The Ivory Tomb

September 19, 2022
The war against the Nine Demons closes with both bangs and whimpers in the vigorous finale to Caruso’s Rooks and Ruins trilogy (after The Quicksilver Court). Ryxander “Ryx” of Morgrain, former Warden of Gloamingard Castle, now shares a mind with the Demon of Disaster but still fights to rid her world of the remaining free Demons—among them her grandmother, who herself has merged with the Demon of Discord. This task is made harder by her wary human allies, who are suspicious of the demon in Ryx’s head. As the Demon of Corruption ravishes villages, Ryx tries to negotiate surrender with the more reasonable Demons while simultaneously working to avoid becoming a test subject for anti-Demon devices and regain control over the Black Tower inside Gloamingard, where lies the door to hell. Luckily, her growing attraction to Severin, the brother of her nemesis, the Shrike Lord, helps to anchor her human side. Caruso walks a fine line between horror and humor and keeps the narrative from feeling too familiar with inventive demonic duels. Followers of the series will be rewarded with a tried-and-true but not at all trite triumph. Agent: Naomi Davis, BookEnds Literary.

October 1, 2022

Caruso concludes her "Rooks and Ruin" epic fantasy trilogy (following The Quicksilver Court) with exciting action, political intrigues, and personal betrayal. The Serene Empire has seen the Dark Days come again since the freeing of the Nine Demons. The Rookery has defeated some of the Demons, but Carnage and Corruption are still destroying the land and its people. Only one might bring back peace: Ryxander, the Warden of Gloamingard, who is also the Demon of Disaster. Ryx wants to keep her world intact but is obstructed by tested loyalties and mistrust on all sides and the Empire and Witch Lords on the verge of war. For Eruvia to survive, Ryx will have to recall her past and find answers within herself and within the black tower of Gloamingard. VERDICT Ryx's arc is satisfying, and her strengths come alive as she navigates the world and her values. Caruso completes a solid epic fantasy series that will appeal to fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rowenna Miller's complex schemes.--Kristi Chadwick

Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 10, 2022
Having accepted the revelation that she is possessed by the Demon of Disaster, Ryx and the Rookery continue their quest to capture the other demons unleashed into Eruvia, wrapping up the fabulous Rooks and Ruin trilogy (after The Quicksilver Court, 2021). Their attempts are primarily hindered by the other demons, notably Hunger, who released the others, and Carnage, who harbors a centuries-old grudge against Disaster for reasons that Ryx can't recall. Misguided members of the Empire's forces not only exclude Ryx from strategic planning, but attempt to kill her, planning to capture her demon in an energy absorption device and use her power against the other demons. In true Caruso style, almost everything that can go wrong in their attempt does, including a betrayal by Ryx's grandmother, the Demon of Discord, in the interest of neutrality, forcing the Rookery team to resort to the on-the-fly strategy changes they excel at. And if they ultimately win, what will happen to Ryx, her grandmother, and their cat, the Demon of Death? Caruso wraps up most of the loose ends in this trilogy nicely, leaving readers hoping for another series set in Eruvia.

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