I received this free eARC novel from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This has been on my TBR pile for so long, and I'm glad I finally got around to it. I really enjoyed the storyline and seeing the characters change throughout the story was a great character development. The plot was great and kept my attention. I'm glad I got the chance to read this and will be on the lookout for more in the future!

Such a great start to a brand new series! Wrath and Ruin is so different from anything that Ripley has done. This story is full of intrigue, magic, betrayal, and even a touch of romance. The characters are well developed and the world building is phenomenal. I love Ripley Proserpina’s writing and I will definitely read anything that she writes. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

I first thought I was reading a fable, then I realized it was so much more than that. It's got to fit in a category to be sold so YA is its label, but this paranormal fantasy tale set in an ancient Russia and its feudal system is vastly more than I first thought. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a completely engrossing story that envelopes you in a world of good verses evil, the devil in vanity, the ruination from greed for power and how absolute power breeds absolute destruction of everything around it, countered by the beauty of living in the moment and enjoying life for its most simple pleasures and the slow building of a friendship of necessity born out of pure goodness of heart and intense stress from outside influences. That friendship grows into the tender and true love of kindred souls.

The cast of characters is: An indulgent mother who lets her son rule without check only to bring his own ruin. Alessandro a mad and cruel King who believes in his own greatness. Lara is a girl ruled by her desires who is tempted with the one this she desired and she was weak of will and others pay. Pytor is a royal, but the fifth son who's overbearing brother has posted him a step too far and he too loses himself in the greed of power. The selfish errors of all her elders unfolds in the circumstances that cause Polya to suffer. Anatoliy a soldier who's devotion to his men costs him everything. Father Stepan who asks each character what they desire and give it to them. Polya is a pure soul as is Anatoliy and I'm rooting for the devil to get his due and leave them to their HEA.
I wish this was a book I had been assigned for required reading in school.

This was super promising but I could not for the life of me, get past the first 50 pages. I am not interested in writing a full review since it woudn't be really fair.

Polya was born with a wild heart, and a tail to match. Daughter of a royal prince and his beautiful wife, Polya was made after her mother made a wish to steal a prince's heart. Growing up, she must face political upheaval, and a fight for the throne, as her father's puppet beast. But can a hunt with another unworldly being bring her new hope? For out of the darkest of times, hope is born.

I'll start with the good. I liked the characters of Polya and Antoliy. At first glance, Polya appears to be the spoilt daughter of an aristocrat, but she's a rich character with many layers of personality. She's powerful in her own right, but uncertain of her abilities and how she should react. This is demonstrated perfectly during <spoiler>the assassination attempt on her family, and the rescue of her mother by ripping a man's throat out <\spoiler> where her actions lead to her doubt what she truely is.

Antoliy is a mirror image of Polya is some respects. The product of a wish gone wrong, much like Polya, he's forced to act as the king's beast and do his bidding in order to protect his soldiers from harm. He's deeply conflicted and hates himself for what's he forced to do, making for a very interesting character. His relationship with Polya deepens his understanding of who his, and what he can do if he pits his powers to good use.

Some of the other characters are a little all over the place in terms of emotional depth etc. I had very conflicted feelings for Polya's father, who at first comes across as loving and caring towards his wife and child (even going so far as to commit treason and risk his life to save his wife's shame), but then suddenly changes into a political monster. One who will use his daughter for his own perverse reasons, without a thought for what she might consider uncomfortable behaviour. I felt the change in direction for this character was rather sudden, and it took me a while to change my perception.

I also found the world building was lacking. I didn't feel involved in the world outside of Polya's bubble of the capital and her winter and summer homes. I wanted to see more of this imaginative world, that so clearly took inspiration from Russia, but was left a little disappointed.

The plot itself is good, and reasonably well paced. I sometimes found certain scenes went on for longer than necessary (such as the conversations about those eggs!), and perhaps could have done with a harsher edit. However, it's imaginative and well written, and I found I enjoyed it more and more as I read on.

A decent YA fantasy with an imaginative lead.

This is a really interesting book. It has fantasy and mystery, and it's just a fun time. I personally didn't feel very immersed in the world, but again, that's just me. The plot of the book felt so fresh and interesting and it was definitely very creative. I would totally recommend this book to a friend, it seems like it would be something they'd definitely enjoy.

I am a sucker for Russian-inspired worlds, so when I saw this I just knew I had to read it. I had never heard of Ripley Proserpina nor this book before I saw it on Netgalley so I was cautious about getting my hopes too high, but there was no need! It was an absolutely enchanting book.
Wrath and Ruin contains a Russian-flavoured world with hints of other cultures, a unique heroine and threads of myth and magic woven throughout. Polya, the heroine, was incredibly well constructed on multiple layers, making her easy to follow and relate to. She is also easily one of the most unusual book heroines I've seen in a while, as she was born with a tiger tail. Antoliy is just as amazing and easy to empathise with.
The worldbuilding is rich and tangible, and was one of my favourite parts of the novel. Expertly built through subtle exposition and beautiful prose, I fell right into the mythical world Ripley Proserpina had created.
The ending left me hanging, and I am ever so excited to read the sequel!

I don't usually read young adult, but I saw it was by Proserpina and had to give it a try, since i have loved everything else she has written. I am so glad that I did. The underlying theme is really about being careful what you wish for, because every wish also has a curse. I love Polya and Anatoliy and cant wait to see where this series takes them.

I received this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This author truly has a gift. This book is impeccably written and imaginative, with an epic movie-like setting and cast of characters. I went into the book completely blind, I hadn't even read the blurb (and still haven't) and it was almost a surreal experience as I tried to figure out where the story was going to lead.

I always struggle when reading about injustice - nothing gets me upset faster - and there are major injustices in this story that really had me unhappy and I struggled to get through some of the beginning because of it. However, I imagine most people don't have as strong of a reaction as I do to that sort of thing, and truly it was integral to the book and as usual, fueled the growth and showcased the heroism of our main characters.

This kind of book is a little different than what I typically prefer to read, but I can't deny it is an absolutely excellent book. My review is deliberately vague as I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. Despite my initial reservations when reading, by the end I was fully invested and now cannot wait to see what happens next in Konstantin.
4.5 Stars

Wrath and Ruin by Ripley Proserpina is a good read. This is a fantastical tale of love, despair and hope. A truly unique storyline. I am posting an honest review after reading an ARC copy of this book.

S. you would like this one

This is the beginning of an epic adventure. This book is very young adult but gets a little gory/intense during fight scenes and a few others. Magic lives and breathes in this world, though not everyone is magical. The setting feels very Victorian Era with some interesting twists. The names drove me a little crazy but it was probably an intentional choice by the author to help set tone.

Polya was born a tiger princess. Her father was a spare prince and her mother was a poor commoner that made a deal with the devil to get her dream. Her father Pytor will do anything to take the crown even if it means sacrificing his only daughter.

Anatoliy is a loyal soldier in the kings service. He makes a deal with the devil to be everything his king and his men need but glory, bravery, ferocity, and strength do not come without payment. His saving grace is in his faithful second Dara who recognizes his captain after the curse is upon him.

There were few joyful moments in the book but I found myself lost in the story anyway. My heart was broken more than once only to find hope again. We end the story not really knowing where it will go from here but feeling a sense of purpose. The devil is never gone even when we fail to recognize him until it is too late.

I loved this book. I rarely give out 5 star reviews but even though it took awhile for me to get into the story I can't wait to see what the future will bring.

ByNicDeNon September 13, 2017
I love Polya and Anatoliy!! Polya is so fierce and pure, and I loved how she shot down the priest time and time again. Anatoliy is very honorable besides his deal with the priest. I hope better times come for her and him in the next book, and maybe she can reconcile with her parents, and find a way to destroy the priest with her purity. I loved where this book took place and I can't wait for more!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B074D7171D/R38FKIV3I2QGYN?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl

This book was good. Definitely different type of story that this author has written before. But it was an interesting story and I will read the next one!

Wrath and Ruin is a YA paranormal fantasy set in the late 1800s Russia (or Risdian based). Polya is a young girl who was born special who is being used by her family, who happens to be royal. Anatoliy is a man cursed into a bear who is no longer useful to the king. Forced together, they struggle to survive a terrible situation they are forced into.

It took me a couple chapters to get into it, because there was a lot of backstory that had to ne covered, but I absolutely loved it. Polya is such a wonderful character. I cannot wait to read more anout her.

What an amazing book! With every wish, there comes a curse. Innocence and idealism are corrupted. One perfect, seemingly harmless thought can change your life forever in Konstantin if you happen to cross paths with a mystical priest. Lara fell in love with the Prince, but knew with her ruined looks she could never have him. Her Prince, Pytor wished to replace his brother as king, but as the 5th brother this is an impossibility. Lara's wish for beauty and the Prince's heart and Pytor's wish for power both have consequences. Their daughter Polya is the curse. She's also the hope.

Polya is one of the most remarkable, unique characters for come along in quite a while. She's fierce, untamed, pure. Feared because of her differences, she has lived a lonely life. My heart broke for her repeatedly. I'm not sure which one of her parent's upset me the most! Shown little love, less affection, and betrayed by the only person that had ever shown her love, she still managed to shine brightly. Anatoliy, a soldier in the King's army was cursed because of a wish he made out of love and loyalty for his men. His suffering equaled Polya's which may have been one of the reasons they fell so hard and fast for one another. They gave each other strength in a time of great danger. It would have been easy for two strangers to turn on each other to try to save themselves, but these two were drawn together as kindred spirits.

This a beautifully written book. It seemed to blend aspects of the Tsardom of Russia and ancient Chinese myths. Exquisite world building. It's a story of family and duty, class inequity, love and loss, greed and unselfishness, human failings. It's the ultimate story of the fight of good versus evil. It's a book of deceptions; simple mistakes altering the world, simple actions changing lives. I loved this book and eagerly (and a little fearfully) look forward to the sequel.