The Ruined

The Beautiful Quartet, Book 4

By: Renée Ahdieh

Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo

Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The stunning conclusion to the instant New York Times bestselling quartet that began with The Beautiful.

The Sylvan Vale and the Sylvan Wyld are at war. Now that the unsteady truce between them has been broken, lines must be drawn. In an effort to protect the weakened Winter Court, Bastien rallies powerful allies and friends in New Orleans to come to their aid.

Meanwhile, under protection alongside her injured mother in the Summer Court, Celine is uncertain of whom to trust. She cannot get word to Bastien, and does not understand why he has not returned. When she realizes war between the fey courts is imminent, she journeys with Ali in an effort to find the time traveling mirror and change their fate.

But when Celine’s rivals realize Bastien has rallied his allies in the mortal world, they decide to take the fight to him.

©2023 Renée Ahdieh (P)2023 Listening Library

Awesome but sad as well

I don’t want to give too much away just to say that I’m sad for them (Celine and Bastien) Much of it was heartbreaking but amazing writing. Was in tears for the whole last chapter. My family was asking me why I was crying lol..

Disappointing.

After reading the first two books, hanging on every word, loving the relationships between everyone, this makes no sense. I was drawn to Celine and Bastien and New Orleans. The Court of Lions and the romance of every line Renee Ahdieh wrote. I was emotionally connected with it all.

The third book came, and it was a little different. I wasn’t as in love, but it was close enough that I knew it would be ok. I was still optimistic it would finish strong with all the things that made it amazing.

No spoilers, but I was wrong. In my opinion, I am only left with disappointment and sadness. It isn’t a sad ending. It just isn’t worthy of the beauty she started with. So disappointed. I loved all the characters too much for there to be no real closure for me. I want a do over. Do it again like you should have this time. Ugh. This one wasn’t for me. And that truly sucks.

Very Disappointed

I was so captivated by the first three novels; however, the conclusion to this series was incredibly disappointing. The ending felt rushed, and the death of some key characters was confusing and useless. I wanted to love this novel as much as I did the others, but it was not well developed and there were so many storylines left unfinished.

Do not listen to this book, read it

The performance of this book was great, but the sound editing leaves a lot to be desired. Many of the conversations in this book involve one character practically whispering and the other yelling. You either miss half of the dialogue or go deaf from the yelling.

I really enjoyed the first three books in this series, but I do not feel that this installment lives up to them.

Bitter endings

I have never been so upset by the ending of a beloved series. I don’t wish to spoil it for those that still wish to read it, but it was entirely too bitter and not nearly enough sweet for every single character. I may have been okay if I had gone into this book with the idea it wouldn’t be a happily ever after, but I feel like the whole series had enough tragedy that I wanted something good to come out of it for someone.

I still really enjoy the first 3 books, just feel let down with the conclusion.