Synopsis
She is heir to a Sultanate that once ruled the world. He is an unwanted prince with the power to destroy.
She is order and intellect, a woman fit to rule in a man’s place. He is chaos and violence and will stop at nothing to protect his people.
His magic answers hers with shadow for light. They need each other, but the cost of balance may be too high a price. Magic is dying and the only way to save it is to enlist mages who wield the forbidden power of death, mages cast out centuries ago in a brutal and bloody war.
Now, a new war is coming. Science and machines to replace magic and old religion.
They must find a way to save their people from annihilation and balance the sacred Wheel—but first, they will have to balance their own forbidden passion. His peace for her tempest, his restlessness for her calm…
Review
Epic Fantasy, S&S, Romantic Fantasy
This was a reread for me, and with that, I’ve updated my original review. I originally read R&R for the SPFBO7 contest as part of the last batch of remaining finalists with team FanFiAddict.
Reign & Ruin by J.D. Evans delivered a compelling blend of political intrigue within a Middle Eastern inspired world, scorching romance, and a meticulously crafted magic system that kept me engrossed from start to finish.
At its heart lies a romance that was perfect in every way. Evans built tension through subtle gestures and stolen glances and crafted an intimate atmosphere that resonated long after the final page. As a fan of romantic fantasy, I found myself completely absorbed, hanging onto every word as the relationship unfolded with depth and authenticity. How refreshing it was for two characters to communicate with each other!
“All magic is beautiful,” she said, “and terrible. Do you not see the beauty in yours, or the terror in mine?” Her fingers brushed his cheek. “You can stop a heart, and I can stop your breath.”
Equally captivating was the elemental based magic system in type and strength. It was not just a tool for show but was tied into the plot and the characters’ development. The concept of magic having a cost added layers of complexity and realism and enriched both the narrative and the characterization. I thought the Sultan’s situation was handled respectfully and was logical given the circumstances. Evans’ imagery was cleverly imagined, as shown here. “Before he could answer, a whisper of magic brushed across her skin, as if she had just stepped through an unexpected spider web.” I love this description of what recognizing someone else’s magic may feel like.
Naime (FMC), like the boss she was, navigated complex power dynamics within a transitional royal court. Oohhhh, my bl00d was burning at times. The intricacies of courtly maneuvering kept me on the edge of my seat. How will each decision shape the story moving forward? It’s safe to say that I’m nervous!! How will things balance for these characters when magic meets military technology? Sides are being taken, and we’ve only scratched the surface. The side character Tareck and the banter he has with Makram was another element I loved. I could keep going on and on, but I need to wrap this review up.
I’d recommend for readers who enjoy romantic fantasy, non-European imagined world, engaging characters, and intriguing magic system connected to the elements.
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