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Gilded Descent: Gilded Ruins series
Rejected, deadly, broken. And that’s just my love life.
My name is Merrick and within the Weywyrd community, I’m loathed and reviled, all because of a prophesy that foresaw that the infamous half-breed would end the world. Ha! I think they give me too much credit.
The so-called prophesy inspired my betrothed to reject me and my vampire mentor to seduce me, even at the expense of my blood’s lethal toxicity.
And that’s if the Council doesn’t destroy us all first, because for the first time in centuries, we’ve all been exposed, and now every supernatural creature in existence is fighting for their very survival.
Friends turn on each other, and the only two men who have ever cared for me are about to find out that the love of a hybrid can be soul-destroying. And I’m about to learn that not everyone can be trusted, least of all my own mother who’s been keeping dangerous secrets of her own.
Immerse yourself within the dark fantasy world of the Gilded Ruins series, where the adventure is dark and deadly and the romance both thrilling and heartbreaking. Follow Merrick on a journey of self-discovery, forbidden love, and her unwavering need to survive.
My name is Merrick and within the Weywyrd community, I’m loathed and reviled, all because of a prophesy that foresaw that the infamous half-breed would end the world. Ha! I think they give me too much credit.
The so-called prophesy inspired my betrothed to reject me and my vampire mentor to seduce me, even at the expense of my blood’s lethal toxicity.
And that’s if the Council doesn’t destroy us all first, because for the first time in centuries, we’ve all been exposed, and now every supernatural creature in existence is fighting for their very survival.
Friends turn on each other, and the only two men who have ever cared for me are about to find out that the love of a hybrid can be soul-destroying. And I’m about to learn that not everyone can be trusted, least of all my own mother who’s been keeping dangerous secrets of her own.
Immerse yourself within the dark fantasy world of the Gilded Ruins series, where the adventure is dark and deadly and the romance both thrilling and heartbreaking. Follow Merrick on a journey of self-discovery, forbidden love, and her unwavering need to survive.
- GenresVampires
428 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2024
18 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Blake Ironmore
9 books18 followersBlake Ironmore was born and raised in Hull, in the East Riding of Yorkshire where she became fascinated with Criminology and creative writing. Her Criminology with Law degree inspired the antagonists of her debut novel The Reckoning: An Eden Rites novel. If she isn’t sitting at the dining room table surrounded by a chaos of organized books and detailed notes, she and her husband are busy chasing down their twin girls, who have an infinity for climbing and general mischief.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 22, 2024
Thank you for providing an ARC of this book.
I've read the authors work previously so some of the tropes others have expressed shock at came as no surprise to me.
I enjoyed the book and the plot lines explored within, there is an awful lot going on, between character development and world building. However, I look forward to reading the next installation.
I've read the authors work previously so some of the tropes others have expressed shock at came as no surprise to me.
I enjoyed the book and the plot lines explored within, there is an awful lot going on, between character development and world building. However, I look forward to reading the next installation.
November 9, 2024
Overall: 3.75⭐️/5; Spice 2🌶️/5
I had to sit with this book for a few days before writing this review. It is a dark urban fantasy, but I would hesitate to label it as a romance (even though there are multiple love interests, and the spicy scenes start in chapter one). The writing style is excellent, and the way that the author writes her action scenes creates a vivid, gruesome mental landscape for the reader. It is so well done, that I genuinely had a hard time deciding if I liked the *actual story* or just the writing style…
Merrick, the FMC, is a hybrid - half vampire, half witch, and prophesied to bring about the end of the current age of civilization, and harken in a new one (apparently there have been 5 previous hybrids that all lead to similar cataclysms in their world). The burden of this, of feeling rejected by her mother’s Covenant, and hiding her witch nature from the Vampire nest she spends the rest of her time with, has left Merrick in a very dark place mentally and emotionally. She is NOT a healthy character. And as the conflict of the story begins - with the backlash of the humans learning about the existence of non-human species - the subsequent fear and violence only leads Merrick down an even darker path.
She is probably one of the most depressing characters I have ever read - and the universe is CONSTANTLY hitting her with punches below the belt. Her love interests are all terrible - one of them going insane (there is an attempted SA), one of them dies a traumatic death, and the third is a stalker with unclear motives (and seriously, he just kind of pops up from time to time with NO context). The romance aspects of the book are really just devices with which to torture Merrick mentally and emotionally - I honestly could have done without them, and I think the book would have been better for it.
