What do you think?
Rate this book
The Age of Blood #2
Lord of Ruin
'Dark, sexy, and twisty, this book will seize you by the throat and hold your attention to the very end' Andrea Stewart, author of Bone Shard Daughter, on Mistress of Lies
LOVE WILL BE THEIR RUIN
It has been six months since the failed coup led by Isaac De La Cruz, and Shan LeClaire is struggling under the mantle of Royal Blood Worker. Left with a dwindling blood supply and a ravenous nation whose thirst will drown them, Shan is forced to turn to darker means to fill the need. And that is only the start of the horrors her Eternal King asks of her.
Now Councillor to the King, Samuel is trapped in a labyrinthine world of politics and bylaws. Crushed by the knowledge that he can never change things from within, Samuel breaks from Shan, turning to her rebellious brother to help him rescue the disgraced Isaac de la Cruz from the King's dungeons.
Despite his newfound freedom, all is not well with Isaac. His actions have consequences, the dangerous magic he experimented with changing him from man to monster. But a monster might just be the only thing that can stand up to the Eternal King. Embracing the beast within, Isaac will see this broken nation shattered-even if it would cost the love of those he holds most dear.
Lord of Ruin is the addictive sequel to Mistress of Lies, a dark fantasy romance with sizzling spice, vampiric blood magic and cutthroat politics.
Praise for this
'Politics, family, and desire weave a tangled web across a decadent, blood-soaked city in this stunning debut. Dark, dangerous, and entrancing!' Melissa Caruso
'Dark and gripping, raw and beautifully imagined. With their stunning prose, compelling morally grey characters, inventive magic system, and knack for piercingly heartfelt moments amidst all the horror and intrigue, K.M. Enright is definitely one to watch' Thea Guanzon, author of The Hurricane Wars
'A stunning tale ripe with political scheming, fascinating magic, and deliciously complicated characters you can't help but root for. A decadent story that won't let you go' Sara Hashem, author of The Jasad Heir
'A dark, delicate, beauty of a novel, with all the edges of sharpened steel' K.S. Villoso, author of The Wolf of Oren-Yaro
'Glittering darkly with facets of magic, romance, and deep lore, Mistress of Lies is a seductive and blood-soaked jewel of a debut' Lyra Selene, author of A Feather So Black
'A dark fantasy the way it should be intricately built, steeped in political intrigue, featuring messy families, morally grey protagonists, and visceral blood magic. I adored the world Enright has created, deep and complex, with an atmosphere so thick, you can slice it with a knife' Genoveva Dimova, author of Foul Days
'Captivating and deadly, Mistress of Lies enthralls from the very first page. Twisted through with the darkest of secrets. . . a powerful exploration of race, class and injustice' Laura R. Samotin, author of The Sins On Their Bones
LOVE WILL BE THEIR RUIN
It has been six months since the failed coup led by Isaac De La Cruz, and Shan LeClaire is struggling under the mantle of Royal Blood Worker. Left with a dwindling blood supply and a ravenous nation whose thirst will drown them, Shan is forced to turn to darker means to fill the need. And that is only the start of the horrors her Eternal King asks of her.
Now Councillor to the King, Samuel is trapped in a labyrinthine world of politics and bylaws. Crushed by the knowledge that he can never change things from within, Samuel breaks from Shan, turning to her rebellious brother to help him rescue the disgraced Isaac de la Cruz from the King's dungeons.
Despite his newfound freedom, all is not well with Isaac. His actions have consequences, the dangerous magic he experimented with changing him from man to monster. But a monster might just be the only thing that can stand up to the Eternal King. Embracing the beast within, Isaac will see this broken nation shattered-even if it would cost the love of those he holds most dear.
Lord of Ruin is the addictive sequel to Mistress of Lies, a dark fantasy romance with sizzling spice, vampiric blood magic and cutthroat politics.
Praise for this
'Politics, family, and desire weave a tangled web across a decadent, blood-soaked city in this stunning debut. Dark, dangerous, and entrancing!' Melissa Caruso
'Dark and gripping, raw and beautifully imagined. With their stunning prose, compelling morally grey characters, inventive magic system, and knack for piercingly heartfelt moments amidst all the horror and intrigue, K.M. Enright is definitely one to watch' Thea Guanzon, author of The Hurricane Wars
'A stunning tale ripe with political scheming, fascinating magic, and deliciously complicated characters you can't help but root for. A decadent story that won't let you go' Sara Hashem, author of The Jasad Heir
'A dark, delicate, beauty of a novel, with all the edges of sharpened steel' K.S. Villoso, author of The Wolf of Oren-Yaro
'Glittering darkly with facets of magic, romance, and deep lore, Mistress of Lies is a seductive and blood-soaked jewel of a debut' Lyra Selene, author of A Feather So Black
'A dark fantasy the way it should be intricately built, steeped in political intrigue, featuring messy families, morally grey protagonists, and visceral blood magic. I adored the world Enright has created, deep and complex, with an atmosphere so thick, you can slice it with a knife' Genoveva Dimova, author of Foul Days
'Captivating and deadly, Mistress of Lies enthralls from the very first page. Twisted through with the darkest of secrets. . . a powerful exploration of race, class and injustice' Laura R. Samotin, author of The Sins On Their Bones
464 pages, Paperback
First published August 12, 2025
27 people are currently reading
1401 people want to read
About the author
K.M. Enright
2 books346 followersK. M. Enright is a Filipino-American writer of fantasy romance. When not writing, he can be found playing too many video games, cooking, or listening to Broadway musicals. He currently lives in New Jersey with his spouse and their black cat, Zuko.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Want to read
May 29, 2025E-ARC generously provided by Orbit in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!
THIS COVER HELLO???
THIS COVER HELLO???
July 16, 2025
Lord of Ruin
by K.M. Enright
The Age of Blood #2
Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Aug 12, 2025
Orbit Books
Ages: 21+
After the failed coup by Isaac, the King appointed Shan as the Royal Blood Worker, and Samuel he acknowledged and appointed him as a royal advisor in charge of the law enforcement. Isaac sits in a cell, waiting for his execution.
Hating the backstabbing ways of politics, Samuel begins to distance himself from Shan, who seems to be embracing her role as Royal Blood Worker. And with the help of Shan's brother, Samuel helps break Isaac from his cell.
But Isaac isn't the same person. The magic Isaac used is creating a monster of myth, but one that may be able to beat the Eternal King.
This is book 2 of the series and picks up roughly six months after the first. And while the vampire/blood relationship was better described, the story itself was slow, but the overall plot was ruined by adult content. Sure, I was able to skip it, but I still had to skim it to find out when it ended. If it must be added, make the print smaller so it's easier to distinguish from the real plot and not the “just to jump on the bandwagon to make a few more bucks.”
The cover looks a little generic, but it and the title do kind of match with the plot.
The story is interesting enough that I would like to find out what happens in the next book, and with the... spoilers.... there may not be that much content, but I really don't care to take that chance.
Yes, there is violence, but it's the adult content that makes this unsuitable for readers under twenty-one.
2 Stars
by K.M. Enright
The Age of Blood #2
Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Aug 12, 2025
Orbit Books
Ages: 21+
After the failed coup by Isaac, the King appointed Shan as the Royal Blood Worker, and Samuel he acknowledged and appointed him as a royal advisor in charge of the law enforcement. Isaac sits in a cell, waiting for his execution.
Hating the backstabbing ways of politics, Samuel begins to distance himself from Shan, who seems to be embracing her role as Royal Blood Worker. And with the help of Shan's brother, Samuel helps break Isaac from his cell.
But Isaac isn't the same person. The magic Isaac used is creating a monster of myth, but one that may be able to beat the Eternal King.
This is book 2 of the series and picks up roughly six months after the first. And while the vampire/blood relationship was better described, the story itself was slow, but the overall plot was ruined by adult content. Sure, I was able to skip it, but I still had to skim it to find out when it ended. If it must be added, make the print smaller so it's easier to distinguish from the real plot and not the “just to jump on the bandwagon to make a few more bucks.”
The cover looks a little generic, but it and the title do kind of match with the plot.
The story is interesting enough that I would like to find out what happens in the next book, and with the... spoilers.... there may not be that much content, but I really don't care to take that chance.
Yes, there is violence, but it's the adult content that makes this unsuitable for readers under twenty-one.
2 Stars
June 15, 2025
I think this follow up definitely builds on the first in a positive way, but at the same, I'm still left with the same feelings about the characters asking why. The world building was expanded on in some aspects, but the 3 main characters don't really get any new motivations, and the ones they do get sort of make them worse people?
