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annick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The ending is lovely. The middle really dragged for me. There were brief moments of poetic writing and emotional heft. But so much of this wasn’t engaging me. I made myself finish it because so many fans speak so warmly and highly of this book and the two books of this series. But I still don’t think it’s one I’ll recommend.
Vibes: Ww2 and blitz. The vendetta aftermath again Dacre’s army really reminds me of the horrors of war (eg soviet solidera brutal treatment of German speaking civilians in late stages of ww2)
The gods and magic didn’t really make sense to me. The cosy Miyazaki vibes of the magic in ordinary houses and objects was appealing but doesn’t really manifest or follow through. The gods got a bit derivative of the Greek pantheon for me (ichor). Perhaps there is a prequel or series of short stories that Ross had in mind.
The Alouette and Lt Shane. Missing opportunity of adversity if the unused typewriter wasn’t destroyed.
Vibes: Ww2 and blitz. The vendetta aftermath again Dacre’s army really reminds me of the horrors of war (eg soviet solidera brutal treatment of German speaking civilians in late stages of ww2)
The gods and magic didn’t really make sense to me. The cosy Miyazaki vibes of the magic in ordinary houses and objects was appealing but doesn’t really manifest or follow through. The gods got a bit derivative of the Greek pantheon for me (ichor). Perhaps there is a prequel or series of short stories that Ross had in mind.
The Alouette and Lt Shane. Missing opportunity of adversity if the unused typewriter wasn’t destroyed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and War
Moderate: Death, Bullying, Murder, Blood, Chronic illness, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
lanza909's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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 and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
Minor: Child death
mari_______kql's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Minor: Death
whittiebee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.25
4.25 stars!!
I put off reading ruthless vows for a few months in fear it wouldn’t live up to divine rivals for me and I’m so glad I finally finished this duology. The writing was just as beautiful in RV as DR. The pace was a smidge slow in some spots but was overall a breathtaking story. I love the choice of a duology because it truly feels as though there is no filler and is just a perfectly written story from start to finish. I cried many times. 🥲 Calling the epilogue “coda” was a cool nod to music, as well. This duology felt like romance + historical fiction + fantasy which is perfect for me since those are my three fave genres.
i loved the mirror that Iris & Roman’s marriage and vows held up to Enva & Dacre. This story was about two people and their love for each other and how that can impact everything vs. two people who also shared vows but were at odds. I appreciated the fact that Iris and Roman were just two normal people. I love books that have strong, powerful main characters that often have magic and change the world, but there was something so refreshing and endearing that Roman and Iris were just two journalists, in love, against impossible odds that still changed the world without all that.
I love Iris & Roman and I’m so happy their story ended with them happy in a townhouse gardening & writing & loving each other. I + R foreva 🫶🏼
I put off reading ruthless vows for a few months in fear it wouldn’t live up to divine rivals for me and I’m so glad I finally finished this duology. The writing was just as beautiful in RV as DR. The pace was a smidge slow in some spots but was overall a breathtaking story. I love the choice of a duology because it truly feels as though there is no filler and is just a perfectly written story from start to finish. I cried many times. 🥲 Calling the epilogue “coda” was a cool nod to music, as well. This duology felt like romance + historical fiction + fantasy which is perfect for me since those are my three fave genres.
I love Iris & Roman and I’m so happy their story ended with them happy in a townhouse gardening & writing & loving each other. I + R foreva 🫶🏼
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
bunte_socke's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
rjohnson0583's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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: War
litagentsaritza's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
3.0
While slower than the first, this is an enthralling and satisfying read. Fans of the Persephone and Hades retellings are going to enjoy Ross’s interpretation of it intermingled with WWII lore. The love story between Kitt and Winnow is heroically moving and each of the supporting characters propel the plot nicely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, and War
Moderate: Xenophobia
pagesofallie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death and Violence
sabrinalefebvre's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
4.25 ⭐️
I’m really surprised by my enjoyment, I thought I was going to find this one okay; not bad, but not exceptional. But I was thoroughly enjoying myself.
I will say that I think the ending would have had more impact if Ronan had been left behind in the underworld and died. It would have been a tragic, yet more impactful addition.
I’m really surprised by my enjoyment, I thought I was going to find this one okay; not bad, but not exceptional. But I was thoroughly enjoying myself.
I will say that I think the ending would have had more impact if Ronan had been left behind in the underworld and died. It would have been a tragic, yet more impactful addition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
Moderate: Gun violence
cjsimpson234's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War