Lou’s Review: A Game of Romance and Ruin, by Ruby Roe

I really loved A Game of Hearts and Heists, Sacha Black’s first foray into sapphic romance under her new penname. The scorching dynamic between Scarlett and Quinn – two rival assassins hellbent on fighting and fucking – puts it among the best Enemies to Lovers books I’ve ever read. But there was another relationship which fascinated me: the connection between Scarlett’s twin sister, Stirling, and her lost love, Morrigan.

Stirling’s a silver-tongued negotiator capable of sealing any deal. And Morrigan’s a mage of unparalleled power, covered in Collection tattoos linking her to the magic of countless houses. It’s obvious when we first meet them that there are still big feelings on both sides. But what those feelings are, and the reason behind their split, remain a mystery. Until Book 2 in the Girl Games series! So of course I had to read A Game of Romance and Ruin.

After successfully taking down the Border Lord, the team are doing more espionage work for Queen Callandra. With the King’s death and New Imperium’s heir anonymous until investiture, the throne is vulnerable to schemers. And there’s none more cunning than Roman Oleg, an astute businessman with royal ambitions. After being jilted by Morrigan, heir to the throne, he’s determined to forge another path to power. Stirling’s been working for him ever since she and Morrigan split up, playing the double agent with the goal of taking Roman down. But – even if the team succeeds – Stirling’s spying and Morrigan’s duties threaten to keep them apart.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the pacing in this series is exceptional. I’d sit down to read a few pages, blink, and find myself a third further through the book. Reading this novel felt effortless, joyful. And I flew through it. If you’re going through a reading slump, the Girl Games books will blow away those mental cobwebs!

This enjoyment factor is an important reminder: reading is meant to be fun. Which means that, despite what literary snobs say, there’s so much worth in a book that makes readers genuinely excited to pick it up. Smooth language and tight pacing create a rollercoaster of a story filled with highs and lows, tension expertly controlled. Black has a profound understanding of her craft, and of what it truly means to write to market, which means she delivers an exceptional reader experience.

I kept my Kindle angled towards the wall!

Plus, Stirling and Morrigan’s relationship is fascinating. No matter the people or politics keeping these two women apart, no matter what the consequences are, they can’t resist one another. Their love is the engine driving the reader forward through the story – which is exactly how it should be with romance. And the smut doesn’t hurt, either! Holy hell… Because Morrigan has immense power through her magical studies and royal birthright, it’s all the sweeter when she surrenders to Stirling.

While their relationship is unsettling, I particularly appreciated the backstory between Morrigan and Roman. It explains so much not only about who she is as a character but the political system underpinning New Imperium. Morrigan’s a lesbian through and through, which creates real problems because a princess is expected to marry a man and continue the royal bloodline. The tension between Morrigan’s obligation to the crown and her heart’s desires adds a rich layer of conflict to the novel, and makes this fantasy world feel truly believable.

On the subject of monarchy, there’s one part of this story which frustrates me. For all the restrictions being royal has placed on Morrigan, the unfairness and inequality underpinning a class hierarchy, our characters never seem to question the system. And it’s odd that women whose rebellion frequently strays into criminality are willing to accept royals as the natural order, rather than trying to overthrow or replace the system. Especially when it stands in the way of what they want more than anything.

Though Stirling knows Queen Callandra will never let someone with such a chequered past be with her heir, she remains an ardent monarchist. When thinking about Morrigan, she says: “The people of New Imperium should be on their knees, grateful for the studious queen they will one day have.”

I’m a staunch republican – by which I mean that I support the abolition of monarchy, not the right-wing US party more interested in the rights of guns than women/people of colour/LGBT community. As far as I can tell, New Imperium is not a democracy. Head of State is a hereditary role, and the monarch reigns until their death. And the idea anyone should be “on their knees, grateful” for their own subjugation… is problematic. Maybe in future books this aspect of the story will be dealt with more fully.

But, those politics aside, this is a fantastic novel. I also loved getting to know more about the system of magic. Through Morrigan’s expertise, we learn new details about the way magic is tied to particular houses. It’s an intricate system, with different styles of magic all requiring their own mastery. The persuasion aspects of negotiation magic, and the sheer genius of the lattice system… it’s fascinating.

In a way I’d have liked more lore, because that’s one of the most original and creative parts of this series, but the artistic choice to streamline the story makes it intensely readable. And that curiosity makes me all the keener for Book 3! The stage has been set for Remy to get a romance of her own. And she has an intense rivalry with the likely love interest, which is a dynamic Roe writes exceptionally well. The Girl Games series is fantasy at its most fun – and fiercely sexual!

Review for Book 1: A Game of Hearts and Heists

Review for Book 3: A Game of Deceit and Desire

Copy received from the author in exchange for a fair review.