Voice of Youth Advocates

Avenged, the eagerly anticipated sequel to Ruined (HarperTeen, 2016/VOYA June 2016), delivers on the potential of this fantasy series. In the first book, protagonist Emeline (Em) Flores rescued her sister, Olivia, from a year of captivity in Lera. Olivia now intends to wreak vengeance upon not only the Lerans, but also the people of Vallos and Olso so that the magically-powered denizens of Ruina can take over their lands. Em knows that the new Leran king, Casimir Gallegos, will change his predecessor’s policies against the Ruined—if he can keep his cousin Jovita from stealing the throne. The star-crossed love between Em and Casimir began after their marriage in Ruined, while Em was pretending to be his betrothed princess from Vallos. In Avenged, the romance grows. Tintera explores the parameters of leadership, justice, power, and sisterhood. Olivia and Em decide that, rather than having only one of them rule the Ruined as a monarch, they will lead together as a pair. In their diarchy, Em will do the negotiating while Olivia does a lot of killing. Olivia constantly slaughters humans, and Em fears Olivia cannot stop. Avenged reveals that humans and the earth can fuel Ruined magic, which might help Em’s quest for peace (and love). Supporting characters’ relationships deepen and cross kingdom lines. Latina author Tintera presents a diverse, realistic group of characters in her speculative fantasy world. Her unique adventure is impossible to forget, set in a four-kingdom land to which readers will wish to return. The Ruined series has a perfect mix of passion and action.—Amy Cummins.

Horn Book (Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

In this sequel to Ruined, Em is reunited with her sister, Olivia; while Em struggles to protect their people and broker peace, all Olivia wants is revenge. Meanwhile, Cas struggles to retain his throne in Lera and keep his promise of peace to Em. The royal characters' politically unsavvy, convoluted machinations muddle the court intrigue in this second book, but the romance will please returning fans.

Kirkus Reviews

Kingdoms and heirs continue to clash in this political fantasy sequel to Ruined (2016).In the previous volume, Emelina Flores, formerly "useless" princess of Ruina, freed her sister Olivia, toppled a king and queen, and helped the Olso invade Lera, but these victories fade quickly under continuous violence. Sharing regency with Olivia, Em looks for refuge for the surviving Ruined even as magic-wielding, murderous Olivia seeks revenge. Meanwhile, Casimir Gallegos, now an orphan and king of Lera, struggles to preserve his kingdom while fending off his usurping cousin, Jovita. Em and Casimir's marriage was false, but their love remains, and other characters also long for intimacy despite the graphic bloodshed. All characters suffer for the sins of their parents and a legacy of racism—here, due to magic rather than skin color, as Em is olive-skinned, some of the magic-wielding Ruined are dark-skinned, and some Lerans are also olive-skinned brunettes. Constant skirmishes stymie reconciliation. With multiple narrators and abrupt transitions, plot progress is slow and scenes are sometimes related repetitively. Modern colloquialisms and clichés ("smiley face," "holding pattern," "positive spin") clash with the faux-medieval, geographically ambiguous setting. Similarly, the steam-powered machines of the Olso conflict with the otherwise feudal political maneuvering of Lera and Ruina. Treachery and tentative romances but no resolution; best for fervent fans of the first one. (Fantasy. 14-adult)

ALA Booklist (Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

In this eagerly awaited sequel to Ruined (2016), Emelina Flores is running from the treacherous nation of Lera, where her long-lost sister has just killed the queen. Em has wanted all her life to be feared by her enemies, but now that she is, she finds it's not what she'd imagined. Olivia, Em's older sister and the rightful queen of Ruina, must try to rule her people her way, after a year's imprisonment and many failed escape attempts. And Em's love Casimir, now the king of Lera, is left with the aftermath of the Flores sisters' actions: a kingdom filled with death, disaster, and distrust. Each teen has their own troubles, both personal and royal, and the war between them could be the most epic so far. Chapters alternate between Em, Cas, and Olivia, giving a full picture of the chaos that reigns in the four kingdoms. Each character is well developed, and the ending is left open for a planned third book, which readers will surely devour.