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Elmerïan Chronicles #3
Ruins of a Shattered Dawn : Elmerïan Chronicles Book 3
If war is upon us, then war becomes us.
A storm is brewing. And noone in Maerïnor is ready.
Over the past year, the balance of power across Verilia has shifted. Alliances have shattered, and now Tirian and the Ashen Empire seek to seize control while the lands are drenched in blood.
Aric and Eldras must uncover their inner strength, or find it elsewhere, as they navigate a perilous struggle amidst a brutal race against time. A new shadow bond will join the fray, but vengeance must be served. And who better to deliver the fatal blow than the prophesied World Breaker?
In the south, Donalis will discover his new place. He will learn that his newfound power comes at a high price as traitors plot against the throne, threatening to turn the Battle of Ambermead against him and the queen.
Newcomers will arrive in Verilia, endangering all who call it home, while Tirian inches closer to his ultimate goal.
A storm is brewing. And noone in Maerïnor is ready.
Over the past year, the balance of power across Verilia has shifted. Alliances have shattered, and now Tirian and the Ashen Empire seek to seize control while the lands are drenched in blood.
Aric and Eldras must uncover their inner strength, or find it elsewhere, as they navigate a perilous struggle amidst a brutal race against time. A new shadow bond will join the fray, but vengeance must be served. And who better to deliver the fatal blow than the prophesied World Breaker?
In the south, Donalis will discover his new place. He will learn that his newfound power comes at a high price as traitors plot against the throne, threatening to turn the Battle of Ambermead against him and the queen.
Newcomers will arrive in Verilia, endangering all who call it home, while Tirian inches closer to his ultimate goal.
754 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2025
33 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 16, 2025
COREY, IF YOU ARE READING THIS, BE AWARE THAT MY PITCHFORKS ARE GOOD AND READY!!!
I am in so much pain right now and it's all thanks to this book. I put it down for a while because I kept crying every three seconds and I knew the worst was yet to come, and oh boy, was I right.
The ending broke me, nothing will ever be the same again. My brain refuses to accept it, it's not fair!!! That last page will haunt me in my dreams...
When Mr Ratliff said no one was safe he truly meant it, because there was so much loss and heartbreak in this book, and this isn't even the final one in the series. I can't imagine what awaits us in future instalments.
But!! I also loved every single minute, despite the gigantic hole in my chest where my heart used to be. Honestly, my whole soul belongs to this series, and it's not giving it back anytime soon.
So if you'd like to join me on this journey of eternal suffering and (occasional) joy, please be my guest.
Seriously though, I can't get enough of Corey's phenomenal writing, his masterful plotting, thrilling twists, incredible characters and everything in between.
In a way, I'm growing right along with Aric, Eldras, Moro and Sage. As in, I'm more of an adult now than I was when the series started, and these characters are giving me the strength to keep going.
Even Tirian, terrible, terrible, Tirian who I might never forgive after what just (ALLEGEDLY, fingers crossed) happened, is such an amazing character to read about because he's so well-written.
Sometimes villains can end up being somewhat cartoonish in fantasy books, but not Tirian, we explore his motivations thoroughly, and his power is genuinely scary.
No spoilers, but as we all know I'm mentally screaming "TIRIAN" every time he's on page, but when he was mentioned 94% in, I went "Oh no...Tirian". I think that tells you all you need to know about how far gone he is.
But I still want to believe that everything will turn out okay, or as okay as possible, because it simply cannot end like this. Nope. Nah. My babies deserve to be happy and ALIVE!!!
Lastly, please read this life-changing and world-breaking (see what I did there?) series if you know what's good for you. 10 billion stars, would go through this pain again and again because it's worth it.
I am in so much pain right now and it's all thanks to this book. I put it down for a while because I kept crying every three seconds and I knew the worst was yet to come, and oh boy, was I right.
The ending broke me, nothing will ever be the same again. My brain refuses to accept it, it's not fair!!! That last page will haunt me in my dreams...
When Mr Ratliff said no one was safe he truly meant it, because there was so much loss and heartbreak in this book, and this isn't even the final one in the series. I can't imagine what awaits us in future instalments.
But!! I also loved every single minute, despite the gigantic hole in my chest where my heart used to be. Honestly, my whole soul belongs to this series, and it's not giving it back anytime soon.
So if you'd like to join me on this journey of eternal suffering and (occasional) joy, please be my guest.
Seriously though, I can't get enough of Corey's phenomenal writing, his masterful plotting, thrilling twists, incredible characters and everything in between.
In a way, I'm growing right along with Aric, Eldras, Moro and Sage. As in, I'm more of an adult now than I was when the series started, and these characters are giving me the strength to keep going.
Even Tirian, terrible, terrible, Tirian who I might never forgive after what just (ALLEGEDLY, fingers crossed) happened, is such an amazing character to read about because he's so well-written.
Sometimes villains can end up being somewhat cartoonish in fantasy books, but not Tirian, we explore his motivations thoroughly, and his power is genuinely scary.
No spoilers, but as we all know I'm mentally screaming "TIRIAN" every time he's on page, but when he was mentioned 94% in, I went "Oh no...Tirian". I think that tells you all you need to know about how far gone he is.
But I still want to believe that everything will turn out okay, or as okay as possible, because it simply cannot end like this. Nope. Nah. My babies deserve to be happy and ALIVE!!!
Lastly, please read this life-changing and world-breaking (see what I did there?) series if you know what's good for you. 10 billion stars, would go through this pain again and again because it's worth it.
July 9, 2025
4.5-4.7/5
As with The Bloods of a Withering Kingdom, I was one of the Beta readers so I'll do my best to talk about the final version of the book.
First is, I love when an author does a recap. So hats off to Corey for that one because SO MUCH happened in The Bloods of a Withering Kingdom.
Now with Ruins of a Shattered Dawn, so, so, SO much has happened that we needed like 700 pages to cram it all in. We have love, loss, wars, tricks, and the ocassional triumph.
As before, I still loved the dwarven chapters. Seeing them build up this tech that throws back to whatever happened long ago, plus Cal and Farg just being their usual selves was *chef's kiss*. I loved the political turmoil that we got from their POVs as well. You just know that's setting up for a big blow out in the next book(s). And being as vague as possible here about the dwarven chapters, Corey, you know what you did and I'm still raging.
Actually, there were a lot of choices that Corey made that followed with some big rage. They were good, don't get me wrong. But he took all the emotional punches of The Bloods of a Withering Kingdom and dialed it up even higher. Broken up with some politics that I think really added to the whole world feel, some relationship development between Donalis and Mara (my power couple), and some new feelings between Aric and Aelabet that they definitely had simmering last time. But still, the choices!
Anyway! We also get more background on the druids which appeared in the first book, Whispers of a World Breaker, before Aric burnt the forest down. I'm really looking forward to more on that. I feel like we got some but not enough from them. And their groves are something I'm super keen to know more about.
I could bullet point list everything I enjoyed and loved in this but it would go on forever and probably end with me telling Corey I'm going to fight him (in a loving way?). I will say this series is not slowing down and is definitely building up to something major in the next book or two. I have no idea what or how we're going to end up there but I do know it will be major, and I will have a lot of emotions about it.
As with The Bloods of a Withering Kingdom, I was one of the Beta readers so I'll do my best to talk about the final version of the book.
First is, I love when an author does a recap. So hats off to Corey for that one because SO MUCH happened in The Bloods of a Withering Kingdom.
Now with Ruins of a Shattered Dawn, so, so, SO much has happened that we needed like 700 pages to cram it all in. We have love, loss, wars, tricks, and the ocassional triumph.
As before, I still loved the dwarven chapters. Seeing them build up this tech that throws back to whatever happened long ago, plus Cal and Farg just being their usual selves was *chef's kiss*. I loved the political turmoil that we got from their POVs as well. You just know that's setting up for a big blow out in the next book(s). And being as vague as possible here about the dwarven chapters, Corey, you know what you did and I'm still raging.
