Book Review: Relic and Ruin (arc)

Relic and Ruin (2022) by Wendii McIver

YA | Teen | Fiction | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Disclaimer: In every review that I complete, I try my best to avoid spoilers of any kind and include spoiler warnings when necessary.

About the book (from Goodreads)

The Banshee and the Wraith. They have the power to save the world—or destroy it.

In a place unlike any other, two brothers set off an ancient, epic, and never-ending battle. This world is controlled by the Necromancers and Reapers—one side pulls people back up through the earth, and the other cuts them down again. One ancient family, the Laheys, have been tasked again and again with keeping the balance between the worlds. And Nyx Lahey, born a Necromancer, but raised a Reaper, is on the front lines. Lately, though, Nyx is wrestling with her identity as she's thrown into an adventure filled with prophecies and the kind of danger you can cut down with a giant scythe.

While chasing a creature that's killing young girls, Nyx runs headlong—and gun drawn—into Erebus Salem. A hunter who has the ability to turn into a raven to escape danger, Erebus also harbors a secret: he's not alive. He lives in Dewmort, a world in-between, where the souls of the dead reside, and where memory is all but erased. With no memory of who he is, his only connection to the past is a locket which ends up in Nyx'she's hands. Determined to get it back, Erebus and his friends set watch on the Laheys, but they aren't the only ones.

Other beings are lurking in the shadows. They know the truth about Erebus and Nyx. They know that the pair are the Relics, the only two powerful beings in the world capable of taking down the greatest evils known to any kind. Soon, Nyx and Erebus become the hunted, and must try and escape the evil plans of the warlord, Bellum.

Bellum wants the Relics for his own purposes. He needs them to raise his father, the original Necromancer, Neco. With his father by his side, Bellum believes he can rule the world—all of them—and destroy the Reapers once and for all.

Can Nyx and Erebus master their newfound powers, and even if they do, can they survive?

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Note: Thank you to Netgalley & the publishers for allowing me access to this arc!

My Review

Right from the start ("In the Beginning"), I knew this book was going to be a fast-paced book that I wouldn't be able to put down. And boy, was I right! Relic and Ruin is an exciting adventure that I had no problem sliding through.

This book fits into the YA and Fantasy categories perfectly. So if that is what you are looking for, then read on! Now I need to add the author's other books to my tbr.

The Good Things

1. The main characters are all written well.

2. I want to mention that the relationships between the necromancers and reapers are intriguing and definitely add a bit more dimension to the overall book. It's an interesting relationship dynamic and certainly one that I have not seen written before.

3. I also love the monsters and zombies that are mixed into the chaos. Talk about exceptional world-building.

4. The book is fast-paced and action-packed.

The Bad Things

1. I sped through this book, which in MY opinion, is a good thing! Others may see it as a bad thing, as they may want a book with a bit more UMPH that isn't so rushed.

2. Some of the supporting characters are a bit lackluster.

3. The last chapter was NOT my favorite. However, it did leave me wanting to read the next book in the series! I suppose that is the point, though.

My Final Rating:

☆☆☆☆ (Goodreads)

☆☆☆☆ (Blog)

☆☆☆☆ (Amazon - to be posted once the book is released)

Pre-order this from Amazon by clicking here!

If you have access to this arc, please feel free to leave comments concerning how you liked -or didn't like, no judgment here- it! If you don't have access, let me know if this is on your tbr! I would love to hear your thoughts!