What is it about books with poetic words and enchanting characters? Seriously, for the love of me. These types of books are my addiction.
“Write me a story where there is no ending, Kitt. Write to me and fill my empty spaces.”
–Rebecca Ross
What Is It About?
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.
What Is It About?
4.5/5⭐
I love the continuation of Divine Rivals so much, and although DR still holds first place in my heart, Ruthless Vows came pretty close too.
I'm 99.99% sure this duology will be on my top books of this year. Is just too good. The way Iris and Roman characters develop through the books, their relationship evolves in such a way that I have yearned for a real Roman since page one!
However, I felt that this book was missing just that, the relationship that had developed between Iris and Roman. I understand that part of the second book's plot was that they had to go their separate ways (I'll try to keep spoilers as far away as possible), but at the same time, I needed and hoped to have that banter between them.
And although the world-building and the plot made sense and there was an excellent development and ending, everything that happened in between left me wanting more.
I loved how brave Iris was. Her character went through so much and she was never lost in the tide. On the other hand, I felt that Roman went down a level or two with his personality, I felt he was very passive and without that fire and fight that he had in the first book. Still, I love him so much because he is a great character and for sure want one in real life!
Also! I loved Attie and Tobias with all my heart, I need a third book with their adventures hahaha.
Don't hate me for saying this, but there was a good part of the book in which I fell for Dacre's words... I know... I know... he is a ruthless and evil god, but... he knows how to say things and his words bought me a little. I guess that's part of him being a morally gray character. On the other hand, Enva… well I felt like she was like Elena from ToG (useless and only asked for things haha).
There were many questions without answers and that frustrated me, especially at the end (which also left me sobbing for a long time...)
But the ending? Gosh, how perfect it was. I loved how the book ended with Iris and Roman, and their notes (IYKYK).
The way Rebecca writes continues to amaze me and it's no wonder why Divine Rivals deserves all the hype! Although there were certain aspects of the second book that I wasn't a big fan of or that left me wanting more, it was a very good book!
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