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The Love That Ruins Cities
They kept each other. They lost everything else.
The great city of Aeloria has fallen. The love between Crown Prince Kyrian and Lia was an affront to many in the sky. The purist kingdom of Zelos got its excuse to invade, and took everything — the throne and Kyrian’s family.
The lovers reach the rebel city of Tross as refugees. No titles. No army. No way home.
Kyrian is grieving, and something is waking in him that neither of them can hold. Lia has magic she barely understands, and no wings in a world that measures worth by them.
Meanwhile, down on earth, Empress Maren is facing a betrayal that cuts deeper than any war.
The Love That Ruins Cities is the second book in the Soul and Wing series — epic romantasy of exile, royal intrigue, and impossible magic. Perfect for readers who love established-couple romance under pressure, dual-thread epic fantasy, and morally tangled nobility. Note: This is Book Two. Start with Wingless in the Sky.
The great city of Aeloria has fallen. The love between Crown Prince Kyrian and Lia was an affront to many in the sky. The purist kingdom of Zelos got its excuse to invade, and took everything — the throne and Kyrian’s family.
The lovers reach the rebel city of Tross as refugees. No titles. No army. No way home.
Kyrian is grieving, and something is waking in him that neither of them can hold. Lia has magic she barely understands, and no wings in a world that measures worth by them.
Meanwhile, down on earth, Empress Maren is facing a betrayal that cuts deeper than any war.
The Love That Ruins Cities is the second book in the Soul and Wing series — epic romantasy of exile, royal intrigue, and impossible magic. Perfect for readers who love established-couple romance under pressure, dual-thread epic fantasy, and morally tangled nobility. Note: This is Book Two. Start with Wingless in the Sky.
ebook
First published September 1, 2026
About the author
Lana Delmoure
2 books14 followersLana Delmoure is a fantasy author with a passion for worlds that soar — literally. Drawn to stories of outsiders finding their footing in unfamiliar places, her writing blends lush world-building with sharp political intrigue and characters who feel deeply, messily real.
Lana grew up near the sea, which perhaps explains her love for horizons — that feeling of standing at the edge of something vast and unknown. Her stories are full of them: borders between worlds, between people, between who you are and who you might become.
Much of her reading happened while traveling, devouring fantasy and romance alongside real history, especially Ancient Greece and the Renaissance — the eras that still shape the bones of the worlds she builds.
Wingless in the Sky is her debut novel, and the first book in the Soul and Wing series. When she isn't writing, Lana can be found with a strong cup of tea, a battered fantasy paperback, and strong opinions about fictional love interests.
Explore more of Lana's invented worlds at wiki.lanadelmour.com
Lana grew up near the sea, which perhaps explains her love for horizons — that feeling of standing at the edge of something vast and unknown. Her stories are full of them: borders between worlds, between people, between who you are and who you might become.
Much of her reading happened while traveling, devouring fantasy and romance alongside real history, especially Ancient Greece and the Renaissance — the eras that still shape the bones of the worlds she builds.
Wingless in the Sky is her debut novel, and the first book in the Soul and Wing series. When she isn't writing, Lana can be found with a strong cup of tea, a battered fantasy paperback, and strong opinions about fictional love interests.
Explore more of Lana's invented worlds at wiki.lanadelmour.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 22, 2026
The resilience and determination is unmistakably soul deep. I needed a Playlist to with this book, it's just felt like a movie in my mind I couldn't walk away from. The juxtaposition in the story between Highfolk and Midfolk really comes together and created plenty of jaw dropping, gasping moments. Another well written, fast paced story from author Lana Delmoure!
This review is my honest opinion. Thank you to Lana Delmoure and team for allowing me to read this ARC.
This review is my honest opinion. Thank you to Lana Delmoure and team for allowing me to read this ARC.
August 22, 2026
Two good books in a series makes me,anxious for the third. Being a lover of fantasy and romance, I recognize the difficulty of doing both genres well together. This series has done that. The authors writing style is somewhat different but the book reads in a remarkably cohesive manner.
August 31, 2026
Thanks Lana Delmoure for this advanced review copy!
I know I gave the last book in this series a 4/5. But if it’s even possible I enjoyed reading this book even more than the first book in the series and I’d give it 10/5 stars if that were something I could do on Goodreads!
I’ll have to admit I wasn’t too interested in the story going into the first book, but the second one was entirely captivating and spellbound and had my interest immediately.
The one thing I had a bit of trouble with while reading this book was that sometimes it was hard to tell when the perspective changed and how many different perspectives we were following in the book because I think there was around 6 different perspectives but it was kind of hard to track while reading the book. I don’t typically love reading books with multiple perspectives, but I loved this book all the more for it! This is because you got to really follow along with the different advancements and plot lines in the story and see everything that was going on in the land vs everything that was going on in the sky.
I thought that it was really neat how all of the different characters and perspectives interwove together. Like how Lia’s friend in the first book Rumi who was the daughter of a famous sky merchant in Aleoria went down to earth during the evacuation and had her own adventures down there experiencing life on land for the first time in 4yrs. (And this is a spoiler but I’m so glad that her father ended up being alive)
Lastly, I really liked the concepts of truth and justice in this book, and the representation of all of the different cultures in this book. It was interesting being able to see the contrast between Aleoria and Tross and how Tross was mainly simple and functional in design while Aleoria was more regal and elegant and had gold trim everywhere. I thought this change made since especially because of how Tross values equality among all the classes and views (even other nobility/royalty) the same when they’re in Tross so it also makes a lot of sense that their civilization mirrors this equanimity too.
I know I gave the last book in this series a 4/5. But if it’s even possible I enjoyed reading this book even more than the first book in the series and I’d give it 10/5 stars if that were something I could do on Goodreads!
