A princess with an agenda, a brooding shadow daddy (not cringe), and a court full of people who would love to see them both fail. Reign & Ruin delivers court scheming with a side of enemies-to-allies-to-lovers.
Naime is smart, strategic, and too politically competent for her own good. She’s spent her life proving she belongs in a world that prefers its princesses ornamental, and now she’s aiming for the highest seat of power. Unfortunately, that means getting tangled up with Makram, a brooding, magic-wielding warrior with too many secrets and a skill set that includes “murder” and “looking intimidating in a dark hallway.” His job is to keep Naime safe. His personal mission? To make that increasingly difficult by being infuriatingly attractive while doing it.
Despite being mostly set in one palace, the story keeps its tension high with actual politics. The pacing is slow at first, but once the stakes hit, it’s impossible to put down.
The Romance
It’s there, it’s steamy, but it moves fast. If you came for a long, drawn-out slow burn full of yearning, Reign & Ruin doesn’t have the patience for that. Makram might be brooding, but he is not emotionally unavailable. He sees Naime, likes what he sees, and that’s that. The attraction is instant, the feelings develop quickly, and while the longing and tension could’ve been stretched out more, at least it’s not a will-they-won’t-they dragged out over 500 pages.
The Court Intrigue
If you love backstabbing, power moves, and watching characters strategize their own way into survival, this book is for you. The Ottoman Empire-inspired setting gives the world an immersive feel that puts actual stakes behind every conversation. The court is a nest of vipers, and Naime thrives in it. She’s playing a game where losing isn’t an option, and watching her navigate power struggles is chef’s kiss level satisfying.
The WTF
• The romance moves at 2x speed. One second they’re exchanging strategic glances, the next they’re all in.
• The ending is rushed. After all the buildup, the resolution felt like someone hit fast-forward.
• The side characters deserved more time. Tareck and Samira? Fantastic. Would have loved more of them.
Final Thoughts
If you want political tension, a smart heroine that doesn’t need to be rescued every five minutes, and a love interest who is brooding but functional, Reign & Ruin delivers. The romance could’ve been slower, the ending could’ve breathed more, but overall? A strong start to a series I definitely want to keep reading.
4/5 stars. Court politics, magic, and tension-filled power struggles—sign me up!
Reading Timeline
- Dates: January 2-20, 2025
Leave a Reply