The Ruby Prince: Book Two of Imirillia

The Books of Imirillia #2

by Beth Brower

THE CITY OF ZARBADAST WAS A DRAGON SLEEPING IN ITS OWN EMBERS.

Queen Eleanor's gambit worked. Aemogen, for now, has been spared from the ruthless Imirillian army. But Eleanor is still a captive, and Prince Basal is taking her into the North. As Eleanor is swept through the deserts of Imirillia to the magnificent city of Zarbadast, she begins to understand the contradictions Basal must negotiate beneath the reign of the sadistic Emperor Shaamil.

Having returned home, Prince Basal again finds himself at war with his own conscience. Under the scrutiny of his father, the pressure of his brothers, and a fierce loyalty to his own people, Basal doubts his ability to fulfill his impossible promise to Aedon: to help Eleanor escape.

In a rich telling of culture, ritual, and choice, The Ruby Prince draws on the complexity of what honor means to both Eleanor and Basal, who find themselves together, yet set against one another, in the enigmatic court of Zarbadast.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult, Romantasy, Clean Romance, Royalty

386 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2016

About the author

Like many of my siblings, I would sneak out of bed, slip into the hallway, and pull my favorite books from the book closet. I read my way through the bottom shelf, then the next shelf up, and the shelf above that, until I could climb to the very top shelf, stacked two layers deep and two layers high, and read the titles of the classics. My desire to create stories grew as I was learning to read them.

Subsequently, I spent my time scribbling in notebooks rather than listening to math lectures at school.

I graduated with a degree in literary studies, and have spent several years working on the novels that keep pounding on the doors of my mind, as none of my characters are very patient to wait their turn. I currently live in Orem, Utah, with my wonderful chemist husband, and books in every room of the house.

Reviews

[Janssen]

This is such a fun ride.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of trilogies kind of fall apart for me in the second book, but I was hooked on this one. While I loved the first book, it was easy-ish to guess where it was heading. Not so in Book 2, which made it another stay-up-all-night-to-finish read. I love the chess played in both books because the entire story feels like a chess match between the main characters.

There better be a happy ending, but I can’t figure out how that can be. On to Book 3!

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Ruby Prince" picks up right where "The Queen's Gambit" left us, with our beloved hero and heroine facing insurmountable dangers from the adversarial empire (and it's maniacal emperor) of Imirillia. They are both truly in a "damned if they do and damned if they don't " situation. Putting them both at the most risk, however, is their growing affection, respect, and love for each other. This book broke my heart into SO many pieces, and yet it is such a lovely story of two people with really big problems who actually talk to each other and trust each other even when they aren't completely sure they should. No matter what happens to them, you know they will act honorably. I loved this book, (even though I was in tears through much of it) maybe even more than The Queen's Gambit, and that is saying something. Once again, the writing is clever and subtle and the relationships are believable and thoughtful. I likened Queen's Gambit to books by Sherwood Smith and Megan Whalen Turner and this one continues that sentiment. The relationship between Basaal and Eleanor reminds me a lot of Gen and Attolia. They are very different characters, but the trust, honor and genuine affection the would-be lovers show to each other feels very similar. The themes of religion and politics and personal integrity are so prominent in both stories.
I also really enjoyed the many other relationships in Imirillia, especially Basaal's camaraderie with Ammar and the other brothers. Even the interactions with the Emperor, which are believably taxing and intimidating.
Please, Beth Brower, please, find a way for the illuminating god to take pity on these wonderful characters and help them cross the 10,000 miles of the world to be safely and happily reunitedy with the one they love! I'm trusting you, you've got my heart in your hands, literally!

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the first book was rather sedately paced, this one takes off all the brakes and roars forward with barely ever a pause. I can't overstate how page-turning it is. It proved almost impossible to find a place to stop reading for the night, but eventually I forced myself to.

This is a character-driven book that simultaneously manages to be all about the plot, so you kind of get the best of both worlds no matter whether you prefer character development or action. That said, it also has more brutality than the first book, and definitely more than what I'd normally read. For that reason I'm a bit conflicted about it. It's not constant, and some of it is off-page, but the gritty presence of it was still disturbing to me.

Basic plot, while trying not to spoil the first book: Queen Eleanor finds herself, against her will, being taken on a grueling cross-continental journey to the heart of the empire currently at war with her nation. Cloistered in its capital city, her chances for a return home are practically nonexistent, except that she has one (very complicated) ally.

[Krisette Spangler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Zarbadast, and the new characters who were introduced. I'm so grateful book three is already out, because I don't know if I could have waited even one day to read the conclusion.

[Emily M · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024:

Okay, this book is heartbreaking from start to finish, but in a beautiful way. This is as angsty a love story as I have read (and unlike Jane Eyre, where Mr Rochester is pretty awful, Basaal is so noble in his religious devotion and his integrity). I think this book is the strongest of the series.

Original:

Well, I could not put this down!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Zarbadast! I love the characters in this book. I love how the ruby prince loves his home and his people. I love seeing his relationship with his brothers and father. I love seeing Eleanor and Basaal's love transform and grow. I loved this book!

[Catherine Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

couldn’t put it down

This holds strong as a second book. We get introduced to a new world, rich and beautiful and flawed in a different way. I especially loved the depth of characters that we get to see in Eleanor and Basaal.

[Airwreckah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Amazeballs.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved!!! Even better than the first in the series!