I’ll have to admit I wasn’t too interested in the story going into the first book, but the second one was entirely captivating and spellbound and had my interest immediately.
The one thing I had a bit of trouble with while reading this book was that sometimes it was hard to tell when the perspective changed and how many different perspectives we were following in the book because I think there was around 6 different perspectives but it was kind of hard to track while reading the book. I don’t typically love reading books with multiple perspectives, but I loved this book all the more for it! This is because you got to really follow along with the different advancements and plot lines in the story and see everything that was going on in the land vs everything that was going on in the sky.
I thought that it was really neat how all of the different characters and perspectives interwove together. Like how Lia’s friend in the first book Rumi who was the daughter of a famous sky merchant in Aleoria went down to earth during the evacuation and had her own adventures down there experiencing life on land for the first time in 4yrs. (And this is a spoiler but I’m so glad that her father ended up being alive)
Lastly, I really liked the concepts of truth and justice in this book, and the representation of all of the different cultures in this book. It was interesting being able to see the contrast between Aleoria and Tross and how Tross was mainly simple and functional in design while Aleoria was more regal and elegant and had gold trim everywhere. I thought this change made since especially because of how Tross values equality among all the classes and views (even other nobility/royalty) the same when they’re in Tross so it also makes a lot of sense that their civilization mirrors this equanimity too.
August 22, 2026
A beautiful continuation of Wingless Sky
The Love That Ruins Cities is a wonderful continuation of Wingless Sky, and once again Lana Delmoure completely pulled me into her world.
First of all, I absolutely love the way this series is written. It is a true romantasy, combining romance, epic fantasy, magic, political intrigue, and an incredibly detailed world. The worldbuilding is one of the strongest parts of the book. The environments are beautifully described, and the writing is so visual that I often felt like I was watching a movie rather than simply reading a book.
I also really appreciate the visual work that accompanies the series. Having images and detailed descriptions of the characters and locations makes it so much easier to picture everything while reading, and it adds another layer to the experience.
Lia and Kyrian face new conflicts and challenges in this book, but their love continues to withstand more than its fair share of obstacles. Their relationship remains at the heart of the story, while the political intrigue and larger conflicts keep the world moving around them. There is perhaps a little more politics than I personally need, but it never took away from my enjoyment of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed returning to this world and following Lia and Kyrian into the next chapter of their story. I’m already looking forward to the third book!
The Love That Ruins Cities is a wonderful continuation of Wingless Sky, and once again Lana Delmoure completely pulled me into her world.
First of all, I absolutely love the way this series is written. It is a true romantasy, combining romance, epic fantasy, magic, political intrigue, and an incredibly detailed world. The worldbuilding is one of the strongest parts of the book. The environments are beautifully described, and the writing is so visual that I often felt like I was watching a movie rather than simply reading a book.
I also really appreciate the visual work that accompanies the series. Having images and detailed descriptions of the characters and locations makes it so much easier to picture everything while reading, and it adds another layer to the experience.
Lia and Kyrian face new conflicts and challenges in this book, but their love continues to withstand more than its fair share of obstacles. Their relationship remains at the heart of the story, while the political intrigue and larger conflicts keep the world moving around them. There is perhaps a little more politics than I personally need, but it never took away from my enjoyment of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed returning to this world and following Lia and Kyrian into the next chapter of their story. I’m already looking forward to the third book!
September 1, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Love That Ruins Cities takes the story further with more world-building, magic, political conflict, and a lot more happening beneath the surface.
I enjoyed seeing Lia and Kyrian navigate everything after the events of Book 1, especially as their connection and the mystery surrounding their magic become more important. The story also expands beyond them, bringing in new conflicts and characters that add another layer to the world.
There were definitely moments where I had to slow down because there was so much information to take in, especially with the politics, history, different groups, and magical elements. But once things started connecting, I found myself more invested in where everything was heading.
The romance is still there, but for me, this is much more of a political fantasy with a romance thread than a romance-heavy fantasy.
Overall, I enjoyed the continuation and the bigger scope of the story.
The Love That Ruins Cities takes the story further with more world-building, magic, political conflict, and a lot more happening beneath the surface.
I enjoyed seeing Lia and Kyrian navigate everything after the events of Book 1, especially as their connection and the mystery surrounding their magic become more important. The story also expands beyond them, bringing in new conflicts and characters that add another layer to the world.
There were definitely moments where I had to slow down because there was so much information to take in, especially with the politics, history, different groups, and magical elements. But once things started connecting, I found myself more invested in where everything was heading.
The romance is still there, but for me, this is much more of a political fantasy with a romance thread than a romance-heavy fantasy.
Overall, I enjoyed the continuation and the bigger scope of the story.
Read
September 3, 2026Having read Wingless Sky, I was already surprised by how easily Lana Delmoure's world pulled me away from reality. The Love That Ruins Cities did the same again, but with even greater confidence.
At times, I had to pause to keep track of who I was following, yet the separate threads gradually came together in a way that made the world feel larger rather than fragmented.
What stayed with me most was the escapism. The setting, politics, relationships and tension created something I could see clearly in my mind, rather than simply read on the page.
Lara's first book drew me in unexpectedly. This one kept me there. I now look forward to seeing where she takes the third.
At times, I had to pause to keep track of who I was following, yet the separate threads gradually came together in a way that made the world feel larger rather than fragmented.
What stayed with me most was the escapism. The setting, politics, relationships and tension created something I could see clearly in my mind, rather than simply read on the page.
Lara's first book drew me in unexpectedly. This one kept me there. I now look forward to seeing where she takes the third.
August 29, 2026
Epic tale with drama and intrigue. I enjoyed the ride and the steadfast romance.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews