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Black Ruins Rise
Continue the journey with Book Two of the Blue Shadows Trilogy by the award-winning author, Lenore Stutznegger.
Sight. Blue Haven has been blinded and bruised but will not rest until her twin is safe from the clutches of a murderous prince from a savage kingdom. Borrowing the sight of a Shadow Elfling, she embarks on a journey far from the safe walls of her village with an enemy by her side.
Smell. Kaleo Bannon has been infected by a Shadow Elf’s bite. Can he maintain his humanity through his transformation or will the disease devour him as he seeks to rescue the girl he loves?
Cunning. Mason is more determined than ever to take what is his, even if it means dragging an unwilling prisoner across the great wildlands of an apocalyptic waste. But charming Blue would be so much easier.
As the journey through the untamed wilderness unfolds, Blue and Kaleo each slip deeper into their forbidden gifts and farther from their humanity. Each must make heartbreaking sacrifices to save their village–and only they can face this hostile new world.
Sight. Blue Haven has been blinded and bruised but will not rest until her twin is safe from the clutches of a murderous prince from a savage kingdom. Borrowing the sight of a Shadow Elfling, she embarks on a journey far from the safe walls of her village with an enemy by her side.
Smell. Kaleo Bannon has been infected by a Shadow Elf’s bite. Can he maintain his humanity through his transformation or will the disease devour him as he seeks to rescue the girl he loves?
Cunning. Mason is more determined than ever to take what is his, even if it means dragging an unwilling prisoner across the great wildlands of an apocalyptic waste. But charming Blue would be so much easier.
As the journey through the untamed wilderness unfolds, Blue and Kaleo each slip deeper into their forbidden gifts and farther from their humanity. Each must make heartbreaking sacrifices to save their village–and only they can face this hostile new world.
- GenresBook Club
Paperback
Published October 22, 2024
About the author
Lenore Stutznegger
9 books87 followersLenore grew up running barefoot in the woods of Virginia with a dog at her side, five crazy siblings, and creative parents. She learned from a young age to hone her talents in art, trust in her voice, and compete for the most marshmallows in “Lucky Charms”. She graduated from Brigham Young University in Visual Art, married the love of her life, and now resides in Northern California with her handyman husband, four spirited children, a golden retriever, two cats, and backyard chickens in a new kind of crazy paradise. Lenore loves all things fantastical. Supernatural and humor play equal parts in everything she writes. She is an avid baker and Christmas bakes are her favorite of all.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 23, 2024
I am speechless! I was hooked once again. There were so many twists and turns! I was laughing out loud, I was ready to punch some people, i was gasping! This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The way it flips from POV to POV just keeps you gripped wanting to know more! And I do want to know more!!!!
July 9, 2024
I loooovvved this book!!! It’s very atmospheric and is a colorful world brimming with dark monsters! I’m OBSESSED and was legitimately surprised and pleased with how some of the elements came through in the book. I love and feel attached to the characters. I really care about what happens to them and find myself loling and sighing and having real feels for these beautiful characters!! Lenore has a real gift and genius for building these worlds and the people in her head and gorgeously and skillfully crafting it for us to thoroughly enjoy!!!
June 8, 2024
Noooooo!!! It’s ended too soon!!! If this series doesn’t get turned Into a movie, the world will have lost out on an epic adventure. I loved every page and plot twist. The vivid imagery leaps off the page and paints a moving picture in your mind as you read. Hold on folks, you’re in for a wild ride!
September 14, 2024
This second installment to Lenore’s I Am Legend with a fantasy twist series was fantastic, start to finish.
I love all the twists and turns and it is so well written once I got going it was hard to put down!
Highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys books with a dystopian future, high stakes, life changing events, and hints of fantasy!
I love all the twists and turns and it is so well written once I got going it was hard to put down!
Highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys books with a dystopian future, high stakes, life changing events, and hints of fantasy!
July 6, 2024
Full of action and emotions this sequel was great! The changing POVs added nuances to the characters and depth to their surroundings! Blue is one of my favorite FMCs so this was great to see her again!
October 29, 2024
An atmospheric dystopian
I love this author's writing style, and I feel like she gets better with each of her books. If you haven't read anything by her, be sure to start with Blue Shadows Fall, and then dive into Black Ruins Rise so you can enjoy the new world she's created.
I love this author's writing style, and I feel like she gets better with each of her books. If you haven't read anything by her, be sure to start with Blue Shadows Fall, and then dive into Black Ruins Rise so you can enjoy the new world she's created.
October 23, 2024
Dreamy Fantasy Adventure
Black Ruins Rise is a perfect sequel. The story pulls you into an adventurous world, where it can be hard to tell who’s good or evil. Dreamy and vivid, you’ll love it.
Black Ruins Rise is a perfect sequel. The story pulls you into an adventurous world, where it can be hard to tell who’s good or evil. Dreamy and vivid, you’ll love it.
