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tabeahaefliger's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This was really good! First of all can we talk about the cover? That‘s the most beautiful thing I‘ve ever seen 😩🤌🏼
I really enjoyed reading about the war and their letters and I was entertained for the entirety if the book. Also I really enjoyed the ending, I think that makes a great start for Ruthless Vows.
The reason why this wasn‘t a 5-star is because I didn‘t feel that big of a connection to the characters, although they were great main characters but something was just missing for me. I think that this could‘ve gone much deeper, of course then it would‘ve also been much longer. 🤷🏼♀️
I really enjoyed reading about the war and their letters and I was entertained for the entirety if the book. Also I really enjoyed the ending, I think that makes a great start for Ruthless Vows.
The reason why this wasn‘t a 5-star is because I didn‘t feel that big of a connection to the characters, although they were great main characters but something was just missing for me. I think that this could‘ve gone much deeper, of course then it would‘ve also been much longer. 🤷🏼♀️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
kiwij96's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Easily one of the most captivating books I've read in a while. The story was written effortlessly and I loved the letters and the way that Iris and Carver developed their relationship without ever having met. It was also an emotional read, heavy on the grief and the war. It had me hooked as a reader for a solid 85% of the book.
However, where it eventually fell short was after that 85% mark. It got to a point where the plot - though already quite fast paced in some places - felt rushed, as if this 14-chapter-per-part aesthetic was what limited the author to progress the plot further in less time. Also, I know it is a YA, but Iris and Roman definitely felt a lot older. 18 and 19 just wasn't believable after a point, and the Young Adult genre still would have held if they were in their early to mid 20s.
However, where it eventually fell short was after that 85% mark. It got to a point where the plot - though already quite fast paced in some places - felt rushed, as if this 14-chapter-per-part aesthetic was what limited the author to progress the plot further in less time. Also, I know it is a YA, but Iris and Roman definitely felt a lot older. 18 and 19 just wasn't believable after a point, and the Young Adult genre still would have held if they were in their early to mid 20s.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, War, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual content and Classism
pottersauce's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
🫑
This is an interesting book. I found the language a tad bit flowery for me, but it wasn't too bad. And the content and overall writing style I enjoyed.
Definitely check out the trigger warnings, just in case. This was emotionally rough at times. The romance was cute, and there was technically a sex scene, but it was not explicit. Most people would consider this a sweet romance, but the overall themes and such mean it's no cutesy romance book.
Interesting world building with mythology as history. Love a typewriter book.
This is an interesting book. I found the language a tad bit flowery for me, but it wasn't too bad. And the content and overall writing style I enjoyed.
Definitely check out the trigger warnings, just in case. This was emotionally rough at times. The romance was cute, and there was technically a sex scene, but it was not explicit. Most people would consider this a sweet romance, but the overall themes and such mean it's no cutesy romance book.
Interesting world building with mythology as history. Love a typewriter book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death of parent
tnemelce's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content, Genocide, Alcoholism, and War
Minor: Classism
seastheday's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
This is most certainly a Romantasy- heavy on the romance aspect. I didn’t really know where this book would go- it’s so unique. And I was pleasantly surprised, as I hung on, along for the ride. I loved how the characters unfolded. There was a spot here and there where I called what would happen like when the B&B was getting robbed and it ended up being Forest The beginning was slow, but the second half of the book made it worth it. I really wish we had more scenes/time with Attie. I genuinely enjoyed this story, but it didn’t blow me away- which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Death
Minor: Car accident and Gun violence
livviolet's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
unboundbooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Child death, Addiction, Medical content, Gore, and Blood
noragoudie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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? No
4.75
This book was SO GREAT and I loved every minute! It is very rare that a fantasy book enchants me these days, but I got the feeling that I used to get when I was a kid from this. The book beautifully balances a strong plot/great world-building with characters you root for. The romance in this was also so beautifully done. Cannot wait to read the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
startjpw23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
This book is a dark fantasy romance. It is set in an alternate earth around the time of World War I. It is set in the fictional city of Oath. It stars Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt. They are 18 at the beginning of the book. The are two reporters at a local paper who are in a competition to become a columnist at the paper. They are fierce rivals. There were 5 gods in this world. It was thought that they all died. Two of them, Dacre and Enva were actually asleep. They wake up. Before they went to sleep, they were at war with one another. After they wake up, they continue the war. The war is fought by humans who join one or the other side. Iris's brother Forest enlists in the army of Enva. This breaks Iris's mother who loses her job. Iris has to quit school. She gets a job at the paper to support her mother and herself. Roman is a child of wealth. His father is new wealth and wants to be respected by old wealth. The story goes from there. I enjoyed the fantasy elements. I thought there was good world building. I thought the romance developed in a way that was realistic. The book did a real good job of presenting the horrors of war. The book is beautifully written. I did find it was a little too poetic at points. I recommend this book for someone who is looking for a dark fantasy romance with appealing lead and supporting characters. Look up content warnings if you find graphic descriptions of war upsetting. I will definitely read more books from the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Death of parent
jamiejanae_6's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, War, Grief, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Medical content