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evilstrawberry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction
lncolgate's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Stellar read! Just exquisite! Emotionally wrecked throughout and by the end!
Rebecca Ross has fantastic prose writing. Beautiful sentences -gorgeous imagery and metaphors. Draws out pure emotion while reading —never forced, never saccharine, never this is how you’re SUPPOSED to feel. You just feel all the characters emotions intensely.
The book reads as both fantasy and historical fiction. The fantasy is magical realism rather than traditional swords and sorcery or even steampunk. It’s effortless blend. The world feels so real and akin to our own. I can’t help but think of contemporary events going on and how people experiencing the effects of war directly would feel reading this.
Every main character is well developed. Hell even the bit characters you remember. There’s not too many and they’re all interconnected with Roman and Iris’s story.
The letters are so beautifully written. Man haven’t read a contemporary epistolary novel like that in a long time; honestly can’t remember if I’ve read one outside Dracula, Little Women, and Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. So much thought and care put into them. Again, it all feels so real-ironic given it’s a fantasy novel where I’m not normally looking for realism. Emotions and stories they tell one another are just pure, unfiltered.
The story is tragic, exciting, and full of emotion. I wolfed it down from start to finish. I couldn’t get enough. Felt like I didn’t want to stop to breathe at times. I forgive even the massive cliffhanger ending because this book is just that good. I feel Ross does close one arc—the relationship and romance between Iris and Roman. The start and the culmination of it. Now we have a trial—a quest. It’s an epic romance sure to endure the rest of time.
Rebecca Ross has fantastic prose writing. Beautiful sentences -gorgeous imagery and metaphors. Draws out pure emotion while reading —never forced, never saccharine, never this is how you’re SUPPOSED to feel. You just feel all the characters emotions intensely.
The book reads as both fantasy and historical fiction. The fantasy is magical realism rather than traditional swords and sorcery or even steampunk. It’s effortless blend. The world feels so real and akin to our own. I can’t help but think of contemporary events going on and how people experiencing the effects of war directly would feel reading this.
Every main character is well developed. Hell even the bit characters you remember. There’s not too many and they’re all interconnected with Roman and Iris’s story.
The letters are so beautifully written. Man haven’t read a contemporary epistolary novel like that in a long time; honestly can’t remember if I’ve read one outside Dracula, Little Women, and Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. So much thought and care put into them. Again, it all feels so real-ironic given it’s a fantasy novel where I’m not normally looking for realism. Emotions and stories they tell one another are just pure, unfiltered.
The story is tragic, exciting, and full of emotion. I wolfed it down from start to finish. I couldn’t get enough. Felt like I didn’t want to stop to breathe at times. I forgive even the massive cliffhanger ending because this book is just that good. I feel Ross does close one arc—the relationship and romance between Iris and Roman. The start and the culmination of it. Now we have a trial—a quest. It’s an epic romance sure to endure the rest of time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
lindan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
So poetic! Beautiful use of language to convey emotions. Lively and realistic banter between FMC and MMC. The characters go on a journey of self discovery as well as discovery of the world in the midst of a war. I loved that letters were used as a primary form of communication between two of the characters, each being the other’s confidant. While well developed, the fantasy’s element is quite mild in this book. However, based on the ending, it seems as if the second book will delve more into the fantasy elements. Thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
boothdwellerbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
katiekaiser's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Almost immediately, I knew this was going to be a 5-star read. Rebecca Ross’s writing style immediately drew me into this world. I loved Iris and Roman. The book was so well-written. I felt like I was there with them. I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read the second book and find out what happens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit
juliamb's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence, Vomit, Medical trauma, Abandonment, and Classism
julells's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
I absolutely adored every single bit of this book and now I can't wait to read the second one (because the ending left me weeping and with way too many questions). Also, the writing style was just perfection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting
micaelamariem's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ahhhhh! I’m so glad I finally got around to reading this! It was a slow start for sure but that made me appreciate the characters for who they were and the writing style as well. I love the “you’ve got mail” type of concept (but make it ✨ magic ✨). I also appreciated the World War Two parallels—the propaganda, the banning of music, the bombs and bunkers, the sirens. It was like looking at history with a fantasy lens in a fantasy world. The friendships were heartwarming and the romance adorable.
And the cliffhanger plot twist ending??? I need more omg. I’m so nervous for these cinnamon roll characters and there are still so many questions I have about the war and the myths and the impeccable Worldbuilding. I need the sequel now.
And the cliffhanger plot twist ending??? I need more omg. I’m so nervous for these cinnamon roll characters and there are still so many questions I have about the war and the myths and the impeccable Worldbuilding. I need the sequel now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
stormeno's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
meganemarshall's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
First thing I wouldn't call this a romantasy. I would call this historical romance set in a fantasy world. The world has magic and gods. It is fantastical but is more like a World War 2 setting. The romance is the main plot, not the fantasy elements.
I don't know how I feel about the romance in this book. Firstly, I was so annoyed with Iris being so oblivious, and prideful, and stubborn, and just stupid. I feel like the book starts with, they're both in love with each other, and Roman knows his feelings, but Iris is just stubbornly won't admit her feeling even to herself and it was a little annoying. It's just not my favorite trope in romances. Secondly, when they did get together, they GOT TOGETHER (no spoilers, but if you know, you know). The romantic storyline pacing just felt off to me. I don't know, maybe it'll grow on me.
The main plot of the book really picked up at the very end. I definitely want to pick up the next book right away to just get more of the war and the fantasy plot.
I don't know how I feel about the romance in this book. Firstly, I was so annoyed with Iris being so oblivious, and prideful, and stubborn, and just stupid. I feel like the book starts with, they're both in love with each other, and Roman knows his feelings, but Iris is just stubbornly won't admit her feeling even to herself and it was a little annoying. It's just not my favorite trope in romances. Secondly, when they did get together, they GOT TOGETHER (no spoilers, but if you know, you know). The romantic storyline pacing just felt off to me. I don't know, maybe it'll grow on me.
The main plot of the book really picked up at the very end. I definitely want to pick up the next book right away to just get more of the war and the fantasy plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent