Amanda Foody

Christine Lynn Herman

All of Our Demise is the epic conclusion to Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman’s New York Times bestselling All of Us Villains duology.

“I feel like I should warn you: this is going to be absolutely brutal.”

For the first time in this ancient, bloodstained story, the tournament is breaking. The boundaries between the city of Ilvernath and the arena have fallen. Reporters swarm the historic battlegrounds. A dead boy now lives again. And a new champion has entered the fray, one who seeks to break the curse for good... no matter how many lives are sacrificed in the process.

As the curse teeters closer and closer to collapse, the surviving champions each face a choice: dismantle the tournament piece by piece, or fight to the death as this story was always intended.

Long-held alliances will be severed. Hearts will break. Lives will end. Because a tale as wicked as this one was never destined for happily ever after.


All of Us Villains #2

All of Our Demise

They'd found another way. They'd told a better story. Now they would end it. Together.

"I'm large, but he's in charge" energy right here.

She started toward them, bur Gavin stepped protectively in front of Alistair.

"It's okay," Alistair murmured, placing a hand on Gavin's shoulder. Gavin backed away, although his cautious stare still bored into all of them.

Alistair thought of nothing except the dangerous thrill of having his enemy against him. He had never tasted a sweeter poison. Never so happily let himself drown.

Yet, it could only be a fantasy. Because barely two days before, Alistair had knelt over Gavin and nearly taken his life. They were born to opposing sides of the same, bloodstained story, one of them always fated to die in the arms of the other. And if his enemy's lips were the last, fatal touch Alistair ever felt, then so be it. He would gladly welcome his demise.

"I think maybe people need stories to survive, but they can also use them to hurt each other."

"Heroes are just villains with worse survival instincts and moral superiority complexes."

Just as our cells are made from the earth and will eventually return to it, so does our life magick.

But she couldn't control what happened outside the tournament anymore. Instead, she remembered that she was defined just as much by her victories as her losses, whether the rest of the world deemed them important or not.

His knees wobbled, and he braced himself against the doorframe, but he didn't let himself break. Instead, he steeled his fear into rage, into desperation, into resolve. Because even if the Reaper's Embrace consumed him, Alistair would fight until his dying breath to save his brother.

There was a plaque on the heavy wooden door, above the mail slot. GRIEVE, it said, in a way Gavin had always thought of as more of an instruction than a name.

"If you're ashamed of what you were willing to kill for, then maybe it's time to ask yourself what you're willing to die for."

nothing gets one going like torture does and we do not kink shame here.

Maybe words would be both their undoings.

Alistair's words seared through him, more soothing than a healing spell, more damning than a curse. Because he'd told his enemy his greatest weakness-- and instead of using it again him, Alistair had shown him empathy in return.

Those words once would've wounded him, but they didn't anymore

"Killing is easy," Alistair murmured. "It's the afterward that's harder."

"But it's the afterward we're fighting for."

Why did Briony get to play the darling while she played the damned?

"Why are you so angry with me?" Gavin asked.

"Because I don't give a damn about the rest of the world's judgement, but I refuse to take yours."

(Bre)anne✨

“Heroes are just villains with worse survival instincts and moral superiority complexes.”

Geoffrey Froggatt

I started this book immediately after finishing the first. While I do prefer trilogies over duologies, I think the decision to make this series two books was for the best. For the first time in this ancient, bloodstained story, the tournament is breaking. The boundaries between the city of Ilvernath and the arena have fallen. Reporters swarm the historic battlegrounds. A dead boy now lives again. And a new champion has entered the fray, one who seeks to break the curse for good... no matter how many lives are sacrificed in the process. As the curse teeters closer and closer to collapse, the surviving champions each face a choice: dismantle the tournament piece by piece, or fight to the death as this story was always intended. I love how this book reestablishes the world and reintroduces the characters and story. I had trouble keeping up with all of the character relationships in the first book because I was reading so fast, but this book does a great job at reestablishing everything. I love that this setting is a mix of modern and medieval fantasy, which gives it a unique vibe. While I did like the setting, it did make me wonder how much of this world was like our own and what other parts of this world looked like. I liked how this book introduced the media aspect and the experience of the world watching the tournament and the champions. 

It was interesting seeing how this world and its people reacted to the champions and how they dehumanize them, however this wasn’t too far from reality with how people treat celebrities, and I imagine that if the tournament existed in real life, the media reaction and the civilian reaction would be very similar to what is depicted here. The highlight of this book for me was the complicated character dynamics between the champions. I loved Alistair and Gavin’s relationship and how it evolved so much from the first book, I was pleasantly surprised by the direction the authors chose to go in with their characters. Alistair and Isobel’s relationship dynamic was my favourite part of the previous book, but I loved how they became true rivals in this book. I loved how more characters were introduced into the story, like the family members of champions and characters outside the tournament, but my favourite characters and interactions were between the existing champions and I wish that the focus was more on them. It wasn’t that the secondary characters overshadowed the existing ones, I just felt like the secondary characters should have highlighted the main protagonists and champions more while not taking away too much of their screen time. I do feel like this book meandered too much in places and wasn’t as impactful as it should have been. A lot of moments towards the end felt random, and the pacing slowed in weird places throughout. 

Despite being a duology and having the opportunity to not stretch out this story into a trilogy with unnecessary filler, it did feel like the authors were stretching the plot of this story to fill out one final book, despite the fact that this premise and these characters can easily be intriguing enough for a trilogy. It did feel like the authors didn’t explore everything they possibly could have in the tournament and this world, and that there were many interesting storylines and plots they could have explored that they didn’t. There was a certain part of the book that made me wonder what would happen if a child from two champion bloodlines was born, and would they be able to claim the win for two families or have a choice in which one they choose. Another gripe I had with this finale book is the constant stream of tertiary minor characters introduced, especially towards the end. It felt random and took away from the previous cast of characters, and while I understand why these characters would need to enter the story, I do feel like it would have been more impactful and natural to the story had these characters been mentioned or introduced before the climax and finale. It did feel like the authors didn’t have the passion and intensity for this part of the story as they did for the first book, and it did feel like the writers just chose to end it without caring about wrapping things up in the best way possible or creating the best version of this finale. This story didn’t go everywhere I wanted it to, and I wasn’t as satisfied by the ending as I should have been, but I did appreciate how this duology reminded me of how much I love young adult dark fantasy while introducing surprise LGBT+ elements before the end.

Victoria Trzeciak

It dragged on in the middle of the book. And the last chapter was anti-climactic for me. <spoiler>Also, why would you do an enemies to lovers storyline for Alistair and Gavin just to break them up or keep them apart at the end after they had gotten together?

Gabrielle Gonzaga

I loved this book so much from beginning to end. I finished it in about 3 days, and that was only because I was trying to savor every moment I had left with these characters and this story. I loved the way all the ships ended up being and I couldn't help but hoping for the best even during such dire circumstances. I feel like this book gave me everything I've ever wanted and more. I'm super grateful to have witnessed the blood moon rise and the tournament begin and end. It was a magical read; especially with my ship sailing hehe

I loved this one, I think the storytelling was very good, this one was darker than the first and I really liked that it leaned into it, and also NO SPOILERS BUT !!!!! AHHHH !!!!!!! gay people stay winning and I am very pleasantly surprised and delighted by the ending

fris🐝

These characters are so messed up, but you can't help getting attached to them. Also this book does a good job of sticking to the third person narrative.

These characters are so messed up, but you can't help getting attached to them. Also this book does a good job of sticking to the third person narrative.

Rivals-to-lovers ✔

Rivals-to-allies-to-enemies-to-lovers✔

Second chance romance✔

Villain romance ✔

Hero dies at the end✔

Be gay do crime✔

Alexa M

I really enjoyed this, but nowhere near as much as I enjoyed the first one. I feel like this book could've been way shorter and got the job done just the same. This main thing this book lacked, for me, was the fast pace that the first one had. However, I did really enjoy my time reading this. I love these characters and think this story is super unique! Would highly recommend. 

