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Jewels of Illumination #2
Ruby Ruins
Betrayal cuts deep.
Obhin has found new life defending Dualyn, the famed magical engineer and his servants. With the daring Avena at his side, Obhin takes the fight to the enemies that seek to use Dualayn's talents for their dark and selfish ends.
When a raid goes bad, Obhin finds an enemy that not even his resonance blade can face. A betrayal that cuts so deep it shakes him to his core.
And threatens to destroy Avena.
Only in the ruins of the ruby city can hope be found. Can Obhin find the strength to face the darkness once more?
You'll be enthralled by this fast-paced and exciting fantasy story because of the rich characters will keep you reading.
Get it now.
Obhin has found new life defending Dualyn, the famed magical engineer and his servants. With the daring Avena at his side, Obhin takes the fight to the enemies that seek to use Dualayn's talents for their dark and selfish ends.
When a raid goes bad, Obhin finds an enemy that not even his resonance blade can face. A betrayal that cuts so deep it shakes him to his core.
And threatens to destroy Avena.
Only in the ruins of the ruby city can hope be found. Can Obhin find the strength to face the darkness once more?
You'll be enthralled by this fast-paced and exciting fantasy story because of the rich characters will keep you reading.
Get it now.
- GenresFantasy
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2020
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 12, 2020
I love love LOVE this book! The first book, Diamond Stained, was wonderful, but Ruby Ruins is even better. The story opens right in the action, with Obhin and Avena tracking down one of Ust’s few living associates to learn more about Ust and Dje’wasa’s foul plans. But when the raid ends poorly, Avena’s life hangs in the balance, and only a journey to the ruins of Koilon might restore her.
This is an exciting fantasy adventure! There’s a crazy twist that I didn’t see coming and I’m very curious to see how events will play out in the rest of the series. Obhin and Avena face some very powerful enemies, so it’s going to be a tough battle. My favourite thing about this book is the characters. Obhin and Avena are so human that I can relate to them even though I’ve never experienced anything as difficult as they have. I also really like the cast of supporting characters, especially Dajouth and his never ending flattery! It’s pretty funny sometimes. And the world building is stellar! We started learning about the jewels and their properties in book one, and we learn even more in this book! I also really enjoyed the insight into the Shattering that we got in this book and I can’t wait to read more! If you enjoy character driven epic fantasy adventures, you will love this series! I can’t recommend it enough!
This is an exciting fantasy adventure! There’s a crazy twist that I didn’t see coming and I’m very curious to see how events will play out in the rest of the series. Obhin and Avena face some very powerful enemies, so it’s going to be a tough battle. My favourite thing about this book is the characters. Obhin and Avena are so human that I can relate to them even though I’ve never experienced anything as difficult as they have. I also really like the cast of supporting characters, especially Dajouth and his never ending flattery! It’s pretty funny sometimes. And the world building is stellar! We started learning about the jewels and their properties in book one, and we learn even more in this book! I also really enjoyed the insight into the Shattering that we got in this book and I can’t wait to read more! If you enjoy character driven epic fantasy adventures, you will love this series! I can’t recommend it enough!
July 22, 2023
After the very thrilling action in the previous book, with necromancy exposed, with "things" posing as men, with Ust finally gone, with the White Lady and Grey alluding to maybe not participating in neferious deeds, there was much anticipation for this book, I needed to discover more.... and I did, so much more but not quite the finished picture. JMD Reid mastery at twists, mastery at drowning out all with his prose, his manipulation of my emotions, once more took me on yet another spellbound journey. An adventure that had my heart in my throat within the first few chapters. I love the descriptiveness, the vividry the author paints, bringing colour where there is no discernible colour, bringing life where there is none, illuminating the characters, to shine as bright as the gems and jewels in this story. The twists are like the most tightly woven baskets, intricate in their beauty. Church and politics don't mix, it seems greed is the order of the day, greed for control of the mines, greed for ultimate power and forces none can comprehend.
Dualayn has picked up much from the Recorder, he experiments with jewels, of which there there are eight, each he discovers so many more uses for, trying to find the ultimate cure for all ailments. He definitely has a bumbling professor/mad scientist vibe. He's just a gifted man with a burning need to restore his wife, or is he? What he's done, OMG, I shuddered in horror and disgust. He's no better than the vile necromancer, heck, I think he's even worse! What's even more horrifying is that he sees nothing wrong about his actions.And that's what I'm talking about, JMD Reid takes the reigns firmly and yanks them so violently that I'm never sure which was I'm being propelled, who I can trust and who I can't. Absolutely freaking brilliant!
Obhin and Avena captured me wholeheartedly, I loved the growth in both characters, their newfound determination and their budding romance. I loved the vulnerability of Obhin, rather a contradiction for an ex soldier, a man who had guilt gnawing at his innards, a man who realises just how vulnerable Avena makes him. For him to touch her with his bare hands is an intimacy only used for lovers in Qoth, where colours describe your intent and each has a different meaning, where a woman's most vulnerable part of her body is her expression, thus faces are hidden by masks. A beautiful if somewhat unusual custom.
With Avena being...changed...a desperate ploy is executed to right the wrong done to her, as much as it can, and leads into yet another spellbound adventure of horror, battle and the unknown. What they uncover and discover is far far worse than they could have imagined! And her sudden visions ..yes, I can't wait to find out more about those. The revelation of Fingers elicited a "what!" from me, so surprised was I. My word are the fight scenes so thrilling! The action tense and adrenaline charged, with "things" I've certainly never encountered, from animated dead creatures to crystal men, the author's imagination knows no bounds. Simply magnificent. It is a privilege to partake of such a gourmet meal as presented by the creativity that spews from the brain of JMD Reid. I must dash off to continue this remarkable series...
Dualayn has picked up much from the Recorder, he experiments with jewels, of which there there are eight, each he discovers so many more uses for, trying to find the ultimate cure for all ailments. He definitely has a bumbling professor/mad scientist vibe. He's just a gifted man with a burning need to restore his wife, or is he? What he's done, OMG, I shuddered in horror and disgust. He's no better than the vile necromancer, heck, I think he's even worse! What's even more horrifying is that he sees nothing wrong about his actions.And that's what I'm talking about, JMD Reid takes the reigns firmly and yanks them so violently that I'm never sure which was I'm being propelled, who I can trust and who I can't. Absolutely freaking brilliant!
Obhin and Avena captured me wholeheartedly, I loved the growth in both characters, their newfound determination and their budding romance. I loved the vulnerability of Obhin, rather a contradiction for an ex soldier, a man who had guilt gnawing at his innards, a man who realises just how vulnerable Avena makes him. For him to touch her with his bare hands is an intimacy only used for lovers in Qoth, where colours describe your intent and each has a different meaning, where a woman's most vulnerable part of her body is her expression, thus faces are hidden by masks. A beautiful if somewhat unusual custom.
With Avena being...changed...a desperate ploy is executed to right the wrong done to her, as much as it can, and leads into yet another spellbound adventure of horror, battle and the unknown. What they uncover and discover is far far worse than they could have imagined! And her sudden visions ..yes, I can't wait to find out more about those. The revelation of Fingers elicited a "what!" from me, so surprised was I. My word are the fight scenes so thrilling! The action tense and adrenaline charged, with "things" I've certainly never encountered, from animated dead creatures to crystal men, the author's imagination knows no bounds. Simply magnificent. It is a privilege to partake of such a gourmet meal as presented by the creativity that spews from the brain of JMD Reid. I must dash off to continue this remarkable series...
July 25, 2020
Very good fun!
I really enjoyed book 2 of the Secret of the Jewels. I was a little skeptical going into it but I really wanted to see if the author could improve upon book 1 and boy did he ever!
I really liked the character development and how both Avena and Obhin continued to grow and change and develop their personalities separate from each other but while still growing their personal relationship. There was more adventure and twists in this story that I did not see coming. The way the author navigates these waters is very engaging and keeps you wanting more. I loved the internal conflict the characters have with Dualayn and how the emotions felt human. They felt real and I could connect with them. Their anger, their want to love but also their want to just flat out kill him.
Once again JMD is a master with his fight scenes. The description of Obhin and Fingers and Bran fighting made me feel like I was watching a movie on a page. The harrowing fights with the Crystalmen made me gasp and lean into my screen to read more. The descriptions of Koilon allowed me to picture a real city in my mind. I loved it. JMD really has a way with words.
If you’ve made it past the first book and you’re wondering if you should read the second, don’t hesitate. Pick it up and read it. You won’t be disappointed.
I really enjoyed book 2 of the Secret of the Jewels. I was a little skeptical going into it but I really wanted to see if the author could improve upon book 1 and boy did he ever!
I really liked the character development and how both Avena and Obhin continued to grow and change and develop their personalities separate from each other but while still growing their personal relationship. There was more adventure and twists in this story that I did not see coming. The way the author navigates these waters is very engaging and keeps you wanting more. I loved the internal conflict the characters have with Dualayn and how the emotions felt human. They felt real and I could connect with them. Their anger, their want to love but also their want to just flat out kill him.
Once again JMD is a master with his fight scenes. The description of Obhin and Fingers and Bran fighting made me feel like I was watching a movie on a page. The harrowing fights with the Crystalmen made me gasp and lean into my screen to read more. The descriptions of Koilon allowed me to picture a real city in my mind. I loved it. JMD really has a way with words.
If you’ve made it past the first book and you’re wondering if you should read the second, don’t hesitate. Pick it up and read it. You won’t be disappointed.
August 12, 2021
We follow Obhin and Avena, continuing from the previous book. This volume is intense. Slowly we find out that the people surrounding Avena are not what they seem. We found out in the last book that Smiles is not Smiles but a simulacrum that took on his likeness and personality. Obhin and Avena are watching him and doing their best not to let him know their suspicions. There is so much in this book that I am hard pressed not to give away the plot. We have riots against the king. We have sick people being brought out of the hospital to Dualayn's home laboratory and either becoming well or disappearing for good. We have Avena being injured and the lengths Obhim has to go to keep her alive. There is another expedition to the lost city and much learned there. I can't say I loved some aspects of this book, but I can say it was an adventure for me. I think you will be impressed, as I was.
April 12, 2021
Summary: Some interesting characters, a weird premise (it does not work) a plot that is a bit hay wire, overall I found book 2 quite hard work
Plotline: A bit all over the place, the basics seem well thought out but the delivery is a bit bizarre.
Premise: Getting a bit stupid and irritating
Writing: Simple, interesting characters
Ending: Dramatic
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: A bit all over the place, the basics seem well thought out but the delivery is a bit bizarre.
Premise: Getting a bit stupid and irritating
Writing: Simple, interesting characters
Ending: Dramatic
Pace: Never a dull moment!
May 1, 2024
An exciting sequel to Diamond Stained. I loved the adventure through the ruins and seeing these characters continue to develop.
April 15, 2021
Obhin and Avena’s adventure continues as they venture into the deep, dark ruins of a world long passed. Can they find the antenna to help Avena, and what dangers will they encounter? And what danger do they take with them?
This series is creative and dark and you won’t be forgetting this wild adventure anytime soon!
This series is creative and dark and you won’t be forgetting this wild adventure anytime soon!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews