4 stars

Sadaré takes in the sights of a powerfully deadly maze with no recollection of how the powerful witch got there. All that is known is she must defeat the monster within the maze alongside her bounded companion Daesra, a daemon. Secrets, history and emotions are weaved into each layer as the two navigate their newfound environment. Will they survive or be swallowed by not only the maze but each other?

The world building absolutely blew me away. Specifically the labyrinth itself becomes its own character. Personifying through each situation the pair go through and amplifying with the saturated atmosphere. Definitely on the slow burning side on all aspects but when it does burn, it BURNS!

I wasn’t the biggest fan of either main character initially. Especially with some reiteration of words or phrases. It felt like sometimes they had the same exact argument two chapters back verbatim. Slowly they did grow on me. The electric banter between them definitely helped. I really enjoyed the flashback scenes that molded the MMC/FMC into lovable characters. The coordination of past memories felt like little glimpse and teases to the entirety of the novel. This gave a proper intensity to both the characters and plot.

Now usually I can see a plot twist coming ages away but this one really got me. Again I have to go back to the world building and how intoxicating and complex it was distracting my better senses. At points I felt like things were messy but it all ended up folded into the perfect symmetric piece.

An engulfing slow burn spicy enemies to lovers high fantasy romance with complexity and adventure. I would recommend this for 18+ Romantasy readers. As always please check trigger/content warning before reading.

Thank you to Netgalley, Gallery Books and A.M. Strickland for providing me with an advanced reader copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you net galley and Adrianne May for allowing me to ready and follow this two main characters in the magically twisted dark novel !
I was so engulfed and I feel like I was right in the story, right there as it was all happening the first chapter pulls you in and continues to do so. The dynamic between these character is soo intriguing and alluring.

Exquisite Ruin by AdriAnne May is a thrilling, imaginative journey that skillfully combines mythology, romance, and just the right amount of edge. Drawing inspiration from the myth of the Minotaur and the labyrinth, May breathes fresh sexy life into the classic tale, offering a unique and modern twist that will captivate readers from start to finish who is looking for a dominating romance.

One of the standout aspects of this book is its seamless blending of mythological intrigue and romantic tension. While the book does include erotic scenes, they are tastefully integrated and never feel gratuitous or overwhelming. These moments serve to deepen the characters' emotional connections and add a layer of intensity to the narrative.

Additionally, May introduces subtle themes of bondage within the story, which adds complexity without overshadowing the plot. These elements are handled with nuance, contributing to the characters' development and the overall allure of the story.

For fans of mythology with a romantic twist, Exquisite Ruin is a must-read. It’s a compelling tale that strikes a fine balance between passion, adventure, and mythology, making it a book that’s hard to put down.

Exquisite Ruin by Adrianne May

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC copy.

I was really drawn into this book based on the amazing cover art and summary. It sounded really unique and interesting and the cover art was captivating. I can't say give read many fantasy stories with spice revolving around a labyrinth with a minotaur and enemies to lovers as the main trope.

However, the story really struggled to hold my attention the way I wanted and had hoped for. By the half way mark I was wanting to be done, but trudged through the rest anyway. Which was fine because it wasn't an awful story, it just was okay.

Couldn't really get behind either the FMC or the MMC - they both were a little insufferable unfortunately. Sometimes the banter was fun and enjoyable though. The spice was pretty decent as well and helped make up for the slower pacing of the story,

Best part/character was Pogli haha.

I did like the whole stuck in a labyrinth with the enemies to lovers angst though. My only complaint there was some scenes felt like they were repeating - characters would run away from each other, get into trouble, etc over and over. to where it just felt somewhat predictable overall.

All in all though it was an enjoyable enough of a read. I feel like this might be more enjoyable as an audio book so I'll probably try it out again once it's been officially published and hopefully put on audio. but for now it was a fun and unique fantasy read.

Thanks again to Netgalley and the author for the ARC e-copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Exquisite Ruin by AdriAnne May is an atmospheric fantasy romance that thrives on tension, mystery, and an otherworldly setting that’s as captivating as it is confounding. While the book offers moments of brilliance and a few spine-tingling twists, it doesn’t quite live up to its potential, leaving me intrigued but not fully satisfied.

