City of Ruin by Charissa Weaks Summary

City of Ruin is the second book in Charissa Weaks' Witch Walker trilogy, continuing Raina Bloodgood's journey after the Prince of the East destroyed her village. Forced into a conflict beyond her control and partnered with Alexus Thibault, the Witch Collector, Raina discovers her true power and confronts revelations that challenge everything she believed. This romantic historical fantasy blends magic, myth, intricate world-building, and burning romance as Raina navigates war, loss, and her evolving relationship with Alexus.

City of Ruin appeals to readers who love romantic fantasy with strong atmospheric world-building and complex character dynamics. Fans of Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent, and Rebecca Ross will appreciate Charissa Weaks' blend of compelling fantasy elements, gripping action, and emotional romance. This book particularly suits readers seeking stories with time travel, magick systems, myth-inspired narratives, and slow-burn relationships set against epic fantasy backdrops. Those who enjoyed The Witch Collector will find City of Ruin an essential continuation of Raina and Alexus's story.

City of Ruin is worth reading for fans of the Witch Walker series and romantic fantasy enthusiasts seeking immersive storytelling. Charissa Weaks crafts a finely woven tapestry of compelling characters, intricate world-building, and burning romance that reads like a combination of mythological story and fairy tale. The 16-hour audiobook and expanded 400-page novel demonstrate the depth and complexity Weaks poured into this installment. Readers praise the emotional depth, atmospheric setting, and the evolving relationship between Raina Bloodgood and Alexus Thibault.

Charissa Weaks is an award-winning Amazon and Barnes & Noble Top 100 author specializing in romantic and historical fantasy. She crafts stories featuring time travel, magick, myth, history, and apocalyptic quests, and resides just south of Nashville with her family. Beyond the Witch Walker trilogy (The Witch Collector, City of Ruin, Kingdom of the Forgotten), Weaks published Tempted by Celestial Bodies in November 2024. She also works as a City Owl Press editor and is developing a Count of Monte Cristo retelling set in 1901 Marseille.

You absolutely need to read The Witch Collector before City of Ruin by Charissa Weaks, as City of Ruin is the direct sequel in the Witch Walker trilogy. The story continues immediately after the events where the Prince of the East razed Raina Bloodgood's village and she discovered her true capabilities. Without reading The Witch Collector first, readers will miss crucial character development, world-building foundations, and the relationship evolution between Raina and Alexus Thibault that makes City of Ruin emotionally resonant. The trilogy builds sequentially with interconnected plot threads.

The Witch Walker series reading order begins with The Witch Collector (Book 1, released November 2021), followed by City of Ruin (Book 2, released November 2023), and concludes with Kingdom of the Forgotten (Book 3, forthcoming). Charissa Weaks originally conceived these as novellas but expanded The Witch Collector into a full 400-page novel after her father's passing in 2020. The trilogy follows Raina Bloodgood's journey from village destruction through war and self-discovery, with each installment building on the previous book's revelations and character arcs.

In City of Ruin, Raina Bloodgood continues processing the aftermath of her village's destruction by the Prince of the East while discovering she's capable of far more than anyone imagined. Forced into someone else's war alongside the Witch Collector, Alexus Thibault, Raina confronts revelations that everything she believed was wrong. The sequel explores her evolving magical abilities, deepening relationship with Alexus, and her role in the larger conflict. Notably, Raina's character arc includes the unique element that she doesn't vocally speak, adding complexity to her characterization and relationships.

City of Ruin features burning romance as a central element woven throughout the fantasy plot. Charissa Weaks is known for crafting romantic and historical fantasy where romance is integral rather than secondary. The relationship between Raina Bloodgood and Alexus Thibault deepens in City of Ruin, building on the connection established in The Witch Collector. Weaks describes her books as always containing "fantasy/magick element, romance, and strong atmosphere," creating an immersive romantic experience. Readers seeking emotionally rich fantasy romance will find City of Ruin delivers compelling relationship development.

Raina Bloodgood's inability to vocally speak is a distinctive character trait that Charissa Weaks uses to add depth and complexity to the protagonist's journey. This characteristic challenges traditional fantasy romance conventions and creates unique dynamics in Raina's relationship with Alexus Thibault and other characters. While the search results don't reveal the specific in-world reason for Raina's silence, this element contributes to the series' exploration of communication, connection, and power beyond traditional means. The choice demonstrates Weaks' commitment to creating compelling characters with unconventional traits.

The City of Ruin audiobook is 16 hours and 39 minutes long and is narrated by Meg Sylvan and Tim Campbell. Released on November 7, 2023, the dual narration brings both Raina Bloodgood's and Alexus Thibault's perspectives to life. The substantial length reflects Charissa Weaks' expansion of the originally planned novella into a full-length fantasy novel, demonstrating the intricate world-building and detailed storytelling. The audiobook is available on Audible and provides an immersive experience for fans of romantic fantasy who prefer audio format.

City of Ruin explores themes of loss, healing, and self-discovery as Raina Bloodgood navigates war's aftermath and personal transformation. The novel examines forced change, resilience in face of devastating revelations, and the power found in unexpected alliances. Love, both romantic and platonic, serves as a transformative force throughout the narrative. Weaks weaves in themes of identity, destiny versus choice, and the cost of power. The story's emphasis on atmosphere creates an immersive exploration of how individuals adapt when everything they believed proves wrong, echoing the quote: "Something must always be lost if you're ever to gain."

City of Ruin by Charissa Weaks shares similarities with popular romantic fantasy by Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent's Crowns of Nyaxia series, and Rebecca Ross's work. Like these authors, Weaks combines intricate world-building with burning romance, but distinguishes herself through historical fantasy elements and mythological storytelling. City of Ruin offers deeper atmospheric immersion and unique character choices, including a non-speaking protagonist. While comparable to The Serpent and the Wings of Night in romance intensity, Weaks emphasizes time travel, magick systems, and historical inspiration more prominently than contemporaries.