I did feel like while the world building was really interesting - the way the supernatural beings had been hiding among the humans, the culture and traditions of the different supe groups, the class distinctions between those born or made… and the way that Merrick herself was basically a vessel to hold the magic of her people to carry into the next age. It was a different take on the chosen one trope that I found intriguing and original. That said, it does make Merrick seem overpowered at times, with very little training in how to wield the powers she absorbs. She has one too many scenes of draining herself of power only to get a boost out of nowhere and be able to blast everything in her way again.
I think I will read the next book in the series, as I am curious to see where the author is going with the story, and again, it was so well written that I thoroughly enjoyed the process of reading it, even if I didn’t necessarily fall in love with the characters.
Special thanks to Netgalley, the author, and Victoria Editing for an advanced reader copy of this book to review!
I had to sit with this book for a few days before writing this review. It is a dark urban fantasy, but I would hesitate to label it as a romance (even though there are multiple love interests, and the spicy scenes start in chapter one). The writing style is excellent, and the way that the author writes her action scenes creates a vivid, gruesome mental landscape for the reader. It is so well done, that I genuinely had a hard time deciding if I liked the *actual story* or just the writing style…
Merrick, the FMC, is a hybrid - half vampire, half witch, and prophesied to bring about the end of the current age of civilization, and harken in a new one (apparently there have been 5 previous hybrids that all lead to similar cataclysms in their world). The burden of this, of feeling rejected by her mother’s Covenant, and hiding her witch nature from the Vampire nest she spends the rest of her time with, has left Merrick in a very dark place mentally and emotionally. She is NOT a healthy character. And as the conflict of the story begins - with the backlash of the humans learning about the existence of non-human species - the subsequent fear and violence only leads Merrick down an even darker path.
She is probably one of the most depressing characters I have ever read - and the universe is CONSTANTLY hitting her with punches below the belt. Her love interests are all terrible - one of them going insane (there is an attempted SA), one of them dies a traumatic death, and the third is a stalker with unclear motives (and seriously, he just kind of pops up from time to time with NO context). The romance aspects of the book are really just devices with which to torture Merrick mentally and emotionally - I honestly could have done without them, and I think the book would have been better for it.
I did feel like while the world building was really interesting - the way the supernatural beings had been hiding among the humans, the culture and traditions of the different supe groups, the class distinctions between those born or made… and the way that Merrick herself was basically a vessel to hold the magic of her people to carry into the next age. It was a different take on the chosen one trope that I found intriguing and original. That said, it does make Merrick seem overpowered at times, with very little training in how to wield the powers she absorbs. She has one too many scenes of draining herself of power only to get a boost out of nowhere and be able to blast everything in her way again.
I think I will read the next book in the series, as I am curious to see where the author is going with the story, and again, it was so well written that I thoroughly enjoyed the process of reading it, even if I didn’t necessarily fall in love with the characters.
Special thanks to Netgalley, the author, and Victoria Editing for an advanced reader copy of this book to review!
August 26, 2024
⭐ - 2/5
⚠️ - Death, grief, attempted SA by MMC, self harm, etc etc etc
🌶️ - 2/5
💕 - 1/5
👥 - 2.5/5
🌎 - 2/5
🗡️ - 4/5
💀 - 5/5
First off, thank you #netgalley and #victoryediting for the ARC!
Where to begin...
Honestly, this book is rough and brutal. There are a lot of tropes that I hate but there are also some moments that I truly loved. It's not an easy read, and to be honest I had a hard time getting through it all. It started with a bang, but fell flat.
𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠:
Merrick is a half witch, half vampire who has been pushed away by both species. She feels alone and rejected. She is extremely powerful but hides her power. When the world erupts into chaos, and the supernatural are the target of elimination by the humans, she must do everything she can to figure out where she belongs before time runs out.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝:
● The action was intense and very brutal. Definitely won't be for everyone, but I love those scenes.
● There were definitely some moments that tugged at my heart. The pain the MFC feels is written very well.
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒅:
● The first thing that comes to mind is the attempted SA of the MFC by one of her love interests. Immediately gave me the 'Ick'.
● The whole love triangle (and kind of quadrangle) thing made me roll my eyes more times than I can count
● The plot was too much. I had a hard time focusing on what to care about. Especially when it came to people and creatures.
● There were a lot of things brushed to the side. I know there's going to be a second book, but I'm guessing a lot of smaller plot holes won't be answered. So that's pretty frustrating.
● Merrick's 'woe is me' got old real fast. At some point, I figured something would happen to make her outlook change, but this poor girl was in the dumps for most of the book. Literally nothing good happened to her.
Unfortunately I could go on and on about what I didn't like about the book, but I don't want to feel like a total a$$hole.
Overall, this book is not my cup of tea. I had such high hopes too, and honestly, it had SO much potential, but it failed miserably.
⚠️ - Death, grief, attempted SA by MMC, self harm, etc etc etc
🌶️ - 2/5
💕 - 1/5
👥 - 2.5/5
🌎 - 2/5
🗡️ - 4/5
💀 - 5/5
First off, thank you #netgalley and #victoryediting for the ARC!
Where to begin...
Honestly, this book is rough and brutal. There are a lot of tropes that I hate but there are also some moments that I truly loved. It's not an easy read, and to be honest I had a hard time getting through it all. It started with a bang, but fell flat.
𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠:
Merrick is a half witch, half vampire who has been pushed away by both species. She feels alone and rejected. She is extremely powerful but hides her power. When the world erupts into chaos, and the supernatural are the target of elimination by the humans, she must do everything she can to figure out where she belongs before time runs out.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝:
● The action was intense and very brutal. Definitely won't be for everyone, but I love those scenes.
● There were definitely some moments that tugged at my heart. The pain the MFC feels is written very well.
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒅:
● The first thing that comes to mind is the attempted SA of the MFC by one of her love interests. Immediately gave me the 'Ick'.
● The whole love triangle (and kind of quadrangle) thing made me roll my eyes more times than I can count
● The plot was too much. I had a hard time focusing on what to care about. Especially when it came to people and creatures.
● There were a lot of things brushed to the side. I know there's going to be a second book, but I'm guessing a lot of smaller plot holes won't be answered. So that's pretty frustrating.
● Merrick's 'woe is me' got old real fast. At some point, I figured something would happen to make her outlook change, but this poor girl was in the dumps for most of the book. Literally nothing good happened to her.
Unfortunately I could go on and on about what I didn't like about the book, but I don't want to feel like a total a$$hole.
Overall, this book is not my cup of tea. I had such high hopes too, and honestly, it had SO much potential, but it failed miserably.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2024
Gilded Descent forms a world where all magical creatures exist and hide their existence from the human world. They live in plain sight but hide their magic for fear of relation. The council is the governing body that resides over the world, they decide everything.
Merrick lives in a coven; her mom is the high priestess. Merrick is disliked by the world she lives in. Constantly ridiculed and rejected she seeks comfort in Marcus a master vampire. Things change for the worse and Merrick begins to spiral unleashing the darkness she kept caged.
I enjoyed reading this book, at first, I didn't like Merrick because she bounced around so much. After realizing she has been rejected and hated her whole life, I can completely understand why she clings to anything that gives her the love and attention she craves. It changed my perspective on her and I started to enjoy reading the book, I finished in a little under 6 hours. Blake Ironmore is a great author, and I can't wait to finish the Gilded Ruins series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Merrick lives in a coven; her mom is the high priestess. Merrick is disliked by the world she lives in. Constantly ridiculed and rejected she seeks comfort in Marcus a master vampire. Things change for the worse and Merrick begins to spiral unleashing the darkness she kept caged.
I enjoyed reading this book, at first, I didn't like Merrick because she bounced around so much. After realizing she has been rejected and hated her whole life, I can completely understand why she clings to anything that gives her the love and attention she craves. It changed my perspective on her and I started to enjoy reading the book, I finished in a little under 6 hours. Blake Ironmore is a great author, and I can't wait to finish the Gilded Ruins series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 20, 2024
Down the rabbit hole.
This book is dark and chaotic. There were so many twists, turns, backflips and so many more that my head was spinning by the end.
