A review by francineh98
Vows & Ruins by Helen Scheuerer

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

After finishing Blood & Steel, I was eager to dive into Vows & Ruins, and while I did enjoy it, there were a few elements that didn't quite hit the mark for me.

The world-building continues to be a highlight of the series. We get a deeper look at the realm and the magical events unfolding, with new insights into the kingdoms surrounding Thezmarr. However, while the expanded world is fascinating, I did feel that some parts were just filler. The plot didn’t truly pick up pace until the final 20%.

I appreciated how the relationship between Althea and Wilder developed, but some of the romantic or “spicy” scenes felt unnecessary. I would have preferred more moments that explored their connection on a deeper emotional level. That said, my favorite interactions were between Thea, Kipp, and Cal—their dynamic is truly a joy. Kipp, in particular, is my favorite character; his humor and obsession with The Laughing Fox tavern add a much-needed lightness to the story.

That ending, omg! Although it was predictable, the author executed it with such skill that it still left my heart aching.

Overall, despite a few drawbacks, I really enjoyed Vows & Ruins and am definitely picking up the next book in the series!

Pick this book up if you like:
✅ Spice
✅ Forbidden love
✅ Found family
✅ Dual POV
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