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katie_lerdo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, War, and Death of parent
alicia_rausch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.0
I mean… it was fine I guess.
I liked Divine Rivals but honestly didn't get the hype. It was a good book but the plot holes were numerous and the lore seemed half-baked. The love story was sweet but it seemed like it was trying to be enemies to lovers, when in reality it was insta love. That being said, Roman Kitt is lovely and I enjoyed Iris's intelligence and resourcefulness and the development of their relationships.
THIS, howver, was a slog. It finally started to get into my complaints about the first novel - the lack of explanation for the war, more of the background info, etc., but it did so at the cost of characters. Poor Forest got completely sidelined. It was finally trying to balance the relationship and the lore and failed on both fronts.
I enjoyed Roman and Iris’s relationship in this one but ultimately I had so many questions about the lore (again) that I think this is better suited to someone who can just vibe and enjoy the romance? Maybe? I honestly ended up more interested in Dacre and Enva’s story, which also had so many plot holes??? And for what?? Also the ending seemed a bit too … easy to me. All this build up and it was so fast? Just like that? That's how we win the war?
Rebecca Ross's writing is beautiful, and the only reason I'm giving this as many stars as I am.
I liked Divine Rivals but honestly didn't get the hype. It was a good book but the plot holes were numerous and the lore seemed half-baked. The love story was sweet but it seemed like it was trying to be enemies to lovers, when in reality it was insta love. That being said, Roman Kitt is lovely and I enjoyed Iris's intelligence and resourcefulness and the development of their relationships.
THIS, howver, was a slog. It finally started to get into my complaints about the first novel - the lack of explanation for the war, more of the background info, etc., but it did so at the cost of characters. Poor Forest got completely sidelined. It was finally trying to balance the relationship and the lore and failed on both fronts.
I enjoyed Roman and Iris’s relationship in this one but ultimately I had so many questions about the lore (again) that I think this is better suited to someone who can just vibe and enjoy the romance? Maybe? I honestly ended up more interested in Dacre and Enva’s story, which also had so many plot holes??? And for what?? Also the ending seemed a bit too … easy to me. All this build up and it was so fast? Just like that? That's how we win the war?
Rebecca Ross's writing is beautiful, and the only reason I'm giving this as many stars as I am.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Death of parent
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: Death, Violence, Grief, Confinement, Vomit, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Moderate: Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Kidnapping, Blood, Torture, Medical trauma, and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, and Alcoholism
gphemsley's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Blood, Genocide, Violence, Death, Confinement, War, and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism and Sexual content
2blueshoes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Not as good as the first book, but just as sweeping, gorgeous, heartbreaking, swoon-worthy, and brilliant. Definitely a little darker and more fantasy world focused. I laughed. I cried. I held my breath. Roman and Iris forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Death
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Trafficking, Torture, Medical content, Gun violence, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Death of parent, Sexual content, Murder, and Alcoholism
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, War, Grief, Confinement, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Stalking, Medical content, Sexual content, and Slavery
caitsliteraryadventures's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Grief, Death, Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Murder, and Death of parent
camiclarkbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
4.75
“Divine Rivals,” the first book in the “Letters of Enchantment” duology by the incomparable Rebecca Ross, was my favorite read of 2023 and possibly of my life.
I was on pins and needles for “Ruthless Vows” to publish because I just had to know what happened to my fictional favs. When my library hold came through (I was too impatient to wait for my copies to be delivered in the mail), I dragged my feet on starting it. I read a few chapters at a time, reluctant to start because I would be that much closer to the end. But just like with “Divine Rivals,” Ross’s words pulled me into the story and before I knew it I couldn’t read fast enough.
“Ruthless Vows” had its publication date pushed up several months because of how popular the first book became and I admit I was initially concerned that it might affect the quality of the finished work. My fears were unfounded. “Ruthless Vows” was a sensational story and an excellent sequel. It introduced a great new character, expanded the roles of previous side characters, and fulfilled the plot established in the first book in an extremely satisfying way.
Just as with “Divine Rivals,” there was equal portions of joy and sorrow that balanced the story and made it feel so realistic. Ross also did an admirable job blending fantasy elements with a war based on the World Wars.
Another thing that I really admired is how Ross included some unlikeable characters. In the first book, one of the main characters is almost cartoonishly villainous, but his character has evolved in the sequel to be a bit more realistic. There is also an unlikeable character, who I thought was going to have a redemption arc but didn’t actually. And I loved that!
I am heartbroken to be writing this review because it means the book is over. If you haven’t already, bump “The Letters of Enchantment” duology up on your TBR. You won’t regret it.
I was on pins and needles for “Ruthless Vows” to publish because I just had to know what happened to my fictional favs. When my library hold came through (I was too impatient to wait for my copies to be delivered in the mail), I dragged my feet on starting it. I read a few chapters at a time, reluctant to start because I would be that much closer to the end. But just like with “Divine Rivals,” Ross’s words pulled me into the story and before I knew it I couldn’t read fast enough.
“Ruthless Vows” had its publication date pushed up several months because of how popular the first book became and I admit I was initially concerned that it might affect the quality of the finished work. My fears were unfounded. “Ruthless Vows” was a sensational story and an excellent sequel. It introduced a great new character, expanded the roles of previous side characters, and fulfilled the plot established in the first book in an extremely satisfying way.
Just as with “Divine Rivals,” there was equal portions of joy and sorrow that balanced the story and made it feel so realistic. Ross also did an admirable job blending fantasy elements with a war based on the World Wars.
Another thing that I really admired is how Ross included some unlikeable characters. In the first book, one of the main characters is almost cartoonishly villainous, but his character has evolved in the sequel to be a bit more realistic. There is also an unlikeable character, who I thought was going to have a redemption arc but didn’t actually. And I loved that!
I am heartbroken to be writing this review because it means the book is over. If you haven’t already, bump “The Letters of Enchantment” duology up on your TBR. You won’t regret it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Death, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Classism, and Alcohol
roget's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Many, many, many years ago, Longinus wrote about this sort of literary experience when he said, "For, as if instinctively, our soul is uplifted by the true sublime; it takes a proud flight, and is filled with joy and vaunting, as though it had itself produced what it has heard" ("On the Sublime").
He described the sublime as "the echo of greatness of spirit." To me, sublimity is, in essence, moving, wondrous, transcendent, lightning strikes of awe into our feeble, human hands. It is the rush of sensation that follows one's spirit rising and gasping in proof of a larger, greater song.
I wax poetic because this book much deserves it. It is the sublime.
I read 160 novels this year. This was the best one.
Thank you, Rebecca.
He described the sublime as "the echo of greatness of spirit." To me, sublimity is, in essence, moving, wondrous, transcendent, lightning strikes of awe into our feeble, human hands. It is the rush of sensation that follows one's spirit rising and gasping in proof of a larger, greater song.
I wax poetic because this book much deserves it. It is the sublime.
I read 160 novels this year. This was the best one.
Thank you, Rebecca.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gun violence, and War
Moderate: Genocide, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Violence, Stalking, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Medical content, Kidnapping, Vomit, and Medical trauma
Minor: Terminal illness and Alcoholism
There isn't a school shooting, but there is a
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