Shades of Rust and Ruin

By: A. G. Howard

Narrated by: Jordan Claire McCraw

Bloomsbury presents Shades of Rust and Ruin by A. G. Howard, read by Jordan Claire McCraw.

New York Times bestselling author A.G. Howard launches a dark and compelling new YA fantasy series about a girl whose family is cursed by Halloween.

"Packed with action scenes, detailed world-building, and allusions to other popular media, this will be a crowd-pleaser with avid fantasy readers, likely to appeal to fans of Melissa Marr and Holly Black." -BCCB

Phoenix “Nix” Loring knows her family is under a Halloween curse. When she was three, her parents tragically died on October 31st. Eleven years later, her twin sister Lark suffered a similar fate.

Ever since, Nix has battled survivor guilt. She can’t even find comfort in Clarey, Lark’s boyfriend and the one person who understands her pain, because Nix’s hidden feelings for him go far beyond friendship. All that remains are her sketches, where she finds solace among the goblins and faeries in her imaginary world of Mystiquel. When her depression starts affecting her ability to see color, Nix all but gives up on her art, until her uncle goes missing on Halloween day. Hot on his trail, Nix and Clarey step through a portal, becoming trapped inside a decaying version of their town filled with Nix’s own sketches come to life.

As Nix and Clarey search for her uncle within the sinister and dangerous world of Mystiquel, Nix discovers there’s more to her family curse and otherworldly artwork than she ever imagined—and unless she can solve the Goblin King’s maze before the clock strikes midnight, her life won’t be the only one the curse claims next.

Set in a gritty, atmospheric world filled with magical creatures, New York Times bestselling author A.G. Howard launches a thrilling new fantasy full of romance, twists, and betrayals.

©2022 A. G. Howard (P)2022 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

OBSESSED

OH. MY. GOODNESS. I am dying over how much I loved this book. The steampunk, Labyrinth-y vibes, the magic, the fantasy, SO SO GOOD. AND THAT ENDING???? Floored. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Can’t wait for the sequel!

it was okay

It was okay I give it like 2.5 or 3 out of 5. Which is rare for me to give a book. I could tell it was trying really hard to be just as good as her Alice series and boy it was not lol some part felt way too drawn out and the characters are suppose to travel through a maze there was no maze. My favorite part was the last few chapters of the book and the twist at the end. Something that got on my nerves is it wasn't very good at explaining it lore which pissed me off but I think she did that on purpose to be explained further in future books. The twist at the end got enough I will read the next book so hopefully it will be much better

Ensnaring

Excellent story, definitely feels like it’s setting up for the next book and that is awesome.

FANTASTIC!!

That ending!! Wha????? I need book two NOW!!! Is this going to be another book where book 2 never comes??? Please…NO!!!!

The characters, the world building….everything is AMAZING!!!! Howard is always such an amazing writer!!!

I’m not going to say too much and ruin it for you, but YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!

One of a kind story teller!

Howard is a Word-Wizard like no other! Her storytelling builds worlds that are so intriguing and imaginative! Her books never disappoint me. My next cosplay needs to be Nix in the bunny mask! 😉

Amazing

Great story, invigorating full of plot twists! I loved splintered, and to have this gold produced, man. Can't wait for book 2!

slow paced and confusing

it got better in the last 20 minutes but it felt like you had a story written and just shoved some characters in it. there doesn't seem to be any real character arch, just characters being "forced" into automatically changing themselves