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lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I definitely enjoyed this more than Divine Rivals. Still didn't care for the war plot much, but it felt overall better paced and balanced than the first book. And I was invested in the characters and liked the conversations and moments they had a lot. The tension was done really well. This was more romantic that I usually read, but I was in the mood for it, and it was a quick read. Also, I was reminded by how much I love Rebecca Ross' writing. It is very flowery, but it just flows nicely and sounds beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Grief
pagesihavenotyetread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Death, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Chronic illness
taniasborges's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Medical trauma, Death, War, Grief, Gore, Blood, and Medical content
libriinks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, War, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
erinkellyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Heartbreaking and tense and lovely, this duology is easily in my top reads from the last few years. I saw a joke on Instagram that "Divine Rivals" is to Swift's Folklore as "Ruthless Vows" is to Swift's Evermore, and, yes, I feel this, haha.
In terms of differences between this and it's predecessor, the stakes are higher and so is the tension. I had to take a couple of breaks from it while reading it simply because I was nervous for the characters and was putting off any potential pain. However, the bonds between all of the character continue, and we add in a few more interesting connections between existing and new characters. The one thing that I didn't love was the final showdown feeling too quick (and not necessarily easy, but... I think you'll see what I mean when you get there). I've seen other people saying that they felt DR was slow, but I didn't feel that way. If you did feel that way, I think you won't for RV.
Overall, the beauty of the writing and the atmospheric nature of the world and the souls of our characters are stunning, and I would 100% recommend this duology to anybody. A fantasy book that feels like contemporary history, a war book that feels like poetry, and a love story that feels like releasing a breath on a sunny, windy day.
In terms of differences between this and it's predecessor, the stakes are higher and so is the tension. I had to take a couple of breaks from it while reading it simply because I was nervous for the characters and was putting off any potential pain. However, the bonds between all of the character continue, and we add in a few more interesting connections between existing and new characters. The one thing that I didn't love was the final showdown feeling too quick (and not necessarily easy, but... I think you'll see what I mean when you get there). I've seen other people saying that they felt DR was slow, but I didn't feel that way. If you did feel that way, I think you won't for RV.
Overall, the beauty of the writing and the atmospheric nature of the world and the souls of our characters are stunning, and I would 100% recommend this duology to anybody. A fantasy book that feels like contemporary history, a war book that feels like poetry, and a love story that feels like releasing a breath on a sunny, windy day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, War, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Chronic illness, Medical content, Blood, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Minor: Vomit
rachelelsya's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I feel the sequel is longer than the first one (maybe it is). I had just finished Divine Rivals, and Ruthless Vows had already been released so I bought it. Plus because I need to know what will happen in the universe.
The story itself was an interesting one. A war between gods that cost the mortals. The journey on this one was tougher than before, especially for Iris and Roman. But their love is making me believe in love and fate again lol. Anyway, it is a worth-it fantasy duology for fulfilling your imagination because I feel so immersed in the world.
The story itself was an interesting one. A war between gods that cost the mortals. The journey on this one was tougher than before, especially for Iris and Roman. But their love is making me believe in love and fate again lol. Anyway, it is a worth-it fantasy duology for fulfilling your imagination because I feel so immersed in the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Death
Minor: Grief
gildedspines's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, War, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Confinement, Torture, Vomit, and Death of parent
albalantsov's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, War, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Grief, Religious bigotry, Blood, and Confinement
sandwiiche's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
yes yes YES we got more world building in this book. compared to the first book, i would say that this book focuses more on plot than the characters, which, in my opinion, was the opposite for the first book. it also didn't feature too much relationships and romance, which i don't mind, but it took me a bit by surprise! anyway, i really loved this duology, and i'm sad to say goodbye to iris and roman 🥹
as always, ross's writing is a pleasure to read. everytime i read something by her, it makes me want to savour and reflect on her words. i will certainly be picking up any of her future novels.
as always, ross's writing is a pleasure to read. everytime i read something by her, it makes me want to savour and reflect on her words. i will certainly be picking up any of her future novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and War
thelongroadtosanity's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Keep writing. You will find the words you need to share. They are already within you, even in the shadows, hiding like jewels. —C."
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***
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What a great ending to a great duology. Even though this plot felt slightly slower than the first book, it still had plenty of action and intrigue to keep me turning the page. I love Roman and Iris together as a couple, since I feel that they really complement each other so well. The romance truly burns brightly in this book.
I do love the setting and even though there wasn't much world building and exploration of the magic system, I thought it was so well done that it doesn't frankly bother me nearly as much as I thought it would. I love that this is a soft and subtle fantasy novel duology. The author does such an amazing job at keeping the slow-burn romance alive through distance and time. This is such a well-written series, I think I may have a slight book-hangover. (1/2024)
4 out of 5 stars, I would definitely read and recommend
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**
***
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What a great ending to a great duology. Even though this plot felt slightly slower than the first book, it still had plenty of action and intrigue to keep me turning the page. I love Roman and Iris together as a couple, since I feel that they really complement each other so well. The romance truly burns brightly in this book.
I do love the setting and even though there wasn't much world building and exploration of the magic system, I thought it was so well done that it doesn't frankly bother me nearly as much as I thought it would. I love that this is a soft and subtle fantasy novel duology. The author does such an amazing job at keeping the slow-burn romance alive through distance and time. This is such a well-written series, I think I may have a slight book-hangover. (1/2024)
4 out of 5 stars, I would definitely read and recommend
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Chronic illness, Violence, Gun violence, Grief, War, Medical trauma, and Medical content