Review: Rage And Ruin by Jennifer L Armentrout

Updated: Mar 24, 2021

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Just because I’m not supposed to want you, doesn’t mean I’ve stopped wanting you,” he said. “Just because what I feel for you physically isn’t supposed to mean something more, doesn’t mean I’ve stopped wanting you. That hasn’t changed."

Rage and Ruin is the phenomenal second instalment in Jennifer L Armentrout’s Harbinger Series, the spin off from her Dark Elements series.

Half human, half angel, Trinity and her bonded gargoyle protector must work with demons to stop the apocalypse, The Harbinger is coming… but who or what it is remains a mystery.

Forbidden to love each other, Zayne and Trinity fight their feelings, they turn to unusual sources for help- the demon Roth and his cohorts. But as death piles up around them, they uncover a sinister plot involving the local high school and endangering someone dear to Zayne, Trinity realises she is being played for an unknown end.

Rage may be the ruin of them all.

“You’re beautiful, Trin. You have this thing. It’s this spark from within. A light. There isn’t a single person out here that can’t see that.”

I loved Rage and Ruin so much I’ve been procrastinating writing this review for two weeks because I didn’t know how to put my feelings into words that would do this book justice.

I have been a fan of Jennifer L Armentrout’s since I first picked up Obsidian back in 2012, and with each new release I swear she couldn’t possible outdo her last but every time I’m proven wrong.

Rage and Ruin was a perfect and heart-wrenching addition to The Harbinger series as well as the Dark Elements. I loved getting to see more of Roth, the swaggering demon prince with the (well deserved) giant ego, and Layla, Zayne’s half demon, half warden childhood friend. But as much as I love Roth and Layla, I’ve been most excited to get to see Zayne and Trinity’s relationship grow.

Jennifer L Armentrout knows how to write some epic hot and supportive boyfriends and Zayne is no different. His unwavering support for Trinity without becoming overbearing or controlling is one of my favourite things about this series, and this book in particular as we were able to see Zayne and Trinity working together and find their footing with one another as they learn to work as a pair while ignoring the feelings they have for one another, to a greater extent than we did in Storm and Fury.

“And you’re also so freaking frustrating,” he added. The corners of my lips turned down. “You know, there’ve been plenty of times that I’ve forgotten you can’t see well and when I remember, I’m actually kind of shocked that you don’t need more help, and you have no idea how…how in awe of you I am, that you do what you do under these circumstances. That you’re carrying out your duty and not holding back or letting your vision limit you. So, dammit, Trinity, don’t let what others think or say or even what you fear hold you back when you need help. Don’t waste a damn second worrying about it. Let me help you—let anyone help you when you need it, and that’ll make you even stronger.”

Jennifer L Armentrout is also fantastic at writing some epic plot twists and creating and maintaining an awe-inspiring level of suspense. Storm and Fury left us wondering who or what the Harbinger is and how Trinity will manage to defeat it, and those questions were front and centre throughout Rage and Ruin and I was left utterly speechless at the reveal and dying to get my hands on the third and finale book in the series.