“Ruthless Vows” picks up right where we left off in Divine Rivals. We get more war, more gods, and the captivating romance Rebecca Ross has accustomed us to.

Although I felt the final work wasn’t as polished as its predecessor (perhaps due to the rush to have it published sooner?), the reader finishes Roman and Iris’s story with a very satisfying sense of closure.

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross unfolds as a lush tapestry of magic, politics, and destiny, weaving together romance and intrigue in a world on the brink of conflict. Ross’s prose is rich and immersive, pulling readers into a story filled with layered characters and intricate power dynamics. Though the pacing may ebb and flow, the tension between duty and desire keeps you invested. Lovers of fantasy with a touch of dark elegance will find Ruthless Vows an enchanting read, balancing the sharp edge of betrayal with the beauty of loyalty and love.

Rebecca Ross's Ruthless Vows is an enthralling tale that masterfully blends romance, intrigue, and political maneuvering in a beautifully crafted fantasy world. From the outset, Ross captivates readers with her rich prose and vivid imagery, drawing them into a story filled with suspense and emotional depth.

At the heart of the narrative is a complex protagonist whose journey is both gripping and relatable. Ross skillfully explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the struggle for power, all while maintaining a strong focus on character development. The protagonist’s inner conflicts and growth throughout the story are portrayed with nuance, making her both admirable and relatable.

The world-building in Ruthless Vows is exceptional, with intricate details that bring the setting to life. Ross creates a vibrant landscape where political alliances shift like sand, and every character has their own agenda. The tension is palpable as the stakes rise, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the twists and turns of the plot.

The romance in the story is equally compelling, weaving seamlessly into the larger narrative. Ross captures the intensity of love amidst chaos, portraying relationships that are both passionate and fraught with tension. The chemistry between the characters is electric, adding an extra layer of excitement to the unfolding drama.

Ross's writing style is both engaging and lyrical, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the emotional landscape of the story. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of heart-pounding action interspersed with quieter reflections that add depth to the characters and their motivations.

Overall, Ruthless Vows is a stunning and immersive read that showcases Rebecca Ross’s talent for crafting captivating narratives. With its intricate plot, strong character arcs, and a romance that keeps you guessing, this book is a must-read for fans of fantasy and romance alike. Prepare to be swept away into a world of intrigue and passion—you won’t want to put it down! Highly recommended!

I adored Devine Rivals and couldn’t wait for the second instalment.
I did enjoy it, but really feel like there is so much unlocked lore and magic that is right within reach but never fully tapped in to. The world building for me is slightly lacking, but I still found it as an enjoyable cozy ready.

Rebecca Ross's Ruthless Vows is a remarkable way to wrap up the Divine Rivals series. Iris's attempt to get back in touch with Roman during a bloody conflict adds a level of emotional complexity and suspense since Roman is lost and has amnesia. Roman's cryptic correspondence with an enigmatic pen friend who seems strangely familiar weaves a lovely and moving story. The incredibly dramatic and beautiful conclusion let me feel every step of their trip. I loved the previous book so much, and this one gave me even more hope and pain. This is a must-read if you enjoy gripping tales of rivals becoming lovers with a hint of memory and conflict!

This duology is the first of RRs books I have read and I really enjoy her writing style. There's something soft and lyrical about it that keeps me captivated by the story. Whilst I wasn't absolutely blown away by these books I still thoroughly enjoyed my time reading them and would recommend them to others

Loved, loved, loved this book. I enjoyed Divine Rivals and this book was even better. My favourite part was one of the older characters making a mention of the fact that it was ridiculous that the MCs were kids and not allowed to enjoy being young adults. It was said in such a loving way and it made my heart warm - a good reflection of the rest of the book. Also, Iris - badass, I want to be her, Roman - so sweet and supportive and obsessed, love ALL the characters!

“Did you think I would let him tell me when and how to touch you?” Roman’s voice was hoarse as he traced her jaw with his lips. “Did you think that I would let him steal this last moment from me? When I would surrender only to you, take you in my hands, and burn with you before the end comes?”

No spoilers, I promise.

This book is not a story, it’s an experience. There were multiple tears, smiles and goosebumps along the way.

This is coming from someone who thought Divine Rivals was only okayish (don’t come at me okay?) and then I got the ARC for Ruthless Vows and I thought ‘eh, why not?’ but little did I know it was going to be a masterpiece.

If you’re someone who loves DR, you’re going to be obsessed with this book. The writing is immaculate, powerful and nothing short of absolute perfection. The story rounds up and every character has a substantial role.

Here are some of my fav quotes (sharing non spoilers only):

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

She moved through the crowd like the world would bend to her. Her gaze remained fastened to his as if nothing could come between them. No gods or war. Not even the sting of a mortal wound.

I would love to see your words catch fire with mine.

I don't want to say anything that gives away the ending of book 1 Divine Rivals or the plot points in Ruthless Vows, so I'll just say that this is a beautiful series that brings you to tears and pieces you back together again. I would highly recommend reading Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows back to back. Rebecca Ross has a fantastic writing style and I'm now hooked on her books!

A perfect ending to a perfect duology.

It was so refreshing to reading such a well rounded YA fantasy novel, and after the first one, the second novel follows Iris and Romans after a mini time jump and we are once again thrusted into action intrigue and heart break. Not as much romance in this book, but i think the first did enough for us.

