Souls in Ruin by Jacqueline White: A Dark Romantasy Review

Okay friends. I really messed up…

My first mistake was starting this book while I was still struggling through my book club pick. My second mistake was cracking it open on a Monday night at 10 PM. Y'all, this book consumed me. It messed with my brain.

My Honest Thoughts on Souls in Ruin

Jacqueline White does a great job capturing the reader's attention from the very first page, and she keeps the action going all the way through. I couldn't put it down. Actually, it was the author's note before the story even started that piqued my interest. Once I started reading, I was addicted.

In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, I finally made myself put it down to get a few hours of sleep. I was a wreck at work the next day, a classic book hangover, but it hurt so good. This wasn't a short read either. At just over 600 pages, I read and read and read, and I still finished it within a day or two (I had work and mom-related work to do, too). I wish I were still at the point in my life where I could lock myself in my room and read a good book cover to cover like I did in the good old days. Sigh.

Now, let's get into the plot.

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I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Scarlet Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

What Is Souls in Ruin About?

(Spoiler-light, I promise. Everything below happens early in the book.)

Mireille, our FMC, is the bastard daughter of a king. She is married off to Valen, the Blood King, an infamous tyrant who has been taking over the surrounding kingdoms. To protect his own kingdom from falling next, Mireille's father sacrifices his daughter for the greater good.

Because she is a bastard, Mireille has never felt loved or cherished. She has been alone her entire existence, harassed, abused, and tolerated at best. She doesn't want to marry Valen, but she realizes it may finally give her the out, the freedom she so desperately wants. So she agrees.

Valen is dangerous, yet something about this handsome, violent king intrigues Mireille. The chemistry between the two is electric, and their wedding night delivers that delicious spice many of us love. But Valen has a secret motive for the marriage. It's about revenge, specifically revenge against Mireille's father.

Shortly after the wedding, Mireille is imprisoned in the dungeon and tortured every night. While she is locked away, she develops a friendship with the prisoner in the cell next door. She can't see him, but they communicate now and then. When Mireille becomes severely ill with an infection, Valen takes her to this other prisoner for healing, since he has healing abilities. Mireille is so sick that she barely gets a look at him, but after that, a companionship begins to grow. They discover that if they both reach through the front of their cells, they can touch, and he uses that connection to offer her some comfort.

Valen warns Mireille to stay away from her neighbor and says he is extremely dangerous. The mystery of who this prisoner is and how he fits into the story kept me turning pages.

Content Warnings for Souls in Ruin

This book is dark. Very dark. Please read the trigger warnings before you start. There is violence. There is torture. There is also abuse and harassment in Mireille's past.

Who Will Love This Dark Romantasy?

If you love dark romance, you will love this book. If you love romantasy, you will love it as well. I'm usually not into the darker side of this genre, but I really enjoyed this one. Jacqueline White kept me on the edge of my seat, hoping to see Valen's redemption arc. You'll have to read it yourself to find out where it goes.

Release Details: Souls in Ruin Hardcover with Sprayed Edges

As far as I know, Souls in Ruin started out as a self-published indie book. The publishing world took note thanks to its rave reviews and popularity on social channels. Now it is being re-released in hardcover, with deluxe sprayed edges, by Scarlet Press on November 3.

I just love seeing the effect book influencers have. This is why we do what we do!

My Final Rating

Overall rating: 5 Stars

Spice rating: 4 chili peppers

Have you read Souls in Ruin, or is it on your TBR? Tell me in the comments. I'd love to hear what you thought, especially about that mystery prisoner.