Actually, there were a lot of choices that Corey made that followed with some big rage. They were good, don't get me wrong. But he took all the emotional punches of The Bloods of a Withering Kingdom and dialed it up even higher. Broken up with some politics that I think really added to the whole world feel, some relationship development between Donalis and Mara (my power couple), and some new feelings between Aric and Aelabet that they definitely had simmering last time. But still, the choices!
Anyway! We also get more background on the druids which appeared in the first book, Whispers of a World Breaker, before Aric burnt the forest down. I'm really looking forward to more on that. I feel like we got some but not enough from them. And their groves are something I'm super keen to know more about.
I could bullet point list everything I enjoyed and loved in this but it would go on forever and probably end with me telling Corey I'm going to fight him (in a loving way?). I will say this series is not slowing down and is definitely building up to something major in the next book or two. I have no idea what or how we're going to end up there but I do know it will be major, and I will have a lot of emotions about it.
August 1, 2025
Well here we are, 'Ruins of a Shattered Dawn' book 3 in Corey Ratliff s Elmeriän Chronicles which has been talked about, anticipated, and partially dreaded...and I'm here to tell you, it lives up to everything we expected! And yea...grab the pitch forks and track down Ratliff...I have some thoughts! 😤 Let's do this! 😈
This wonderful and shattered landscape that Corey has created...expanded...set on fire and dragged us through, not only gets bigger, darker, and bloodier...but hel if it doesn't have us flying through these pages at dragon speed while juiced up on arte energy! 🔥 Wow! 🤯
So much happened throughout and especially at the end of book 2 that I found myself eager to find out how Corey would match... and on pace with the series so far, elevate his craft and story that we are now, fully, in love with. Ratliff does exactly this! With destruction on epic levels, strategy rivaling Game of Thrones, character arcs running as deep as the halls of the Dwarves and love that pulls on the most fragile emotions of the most battles tested, and hardened warriors this age has seen. I'm not sure where Corey finds his creativity...but I imagine it started in the halls of the Gods...and somehow made it's way to the lowest levels of Hel...damn it Corey, this was beautifully brutal. I stared at the last page of this beast and just...breathed...😰
PoV's bring you to every corner of the map with detail and even more backstory than ever. The epicenter of this Saga is now painted in the ashes that the Empire is determined to hammer and etch into the histories of our beloved story of vengeance and loyalty. In true Ratliff form, we are bombarded with toil, death, sorrow...and ever so slim rays of hope. This is what we cling to, every chapter, knowing in our hearts that Corey thrives on this...like the Emperor feeding off our hate! Absolutely NO ONE is safe from his pen and by God did he ramp up this part of his writing resume. You will shout, throw things, quietly reflect on events and possibly cry on this journey multiple times...but this is what sets books like this apart from others. Emotional and relatable ties to the story are what us as readers look for in our favorites...you get it all here! 💪 Dear God...that ending...😲
Family, strength, loyalty, and love dancing with a mix of betrayal, deception, anger and death is what you can expect on this dance floor of devastation! Attach your emotions to none...for you may find yourself in the pits of sorrow and emotional pain that match the likes of a broken dragonmage. ☠️
4⭐ action that dares you to draw your sword and fire up your arte core...this will only get bigger, will you be there for the final stand?! 📚
This review is available on Grimoire Ink Reviews
This wonderful and shattered landscape that Corey has created...expanded...set on fire and dragged us through, not only gets bigger, darker, and bloodier...but hel if it doesn't have us flying through these pages at dragon speed while juiced up on arte energy! 🔥 Wow! 🤯
So much happened throughout and especially at the end of book 2 that I found myself eager to find out how Corey would match... and on pace with the series so far, elevate his craft and story that we are now, fully, in love with. Ratliff does exactly this! With destruction on epic levels, strategy rivaling Game of Thrones, character arcs running as deep as the halls of the Dwarves and love that pulls on the most fragile emotions of the most battles tested, and hardened warriors this age has seen. I'm not sure where Corey finds his creativity...but I imagine it started in the halls of the Gods...and somehow made it's way to the lowest levels of Hel...damn it Corey, this was beautifully brutal. I stared at the last page of this beast and just...breathed...😰
PoV's bring you to every corner of the map with detail and even more backstory than ever. The epicenter of this Saga is now painted in the ashes that the Empire is determined to hammer and etch into the histories of our beloved story of vengeance and loyalty. In true Ratliff form, we are bombarded with toil, death, sorrow...and ever so slim rays of hope. This is what we cling to, every chapter, knowing in our hearts that Corey thrives on this...like the Emperor feeding off our hate! Absolutely NO ONE is safe from his pen and by God did he ramp up this part of his writing resume. You will shout, throw things, quietly reflect on events and possibly cry on this journey multiple times...but this is what sets books like this apart from others. Emotional and relatable ties to the story are what us as readers look for in our favorites...you get it all here! 💪 Dear God...that ending...😲
Family, strength, loyalty, and love dancing with a mix of betrayal, deception, anger and death is what you can expect on this dance floor of devastation! Attach your emotions to none...for you may find yourself in the pits of sorrow and emotional pain that match the likes of a broken dragonmage. ☠️
4⭐ action that dares you to draw your sword and fire up your arte core...this will only get bigger, will you be there for the final stand?! 📚
This review is available on Grimoire Ink Reviews
July 13, 2025
I have been waiting forever for this and it didn’t disappoint but I’m also heartbroken for these characters. I want to see more relationship growth between the three brothers in the next book and even Donalis. I just hope the wait isn’t too long!
August 19, 2025
Fast paced action and the plot moves at breakneck speed. I was not ready for the twist and I was left broken by the ending. The author will reward your effort by ripping your heart out and now I’m begging for more!!!
June 27, 2025
Ruins of a Shattered Dawn continues the epic/dark/hopeful series that is the Elmerian Chronicles. After an absolutely GIGANTIC cliff hanger at the end of book 2, Ruins starts off with a rush of adrenaline as we finally have a resolution.
In typical Corey Ratliff fashion, we have more pain and heartache while still feeling the beating heart of hope. Somehow Corey also manages to make this series even more adult, which is something I think the fantasy genre needs a bit more of (at least for my tastes). The themes of death and loss play a major factor in this book and the emotions and feelings are handled so well. Love is also a major theme, and I am here for it. Move over romantasy, because it's ok to have love in epic fantasy too.
The point of view characters are still our favorites from before, with a sprinkle of new additions. I must admit that while I love Aric, Donalis and Torst are my favorites. These two PoV's had a lot of family elements in them. As a father myself, I was really able to relate directly, as well as indirectly to some of the things that these guys go through.
Aric has his best arc yet, really embracing his powers. He learns so much in this book about what it really means to be an elmerian and the strength that he has. We see him come into his own, accepting his path forward.
Moro is still here, and I still just don't vibe with this guy. Nothing is wrong with his part in this book. He doesn't do anything specifically that bothers me...we just don't vibe.
Overall, Ruins is my favorite entry so far in the Elmerian Chronicles. This is a series that gets better and better. Each entry has topped the previous and I am here long term. I cannot wait to get book four in my hands.
In typical Corey Ratliff fashion, we have more pain and heartache while still feeling the beating heart of hope. Somehow Corey also manages to make this series even more adult, which is something I think the fantasy genre needs a bit more of (at least for my tastes). The themes of death and loss play a major factor in this book and the emotions and feelings are handled so well. Love is also a major theme, and I am here for it. Move over romantasy, because it's ok to have love in epic fantasy too.
The point of view characters are still our favorites from before, with a sprinkle of new additions. I must admit that while I love Aric, Donalis and Torst are my favorites. These two PoV's had a lot of family elements in them. As a father myself, I was really able to relate directly, as well as indirectly to some of the things that these guys go through.
Aric has his best arc yet, really embracing his powers. He learns so much in this book about what it really means to be an elmerian and the strength that he has. We see him come into his own, accepting his path forward.
Moro is still here, and I still just don't vibe with this guy. Nothing is wrong with his part in this book. He doesn't do anything specifically that bothers me...we just don't vibe.
Overall, Ruins is my favorite entry so far in the Elmerian Chronicles. This is a series that gets better and better. Each entry has topped the previous and I am here long term. I cannot wait to get book four in my hands.
January 18, 2026
I'm a bit shattered right now. Corey warned that no one in this series was safe. I tried to prepare myself for what may happen, and I know "shattered" is in the book's name, but I didn't expect that of my heart. I kept reading because this is a damn fine story.
The action, the drama, the loyalty between characters, the discoveries, the love, the loss, the betrayals, the absolute devastation - it all comes together in a story that has me wanting more. I love these characters , but I need to get this series out of my mind because after being able to read the first three books one after the other, I must wait for book four.
I was so mad after I finished the book that I immediately gave it 4 stars. But updated that soon after to 5 because this book deserves every single one of them.
The action, the drama, the loyalty between characters, the discoveries, the love, the loss, the betrayals, the absolute devastation - it all comes together in a story that has me wanting more. I love these characters , but I need to get this series out of my mind because after being able to read the first three books one after the other, I must wait for book four.
I was so mad after I finished the book that I immediately gave it 4 stars. But updated that soon after to 5 because this book deserves every single one of them.
June 26, 2025
I hope you all enjoy this book! This one took a lot of my recent life experiences and I poured a lot of my heart and soul into this. If you've read Bloods of a Withering Kingdom, you'll know what I mean.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for giving this series a chance.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for giving this series a chance.
August 26, 2025
This review is available on Grimoire Ink Reviews
Well, that was fucking brutal!
It’s taken me a minute to write this, as I beta read for Corey, and I’m still raging at him, and it took this long to process what I’ve read 🤨
We continue the story with Aric, Moro, Donalis, and the dwarven faction, all doing their thing. I loved the dwarf chapters, and their tech is very cleverly thought out. I am looking forward to seeing where this takes them, but COREY, mate, what are you doing to me?!
Donalis & Mara are such a sweet couple, finding themselves as newly weds, navigating a new reign, amdist turmoil and subterfuge from within their own people.
We also get to meet the druids for the first time, and although the encounters were brief, it feels like they are going to be major players in the upcoming battle.
The pace of this is, as we’ve come to expect from Corey, very fast, with little let up, as our heroes face each new threat.
Aric has huge growth in this book, and his arc is strong. He’s coming into his powers, and finding his strength, and purpose, in fighting for Elmerïa and it’s people.
Corey brings us a dark, very grown up world, where pain, loss, love and hope are front and foremost, in a spellbinding continuation, which leaves us with another cliffhanger and more questions we need answered…not least of which is, “WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING COREY??!?!?”
This was the strongest book yet, with all the feels, so I’m now sad and angry that I have to wait for the next installment, so I can hate Corey all over again!
4.5/5
Well, that was fucking brutal!
It’s taken me a minute to write this, as I beta read for Corey, and I’m still raging at him, and it took this long to process what I’ve read 🤨
We continue the story with Aric, Moro, Donalis, and the dwarven faction, all doing their thing. I loved the dwarf chapters, and their tech is very cleverly thought out. I am looking forward to seeing where this takes them, but COREY, mate, what are you doing to me?!
Donalis & Mara are such a sweet couple, finding themselves as newly weds, navigating a new reign, amdist turmoil and subterfuge from within their own people.
We also get to meet the druids for the first time, and although the encounters were brief, it feels like they are going to be major players in the upcoming battle.
The pace of this is, as we’ve come to expect from Corey, very fast, with little let up, as our heroes face each new threat.
Aric has huge growth in this book, and his arc is strong. He’s coming into his powers, and finding his strength, and purpose, in fighting for Elmerïa and it’s people.
Corey brings us a dark, very grown up world, where pain, loss, love and hope are front and foremost, in a spellbinding continuation, which leaves us with another cliffhanger and more questions we need answered…not least of which is, “WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING COREY??!?!?”
This was the strongest book yet, with all the feels, so I’m now sad and angry that I have to wait for the next installment, so I can hate Corey all over again!
4.5/5
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