Romeo and Juliet. Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. Rose and Jack. And now entering the list of truly iconic fictional couples: Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt. If A River Enchanted has taught us anything, it’s that Rebecca Ross is redefining the meaning of true romance, and her Letters of Enchantment duology is no exception.
In the sequel to Divine Rivals, Ruthless Vows seamlessly thrusts readers back into the enchanting world of Oath, where unruly magic and sleeping gods collide. Iris Winnow, having reluctantly returned from the war front with her missing brother, now grapples with the deceptive calm that envelops her hometown. Adding to the suspense is the mysterious disappearance of Roman Kitt, leaving her haunted by the agonising uncertainty of his fate.
Unexpectedly, the Oath Gazette publishes a startling revelation—an article authored by Roman himself. To Iris’s astonishment, Roman writes about the greatness of Dacre, the enigmatic deity responsible for all the death and destruction they witnessed together at the front. Now enlisted in Dacre’s forces, Roman emerges as the god’s personal war correspondent, wielding his pen to help shape the unfolding conflict.
Ross has dedicated Ruthless Vows to anyone “who dreams of stories and bleeds words,” and this dedication is mirrored brilliantly in the exquisite writing that has come to define all of her novels. The prose of Ruthless Vows is akin to savouring a fine piece of art; Ross skilfully crafts sentences with a poetic elegance that is unparalleled. Each word carries purpose, creating vivid images and eliciting a wide spectrum of emotions. It’s a captivating demonstration of literary artistry that elevates the entire reading experience, urging readers to relish every beautifully-composed page.
That being said, what truly distinguishes this series is the magnetic relationship between Iris and Roman. Ross seamlessly weaves their love story into the very fabric of the narrative, infusing it with raw emotion and genuine depth. This isn’t merely a tale of star-crossed lovers; it’s a poignant exploration of trust, sacrifice, and the enduring power of connection. In Divine Rivals, we experienced the tender first moments of their love—a delicate dance of tenderness, uncertainty, and resilience. In Ruthless Vows, we witness their doomed romance rekindling, maturing, and ultimately triumphing, even in the face of formidable foes.
However, like any good story, Ruthless Vows has its highs and lows. While the pacing starts off strong, carrying over the momentum from its predecessor, it takes an unexpected detour and loses its way in the middle. The simple beauty of Iris and Roman’s love story gets bogged down, and while it eventually regains its rhythm, the temporary slowdown may leave readers feeling somewhat disappointed with this second installment.
The primary culprit behind this pacing hiccup emerges with the larger roles that Enva and Dacre play in Ruthless Vows. First vaguely introduced in Divine Rivals, these characters have now stepped fully into the spotlight, and it feels like a narrative misstep. While their inclusion certainly serves the overarching plot, it lacks the depth and exploration necessary to make readers truly invest in their roles. A more profound exploration of the lore and worldbuilding surrounding these gods could have provided the context needed to transform them from mere plot devices into characters worth caring about. Unfortunately, the story keeps us at arm’s length, preventing a genuine understanding of the driving emotions behind Enva and Dacre. This leaves the gods feeling distant and one-dimensional, leaning toward empty caricatures of good and evil rather than full-fledged characters.
In conclusion, Divine Rivals is Christmas Day, and Ruthless Vows is more akin to Christmas Eve; it’s not nearly as magical, but it’s still undeniably exciting. With heartrending prose and a sweeping romance for the ages, Rebecca Ross once again proves that she has the golden touch when it comes to fantasy fiction. Truly, if you only read one YA series this year, let it be this one.
Ruthless Vows is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of December 26th 2023.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
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.