Let’s start with the labyrinth. It’s not just a backdrop—it’s practically a character in its own right. May’s descriptions of its shifting walls, eerie whispers, and sense of malevolence are vivid and immersive. Every twist and turn kept me on edge, wondering what horrors might lurk around the corner. The maze’s ability to reflect and manipulate the characters’ fears and memories adds a psychological layer to the story, making it more than just a physical obstacle.

Sadaré and Daesra are the heart of this tale, though their dynamic is as sharp-edged as the labyrinth itself. Sadaré’s amnesia serves as both a strength and a weakness in the narrative—it creates intrigue but also distances the reader from fully connecting with her. Her evolution from a confused captive to someone reclaiming her power is compelling, but it occasionally feels rushed or incomplete. Daesra, on the other hand, is every bit the brooding, morally ambiguous antihero, and while his backstory of revenge and damnation is intriguing, it feels like there’s still more to uncover.

Their chemistry is... complicated. The attraction between them simmers with tension, but it’s wrapped in layers of mistrust, animosity, and fragments of a forgotten past. There are moments where the passion between them sparks off the page, but at times, it feels overshadowed by the constant push-and-pull of their antagonism. The flashbacks of their shared history are intriguing but often feel like breadcrumbs that never fully lead to a satisfying meal.

The plot hinges on Sadaré’s journey to recover her memories and their shared mission to escape the labyrinth, but the pacing falters in places. There are stretches of the story that feel repetitive—wandering the maze, bickering, surviving another deadly encounter—before the next big revelation drops. The climax delivers some surprising twists, especially as the lines blur between who (or what) the real monster is, but the resolution feels abrupt, leaving some questions unanswered.

Favorite moments? The maze itself provided some of the most gripping scenes. The way it manifests pieces of Sadaré and Daesra’s past to torment and challenge them was fascinating, particularly one chilling sequence where the walls seem to bleed with their unresolved guilt. Also, the subtle unraveling of Sadaré’s identity was a highlight—each revelation felt like a puzzle piece slotting into place.

Themes of memory, redemption, and the blurred lines between love and hate weave through the story, adding depth to the otherwise straightforward escape narrative. However, the book’s reliance on Sadaré’s fragmented memories to create suspense sometimes works against it, keeping the reader at arm’s length from fully understanding the stakes until late in the game.

Final verdict? Exquisite Ruin is a dark and moody fantasy romance with plenty of potential, but it struggles to fully deliver on its promises. If you love morally grey characters, lush but deadly settings, and a romance steeped in angst and mystery, it’s worth a read. Just be prepared for a journey as frustrating as it is intriguing—kind of like wandering a labyrinth yourself.

The cover had me. I feel like that should say enough.

But, we don’t judge books by their covers for good reasons.


Pros:
-The labyrinth was explained exceptionally well and was riveting to read about. As were the characters descriptions and overall world building.
-The way that Powers work within this world was very unique and well done.
-That plot twist was unexpected!

Cons:
-Dear lord, how many times can the word “I” be used in one chapter? Are there no other ways to phrase an action or thought???
-While most of the pacing of the story was alright, there was quiiiiiiiite a bit (like 30% of the book) that dragged on unnecessarily. There were trials that could have been much less detailed, and a good amount of the conversation between characters felt rushed and at the same time out of sorts.


I didn’t love this, but I didn’t hate it either. It was just okay. There was a lot that could have been built on to create an amazing dark fantasy romance that would have been more memorable and thought provoking, but unfortunately this fell quite flat.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me an Arc of this story!

3.75
I recently finished reading Adrienne May's "Exquisite Ruin" and was impressed by the author's descriptive writing and complex world-building. The story is engaging, with a well-paced narrative that balances romance, banter, and action.

The labyrinthine setting adds a unique layer to the story, and the plot twist is clever and unexpected. May's writing is skilled, making for a compelling read.

Overall, I recommend "Exquisite Ruin" to fans of fantasy and romance. While it may not be a perfect fit for every reader, it's a solid choice for those looking for a engaging and immersive story.

There’s something in the foundation of the writing that holds promise, but the execution and editing are just not there.

