Excited, yet bitter sweet for this series ending book
Ruin nearly ruins his future before he left for the military, and finally figures stuff out in Ruin’s Embattlement (Ares Infidels MC Book 19) by Ciara St. James. As the final book in this series, I was excited about finally getting Ruin/Tanner and Desi’s story, but sad to see the end of this MC series.
That said, let me tell you why I enjoyed this book. Ruin and Desi have a long-historied backstory that is heart wrenchingly sad and gut-firing rage-y. To say Desi suffered is putting it too mild. But in the present, in this book, Desi is safe, happy, and thriving- despite her best friend, Tanner (Ruin) turning on her. Their relationship, what little there is to it, turns the family home and compound into a battleground. There’s tension, conflict ground deeply. Almost too deeply for any resolution.
As a fan of this series, it was obvious to most that Ruin (then Tanner) and Desi were meant to be. And Ruin’s behavior made it difficult for me to find any empathy or sympathy for him! Sheesh, the guy’s heart and mind was completely ruled by jealousy that he couldn’t see through. And Desi, as stubborn as Ruin, sees her assumptions as truths.
While Ruin and Desi were frustrating, Konrad and Isaiah are strong supporting characters. These two bring levity and shifts focus from time to time, much as Shane, Desi’s son, stole the show from time to time. All of the MC characters continue to be their awesome selves and support this young couple through their resolution, conflict, dangers and surprises.
Overall, Ruin might have nearly ruined everything, but he battled through with steely determination and earned redemption, respect and Desi’s love. This HEA was a long time coming, but worth the wait. As for the end of the series. Well, my HEA loving mind is conjuring HEAs all around for Arrow, Hazard and Konrad, too.
I read an ARC of this book and voluntarily share my review.