The Ruins Beneath Us

by Sasha Sloan

This first book in a romantasy duology by TikTok star Sasha E. Sloan combines a compelling love triangle, luscious worldbuilding, and spellbinding magic to deliver a debut with everything romantasy readers crave.Young elf Lyria has spent her life in hiding while a dangerous war brews between the elven kingdom and human world. Now eighteen, she has grown restless hiding on the outskirts of the forest that surrounds the human world. One day, while her mother is away, Lyria hears a boy in the forest calling for help and rescues him from certain death. Unbeknownst to her, the boy, Finn, is the crowned Prince, and he wants Lyria to become the kingdom's royal apothecary!Terrified that Finn is going to discover she's an elf and she used magic to heal him while he was unconscious, Lyria struggles to fit in with the human kingdom while also hiding her identity. At court, she meets the jaded Head Healer, Cygnus, who is cold, highly suspicious of her, and constantly questions her abilities. But earth-shattering secrets can't lay dormant forever, and after Lyria and Cygnus discover a dark and sinister world hidden underneath the palace, Lyria must decide once and for all who—if anyone—she should trust.This slow-burn YA romantasy will be written by BookTok sensation Sasha Sloan and will appeal to fans of other successful TikTok hits like Lightlark and Assistant to the Villain.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romantasy, Romance

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been one of my most awaited releases since it was announced, and I’m so glad to say it did NOT disappoint! I’ve been following Sasha E Sloan’s journey for the longest time, and as a teen who loves to read, she has consistently been one of my favorite and most influential creators. Honestly, this is one of the best debut YA novels I’ve ever read. The magic system and world building are very interesting, and I thought it seemed well thought out and had the capacity to be complex. Overall I liked the characters, although some
of the choices that Lyria makes annoy me (but that’s expected). Also, some of the plot twists are INSANE and keep you right on the edge of your seat, questioning everyone’s true intentions. It very much gives Throne of Glass vibes, and I hope the next book has an Heir of Fire-like arc for Lyria. So incredibly excited for the next installment, and wish Sasha the best of luck with her debut duology!


Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this advanced release copy!

[Mildly Mad Hatter]

DNF @ 25%

Language: h*ll, d*mn, sh*t, jack*ss, g*d-d*mn, *ss, d*ck. Multiple mentions of each.

LGBTQ: one of the princes is engaged to another prince.

The girl takes off the guys shirt when he is injured and describes his chest rather detail.
Mentions of the prince being a player and not being able to keep “it” in his pants.
People think the main girl is the princes lover and is pregnant with his kid.
Mentions of worshiping gods.
Mentions of an Almighty who the royals do bad stuff in his name.
Ear tips mutilated.
Heads decapitated and place on spikes on a wall.

I didn’t make it too far into this one. There was so much cussing and the prince was a player. Plus the main girl was obsessed with looks and kept going on and on about it. She was also rather disobedient to her mother.

It was only going to get worse and I don’t want to read this type of stuff in books, so DNF.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC! I have been so excited to read this one.

Oh, Lyria, my heart feels for you. A teen elf who has only ever known her mother and lived in hiding, longs for more of a life and knowing others. She struggles with her magical Talent and as an elf, who must not be known to be alive humans. Her whole little world changes when she saves a human, Finn, from eminent death and he decides to bring her to his world. They develop feelings toward each other; she struggles internally with this, the world she’s brought into, and the other people she encounters. Are the feelings true? Can she really trust Finn? Can she trust Cygnus, head healer who has been tough on her from the moment he met her? What are everyone’s motives? Can she really belong here, and can she help save the lands from this mysterious plague?

There is a lot of inner turmoil in regard to herself and her abilities, her feelings, and the world she’s thrown into. This is a slow, plot driven story, and takes time to unravel many questions faced. As you read, you question as Lyria does and I found myself surprised several times throughout with motives and revelations. There’s so much more I could say about this book but I don’t want to give anything away! The end leaves you excited and wanting to jump right into book two! I cannot wait for The Ruins Beneath Us to be officially published and to see what book two will bring.

I want to note - when I first saw this was a YA Romantasy, I was hesitant to read it. As an elder millennial with a child, reading romance scenes between teens gives me pause. There are only a couple scenes between these 18-19 year olds and I feel they were very well done. They’re feelings focused and enthusiastic consent driven; fade to black and not graphic. I think depicting and emphasizing consent between characters in romantic situations is very important, especially for young adult readers.

[Jess Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank Netgalley for the eARC as I have been anticipating this book since it was announced. My review might come with a bias as I have followed Sasha and her career for a few years now. Her content has taught me you can be a huge nerd, gorgeous/feminine, smart as hell, and ambitious but still remain kind and compassionate.

That being said, this book delivers on all the values Sasha has founded her personal brand on. Although romantasy has become an overdone genre, with many stories feeling the same, this books is definitely something new and unique and fascinating. An instant page turner. You get lost in the court trying to discover everyone's true intentions

The characters are endearing, complicated, and inherently interesting. Lyria reminds me so much of Rapunzel from Tangled with much darker, intricate powers she's only begun to understand IN THE BEST WAY

Sasha navigates the idea of good and evil being based in our perception and emphasizes that ever-present feeling that maybe history is being incorrectly remembered by the liars who irradicated their opponents and started burning books (reminiscent of the fictional world in Fourth Wing and the very real world in the United States of America) I appreciate the political undertones that are reminiscent of Sasha's speeches while competing to become Miss Utah.

I pre-ordered this book long before I thought I would receive an ARC and I cannot wait for my personal copy to read it again to see all the beautiful foreshadowing that is woven in.


Maybe its because one day I hope I can write and publish a book with a gorgeous fantasy map at the front, but HOLY MOLY
I am so proud of a woman I've never met but have followed on the interent for ages, which feels kind of silly but it is true. Sasha had a dream, let her Slytherin take over and put in the WORK to create an exciting story in a new epically magical world, and managed to say something meaningful with her words. I was not disappointed and can't wait for the world to read this story! (and for me to read the sequel please, ASAP)

[Gabbii · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank NetGalley for the eARC. I was so excited to read it in March, but now I’m fully convinced I need to preorder a physical copy!!

I seriously could not put this book down. From the moment I started reading it. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a whole book in one day, but I could NOT book this book down.

In a world where it seems so many romantasy books have such similar plots or storylines it was so refreshing to read a book that felt completely new.

I highly recommend you preorder this book!! You won’t regret it!!

[Aurélie S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I had preordered the book before knowing there would be a chance to get an ARC and honestly March cannot come soon enough.

I don’t even know how to describe how good this book is was. From the moment I started it I could not put it down. Lyria is such a complex character and seeing her gaining confidence throughout the book was amazing.

I loved the way Sasha showed us that good and evil depends on the perception of who is telling the story. And we’re right there with Lyria finding out what has been done on both sides.

Cygnus, my beloved. I loved him from the moment he was introduced even though he was being a bit of an ass. I do hope we get to see him and Lyria becoming friends again and rebuild that trust.

[Aubrey Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been anticipating this book from the MOMENT it was announced and I am BEYOND thrilled that I have the opportunity to review it. The Ruins Beneath Us by Sasha Sloan is such an original creative story that I had such a fun time reading. The world-building was so well developed and you could really tell that alot of thought had been put into the magic system and the characters themselves. I was impressed with the format of the book overall, it didn't feel like the copy and paste romantasy that is being pumped out right now. The setting really pulled me in as well, I can imagine it being turned into an original movie or tv show with rolling green hills and a game of thrones-esque city.

The one critique I had was that I really wish we would have gotten more time with the side characters. I felt like we had alot of content on Finn and Cygnus, but the princes and princesses were only mentioned a handful of times and we had no real conversation or development there and it felt like a missed opportunity. Also, I wish that we had more time with the mom? That also felt like a relationship I didn't understand and felt alot like mother gothel and rapunzel. I hope with the second book we really explore these characters more!

HUGE thanks to Sasha Sloan, NetGalley, and to Disney Hyperion for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Nayeli :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

THAT WAS SO GOOD OMG- I can’t believe it’s over now! AND THE FACT THAT SHE ENDED UP ALONE IN THE END?! I LOVE CYGNUS HES JUST A TORTURED SOUL WHO HAS A BIG HEART!!

1) I loved the pace of the story, I like how it was fast and easy to read!

2) I like how romance was more of a subplot, and it didnt feel like the romance aspect took away from the actual story!!

3) HOW COULD FINN DO THAT?! But I literally called it, I was like “I feel like someone is going to betray her” AND BOOM! Betrayal!!!

4) I love the whole world that was created, and I can’t wait to see fanart for this book because I already know it’s going to be absolutely magical!

5) Thank you so much NetGalley and Sasha E. Sloan for letting me read an ARC of this incredible book!!

[Carolina Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the arc that I recieved from Sasha at yallfest, and let me tell you: I devoured it.

It began very smoothly, the world building was very easy to understand. The main character Lyria, is very likable, and I found it easy to follow her journey, to sympathize with and for her concerning how she grew up, and was fully invested in her journey as she grew throughout this book.

The story kept me engaged, the mystery of certain events, the romantic tension between characters and suspicion for others, and the developing plot itself was very easy to indulge in.

The ending? I’m shook. I absolutely loved this book and will be recommending it to all of my book girlies. I can’t wait for the release as I will definitely be getting a hardcover copy with the sprayed edges. And I look forward to reading further about Lyria’s story in future books!! (Please I NEED to know how the rest plays out!!)

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

I’ve followed Sasha for quite some time, way back to her Miss Utah days. I’ve seen her creativity and had really high expectations for this book. Sasha definitely exceeded those expectations.
Without getting too into the potential for spoilers before publication (don’t worry I’ll add more when publication happens), this book was absolutely enthralling, especially considering the current climate in which we live. The plot feels new and fresh, which in the world of Romantasy is difficult to do. Lyria is a fascinating character, and I’m looking forward to what comes next.

[Cami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley & Hyperion for the ARC :)

This book is the epitome of what YA fantasy should be!

Digestible prose with a poetic edge, a plot that intrigues without being overbearing, pacing that carries you through from start to finish, and characters that feel tangible and evoke interest. This is what I want to see more of!

Not too juvenile not too heavy handed, this is the exact kind of story I would’ve devoured before age 18 but which also hit every mark at the age of 26.

A take on the classic heroines tale with unique twists, I haven’t been this pleased by a YA story in a while! I highly recommend for those looking for a fun, magic-filled read reminiscent of the 2000s/2010s classics like Red Queen and Graceling. I will be waiting anxiously for the sequel!

If you love:
- Elven Magic
- Love Triangles
- Healer FMC
- Court Intrigue
- Unique Twists

Then The Ruins Beneath Us is calling you, and I very much recommend you pick up!

[Kloey Ramey · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I was fortunate enough to receive this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

I have been excited for Sasha’s debut novel for years, because it was always clear to me that one day, it would happen! I think this book is an excellent demonstration of what YA romantasy SHOULD look like. The pacing is fast, but never confusing, with an easy to digest magic system. The story feels like a familiar fairytale, but she very quickly adds her own spin to it. I also appreciate that while it’s definitely YA, she doesn’t dumb things down for the reader like many other books in the genre.

Above all, I really enjoyed the eloquence and poise of Sasha’s writing style, it shines through the whole book. I will absolutely read the next book in this series and I SO hope she goes on to publish within the adult fantasy genre.

[Alyssa Knappenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

This book follows Lyria, an elf who lives with her mother in hiding, as there is an ongoing war between elves and humans. When Lyria's mother goes out for a trip, Lyria encounters Finn, an injured human in need of her help. She heals him and saves his life. Little does she know, he is a prince. She is then invited to the palace to work on a cure for a plague that is spreading. When she gets to the palace, she meets Cygnus, the young, grumpy, head healer.

With her being an elf, she needs to hide her identity, including her ears and her magic. Not knowing if or when her identity would be revealed kept me invested. Each chapter I read, I wondered if someone was going to figure out her secret.

I could not stop reading this book until I reached the very last page. The story was fast-paced and kept me intrigued, wanting and needing to know what happens next. The last 50 pages or so had some big reveals and twists that have me so excited that I can't wait for the second book! I'm definitely hooked on this series now.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Sami Clarkson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! This was my first ARC ever and I was thrilled that it was for this novel. I have followed Sasha on social media for years and have been so excited for her to release her book.

Our story follows Lyria, an elf who lives in hiding with her mother. Elves are not loved by their human counterparts and Lyria basically only knows her very small world. When her mother leaves to investigate a plague terrorizing the countryside, Lyria breaks the cardinal rule, don’t leave the boundaries, to save a human boy named Finn. Lyria’s whole world is changed because of her choice to save the human and she finds herself navigating hiding her identity, proving herself to Cygnus, the head healer who doesn’t seem to like her, and figuring out what her feelings are for Finn.

Overall, I thought that the story was good. This book is considered YA, which I don’t feel it fully sticks to. There is language and there are some fade to black scenes of intimacy, which I think were handled well, but didn’t give me YA vibes. There were a couple of twists that left my jaw on the floor. All that said, it felt like it was missing something? I can’t quite put my finger on it. I was drawn into the story immediately; I want to know how the story is going to move forward from here, but it just felt like it was missing something that will catapult it into the stratosphere.

I can’t wait to see where Sasha takes it from here and what happens to Lyria, Cygnus, and Finn.

[tee · Rating 4 out of 5]

thanks netgalley for this eARC! i’ve been a big fan of my girl sasha for a long time now, and was so excited to hear about her publishing a book!

favorite character?? my boy ragglestaff.

i can definitely see parts of sasha interwoven into the novel. there are some slight nods to taylor swift….✨EVERMORE✨ lol.

“take it easy, you’re not OUT OF THE WOODS yet”

and i’m convinced our boy cygy is mirrored after a young severus snape 🫡 hello HALFBLOOD prince.

all in all, it’s very much what you would expect in a YA romantasy. a fun world with clever twists that i know people will be a big fan of when it comes out in march 2026!

[Cary Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story.

The characters were raw and emotionally grounded. Sloan doesn’t shy away from trauma, and it shows in how the leads navigate their grief, guilt, and connection. I appreciated that they weren’t polished or overly romanticized—they felt real, flawed, and worth rooting for. Their growth wasn’t linear, and that made it hit harder.

Finn, Cygnus, and Lyria form a tense, emotionally tangled triangle.

Finn is the prince who desperately wants to be king—selfish, charming, and lacking a strong moral compass. He falls hard for Lyria, but he’s not equipped to love her in a way that’s healthy or sustainable. His betrayal feels inevitable, and their relationship, while passionate, always felt doomed.

Cygnus is Finn’s former friend, jaded and angry, but good at heart. He starts off hating Lyria, but slowly sees her for who she is, and their enemies-to-friends dynamic is one of the strongest if understated emotional threads in the book.

Lyria herself is naive, rebellious, and deeply kind. She falls for Finn, builds trust with Cygnus, and is ultimately betrayed by both. Her decision to withdraw and protect herself felt earned, and I genuinely hope she finds her way back to Cygnus someday—there’s something real there. Finn, though? I don’t think he’s ready to be the person she needs.

The romance was slow, aching, and beautifully messy. It’s not about grand gestures—it’s about survival, trust, and finding something worth holding onto in the wreckage. There’s chemistry, but it’s the emotional intimacy that stands out. Every touch, every moment of vulnerability, felt earned.

Plot-wise, it’s quiet but powerful. This isn’t a story driven by twists—it’s driven by emotion. The pacing is deliberate, and while not much “happens” in the traditional sense, the internal shifts are constant. It’s about healing, and the tension comes from watching these characters try to rebuild something from the ruins.

The worldbuilding is minimal, but that’s intentional. The setting is intimate—claustrophobic at times—and it mirrors the emotional state of the characters. It’s not about exploring a vast world; it’s about surviving in the one that’s left.

Other positives: the writing is lyrical without being flowery, the emotional beats are sharp, and the atmosphere is thick with longing. Negatives? None that stood out. If you’re looking for action or fast pacing, this won’t be your thing—but that’s not a flaw, just a matter of taste.

Overall, I loved the book. The characters were emotionally rich, the romance was tender and painful in all the right ways, and the story lingered long after I finished it.

Great for readers who want character-driven romance with emotional depth and quiet intensity. Maybe skip it if you need fast pacing or high-stakes drama to stay engaged.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE RUINS BENEATH US by Sasha E. Sloan
Book 1 in a YA Romantasy Duology | Releases March 3, 2026

✨ A hidden-identity romantasy with slow-burn tension, court intrigue, and a love triangle set to evolve in all the right ways.

Lyria has spent her life hiding in the forest, one of the last surviving elves in a world where her existence is illegal. When she saves a boy from certain death, she has no idea he’s Prince Finn… or that her act of kindness will pull her into the center of the human kingdom, its political tensions, and its secrets. Forced to conceal her magic and navigate a dangerous court, Lyria crosses paths with Cygnus, the guarded and skeptical Head Healer who seems to question everything about her. But the palace hides more than judgment and what Lyria discovers underground changes everything.

What I Loved:
🍃 A sympathetic, Rapunzel-coded FMC with curiosity, heart, and believable naiveté
👑 A prince who disrupts Lyria’s quiet life and pushes her deeper into danger
🧪 Cygnus as the cold, unreadable, secretly layered character who steals every scene
🗝️ Hidden worldbuilding breadcrumbs that set up future expansion
🕯️ Slow-burn tension centered on trust, identity, and choosing who to believe
🕳️ A dark secret beneath the palace that shifts the entire storyline

Tropes & Elements:
🌿 Hidden Identity
🧝‍♀️ Forbidden Magic
👑 Court Intrigue
💘 Love Triangle (YA-paced)
🌑 Slow Burn
🔎 Mystery Beneath the Palace
✨ Found Courage Arc
⚖️ Enemies-to-Reluctant-Allies energy with Cygnus

Vibe: soft, curious, tense, building toward something bigger
Spice: YA; chemistry-forward, clean slow burn
For fans of: Lightlark, Assistant to the Villain, Tangled-coded heroines, gentle romantasy buildup, and book-two MMC tension

💜 A promising start to the duology with a compelling foundation, a curious heroine, and layered character dynamics. The ending sets up book two with plenty of emotional and magical tension.

#TheRuinsBeneathUs #SashaESloan #YARomantasy #HiddenIdentityTrope #SlowBurnRomance #LoveTriangleReads #ElvenFantasy #CourtIntrigue #FantasyDebut #Bookstagram #RomantasyTropes

[Shania Boucher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thank you to NetGalley & Disney Publishing for providing a digital ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

I have been a follower of Sasha on Tiktok for years, and have been so excited for her debut novel.

Our main character Lyria is an elf, living in hiding in a world where her very existence is considered a crime. Reminiscent of Rapunzel/Tangled, Sloan does a great job of making Lyria a sympathetic and entertaining character, despite her naiveté and lack of worldly experiences. Her impulsiveness and at best ~questionable~ decision-making feels reasonable in the context of a character who seldom interacts with anybody other than her own mother.

The male main character Finn, who serves as Lyria's escape from her monotonous life however, was, simply put, the worst. I did struggle with whether the almost immediate degradation of his character was meant to intentionally steer the reader toward the now almost obligatory book 2 MMC-bait-and-switch of the Romantasy genre, or if perhaps I just refuse to accept the same level of behaviour that an 18-year old would. The insta-love-meets-indecision was a struggle for me, and I'm not entirely decided whether it was an artistic choice meant to drive home Lyria's lack of life experience, or a failed attempt to make me root for a young love that may or may not work out.

All that to say, I didn't buy Lyria and Finn's relationship for a minute.

Cygnus, I found to be a fascinating character, and I look forward to the direction Sloan will take his budding friendship with Lyria, especially given the strained ending.

While the setting and worldbuilding was still relatively narrow in this novel, I appreciated the many breadcrumbs and groundwork being laid, and look forward to seeing how things expand and flesh out in the next book- the ending certainly left me wanting more.

Overall, I thought this was a great debut, and a wonderful Young Adult novel. I can't wait to read more!

[Mar · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

The Ruins Beneath Us
by Sasha E. Sloan
Expected publish date: March 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was drawn into this story immediately. The world-building is beautifully paced, revealing layers of Elven history and lore in a way that feels immersive without ever being overwhelming. I loved learning about this world alongside the characters—it made everything feel rich and alive.

Lyria’s journey of self-discovery and growth is one of the strongest parts of the story. She faces difficult truths about herself and her past, and I loved experiencing that evolution right alongside her. The plot kept me fully locked in from beginning to end, with twists and tension that never let up.

The love triangle absolutely wrecked me in the best way—I genuinely could not decide who to trust or who truly cared for Lyria, which made every interaction feel charged and meaningful. Sasha E. Sloan’s writing is captivating, emotional, and vivid, and I am beyond excited to see where this story goes next. I am highly anticipating the sequel and will absolutely be picking up more of Sasha’s work.

Tropes
• Fantasy romance
• Elven lore & mythology
• Ancient ruins / lost history
• Love triangle
• Who can you trust?
• Slow-burn tension
• Self-discovery & personal growth
• Secrets & hidden truths
• Political intrigue
• Strong female protagonist

Trigger Warnings

(May contain, but not limited to)
• Violence
• Death
• Emotional manipulation
• Betrayal
• Trauma / past trauma references
• War-related themes

[Sarah Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a book! I literally spent 10 hours of my day reading it because I couldn’t put it down. I got accepted for an early reading for reviewing. Lyria is an elf that lives in solace with her mother because elves are in mortal danger. If she gets caught she gets killed. Her mother goes to trade their potion making herbs and ingredients they grow and forage in town but Lyria must stay put. While her mother is gone she hears a cry for help in the woods. Will she stay in the safety of her home or will she venture out to help with the wild magic she must restrain. Little does she know the person in need is the prince.

The world building is incredible yet easy to grasp, the names are easy to pronounce in your head yet magical, the main characters are each so easy to relate to yet keep you on your toes. Honestly, this book can stand with the greats of fantasies and romnatasies alike. INCREDIBLE WRITING. So many perfectly timed yet unexpected twists. I kept trying to guess what would happen but I was happily wrong every time. RUN to preorder this book. You will not be disappointed.

I’m going to read it again when my order comes March 3

[BriarRoseBookss]

First things First. I want to give a huge thank you for Net Galley and Disney Publishing as well as Sasha for letting me read this Arc. I ended up dnfing this at 67% due to the fact it just wasn't for me.

this book follows an elf, Lyria, who has been hiding in the iron woods with her mother. one day, her mother leaves for a project, and she stumbles upon Finn. one thing leads to another, and Lyria agrees to help Finn and his kingdom with a plague that's been spread through the kingdom.

this is a definite Young Adult Fantasy Romance, and the premise is interesting, but I think the characters were too young for me to connect with them as they are 18/19.

I think other than it being too young of characters for me, I kept getting kicked out of my reading "trance" with the modern use of cursing. In fantasy, I usually dont like the use of modern phrasing. I don't know if this will be taken out with the final draft/the final product.

Overall, I just could not continue but that doesn't mean anything terrible, it just didn't work for me.

love Sasha and her noble house of Black series on TikTok♡

[Mayra Biggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooks you in from the very beginning.The characters have depth and when it came to Cignus and Finn it keeps you guessing until the end ( I do have a favorite though) .
Lyria as the FMC is relatable, she has a good heart and believes the best of everyone even when she knows better. I couldn't help but laugh at times on the way the author described her " I've got the coordination of a newborn moose"
The plot of the book gets more and more complex as we go through it and it helps to show the character growth of Lyria, because she starts to understand the world outside her incredibly sheltered life, living in hiding, her naiveté reminds me of Rapunzel getting off her tower and going on an adventure. But Lyria is stronger than people give her credit for.

I look forward to the next book already!
This is a great debut for the Author and I can't wait to see what Sasha writes next!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

[randi rush · Rating 2 out of 5]

i sadly didn’t really enjoy this :/ the first chunk is straight info dumping, so i considered dnfing it based on how that was written, but decided i did want to know where the story would go. another thing that bothered me was that we don’t even know what lyria’s “talent” is, just that she can just do a bunch of different stuff. like at first i thought it was healing, but then later she was using it to kill people. so can she just do a bunch of different things related to bodies?? i have no idea because we’re never told.

something that actually irked me SO MUCH was how annoying lyria was. she was so irrational sometimes, and i kept wanting to just yell at her to use her brain. she was upset with other characters a couple times, but if she took one second to actually think, she would realize that what they did made the most sense in those situations.

god, i could tolerate lyria for most of the book, but sometimes how she acted, especially at the end, really tainted my reading experience. it’s just hard to really enjoy a book when you actively dislike the main character.

thank you to netgalley and disney publishing worldwide for the arc!

[Nicole Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for this ARC!

This was a really fun read. It definitely read as a young adult book, but as long as you come in with that mindset there's not a problem. Some things felt a bit underdeveloped, like the one male love interest/her feelings for him (he started the book as one character and became a different one, not in a way that could've been explained really. he just was a completely different person), the elf system of things, ect.

I really enjoyed so much about this. The writing was really easy to get through, and since the author started out as a TikToker, I was a bit hesitant because a lot of books that get famous through TikTok writers aren't always super great. However, this definitely exceeded my expectations. The other male love interest was really complex.

Really impressive debut novel. Glad I got my hands on this!

[Justine Maestranzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC read!

The Ruins Beneath Us is shaping up to be a very promising debut for Sasha E. Sloan. With the mix of magic, hidden identities, and a love triangle, it hits a lot of the high notes in the Romantasy Genre. I enjoyed the main character, Lyria, and her role as healer/apothecary which made this book stand apart from others I’ve read in the genre. While reading the book, I was hooked with the feeling that there was information missing and things can’t be the way they seem which comes to light in the turn of events in the end of the book.

This book is the first in a duology and left off on a cliff hanger. Im looking forward to book two to see where it will take Lyria.

[Gabriella Selby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a wild ride! I absolutely loved this story and can’t wait for book 2! I didn’t expect the twists and turns at all. I had no idea what was real and truth and what wasn’t just like Lyria. I have never loved and hated a character more than Finn! Like I still can’t decide how I feel about him. My heart hurts so bad for Lyria and all the betrayal like her whole life every person just lied to her. Cygnus sir like yes you probably had the least betrayal with your theory and lying by omission but like knowing the rest of get and she asked for was honesty like why??? I really hope her and Cygnus actually get a shot in book 2.

[Kathryn Bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC and just WOW. First off, THAT ENDING, THE TWIST. Okay then, let me just pick my jaw up off the floor. I enjoyed this book so much, I have been in a reading slump, so I wasn't sure how I would feel about it. The writing is absolutely beautiful. The characters are easy to fall in love with. The character development is *chef kiss*. The world is well built but easy to understand. Overall, it was a fantastic book, and I pre-ordered it by chaper 10. Can't wait to see where this series goes

[Book Collectur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down! The plot was unique and original. The chemistry between Finn and Lylia was palpable. I loved that the magical beings in this book are Elves. I am on the edge of my seat for book two and this one hasn’t even been released yet!

My only warning is that this is marketed as a young adult book and it does contain some light spice. It is not descriptive but I would advise parents to read that chapter and determine whether or not they think it is appropriate for their child.

[Kie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given an eARC for this book by Netgalley but I’m sad to say it was a DNF. I’ve followed the author on social media for a while and was so excited when she announced her book was coming out soon, however I could not get invested in this book. I’m not sure what the target age for The Ruins Beneath Us is, but it felt like a middle grade book with how the FMC spoke and acted and I just couldn’t get into it.
However, from the parts I read there was a lot of Rapunzel vibes so if you loved Tangled, you might want to give this book a try!

Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC!

[Traci Bishop · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm honored I was able to read this early with NetGalley! Those that are looking for the comfort of everything we've come to know & love from fantasy books - look no further! Those that are looking for something to break the mold might be a bit disappointed. The story had a quick build up, a good cast, & interesting magic. However, some of the elements seemed very predictable & the naivety of the FMC made me nuts. I will say I didn't see some of the end's plot lines coming, though!