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blacksphinx's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
On some level it's really funny that this book had a chance to re-do the worst thing about the first book, the instant love between our protagonists , and then chose to do the same exact thing again but even faster. There's also some groan-worthy exposition where it really doesn't make sense that the party in question would stop and willingly monologue. Lastly, this book engages in one of my least favorite tropes, pair the spades - NO ONE can end this book without a lover!!!111 ugh
But... I love historical fantasy and what kept me enthralled in the first book was the up-close depictions of warfare. And there's plenty of warfare, spying, and tense action scenes in this sequel to keep me turning the pages. I'm now left hankering for another book series that blends non-magical warfare with a fantasy setting.
But... I love historical fantasy and what kept me enthralled in the first book was the up-close depictions of warfare. And there's plenty of warfare, spying, and tense action scenes in this sequel to keep me turning the pages. I'm now left hankering for another book series that blends non-magical warfare with a fantasy setting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Violence, Vomit, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, and Car accident
Minor: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Stalking, and Death of parent
katieklysmic's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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
Moderate: War
Minor: Chronic illness and Death
katelyn11's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
After Divine Rivals, this was a sore disappointment. Slow-moving with little to contribute to the plot or character development. I simply didn’t care about any part of the world or Iris and Roman’s romance. There were a couple of good chapters (chapter 35 did NOT live up to the hype) but it mostly felt like a slog. I finished it only to say I’ve finished it and to read the conclusion of Iris and Roman’s story. I was bored most of the time. The villain wasn’t compelling; the world wasn’t magical; the side characters were unconvincing fillers; there was far too much exposition rather than good storytelling. This is not Ross’ finest work. Also, the editing seemed rushed, as I found at least one spelling error and several punctuation/spacing errors within the narrative. Read The Queen Rising if you want to read Ross’ finer work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Medical trauma, and War
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Genocide, Blood, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
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: Chronic illness, Death, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, 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: Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
mysafe_place's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
After finishing 'Divine Rivals' last year I could hardly wait for this next book to be published and I can definitely say that I was not disappointed. The chemistry between Iris and Roman is simply unmatched and their love is so pure, sweet and heart-warming. The story itself is extremel detailed and thought through (as well as the writting) that it makes you sort of addicted to it, you cannot stop reading till you find out what happens next. A heartbreaking, intense and magical book which I highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness, Violence, and Blood
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."
*
**
***
**
*
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
*
**
***
**
*
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: Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and War
xandriaisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
4.75
Rebecca Ross got me. I was crying for the last three or four chapters! I enjoyed the story and the characters. Some bits, like the first, felt a little predictable. Though by the end of part three and four, I couldn't predict what was going to happen.
It was interesting to the see the reverse of the first book in regards to the letters. In the first, Kitt knew it was Iris on the other end and she was left in the dark. This time, Iris knew it was Kitt she was writing to, but he was in the dark.
I hate Dacre with a passion for wiping the memories and partially healing soldiers to fight for him. He is literally the walking definition of a red flag and toxic man.
However, I liked the way that Enva was woven into the story in this book. And you learn that she's been there the whole time; passed over by the reader as she is passed over by the citizens of Oath. Getting to see and hear from her in how and who she's "spoken" to was really interesting. I knew she had to have killed the other Gods. What I didn't expect is how that weakened her.
And finally, Forest. Forest and Prindle. I read it. Knew it. Still sobbed when they found their bodies. I don't even know how to end this review because that just hit me all over again.
Overall, I'm really glad that I read this series. It was bit simple and predictable at points, but it knew how to leave you wanting more.
I hate Dacre with a passion for wiping the memories and partially healing soldiers to fight for him. He is literally the walking definition of a red flag and toxic man.
However, I liked the way that Enva was woven into the story in this book. And you learn that she's been there the whole time; passed over by the reader as she is passed over by the citizens of Oath. Getting to see and hear from her in how and who she's "spoken" to was really interesting. I knew she had to have killed the other Gods. What I didn't expect is how that weakened her.
And finally, Forest. Forest and Prindle. I read it. Knew it. Still sobbed when they found their bodies. I don't even know how to end this review because that just hit me all over again.
Overall, I'm really glad that I read this series. It was bit simple and predictable at points, but it knew how to leave you wanting more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness and Grief
tanacef's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
sad
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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Minor: Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
callmelncole's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Confinement, Gore, Sexual content, Slavery, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail