Get ready to immerse yourself in a passion, mystery, and excitement-filled world! Today, we're diving into "Ruthless Vows." This book promises to take you on an exhilarating and captivating journey that will leave you craving for more.
Imagine a place where love knows no limits and where suspense and intrigue abound. Step into this captivating realm crafted by the talented author Rebecca Ross. Since its release, "Ruthless Vows" has captured readers' hearts worldwide, garnering rave reviews and building a devoted fan base.
In this blog post. We will dive into my thoughts as I review the book in-depth. So, get cozy, and let's dive into a world of love, mystery, and anticipation within the captivating pages of "Ruthless Vows."
Book Details
Ruthless Vows
My Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 Stars)
Author: Rebecca Ross is a well-known author of bestselling teen and adult fantasy novels, reaching #1 on both the New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller lists.
Publication Date: December 26th, 2023
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fiction, Romance, Magical Realism
Other Books in the Series: Divine Rivals, Book 1 in the Enchantment Series
Spice Level: 2. The story gradually increases tension without depicting any explicit romantic scenes on the page, instead suggesting intimacy poetically. (Chapter 35)
For information on how I rate spiciness in books, click here.
Note: "Ruthless Vows" by Rebecca Ross is perfect for fans of romantic suspense, enemies-to-lovers stories, strong female characters, atmospheric settings, morally gray characters, and plot twists.
Plot Synopsis
Roman's vanished into thin air, leaving Oath in a state of confusion. But fear not, because Iris and Attie aren't backing down. They're taking another shot at tracking Dacre's movements, heading west despite the risks.
Meanwhile, Roman is stuck in Dacre's realm with no memory of his past. But he's been promised his memories will return eventually. In the meantime, he's doing Dacre's bidding, trying to find his place in this mess. And when things couldn't get any crazier, Roman started receiving mysterious letters.
As tensions rise, Roman and Iris find themselves drawn closer together. But there's more at stake than just their budding relationship. They're both risking everything to turn the tide of the war.
Spoiler Free Review
So, the second book in this series stepped up its game compared to the first. It dove deeper into the war aspect and Dacre's character development, which I liked. The conflict between Iris and Rowan's opposing sides was explored well.
New characters were introduced, but they felt a bit shallow and forgettable. My biggest gripe with the series was the lack of backstory and world-building, especially regarding the Underlings and the Skywards. It made it hard for me to get into the fantasy vibe fully.
Honestly, I think this series would've worked better as a historical fiction romance without all the fantasy elements. The ending left me wanting more; there were too many loose ends and unanswered questions. Rebecca, please give us another book to tie it all together!
In-depth Review
As we delve into the world crafted by Rebecca Ross, please be aware that this review contains significant spoilers. Proceed with caution if you haven't read the book.
My Thoughts
This book is the second installment in the series, and let me tell you, I have some thoughts!
One thing that stood out to me was the development of Dacre's character. The author did a fantastic job of peeling back layers and showing us a deeper side to him. It was great to see the complexity of his character unfold throughout the story.
The conflict between Iris and Rowan's loyalties added intensity to the story. Rowan's memory slowly returns over time, but receiving letters from Iris makes him question his role in the war and his loyalty to Dacre. The letters between them made their relationship more intriguing to follow, but the quick return of Rowan's memory was a downside. It would have been more satisfying for his memory to return slower.
I found some of the new characters introduced in this book shallow and forgettable. Specifically Tobias and the Attwood family. While they served their purpose in moving the plot forward, I wished they had more depth to them. It would have made their presence more impactful and memorable.
But here's the thing that had me scratching my head. The lack of backstory and world-building, especially when it came to the Underlings and the Skywards. These elements are essential to the story, yet little information is provided about them. As a reader, I couldn't fully engage with the story because of this. I enjoy vivid world-building, but this aspect fell flat for me.
Forest and Sarah's deaths were disappointing. Forest's character wasn't developed much in the series, despite being an important figure in Iris's life. It didn't make sense for him to die when he had prior knowledge of the danger. More explanation for their deaths would have been appreciated instead of just discovering their bodies.
Dacre's death felt too quick, and I wished for a more intense battle with Enva. Enva is depicted as a god who influences but does not directly interact with humans, which I find unusual and cowardly. Both Enva and Dacre manipulate humanity, but Enva's absence of physical presence is unsatisfying. Dacre was more relatable, and his actions were easier to follow. More background information on Enva and Dacre would have enhanced the story's complexity and engagement.
Now, let's talk about that ending. I have some serious mixed feelings about it. There were so many loose ends and unanswered questions, it felt like I was left hanging. I mean, come on, Rebecca! I need closure here!
However, the outcome of Iris and Rowan did bring a sense of happiness. It would be nice if Rebecca were to write another book to potentially make this a trilogy, tying up loose ends and providing a satisfying conclusion.
Consider this: what if this series leaned more toward historical fiction romance? Hear me out. The relationships and emotional dynamics between the characters are a real highlight of the book. Maybe if the author focused more on those aspects and dialed back on the fantasy elements, it could have been a real winner. Just a thought.
Thanks for reading