Dark Artificer (The Princesses of Ruin, #3)

Dark Artificer (The Princesses of Ruin, #3)

Ember Holt

Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

He needs her to exact his dark justice. She needs him to destroy a corrupted kingdom. Royal secrets trade high on the black market, and being a quiet princess allows Alyse to hear many things in the palace. What she does with those pilfered confidences would have her mother’s head rolling, but Alyse’s altruism is the only bright spot in her bleak existence outside the pages of her fantasy books. Yet that spot is being swallowed up by a depraved shadow that haunts her her wretched fiancé. Growing up a slave, pain and suffering were the backdrop of Kazimir’s childhood. Even after escaping, that darkness followed him. With his scribe’s training and his relentless determination, he’s made it into the good graces of the royal palace for one to track down every single person involved in enslaving him, and bathe in their blood. When a fateful night has Kazimir and Alyse crossing blades, they’re set on a cruel path that leads to the destruction of their souls—and their restraint. As Kazimir trains Alyse to become the weapon he needs for his revenge, they’re pulled deeper under each other’s spells. Will Alyse succumb to the darkness and stand beside Kazimir when the heads begin to topple, or will she use her deadly new skills to bring her wicked fiancé to his knees and set the kingdoms on a path to war? For fans of Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J Maas. The Princesses of Ruin is a four-part, standalone series set in a magic-based world with Victorian era vibes, possessive men, powerful princesses, and the demons they have to fight to survive in their grim kingdom. Claim your copy now!

Publication Year: 2024


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  • fischyreads
    Mar 30, 2025
    Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

    Every single book I start, I think I can’t love the characters more than the last book. Then boom! Ember does it again and I find myself freaking out even more than I did before.

    ***spoilers ahead***

    The way we first meet Alyse, doing what she can to help her people as much as she’s able, made me instantly love her. And the connection she first feels with Kazimir just hits in the best way.

    I really loved how their relationship developed throughout this while also learning that their feelings go back so much farther. It’s an “it was always you” that just makes me kick my feet.

    Another huge plus for me was that you get to see Alyse embrace the darker parts of her and how much power she truly has, while also staying true to herself and the goals she has of making things change for the better.

    I also love the fact that her fiancé actually sucks. I’ve read so many books where the other half of an arranged marriage is supposed to be a bad person but they’re just… not. Not in this case! I had zero problems with hating him and was so satisfied with what he got.

    The world building also continues to astound me. I’m able to fully picture the things that are happening in this fantasy world in a way that makes me so happy.

    The way this series is evolving and how deep the plot has gotten with events unfolding has me so impatiently waiting for the next one.

    Absolutely well done to Ember and I hope everyone loves it just as much as I did.

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