by Jus Accardo
Series: The Eternal Balance #1
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Hell is looking for a way to break loose… Jax lost the genetic lottery. Descended from Cain, the world's first murderer, he's plagued by a curse that demands violence in exchange for his happiness. He left everything behind, including the girl he loved, but thriving on the pain of others is lonely… And it's killing him. After a series of heartbreaking losses, Samantha put rubber to pavement and headed for college as fast as her clunker could carry her. But she can't outrun her problems. When an attack at school drives her back home, she's thrown into the path of a past—and a guy—she's been trying to forget. Sam strains Jax's control over his darkness, but running isn't an option this time. Someone—or, something—followed her home from school: a ruthless monster with a twisted plan centuries in the making. Forced together to survive, and fighting an attraction that could destroy them both, Jax and Sam must stop a killer bent on revenge.
Last year I read and enjoyed Darker Days by Jus Accardo, and I was anxious to try Ruined her New Adult Paranormal. It is the first book in the Eternal Balance series featuring demons. This was darker than her young-adult book and once again I walked away impressed by Accardo. Mini review: Action-packed plot with twists and turns. Combined with a heated romance that kept me engaged.
Jax and his twin are descended from Cain. Um, yes as in Cain and Abel from the bible. Cain committed the first murder by killing his brother Abel. The descendants bear a mark on their soul and Jax is forced to share his body with a demon. Because of this burden he has chosen to leave all he loves behind. The girl he loves Samantha and the brother whom his demon dreams of killing. When his Uncle is dying, he returns home to say good-bye and discovers Samantha is home and in trouble. The tale that unfolds has elements of urban fantasy with a heavy dose of romance.
The tale is delivered from dual points of view, a trait I love in this type of novel. We get up close and personal with Jax and Samantha, “Sam”. Besides being smexy, I quickly fell for Jax and his tortured soul. He struggles with the demon side and willingly gives up all he holds dear to protect them. He is loyal, fierce and protective. The man wears black from head to toe and oozes dangerous and sexy. Picture Neo’s wardrobe from the Matrix. Yum! Samantha is complex and struggled after Jax abruptly left town. Accardo slowly peels back her layers and reveals why she returned home. I loved getting to know their shared history. Sam tackles thing head-on and confronts her fears making her quite the kick-ass. I loved how brazenly she talked to the demons and I found myself giggling at her snark. We do hear from Azirak; Jax’s dark passenger and I look forward to learning more about him. Sadly secondary characters aren’t fleshed out and only what is needed for the plot is revealed. Perhaps the most fascinating character was Heckle, and I am truly hoping we learn more about him.
Ruined started off slow for me, and I actually got a little nervous, but as things were revealed the action kicked up a notch and I found myself fully immersed. While the plot, gave me moments of déjà vu, Accardo owned it adding her own twists. The Demons, their hierarchy and the use of the biblical story of Cain and Abel added an interesting element to this paranormal. The villain was a surprising twist, although I pieced things together much sooner than the author intended. Accardo has an easy flow to her tales, and I thought the shared history of the main characters added depth to their romance. The ending is climatic and ends in a minor cliffhanger. Not pull your hair out but enough to have you eager for more.
Ruined was an excellent start to the Eternal Balance series, and I am looking forward to continuing it.
Pamela D
I love books from dual POVs as well. I feel like I am getting a less biased book that way.
kimbacaffeinate
I really enjoy them too Pamela 🙂
Naomi
I totally agree!! Jaz, definitely yummy!! And it did begin a little slow, but after a while I found it hard to put down! Great review!!
kimbacaffeinate
Glad you loved it too sweetie 🙂
Dani
Great review!! This does sound really interesting!
kimbacaffeinate
This was and I was so happy to see a paranormal NA 🙂
Lindy
It started off a little slow for me too, but then once it picked up, I couldn’t put it down! I agree with your review that Jax was a tortured soul all right, but he was so fierce and protective. Excellent Review Kim!!!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Lindy, I am glad you liked Jax too 🙂
Kristin
I’m glad you liked it! A 4 cupper! The only thing I didn’t like is how it looks like it’s going to be played out with the main couple (um, know what I mean? I don’t want to spoil it for anyone). Unless something changes mighty big next book (I hope!!!!). I DO like her writing, though.
Very well written review! Great summary – I suck on those, I never know what to reveal and what not to 😀
kimbacaffeinate
If it’s not in the book synopsis then I exclude it from my summary. Basically I just reword it, skim it down and make it my own..LOL Oh yeah, I think there will be some turbulence before we see any kind of an HEA..LOL
michelle A - Novels On The Run
I have this to read on Netgalley. So glad you enjoyed it. I have to stay away from reading your review for the moment. I like Jus too. I have some Jus to catch up on 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Have fun catching up Michelle 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
I am reading this one this month. I hate that the beginning is slow but as long as it picks up it’s all good.
kimbacaffeinate
It doesn’t take too long and then you are flying 🙂
Ellen
I am glad to know that you enjoyed this. I just bought it yesterday. I think the Cain and Able aspect sounds interesting. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Ellen 🙂
Christy
Lol – yeah, Neo’s wardrobe doesn’t do it for me. I like bot ties and suspenders. And that’s since before The Doctor made them cool. Haha. I’m being dead serious, though. I want a hot guy dressed as nerdy as possible. Pocket protector and all. Yeah, I’m weird. Annnyway … this sounds like something I might like. I’ll just picture him in a bow tie. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
I love bow-ties and such too, but I enjoy a man dressed in black from head to toe..yum! I also like cowboy boots, jeans and flannels…I am a man whore..hehehe
Candace
I just grabbed this one on sale yesterday and I’m really excited to read it! I’ve heard she creates some really great characters!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy my friend 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
Hm… I’ve been curious about this author. I still need to read something by her. I also don’t mind a slow start as long as I am fairly certain it picks up. Glad it does here so I will be adding this one to the huge, ginormous wishlist! 😀
kimbacaffeinate
It was worth it, and I hope you try this author, I like her 🙂
Heidi
I am glad to hear that this was as solid as her Darker Days Series. I liked that book and I wanted to get this one, but alas I didn’t. I think I would enjoy the whole Cain and Abel twist as well. I am still planning on reading it when I get the pile under control again.
kimbacaffeinate
glad you will eventually read it, and I hear you regarding that pile!
DannyBookworm
Oh Im, I was a little nervous too in the beginning but it just got better and better. The ending was kind of perfect and awesome! Glad you like it too:)
kimbacaffeinate
Glad my stomach wasn’t the only one that dipped, I am so glad it ended up rocking 🙂
Haley
Ah I have been hearing AWESOME things about this book lately!! Great review hun, I am so picking this up soon!! (:
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Haley 🙂 and happy hump day!
Lauren
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this! I very rarely see Cain and Abel being woven into a story, and this sounds like an interesting take on the biblical story. It’s a shame you figured out the villain before the author intended it, but it still sounds like a pretty riveting story. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I did, but a lot of peeps expressed surprise, so I think it is me and my diabolical mind..LOL
Lily B
Currently trying to finish reading it, I hope it picks up for me too. I do like the witty dialog
kimbacaffeinate
I liked the witty dialog too, it picks rather quickly after about 1/4 of the book:)
Michelle
I’ve only seen a few things based off of Cain and Abel,and they’ve been interesting enough that I really want to try this one. Entangled is putting out a lot of really cool books lately.
kimbacaffeinate
I so agree I have been pleased by Entangled and at .99 cents you cannot go wrong 🙂
Andrea
I’m not really feeling Paranormal lately, but I do enjoy Accardo’s writing and her books. I’m glad to see you enjoyed this, Kimberly!
kimbacaffeinate
You are a mood reader like me, right now I am all thriller, suspense, paranormal and urban fantasy..LOL
Pooja
I’m glad you ended up liking Ruined (despite the slow start). I’m yet to read anything by Jus Accardo
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoy her writing style Pooja, with the exemption of the slow start her books are well paced and flow well with highs and lows. Her characters are developed too which I truly enjoy.
Debbie Haupt
Wow!! The premise, the cover, the review I can’t pick what was the absolute thing that sold me but I do know that this is going on my list
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Debbie this was a good one 🙂
Liz
Oh, now that DOES sound like an interesting book. I’ve TBR’d it. I’ve read Jus Accardo before, and I really enjoyed her writing style and the paranormal/sci-fi/UF twists she incorporates. I had no idea this book existed though, so I’m super glad I stopped by today!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah this was a good one, and I like that it isn’t YA. It is .99 cents now, so you may want to grab it, since you already know you like Accardo 🙂
Christina T
This looks fantastic! I haven’t started reading this series yet but I am going to have to put it on my TBR!
kimbacaffeinate
Glad it is on your list, enjoy Christina 🙂
Christa
I haven’t read a lot of books based on the Cain and Abel story! Thanks for putting this on my radar
kimbacaffeinate
You are welcome, I found the thread to be a good one 🙂
Silvia
Sounds good!! When a book starts slow I get nervous too… But I must say that sometimes they surprise you and I’m glad to hear this was one of those cases! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I so agree Silvia and this one took off 🙂
Tanja
Now I see why’s everyone so crazy about this one. I haven’t read that other book about this author but this one sounds so good. I love the whole biblical aspect of it. Great review, Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Worth the read and for .99 cents you cannot beat it 🙂
Victoria (aka Zemfirka)
Wonderful review! 🙂 And it sounds like a good book, although I would also be a bit concerned since you say it starts out a bit slow. But a pnr/uf with a biblical twist? – Intriguing!
kimbacaffeinate
Once it picked up I was hooked 🙂
Jenea
Loved Jax, and he was certainly a sexy one for sure. Sam was pretty great too. I am so excited to see what happens next for both of them. Wonderful review, I am so happy that you enjoyed it.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Jenea and yes I am anxious too 🙂
kindlemom1
Glad you liked this one Kim, I should have warned you that it was a little slower in the beginning but does pick up.
Makes me super curious how the next book will be.
kimbacaffeinate
I was glad it did because I like this author 🙂
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
wow this one sounds so unique! To be a decedent from Cain, the first murderer…I think I will try this one sometime!
Lovely review, Kimba! <33
kimbacaffeinate
It was a fascinating thread 🙂 hope you get to read it my dear 🙂
Mary
I do like when there’s the dual POV in this type of book, too. It’s interesting to see how both characters are reacting to one another. I haven’t read her first book, though I do have it on my Kindle…need to check it and this one out!
kimbacaffeinate
I love the dual pov too, I really think it connects me to the characters more.
blodeuedd
Slow is never good, slow makes me give up
kimbacaffeinate
it was worth it once it picked up my friend 🙂