A mythological retelling that is a breath of fresh air in the increasingly repetitive world of Fantasy/Romantasy.

This is a must-read book I don't want to give any spoilers, but you won't regret getting this book, you won't put it down till you're done reading the whole this.

The start of the book I felt like the amnesia was really setting in. But the book is written in a way we’re your so invested to get the characters memories back. I wanted to know why this “goat-fucker” hated Sadaré so much. You have to get through the whole book to fully understand the characters actions and I was fully hooked.

This book had me playing tug-a-war for who’s team I was on. And im a total sucker for animal companions, the amount of insults the ugly little pug chimera took was astonishing seeing as he was a ride or die! And as we got towards the end Adianne May gave us a twist I didn’t see coming! I’m invested and I need book 2!

This was an intriguing and spicy take on the mythical legend of the minotaur. It is a bit of a rollercoaster as it goes through an enemies to reluctant allies to lovers storyline, but it definitely keeps you on your toes. I enjoyed this story overall, but I felt that it had some confusing moments and the last few chapters were a bit weird. Without spoiling anything, I'll just say that I probably would have rated this 4 stars if the last few chapters were different, but someone else might like it more then I did.

Ultimately, if you are looking for a spicy Greek mythology retelling, you might enjoy this story, especially if you have a thing for monsters.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

This was a wild ride, but so spicy. A solid enemies to lovers, but I just could not vibe with it. It was a great premise but I did have more questions that what the book gave me.

Thank you to Gallery Books, AdriAnne May, and NetGalley for an ARC of Exquisite Ruin in exchange for an honest review.

This was a 2.5 star read for me, but this being an ARC I felt it was much better to round up and not down, because I’m very grateful for the opportunity to read this early. I was very excited for this book, especially after it was announced as the book for the first OwlCrate Romantasy box. The premise also had SO much potential, but it ultimately fell flat for me. The plot was almost nonexistent- in that I couldn’t tell you what the book was about other than getting through the maze and the FMC and MMC hating each other until the last few chapters. The point was we were in the MCs POV and they didn’t know what/why these things were happening, however, it also kept the plot from being clear and present. By the time anything was revealed I was in the last 15% of the book and then it was rushed because the book was over. So the pacing could use some extensive improvement. The pacing also left me bored for 85% of the book since nothing was happening, like the plot was not moving forward they were just surviving the maze, and we didn’t know why. Also the BDSM stuff was not really for me, however to take it a step further there were some major injuries involved in their play- I think I would’ve been fine with the spanking and binding and what not, but her asking him to hit her and cut her back open was not for me.

As much as I tried, I just unfortunately could not get into this one :( I appreciate being given the chance to read, but this was a DNF for me.

This fantasy book is a blend of fantasy, mythology & very psychological, which I didn’t expect. The FMC, a witch, wakes up with amnesia and encounters the MMC - a daemon, who was described as appearing like a Minotaur. Their relationship before they were thrown in this labyrinth is a key component of the story. It is a blend of angst & betrayal along with being forced together to complete this task. At each threshold through the story, the FMC gains bits of her memory back that should light on how she got there. Also, great description on the ever-changing setting as they went through the maze.

It’s also really interesting with the gods being sea, sky, horizon… It’s not a complete standard take on Greek or Roman mythology. There are bits of spice & steam between the characters within the story and a few explicit moments. It’s truly a journey of the mind and working together that is the focus. Nice change of pace from other stories in this genre & nice bonus that it’s a standalone.

Exquisite Ruin is a book that keeps us guessing. Even Sadaré herself doesn't know what's happening. However, May does a fabulous job at creating, and sustaining, this tension. We are slowly both introduced to Sadare and Daesra's relationship. We witness their betrayals, love, and trust. What happened to them and why are they both trapped in the maze? Exquisite Ruin is a book that only builds. By the end I was entirely entranced. I loved how Exquisite Ruin explores control, love, and trust in relationships and with ourselves.

I was initially intrigued by this cover and blurb about a retelling of the Minotaur BUT this blew me out of the water… or should I say maze? It has all the elements of the romantasies we all love with tropes like memory loss, magic, mystical creatures, enemies to lovers etc. our FMC is a badass witch our MMC is dangerous, broody, and downright ungodly handsome monster 🧟😈

I found myself surprised and seduced by the story and this new take was refreshing for an old tale. Who knew Greek history could be so sexy?!? It had me on the edge of my seat until the very end!

Thank you @gallerybooks for a free copy of this ARC!

The synopsis made this book feel like there was so much potential but it just felt flat for me. It really jump to everything with little to no explanation and just felt like nothing really happened.

4.25 stars
I’m torn. Parts of this book were so amazing, others not so much. But overall, I still had a good time with it. And I think it was fresh and unique so I’m standing by my rating for now. My main issues were the slow and repetitive parts, the sometimes confusing plot (expected from the amnesia trope), and some of the bdsm/sexual stuff were way overdone. However, I truly loved the romance. The MMC had my heart, we love bi demons in this house. Poor guy was going through it and was rightfully angry for most of the book. I think the maze setting was really cool and this felt like nothing I’ve read before. The plot twists had me gasping out loud and I am very excited for the sequel. Hopefully some of the issues I had with this one will work themselves out in the next one.

This book is absolutely delicious. Personally, I adore "the memory loss trope", that sense of not quite knowing what's going on. Watching the MC wondering "am I a good person or not", of one partner knowing more than the other. The imminent threat of betrayal by someone who (may or may not) know you intimately. All this playing out via the banter, the cleverness of the the MMCs dialogue--ugh! So good! I - loved - all - of - it. Also made just for me (thank you, Ms. May!) is the hearty side of "monster romance" in this. What is it about blue characters? With horns. (Japanimation ruined me in my formative years, clearly.) Mind you, if he hadn't been SO well written all this would have been for naught, no more than what's trendy and it would have fallen flat. That is NOT the case. The character is "exquisite". I had SO MUCH FUN reading this! 10/10. Highly recommend!

This was an interesting minotaur retelling, but I can't speak to how closely it followed that storyline, as I didn't reread it for a reference. The beginning is a little confusing, but considering that the POV it's in, it makes sense. I also give grace in fantasy novels because the beginning of books tend to be slower with the world building and laying the ground work.

I like the mix of past memories and what was presently happening. I like how it feels she has a redemption arc from her past choices, which consistently get blocks from her now enemy.

I thought the sidekick pet was a cute idea and how looks can be deceiving. (Very much an echo to what's actually happening)

This book is definitely for adults that like to read dark and kink style books. Highly recommend reading the TW list. There is a lot more graphic self induced pain than I anticipated, and don't think most people would be ok with reading it.

I would recommend this to dark dark romance readers.

Overall wasn't too crazy for this read. I felt like the aspect of waking up not knowing who one is was intriguing but the stakes seemed to fluctuate and get a bit repetitive. I am grateful for my copy but this missed the mark for me in terms of pacing and overall care.

Exquisite Ruin is a kinky, dark romantasy following a witch and a daemon trapped in a dangerous maze together. She has no memories, but he knows they had a complicated past and he has a good reason to hate her. But despite their toxic relationship, their chemistry is undeniable and they need each other to survive.

There are content warnings at the start of the book and they're worth reviewing because this might be a lot for some readers. The heroine uses pain to harness her magic, AND she enjoys BDSM in sexual encounters. There is fairly intense self-harm for the sake of magic and survival, and this enemies to lovers sort of relationship that is sometimes violently combative. At the same time, I feel like the book as a whole is kind of about healing and redemption, even if it takes a very dark path to get there. It's sexy and filled with danger, alongside lots of facing past trauma. There's also a jaw-dropping twist late in the book! This won't be for everyone, but it's a good book. I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.

Welp...a simple no thank you for this one.

I was really looking forward to this title, but it just wasn't clicking with me. I found myself unable to grasp what was even happening. This book has a very jarring beginning, and I think that is one of the reasons I just didn't vibe with it. It also felt very overwhelming which led to confusion for me. I also wasn't a huge fan of how "dark" it was. I was caught a little off-guard by it, and dark romance isn't really my thing personally. Not sure how I felt about the self-infliction of pain. Just didn't sit well with me.

I think it has potential, and it might be a book I return to in the future, but right now, it's just not setting right with me. I'm not sure this is the right book for my reading preferences. But I'm not dooming it forever or anything. It's just not the right read for me right now.

I would still like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

DNF'd

I am not often a fan of myth retellings, but this one had a hold on me. While not remaining true to the tale of the minotaur in the labyrinth, it does expand on the notion in a gripping, dark, romantic fantasy. (*** Please take the time to read the content warnings prior to reading this tale.) The imagery is evocative, the characters well-developed, and the plot had me in a chokehold. The further along I got, the more I was invested in the tale. I had tears in my eyes at the end of this one - the twists to their story blew me away. So good.

A huge thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the advance copy!

*Exquisite Ruin* immediately captured my attention with its stunning cover and intriguing premise. The idea of a minotaur myth retelling had me hooked from the start—and it certainly did not disappoint. The dynamic between the two main characters was captivating, especially with their transformation from lovers to enemies and back to lovers.

Both characters are morally complex, and even though they walk the line between right and wrong, I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. While the trials throughout the story did become a bit repetitive, the narrative still kept me fully engaged and entertained.

I absolutely fell in love with Pogli. He's the kind of sidekick creature I dream about—loyal, mischievous, and endearing. I couldn't help but smile at the various shenanigans they found themselves in.

The plot was full of unexpected twists, and that ending? I definitely didn’t see it coming. I'm still reflecting on it, trying to piece together the puzzle.

Overall, *Exquisite Ruin* was a wildly fun, binge-worthy experience. I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

First in a series, sequel is Divine Descent. A lush dark romance retelling of the Minotaur myth featuring a witch and a daemon forced to go through a deadly maze together while dealing with their feelings for one another... fresh from betrayals, secrets, and the undeniable attraction beneath it all. Sadaré is a witch who wakes up in a labyrinth, with no memory of how or why she is down there, only that she is a powerful witch. With her is a hostile immortal daemon, Daesra, who is as beautiful as he is deadly... and completely bound to her. Daesra tells her that she betrayed him, that despite how much she wants to deny it, they were lovers until she betrayed him in the worst way possible and bound him to her... and that she did so because she wanted and needed him to go into this maze for her all so she canget to the end and defeat the monster... and win her prize, her immortality. As they both venture deeper and deeper into the maze, Sadaré begins to get glimpses of her memories back... and the truth of what she has done to Daesra and why slowly begin to creep back in... yet when they reach the end will she be able to betray him one last time or will her heart be different? Oh this was an absolutely fantastic read. I loved the twist and turns and how the book has you hooked until the last page. I was so invested in their romance. This was enemies to lovers, but the lovers part was absolutely delicious. The angst, the romance, the reveal of it all!!! I need the second book immediately because I cannot get enough of these two!!!

Release Date: March 25. 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Gallery Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*