ARC Review: Ruined (The Eternal Balance #1) by Jus Accardo

RUINED

Author: Jus Accardo

Series: The Eternal Balance

Pages: 325

Publisher: Entangled Embrace

Amazon

Release date: 30^th December 2013

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

Hell is looking for a way to break loose…

Jax lost the genetic lottery. Descended from Cain, the world's first murderer, he's plagued by a curse that demands violence in exchange for his happiness. He left everything behind, including the girl he loved, but thriving on the pain of others is lonely… And it's killing him.

After a series of heartbreaking losses, Samantha put rubber to pavement and headed for college as fast as her clunker could carry her. But she can't outrun her problems. When an attack at school drives her back home, she's thrown into the path of a past—and a guy—she's been trying to forget.

Sam strains Jax's control over his darkness, but running isn't an option this time. Someone—or, something—followed her home from school: a ruthless monster with a twisted plan centuries in the making. Forced together to survive, and fighting an attraction that could destroy them both, Jax and Sam must stop a killer bent on revenge.

Review: 4 out of 5 stars

I am a huge fan of Jus Accardo’s Denazen and The Darker Days series so I have been really anxious to get a hold of Ruined, the first book in her The Eternal Balance series.

Ruined started off a little on the slow side but as soon as things started to be revealed about the demons and the action began it became a lot more entertaining and held my interest.

The premise for Ruined is extremely interesting and one I haven't read before - Jax and his brother Chase are descended from Cain and Abel; at the beginning we learn that Jax is the unfortunate one who is afflicted with a demon curse that feeds off violence in exchange for his contentment, he especially struggles to be in the same room as his brother so has spent quite some time away from his hometown and the only girl he ever had feelings for.

Jax and Samantha have known each other since they were children, both leaving town for differing reasons they are now reunited but things have certainly changed; Jax is easily angered with a big attitude and at times he was a complete ass towards her but she remained loyal and stood by him. His plans were to make a quick exit from town but when Sammy is targeted and almost killed he is determined to find out whom or what wants her dead.

As far as book boyfriends go it was hard not to fall for Kale from Jus Accardo’s Denazen series but Jax certainly gives him a run for his money but in a completely different way, they are total opposites – personality, mannerisms, attitude etc. which I loved, it showed as an author her knack for writing amazing male heroes who are still loveable despite their flaws.

I couldn’t fault the main characters! They were well-thought out and their romance was built on a long lasting friendship which developed to more and was heartbreakingly sweet but also complex; Sammy seemed fearless, I loved her sarcasm and wit as well as her loyalty and determination. I was intrigued by Jax and the demon Azirak inside of him; life wasn’t easy, he was a tortured soul and struggled constantly to maintain his cool but they complimented each other well. 

We don’t get to know all that many secondary characters in Ruined, I was intrigued by Heckle and completely shocked by the villain, they definitely weren’t who I was expecting so this twist was quite the surprise and I’m eager to see how it will all play out in the next installment.

There were so many things I was curious about as I was reading along and with it being about demons it kept me all that little bit more entertained, they are always portrayed as being badass evil so for one to inhabit a human body with feelings was interesting, I was hoping there would be a way for Jax to rid himself of the demon and my fingers for this are still tightly crossed.

Jus Accardo’s writing flows beautiful and the concept for Ruined is really unique. With fabulous characters and the promise of exciting things to come, I am eager to read the next book in The Eternal Balance series.

Overall, Ruined is filled with action, betrayal, violence and a nice romance and despite not finding this to be as solid as Jus Accardo’s previous books, it was still a great start to what I think will be a wonderful series.

 

About the author: Jus Accardo is the author of YA paranormal romance and urban fantasy fiction. 

A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald. 

Her first book, Touch, came out in November 2011 from Entangled Publishing. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.