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booksalacarte's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? No
5.0
5⭐️ 2.75🌶️
New adult
Mid Fantasy
Rivals to lovers
Slow burn
He falls first
Found family
🏳️🌈 side characters
War/WW2 vibes
Grief
Parental death
Magical beasts
Love letters
Anonymous pen palls
Secret identity
I barely came up for air as I read, it was that good.
The juxtaposition of a familiar historical setting like World War Two in Great Britton and the mid fantasy with magic, folklore and mythology guiding and reshaping was really compelling! Nothing is more visceral than knowing about how GB bombings happened, being familiar with the uniforms, sirens, military involvement and seeing it on the page with vengeful gods and mythical beasts. I’m excited to see it dive deeper into the classically fantasy side of this plot!!!
I loved Iris and Roman and how they interacted and grew. Going through their grief, battling emotions and setbacks. Their tension was well written. Their love is so sweet!!! I was giggling at them and my heart melted when things finally took off!
I can’t wait until the next book comes out and we can see how this story moves forward.
New adult
Mid Fantasy
Rivals to lovers
Slow burn
He falls first
Found family
🏳️🌈 side characters
War/WW2 vibes
Grief
Parental death
Magical beasts
Love letters
Anonymous pen palls
Secret identity
I barely came up for air as I read, it was that good.
The juxtaposition of a familiar historical setting like World War Two in Great Britton and the mid fantasy with magic, folklore and mythology guiding and reshaping was really compelling! Nothing is more visceral than knowing about how GB bombings happened, being familiar with the uniforms, sirens, military involvement and seeing it on the page with vengeful gods and mythical beasts. I’m excited to see it dive deeper into the classically fantasy side of this plot!!!
I loved Iris and Roman and how they interacted and grew. Going through their grief, battling emotions and setbacks. Their tension was well written. Their love is so sweet!!! I was giggling at them and my heart melted when things finally took off!
I can’t wait until the next book comes out and we can see how this story moves forward.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Gore, Gun violence, Alcohol, Death of parent, Violence, Vomit, Body horror, Blood, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, and War
rubyreadstoomuch's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
this was the most beautiful book i have ever read. rebecca ross better lock her doors at night, because i am coming for the sequel
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, War, Gun violence, and Death of parent
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual content, Vomit, War, Addiction, Classism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Gun violence, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Cursing, Gore, Body horror, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Bullying, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
themelodyofspring's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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
Devastated! Aghast! Lying on the floor sobbing 😭
But at least the sequel's blurb sounds hopeful.
Very good enemies to lovers. This book kept me interested in the story outside of the romance (the romance was a bonus). Very character driven, with smart and well written characters.
The letters part was my favourite. The portal plot was so cool. Can't wait to read more of that in the sequel.
But at least the sequel's blurb sounds hopeful.
Very good enemies to lovers. This book kept me interested in the story outside of the romance (the romance was a bonus). Very character driven, with smart and well written characters.
The letters part was my favourite. The portal plot was so cool. Can't wait to read more of that in the sequel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Grief, and Medical content
gingerbooknerd3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Death, Kidnapping, Vomit, and War
Minor: Death and Fire/Fire injury
n0elle's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Violence, Vomit, Abandonment, War, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Murder, and Sexism
missgarceau's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
I felt this story in my whole body!
It brought tears to my eyes, had butterflies dancing in my belly, gave me chills and had my heart racing with anxiety!
The love and grief that this story delivers is overwhelming & beautiful.
If it wasn’t for the cliffhanger ending that felt like it came out of left field- it would have been 5⭐️
I felt like the ending was more for shock & unnecessary/avoidable drama that simply ripped my heart out.
It brought tears to my eyes, had butterflies dancing in my belly, gave me chills and had my heart racing with anxiety!
The love and grief that this story delivers is overwhelming & beautiful.
If it wasn’t for the cliffhanger ending that felt like it came out of left field- it would have been 5⭐️
I felt like the ending was more for shock & unnecessary/avoidable drama that simply ripped my heart out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Violence, War, Addiction, Alcohol, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Gore, and Grief
This book might be triggering for anyone who has military involvement or military upbringing. It deals with a lot of grief & the difficulties of war.snickahz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death of parent, Alcoholism, War, Blood, and Violence
giulianalb99's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
This book… Oh my goddess this book😭😭
I think this is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read in my whole life. The way the author writes, how it captivates you since the very first page… I don’t have words to describe this incredible book, I don’t think this review will give it enough justice.
I loved every character. Iris and Roman have my whole entire heart forever and ever. I’m very new to the romance genre and a good friend of mine <b>(Helen ily and I love reading with you and sharing our thoughts and scream and cry together okbye)</b> told me to give it a try together and that’s what we did. I kinda went into the book without not knowing too much about it, only that it was a rivals to lovers and that mythology was involved. That trope is one of my favorites and I love mythology so I said “why not?” and OH. MY. GODDESS. How it started, how the author makes you feel as if you were Iris yourself (I also felt like in some ways I could identify with her a lot), the banter between her and Roman, how it started as a competition and ended up as one of the most beautiful romances I’ve ever read… so many good things and so many feelings. I actually cried, and I NEVER cry, that’s what you do to me, Rebecca Ross. I loved how they had their own problems and insecurities but loved each other regardless. The letters were each one better than the other, it was so beautiful to see how their relationship kept on progressing with each letter. I think I’m in love with Roman, and I’m not kidding. Every time I picked this book up to read it, he kept on getting better and better and better, and now I’m depressed because he’s the standard and men like him don’t exist so basically I’ll just die alone.
How can Rebecca Ross portray such incredible and deep feelings just with her writing? How she talks about grief, about being insecure, about war (as if she were there herself), about being/feeling alone, about their love that made me cry and laugh, and giggle and smile and about so many things… My heart ached all the time.
As always, unfortunately there’s always a but, and the only “bad” (there’s nothing wrong with this wonderful book) thing I would like to point out is that it barely talks about the main plot (the Gods Enva and Dacre), only at the beginning and at the end. By how it ended (what a huge cliffhanger omfg) it looks like in the next book there will be more of it and I just. can’t. wait.
It is a huge crime that:
1. This book is not that recognized and it’s really underrated.
2. That I have to wait until april of 2024 for the next book to be released.
Everyone needs to read this book, period. Like, there’s no excuse. It has mythology, rivals to lovers, amazing main & side characters, he falls first, etc etc etc ♾️, and it just fulfills your entire being, it makes you feel whole, complete.
I don’t think I can write any quote because I literally underlined the entire book, but here are some of them that I particularly loved🤍:
<i>Grief is a long, difficult process, especially when it is so racked by guilt.</i>
<i>I think we all wear armor. I think those who don’t are fools, risking the pain of being wounded by the sharp edges of the world, over and over again. But if I’ve learned anything from those fools, it’s that to be vulnerable is a strength most of us fear. It takes courage to let down your armor, to welcome people to see you as you are.</i>
<i>But I think there is a magical link between you and me. A bond that not even distance can break.</i>
<i>The world is about to change. The days to come will only grow darker. And when you find something good? You hold on to it. You don’t waste time worrying about things that won’t even matter in the end. Rather, you take a risk for that light.</i>
<i>You are worthy of love. You are worthy to feel joy right now, even in the darkness.</i>
(I’m going to stop with the quotes now because I’ll just end up writing the entire book).
Last but not least, if you’re planning on reading this book, check the trigger warnings before doing so (tw such as: death, war, death of parent, grief, gun violence, alcoholism, medical content, car accident, etc.)
I think this is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read in my whole life. The way the author writes, how it captivates you since the very first page… I don’t have words to describe this incredible book, I don’t think this review will give it enough justice.
I loved every character. Iris and Roman have my whole entire heart forever and ever. I’m very new to the romance genre and a good friend of mine <b>(Helen ily and I love reading with you and sharing our thoughts and scream and cry together okbye)</b> told me to give it a try together and that’s what we did. I kinda went into the book without not knowing too much about it, only that it was a rivals to lovers and that mythology was involved. That trope is one of my favorites and I love mythology so I said “why not?” and OH. MY. GODDESS. How it started, how the author makes you feel as if you were Iris yourself (I also felt like in some ways I could identify with her a lot), the banter between her and Roman, how it started as a competition and ended up as one of the most beautiful romances I’ve ever read… so many good things and so many feelings. I actually cried, and I NEVER cry, that’s what you do to me, Rebecca Ross. I loved how they had their own problems and insecurities but loved each other regardless. The letters were each one better than the other, it was so beautiful to see how their relationship kept on progressing with each letter. I think I’m in love with Roman, and I’m not kidding. Every time I picked this book up to read it, he kept on getting better and better and better, and now I’m depressed because he’s the standard and men like him don’t exist so basically I’ll just die alone.
How can Rebecca Ross portray such incredible and deep feelings just with her writing? How she talks about grief, about being insecure, about war (as if she were there herself), about being/feeling alone, about their love that made me cry and laugh, and giggle and smile and about so many things… My heart ached all the time.
As always, unfortunately there’s always a but, and the only “bad” (there’s nothing wrong with this wonderful book) thing I would like to point out is that it barely talks about the main plot (the Gods Enva and Dacre), only at the beginning and at the end. By how it ended (what a huge cliffhanger omfg) it looks like in the next book there will be more of it and I just. can’t. wait.
It is a huge crime that:
1. This book is not that recognized and it’s really underrated.
2. That I have to wait until april of 2024 for the next book to be released.
Everyone needs to read this book, period. Like, there’s no excuse. It has mythology, rivals to lovers, amazing main & side characters, he falls first, etc etc etc ♾️, and it just fulfills your entire being, it makes you feel whole, complete.
I don’t think I can write any quote because I literally underlined the entire book, but here are some of them that I particularly loved🤍:
<i>Grief is a long, difficult process, especially when it is so racked by guilt.</i>
<i>I think we all wear armor. I think those who don’t are fools, risking the pain of being wounded by the sharp edges of the world, over and over again. But if I’ve learned anything from those fools, it’s that to be vulnerable is a strength most of us fear. It takes courage to let down your armor, to welcome people to see you as you are.</i>
<i>But I think there is a magical link between you and me. A bond that not even distance can break.</i>
<i>The world is about to change. The days to come will only grow darker. And when you find something good? You hold on to it. You don’t waste time worrying about things that won’t even matter in the end. Rather, you take a risk for that light.</i>
<i>You are worthy of love. You are worthy to feel joy right now, even in the darkness.</i>
(I’m going to stop with the quotes now because I’ll just end up writing the entire book).
Last but not least, if you’re planning on reading this book, check the trigger warnings before doing so (tw such as: death, war, death of parent, grief, gun violence, alcoholism, medical content, car accident, etc.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Violence, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and War
Moderate: Mental illness and Blood
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Vomit, Car accident, Sexual content, and Addiction
sunrae_booknook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
The ugliness of WWI reimagined to a war between gods. Iris and Roman’s story was romantic, heart wrenching, and full of fiery passion. I can’t wait for book 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, War, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Classism, and Body horror
Minor: Addiction and Abandonment