Shadows of Ruin by Anna Applegate and Helen Domico is an absolute gem! Picking up right where Blooms of Darkness left off, this sequel had me completely hooked from start to finish, I couldn’t put it down. The pacing is spot-on, keeping me on the edge of my seat, while the plot weaves together intrigue, danger, and heart-wrenching moments flawlessly. The character development is phenomenal. Lana’s journey as she grapples with the devastation of Brookmere and navigates the mysteries of Mysthaven is so absorbing. I’ve loved reading about her transformation unfold. I’ve also grown so attached to the other characters as well, and their banter makes me love them even more (and if you know me, you know I love a good side character)! We even gain additional POVs that add further depth, making the story that much richer. I have to highlight the world-building because it’s my favourite part of a story and it’s so well written. It’s immersive and transforms the story from mere words on a page into a living, breathing experience. There’s so many intricate details such as the history, the magic, the politics, and even the smallest customs that bring this world to life in such a vivid way that I don’t just want to read about it, I want to live in it. That’s such a magical feeling, the idea of losing yourself in a book, where reality fades away, and for a little while, you exist somewhere else entirely. This book delivers everything you’d want in a fae fantasy romance. It has secrets, deadly magic, slow-burn romance, found family, betrayal, sacrifice, mystery, and love. Anna Applegate and Helen Domico have masterfully expanded on their already stunning world and the best part? No second book syndrome here, this sequel is just as thrilling and well-crafted as the first! The stakes are impossibly high, and the emotions are real.