Ruthless Vows
2024
Ratings14
Average rating4.1
15
Ratings14
Average rating4.1
The epic conclusion to the intensely romantic and beautifully written story that started in Divine Rivals.
Two weeks have passed since Iris Winnow returned home bruised and heartbroken from the front, but the war is far from over. Roman is missing, and the city of Oath continues to dwell in a state of disbelief and ignorance. When Iris and Attie are given another chance to report on Dacre’s movements, they both take the opportunity and head westward once more despite the danger, knowing it’s only a matter of time before the conflict reaches a city that’s unprepared and fracturing beneath the chancellor’s reign.
Since waking below in Dacre’s realm, Roman cannot remember his past. But given the reassurance that his memories will return in time, Roman begins to write articles for Dacre, uncertain of his place in the greater scheme of the war. When a strange letter arrives by wardrobe door, Roman is first suspicious, then intrigued. As he strikes up a correspondence with his mysterious pen pal, Roman will soon have to make a decision: to stand with Dacre or betray the god who healed him. And as the days grow darker, inevitably drawing Roman and Iris closer together…the two of them will risk their very hearts and futures to change the tides of the war.
Featured Series
2 primary booksLetters of Enchantment is a 2-book series with 2 primary works first released in 2023 with contributions by Rebecca Ross.
Reviews with the most likes.
“Ross has always held me captive with her work: Ruthless Vows is no different.”
Where do I start? I absorb Ross' words into my bloodstream at any and all opportunities. I adore her mastery of the pen and her absolute gift at translating words on a page, into a world that seemingly existed as truthfully as the one I sit here writing this in. The sequel is not an easy road to set upon. But it is a road I am mighty glad Rebecca Ross has gone down. The story felt expertly laid at the readers feet, each page answering lingering queries, building upon mythologies and adding absolute angst and urgency word by word. Ross cleverly details her sequel with arcs in storytelling, world building, character building and just awe-inspiring magic. Words can barely cover how magical this book was to read. Ross manages to effortlessly return the style of the first book and its formats (many letters again!) and return the mystery and intrigue of the connection between our beloved main characters and their typewriters. Since 2018 Rebecca Ross has held me captive between worlds of unexplainable decadence: Divine Rivals, and Ruthless Vows, is no different. Beautifully superb.
The perfect end to the perfect story. The prose that Rebecca Ross is able to craft is honestly unreal. It is ridiculously beautiful. Not only that, the story hooks you and stays with you for months. Literally months. I couldn’t wait to read this book after then end that was Divine Rivals. I will say that the beginning started out a bit slow. I think this is because the last book ended on such a massive cliffhanger. Anything that didn’t match that energy was going to feel slow. Once the book got going, however, it didn’t stop. The plot pulls you in and doesn’t let go. It also helps that this story has one of the best romances of all time. This couple… I legitimately think they may have ruined all romance expectations for me. It was soooooo good! No matter what they keep getting drawn to each other in a way that is so heart wrenching yet sweet. If I could have a couple that says “Goals” it would be Iris and Roman. The ending was one that I (NO SPOILERS, Of COURSE) didn’t see coming, but it was incredibly fitting. I will say… grab a tissue cause you may cry (in the best way). I will recommend this book till my dying breath. Seriously… READ THIS SERIES!
Divine Rivals was a gorgeous prose with some issues with pacing. The writing, though, was so stunning that upon first read, I barely noticed, and only when I read it again did I pause to see where I wanted more story, more world building, more rivalry. I had such high hopes, then, coming into Ruthless Vows, and was more eagle eyed for similar pacing hiccups. Instead, this fitting sequel took hold in the first chapter and held me spellbound until the very last page. Gone was the slow moving early chapter and the somehow rushed slow burn romance of Divine Rivals. Here is the perfect ending, with the same incredibly poetic writing, with great pacing throughout, and a very satisfying end to a well crafted villain. Roman and Iris will linger on my thoughts long after I finish this book, and I'm so grateful for the time with them. Well and beautifully done, Miss Ross.
Contains spoilers
I adore Rebecca Ross' work! Divine Rivals was a definite 5 star read for me and Ruthless Vows is no less amazing - the only reason I have to downgrade to 4 stars is.. well, simply put, it was too tense for my liking, too oppressive. I was hoping for a it to get just a tad more hopeful but with Roman under Dacres clutches I felt this constant oppression. And on one hand I think it's great that the author can make me feel so much for these characters but on the other hand.. because the situation pervailed throughout the entire book,it was too much for my liking. I don't want to critique the plot, because, again, I think it's absolutely well written, but it just wasn't for me. Still, another great R.Ross book that I enjoyed and I'm looking forward to dive into her other books.