I don't really understand the purpose of having this be 3 POVs. This story felt like it went from being about Shan to primarily being about Isaac, but still giving Shan chapters in which she basically does nothing. Shan is so selfish that it's hard to really understand why she's pretending to act like her embracing her job is about overthrowing the king when it's obvious she only cares about gaining power. I suppose that could make her morally gray, except she's just contributing to objectively evil things in-universe?
Samuel still somehow has zero agency and only exists to be babied and used as a sex toy even though he has the strongest power out of anyone in this series. Book 1 literally ends with him being OP, but in this he immediately reverts back to getting nothing done and being coddled by everyone around him. He wants to stand up so badly, and he just doesn't. Why not?????
Isaac......is the main character of this story somehow and is using his turning into manananggal as justification to overthrow the oppressive monarchy but....I didn't get why he had to do that to make that particular stance. He's already been arrested and broke out, and he's been contributing to the resistance. I didn't understand why he had to further sacrifice his humanity and turn into a monster to accomplish that? Sure, he was draining ~evil politicians, but like, the whole point of this movement being created was to stop the full body draining of unblooded? So he drains the blood workers instead and willingly turns into a monster?? Drains them and actively gives the oppression ideas on how to create NEW MONSTERS to oppress the unblooded?? It didn't seem smart.
In addition, it felt like the author was trying to add new lore with the manananggal and I could infer that it was Filipino lore (and that Isaac/Shan/Anton are Filipino), but it didn't make sense that Isaac was the only manananggal that existed while everyone else that drained blood in the same way was turned into a vampire. Is it because he's Filipino? What exactly are even the differences between the 2 besides manananggal being able to split their bodies in half? It wasn't explained at all so you're just seeing him splitting in half while other people are vampires that don't split in half. He didn't have any specific powers that warranted making this a noticeable difference.
The romance remains confusing as well. I don't know what either of them saw in Shan, and this was really a romance between Isaac and Samuel who somehow fell in love with each other after communicating not that often in book 1. The scenes also felt randomly placed. Like every time one happened it was like...hmm okay I guess? I will say, that the romance between Shan/Tristan was way more interesting to me. I think we need to let go of Shan being a “good person” and just let her be diabolical. Her pretending she didn't want to be queen even after spending this entire story doing everything in her power to actively oppress people alongside the king was a choice. Just be evil girl.
Idk. This one was better than book 1 in some ways and worse in other ways, but I'll keep reading because I'm still interested to see what happens in the end.
I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Orbit and Netgalley!
I don't really understand the purpose of having this be 3 POVs. This story felt like it went from being about Shan to primarily being about Isaac, but still giving Shan chapters in which she basically does nothing. Shan is so selfish that it's hard to really understand why she's pretending to act like her embracing her job is about overthrowing the king when it's obvious she only cares about gaining power. I suppose that could make her morally gray, except she's just contributing to objectively evil things in-universe?
Samuel still somehow has zero agency and only exists to be babied and used as a sex toy even though he has the strongest power out of anyone in this series. Book 1 literally ends with him being OP, but in this he immediately reverts back to getting nothing done and being coddled by everyone around him. He wants to stand up so badly, and he just doesn't. Why not?????
Isaac......is the main character of this story somehow and is using his turning into manananggal as justification to overthrow the oppressive monarchy but....I didn't get why he had to do that to make that particular stance. He's already been arrested and broke out, and he's been contributing to the resistance. I didn't understand why he had to further sacrifice his humanity and turn into a monster to accomplish that? Sure, he was draining ~evil politicians, but like, the whole point of this movement being created was to stop the full body draining of unblooded? So he drains the blood workers instead and willingly turns into a monster?? Drains them and actively gives the oppression ideas on how to create NEW MONSTERS to oppress the unblooded?? It didn't seem smart.
In addition, it felt like the author was trying to add new lore with the manananggal and I could infer that it was Filipino lore (and that Isaac/Shan/Anton are Filipino), but it didn't make sense that Isaac was the only manananggal that existed while everyone else that drained blood in the same way was turned into a vampire. Is it because he's Filipino? What exactly are even the differences between the 2 besides manananggal being able to split their bodies in half? It wasn't explained at all so you're just seeing him splitting in half while other people are vampires that don't split in half. He didn't have any specific powers that warranted making this a noticeable difference.
The romance remains confusing as well. I don't know what either of them saw in Shan, and this was really a romance between Isaac and Samuel who somehow fell in love with each other after communicating not that often in book 1. The scenes also felt randomly placed. Like every time one happened it was like...hmm okay I guess? I will say, that the romance between Shan/Tristan was way more interesting to me. I think we need to let go of Shan being a “good person” and just let her be diabolical. Her pretending she didn't want to be queen even after spending this entire story doing everything in her power to actively oppress people alongside the king was a choice. Just be evil girl.
Idk. This one was better than book 1 in some ways and worse in other ways, but I'll keep reading because I'm still interested to see what happens in the end.
I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Orbit and Netgalley!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2025
outstanding! does not suffer from middle book syndrome, but deepens the story, the stakes, and the choices not just of the protagonists but of the eternal king as well. no one is perfect, innocent, or blameless in this, and the examination of the corruption of power, the perfidy of class and influence, and how to fight against it is as immense as the messy, complex, and beautiful relationship between the three.
probably my book of the year.
loved it. can't wait for book 3.
probably my book of the year.
loved it. can't wait for book 3.
July 6, 2025
I’m still a huge fan of this series, even if I might be in the minority who liked the second book just a tiny bit less than the first. That said, Lord of Ruin was still an incredibly enjoyable read. I’m very curious to see how things conclude, especially since I didn’t realize this was going to be a trilogy, and I was half-expecting everything to wrap up in this book.
Lord of Ruin picks up right where Mistress of Lies left off. Our main characters – Shan, Samuel, and Isaac – are left dealing with the fallout from the dramatic ending of book one. It’s hard to talk about the plot without spoiling anything, but the consequences of what happened turn out to be far more far-severe than anyone expected, particularly for Isaac.
Speaking of Isaac – while the first book felt mostly centered on Shan, this installment shifts the spotlight more toward him, though we still get POV chapters from all three characters. Isaac’s arc is dramatic, but also quite epic, to be honest. If you’re craving the eat the rich vibes, this is the story for you. Each of the protagonists undergoes significant growth here, although I did feel that Samuel was somewhat sidelined. He seemed to lack a certain degree of agency in this book, but I’m hoping that changes in the final volume.
Plot-wise, the book reads well, though there were moments of repetitiveness and slower pacing. Part of that might be due to my own expectations – I mistakenly assumed this was the final book in a duology, which was obviously my error and not the book’s fault.
One element I wished had been fleshed out more was the emotional dynamic between the characters. Beyond the physical chemistry (this book is definitely spicier than the first), I would’ve liked to see a bit more emotional depth – more yearning between these morally grey protagonists. A deeper exploration of their feelings could’ve elevated the story even more, but that’s a fairly minor critique.
On a positive note, like the first book, Lord of Ruin handles representation exceptionally well. It’s still refreshing to see that in a fantasy setting, where trans representation remains rare. I also really appreciated how Filipino folklore plays a more prominent role this time.
All in all, despite a few minor nitpicks, I had a great time with this book and will be purchasing a physical copy. I’m eagerly awaiting the final installment, especially given how the ending sets up even higher stakes for the conclusion.
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Lord of Ruin picks up right where Mistress of Lies left off. Our main characters – Shan, Samuel, and Isaac – are left dealing with the fallout from the dramatic ending of book one. It’s hard to talk about the plot without spoiling anything, but the consequences of what happened turn out to be far more far-severe than anyone expected, particularly for Isaac.
Speaking of Isaac – while the first book felt mostly centered on Shan, this installment shifts the spotlight more toward him, though we still get POV chapters from all three characters. Isaac’s arc is dramatic, but also quite epic, to be honest. If you’re craving the eat the rich vibes, this is the story for you. Each of the protagonists undergoes significant growth here, although I did feel that Samuel was somewhat sidelined. He seemed to lack a certain degree of agency in this book, but I’m hoping that changes in the final volume.
Plot-wise, the book reads well, though there were moments of repetitiveness and slower pacing. Part of that might be due to my own expectations – I mistakenly assumed this was the final book in a duology, which was obviously my error and not the book’s fault.
One element I wished had been fleshed out more was the emotional dynamic between the characters. Beyond the physical chemistry (this book is definitely spicier than the first), I would’ve liked to see a bit more emotional depth – more yearning between these morally grey protagonists. A deeper exploration of their feelings could’ve elevated the story even more, but that’s a fairly minor critique.