[Sidenote: not really important but why do these kids insist on having deep conversations in the middle of a GD life or death battle?? hello?? can we talk about this later?? lmfaoo]

Jasmine

Actual rating 3.75 Stars

One of my most anticipated reads because I really loved book 1. A book that I had no expectations going into but ended up falling for the atmosphere and characters, and making mental grabby hands since reading to get this book. I will admit the first half felt very slow and dragged a bit too much that I was worried about how I going to feel by the end because it wasn't delivering that same excitement. There was a lot of breaking curses and spell casting yet it wasn't feeling very action packed.

However, it really did pick up into the later half and left me with an overall satisfying conclusion to this story. I can say that if you're looking for a book with some morally grey misunderstood characters, an amazing atmosphere, and some magical goodness this is a great duology. Maybe I'm also just feeling extra happy because I got my ship in the end, and no one in this series deserved a happy ending more than they did!! If I had one thing I enjoyed from start to finish it was being in their povs and watching their characters grow. That in itself was enough for me to have felt really happy to have read this book. I really loved the character development and it was great to be able to see all the growth they went through from the first book, and feeling their conflict throughout. Every character is very human and flawed.

I wish the stakes that felt so high in book 1 continued to feel that way into the conclusion but I just felt a lot of things that happened were fairly convenient. I think this could've been stronger, sure. By no means though is it an unsatisfying conclusion and I think this will be an ending most people can be happy with. It was hard for me to rate this because the first half was a 3 star read with some 4 star moments sprinkled in. The second half though gave me back a lot of the excitement I felt reading the first book and was a solid 4 star read.

Took me way longer than it should have but I swear that is not reflective of how GREAT this book is! An excellent conclusion to the duology. The tension and stakes hit the ceiling of the Blood Veil, and the costs are high. Absolutely will read anything by these authors.

Liz Griffin

Emily B

4.25 STARS:

I liked this one a bit better than the first. It went in directions I didn't see coming. The characters got some decent development, and heartstrings were tugged at. The ending was very satisfying as well. It left me feeling complete.

The best part about this though (and it really caught me by surprise) was where the romances went. I thought I had them all figured out, but about 30% through, I realized that I didn't know anything. 

One of the complaints I had from the first was that not many of the main characters actually seemed villain-like. That changed in this one. While many still had elements of goodness, they took darker turns. 

While this might not be one of my all-time favorites, I can still recommend this series. It gives what it advertises, with some unique elements thrown in. I thoroughly enjoyed this duology!

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I honestly didn’t enjoy the duology as much as I thought I would. 

This book picks up right where the previous one left off and it could not have been more slow. All I wanted was for the book to be over. I liked it enough to finish but it was kind of tough for me to. I liked the characters and their development but there was still something about their development that I didn’t enjoy. I also really liked the trials and how each of them reflected the different families. I didn’t really love any of the characters. I didn’t feel like I knew them enough to connect with them. Except for maybe Alistair and Gavin. 

Overall this book wasn’t great. It was fine. 

Kendall Deranek

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I honestly didn’t enjoy the duology as much as I thought I would. 

This book picks up right where the previous one left off and it could not have been more slow. All I wanted was for the book to be over. I liked it enough to finish but it was kind of tough for me to. I liked the characters and their development but there was still something about their development that I didn’t enjoy. I also really liked the trials and how each of them reflected the different families. I didn’t really love any of the characters. I didn’t feel like I knew them enough to connect with them. Except for maybe Alistair and Gavin. 

Overall this book wasn’t great. It was fine. 

This wasn't great. It was overly drawn out, with minimal action, and it felt like everyone was forced into a love line. I wasn't a huge fan of the government/spellmaker conspiracy setup because it felt like it came out of nowhere, after the tournament had turned from being a murder competition to breaking said murder competition. Maybe I missed key clues from the first book, but it felt like this shift was meant to provide conflict after everyone started working together. 

Now for my opinions on the ships (spoilers because, well, spoilers):

Finley and Briony-Cute, arguably the most believable couple. Heartbreaking ending, but kind of fitting? I don't think Briony would've wanted anyone else to die in her place. 

