Ruthless Vows

(Warning: spoilers for the first book in the series ahead.)

The second in a fantasy duology in which two gods are at war and have drafted mortals to fight their battles for them. In the first book, Iris and Roman fell in love while writing magical letters to each other (heavy Shop Around the Corner vibes here) only to get separated at the cliffhanger when Dacre (the Bad God) saved Roman from the brink of death, wiped his memory, and made him his slave while Iris’ brother force-rescued her from a similar fate. This second book sees Iris working to find Roman and Roman struggling to regain his memories, and then the both of them working together to secretly bring Dacre down.
The second book is just as well written as the first. The show more narration switches back and forth between Iris and Roman, and Ross makes the transitions smooth, which isn’t always the case. I also loved that the epistolary element continued in the sequel, and it’s cleverly used as an interesting plot mover. Iris and Roman are a great couple and I liked how their relationship grows and matures in this volume, and I’m particularly impressed that although they’re apart for most of the book, Ross does a great job balancing that tension and not making it angsty or frustrating. The Bad Guys are also nicely drawn and complex; yeah, the gods are a-holes, but their motives are believable and believable. show less

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 show more 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. show less

"Despite our mundane lives, perhaps we make our own magic with words."

"Their souls weren't mirrors but complements, constellations that burned side by side."

What can I say? Divine Rivals was magnificent and I enjoyed it a lot. I was really looking forward to seeing how the story resolved and I have to say... I was not disappointed. I think this was a perfect ending. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel at first because I felt like things were moving slowly. I mean I think honestly I was just bitter that Iris and Roman were separated still. I don't know what I was anticipating... okay yeah I do... I just wanted things to magically be fixed haha. However, my god that would have been so disappointing given the marvelous story that unfolds show more here. I just missed their beautiful and witty banter. Yet, we did get some side romances to make up for it and they were adorable.

Can I just say that the times this book had me on the edge of my seat was ridiculous. The emotions it made me experience were unfair. I mean I'm trying so hard not to spoil things but I cannot explain to you how hard that is. I enjoyed that this one was even more war focused, but like in ways that directly and seriously impacted all our characters. I enjoyed more of the Dacre/Enva story and I feel like they played a bigger role in this one than the first. I enjoyed the typewriters coming into play again; I don't know why but their is just something so sweet and beautiful about a romance that is mostly carried out in written letters.

I think what I loved most about this one was just how much love enabled our characters to do. They were willing to do anything for the ones they loved. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once. I seriously cannot express to you the moments I laughed, cried and screamed at this book. I think it was executed beautifully and I really loved that our characters had to work for their happy ending. I love being reminded how much I enjoy YA stories sometimes they have this ability to transport you. Basically if you haven't read this series... and like also recommend it to everyone you know. show less

What a beautiful conclusion to the story! I loved the first book and it picks up right after Divine Rivals ends. The gods, Dacre and Enva, are a much bigger part of this one and I loved getting to know their characters. It’s war and there are gutting losses, but the story unfolds beautifully and did not disappoint.

I have to agree with the numerous other readers who declared this book to be a let-down compared to Divine Rivals. It was okay, but the spark that drove the first book was missing. (I have specific quibbles, but those definitely venture into spoiler territory.) Rebecca Ross still has a beautiful way of weaving words together though.

Only slightly less enjoyable than Divine Rivals - I loved how this duology concluded. Fast-paced and I was pleased to see some of my questions from the first book answered. Overall, a wonderful read & I look forward to reading more from this author!

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
Ruthless Vows is the conclusion to this epic duo series by Rebecca Ross. I didn't know what I expected, all I knew is that "Divine show more Rivals" blew my heart out of the water with that ending and I had to jump into this conclusion and it was everything I could have hoped for and more. I literally took my time reading this because it was so good. I didn't even look at my progress percentage like I normally do because I was so swept away by this story. The conclusion is not an easy one, but its a journey of heart and soul and courage and I soaked it up like a sponge and never wanted to let go of this one.

First Line
There was never any doubt in her mind, even after all these dust-streaked mortal years, that Dacre would one day come for her.

Summary
In the previous book, our couple, Kitt and Iris were seperated by the consequences of battle and war. Now Iris is working in the city of Aoth to try to get word out of the truths of what is happening with Dacre and his agenda. Kitt has been healed by Dacre but at a very heavy price, forced to write for him with no memory of who he was before or the woman who holds his heart. But as Roman gets closer to Oath and as Iris gets closer to Roman, they find their way back to each other. But will they be able to bring peace to their people once again or will vengeance of a demi god destroy them all...

What I Loved
There was so much to enjoy about this one here. I was instantly drawn into this story and my heart bled for Iris and Kitt and the journey they need to go through. There is such longing between them that cuts deep to the reader. I was so fascinated to see where Ross would take this story. I can definitely see the talent that she hides behind and if you enjoyed the journey in "Divine Rivals" then you most definitely will be excited with what is delivered in this one.

The seperation between them just after they get married and embrace the love that they have for each other was so real and heart wrenching. You feel the distance between them and you just want them to find each other again. Even though they are apart, they find their own ways to connect...through writing letters. And the words that they share with each other as they rediscover their love and Kitt finds his own way back to even being a stronger man melts the heart. I was intrigued about the plot with Dacre and it stunned me in so many ways. Even though some of it was predictable, some of it really had some turns I didn't expect to happen. And there were some actions taken that I literally wanted to get pom pom's and cheer my couple on. Even though it ends in a HEA, doesn't mean that Iris and Kitt don't lose some people they love deeply. That broke my heart....I was literally sobbing. But there is also such a message of redemption, hope and healing that completes this story. Definitely a story worthy of getting physical copies on my shelves and reading again pretty soon because I am not ready to let go of this couple.

What I Struggled With
Nothing.

Overall View
Ruthless Vows is a conlusion that is a epic sweeping finale of truths being revealed, personal rediscovery and the power and atonement behind honest true love that wins the day! AN FLAWLESS WINNER OF A READ!

Favorite Quote(s)
"Let me be your secret, then. Tuck my words into your pocket. Let them be your armor."

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

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Mythological Fantasy
Character Types: Journalists
Themes: Danger Elements, Love Letters, Magical Realism, Married Couple Pairing
Tropes: Amnesia

Book Perspective
DUO Pov

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Come Back...Be Here-Taylor Swift

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments. show less