On a positive note, like the first book, Lord of Ruin handles representation exceptionally well. It’s still refreshing to see that in a fantasy setting, where trans representation remains rare. I also really appreciated how Filipino folklore plays a more prominent role this time.
All in all, despite a few minor nitpicks, I had a great time with this book and will be purchasing a physical copy. I’m eagerly awaiting the final installment, especially given how the ending sets up even higher stakes for the conclusion.
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 29, 2025
Blood and gore and queers, oh my.
I was genuinely really excited for this book and I was putting off reading the first one so I could try and read them a bit closer together (but of course there's another book after…) but I have to say I'm a bit disappointed in how it all came together.
Now, I said in my review of the first book that I thought this magic system was so interesting and vampiric but as the story progressed into the sequel, the issues I had with the writing style shifted more into focus
But one of my biggest gripes with the book is how drastic the tone is between the two in the series. I did read the warnings and tags but when I read mistress of lies, it never seemed *that* offensive, almost ya in nature and I think it all lulled me into a false sense of innocence. Because when the second book started we immediately turned up the intensity of it all, from the blood and gore to the almost fanfic level of smut in both detail and the random monster-fucking and I was so not prepared. But that is partly on me for not assuming it based on the content warnings I guess.
Honestly my biggest gripe with the book is the sheer lack of breathing room in it all. That's not to say there isn't a lull in the book, because there definitely is, but in the way that too much of the intrigue of it all is spelled out and spoonfed to us continuously, and it doesn't allow the reader to put together the pieces themselves. One of the points in the trope map was on political intrigue, and as someone who usually hates it because it all goes over my head, this all felt very simple to me and still was shoved in my face in case I didn't get it the first 800 times. I think this also added to the whole almost ya vibes of the series as the major conflicts felt too underdeveloped. So all that mixed with heavy sex scenes that felt more like distractions of the flaws to the reader and to the plot itself, I found it hard to categorize and find a pace with this book.
But I do still really love the queer and asian rep in the book, especially the incorporation of the asian vampiric mythology despite how gory and brutal, it was cool to see it all incorporated together.
thanks to netgalley and orbit books for the arc
I was genuinely really excited for this book and I was putting off reading the first one so I could try and read them a bit closer together (but of course there's another book after…) but I have to say I'm a bit disappointed in how it all came together.
Now, I said in my review of the first book that I thought this magic system was so interesting and vampiric but as the story progressed into the sequel, the issues I had with the writing style shifted more into focus
But one of my biggest gripes with the book is how drastic the tone is between the two in the series. I did read the warnings and tags but when I read mistress of lies, it never seemed *that* offensive, almost ya in nature and I think it all lulled me into a false sense of innocence. Because when the second book started we immediately turned up the intensity of it all, from the blood and gore to the almost fanfic level of smut in both detail and the random monster-fucking and I was so not prepared. But that is partly on me for not assuming it based on the content warnings I guess.
Honestly my biggest gripe with the book is the sheer lack of breathing room in it all. That's not to say there isn't a lull in the book, because there definitely is, but in the way that too much of the intrigue of it all is spelled out and spoonfed to us continuously, and it doesn't allow the reader to put together the pieces themselves. One of the points in the trope map was on political intrigue, and as someone who usually hates it because it all goes over my head, this all felt very simple to me and still was shoved in my face in case I didn't get it the first 800 times. I think this also added to the whole almost ya vibes of the series as the major conflicts felt too underdeveloped. So all that mixed with heavy sex scenes that felt more like distractions of the flaws to the reader and to the plot itself, I found it hard to categorize and find a pace with this book.
But I do still really love the queer and asian rep in the book, especially the incorporation of the asian vampiric mythology despite how gory and brutal, it was cool to see it all incorporated together.
thanks to netgalley and orbit books for the arc
August 18, 2025
I completely understand that writing the middle child book in a trilogy is difficult as hell, but I not only expected more from this book–I expected it to not be as boring as to put me to sleep so often it took me two days to finish reading it.
Mistress of Lies was one of the most interesting, fresh, and dynamic books I read in 2024. Was I completely blown away? No, but I was more than intrigued enough to look forward to this sequel all this year. I don’t know what happened to all that energy and dynamic storytelling from the first book, but Lord of Ruin simply plods along, moving between our three main characters with very little grace or suspense. The story itself feels like it lacks energy or propulsion.
Enbright does a dynamite job with writing the romantic and sexual dynamics between our three main characters and exploring their sexualities; this is especially the case with Issac, whom we didn’t get enough time with in the last book. If there was a character who deserved more page time and attention in this book, it was Issac, and Enbright did make the most out of Isaac’s chapters.
A synopsis of Mistress of Lies is provided at the beginning of the book, and that’s one of the best things about this book. That shouldn't be something I remember the most when I read a book. 3⭐️
I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. All reviews rated three stars or under will not appear on my main social media channels. Thank you.
Mistress of Lies was one of the most interesting, fresh, and dynamic books I read in 2024. Was I completely blown away? No, but I was more than intrigued enough to look forward to this sequel all this year. I don’t know what happened to all that energy and dynamic storytelling from the first book, but Lord of Ruin simply plods along, moving between our three main characters with very little grace or suspense. The story itself feels like it lacks energy or propulsion.
Enbright does a dynamite job with writing the romantic and sexual dynamics between our three main characters and exploring their sexualities; this is especially the case with Issac, whom we didn’t get enough time with in the last book. If there was a character who deserved more page time and attention in this book, it was Issac, and Enbright did make the most out of Isaac’s chapters.
A synopsis of Mistress of Lies is provided at the beginning of the book, and that’s one of the best things about this book. That shouldn't be something I remember the most when I read a book. 3⭐️
I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. All reviews rated three stars or under will not appear on my main social media channels. Thank you.
December 1, 2025
I loved Mistress of Lies and this second book in The Age of Blood trilogy didn't disappoint. I give it the same rating as the first one. Definitely read the trigger warnings, because there's much more in that book which seemed to have offended some readers' sensibilities.
August 8, 2025
*3.5*
I’ll be honest. I read this on and off on my kindle in between books so the time taken to read this isn’t because of the actual book.
the thing I loved so much about this first book was the characters relationships with each other. I loved seeing the childhood friendship turned romance between two, the new growing soft romance between the others. I loved seeing the polyamorous relationship grow from nervousness to all consuming adoration. I loved seeing the found family and actual family bonds. however, that was present within this. the characters were all split into different roads because of the plot, which I get and it made sense, but it did mean my main motivation for wanting to continue was missing..
with that being said, the ending really brought it back together and I am intrigued to see where book three takes us. I want my family back together. I want to see them tear down the monarchy together- NO MORE TIME APART PLS.
I’ll be honest. I read this on and off on my kindle in between books so the time taken to read this isn’t because of the actual book.
the thing I loved so much about this first book was the characters relationships with each other. I loved seeing the childhood friendship turned romance between two, the new growing soft romance between the others. I loved seeing the polyamorous relationship grow from nervousness to all consuming adoration. I loved seeing the found family and actual family bonds. however, that was present within this. the characters were all split into different roads because of the plot, which I get and it made sense, but it did mean my main motivation for wanting to continue was missing..
with that being said, the ending really brought it back together and I am intrigued to see where book three takes us. I want my family back together. I want to see them tear down the monarchy together- NO MORE TIME APART PLS.
August 14, 2025
DISAPPOINTED!!
I LOVED Mistress of Lies, like so so much. It was such a treat and so amazing, but everything that gave Mistress its strength seems to fizzle out in Lord of Ruin leaving me so empty and frustrated.
The characters that I adored were like caricatures of themselves from the first book. Shan was so flip floppy and I honestly would have much rather she just went full evil. She follows the Eternal King up until the last 10% of the book and only changes her mind when her ex-fiancé (Samuel) gets hurt by the King. Genuinely, her chemistry with the King was 1000 times better than with either Samuel or Isaac.
Samuel was described as an innocent golden retriever boyfriend as he’s actively helping the rebellion and setting up the murder of his political rivals. He’s literally a huge whiner the whole time and serves only as a sex toy for both Shan and Isaac. I genuinely cannot believe that either of them actually liked him.
ACTUALLY I can’t believe any of the threesome loved each other. Their relationship was solely lust based and they constantly SAID they loved each other but genuinely didn’t ever show it outside of the sex scenes. Also the amount of random smut in this book (especially compared to the first book) is ramped up an insane amount and I found a lot of it cringy but again that’s because I didn’t believe the relationships one bit.
