She saved the prince. Now she must survive his world.
Lyria and her mother have been on the run from the human kingdom of Verdinae for as long as she can remember. She's an elf born with magic—a double offence in a kingdom determined to eradicate both.
Under her mother's watchful protection, Lyria learns the rules that keep her alive: stay inside, stay hidden, stay safe, and above all stay calm, lest her magic flair out of control. But when she finds a human boy being attacked by a deadly monster in the forest, Lyria risks everything by using magic to save him. She doesn't expect his broken body to survive, and she definitely doesn't expect him to be the crown prince. Offered a position at the palace as the royal apothecary, Lyria seizes the chance to step into the light and prove to her mother she can control her unwieldly magic. But Verdinae is not the paradise it at first seems. The nobles are ruthless, the secrets are deadly, and Cygnus-the brooding royal healer-seems determined to expose Lyria's every flaw.
As she navigates a world of glittering gowns, deadly secrets, and stolen kisses, Lyria must keep her identity hidden... even from the prince who's falling for her. But beneath the palace lies a darkness far more dangerous than any secret. And when Lyria and Cygnus uncover a hidden world that could change everything, she must decide who to trust and how much she's willing to risk for a love that was never meant to be.
Themes & Tropes
- Love Triangle
- Forbidden Magic
- Slow Burn
- Prophecy
- Secrets
- Unique Magic System
- Elves
- Rebellion
Book Review:
The Ruins Beneath Us is a strong and promising start to Sasha E. Sloan’s debut fantasy series. While I didn’t always connect with Lyria as a character, I found her portrayal intentional. She isn’t written to be instantly lovable or hate-able instead, she sits in that complicated middle space that makes you want to understand her better and root for her growth. At times she comes across as immature and lacking common sense, especially when her actions contradict everything her mother taught her about staying safe. But given her sheltered upbringing and the danger she’s suddenly thrown into, her flaws make sense, and I’m hopeful we’ll see her evolve in future books.
One of the highlights for me was the return to a fantasy world with elves. It’s been a while since I’ve read a story that leans into elven lore, and Sloan builds her world with care. The magic system, especially the idea of “talent” and the danger it brings felt thoughtful and well‑developed. The worldbuilding is rich, and I can easily see it expanding in exciting ways as the series continues.
While Lyria didn’t fully win me over, several of the supporting characters did…especially Cygnus. He starts off prickly, but he quickly became one of my favorites, and I’m eager to see how his character grows in book two.
As a debut, this novel lays a solid foundation. The world is intriguing, the magic has depth, and there’s so much potential for character development. I’ve followed Sloan on social media for a while, so it’s been exciting to see her publish her first book. I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel and can’t wait to see where she takes this story next.
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