Gavin and Alistair-I'll admit, I wasn't the biggest fan of this ship at first. I did have a kernel of hope for an Isobel and Alistair reunion, I thought they were a good couple, but I completely understand why they didn't get back together. That being said, I don't buy Gavin being in love with Alistair before they even really met. I just don't. This is also a ship that I think would've been better fleshed out after the competition because while the tension between the two was building, so was the tension of the tournament. 

By far the worst ship is Isobel/Reid. I cannot get behind this one at all. He literally wanted to kill her, kidnapped her, made her sabotage the tournament so they'd have no way to break the curse (this is rectified, but it's the principle of the thing), and oh yeah, Reid wrote that book that caused Isobel to be thrown into the spotlight (granted Briony did name Isobel, but Reid set everything in motion). The only reason Reid even wanted to break the tournament curse was self preservation. They had no chemistry and I hate it. 

This felt more like the Hunger Games meets Love Island than a competition where teens are forced to murder each other. I just did not enjoy this and slogged through it.

Holly

It's time for an unpopular opinion.

This wasn't great. It was overly drawn out, with minimal action, and it felt like everyone was forced into a love line. I wasn't a huge fan of the government/spellmaker conspiracy setup because it felt like it came out of nowhere, after the tournament had turned from being a murder competition to breaking said murder competition. Maybe I missed key clues from the first book, but it felt like this shift was meant to provide conflict after everyone started working together. 

Now for my opinions on the ships (spoilers because, well, spoilers):

Finley and Briony-Cute, arguably the most believable couple. Heartbreaking ending, but kind of fitting? I don't think Briony would've wanted anyone else to die in her place. 

Gavin and Alistair-I'll admit, I wasn't the biggest fan of this ship at first. I did have a kernel of hope for an Isobel and Alistair reunion, I thought they were a good couple, but I completely understand why they didn't get back together. That being said, I don't buy Gavin being in love with Alistair before they even really met. I just don't. This is also a ship that I think would've been better fleshed out after the competition because while the tension between the two was building, so was the tension of the tournament. 

By far the worst ship is Isobel/Reid. I cannot get behind this one at all. He literally wanted to kill her, kidnapped her, made her sabotage the tournament so they'd have no way to break the curse (this is rectified, but it's the principle of the thing), and oh yeah, Reid wrote that book that caused Isobel to be thrown into the spotlight (granted Briony did name Isobel, but Reid set everything in motion). The only reason Reid even wanted to break the tournament curse was self preservation. They had no chemistry and I hate it. 

This felt more like the Hunger Games meets Love Island than a competition where teens are forced to murder each other. I just did not enjoy this and slogged through it.

To be honest, really only vibed with the middle part of this book, otherwise would likely be 3.5/3.75 stars. I got tired of the group of characters who were acting as heroes, and only redeeming for me were Hendry (loved him) and Alistair and Gavin. Didn’t care much at all that Briony died. Cheers to this series being over!

TW to be added later

To be honest, really only vibed with the middle part of this book, otherwise would likely be 3.5/3.75 stars. I got tired of the group of characters who were acting as heroes, and only redeeming for me were Hendry (loved him) and Alistair and Gavin. Didn’t care much at all that Briony died. Cheers to this series being over!

I have been waiting for this book - the conclusion - since the moment I read the last words in All of Us Villains and as soon as it appeared I began reading it. 

Almost zero time has passed from where we left our champions in book 1, but after Isobel's betrayal and Hendry's appearance, alliances are fragile, enemies are still at the gates and now Ilvernath has access to the battlegrounds, and the champions to Ilvernath, things are really changing. 

I really don't want to give anything away and usually I would write a much longer review, but honestly, I just want people to read it, I want people to live the story - to take longer than expected reading it because you want to make it last just a little bit longer. I want people to feel the longing, the worry, the angst, the hope, the joy, and draw their own conclusions and not be swayed based on my review of this wonderful story. 

This is my Hunger Games - this gives me the spells, curses, and the rebellion that my magical heart wanted.

If you enjoyed the first - I promise you will enjoy the second.

All of Our Demise All of Us Villains #2

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