I came for the political vampires, which does deliver, but it just wasn’t the forefront like I wanted. The politics almost get shoved to the side but the vampire lore (especially the Filipino inspired lore) was SOOO cool. I wanted to just live in the vampire scenes, they were gory and insane.
I felt like I was pulling teeth to get through this and that is such a major disappointment to me. Thank you to Orbit and Hachette Audio for the eARC and ALC!
I LOVED Mistress of Lies, like so so much. It was such a treat and so amazing, but everything that gave Mistress its strength seems to fizzle out in Lord of Ruin leaving me so empty and frustrated.
The characters that I adored were like caricatures of themselves from the first book. Shan was so flip floppy and I honestly would have much rather she just went full evil. She follows the Eternal King up until the last 10% of the book and only changes her mind when her ex-fiancé (Samuel) gets hurt by the King. Genuinely, her chemistry with the King was 1000 times better than with either Samuel or Isaac.
Samuel was described as an innocent golden retriever boyfriend as he’s actively helping the rebellion and setting up the murder of his political rivals. He’s literally a huge whiner the whole time and serves only as a sex toy for both Shan and Isaac. I genuinely cannot believe that either of them actually liked him.
ACTUALLY I can’t believe any of the threesome loved each other. Their relationship was solely lust based and they constantly SAID they loved each other but genuinely didn’t ever show it outside of the sex scenes. Also the amount of random smut in this book (especially compared to the first book) is ramped up an insane amount and I found a lot of it cringy but again that’s because I didn’t believe the relationships one bit.
I came for the political vampires, which does deliver, but it just wasn’t the forefront like I wanted. The politics almost get shoved to the side but the vampire lore (especially the Filipino inspired lore) was SOOO cool. I wanted to just live in the vampire scenes, they were gory and insane.
I felt like I was pulling teeth to get through this and that is such a major disappointment to me. Thank you to Orbit and Hachette Audio for the eARC and ALC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2025
Thank you Orbit for the ARC!
Shan, they will never make me hate you. N E V E R.
(Also definitely read the content warnings for this one, because it's much spicier and darker than the first book!!!)
While the opening scene doesn't pack quite as much of a punch as Mistress of Lies, I had a great time with this one!
This book was all about growth and managing the fallout of the events of the first book--on top of dealing with the consequences of their actions, Isaac, Shan, and Samuel also have to deal with the impact their actions had on their relationships with each other. And it is M E S S Y. This book is definitely spicier than the first one as all of the characters start with relying on their physical connections with each other to help them cope with the emotional damage done to their relationships while they work to repair those and the trust lost between them.
But also, I'm loving Shan's character arc and how it seems in opposition to Isaac and Samuel--where she was the one leading the charge initially, in this one she's falling down a darker path and appears to be moving away from her ideals and into the "dark side" of things, while those who love her are all part of the rebellion. I loved it--it makes for a much more interesting story and relationship dynamics over everyone being on the same side.
But also....they're still hiding things from each other and trying to do everything on their own (looking at you, Shan) so it really shows how love can be blinding and the things we'll do for those we love know no bounds.
Oh, and we've got actual vampires now. VAMPIRES, FOLKS!! And more incredible worldbuilding with Fillipino roots. I am so here for it and can't wait for the next one!
Shan, they will never make me hate you. N E V E R.
(Also definitely read the content warnings for this one, because it's much spicier and darker than the first book!!!)
While the opening scene doesn't pack quite as much of a punch as Mistress of Lies, I had a great time with this one!
This book was all about growth and managing the fallout of the events of the first book--on top of dealing with the consequences of their actions, Isaac, Shan, and Samuel also have to deal with the impact their actions had on their relationships with each other. And it is M E S S Y. This book is definitely spicier than the first one as all of the characters start with relying on their physical connections with each other to help them cope with the emotional damage done to their relationships while they work to repair those and the trust lost between them.
But also, I'm loving Shan's character arc and how it seems in opposition to Isaac and Samuel--where she was the one leading the charge initially, in this one she's falling down a darker path and appears to be moving away from her ideals and into the "dark side" of things, while those who love her are all part of the rebellion. I loved it--it makes for a much more interesting story and relationship dynamics over everyone being on the same side.
But also....they're still hiding things from each other and trying to do everything on their own (looking at you, Shan) so it really shows how love can be blinding and the things we'll do for those we love know no bounds.
Oh, and we've got actual vampires now. VAMPIRES, FOLKS!! And more incredible worldbuilding with Fillipino roots. I am so here for it and can't wait for the next one!
August 12, 2025
I haven’t finished this, but it’s like pulling teeth. I’m going to, I just have to get the courage to keep reading even when it’s pissing me off.
It should be an actual crime that a book with political intrigue that I LOVE has me this upset
Shan 😠
Everyone else is freaking golden. I cannot believe you got me to like Issac.
I did NOT picture this going this way in Mistress of Lies
Okay now that I’m finished and don’t loathe Shan (as much), this book is bananas and I’m definitely reading the next one because I need to see Tristan get taken down.
I’m upset Samuel hasn’t made good use of his special power and now the king has it?! Missed opportunity to make him the chosen one.
It should be an actual crime that a book with political intrigue that I LOVE has me this upset
Shan 😠
Everyone else is freaking golden. I cannot believe you got me to like Issac.
I did NOT picture this going this way in Mistress of Lies
Okay now that I’m finished and don’t loathe Shan (as much), this book is bananas and I’m definitely reading the next one because I need to see Tristan get taken down.
I’m upset Samuel hasn’t made good use of his special power and now the king has it?! Missed opportunity to make him the chosen one.
June 26, 2025
With thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
3.75 stars
This book throws us right back into the political turmoil where book 1 left off. I really enjoyed the multi POVs in this book, and I found it easy to tell which POV I was reading from. I really liked the continuation of the plot from book 1. There’s no rehashing of the storylines, we are put straight into the action.
The politics and worldbuilding in this book are just as strong as the first one, and we learn more about the conflict and the ongoing political machinations. We also learn more about the king, and I was fascinated with those scenes!
The only thing stopping this from being a 4 star read for me was the relationship between our 3 main characters. I love Shan, Isaac, and Samuel individually as characters. However, we are TOLD that they all love each other, and we don’t really get shown that they love each other through actions. They have sex on page but I feel there’s something missing.
I did enjoy this book and I do intent to keep reading this series because I am fascinated by the world the author has built. I am hopeful that the next book will have more moments between our three characters.
3.75 stars
This book throws us right back into the political turmoil where book 1 left off. I really enjoyed the multi POVs in this book, and I found it easy to tell which POV I was reading from. I really liked the continuation of the plot from book 1. There’s no rehashing of the storylines, we are put straight into the action.
The politics and worldbuilding in this book are just as strong as the first one, and we learn more about the conflict and the ongoing political machinations. We also learn more about the king, and I was fascinated with those scenes!
The only thing stopping this from being a 4 star read for me was the relationship between our 3 main characters. I love Shan, Isaac, and Samuel individually as characters. However, we are TOLD that they all love each other, and we don’t really get shown that they love each other through actions. They have sex on page but I feel there’s something missing.
I did enjoy this book and I do intent to keep reading this series because I am fascinated by the world the author has built. I am hopeful that the next book will have more moments between our three characters.
August 28, 2025
I had missed this messy world so much! Shan, Isaac, Samuel, the whole gang - it was nice to be back with my friends :p
As a sequel, we pick up where we left off from Mistress of Lies.. and we left off in QUITE a pickle. Shan, Samuel, Isaac and more are really tested throughout this book and I'll tell you.. not everyone passes the tests they're given.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I am very interested to see where we go with the next one!
Big thank you to NetGalley & Orbit books for the advanced copy of this book!
As a sequel, we pick up where we left off from Mistress of Lies.. and we left off in QUITE a pickle. Shan, Samuel, Isaac and more are really tested throughout this book and I'll tell you.. not everyone passes the tests they're given.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I am very interested to see where we go with the next one!
Big thank you to NetGalley & Orbit books for the advanced copy of this book!
Read
May 20, 2025Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
August 11, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book I’m rating it 4.5 stars rounded to 5.
Well damn what a follow up to book 1! Book 2 takes you on a whirlwind of emotions that I genuinely did not see coming. There’s so much conflict and emotion bringing the current situation unfolding to a boiling point. The eternal king is as toxic, scheming and volatile as always and this story picks up with our favourite trio at the heart of the story. Our main characters from book 1 seem to take such differing paths from the get go and its hard to say who will make it out alive. Our side characters were pivotal in this book and I feel like book 3 will see them become even more vital to the survival of everyone depending on them.