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable second book! Looking forward to last in trilogy!

[Julie Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so well done! I was completely immersed in this story and felt like I was there. Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes clever, always beautifully written!

[Hannah Degn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Energy if you’re into that. By far my favorite of the trilogy.

[Blessing Bloodworth (naptimereaders) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I make my way through this trilogy, I am enjoying a brief foray into a different world; entirely unlike ours in some ways, and yet quite similar in others. The sameness keeps me anchored and helps the story resonate while the uniqueness piques my interest and stirs my imagination.

This second installment is laced with traveling across unknown lands, experiencing rich culture of foreign lands, complicated political intrigue, and continued building of an unusual & sacred religion.

Queen Eleanor and Princess Basaal and are continuing to deepen as characters. As they break down relational walls to form an alliance, dare I say a friendship, they brush the fringes of a romantic connection. It’s an achingly slow burn between them and you are left hanging on every interaction to see if they will FINALLY truly connect.

Looking forward to the 3rd book to wrap up the questions: future of Queen Eleanor’s land of Aemogen, Basaal’s plan within his own place of Zardabast, and the forbidden future together that they both devastatingly gave up on for the sake of honor and country.

🤐: no language
😍 : continued slow burn attraction, veiled inferences to marriage activities
😇: a portrayal of a religious unique to the country portrayed in the story, ritualistic ceremonies and prayers.

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I was to do an alternative book report on this book it would be to divide the book into sections and choose music to represent each part. I would start with the first part of the book, the journey from Marion to Zarbadast. The song I would choose for this journey would be: Tempus Vernum by Enya. Next would be the arrival at Zarbadast and the events thereafter: Jami's Song by Aaron Murdock. They next section would be Eleanor's engagement to Basaal: Written in the Stars from the musical Aida. For the actual wedding scene I would play: So Close by Jon McLaughlin. I would then go to the part of the week after the wedding: Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word by Sir Elton John. For the last little bit of the book I would choose: May it Be by Enya.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series totally gained momentum! The first book was all about the slow build of characters and world, and this one just took off! And the paces totally fit the settings: Aemogen is slow and steady and peaceful, while Zarbadast is full of riches and bright colors and treachery. WOW Eleanor’s internal struggle is awesome. I do appreciate a female main character that is obviously drawn toward the male protagonist without losing her head! Why is that so rare? Of course her lifetime of training and loyalty would override her affection. The third book is waiting for me at the library! I will have to wait until Monday to get it though. The pain!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I can't decide if I liked this one or the 1st one better. Fascinating immersion into Imirillia and the seeing the difference between the 2 kingdoms. The emperor is a great villain and the relationship between the brothers felt authentic. Loved Eleanor and Basaal. My only complaint is the names-why 7 brothers and most of their names start with "A"?? I had a hard time keeping everyone straight.

[Emily Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 was mind blowing. It didn’t go in the way that I thought it was going at all, in the best sort of way. The tension and the rawness really began to build. Truly, I think this book demonstrates the struggle of being pulled in two directions- what you desire and what you are held to by honor. The character growth was stunning. You start to see the parallelism of the religion and the characters, demonstrating the genius of Beth Brower.

[Christin · Rating 5 out of 5]

powerful

Beth Brower is a skilled and gifted writer. I was completely absorbed into this novel. I inhaled it and then went back to reread a few parts more slowly. I love how complex and layered each character is. I only had ONE question (without giving away a spoiler): why did Eleanor know that one caveat and devout Basaal not?

[Vic Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin? I had a feeling that The Queen’s Gambit was a great deal of set up: world building, history/lore, character development. But oh my word, I was NOT ready for this book. What a rollercoaster but also a masterpiece. It exceeded my expectations tenfold!!! Cannot wait to start the third one!!

[Christine Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen Eleanor is now a captive and very far away from her home in Aemogen. Prince Basaal has made a vow to find a way for her to escape and travel back home in time for her to help defend her homeland from the upcoming invasion.
But Basaal’s father wants her dead and under his watchful eye it will be nearly impossible to escape.
The character building is incredible, the imagery of Aemogen and Imirillion is incredible and the slow burning romance between Eleanor and. Basaal continues to be agonizing.

[Jillian Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very unexpected plot line compared to the first book, was still enjoyable though. I really enjoyed the imagery and the setting of Zarbadast. Biggest complaint is that only Eleanor seemed consist with how she was portrayed in the first book, Wil/Basaal seemed like a totally different character.

[Caroline Krebs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book was touch and go but this one kept me reading at a fast pace. I loved how the build up of the first book really supported this second book. I like how much Beth Brower used religion to be a main theme. I can’t wait to read the 3rd book.

[Libby Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Engrossing and rich with all things a great epic story of love, war, and the maddening nature of politics should offer.

I will be staying up way too late to see how this all shakes out in the last book of the trilogy.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

So so good, couldn't put it down, went straight to the next one!!

[Kirsta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first

[Ivy Myla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really fun! Not quite as good as the first but still really good, I love the characters and their personalities they’re so fun or aggravating depending on who! I can’t wait to read the last book in the series!

[Myla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m excited to see how the series ends and that’s saying a lot since I don’t typically do series. And who wouldn’t love Basaal??

[Bethany Hulse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Nothing too special but I am left hoping that things can work out.

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the trilogy hands down. Such an interesting and good read.