Merrick, the FMC, is a hybrid. She is tormented from every angle, including herself. She has been put through hell and will walk through more fire before the end. That is only just from the supernatural community alone, what the humans will do to her is even worse.
There are fated mates, bonds, a coven who hastes her even when they need her, vampires who wish to use her and a mysterious dark fae. Can't wait for the second book.
Please read trigger warnings.
This book is dark and chaotic. There were so many twists, turns, backflips and so many more that my head was spinning by the end.
Merrick, the FMC, is a hybrid. She is tormented from every angle, including herself. She has been put through hell and will walk through more fire before the end. That is only just from the supernatural community alone, what the humans will do to her is even worse.
There are fated mates, bonds, a coven who hastes her even when they need her, vampires who wish to use her and a mysterious dark fae. Can't wait for the second book.
Please read trigger warnings.
October 23, 2024
My first book by this author and I was drawn in by the premise of a half breed fmc Merrick, and the dark devastating violence surrounding her.
I was not disappointed. Graphic and disturbing at times, however it needed to be so as the reader, you hit rock bottom with Merrick and want to lash out with all her power.
There's a lot happening and a bit of repetition, however I enjoyed the love interests and the complex relationship with her mother.
Book one left me wanting book two asap, not least to hear more about the Prince, hopefully, but for the rise of Merrick. I hope she takes no prisoners!
I was not disappointed. Graphic and disturbing at times, however it needed to be so as the reader, you hit rock bottom with Merrick and want to lash out with all her power.
There's a lot happening and a bit of repetition, however I enjoyed the love interests and the complex relationship with her mother.
Book one left me wanting book two asap, not least to hear more about the Prince, hopefully, but for the rise of Merrick. I hope she takes no prisoners!
September 21, 2024
While beware this is a dark romance, it was still a blast to read. Merrick really does not have things going her way as the story begins and things just get worse and bleak as the story continues for Merrick. But the setup, world building, and secrets made for an amazing and fun book to read that had me glued to the end to see what crazy thing would turn up and cause Merrick trouble next. Just a compelling story. But it did have some great characters.
September 12, 2024
Was a little put off, but how quickly we got into the no-con smut first, and the action came later. This made me skim the book rather for good parts rather than fully reading it. Good vampire lore, though.
Couldn't connect to the characters, but this made me glad some died.
Couldn't connect to the characters, but this made me glad some died.
September 4, 2024
If you like fantasy you will find this book interesting. This is my first time reading something by this author and book is good and I can’t wait to see what happens next
September 6, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was a definite page Turner, and must read, and I would highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 20, 2024
It was a hard read took me a lot longer than I anticipated, I love fantasy so was perfect idont like to give spoilers !mfc is half witch half vampire i enjoyed it an look forward to the next book .
September 29, 2024
A dark fantasy which had a lot of violence and death and was brutal at times but was a fantastic read. The world building was fabulous with witches, vampires, spice and heartbreak as well as some love interests. Loved Merrick, she goes through so much. Looking forward to the next book.
October 14, 2024
I really enjoyed the concept of this book.. with a wide ranging paranormal world and the humans of the world imposing horrific sentiments against the paranormal community under the guise of danger the story really kicks off with a bang.. poor Merrick the FMC has had it really tough throughout this entire book with her whole life being torn down around her. I read this whole book in one sitting and can't wait to find out if Merrick does get some happiness and what the Goddess has in store for her.
September 20, 2024
This book had everything I wanted in a dark urban fantasy - magical creatures, vampires/shifters, spicy scenes, action and angst.
Merrick definitely goes through more struggles than most people do in the first book of a series, the girl can not catch a break in this book but I was pulled instantly into her story and found myself rooting for her from the start. She has a couple of love interests in this book, with spicy scenes to keep you hot under the collar while reading.
If you're looking for a dark urban fantasy that will keep you hooked, then look no further. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Merrick definitely goes through more struggles than most people do in the first book of a series, the girl can not catch a break in this book but I was pulled instantly into her story and found myself rooting for her from the start. She has a couple of love interests in this book, with spicy scenes to keep you hot under the collar while reading.
If you're looking for a dark urban fantasy that will keep you hooked, then look no further. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews