Posted by Bailey in New, Review | 4 Comments
Review: The Ruining by Anna Collomore
The Ruining by Anna Collomore
February 7, 2013
Razorbill
Source: Author
Synopsis:
All too soon cracks appear in Annie’s seemingly perfect world. She’s blamed for mistakes she doesn’t remember making. Her bedroom door comes unhinged, and she feels like she’s always being watched. Libby, who once felt like a big sister, is suddenly cold and unforgiving. As she struggles to keep up with the demands of her new life, Annie’s fear gives way to frightening hallucinations. Is she tumbling into madness, or is something sinister at play?
The Ruining is a complex ride through first love, chilling manipulation, and the terrifying depths of insanity.
My Review:
THE RUINING is a heart-wrenching psychological thriller that had me on edge the entire book. Once I started it, I just couldn’t stop. The plot twists and shocking revelations are aplenty, making it difficult for the reader to even want to get away from the novel. I had no idea what to expect going in, which made it all the more enjoyable for me. Readers of all genres are going to gobble THE RUINING up in no time. Anna Collomore is one heck of a writer!
Annie is what I would describe as an unreliable narrator in that everything she thinks and feels is almost begging to be questioned. I had no idea what was real, or what to even think about Annie. Her interactions with Libby were confusing and extremely odd. I found myself wanting to believe in Annie, no matter what crazy things were going on around her. My mind scrambled to come up with explanations for the events that conspired around her. At one point, I even felt like I was going as crazy as Annie!
The one person that felt real to me in Annie’s jumbled up world was Owen. He is the most solid guy that I’ve ever come across in YA. He isn’t your average guy, nor is he the stereotypical bad boy who usually pops up in YA. He’s heroic, admirable, hot, and crazy sweet. I don’t think Annie would have made it without Owen. While he plays a minor role in the beginning of the book, he is essential to Annie’s happiness by the end. I love Owen.
I absolutely love books that shock me to the core. THE RUINING is one of those books that is guaranteed to make readers minds spin. There isn’t anything that can prevent that! At one point in the book, I wasn’t even sure where I stood on anything. I felt as lost as Annie. It’s a special kind of book that can make me wonder at what truly is going on. While I was able to solve the mystery towards the end before everything was revealed, I still think Collomore did a wonderful job crafting it. I did feel a bit disoriented during some scenes, wondering how Annie got there in the first place without any kind of explanation. However, that didn’t stop me from devouring the novel!
THE RUINING is a book for readers that want to experience crazy without actually going mentally insane themselves. It’s a fascinating YA thriller that will leave readers craving more of Collomore’s impressive story-telling.
My Rating:
I’m so glad you reviewed this one, Bailey! I’ve only heard minimal things about it, and for it to get some amazing praise from you means I need to sit up and pay attention to it.
Now if I could only carve out the time to *read* it … *headdesk*
I will MAKE time!
This book was so awesome! I agree with you about Owen too. I think without Owen Annie surely would have just given up. I really loved his character. This book was so crazy with keeping your mind spinning. I totally didn’t know who was really the crazy one or if they all were lol!! Awesome review!
I love psych thrillers! I haven’t read great YA psycho suspense though. Great find bailey, I will dogear this in case the mood strikes.
I’ve been lusting after this book ever since I heard about it! Glad it lives up to the amazing synopsis