A review by wordsofclover
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Roman and Iris were separated following the devastating attack on Avalon Bluff. Now Iris is back in Oath with her brother, desperately hoping for news of her Kitt while Roman has woken up not even knowing who he is and under the service of the god Dacre. As words and magic letters once again become key to Iris and Roman’s relationship, war comes closer and closer to Oath and there is still no sign of Enva who is the only divine being who could stand up to the might of Dacre. 

 

Ooh I just loved this. I think if you enjoyed the soft romance between Roman and Iris in Divine Rivals, especially their connection through words, you will still love this one. The tensions and the danger is even higher in this one as Roman is quite literally behind enemy lines and at the start of the novel, he doesn’t even know that Dacre is the one he was originally fighting against and now is fighting for. 

 

There’s something about the connection, the love and the longing between Roman and Iris that just moves something in me when I read about them - there’s a fierceness between them as well as a beautiful vulnerability. They will fight for each other to their last breath but surrender to each other with the softest of sighs. It’s just gorgeous. I’ve read 4 of Rebecca Ross’s books now and I think she excels with this blend of fantasy and romance, giving a wonderful relationship as well as an intriguing fantastical storyline to go along with it. 

 

My only complaints about this book are that 1. I would have liked Roman and Iris to have been a bit older. I think they both read older than they were and given everything they go through in the book, the very adult responsibilities (including a marriage) that they take on, it would make more sense for them to be in their early-mid twenties rather than 18/19 years old. 

 

I also think the conclusion with Dacre was a bit fast and Dacre himself was often naive at times or overlooked Roman a little bit too much. It could be brought down to the fact he was a god and had the arrogance no-one would betray him but still. I loved Attie and Tobias - and I also really loved seeing Eva in this book and how she was there even if people didn’t realize. 

 

This made me hope and fear for my favorites, it broke my heart in a way I didn’t expect and left me feeling happy but also bittersweet for those that were taken too soon.