Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc.

This book is a strong second installment in the Archive of Hollow Crowns series, delivering high stakes, political intrigue, and compelling character development. Talia Greer does an excellent job portraying Marika's struggle as she steps into leadership of a rebellion she never wanted while facing a king determined to eradicate magic users.
The mystery surrounding the former Commander and the rebellion's hidden secrets kept me invested, and I appreciated how Marika's desperation to survive pushed her into morally gray territory. Her flaws made her feel realistic, even when her decisions were frustrating. The relationships between Marika, Argent, and Harland add emotional depth to the story, and the FFM romance develops naturally alongside the larger conflict.
While the pacing occasionally slowed during the investigation-heavy sections, the dark academia atmosphere, layered world-building, and emotional tension more than made up for it. Fans of character-driven fantasy with complex relationships, rebellion politics, and elemental magic will find plenty to enjoy.
A Chorus of Ruin successfully raises the stakes for the series and leaves me eager to see where Marika's journey leads next.

I really enjoyed the second book in the Archive of Hollow Crowns series! I definitely liked this one more than the first. I felt more invested while reading, and I really loved the gothic theme throughout the book.

Marika, Harland, and Argent go through so much grief, and I thought the book did a really good job showing that grief doesn’t just disappear overnight. It felt very realistic that after how the first book ended they couldn’t just move on from it. Especially, Harland and Marika.

That being said, I was definitely frustrated with one of the main characters by the end . I’m still really excited for the next book, though, and I can’t wait to see where Marika and Harland’s story goes!

A Chorus of Ruin by Talia Greer is a compelling continuation of the Archive of Hollow Crowns series, expanding the dark academia romantasy into a story of rebellion, political intrigue, dangerous magic, and complicated love. After the events of A Cure for Magic, Marika is no longer simply trying to survive—she has become the reluctant leader of the rebellion responsible for destroying her family.

What makes this installment especially interesting is Marika’s changing role. She has power now, but power does not make her feel safe. The rebels need her to lead, while Marika is still trying to understand the movement she has inherited and the dark secrets left behind by its former Commander. The closer she gets to uncovering the truth, the more dangerous the mystery becomes—just like the king hunting magic users. Her fear and uncertainty gradually harden into determination, but that transformation comes with a cost. She becomes more secretive, more ruthless, and increasingly willing to use any means necessary to protect herself and the rebellion. The twists and turns kept my attention from start to finish.

One of the most compelling aspects of the series is its treatment of magic. Magic is created through trauma, which gives the system a darker and more meaningful foundation. It is not simply an ability that characters happen to possess; it is tied to their experiences and the damage they have endured. That concept continues to be one of the most original and fascinating parts of the story.

Having said that, I do feel that the magical world itself could use more expansion. Although the book introduces additional ideas about magic and its consequences, I never felt that I had a complete understanding of the depth or scope of Andor magic. There are still many unanswered questions about how it works, where its limits lie, and what it might ultimately mean for the world. Hopefully, those details will be explored further in the next installment.

While A Cure for Magic centered almost entirely on Marika’s perspective, this installment adds Argent and Harland’s POVs, giving readers valuable insight into their motivations, fears, and feelings toward Marika—and toward one another.

I appreciated seeing the story through Argent and Harland’s eyes. Their perspectives add more depth to characters who felt guarded and mysterious in the first book, and they help clarify the dynamics within the relationship. As someone who enjoys an FFM romance, I loved seeing the dynamic between three of them together (not to mention curious to see what’s next for Ruslan). I do have some critiques about the romance of it all. The relationship between Marika, Argent, and Harland seemed to develop rather quickly, and there is not much yearning or sexual tension driving the connection forward. Their bond is important to the story, but I’m not very emotionally attached to the outcome of their narrative. Readers seeking a spicy depiction of FFM romance will be left disappointed. The book is much more focused on rebellion, dangerous magic, royal intrigue, and the consequences of Marika’s growing power.

Overall, A Chorus of Ruin is a darker and more politically charged second installment, with Marika moving from hunted princess to dangerous rebel leader. It should appeal to readers who enjoy morally gray heroines, queer FFM romance, elemental magic, secret rebellions, and fantasy stories where love and loyalty are constantly tested.

3.5 stars!

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC

This is the second book in a series that full of thrill, emotion, and magic . This was a wild ride from the start! Marika, Argent, and Harland really make a great team and I loved the story here between them. Marika has magic and this changes everything for her. Fantastic story here!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and these opinions are my own.

This book was an enjoyable continuation of the series, and I really liked the darker atmosphere and the way the story builds on the world established in the first book. Marika’s character development was one of my favorite parts, especially watching her navigate the responsibilities and challenges placed on her while trying to figure out who she can trust. I also enjoyed the political tension, magic, secrets, and complicated character relationships woven throughout the story. There were a few moments where the pacing slowed down for me, but I still found myself interested in the characters and curious about how everything would unfold. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

The setting, vibes and characters immediately pulled me in and I was hooked since the first chapter! I finished this in one sitting because I just had to know how it was going to end! This was my first book by Talia Greer and I'd love to check out more!

I really enjoyed A Chorus of Ruin. Marika's growth from hunted princess to reluctant rebel leader felt genuinely compelling, and I loved watching her navigate the secrets left by the former Commander while her methods grew sharper and more morally gray. Getting Argent and Harland's POVs this time added so much depth, especially since they felt more guarded and mysterious in book one. The romance developed a bit quickly without much yearning or tension built up, so I wasn't fully emotionally invested in that side of things, and the pacing slowed during some of the investigation heavy sections. Still, the dark academia atmosphere, elemental magic tied to trauma, and political intrigue kept me hooked, I'm excited to see where Marika's story goes next.