicting!
I appreciated the way the author gave plenty of warnings regarding any dark themes in the chapters, such as where the dark themes start and end. Also, giving a summary underneath so you didn't miss any of the story.
The main characters both developed individually as well throughout the story. I enjoyed reading how the female character became so strong mentally and physically with her powers. She started as a brave lady helping her people but grew into this extremely powerful woman. I also appreciate how she isn't the typical body type as its mentioned plenty throughout that she needs to stop eating so much.
The male character was just....HOT! The lengths he went to in order to be with the female character was brilliant! The inventions and ideas he came up with that didn't include skin to skin contact were genius! The spice was written so so well!!
The plot moved constantly throughout the book so it was fast paced and fun to read. I now want to go and read the first two to hopefully fill in some details for me and get more into the other characters who were introduced in this story.
I ADORED the connection between the two characters! The tension made me unable to put the book down! I just needed to know what happened next! I loved the way their characters continued to build throughout the story and their connection continued to grow stronger and more addicting!
I appreciated the way the author gave plenty of warnings regarding any dark themes in the chapters, such as where the dark themes start and end. Also, giving a summary underneath so you didn't miss any of the story.
The main characters both developed individually as well throughout the story. I enjoyed reading how the female character became so strong mentally and physically with her powers. She started as a brave lady helping her people but grew into this extremely powerful woman. I also appreciate how she isn't the typical body type as its mentioned plenty throughout that she needs to stop eating so much.
The male character was just....HOT! The lengths he went to in order to be with the female character was brilliant! The inventions and ideas he came up with that didn't include skin to skin contact were genius! The spice was written so so well!!
The plot moved constantly throughout the book so it was fast paced and fun to read. I now want to go and read the first two to hopefully fill in some details for me and get more into the other characters who were introduced in this story.
March 22, 2024
spoilers ahead
it's been a long time - a couple of years, maybe - since i have opened a book and read it without pause. but here, i had no choice - the story was simply too phenomenal to not finish.
kaz&alyse's conversations from the get-go were my favorite part of the book. (don't get me wrong, the 🌶️ was excellent, but i'm a sucker for a conversation i can practically hear.) their relationship and chemistry was so prevalent, it practically leapt into reality in my bedroom. i'm also a SUCKER for dragons - and holy wow did this book deliver!! i would genuinely read holt's notes on the dragons as a stand-alone for this series. i also appreciated kaz's willingness to serve alyse; often, i feel like [fmc] has to coerce [mmc] into meeting them midway (regarding protection, training, etc.), but kaz - despite his original reluctance - bows to alyse and then serves her tenfold!! god, i love to see a strong fmc backed by her scary-dog-privilege mmc.
i would have enjoyed seeing more of the forbidden touching (as a masochist & touch-love-language girlie) between kaz and alyse, as holt wrote it in the most tantalizing way, but i also wonder if it might have taken from the story at all. i also would have loved to see more of kaz's darker side - i just know that man would ruin the world for alyse. the scene with le frog was thrilling, and the gore was so good, but kaz can do so much worse, i'm sure.
this read is an easy 4.5/4.75 for me. thank you, ms. ember holt, for allowing me the early access to your fantastic work. i cannot wait to read more from you!
it's been a long time - a couple of years, maybe - since i have opened a book and read it without pause. but here, i had no choice - the story was simply too phenomenal to not finish.
kaz&alyse's conversations from the get-go were my favorite part of the book. (don't get me wrong, the 🌶️ was excellent, but i'm a sucker for a conversation i can practically hear.) their relationship and chemistry was so prevalent, it practically leapt into reality in my bedroom. i'm also a SUCKER for dragons - and holy wow did this book deliver!! i would genuinely read holt's notes on the dragons as a stand-alone for this series. i also appreciated kaz's willingness to serve alyse; often, i feel like [fmc] has to coerce [mmc] into meeting them midway (regarding protection, training, etc.), but kaz - despite his original reluctance - bows to alyse and then serves her tenfold!! god, i love to see a strong fmc backed by her scary-dog-privilege mmc.
i would have enjoyed seeing more of the forbidden touching (as a masochist & touch-love-language girlie) between kaz and alyse, as holt wrote it in the most tantalizing way, but i also wonder if it might have taken from the story at all. i also would have loved to see more of kaz's darker side - i just know that man would ruin the world for alyse. the scene with le frog was thrilling, and the gore was so good, but kaz can do so much worse, i'm sure.
this read is an easy 4.5/4.75 for me. thank you, ms. ember holt, for allowing me the early access to your fantastic work. i cannot wait to read more from you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2024
‘The Princesses of Ruin’ series by Ember Holt, has been an obsession of mine since last year, and ‘Dark Artificer’ is a fantastic new addition to the series!
Anwers from questions left in Brutal Rival and Feral Guardian, are starting to come into focus. I’m DYING to get to the bottom of the rest.
Alyse and Kaz hate that the deeper and deeper into forbidden love they fall, the more they can’t be together
The return of some previous beloved characters made me SQUEAL.
The spice was SPICY and I thoroughly enjoyed all the steamy scenes - they can’t touch each other so just use your imagination HAHA so there were creativity involved with how to use ordinary objects for toys.
I can’t tell you how much my inner got screamed at the graveyard scene. Someone turn me into a book character to experience it.
Ember Holt has provided an extensive list at the beginning of the book. Ember also provided line breaks with warnings before the more graphic and triggering sections so you can skip them if you would like (Ember also summarizes what you missed, minus the graphic detail, after each break so the triggering areas are entirely skippable). PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT AND UTILIZE THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. DARK ARTIFICER IS A HECK OF A LOT DARKER THAN BRUTAL RIVAL AND FERAL GUARDIAN.
It’s dark, grim & gruesome, all while weaving together revenge and forbidden passion. It’s about what sacrifices someone will make to achieve their goals.
5/5 will read again.
Anwers from questions left in Brutal Rival and Feral Guardian, are starting to come into focus. I’m DYING to get to the bottom of the rest.
Alyse and Kaz hate that the deeper and deeper into forbidden love they fall, the more they can’t be together
The return of some previous beloved characters made me SQUEAL.
The spice was SPICY and I thoroughly enjoyed all the steamy scenes - they can’t touch each other so just use your imagination HAHA so there were creativity involved with how to use ordinary objects for toys.
I can’t tell you how much my inner got screamed at the graveyard scene. Someone turn me into a book character to experience it.
Ember Holt has provided an extensive list at the beginning of the book. Ember also provided line breaks with warnings before the more graphic and triggering sections so you can skip them if you would like (Ember also summarizes what you missed, minus the graphic detail, after each break so the triggering areas are entirely skippable). PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT AND UTILIZE THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. DARK ARTIFICER IS A HECK OF A LOT DARKER THAN BRUTAL RIVAL AND FERAL GUARDIAN.
It’s dark, grim & gruesome, all while weaving together revenge and forbidden passion. It’s about what sacrifices someone will make to achieve their goals.
5/5 will read again.
April 30, 2024
tropes:
▸forbidden love
▸hidden identities
▸touch her and d1e
▸magic✨
▸multiple POV
▸interconnected standalone
This book sucked me in from the very beginning. monsters with snake-like hands, main characters with their own hidden identities, the violence and the romance along filled with magic, it was great! and I absolutely love the dual POV. this story centers around Alyse, the third princess and Kazimir, the palace head archivist who fight for their dear life and people around them from the evil queen who practiced the black magic for power. their chemistry is sizzling, I love the mutual pining and the slow burn tension between them, and when the spice starts, it’s scorching, even when they couldn't touch each other. I wish I could see more tension but that's okay, in standalone books almost all the plot goes very fast.
I read this book as a standalone, without having read any of the previous books which was readable, but I recommend reading the series in order, because there are several parts that seem to be more in depth and understandable the overall story and the worldbuilding if we read the previous books.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 30, 2024
Every single book I start, I think I can’t love the characters more than the last book. Then boom! Ember does it again and I find myself freaking out even more than I did before.
***spoilers ahead***
The way we first meet Alyse, doing what she can to help her people as much as she’s able, made me instantly love her. And the connection she first feels with Kazimir just hits in the best way.
I really loved how their relationship developed throughout this while also learning that their feelings go back so much farther. It’s an “it was always you” that just makes me kick my feet.
Another huge plus for me was that you get to see Alyse embrace the darker parts of her and how much power she truly has, while also staying true to herself and the goals she has of making things change for the better.
I also love the fact that her fiancé actually sucks. I’ve read so many books where the other half of an arranged marriage is supposed to be a bad person but they’re just… not. Not in this case! I had zero problems with hating him and was so satisfied with what he got.
The world building also continues to astound me. I’m able to fully picture the things that are happening in this fantasy world in a way that makes me so happy.
The way this series is evolving and how deep the plot has gotten with events unfolding has me so impatiently waiting for the next one.
Absolutely well done to Ember and I hope everyone loves it just as much as I did.
***spoilers ahead***
The way we first meet Alyse, doing what she can to help her people as much as she’s able, made me instantly love her. And the connection she first feels with Kazimir just hits in the best way.
I really loved how their relationship developed throughout this while also learning that their feelings go back so much farther. It’s an “it was always you” that just makes me kick my feet.
Another huge plus for me was that you get to see Alyse embrace the darker parts of her and how much power she truly has, while also staying true to herself and the goals she has of making things change for the better.
I also love the fact that her fiancé actually sucks. I’ve read so many books where the other half of an arranged marriage is supposed to be a bad person but they’re just… not. Not in this case! I had zero problems with hating him and was so satisfied with what he got.
The world building also continues to astound me. I’m able to fully picture the things that are happening in this fantasy world in a way that makes me so happy.
The way this series is evolving and how deep the plot has gotten with events unfolding has me so impatiently waiting for the next one.
Absolutely well done to Ember and I hope everyone loves it just as much as I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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