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Four Ruined Realms
by Mai Corland
Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?
Six distinct POV characters with complex motivations, breakneck pacing, and a Korean mythology-inspired world that feels fresh. The found family dynamics carry real emotional weight even as trust fractures.
Synopsis
The lies are bigger and the plots more treacherous when your favourite backstabbers return in the mind-blowing sequel to instant Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller Mai Corland's epic adventure fantasy Five Broken Blades The King of Yusan may be the greatest liar of them all. His sister's ring is in his sights, and he will do anything to get what he wants. Even manipulating the five blades to steal it... Bonded by deceit, the blades must rely on their skills to pull off King Joon's pursuit or risk his legendary wrath. A foreign rule of law stands between them and Quilimar, the Queen of Khitan. Now they have one month to steal the powerful Golden Ring of the Dragon Lord. But that impossible task might be easier than trusting one another, even though their lives, their families, and the realms depend on it. They can all agree on one thing: the king can't win. But can they beat him at his own game? Because for the blades, this time it's not just personal, it's revenge. Lies may have torn them apart, but now vengeance will bring them together. The lies have only just begun...
At a Glance
4.05 ★ GoodreadsTop TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
Book Details
Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.
4.05 ★
Page CountHow long the commitment is.
432 pages
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.
2025
Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?
Fantasy Romance
PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.
M/F
POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).
Multi-POV
Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.
Slow Burn
CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.
spoiler
AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
Yes
FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.
Full Cast
NarratorThe voice in your ears.
Greg Chun|Zion Jang|Roger Yeh|Donald Chang|Jaine Ye|Sophie Oda
TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
Mood & Vibe
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
FMC: poison maiden sign in to unlock
minimal on-page romance with tension and longing between characters sign in to unlock
epic fantasy (secondary world) sign in to unlock
intense emotional moments with major character consequences but unresolved due to cliffhanger sign in to unlock
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