I will always recommend this series for fans of fantasy with rebellion, dark and flawed main characters who live to not be predictable. There’s romantic entanglements that will break your heart, but have you hoping for a redemption arc at every opportunity. I am so invested in this, book 3 needs to be available asap.
Well damn what a follow up to book 1! Book 2 takes you on a whirlwind of emotions that I genuinely did not see coming. There’s so much conflict and emotion bringing the current situation unfolding to a boiling point. The eternal king is as toxic, scheming and volatile as always and this story picks up with our favourite trio at the heart of the story. Our main characters from book 1 seem to take such differing paths from the get go and its hard to say who will make it out alive. Our side characters were pivotal in this book and I feel like book 3 will see them become even more vital to the survival of everyone depending on them.
I will always recommend this series for fans of fantasy with rebellion, dark and flawed main characters who live to not be predictable. There’s romantic entanglements that will break your heart, but have you hoping for a redemption arc at every opportunity. I am so invested in this, book 3 needs to be available asap.
September 27, 2025
I liked the writing style, like the first book.
I did not really appreciate Shan in the first book. She is morally grey and has some personal and political schemes, but I had a hard time with her behaviour.
I liked Isaac's POV that I found was missing in the first book.
Samuel and Shan had to play a double game in politics, but how far are they willing to go? Especially Shan.
Shan is morally grey like Isaac, on a different level. I was siding with Isaac. It was interesting to see how Shan redeemed herself.
The history behind the "vampires" was quite interesting. The author took his inspiration from Filipino culture and myths.
I loved how the sex scenes were a part of the characters’ development and how they expressed themselves through it.
I can't tell much more to avoid spoilers but I thought it was a duology?? As it turns out it's not and I'm glad I'll get more of this story!
Thanks Little Brown Book UK for the ARC on Netgalley!
I did not really appreciate Shan in the first book. She is morally grey and has some personal and political schemes, but I had a hard time with her behaviour.
I liked Isaac's POV that I found was missing in the first book.
Samuel and Shan had to play a double game in politics, but how far are they willing to go? Especially Shan.
Shan is morally grey like Isaac, on a different level. I was siding with Isaac. It was interesting to see how Shan redeemed herself.
The history behind the "vampires" was quite interesting. The author took his inspiration from Filipino culture and myths.
I loved how the sex scenes were a part of the characters’ development and how they expressed themselves through it.
I can't tell much more to avoid spoilers but I thought it was a duology?? As it turns out it's not and I'm glad I'll get more of this story!
Thanks Little Brown Book UK for the ARC on Netgalley!
August 13, 2025
RTC
Thank you Netgalley and Orbit from Little Brown Book Group UK for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Release date : 12 August 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Orbit from Little Brown Book Group UK for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Release date : 12 August 2025
August 27, 2025
What the fuck happened?!?! I loved “Mistress of Lies”. It was exciting to have a level of gender and sexuality representation we don’t see as often as I’d like. But this book was soo bad no forced myself to finish it convinced it would get better - then at 80% forcing myself just to finish it to see if the 3rd book would be worth it.
My thoughts:
The Romance
Mistress of Lies had its problems. It told more than it showed and I had been so confused especially with the love (esp Samuel and Isaac who barely interacted) but I waved it away because “gay! Yay!” The problem is, this is still a major issue. I could not tell you why these three love each other. They *talk* about loving each other but I don’t really see it. The author does a lot of the characters inner monologue focus that is recycling the same sentiment over and over:
-Isaac and Samuel both loving Shan but also she’s selfish and power hungry but also soo smart and beautiful
-Samuel being tired of treated like a good boy doggo who gets “protected”
-Shan clearly being down bad for the king but also feeling really bad about it esp cause Samuel is such a good guy(!)
-Blah blah blah
Character Development
I mean this exists sorta. But again, sooo much inner monologue that doesn’t feel earned, esp at the end when Shan goes to the “good” side. All 3 are less likable. For example:
-what the fuck Isaac is a proud monster killing people…and not all are evil! Especially the brand new guards at the end of the book. And he’s a fucking nasty predator, eating his prey in the grossest way possible. Yet Samuel thinks he’s beautiful with his intestines falling out? What the fuck yo.
-Samuel leaned into evil telling Isaac who to kill. Which, they deserved it. But there was a lot of “they treat me like I’m innocent good boy doggo but I am also Bad”
No Real Consequences
-Sooo Isaac went on a murder rampage and then the regular Unblooded were punished. People surely died and were tortured because of him. He gets some negative reaction from the rebel leaders for that and does show some contrition but basically everyone is like “you might be a monster but you’re our monster go kill more bb”
-the ending with Shan and forgiveness…I dunno, it didn’t feel earned.
Writing
-this book was soooo slow. Again inner monologue with a lot of telling not showing. But it made it boring. I kept thinking this was a duology and was like “thank god” until I learned 80% way through that there’s a book 3. I need fantasy romance authors to stop doing fucking trilogies or multi-book series! So many strong readers along when in reality they could tell a better story in fewer books
What I liked-
-Asian rep
-Trans rep
-Queer rep
-discussions of revolution and whether you work within the system like Shan or blow things up
Like Isaac
Overall I kinda hated it. My strong feelings are partly because I loved the first one and feel let down.
My thoughts:
The Romance
Mistress of Lies had its problems. It told more than it showed and I had been so confused especially with the love (esp Samuel and Isaac who barely interacted) but I waved it away because “gay! Yay!” The problem is, this is still a major issue. I could not tell you why these three love each other. They *talk* about loving each other but I don’t really see it. The author does a lot of the characters inner monologue focus that is recycling the same sentiment over and over:
-Isaac and Samuel both loving Shan but also she’s selfish and power hungry but also soo smart and beautiful
-Samuel being tired of treated like a good boy doggo who gets “protected”
-Shan clearly being down bad for the king but also feeling really bad about it esp cause Samuel is such a good guy(!)
-Blah blah blah
Character Development
I mean this exists sorta. But again, sooo much inner monologue that doesn’t feel earned, esp at the end when Shan goes to the “good” side. All 3 are less likable. For example:
-what the fuck Isaac is a proud monster killing people…and not all are evil! Especially the brand new guards at the end of the book. And he’s a fucking nasty predator, eating his prey in the grossest way possible. Yet Samuel thinks he’s beautiful with his intestines falling out? What the fuck yo.
-Samuel leaned into evil telling Isaac who to kill. Which, they deserved it. But there was a lot of “they treat me like I’m innocent good boy doggo but I am also Bad”
No Real Consequences
-Sooo Isaac went on a murder rampage and then the regular Unblooded were punished. People surely died and were tortured because of him. He gets some negative reaction from the rebel leaders for that and does show some contrition but basically everyone is like “you might be a monster but you’re our monster go kill more bb”
-the ending with Shan and forgiveness…I dunno, it didn’t feel earned.
Writing
-this book was soooo slow. Again inner monologue with a lot of telling not showing. But it made it boring. I kept thinking this was a duology and was like “thank god” until I learned 80% way through that there’s a book 3. I need fantasy romance authors to stop doing fucking trilogies or multi-book series! So many strong readers along when in reality they could tell a better story in fewer books
What I liked-
-Asian rep
-Trans rep
-Queer rep
-discussions of revolution and whether you work within the system like Shan or blow things up
Like Isaac
Overall I kinda hated it. My strong feelings are partly because I loved the first one and feel let down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2025
mistress of lies was SUCH a hit for me, but this one fell off just slightly. still so so good, but it did fall victim to just a bit of 2nd book slump. i enjoyed the various lore it explored on vampires/vampire adjacent creatures but i really wish the three main characters i loved so much interacted more with each other for more than just "spice" (which was very good btw). the political intrigue was still very interesting, but i feel kinda like this book ended on a too similar note to the first. so much happened in this book and it was enjoyable, but not much progress was made in the bigger plot points of the story. but STILL, such an amazing example of lgbt+ rep that i will continue to scream to the rooftops.
December 8, 2025
Lord of Ruin by K M Enright is the second book in The Age of Blood series and the first book in this series sets the bar very high. A Filipino representation and the perfect atmospheric setting kept me hooked throughout the two books.
The second book focused more on Issac and Shan as compared to the first one. I thought this was a duology but we have a third book coming and I cannot wait to see how the author decides to unwrap these characters and their faith.
