Review--Ruling Destiny by Alyson Noel

 

The second I stepped through the doors of Gray Wolf Academy, my world disintegrated. Here, time is malleable. It can be manipulated, shifted. Changed. And for those of us who Trip—or travel through time—the possibilities are infinite and perilous.

Now my life is caught in the secrets of everyone around me. Arthur, the eccentric billionaire who rules this school. Killian, who could be the only honest person here…or the biggest liar. And Braxton, magnetic, gorgeous, and unfathomable. The only thing I trust about him is our electric connection.

Whether we’re Tripping through Renaissance Italy or thieving from a ball in Regency England, my life’s become a web of lies and strange truths. And beneath the surface is an elaborate puzzle, filled with cryptic symbols and priceless treasures scattered across history—all somehow connected to my strange ability to see through time.

But Arthur has a dangerously ambitious agenda. And if what my dad taught me is true, I’m not just a threat to everyone at Gray Wolf…I’m a threat to time itself. 

 

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Alyson Noel’s Ruling Destiny was yet another exciting installment in her Stolen Beauty series! This is an example of time traveling done right! I’ve read many books that involve time traveling and you always run the risk f over complicating things when it comes to the explanation of how it’s done but I feel like Noel does a remarkable job of keeping it scientific and understandable.

Natasha is one of the newest students at Gray Wolf Academy, a school for teenagers who all have different kinds of backgrounds that led them here and it is here they learn the art of time traveling. Arthur, the man who runs the school and provides financially for everyone involved is determined to find the missing pieces to a device that can help him reshape the world.

Natasha is still a bit shaken from her last trip where she was nearly assaulted by a duke, but thanks to Killian’s involvement, it ended better than she could expect. Killian ends up being another one of Arthur’s students who was missing for a few years because he was left behind on a trip. His return isn’t the happy homecoming Natasha would expect from colleagues. Braxton seems especially put out that he’s back, but gives no explanation as to why. He keeps his secrets tightly guarded as much as she does.

Natasha and her friends continue to swipe expensive items through time and when Natasha is given a special trip all on her own where she’s to find hopefully one of the remaining pieces to Arthur’s device. But what should’ve been a romantic trip with Braxton ends up being a trip for two with Killian. Natasha begins having mixed feelings between the two boys. She knows each of them has their secrets but can’t decide who’s being more truthful.

There are many secrets within Gray Wolf Academy and not everyone is being truthful.

This book was a bit more exciting than the first one if memory serves. Since we are already introduced to the ways of the school, it was a bit easier getting into the thick of things this time around. I enjoyed being back and even with my spotty memory I was able to follow along fairly easily. Much gets revealed and explained as the story moves along and there wasn’t a time I ever felt lost.

The pacing was done decidedly well. While things weren’t always moving plot wise, there was still movement in the character development area which is always nice. I loved getting reacquainted with familiar faces and learning more about Killian. I vaguely recalled him showing up at the end of Stealing Infinity, but not much else after that. We get the full backstory in this one and it is outstanding!

Romance wise we do see Natasha and Braxton growing closer but the secrets they both carry might just be the thing that tears them apart. Add in Killian, a third party and we get the ever present love triangle. Natasha still remains faithful to Braxton for the most part, but when secrets start building up Natasha reaches a crossroad and a decision will have to be made and does get made. She’s pretty much made her choice before the end of the book, so be ready for that!

I was quite pleased with how things ended. Yes, I still have plenty of questions. There’s much to come in the next installment and I am eager to see what will come of that. Natasha also makes a rather risky choice at the end that could prove catastrophic, but we will have to wait until the next book to see what will come of that!

Ruling Destiny was a thrilling and exciting read that kept me guessing the entire time. If it wasn’t the heart racing trips back through time or the swooning romantic moments, it was the loaded secrets swimming about. This book kept me thoroughly enchanted from start to finish and I am officially hooked and needing more as soon as possible!

Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars

Ruling Destiny is out now!