My dear bookish friends,
Today I have for you my review of the sequel of Shadow-Stained, a new fantasy story I read not long ago!
A big thank you to TheWriteReads for my spot on this tour, as well as to the author, Rachel Hobbs, for the ebook! Keep on reading for more info on the story, as well as for my detailed review.
The Blurb
The sequel to SHADOW-STAINED, Rachel Hobbs’ pulsating debut.
BATTLEWORN RUBY is putting her darkest days behind her, and where better to start again than the bustling Callien city? Too good to be true, when the demon of her past comes crashing back into her life, the warning he carries with him leaves it in pieces. Where Drayvex goes, chaos and mayhem trail in his wake. And she’s bound to him tighter than ever before.
SCHEMING DRAYVEX has been busy: chasing the demon turned traitor from world to world, keeping furtive tabs on the girl with a piece of his soul; oh, and running a demon empire. Concerned Ruby will be discovered alive, he enlists her on a hunt for the lapis temporis, an object that can quite literally turn back time, to fix old mistakes and kill their mutual enemy in the past. He’s done playing games.
POWER-STARVED SAYDOR is on the run. Converting to his cause one underdog at a time, his eyes and ears are everywhere. You can’t kill what you can’t find, and Saydor’s covert talent is deadly. The bigger you are, the harder you fall. And he’s just getting started.
But when you’re playing for time itself, how do you know when you’ve been here before?
My Review
For all those of you who like paranormal fantasy with a hint of romance, this is the series you should definitely read!
Soul-Strung takes off where Shadow-Stained left us, and we finally get to see more tension between Ruby and Drayvex! I absolutely love their banter which is filled with sarcasm and the little tingle that perfectly captures their love-hate relationship. They hate each other, but still can’t be without the other. Just the perfect amount of hate though that still shows how the sparks are flying.
What I love the most about it is the masterful way the author writes these two characters. There is so much tension but they barely even touch! At the start of the first story we learned that Demon lord Drayvex is a mean, vicious, horrible person who doesn’t think or care about anyone or anything but himself, but now… maybe also Ruby, a tiny little bit. Of course, Drayvex would never admit that. Not even he himself understands how she manages to get under his skin the way she does, but she still makes him react to her in ways he never thought possible.
This book features a lot of turmoil and angst and action. Ruby is a remarkably strong and courageous heroine. The situations she faces are hard, but Ruby is harder. And tougher!! While she is still trying to cope with the aftermath of what happened in Shadow-Stained, she gets pulled back into Drayvex’s world. Or should I say hell?
I absolutely loved the lore behind this world, this demonic universe that Hobbs created, that reaches both our world and far, far beyond that. It’s unique and captivating, and I can’t wait to see what else the author has in store for Drayvex and Ruby in the next instalment!
4.5 stars from me!
Thank you all so much for reading, and do let me know if you decide to pick up this series as well!
xoxo
Noly
Loved reading your review, Noly. Your enjoyment of this fantasy adventure was plain to see.
Thank you so much, Kim!!