I really didn’t like the idea of power coming from physically hurting herself. I get that it could also come from different types of pain, but I don’t want to read about her having to bind her arm uncomfortably, and then more, so she can summon her power.

There seemed to be an inconsistency with the memory loss. After the info-dump of how her power works in chapter 2, she then has a better understanding just a couple chapters later of the best type of pain to inflict to heal herself. In the beginning she remarks, after looking over her body, that she must be a woman. So you can’t even remember that you’re a woman, but you have this understanding of your power to varying degrees? This seemed to happen continually with different aspects of her knowledge and personality, lacking consistency with her memory loss if it was supposed to be absolute.

I was tired of the bickering between the FMC and MMC from the start. The jabs the MMC would use against the FMC got old within the second chapter. I want banter, not to feel like I’m listening to two immature teenagers insult each other. Her hating him from the beginning, but not remembering him, felt like a child in a tantrum at times. The hostility, for lack of a better term, between the two should have been dialed way back, and I think the MMC should have been more distant that insulting, leading the FMC to be conflicted rather than the feeling of petulant hatred. I wasn’t invested in the author's attempt to “hint” at the past relationship and feelings because at that point I wasn’t even invested in them as characters individually, which hurt the story from the beginning.

This book had everything going for it—magic, demons, a deadly maze, and a slow-burn romance dripping with tension—but somehow, it just didn’t work for me. I wanted to be obsessed, to lose myself in the twists and turns of the labyrinth (both literal and emotional), but instead, I found myself…meh.

I think this one is a mood read, and my mood was more “get to the action already.” Plus, slow burns and I are just not friends. I appreciate the tension and the yearning, but sometimes I just want the characters to stop brooding and do something! That’s a me problem, though, not the book’s fault.

That said, the concept is super unique, the writing has this dark, lush vibe that’s perfect for fans of myth-inspired fantasy, and I can absolutely see this being someone else’s new favorite read. For me, though, it was more of a maze I wanted to exit than one I wanted to get lost in.

I really wanted to enjoy this book Unfortunately, the execution left a lot to be desired

First and foremost, the writing could use significant editing, particularly for consistency. For a large portion of the story, the witch is supposed to barely remember anything, yet she repeatedly says things like, “I wouldn’t do/think/feel that.” How would she know that if she only remembers two isolated scenes from her life? Additionally, her feelings about the demon swing wildly from one extreme to another, almost as if the author was trying to hit an emotional quota for the protagonist in every chapter.

The narrative also relied too heavily on telling rather than showing. The repetitive “I did this,” “I went there,” and “I saw that” style of writing made the story feel flat and mechanical, which pulled me out of the immersive experience I was hoping for.

That said, I think there are readers who will love this book, especially if they’re die-hard fans of this genre and can overlook the plot inconsistencies. Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of those readers, but I hope it finds its audience.

1 🌕🌑🌑🌑🌑

This book was a chore. If this wasn’t an arc I would have DNF’d it but I’ve been trying very hard to not dnf arcs so here we are.

The writing was slow, and often too much. There was a lot of tell and no show. I hated both the FMC and MMC almost as much as they hated each other. The world building was okay, I did enjoy some of the more intense scenes but overall this book is just.. kinda there. It’s an option but it’s not a very good one.

I wanted to love this one, hell I wanted to even LIKE this one. The premise sounded SO good but it just fell flat for me. I don’t know, maybe I’m just not a romantasy reader, cause if this is what romantasy is.. I don’t want it.

