Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

40 reviews

readingduckling's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad 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? No

4.75

I liked that book (the duology) very much but would recommend reading both books directly after each other. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, and War

Minor: Gaslighting

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. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence and War

Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

kendal_reads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Animal cruelty and Chronic illness

katievallin's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense 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

4.0

I've read a few books by Rebecca Ross, and I really like her writing style. This one was very enjoyable but sad.

I like that there was never any doubt about Roman and Iris finding each other again,

and I really like their relationship and chemistry. I wasn't planning on reading this book because I was annoyed and stressed about the cliffhanger at the end of the first one, but this was very well done and a good conclusion.

Some excellent quotes:

"Write me a story where there is no ending, Kitt. Write to me, and fill my empty spaces."

"He let his hands relax at his sides, realizing that he was safe here, that he needed to open those old scars so they could heal."

"It was not always a happy story, although it was an honest one."

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Classism

Moderate: Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Medical trauma

r3ader's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-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? Yes

3.0

I'm not sure what to rate this book. On one hand the ending felt fitting, it was a good ending for this duology. 
On the other hand, this book did not live up to the first one. Especially the first half was veeery slow and not really interesting. 
I do love the showing of the war. It's not the main theme, but it's still there. And due to current events (#free🇵🇸), it feels even more real and just overall more emotional. 
The ending was intense and like I said, I liked it  it was by far the best part of this book. 
I would recommend this book only to those who REALLY want to know what Romans and Iris' fates are. If you are content with the ending of the 1st book and aren't that interested in the 2nd, you don't need to start this one tbh. 😅

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: War

Moderate: Confinement, Death, and Violence

Minor: Chronic illness, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

ziracrow's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail

aelytacchan's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

4.25

Although I liked Divine Rivals better, Ruthless Vows was a good follow-up to the story and the ending was satisfying!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Classism

Minor: Medical content

lakinglaze's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

This was lovely. The story came all together in a massive crescendo and I enjoyed every moment of it. I’m going to miss Roman and Iris, but I’ll just keep mentally picturing them from the ending of this book and imagine all the wonderful events of the characters’ lives I’m sure followed this story. 💗

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

emilywemily6's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful 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

I loved this book like I loved Divine Rivals. There is definitely some heartbreak but the ending had hope as well. Ross’ prose is beautiful and really sucks you in to the story. I liked how I didn’t really know where the story was going so I had a reason to keep reading. The middle meandered a little bit in this sense because the next step in the plot was uncertain, but I loved dwelling with the characters and rooting for them. It was a good end to this duology.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Chronic illness, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, and War

Minor: Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Classism

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. 

---

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