In Reich and Ruin

The Black Sigil of Naphal #2

by Paige Alexandria

In In Reich and Ruin, a long-overdue reunion ignites hope, until the truth begins to change him. As the past resurfaces, love gives way to transformation, and the man she returns to becomes something forged in secrecy, devotion, and ruin.

419 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 19, 2026

Reviews

[sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

in the second book, we follow Reich and get more of his backstory. i felt i was on the edge of my seat the entire book bc it was a little intense at times and never knowing what was around the corner. i love the continuation of Reich & Sage fighting and loving each other through tough situations.

looking forward to the 3rd book :)

Thank you to the author for gifting an early eARC release!

[Laini Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’ll always find you, Reich. Even in the darkness.”

What a wild ride this was 😭 In Reich & Ruin picks up right after the epilogue in Sage Haven. Secrets are being kept, tensions with the ENA are at an all time high, and Sage & Reich’s relationship is being tested. I absolutely love this series. It has darker elements but it’s written so tastefully that it’s not soul crushing. You still feel all the emotions with Sage & Reich, but I loved that this book focused more on Reich. We really got a more inside look with him.

Thank you for the arc Paige 🥹 already foaming at the mouth for a certain character(s) book 🖤

[Nessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap! Where do I even begin!?! Jumping 3 years from where Sage Haven left off we are thrown into an emotion loop! We see Reich who tried to stay away but couldn’t and Sage who tried to move on but wouldn’t. Which to be honest if I were in their shoes I would be the same way. After these years their emotions haven’t changed and they are still wild about one another.

While Reich has been doing business for the ENA, he’s been secretly fighting his own demons and trying to figure out what’s going on without Sage noticing. While Sage doesn’t push for more information she most definitely notices something’s up with Reich. But before Sage and Reich had reconnected Sage had been doing her own research on her mom and her connection with the ENA. While they work together to fight for one another they are also trying to figure out how to take down the organization that “seems” to want to tear them apart. The script turns when hidden identities are revealed and circumstances change on Reich and Sage.

I loved every second of this book! The ending of Sage Haven killed me and the ending of this book left me with more questions than I started! I can’t wait for book 3!

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Reich and Ruin by Paige Alexandria

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

And Paige does it again.

She serves you a giant platter of emotional and mental damage… and it hurts so good!!

Book 2 picks up exactly where Sage Haven left off with Sage and Reich, and gosh dang it, I love them. I love their love. It’s deep. It’s tragic. It’s consuming. It’s perfect.

I won’t say much because the reveals are part of the experience, but the questions from Book 1… They get answered with even more questions. You don’t know who to trust. You fall harder for Reich and Sage with every chapter.

And you start to realize something…

We are not readers.
We are pawns.

Paige is orchestrating this emotional chess game and we are simply along for the ride. Hold on tight!

Expect more emotional damage, deep love, spice, twists, suspense, and a whole lot of:

What is actually going on?!

If you thought Book 1 wrecked you, get ready for book 2.

Tropes and Vibes:
• Second Chance Romance
• Dark Psychological Romance
• Cult Vibes/ Secret society
• Emotional Trauma Bond
• Morally Gray MMC
• Suspense & Mystery
• Unreliable Truths
• Deep, Tragic Love

[Derric Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luckily one of the few selected for Paige’s ARC of Reich and Ruin.

After fully reading the book applause to Paige for getting out book two as quickly as she did after book one because to be honest, I don’t know much longer I could have gone without closure from Sage Haven. Book two picks up three years after the events of book one. What starts out as a simple trek to the bloodwine to find answers about Sage’s mom and her past gets turned upside down with a run in with the ENA. The signature duel POV is back - still following Sage and Reich. However, how book one feels like it was SAGE’s book (obviously from the book title) - book two is DEFINITELY about Reich and his demons. The initial plan gets derailed and Reich gets summoned to the Elders compound where he learns the ENA has plans for him and Sage that neither one of them could have seen coming. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the series unfolds because by the end of book two you’ll have tons of answers but with every answer becomes another question to be solved. Remember. The ENA is always one step ahead

[Marelize Kruger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m telling you guys, I honestly don’t know what to make of this story so far because we’re missing so much information. Once again, Paige proves what an incredible storyteller she is, and you can clearly see on the page that she has real knowledge and background in everything she writes about.

All the emotions are right there, and you can’t help but feel everything Sage and Reich are going through. This is a very heavy book, and you’re on the edge of your seat the entire time because you truly have no idea what’s coming next.

It feels like my brain is completely fried from all the spiraling I’ve done since finishing this book — and I don’t even think I’m anywhere close to figuring things out, to be honest. Paige’s brain just works differently. I’m so incredibly fortunate to be able to read these books early.

In Reich And Ruin releases February 14th.

[Crystal Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC for an honest review on this book. I absolutely loved & devoured book 1 in a matter of hours. Book 2, while I loved it, it took a different turn than I was expecting. Not in a bad way, just unexpected. This book took on more of what I would call a paranormal essence with an apocalyptic feel at times. Book 1 was also what I would have considered a closed door romance whereas this one was more open door. The writing, as with the first one was great. The ending felt a bit rushed but I’m thinking that’s because while Reich & Sage’s story is complete, the overall plot continues into the next 3 books starting with Castor & Sam. I’m eager to see where this series goes and how the plot is resolved.

[LizNReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Paige for allowing me to be one of the firsts to ARC read book 2 of The Black Sigil of Naphal Series.
I loved this book so much. It started off right where it left off on Book 1 (Sage Haven), and though I got what I thought I wanted, it still was not what I would’ve hoped for Sage & Reich, at least not to that extend. I can’t wait for Book 3 to find out more about Castor & Sam’s whereabouts and doings.
Paige, you had me on a chokehold more times than I can count, but the end of this book, I want to say, is better than Book 1.

[Sydney Santillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly loved everything about this book. Every chapter ended in a way that made me want to keep reading, and I constantly found myself saying “just one more chapter.” The way the characters support each other through their struggles felt genuine and emotional, and it made their connection even stronger.
Their reunion was bittersweet in the best way — not overly perfect, but real and meaningful. This book kept me fully invested from start to finish, and now I can't wait until the 3rd book is released!

[Reading is escaping reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pick up right where the first book left off at. And omg this has me wanting so much more! Especially of Castor and Sam. There is just so much that happens in this book, but I love that they are still together in the end. But it also leaves you asking so many questions! Can’t wait for the next book, because this was so good!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many twists and turns in the story, you get answers and then you are left with more questions. I love it! Paige definitely has a different style of writing that I'm used to, it's wonderful. I love how how much more you got to know both Sage and especially Reich in this book.

I cant wait for book 3 to find out about Castor and Sam! I need to know how she got the ribbon to Sage.

[Alyssa Kunz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre review
I loved this book!!! I’m emotionally destroyed 😭😭 and I don’t know how I can go on ahhh. Will have a more detailed review soon once I get my thoughts together