Queen Of Ruin

Contains spoilers for book one. See my review for Grace & Fury
Queen of Ruin
Grace and Fury Book Two
Written by Tracey Banghart
Published July 9th 2019
340 Pages
Thanks to Hachette Australia
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★★★★☆
Nomi and Malachi find themselves powerless and headed towards their all but certain deaths. Now that Asa sits on the throne, he will stop at nothing to make sure Malachi never sets foot in the palace again.

Nomi's sister Serina, is far away on the prison island of Mount Ruin but it is in the grip of revolution and Serina leads. The women there have their sights set on revenge beyond the confines of their island prison. They will stop at nothing to gain freedom for the entire kingdom. But first they'll have to get rid of Asa, and only Nomi knows how.

Separated once again, this time by choice, Nomi and Serina must forge their own paths as they aim to tear down the world they know, to build something better in its place.
The women of Mount Ruin have revolutionised the brutal island prison, their oppressors imprisoned although continue to threaten the now united female community with violent consequences of their insolence. In protecting her sister, Serina Tessaro was sentenced and ostracised from the Kingdom of Viridia, a disgraced Grace accused of literacy in a society in which women are denied an education. Although Serina pleads her innocence, sister Nomi is a rebellious young woman refusing to adhere to the male patriarchal society and with the knowledge of the slain Superior and Prince Malachi, is sentenced to Mount Ruin.

Although Serina and Nomi are contrasting siblings, they care and support one another profoundly. As children, Serina often believed that Nomi holding her rebellious morals were little more than dissent towards her role as handmaiden, her furtive education culminating in the Tessaro sisters both convicted and sentenced to the island mountain so Prince Asa can rule unopposed. The abhorrent Asa clearly underestimating the power of women, an island where women have been forced to fight to the death is revolting against the male dominated society and with Nomi's newfound knowledge of Viridia's history, the sisters are determined to take back what is rightfully theirs. Freedom, respect and power.

Serina and Nomi are formidable characters who have undergone an incredible amount of growth since arriving in the Viridia capital. Serina was a Grace who's beauty and poise is ingrained within her from an early age while Nomi rebelled against the oppression women faced. Now reunited, the sisters are about to part ways again, this time Serina will commandeer the prison transport vessel and guide the women of Mount Ruin to safety while Nomi will accompany Prince Malachi back to the mainland, in the hopes of finding her brother, parents and ending Asa's rein.

The duology challenges stereotypes with its subtle themes of feminism within the patriarchal society. That women are homemakers, concubines and uneducated simply because men fear them and what women are capable of. Seeing the women of Mount Ruin rise as one to fight back against their oppressors was inspirational and ignites conversations about women and women's rights, our bodies and our right to the same freedoms that men overwhelmingly enjoy.

The romance throughout is incredibly subtle with the focus on friendships and female empowerment. The male love interests barely rate a mention, they're simply supporting characters who both support the equality of women. Women are the main focus and drive the narrative through their fierceness and determination, I loved each and every moment.

Although Grace and Fury is a duology, the ending left me wanting more. What happens to a society where males now become displaced? Their power stripped and women given equal rights? There's so much more of the story to tell and I hope Tracey Banghart will revisit this amazing world she's created again sometime soon. 

I live for books like the Grace and Fury duology, it's why I read young adult novels. Strong female characters within an oppressive world isn't too far from reality for so many teen girls, denied an education, denied the rights to their own bodies and denied the freedom that so many of us take for granted. It portrays women as fighters, the quiet rebellion of reading or a warriors call to arms to fight against the patriarchy, every female voice is important. It's entertaining, inspiration and just an incredible read. It's for every woman who has been told to sit down and be quiet... And who stood up anyway.

11 comments

  1. Wow, you have me wanting to stand up to every man who makes a remark to me on public transport and every guy at work making a sexist joke with this review. This sounds like a powerful duology with a strong feminist vibe that seems to have totally passed me by. I will say I'm with you wanting to know what would happen next in a society where men of been displaced and equality has happened. I cannot see men meekly taking this, there has to be more to this story and I hope this will be revisited again.

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    1. Me too! Misogyny and masculine toxicity are ingrained and I can't imagine a society of male dominance where women are seen as subservient will accept equality. The series is incredible, I can't recommend it highly enough.

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  2. This sounds so eye-opening, tbh. It sounds like a really enthralling and solid novel. I've been loving that feminist angle in stories, so this would be one I'd enjoy!

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    1. It's brilliant and one of the best dystopian type novels I've read in years. I love narratives with empowered young women, I hope you enjoy this one too. I can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  3. This makes me want to put everything else down and pick up the first book, and then this one to continue on straight away. ♥

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    1. The series is amazing, I hope you can pick up a copy, I'd love to see what you think of it!

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  4. I love the cover change the books have! <3

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    1. These are actually the UK / Australian covers which are more eye catching than the US covers. Such a brilliant series!

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  5. I'm so on board with duologies! I love how the romance isn't the focus.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. I love a duology too Karen! Then we don't have to suffer through sequels with middle book syndrome.

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  6. I just skimmed because I have the first book in this duology sitting on my kindle but I'm glad to see that the second book is such a good read. Serina and Nomi sound like great characters and I love that romance doesn't overshadow any other aspect of the book.

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