REVIEW: A Wild and Ruined Song by Ashley Shuttleworth

Pages: 432

Format: Hardback

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Genre: Fantasy, LGBT

Release Date: November 12th 2024

Arlo and her friends struggle to rally against an overwhelming foe before time runs out in this gripping final book in the Hollow Star Saga, the urban fantasy series about fae in Toronto. 

Arlo Jarsdel has lost everything. Her family. Her freedom. Her name. And now that she’s sharing her body with Ruin, the formidable titan of devastation, she’s even beginning to lose herself. 

In their most dangerous game of deception yet, Arlo has just one goal: destroy the three Bone Crowns corrupting the mortal and immortal realms before her time runs out and Ruin takes permanent control of her being. 

With Celadon fighting on the political front against the ruthless High Queen Riadne—now armed with the cataclysmic power of her Crown, the Sins, and Ruin—Vehan and Aurelian are scrambling in secret to build an army to rival Riadne’s infernal forces. Meanwhile, Nausicaä will do whatever it takes to save her girlfriend from obliteration, despite knowing the odds of survival are nearly nonexistent. 

When the line between hero and villain becomes blurred, and bonds are put to the ultimate test, it has never been more imperative—or more difficult—to stand united. For this is not the first lifetime that these five friends have faced the evil behind this impending war, but if they can’t find their way back to each other, it might just be their last.

Let’s not call this a review, shall we? I can’t quite put into formal words how I feel about this book, so let’s just say this is me SCREAMING INTO THE VOID. That works, right? 

This was the final instalment in the Hollow Star saga, and I’ve been going insane waiting for this to drop since I finished A Grim and Sunken Vow. And this book? It was everything I could possibly want and more. It picks up a little while after the events of book three, showing us the moments directly after that cliffhanger ending before giving us a time skip. And let me tell you: I was STRESSED. 

Having to experience Arlo being combined with Ruin in this book was a whirlwind. It was cleverly written, especially when switching up between the two of them. I wanted nothing more than for Arlo to be free from Ruin’s grip so she could be herself again, but it was so interesting to see her in a different light. I adored Nausica standing by her side throughout though. My queen. I adore her. 

Don’t get me started on Lethe and Celadon because you know I’ll be here all day. I love them. Deeply. I loved seeing their relationship develop after the third book. I loved every interaction between them. I loved Lethe’s fierce protectiveness, and how Celadon can get away with teasing him when no one else would even dare. I love that they’re destined to find each other in every single lifetime. Have I mentioned that I love them? 

Also: VEHAN AND AURELIAN MY BABIES!!! After being kept apart for most of the third book, I was so thankful to have them practically glued to each other in this one. And I was very happy with a certain momentous occasion that happened during a certain someone’s birthday party. 

• A bit of everything. This series does such a good job of weaving a little bit of everything into the plot. There’s gods, there’s DND vibes, there’s myths, there’s history. Not to mention the humour. There’s just SO MUCH and it’s all exciting. 

• Solid relationships. It’s one of the things I love most about this series, actually. There’s great communication between the characters and the angst that does happen is plot related. We love healthy relationships in YA books!!! 

• Satisfying ending!!! I’m always terrified for endings, especially when it comes to a series I love this much, but I had nothing to fear. In Ashley we trust. 

I don’t even think I can put into words how glad I am that I picked up this series because it means so damn much to me. It was the perfect ending, even though I’m going to miss these characters terribly and would lap up any sort of spin-off or continuation in the future. I wouldn’t mind the details of a certain wedding as a short story, perhaps. Hint hint. But anyway, if you haven’t read these books yet then PLEASE give it a chance. I dare you not to fall in love with this entire cast.

Royal Rating:

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DESKTOP WALLPAPERS: January 2025

A bit of a new type of post for me – wallpapers! I’ve been doing photography for a decade now, and I have far too many spare pictures that are always just wasting away on my OneDrive. So, I thought I’d inject some life into them and turn them into desktop wallpapers. 

Initially, I was simply planning on making them for myself, but I figured I’d share them here in case anyone was looking for a new background. I’m hoping to make some for every month of the year, so keep an eye out in the final few days of January for some February ones!

Snowy Aesthetic Wallpaper 

Click below to open full-size pic and save! 

With Calendar / Without

This one was taken out of my attic window during a snow fall and I thought it was a perfect representation of a snowy January – cold but makes even the dullest of days feels a little bit magical. Unless you have to go outside. 

Bokeh Snow Wallpaper 

Click to open full-size pic and save!

This is a bokeh pic I snapped of some snowflakes in my back garden. It’s a simpler choice for a background, perfect for you minimalists out there. 

Just the two wallpapers this month for my initial dip into background making, but I’ll have a bigger variety for February so watch this space!

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Bookish Gift Haul!

HAPPY NEW YEAR LITTLE BOOKWORMS! I thought I’d start 2025 off with a haul of the bookish gifts I received over the festive season. If you want to hear me yap about my favourite books of 2024 though, you can find my reading wrap up over on my booktube channel. 

So first up, one of my best friends got me this absolutely delicious edition of Maurice, Yes, I know I already have two copies. Yes, I will get more. But I’m completely obsessed with this one because it also has illustrations throughout. I’ll definitely be squeezing a reread into 2025. 

Sticking with the classics, my sister found me this gorgeous copy of Peter Pan. I fixated on this story so much when I was a kid, and as an adult I really want to write my own Peter Pan story that I’ve been planning for a few years. 

Time for some bookish candles? Of course it is. I found an All For The Game candle on Vinted just before Christmas, so I treated myself to it. It’s from a book subscription box that I couldn’t afford at the time, so I’m glad I managed to get my hands on it. 

My sister also decided to go with an All For The Game candle as a gift because I’m very predictable. She got me an Andrew Minyard one from Etsy and not only does it smell lovely, but it also had the cutest packaging with a quote on the inside of the box. 

Back to books: my mum got me We Could Be Heroes by PJ Ellis because it’s on my TBR for the year. I’m so excited to delve into this one because it sounds exactly like the type of story I’d eat right up. 

Her and my sister also teamed up to get me the Japanese edition of Captive Prince because I’ve been after it for so long. I’m in love with it – LOOK AT THE ART!!! 

So my bestie found me some super cute bookish gifts this Christmas, including a Howl’s Moving Castle music box. If you don’t know, Howl is one of my favourite books and movies. I adore both versions of the story so much. 

she also got me these cute little book pins!

And to wrap it up, my sister found some gems on Vinted for me. This Emily Wilde themed planter is an item from a Fairyloot box and it looks so pretty on my shelves that I’ve decided to put my bookmarks on it instead of my plants. 

She also found me a badge inspired by A Dark and Hollow Star, which is one of my favourite series. More people need to pick these books up btw because they’re amazing. 

So, they were my bookish gifts this Christmas. I feel so known by and grateful for my loved ones. I look forward to reading and enjoying these over 2025! 

Did you receive any books this festive season?

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