Review: Allied by Amy Tintera

Book: Allied
Author: Amy Tintera
Series: Ruined #3 (final)
Publication: May 1, 2018

In the final book in the New York Times bestselling Ruinedseries, the romance of The Selection and the epic stakes of Red Queen come together in a story of revenge, adventure, and unexpected love.

Emelina Flores and her sister, Olivia, were determined to bring peace to the people of Ruina. But as the war for liberation raged on, what triumph and freedom meant to Em and Olivia slowly changed. As Olivia’s violence and thirst for vengeance became her only ambition, Em was left to pick up the pieces.

But it’s not only Em who is upset by Olivia’s increased violence. Other members of the Ruined army are beginning to see the cracks, and soon a small group of them defects from Olivia’s army and joins Em instead. The two sisters are soon pitted against each other in an epic battle for the kingdom and the future, and only one will win.

The last book of the Ruined series! I have been eagerly awaiting the conclusion, because finally, we have the two Flores sisters emotionally, and eventually physically, pitted against each other!

After the whirlwind of the previous book, Em is back with the Olivia and their Ruined. But the difference between then and now is that Em knows Olivia needs to be taken down. Negotiating isn't going to work, and Olivia can't go on with her bloodthirsty rampage.

Em and Cas have been through so much together. They both were acting and making decisions like a proper king and queen. Yes, there was still self-doubt, but a lot of that was tossed away given the stakes that were steadily rising. They both remained strong willed throughout the book, and didn't waver from the cause nor from each other. There were also some absolutely adorable moments between the two, which I loved loved loved!

Aren and Iria! After Iria was dragged away, it was clear Aren would be rescuing her at some point in this book. Aren's abilities proved to be effortlessly the most scary of all the Ruined, not just in rescuing Iria, but in the plot itself. I also loved the friendship that bloomed between Aren and Galo, too.

The ending wasn't as epic as I had hoped, but there still was a good old-fashioned battle and war, which I always loved. I think the very last line of the book, "But they would", was the absolutely perfect sentence to conclude the series, since "But they would" was literally the tagline of the first book about how Em would make people fear her. Overall, I really enjoyed the overall conclusion of the growth of all the characters. I just wished the war was a bit fancier, but that's also just me and my fantasy bloodlust talking haha.