This book is definitely 100 times more spicy, and it was thrown very unexpectedly in between the plot at many places throughout the book, which was a setback for me. It felt very forced and unnecessary.
Apart from that, the storyline was equally catchy and engaging and I cannot wait to see how things unfold in the third book of this series. Good twists and turns, good world building and equally engaging writing style kept me hooked until the end.
The second book focused more on Issac and Shan as compared to the first one. I thought this was a duology but we have a third book coming and I cannot wait to see how the author decides to unwrap these characters and their faith.
This book is definitely 100 times more spicy, and it was thrown very unexpectedly in between the plot at many places throughout the book, which was a setback for me. It felt very forced and unnecessary.
Apart from that, the storyline was equally catchy and engaging and I cannot wait to see how things unfold in the third book of this series. Good twists and turns, good world building and equally engaging writing style kept me hooked until the end.
September 14, 2025
I found this book a little disappointing. I enjoyed the first book decently well, some gripes with the writing style aside, and was really looking forward to reading this. In theory, this should have been a solid 4-star read for me; political twistiness, vampires, fun dark fantasy. Instead I got a book that felt like it needed much more intrigue.
First, characters. Shan, the protagonist from the previous book, felt like she was relegated to the back lines in favour of Isaac, who honestly is much less interesting of a focus. Isaac's 'slow' transformation into a monster is remarkably quick, and he doesn't really seem to feel much about it at all, taking no time at all to decide it's worth it for ~revolution~ but oh look, he's a special boy who keeps his humanity! Shan's sudden complete lack of care for the Unblooded is... Not out of character exactly, but doesn't align with her choices made previously. Her blind spots make a lot of sense, until you remember this woman LITERALLY HELPED FOUND THE REBELLION TO PROTECT HER BROTHER. There's a line towards the end where one of the men calls her out for only caring about the Unblooded she knows personally, and she accepts that totally and knows he's right. That realisation would have worked so well if she had been this middling in her beliefs consistently. However in the last book she played both roles so perfectly that the sudden switch only to have her switch sides again at the end felt like the author had a three book contract to fulfil and didn't know what to do with the character. I did like the idea that she was pulled in by the role of Royal Blood Worker, but really, she's okay with torturing prisoners and turning them into monsters now? After spending all of the last book raging at Isaac for basically the same thing? And Samuel continues to be absolute nothingness in a cravat, even when the reader is constantly being told how good and kind he is.
Second, the sex scenes. They felt a little contrived in this book because the three protags were constantly at each other's throats but then suddenly get together and do some kinky pegging instead of having the conversation about boundaries they so clearly need to have???? And Isaac goes out to buy a strap on when the WHOLE CITY GUARD IS AFTER HIM?????????? Could the pegging not have waited until the next book, when presumably the guards will have other things to worry about? Or like, could it not have been brought for him by literally either of the other people involved in the sex scenes?
Ultimately this book could have done with more consistency of character and focus around the political actions of the main characters. Honestly I also feel like it could have done with Isaac's POV chapters being removed until much later in the book - having the mystery of him being unreadable in the background would have been much more successful and believable in driving the actions of the rest of the plot, rather than knowing he's a ~righteous freedom fighter~.
I'm hoping this is second book syndrome and the third will win me back, especially with the positions the characters have been left in.
First, characters. Shan, the protagonist from the previous book, felt like she was relegated to the back lines in favour of Isaac, who honestly is much less interesting of a focus. Isaac's 'slow' transformation into a monster is remarkably quick, and he doesn't really seem to feel much about it at all, taking no time at all to decide it's worth it for ~revolution~ but oh look, he's a special boy who keeps his humanity! Shan's sudden complete lack of care for the Unblooded is... Not out of character exactly, but doesn't align with her choices made previously. Her blind spots make a lot of sense, until you remember this woman LITERALLY HELPED FOUND THE REBELLION TO PROTECT HER BROTHER. There's a line towards the end where one of the men calls her out for only caring about the Unblooded she knows personally, and she accepts that totally and knows he's right. That realisation would have worked so well if she had been this middling in her beliefs consistently. However in the last book she played both roles so perfectly that the sudden switch only to have her switch sides again at the end felt like the author had a three book contract to fulfil and didn't know what to do with the character. I did like the idea that she was pulled in by the role of Royal Blood Worker, but really, she's okay with torturing prisoners and turning them into monsters now? After spending all of the last book raging at Isaac for basically the same thing? And Samuel continues to be absolute nothingness in a cravat, even when the reader is constantly being told how good and kind he is.
Second, the sex scenes. They felt a little contrived in this book because the three protags were constantly at each other's throats but then suddenly get together and do some kinky pegging instead of having the conversation about boundaries they so clearly need to have???? And Isaac goes out to buy a strap on when the WHOLE CITY GUARD IS AFTER HIM?????????? Could the pegging not have waited until the next book, when presumably the guards will have other things to worry about? Or like, could it not have been brought for him by literally either of the other people involved in the sex scenes?
Ultimately this book could have done with more consistency of character and focus around the political actions of the main characters. Honestly I also feel like it could have done with Isaac's POV chapters being removed until much later in the book - having the mystery of him being unreadable in the background would have been much more successful and believable in driving the actions of the rest of the plot, rather than knowing he's a ~righteous freedom fighter~.
I'm hoping this is second book syndrome and the third will win me back, especially with the positions the characters have been left in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
Six months have passed since the catastrophic ending of book 1. We begin in a tumultuous time full of rising class tensions as the Blood Workers ready for a possible revolt from the Unblooded masses. Following all three of our leads, we pursue a dizzying quest for change and survival, as class disparities continue to widen.
The lower classes led by Shan's own brother—in collaboration with Samuel—ready to overthrown the vicious tyrant of a King and his cohort of leeches. Meanwhile, Shan herself is quickly realizing that the dream she's always strove towards may in fact be more akin to a nightmare. Stepping away from her trusty shadows has brought her power-hungry tendencies fully to light; everyone should watch out as her plans take a turn for the terrible. And Isaac has changed in more ways than one, becoming a monster in both deed and reality.
All three leads are led by both the love for one another in their hearts and their at times conflicting dreams for the future of their country. Everyone will be pushed to the brink and forced into situations they never could have prepared for. Dark days await, and love may not be enough to keep this poly trio together.
What if the dream of a better future they've all dreamed of looks starkly different from person to person? How can they possible make sense of where to draw the line?–And when to concede?
The bloody kingdom is on the brink of destruction. Betrayals and horrors abound, as those with power do all they can to cling to whatever scraps remain. Change is coming, and it may not be for the better. Chaos has become the norm and cruelty more commonplace than ever before.
Prepare for circuitous plans and a great heaping dose of politicking this go around. Those who prefer more action-heavy tales of political unrest/upheaval may find themselves disappointed, as this story is more focused on political machinations. I love the twisty-turvey moves each player on the board makes to one up their enemies and strive for their version of success. The lies and intrigue are so messy and fun!!
I love a vampire novel and anything that will play with the trope in unique ways. Here we continue to have fascinating forays into depravity and violence, as blood magic users suddenly realize they may be using more than can be acquired... legally. With the monstrous factory shut down at the end of book 1, the whole nation must prepare for change in the status quo. No one is particularly enthused about this.
We also get actual vampires in the traditional European sense and something that pulls from Asian mythos in this book. Isaac's new condition pulls from the later. Consuming the blood of a fellow Blood Worker changes an individual, they receive great power and at an even greater cost. The gruesome descriptions of Isaac's sprees are absolutely delightfully gory and a blast for this horror lover to read!!
This novel is also far more smutty than book 1, just mentioning so you can be prepared should this be less to your taste. A myriad of couplings will appear between the leads, with differing dynamics as well. I do appreciate that every character still felt the same when in these scenes, as I fail to see the point in including sex scenes where any character at all could be included (like stories where without names you wouldn't know who you were reading about).
The charcters were themselves, and while yes there were more scenes than I'd prefer, this is a dark fantasy-romance book they're fully to be expected. For clarity, they didn't impact my rating one way or the other. I did appreciate the discussion of consent for sleeping with a trans person and boundaries, as they may to be different than what a cis partner would allow. Continue to normalize discussions of boundaries, even if kink isn't involved!!
Six months have passed since the catastrophic ending of book 1. We begin in a tumultuous time full of rising class tensions as the Blood Workers ready for a possible revolt from the Unblooded masses. Following all three of our leads, we pursue a dizzying quest for change and survival, as class disparities continue to widen.
