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barda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Murder, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content and Classism
meg_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I enjoyed this a lot, but it doesn't really feel like a story that will sit with me. I don't want to say it was a letdown in comparison to the first installment, because I don't think it was, but I don't think it was as engaging as book 1. The memory loss trope in the story is typically something I hate in any story, but it wasn't poorly done in this book. It does entail one of my favorite niche tropes (when spouses are separated and have to make their way back to one another under dire circumstances ) so that made it a bit higher of a rating for me. The ending crushed me slightly, but ended on a hopeful note.
The writing continued to be beautiful throughout the book and I think the characters are so beautifully fleshed out in every way. The overall story and background of this world is so well developed. I really enjoyed this book.
The writing continued to be beautiful throughout the book and I think the characters are so beautifully fleshed out in every way. The overall story and background of this world is so well developed. I really enjoyed this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Violence
kirstenpod_'s review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, Murder, Confinement, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Medical content, Sexual content, Gun violence, and Vomit
luna_98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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? N/A
4.5
wow. the drama, the tension, the war, the romance, the tragedy. i loved it.
this was more fantasy-driven whereas DR was more romance which i felt struck the perfect balance for this duology. the writing is beautiful, the multiple pov’s tell a great story.
this was more fantasy-driven whereas DR was more romance which i felt struck the perfect balance for this duology. the writing is beautiful, the multiple pov’s tell a great story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and War
Moderate: Murder, Death, and Grief
Minor: Vomit
picaresquedreamer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Death, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, Gun violence, and Grief
ilana_pop's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Gun violence, and Death
witcheep's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This second book of Letters of Enchantment duology has a premise that made me hesitate to read the book at as fast a pace as I regularly would devour a sequel to a book I loved; I wasn't sure my opinion would be as high towards the sequel as well, and I didn't want to be disappointed. Fear not, the sequel is great. Ross's writing – her use of descriptive language – is as beautiful as ever, and it keeps the reader captivated. The main characters are in a tough spot, but their personalities shine through the relationships they hold dear and make them very interesting, multi-dimensional and immensely likeable. The plot is also fascinating: the themes of war, peace and religion are discussed often, and I like how their morality is regarded from multiple points of view.
Let's begin my review with the things that made me hesitant, though: the main characters being separated and the plot taking steps backwards regarding the relationships built in the first part. Ruthless Vows continues the plot from where the Divine Rivals left off, but because of Roman's amnesia, it feels like the main couple has taken multiple steps backwards to the starting point when they didn't know each other yet. Moreover, the war keeps them apart and constantly in danger: Roman being held at Dacre's side of war and Iris staying at Enva's, it seems like their setting has expanded into an even bigger rivalry than at the beginning of the duology, when it was just professional rivalry between the two. This is a kind of setback that I usually do not like as a plot device, but Ross manages to write this kind of plot better than many other authors I've read a sequel including a similar premise from.
I tend not to like the main characters of a book being separated in a book, even if they had a means to communicate with each other. It's just too heartbreaking, especially when the separated people belong to each other's side as clearly as Iris and Roman are meant to be together. I would love to see more happy things going on for these two sweethearts already, or at the very least them allowed to get back together to each othermore often .
A great strengts of Ross's is making her characters form meaningful relationships that make each individual a stronger person. This is shown in Ruthless Vows, especially through Iris. Iris remembering everything of the events from the Divine Rivals makes her determided to get Roman back. She doesn't shy away from any means necessary to do so, and proves it time and time again by facing dangers, such aspulling a heist, volunteering to go back to the front as a correstpondent, and sneaking to an enemy zone . Even disregarding the magic of the Alouette typewriters, Iris's will and courage seem magical, and she gets people close to her in on her scheming to help her.
Let's begin my review with the things that made me hesitant, though: the main characters being separated and the plot taking steps backwards regarding the relationships built in the first part. Ruthless Vows continues the plot from where the Divine Rivals left off, but because of Roman's amnesia, it feels like the main couple has taken multiple steps backwards to the starting point when they didn't know each other yet. Moreover, the war keeps them apart and constantly in danger: Roman being held at Dacre's side of war and Iris staying at Enva's, it seems like their setting has expanded into an even bigger rivalry than at the beginning of the duology, when it was just professional rivalry between the two. This is a kind of setback that I usually do not like as a plot device, but Ross manages to write this kind of plot better than many other authors I've read a sequel including a similar premise from.