March 22, 2026
Black Ruins Rise by Lenore Stutznegger is a powerful continuation of the Blue Shadows Trilogy that deepens the world, raises the stakes, and pushes its characters to their breaking points. Picking up after the events of the first installment, the novel follows Blue Haven, a woman whose village has been blinded and bruised but who refuses to rest until her twin is safe from the clutches of a murderous prince from a savage kingdom.
Stutznegger demonstrates a masterful command of atmosphere and tension. The journey across untamed wilderness is rendered with vivid detail, every step carrying the weight of danger and desperation. Blue, forced to borrow the sight of a Shadow Elfling and travel with an enemy by her side, is a protagonist defined by her determination and her willingness to sacrifice. Her arc in this installment explores the cost of power and the line between embracing strength and losing oneself.
Parallel to Blue's journey is the story of Kaleo Bannon, infected by a Shadow Elf's bite and struggling to maintain his humanity as the disease threatens to devour him. His transformation, both physical and psychological, is handled with care and horror. The question of whether he can hold onto himself long enough to rescue the woman he loves provides a constant undercurrent of tension that runs throughout the novel.
The antagonist Mason emerges as a more formidable presence in this installment. His determination to claim what he believes is his, dragging an unwilling prisoner across the great wildlands of an apocalyptic waste, adds another layer of threat. The dynamic between Mason and Blue is charged with danger and a dark charm that makes him a compelling villain.
What sets Black Ruins Rise apart is its willingness to embrace the darkness of its premise while never losing sight of the emotional core. Blue and Kaleo each slip deeper into their forbidden gifts and farther from their humanity, and the novel does not flinch from the consequences. The sacrifices required of them are heartbreaking and the cost of saving their village may be more than they can bear.
The world building continues to impress. The apocalyptic waste feels ancient and hostile, filled with dangers both natural and supernatural. The lore of the Shadow Elves and the history of the conflict between kingdoms is expanded in ways that enrich the narrative without slowing the momentum.
For readers who enjoy dark fantasy, complex character journeys, and stories that explore the price of power and the bonds that hold us together, Black Ruins Rise is an excellent choice. It is the kind of work that deserves a much wider readership and with the right exposure it will find the audience it truly deserves.
Stutznegger demonstrates a masterful command of atmosphere and tension. The journey across untamed wilderness is rendered with vivid detail, every step carrying the weight of danger and desperation. Blue, forced to borrow the sight of a Shadow Elfling and travel with an enemy by her side, is a protagonist defined by her determination and her willingness to sacrifice. Her arc in this installment explores the cost of power and the line between embracing strength and losing oneself.
Parallel to Blue's journey is the story of Kaleo Bannon, infected by a Shadow Elf's bite and struggling to maintain his humanity as the disease threatens to devour him. His transformation, both physical and psychological, is handled with care and horror. The question of whether he can hold onto himself long enough to rescue the woman he loves provides a constant undercurrent of tension that runs throughout the novel.
The antagonist Mason emerges as a more formidable presence in this installment. His determination to claim what he believes is his, dragging an unwilling prisoner across the great wildlands of an apocalyptic waste, adds another layer of threat. The dynamic between Mason and Blue is charged with danger and a dark charm that makes him a compelling villain.
What sets Black Ruins Rise apart is its willingness to embrace the darkness of its premise while never losing sight of the emotional core. Blue and Kaleo each slip deeper into their forbidden gifts and farther from their humanity, and the novel does not flinch from the consequences. The sacrifices required of them are heartbreaking and the cost of saving their village may be more than they can bear.
The world building continues to impress. The apocalyptic waste feels ancient and hostile, filled with dangers both natural and supernatural. The lore of the Shadow Elves and the history of the conflict between kingdoms is expanded in ways that enrich the narrative without slowing the momentum.
For readers who enjoy dark fantasy, complex character journeys, and stories that explore the price of power and the bonds that hold us together, Black Ruins Rise is an excellent choice. It is the kind of work that deserves a much wider readership and with the right exposure it will find the audience it truly deserves.
May 26, 2024
Lenore Stutznegger did it again! Her strong characters and original fantasy world are captivating. Her description of this world makes it feel familiar and the characters feel like friends. Reading this book cover to cover — I too was on this journey and adventure with Blue and Kaleo. I didn’t want it to end!
Read
July 2, 2024I dnf’ed at page 349.
Compared to the first book… I struggled with this one.
The plot didn’t really catch me which was the first issues. I also don’t really remember the first book.
I did also find all of the characters to just be… flat. And kind of juvenile.
Compared to the first book… I struggled with this one.
The plot didn’t really catch me which was the first issues. I also don’t really remember the first book.
I did also find all of the characters to just be… flat. And kind of juvenile.
Want to Read
August 2, 2024November 2024 Book Club Selection
October 22, 2024
Continue the Journey with Blue and Kaleo and the mysterious Mason! The advanced copies are to in the world and I hope you enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews