I had the chance to read this on audio through Dreamscape Media and I am so grateful. Blood and Ruin is the first book of a series about shapeshifters, witches, wizards, vampires and demons. Kiara was taken into this world by her stepfather who rules over all. Her stepfather has big plans for her, but will Kiara and her five fated mates make it out alive?

The action in this seemed a teeny bit repetitive at times, but I was still hooked to the story and cannot wait to see what happens in book two. The twist and cliffhanger at the end definitely have me scrambling for more and I cannot wait until the next two books come out on audio.

Thank you to Dreamscape and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

The cover is beautiful. The narrator did a wonderful job. I just felt disconnected from the story and character from the start. It read a little like we were missing some information or like we should've been provided more fluff to some of the characters and backstory.
They didn't connect themselves. They were supposed to be friends from childhood and I just didn't pick up on that to be honest. While this does end on a cliffhanger I'm not quite sure if I'll pick up the next one.

This was actually decently good as an audiobook! I really enjoy RHR with a twist of fantasy and this checked all the boxes. A traumatized FMC who unsurprisingly has an enemies to lovers type connection with SEVERAL super steamy and magically gifted men. Only complaint I had was that it was extremely rushed and the plot was not very developed. There is so much room here to dive deep into each man and the female main character. Instead, there is rarely an explanation and the relationships just randomly bump up to 1000% so it’s a bit like whiplash, but was fine for listening to. I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed this as much as a physical book.

This ends with a cliffhanger and I’m mildly intrigued for the next book if it’s improved upon! 🌶️ 1/5

A U D I O B O O K Review
♡Release Feb. 20♡
♡Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape for the ALC. this is my honest opinion.
shockly, I went into this book BLIND, and I highly enjoyed it. Imagine being FATED mates to NOT 1 guy , but to 5 !!!!! Lucky character !
This story does end on a cliffhanger ...

Sigh, I had some very high hopes for this.
First off, that cover is stunning. I love everything about it, especially the soft pink & snakes. That was my biggest reason for requesting it.

The audiobook production & narration are fabulous. The narrator gave Kiara life, making her character more likeable.

My issue lies more with the storyline. I found it to be very underdeveloped. The stakes were so odd?

There’s a lot to love here, but most of it falls flat.

Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher, to NetGalley for the ALC!

The cover is absolutely STUNNING. And the narrators did a great job but I had to DNF. Nothing against the two narrators, I would definitely listen to them narrating a book again. But the story? Unfortunately, it did not hit the mark for me. The writing wasn't the best and the characters weren't that likable. The premise was there but it was also so similar to every other RH book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rumer Hale, and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this title.

I enjoyed this audio greatly. The narrator did an amazing job!
The book was a great read for me and I think listening to it moved it up on the scale for me! I liked the characters except for King, he was just overly villainous for me. However, others I know would greatly enjoy this book and I will recommend it to others!

Blood and Ruin is a dark and steamy romance. Kiarra has been kidnapped and held hostage by King for the last six years. She's been marked so that she can never leave and King can torture and experiment on her all he wants because she has the ability to heal herself. Kiarra has a plan, though, and soon she'll be able to escape with her sister after she breaks the spells holding them there. Unfortunately for her, she runs into her five childhood best friends, who are now some of the most powerful Alphas in Manhattan, and she's their mate, and her plan gets all the more complicated. The narrator did a great job with what they had to work with, which just wasn't the best writing. This will definitely be a hit for people who enjoy really dark fantasy romance, though.

Paranormal Romance, Reverse Heram, Why choose trope, Magic and Fantasy! This book was a treate for me, definitely!
One Female Protagonist with five fated mates was something new but i would say was interesting to read as it was one one she felt the bond with but five alphas and their care and protection for her was comforting atleast in this book as this is the first book in the series. It was filled up with slight spice but yeah being the book 1 , it did set up the background for the whole series and it gave us description of each characters too.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of participating in the ARC reading for each installment of Rumer Hale's "Blood & Ruin" series. It feels serendipitous that a few years later, I have the pleasure of listening to the ALC audiobook of the first book. Listening to "Blood and Ruin" evoked the same emotions I felt when I first read the book, and the experience was just as captivating the second time around.

Rumer Hale's debut book/series showcases impressive storytelling. In Blood & Ruin, she introduces us to a paranormal world nestled within NYC, featuring six central characters, a distinctive magic system, and a formidable villain.

The story unfolds by introducing us to Kiarra and her alpha mates—Kai (hellhound shifter), Jax (shadow wolf), Luka (Jax's twin and also a shadow wolf), Axel (dragon shifter), and Rion (basilisk shifter), each a formidable alpha in their own right. The exploration of their relationship provides insight into their shared history and backstory. This foundation is crucial in my opinion, as it establishes a pre-existing strong bond and connection among them before the revelation of their mate status. Despite their estrangement, the natural progression from initial animosity to love happens quickly but seamlessly and does not feel rushed given their history.

While Kiarra occasionally assumes the role of a martyr, her extraordinary "abilities" lend legitimacy to her actions. As an incredibly resilient character, she displays unwavering strength in her commitment to protecting her loved ones and facing her fear and ongoing torture. The book features exciting action scenes and well-crafted plot twists, maintaining a sense of suspense. I will be eagerly awaiting the audiobook renditions of the next two books.

Scarlett Everdeen's narration is nothing short of flawless, breathing life into Kiarra's personality. She adeptly captures the multifaceted emotions of the protagonist—her sass, defiance, desire, devotion, love, and devastation. Chase T. Walker's contribution in narrating the last chapter adds a compelling touch, by giving us a peak into our alpha's POV and leaving listeners hanging on the edge of an epic cliffhanger. The good news is, the series is completed. If you enjoy the audiobook, regardless of the next audiobooks not be available - if you really need to find out what happens next in the sequel, you can still read it as a digital or physical book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing this ALC.

3.25-3.5 Stars
I can never say no to a reverse harem!

Deep in the heart of Cardinal Three, Kiarra is trapped. Held captive by her stepfather, King. Kiarra possesses the unique ability to heal - one that King uses against her in the most unimaginable ways. Though she's not physically restrained, Kiarra can never leave Cardinal Three. Her sister's safety is at stake, and King's word is law. The question now is whether her old friends, who mysteriously reappear in her life, can help her escape King's grasp? With danger lurking in every corner and time quickly running out, the stakes have never been higher. Will Kiarra finally be free, or will King's hold on her become too strong to break?

I think the story has a lot of potential, especially with the interesting premise. However, I feel that it lacks depth, character development, and world-building. In my opinion, it would have been better if the novel had started with Kiarra's childhood and her friends, so we could see the bond and friendship they share before jumping to the present time. This would have made the information more engaging and less like an 'info dump'. Despite the flaws, the story was still entertaining, and I was able to finish it within a day. I would highly recommend checking out the audiobook version if you plan to read the novel.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Rumer Hale, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

THIS WAS PHENOMENAL!
It was such an amazing story, I listened to it all in one sitting! The narrators were amazing, the female narrator was just absolutely superb through out the entire book!
The story itself was phenomenal! I’m going to Amazon right now to buy the rest of the series! I can’t wait for the other audiobooks to come out! If you enjoy a reverse harem, and dark romantisy books, this is for you! I absolutely HATED king and the traitor (I don’t know how to spell her name) by the end of the book! I fell totally in love with the 5 guys, especially Jax! The FMC was such a strong kind person, always looking out for everyone else! Just amazing!

I did not finish this book. I thought the narration was well done but I just don’t think this one was for me. I was not a fan of the characters from the beginning. I wasn’t a fan of how the FMC was depicted as a damsel in distress, it just rubbed me the wrong way

I went into this book not knowing exactly what it was about, I honestly thought the cover was super pretty and interesting. I am so glad I did though! This was a paranormal, reverse harem, shifter romance. The plot was very engaging and kept me intrigued throughout the book. I did listen to the audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job 👏🏻👏🏻 I will definitely be listening to the next book in the series.

First of all, I applaud all the blood, sweat, and tears the author put into this. It's not easy.

I so wanted to like this book - the cover is gorgeous and the main character is fiesty. However, a lot of the plot seemed lost in the weeds to me and characters felt very one-dimensional. The spicy scenes felt forced and cringy at times.

Thank you, Netgalley for the copy!

Shifters, witches, vampires, oh my. This fast paced reverse harem is for readers who enjoy lots of steam early on in books.
This book moves a little too quick for me. I don’t connect with the characters. Her finding her mates and being bonded happens so fast before I feel like I have a real feel for her or her mates. The potential for me to love this book is there. It’s short for everything happening in the book. The lack of details, character development, and world building makes it hard to rate because the premise is intriguing and the potential for it to be kickass is there.
For the audiobook version I received-Clear crisp voices, perfect tone, no feedback sounds. - Narrated by Scarlett Everdeen & Chase T. Walker.

Thank you to Rumer Hale, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Rumer Hale's "Blood and Ruin" thrusts readers into a world where brutality reigns supreme and survival is a precarious dance with danger. Narrated with intensity by Scarlett Everdeen and Chase T. Walker, this first instalment in the Blood and Ruin trilogy grips readers from the outset with its raw depiction of a dystopian realm ruled by a tyrant.

The story unfolds in Cardinal Three, a place where pain is not just a companion but a relentless oppressor. Within its confines, witches, demons, shifters, and humans are all subject to the iron will of King, whose dominion brooks no dissent. Scarlett Everdeen's journey to escape this hellish existence forms the core of the narrative, as she navigates treacherous alliances and confronts the ghosts of her past.

Hale's narrative is unapologetically violent, delving into realms of brutality that may unsettle the faint-hearted. The depiction of violence transcends mere shock value, immersing readers in a world where every choice carries life-or-death consequences. For those sensitive to graphic content, caution is advised; this is not a tale for the squeamish.

While the premise of a reverse harem romance set amidst a paranormal backdrop holds promise, "Blood and Ruin" takes a divergent path from conventional expectations. Rather than a tale of tender romance, the narrative explores the complexities of fiercely protective mates bound by destiny and circumstance. Scarlett's entanglement with the five shifters of Manhattan, her former companions turned potential saviors, adds layers of tension and intrigue to the storyline.

Readers seeking a traditional love story may find themselves adrift in the turbulent waters of "Blood and Ruin." However, for those drawn to tales of loyalty, sacrifice, and undying devotion, this novel offers a compelling narrative journey. Scarlett's struggle against the machinations of King and the shadows of her past sets the stage for an action-packed odyssey filled with twists and turns.

As with any first installment in a trilogy, "Blood and Ruin" concludes with a tantalizing cliffhanger, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Scarlett's saga. While the narrative may not be without its flaws, its unrelenting pace and vivid characterizations ensure that it leaves a lasting impression on those willing to brave its darker depths.

"Blood and Ruin" is a gripping yet gritty tale of paranormal romance, where love and violence entwine in a deadly embrace. Hale's vivid prose and Everdeen's impassioned narration combine to create a world both haunting and exhilarating, inviting readers to lose themselves in its tumultuous embrace.


#BloodandRuin #NetGalley

This was a wild ride of a book!

The perfect mix of hope and horror. I feel like this was just a small taste of the story and I cannot wait to see what happens next!

The narration was great! There was a good mix of voices that was good for the voices. It is no small feat when there are 5 MMCs.

There wasn't a lot going on to the world building or explaining of the magic/powers. I also don't feel like we got a good idea of who each of the mates are. Also our FMC was so hell bent on saving Alana but we don't know why she was so attached to her.

I sure hope the series gets spicy because there were hints of it in this one but no actual heat yet!

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this eARC. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy it. The narrator was fine, but the story was choppy and there was not enough background and character building to care about what was happening.

I got through 50% of this audiobook and DNF'd it. I felt like I was thrown into a world and situation with no knowledge of what was going on and had to piece together too many puzzles for it to be enjoyable. The narrator was good, I just couldn't get into the story.