I tend not to like the main characters of a book being separated in a book, even if they had a means to communicate with each other. It's just too heartbreaking, especially when the separated people belong to each other's side as clearly as Iris and Roman are meant to be together. I would love to see more happy things going on for these two sweethearts already, or at the very least them allowed to get back together to each other
A great strengts of Ross's is making her characters form meaningful relationships that make each individual a stronger person. This is shown in Ruthless Vows, especially through Iris. Iris remembering everything of the events from the Divine Rivals makes her determided to get Roman back. She doesn't shy away from any means necessary to do so, and proves it time and time again by facing dangers, such as
Dacre believed he had the upper hand, grooming Roman to be his dutiful correspondent. But little did he know that he was not the only source of magic.
"You will regret ever taking him from me," she whispered through her teeth, feeding paper into her typewriter.
I'm in love with the beauty of Ross's writing! It's very descriptive with the use of imaginative metaphors, while the story advances in a great pace, and the overall feel of the text is captivating.
How could he mourn something that he couldn't remember? Roman wondered if there was a word to describe such a feeling, for the way it gathered on his shoulders like snow. Cold and soft and infinite, melting as soon as he touched it.
Even shower thoughts in this book are very eloquent and metaphorical. Or perhaps it's just Roman's character
After reading the book, I needed a couple of days to contemplate the contents of it and my thoughts about it before I could even begin writing my review. This usually is an indicator of a great book: it leaves a lasting imprint and isn't easy to separate from your mind. So, if you hesitate picking up this sequel, I urge you to hesitate no longer. You'll be heartbroken through reading the book, but it's very much worth it in the end.
Review written 17.3.2024
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Classism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Confinement and Violence
emiliemhr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
katelynndzindzio's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
Favorite quotes:
"She was the same as she had been centuries ago, drawn from very old wind and cold constellations.
But she was not here to fall prey to what had been." -Enva; Ruthless Vows
"Soon it would be night; the stars would pierce the sky like nails, and he would light the candles and write by fire because the words came easier in the darkness" -Roman; Ruthless Vows
"He wouldn't change a thing. Because if he could, would the two of them still be here, bound together by vow and trial and love that had crept up on him like ivy on stone?" -Roman; Ruthless Vows
I sit here wishing there was more to their story, the story of Iris and Roman. One where they live together in piece forever and no tragedy surrounds them; however, that isn't their story. They once believed they were rivals, but honestly they never truly were. If they were they wouldn't have been drawn to each other so intensely. Even without their magical typewriters that they inherited, they would have found each other.
"She was the same as she had been centuries ago, drawn from very old wind and cold constellations.
But she was not here to fall prey to what had been." -Enva; Ruthless Vows
"Soon it would be night; the stars would pierce the sky like nails, and he would light the candles and write by fire because the words came easier in the darkness" -Roman; Ruthless Vows
"He wouldn't change a thing. Because if he could, would the two of them still be here, bound together by vow and trial and love that had crept up on him like ivy on stone?" -Roman; Ruthless Vows
I sit here wishing there was more to their story, the story of Iris and Roman. One where they live together in piece forever and no tragedy surrounds them; however, that isn't their story. They once believed they were rivals, but honestly they never truly were. If they were they wouldn't have been drawn to each other so intensely. Even without their magical typewriters that they inherited, they would have found each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, War, Violence, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Terminal illness
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
“I would love to see you burn with splendor. I would love to see your words catch fire with mine.”
Ruthless Vows started right after the ending of the 1st book, this story focuses more on the war part and the gods which we didn’t get many from the previous book.
For those who love to see more of the fantasy element and explore more about the world building, then you’ll like this sequel.
However, I have to admit the war plot and the gods overshadowed the romance of our two main characters - Roman and Iris.
I fell in love with Divine Rivals because of the beautiful romance of Roman and Iris, so not seeing them together as much in this book felt like there’s something missing which is part of the reason this book left me feeling slightly unsatisfied...
The last few chapters were quite heart-breaking with what’s left after the war but the epilogue gives hope that the ones that survive will build back something new while slowly healing from the aftermath.
Overall, as a duology I love reading these books.
The writing style is one of my favorite part from this series - it’s beautiful, lyrical and mesmerizing.
Roman and Iris love story will always held a special place in my heart - I admire their powerful love and trust to one another that conquer distance, war and even the gods couldn’t come between them!
I’m looking forward to read more books from this author in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Minor: Sexual content