The lower classes led by Shan's own brother—in collaboration with Samuel—ready to overthrown the vicious tyrant of a King and his cohort of leeches. Meanwhile, Shan herself is quickly realizing that the dream she's always strove towards may in fact be more akin to a nightmare. Stepping away from her trusty shadows has brought her power-hungry tendencies fully to light; everyone should watch out as her plans take a turn for the terrible. And Isaac has changed in more ways than one, becoming a monster in both deed and reality.
All three leads are led by both the love for one another in their hearts and their at times conflicting dreams for the future of their country. Everyone will be pushed to the brink and forced into situations they never could have prepared for. Dark days await, and love may not be enough to keep this poly trio together.
What if the dream of a better future they've all dreamed of looks starkly different from person to person? How can they possible make sense of where to draw the line?–And when to concede?
The bloody kingdom is on the brink of destruction. Betrayals and horrors abound, as those with power do all they can to cling to whatever scraps remain. Change is coming, and it may not be for the better. Chaos has become the norm and cruelty more commonplace than ever before.
Prepare for circuitous plans and a great heaping dose of politicking this go around. Those who prefer more action-heavy tales of political unrest/upheaval may find themselves disappointed, as this story is more focused on political machinations. I love the twisty-turvey moves each player on the board makes to one up their enemies and strive for their version of success. The lies and intrigue are so messy and fun!!
I love a vampire novel and anything that will play with the trope in unique ways. Here we continue to have fascinating forays into depravity and violence, as blood magic users suddenly realize they may be using more than can be acquired... legally. With the monstrous factory shut down at the end of book 1, the whole nation must prepare for change in the status quo. No one is particularly enthused about this.
We also get actual vampires in the traditional European sense and something that pulls from Asian mythos in this book. Isaac's new condition pulls from the later. Consuming the blood of a fellow Blood Worker changes an individual, they receive great power and at an even greater cost. The gruesome descriptions of Isaac's sprees are absolutely delightfully gory and a blast for this horror lover to read!!
This novel is also far more smutty than book 1, just mentioning so you can be prepared should this be less to your taste. A myriad of couplings will appear between the leads, with differing dynamics as well. I do appreciate that every character still felt the same when in these scenes, as I fail to see the point in including sex scenes where any character at all could be included (like stories where without names you wouldn't know who you were reading about).
The charcters were themselves, and while yes there were more scenes than I'd prefer, this is a dark fantasy-romance book they're fully to be expected. For clarity, they didn't impact my rating one way or the other. I did appreciate the discussion of consent for sleeping with a trans person and boundaries, as they may to be different than what a cis partner would allow. Continue to normalize discussions of boundaries, even if kink isn't involved!!
August 10, 2025
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. - Freya, arc & monthly book box pick reviewer (athenafreyag on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/athenafreyag/ )
Initial thoughts: I loved Mistress Of Lies!! I loved the different characters, the quick, clever plot, and the worldbuilding of Blood Working alongside the social nuances of class. I was very excited to read the sequel! More fantasy with trans rep please!!
What I liked 🤩: Isaac's character arc was amazing. We didn't see him very often in the first book, but he owns the second one. He learns from his mistakes, he learns to find allies and partners because he is not alone anymore. He doesn't shy from the aftermath of the first book, he holds himself accountable for the consequences of his actions, and I really loved that. Isaac is my favourite character because he is smart and doesn't pretend to be something he is not. And he fights for the people.
I was confused about how Samuel was portrayed for a good part of the book. The whole innocence facade drops when he tells someone to kill a person, in my opinion. And it got really old, really fast. He is no longer innocent, and Isaac and Shan should just see Samuel for who he is now and not who he was when they first met. People change lol. I mean, Samuel is still moral, and he still fights for the people, and yeah, he doesn't have extensive knowledge of how to navigate politics, but he is not innocent. But I realized later on that my problem was with Isaac's and Shan's perception of Samuel and not Samuel himself. He never attached the "innocent" label on himself. He wanted others to see him for who he was, and even though he is still a good person, he is not innocent, and he wanted others to recognize that. As soon as I realized that, I liked Samuel a lot, and it was prob my issue.
I liked the worldbuilding, too. We see more Filipino lore in this book as Isaac transforms, and it was really well done!! Since we saw Isaac much more in this book, we also saw more trans rep, and it is so needed!!!!!!!!!
Here, we also saw Anton, Shan's brother, a lot! I really liked him!!! A clever person who admits they were narrow-minded and actively changes to embrace more?! Oh my my, gimme more! Anton and Isaac was the best thing about this book!!
What I didn’t like 🙃: I didn't like Shan at all in this book. In the first book, she was against societal norms and expectations, she rebelled against them, and here, she almost dreamed to be on the side of the Eternal King just for the power and immortality and what she could achieve. Delusional ambition, that was what Shan was about. The narrative pushed towards that, but at the same time, there were instances where Shan eluded to other motives. It felt like she lost all hope or all morals. She was portrayed as someone who feared the total change, when in the first book, she didn't like how things were at all.
Which brings me to their relationship. How can Isaac and Samuel, who are on the same side and have the same goals, still love Shan who appears to be on the opposite side? It felt like they were still stuck on the people they were in the first book and didn't see who they were in this book.
The last 20% of the book should have been the main plot for the entire book, if you ask me. Isaac, Samuel, Shan, Anton, and the rest of the rebellion working together.
Overall: I can't wait to see how the series wraps up in the third book. I hope for a deeper character arc. I love Isaac and Anton, and I still like Samuel a lot!!
We need more fantasy books with trans rep by trans authors!!! To be honest, if this series was written by a white cis author, it would have been glorified. And this is a big issue in publishing.
SE info: The Illumicrate edition is up for sale.
Initial thoughts: I loved Mistress Of Lies!! I loved the different characters, the quick, clever plot, and the worldbuilding of Blood Working alongside the social nuances of class. I was very excited to read the sequel! More fantasy with trans rep please!!
What I liked 🤩: Isaac's character arc was amazing. We didn't see him very often in the first book, but he owns the second one. He learns from his mistakes, he learns to find allies and partners because he is not alone anymore. He doesn't shy from the aftermath of the first book, he holds himself accountable for the consequences of his actions, and I really loved that. Isaac is my favourite character because he is smart and doesn't pretend to be something he is not. And he fights for the people.
I was confused about how Samuel was portrayed for a good part of the book. The whole innocence facade drops when he tells someone to kill a person, in my opinion. And it got really old, really fast. He is no longer innocent, and Isaac and Shan should just see Samuel for who he is now and not who he was when they first met. People change lol. I mean, Samuel is still moral, and he still fights for the people, and yeah, he doesn't have extensive knowledge of how to navigate politics, but he is not innocent. But I realized later on that my problem was with Isaac's and Shan's perception of Samuel and not Samuel himself. He never attached the "innocent" label on himself. He wanted others to see him for who he was, and even though he is still a good person, he is not innocent, and he wanted others to recognize that. As soon as I realized that, I liked Samuel a lot, and it was prob my issue.
I liked the worldbuilding, too. We see more Filipino lore in this book as Isaac transforms, and it was really well done!! Since we saw Isaac much more in this book, we also saw more trans rep, and it is so needed!!!!!!!!!
Here, we also saw Anton, Shan's brother, a lot! I really liked him!!! A clever person who admits they were narrow-minded and actively changes to embrace more?! Oh my my, gimme more! Anton and Isaac was the best thing about this book!!
What I didn’t like 🙃: I didn't like Shan at all in this book. In the first book, she was against societal norms and expectations, she rebelled against them, and here, she almost dreamed to be on the side of the Eternal King just for the power and immortality and what she could achieve. Delusional ambition, that was what Shan was about. The narrative pushed towards that, but at the same time, there were instances where Shan eluded to other motives. It felt like she lost all hope or all morals. She was portrayed as someone who feared the total change, when in the first book, she didn't like how things were at all.
Which brings me to their relationship. How can Isaac and Samuel, who are on the same side and have the same goals, still love Shan who appears to be on the opposite side? It felt like they were still stuck on the people they were in the first book and didn't see who they were in this book.
The last 20% of the book should have been the main plot for the entire book, if you ask me. Isaac, Samuel, Shan, Anton, and the rest of the rebellion working together.
Overall: I can't wait to see how the series wraps up in the third book. I hope for a deeper character arc. I love Isaac and Anton, and I still like Samuel a lot!!
We need more fantasy books with trans rep by trans authors!!! To be honest, if this series was written by a white cis author, it would have been glorified. And this is a big issue in publishing.
SE info: The Illumicrate edition is up for sale.
September 20, 2025
I THOUGHT THIS WAS A DUOLOGY BUT THERE’S MORE!!!
honestly the premise of this book is great. the horror! the smut! the corruption arcs!
It’s not far off a four, but something about the pacing wasn’t quite smooth enough for that - the sentences lack just that tiny bit of craft and polish that would elevate it to Next Level with tension but there’s still some good Plot and Character. Bit too much telling, would like more showing.
With Isaac’s transformation, Samuel and Shan must navigate a treacherous path through politics and worst of all, the attention of the eternal King… even as the rebellion takes shape around them. With deception on all sides, each of them will have to decide what they truly want and how far they will go.
honestly the premise of this book is great. the horror! the smut! the corruption arcs!
It’s not far off a four, but something about the pacing wasn’t quite smooth enough for that - the sentences lack just that tiny bit of craft and polish that would elevate it to Next Level with tension but there’s still some good Plot and Character. Bit too much telling, would like more showing.
With Isaac’s transformation, Samuel and Shan must navigate a treacherous path through politics and worst of all, the attention of the eternal King… even as the rebellion takes shape around them. With deception on all sides, each of them will have to decide what they truly want and how far they will go.
September 30, 2025
The one star is for the publishing house. Shame on Orbit. Shame and devastation.
Mistress of Lies came out in 2024, now mere 12 months later, there is Lord of Ruin. Maybe these books had already been written, when the publishing deal was signed; it surely does not seem like it.
Never has a book felt like a first draft. This was atrocious and did such a disservice to an interesting premise and a story that clearly meant a lot to the author. The first book was nothing to write home about, but with an inexperienced debut author there is always the hope that they hit their stride with the second book. Here, however, the second book took a nosedive off a cliff into the Mariana trench.
Maybe this is also a sign that not everyone should write. This needed so much editing – the language was lacking, sentences constructed unnecessarily complicated, simple vocabulary – more precise wording might have made the storytelling more concise. On a structural level, this needed so much tightening as well. I am wondering if all first drafts look like this or if good writers already produce texts where there is meat on the bones from the start. Every text needs polishing and editing, but this book unfortunately felt like “throw out the baby with the bath water and tear it down to the foundation”. Nothing salvageable in this mess.
Mistress of Lies came out in 2024, now mere 12 months later, there is Lord of Ruin. Maybe these books had already been written, when the publishing deal was signed; it surely does not seem like it.
Never has a book felt like a first draft. This was atrocious and did such a disservice to an interesting premise and a story that clearly meant a lot to the author. The first book was nothing to write home about, but with an inexperienced debut author there is always the hope that they hit their stride with the second book. Here, however, the second book took a nosedive off a cliff into the Mariana trench.
Maybe this is also a sign that not everyone should write. This needed so much editing – the language was lacking, sentences constructed unnecessarily complicated, simple vocabulary – more precise wording might have made the storytelling more concise. On a structural level, this needed so much tightening as well. I am wondering if all first drafts look like this or if good writers already produce texts where there is meat on the bones from the start. Every text needs polishing and editing, but this book unfortunately felt like “throw out the baby with the bath water and tear it down to the foundation”. Nothing salvageable in this mess.
June 22, 2025
4.5⭐ rounded up
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Six months after Isaac's failed coup of the Eternal King, Shan is struggling as the Royal Blood Worker with a blood shortage. Shan starts to consider darker means to increase the supply for a ravenous nation of blood workers. Meanwhile Samuel is struggling to navigate the politics as a Councilor to the King and turns to Shan's brother, Anton, for assistance rescuing Isaac. Through out this, Isaac is undergoing his own monstrous transformation that hints at a dark part and possibly previews a darker future.
Building on the world of the first book, I found myself pulled into the story faster with this one. The pace felt a bit faster and the stakes a bit higher as we see the effects of Isaac's work from Mistress of Lies and the Eternal King's reaction to this. There is another book coming so keep in mind that the ending isn't as tidy as you may like. Give this a read if you have read Mistress of Lies and you enjoy:
- near immortal rulers and the resistance rising up to fight them
- Filipino influence to the story
- a messy polyamorous relationship
- more blood
- vampire lore
Thank you to Orbit Books for an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will be published on 8/12/25.
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Six months after Isaac's failed coup of the Eternal King, Shan is struggling as the Royal Blood Worker with a blood shortage. Shan starts to consider darker means to increase the supply for a ravenous nation of blood workers. Meanwhile Samuel is struggling to navigate the politics as a Councilor to the King and turns to Shan's brother, Anton, for assistance rescuing Isaac. Through out this, Isaac is undergoing his own monstrous transformation that hints at a dark part and possibly previews a darker future.
Building on the world of the first book, I found myself pulled into the story faster with this one. The pace felt a bit faster and the stakes a bit higher as we see the effects of Isaac's work from Mistress of Lies and the Eternal King's reaction to this. There is another book coming so keep in mind that the ending isn't as tidy as you may like. Give this a read if you have read Mistress of Lies and you enjoy:
- near immortal rulers and the resistance rising up to fight them
- Filipino influence to the story
- a messy polyamorous relationship
- more blood
- vampire lore
Thank you to Orbit Books for an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will be published on 8/12/25.
June 10, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up!
I loved Mistress of Ruin, so I was so excited for Lord of Ruin, and it more than lived up to my expectations! This was such a satisfying second installment. Lord of Ruin picks up six months after Mistress of Lies, and everything feels sharper, darker, and heavier. I often find that sequels sometimes don't live up to the writing in the first book, but KM Enright's writing style is noticeably stronger in this installment. The stakes felt higher, and honestly I'm still reeling from the fallout of the tensions in this series so far.
Even though there's so much going on (blood magic, failing monarchy, disappearing blood supply, and more), this book never felt overwhelming. There was also definitely more romance in this book, which I appreciated.
The pacing was slow in the middle and I really had to push to get through it, which kept this from being a full five stars for me. That said, I need book three EXPEDITIOUSLY!
Recommended for fans of political fantasy, vampires, and STRESS.
Thank you very much to KM Enright and Orbit Books for the advance copy. All opinions are my own. Lord of Ruin releases August 12, 2025.
I loved Mistress of Ruin, so I was so excited for Lord of Ruin, and it more than lived up to my expectations! This was such a satisfying second installment. Lord of Ruin picks up six months after Mistress of Lies, and everything feels sharper, darker, and heavier. I often find that sequels sometimes don't live up to the writing in the first book, but KM Enright's writing style is noticeably stronger in this installment. The stakes felt higher, and honestly I'm still reeling from the fallout of the tensions in this series so far.
Even though there's so much going on (blood magic, failing monarchy, disappearing blood supply, and more), this book never felt overwhelming. There was also definitely more romance in this book, which I appreciated.
The pacing was slow in the middle and I really had to push to get through it, which kept this from being a full five stars for me. That said, I need book three EXPEDITIOUSLY!
Recommended for fans of political fantasy, vampires, and STRESS.
Thank you very much to KM Enright and Orbit Books for the advance copy. All opinions are my own. Lord of Ruin releases August 12, 2025.
August 17, 2025
Lord of Ruin by K. M. Enright is set some months after Mistress of Lies. Shan is Royal Blood Worker for the Eternal King and toeing the line of duty and love for Samuel and Isaac.
I didn't feel connected to her in the first book however I was rooting for her and supporting her wrongs all the way this time!
Samuel is getting to grips with his new title and role in parliament, honestly I felt for him; he's trying to further Shan without being the reason she's listened to and respected - she needs to do this on her own merit.
Isaac has truly fallen from grace and needs to find his footing again after a major shake up in his social standing and his personal being.
There's a lot going on for them all and though this isn't full on action packed, it is steeped in political intrigue & folklore horror which I loved. It's dark, gory, sexy and will absolutely leave you with conflicted feelings on just about everyone.
*Also there is a summary of what happened in the first book which I am super thankful for! More books need to do this as my memory is terrible 🙂↕️😂
I didn't feel connected to her in the first book however I was rooting for her and supporting her wrongs all the way this time!
Samuel is getting to grips with his new title and role in parliament, honestly I felt for him; he's trying to further Shan without being the reason she's listened to and respected - she needs to do this on her own merit.
Isaac has truly fallen from grace and needs to find his footing again after a major shake up in his social standing and his personal being.
There's a lot going on for them all and though this isn't full on action packed, it is steeped in political intrigue & folklore horror which I loved. It's dark, gory, sexy and will absolutely leave you with conflicted feelings on just about everyone.
*Also there is a summary of what happened in the first book which I am super thankful for! More books need to do this as my memory is terrible 🙂↕️😂
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews