Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Flawed but ultimately satisfying purgatory-set sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In RUINOUS ENDS, Irene is the only contestant left at Blackwood Academy at the end of the Decennial Festival, crowned one of the Ascended. All her competitors who still have souls have scattered. Olivier, Emilio, and Masika have joined the Resistance and Augustine has returned to the Demien Order with Wren, the prophesied catalyst of destruction. Despite their different paths, they all have the same goal: take down the corrupt headmaster of Blackwood Academy and save purgatory. Many obstacles stand in their way: Irene's desire for power, Olivier's fading memories, the pull of the Soulless One on Wren's mind, and if Augustine uses too much shadow magic his humanity will be gone.
Is It Any Good?
This ambitious purgatory-set sequel lacks careful plotting and distinguishable world building, but builds to a satisfying end. And even though too many characters take turns narrating, slowing down the action, all of their perspectives remain intriguing throughout. You would think that Wren, labeled the "catalyst of destruction" by a prophecy, would be the one to keep your eyes on, but it's Masika, the nicest one, and the one that even severe, power-hungry Irene adores, who proves the most vital.
Masika needs to be the emotional glue among these characters because they're not classmates at Blackwood Academy anymore, they're spread among three distinct sects. And when these sects—corrupt school officials, the Demien Order, and the Resistance—vie for power of purgatory, it's rather confusing at times. Especially since it's hard to tell what power in purgatory really means. And details on the most power-hungry and their motivations are scarce. Someone called the Soulless One sounds scary and mysterious, but why, and who are they, and why do they want power? Breadcrumbs of this mystery aren't scattered throughout, rather dumped in a rather large pile during the climactic action, thus slowing down the excitement. Yet the ending still satisfies, and it's all because of the main characters, their strong bonds with each other, and their surprising not-so-ruinous ends.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Ruinous Ends has a happy ending or not. What happens to each main character? Whose path was the most surprising? Were all these characters worth rooting for or not?
How does Marika's empathy tie the main characters together? How does it affect Irene and Catherine? How will it impact the whole of purgatory?
What is the difference between a book set in purgatory and a book set in a dystopian world? What's similar?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy ( Magic , Monsters ) , Friendship , School
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : July 14, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 480
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : July 8, 2026
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