I've been playing league for years and decided to check out the novel: best decision, i enjoyed it so much. it was a very interesting read and i had an amazing time with the book.

It’s such a simple story that doesn’t say much, which is okay given the public consists of people who generally don’t read much (so it makes a nice and easy step into the world of literature!).
What I do have a problem with is the excessive use of archaic words; it’s unnecessary. Reynolds seems to be in a constant search for the biggest and most epic words to describe everything instead of focussing on what exactly he wants to tell you. With the combination of the intended public this use of vocabulary is even more unnecessary.
I’m not saying it’s hard to read, he doesn’t use complex words, the fault lies in the use of pompous words. But maybe that’s just the way Australian English is written?

babygirl….

I had super high expectations going into this book. I adore Arcane (the Netflix show set in this same world), so I went into Ruination expecting the same level of character development, world-building, and intriguing plot.

AND THIS BOOK DELIVERED!!

The plot was fun but also twisty! It did a lot of things I wasn't expecting it to, and while the ending left off on a cliffhanger, I think it was perfect for the story itself! I was so deeply attached to the characters, and I felt way too many emotions (many being of the sad variety in the last part). I am already obsessed with this book and I just know it's one that I'll be rereading soon!

Buddy read with my Arcane obsessed friend!!

Rating: 5 stars

First off; I will start by saying PLEASE do not be put off by the fact that this book is a league of legends book. You do NOT need to play the game to be able to read this; and if you are an enjoyer of fantasy you would be missing out if you denied yourself this. Much like Arcane the show- you can walk into this without ANY game knowledge and be fine because the writer does explain things; he has neither assumed you know everything in the world nor treated you as if you know nothing so no matter what your league lore knowledge is you can feel comfortable and dive in.

The book arms you with a map of the land and royal lineage before throwing you into the thick of it; a new crowning of the King of Camavor on one side; and the selection of scholars in another. it may seem random at first but the writer steadily links the sides of story into one another in a very satisfying way. But throughout there is feelings of foreboding and unease in such a way that you KNOW things will escalate and even if you do know the general gist of what may happen (maybe as a league of legends player) the foreshadowing (

Spoiler

"Inevitably, all nations crumble, fall, and are forgotten. And in their final death roes, they often drag others down with them"-Tyrus of Helia, and "How different the world might have been had that blade found its mark"- Sentinel- Artificer Jenda'Kaya are two quotes you get given quite early so you KNOW this doesn't bode well!

) and seeing how such little things end up leading to the bigger things in the story still presents a gutpunch as you read it. You read a lot from the point of view of Kalista and you see her try so hard for everything and everyone; fighting against time, against court politics, against the social hierarchy that is almost as cutthroat as the ACTUAL cuthroats! not to mention the age old traits of war and violence of the nation and the struggle between loving the nation but despising what they had become. I often sat and found myself marvelling over what if the characters had made a different choice because the end result was so many different consequences from different characters crashing together in the worst way.

I will say, armed with league knowledge, this book also drew in characters i didn't expect it to.

Spoiler

of course there was obvious ones to expect; Viego, Kalista, Isolde, Thresh and Hecarim (though hecarim was developed in a way i truly didn't expect but it was welcome! his descriptions on league just summed him up as "soldier man for viego" whereas he was given a lot more depth and a lot more sinister than believed!). It also expanded on Ryze and a little bit of soraka; and of the blessed isles

it also drew on other characters that hadn't been really linked to this part of league lore before and it helps flesh out the events and the characters in a way that feels a lot more grounded; in the game its easy to think of these characters living completely separate from each other and in their own little pocket universe when really it's all going on at the same time and the book did a beautiful show of demonstrating this.

As someone who fell in love with League of Legends' lore rather than with the game itself, I think I can confidentely say that I absolutely hate Viego ever since he was first teased as a champion. I hated the Sentinels event, I hate that his design's purpose is mostly to be eye-candy and I was extremely dissapointed that he wasn't the old, mad king everyone was expecting; but I do like what they did with his story in "The Ruined King" game. So when the book was first announced, I didn't let my excitement set my expectations very high.

Now, after finishing the book, I think it's only fair to analyse it in two separate ways: on the one hand as a fantasy novel and, on the other hand, as a League of Legends story - because that's what I enjoyed the most about the book, that it can be read even if you know nothing about the game. Reynolds manages to create an intricate story about loyalty; Kalista's struggle to keep the kingdom, and therefore her family, afloat is immaculately written, and all three parts of the book become more intriguing as the story unfolds. I also believe that the artists who worked on this project should be praised: the cover and the illustrations in the book are of excellent quality, and one can easily see the work and effort put behind them.

However, this is also a story set in Runetetta. For any fellow lore fans out there, I promise that "Ruination" came here to deliver the answers to this tragic, yet crucial event that everyone was looking for. Some of them, though. While I wished it covered certain characters more, we can finally get a glipse of what life at Camavor and the Blessed Isles looked like. Furthermore, witnessing the events through Kalista's eyes was a much needed breath of fresh air, and I'm very happy that my favourite spirit of vengeance is finally getting the recognition she deserves.

Even if you are not interested in anything related to the game, "Ruination" is an exceptional novel I would reccomend to anyone who likes fantasy novels. Nevertheless, those who are at least a bit familiar with the lore can read in between the lines, and even recognize some fan-favourite champions along the story. And to any lore enthusiast such as myself out there: we may not have gotten any hints to the Black Rose's role during the Ruination, but at least Yorick got a small cameo.