It was a very good book and a satisfying ending, I do believe some things could have been fleshed out, but overall i really enjoyed this book and as i love a good duology, This was perfect

Is it possible that this book is somehow better than the first one??? All I can say is how incredible it was and how excited I was to start reading it

Wow, what a stunning conclusion to a duology that has warmed its way into my heart. I had high expectations for Ruthless Vows and it delivered. Honestly, it exceeded all the expectations that I had for it. I know there are mixed reviews for this book, but this was everything I wanted and more. I knew from the first page, I would be hooked and I was. Once I started reading, I simply could not stop and here we are now, months after release, still thinking about this book.

It caused me pain but healed me at the same time and I love books that do that. I already loved both Iris and Roman from the first book but this one just amplified my love for them. Within this story, you get to witness an incredible character arc for both of them, both together and as individuals. I loved how determined both of them are and how they dealt with the situations they were in. With the addition of Dacre and Enva, I felt this book was just elevated. There is a lot of tension and angst and pining in this, that I was screaming into my pillow a lot.

And that ending?? WOW. There is a phrase that I use in my reviews a lot and that is heartwrenching yet heartwarming. That is what I would use to describe Ruthless Vows and this duology as a whole. I never expected to be this attached to it and I am glad I picked it up when I did, Because now I have found a series that I will forever love and always come back to.

The final part of the Divine Rivals duology is not a disappointment. We left our star crossed lovers on a bit of a cliff hanger as Iris was dragged away by her deserter brother and Roman was left for dead on a vengeful gods battle field. The story picks up with Iris back in the city broken hearted with the war closing in. Roman is behind enemy lines with his body healed but his mind broken and then he starts finding weird letters in his wardrobe. I am a big fan of duologies, the plots are kept tight, the actions has pace and things are wrapped up tightly. Ross is as swoony and romantic as ever. Iris and Roman are beautiful and dreamy and I loved them so much. This was great bit sloppy emo indulgence, I throughly enjoyed it.

After being absolutely in love with Divine Rivals I wasn't sure how this book could compare to the first instalment however I wasn't disappointed and in my opinion, Ruthless Vows was even better! I adore the love story between Iris and Roman and it was so heartwrenching to continue the story. Ruthless Vows was full of twists and turns and I found the story to be exciting and tense. The perfect ending to this duology.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange of an honest review! (Spoiler free)

Let me just start by saying that I absolutely loved the Elements of Cadence duology by Rebecca Ross and the prequel to Ruthless Vows, so I might be biased. Ross has this way of writing where it encapsulates you and it feels beautiful and magical, even in the hardships of her stories. It's just the right amount of magic for it to remain captivating without needing a whole lot of world building.

The quote "Let me be your secret, then. Tuck my words into your pocket. Let them be your armor." is hands down my favourite from this book, it really tells you what the book is about. It's tender yet so vulnerable.

For the Swifties among us, this book gave me 'Timeless' vibes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Release date: 26 December 2023

Pages: 420

Representation: Lesbian side characters

Trigger warnings: Death, War, injury details

Summary: Sequel to Divine Rivals. Two weeks since we last saw Roman and Iris, and the war rages on. The gods are ready to do whatever it takes to get their own way, and Roman and Iris will do whatever it takes to get back to eachother.

Ruthless vows is a love letter to those that believe in love above all else and aren’t afraid to fight for it.

Our two main characters were as strong as ever, with clear motivations and intent. They were consistent, lovable and their personalities really shone through. It was also nice to see more side character motivations and interactions, though a few of them were on the verge of lacking depth.

The plot focused far more on the war and it’s imminent end than the first book, and yet still entwined Roman and Iris’ love story (and letter writing) within it. It was more fast-paced than its predecessor, but still slow enough that it didn’t feel rushed. The only issue with the plot was that at no point do the stakes ever feel real. We know there’s a war, we know wht’s at stake, but we can’t feel it.We have no doubt about what’s going to happen. It’s like taking a sip of flat soda, it still tastes the same but something is missing.

The romance was as bright and bold as ever, told in such a way that their love bleeds through the pages. It’s enchanting, and a true once-in-a-library find to see this type of relationship blossom like Roman and Iris’ does. We want them to be together, and we want them to win-there isn’t even a question of it.

The ending was satisfying, and there were no loose ends. It all tied nicely in a bow, and definitely made the last 2 books of reading worth it. There was a full circle moment that really helped make the story feel complete.

Definitely a sequel worth picking up if you loved the first book, or want some magical romance that would find each other even if the world was falling apart.

Its shining glory: The writing is as magical as the story itself- showcasing a passionate love with little face-time between our two main character, it’s a testament to Ross’ skill.

Its fatal flaw: Despite the clear high stakes, everything feels almost flat-like a dimming filter placed over a photograph. It makes it hard to invest your heart fully into the book, leaving you feeling like you’re watching it all through a window instead of being part of the action.

Read this if: You love a love that persists, no matter the circumstances. You like both character and plot driven stories that lean more towards the character side.

Skip this if: You like war stories that have deep political roots. You don’t like stories that have very character driven plots.

This was a gripping read and I was intrigued by the characters. I will look out for more by this author.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this title in advance - I loved it, and will post my full review in the future.

Rebecca Ross, the writer that you are ... To me, this is the perfect duology, and Ruthless Vows is the perfect conclusion.

I absolutely loved book one, so I was looking forward to reading ruthless vows.
I love Rebecca Ross' writing and I don't think you can go wrong with any of her novels.
I loved this continuation, the characters are wonderful and have a realism to them that brings the story to life.
The writing captures the reader and brings the sense of feeling that we are part of the story. The descriptions are lavish and everything about this book just makes it a fantastic read