Exquisite Ruin was an intriguing read! Set against a vividly imagined backdrop, the story centers on Sadaré, a powerful sorceress who awakens in this deadly maze without any recollection of her past. Her only companion is Daesra, a stunning yet menacing immortal bound by vengeance and dark motives. The labyrinth itself feels like a character—alive and shifting, reflecting the emotions and challenges Sadaré and Daesra face. As they navigate its treacherous paths, the maze reveals not only the external dangers they must confront but also the deeply buried truths of their intertwined histories. This duality is central to the narrative, offering a rich exploration of how their pasts shape their present selves.
Sadaré and Daesra’s dynamic is at the heart of the story. Initially, they embody the classic adversarial trope, with sharp-witted exchanges laced with animosity. Yet, as their journey unfolds, the author skillfully peels back layers of their characters, revealing vulnerabilities and a palpable chemistry that complicates their initial disdain. The passion that simmers between them becomes both a source of strength and a profound risk, heightening the stakes of their mission.
The threatening presence of the monster at the labyrinth's center serves as a compelling metaphor throughout the narrative. As Sadaré confronts her fears and the possibility that the source of their turmoil may reside within her or Daesra, the tension escalates. The author deftly weaves this psychological element into the physical journey, making the climactic moments both heart-pounding and introspective.
Overall, Exquisite Ruin is a captivating blend of fantasy, romance, and psychological depth, showcasing AdriAnne May's talent for crafting intricate worlds and multi-faceted characters. Its a story I highly recommend reading.

I found this book really difficult to get into. I started this a few times and had to force myself to keep going.

She wakes up with amnesia. Okay, sure. But throughout the book she seems to know (or assume to know) more than she should if she has amnesia. For both characters their emotional back and forth gave me whiplash. They're into each other, then their not. Hate, indifference, love. All in one chapter. The whole thing was very confusing.

The fact that she kept referring to him as 'the daemon' and not his name for the first 30% of the book really irked me. Also why is she referring to him in every other line/thought? It felt like the author was trying to meet a word quota.

The chapters felt very long and scenes were overly drawn out.

Positives?
The flash back scenes to their past were cool.

Cover art is great.

The line "...it plucks a string I didn't know threaded through me." Brilliant

This book was good! The intrigue of retelling the Labyrinth myth, which was new to me, was great. I did feel that at parts the story tended to drag and get too lost in details. Sometimes the hatred from Daesra felt one dimensional and Sadare's amnesia was sometimes a little too convenient. Overall, the story was immersive and you can clearly visualize the settings as the story progressed!

ARC Review: Sadaré wakes up in an ever-changing maze. She remembers nothing of her life, but can feel that she is powerful. A guy, sorry a daemon, shows up and the two realize they must travel together to make it to the end of the deadly maze and fight the monster at the center if they have any hopes of escape. Daesra, the daemon, remembers everything Sadaré does not and oh boy does he hate her guts. And yet...

Look, I know this is tagged as romantasy and adult but whew this was way more explicit than I was anticipating. The specific uhhhh <i>thing</i> in this book is not really my <i>thing</i> but I went along for the ride and enjoyed it nonetheless. Also, the Cardan tail hater girlies are NOT gonna like this - homie's got a tail <b>and</b> hooves.

What I liked: There's a myriad of spoiler warnings at the beginning that seem all-encompassing, but I'm not an expert; The magic system itself relies on consent. After reading so many "romances" that have dubious consent in the best case, I deeply appreciated this; The fantasy elements of the maze were actually interesting, kept me on my toes, and added a real sense of peril; The relationship development and unfolding of memories were well-paced and felt believable; THE ENDING????????

What I didn't like: The first couple steamy scenes are all flashbacks, which really broke the building tension in the present; Didn't really love the desire for pain but like that's just me dawg; I wanted the outside world to be more fleshed out and the gods to be explained further. It looks like this may be the first in the series so maybe that will happen in later books.

Overall, I had a fun time and was absolutely gagged by the ending which bumped this from a 3 star to a 4 star.

A decadent and delicious adult debut. I was instantly drawn into the banter between our two morally grey main characters--a sorcerer and a demon--and their descent into a deadly maze. While the heat between them sets the book aflame, the interesting worldbuilding surrounding the maze made it impossible for me to put it down. Absolutely loved it.

I first noticed this book because of the cover. Something about it just caught my eye and I wanted to know more! Immediately the opening line captured me and I knew I was going to like this author. The depth of the world and the richness of the descriptions really created a movie in my mind, allowing me to fall into the story even more. I loved the idea of the maze, and that the maze itself was sentient, a character all its own.

As for character's, I really loved that we were trying to figure out the main character the same as she was if you will. The idea of a lost memory, and having those little snippets flitter just outside your reach is so relatable, but now imagine traversing a maze with no memory of how you got there AND with someone that clearly is NOT a fan of you. Chaos would surely ensue, which it does, and the banter of the two MCs is "chef's kiss". The tension is juuuust right and the payoff for said tension is 10/10. Also, the sidekick was something I didn't know I needed!

As for the story, it's lush and moves at just the right pace. I did NOT see the plot twist coming and sort of just had to sit there for a second when I realized what was happening. I thoroughly enjoyed being made to sit down and revisit everything I had just read, to see now what I didn't know then. I enjoyed the ending, and that there COULD be more, but was happy with the way things worked out!

Thank you to the team at Gallery Books and AdriAnne May for the e-ARC via Net Galley!

The Vibes:

—the minotaur (original mythology flavor)

—amnesia

—lovers to enemis to WHAT ARE WE

—kind of hardcore stuff (think CNC plus plain and degradation) handles in a fairly soft way)

Heat Index: 7.5/10

The Basics:

Waking up in the labyrinth, Sadare knows only that she's a powerful witch—and her only companion and help is the demonic Daesra, who hates her. With no choice but to work together, they move towards the center of the maze and the monster that lies in wait, troubled—and tempted—by memories of a shared past as passionate as it was complex...

The Review:

A lot of things should work for me here, and to an extent some things truly did.

There's kink!

There's second chance with a heavy dose of "FUCK YOU FOR LIFE" (the only second chance I truly want). There are so, so many feelings left unsaid.

But I do feel that what made this work for me more than it should have was a classic issue: This was almost entirely from Sadare's perspective. While she's a compelling heroine (delightfully amoral, we might say at points) it's just hard to sell me a romance where I spend most of the time in one person's head and not the other's.

I mean, listen—it can be done. But here, I kept thinking of how much more I wanted to know about Daesra and his feelings for Sadare. I get that a lot of secrets were being intentionally withheld from the reader, but. Come on! I want feelings. I want emotion.

So while I loved a lot of the world, and I found the leads compelling on an individual level, the emotion didn't quite hit for me. I also found that the writing sort of held them at arm's length in that sense. Perhaps that was intentional, perhaps it was a side effect of the POV choices. Either way, it threw me off.

The Sex:

OH, the sex is hot though. And creative. The author is very transparent about the CWs ahead of the story beginning, and please pay attention. You have some really intense pain and blood play, plus CNC, general role playing, and so on. The sex? Not an issue for this book.

While this wasn't a hit for me, I appreciate the creativity, and I would try another book of May's. I'd just love to see her dig deeper into separate POVs.

Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Exquisite Ruin is the story of Sadaré, who wakes up in a maze without any memory of who she is, how she ended up in the maze or her relationship to the demon Daesra, who is there with her.

I loved the conceit of Sadaré, our unreliable narrator. More commonly used in thrillers, the reader is able to learn about who Sadaré is and what her goals are in tandem with the character, really adding a mystery element to the book. I also loved Pogli, her chimera sidekick, who forms an instant bond with Sadaré. The book is filled with plot twists and turns that keep the audience guessing.

I would definitely recommend this book to a thriller reader interested in romantasy, although I would note that references to self harm might be traumatic for some readers. I know this is the first entry in the Owlcrate romantasy subscription and this book has really motivated me to subscribe!

I really wanted to like this. What's not to like in principle? A witch and a demon who love to hate and the witch is slowly getting her memory back as they fight their way through the labyrinth.

I try to never give 2 stars to a book I finish, however, the writing is not good. I read this as an advanced reader copy and maybe some of this feedback will help in editing before it is released, so take this with a grain of salt:

It could have used a lot of editing or someone to check for consistency sake. The first huge chunk of the book she's supposed to barely remember anything but she says multiple times "I wouldn't ... do/think/feel that." Girl, how would you know, you remember like 2 scenes from your whole life???? And then her flip flopping how she is supposed be feeling about the demon every other scene is completely inconsistent. It was if the author had a quota on how many different emotions should could make the main female character run through.

So much telling and very little showing. "I walked here" "I looked there" "I" "I" "I".

There are people out there that I am sure will love this book, I just wasn't one of those people. If this is your fave genre of books you can probably look past how inconsistent the plot is, but I couldn't get over it.