RUINED
Author: Jus Accardo
Series: The Eternal Balance
Pages: 325
Publisher: Entangled Embrace
Release date: 30th 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.
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.
