Ruthless Vows guide: Characters, spice, review + FAQs
Ruthless Vows synopsis/summary:
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.
Haven’t read part one of The Letters of Enchantment? Get Divine Rivals here.
Warning: There are spoilers in the below article, so discontinue reading if you haven’t read this yet.
Ruthless Vow characters.
Like Divine Rivals, Ruthless Vows is told in third-person format with alternating perspectives from both Roman and Iris. Towards the final chapters, we also get a multi-point-of-view perspective from multiple characters. Here is the full list of Ruthless Vows characters:
Iris E. Winnow
Roman C. Kitt
Attie (aka Thea Attwood)
Marisol Torres
Keegan
Forest Winnow
Dacre Underling
Enva Skyward
Mr. Ronald M. Kitt (Roman’s father)
Mrs Kitt
Nan Kitt
Sarah Prindle
Helena Hammond
Chancellor Verlice
Val
Bruce
Mr. Attwood
Mrs. Attwood
Ainsley Attwood
Garrett Attwood
Henry Attwood
Hilary Attwood
Laven Attwood
Tobias Bexley
Lieutenant Gregory Shane
Captain Landis
Mr. Lawrence (Digby Lawrence)
Greta
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross book review.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 stars.
Spice level: 🌶
0.5/5, very mild, more of a steamy fade to black.
It’s no secret many, including me, were smitten with romaniris in Divine Rivals and for good reason. They were adorable yet flawed and we got to see a lot of character growth while experiencing their wholesome You’ve Got Mail but with magical typewriters love story unfurl. I was hoping to experience the same magic in Ruthless Vows. And to a degree, it delivered. There is no doubt Rebecca Ross' lyrical prose is lush and stirs up all the emotions.
So why the 3 stars? (3 stars aren’t bad. It’s still good, not great.)
Maybe it's partly because I was on holiday and not binge-reading like usual, but honestly, the first 40% was a bit of a slog, holiday or not. Still, I stuck with it, hoping for that Divine Rivals magic to kick in. And it did. It just took a while.
🚨 Spoiler alert below for both Divine Rivals & Ruthless Vows🚨
What I liked:
What I really appreciated was that the final chapters and epilogue didn’t need pregnancy or babies for the HEA. I always find that unnecessary, cringey and overdone. So big props to Ms. Ross there.
We get to see a lot more of Attie in Ruthless Vows, allowing us a deeper glimpse into her character and introducing pivotal figures that enrich her storyline.
Semi-familiar faces, like Marisol, Keegan, Forest, Helena, and even Roman's father, make a return in broader roles which added more depth.
The inclusion of multiple points of view towards the end was a nuanced perspective, and the ending felt like a mix of fair, joyful, poignant and fitting mostly, given the fantasy wartime setting. However, I did not think that Forest Winnow or Sarah Prindle had to die, especially when Forest is one of the first people who was notified that there was going to be an attack on Oath.
What could’ve been improved:
Firstly, I had so many unfulfilled questions and I needed more detail.
The biggest question was around Dacre & Enva and their whole backstory and the entire cause for a senseless war killing millions of innocent civilians. Because there were so many questions I had about the “why”, that part of the story just didn't resonate for me. I still don't get the reason behind the war that well. I needed stronger motivations, backstory and fleshing out of both Dacre and Enva to make them feel three-dimensional. Maybe that's why Dacre felt like a caricature with SDE. Also, maybe just go to therapy or see a divorce counsellor instead of going on a killing spree?
More detail would’ve also elevated the worldbuilding for me. The underground realm for example didn’t quite hit the mark. When we’re talking about an entire underground magical realm connected to the real world via various magical ley lines, tunnels, levels, secret passages and doors, I craved richer detail to immerse me more.
Secondly, some romantic lines and scenes were a bit too saccharine for me:
“Their souls weren’t mirrors but complements, constellations that burned side by side.” This is my subjective opinion, so please don’t come after me with pitchforks. Diversity of opinion is what makes us interesting and varied!
Missed opportunity?
In terms of sub-plots, there was a missed opportunity here for a skilled musician (looking at Attie here) to save the eithrals (dragons), who we realise are captive to Dacre and respond to music.
Finally, the telling and not showing ratio was a bit too much for me.
Overall, the book had its moments and was mostly enjoyable, but I felt there was a lot of untapped potential and I was a lot more rapt with Divine Rivals. Nonetheless, I am keen to explore more of Rebecca Ross’ catalogue because her prose is just lovely stuff.
Trigger warnings:
Heavy war themes, violence, grief, PTSD, death of a loved one.
View my Ruthless Vows review here.
FAQs.
Is Ruthless Vows spicy?
Ruthless Vows isn’t spicy. There are a few romantic implied sex scenes, but they are non-explicit and very mild, leaning more toward a steamy fade-to-black, just like Divine Rivals. The age rating is somewhere between YA and NA.
Enjoyed reading Ruthless Vows? You may also enjoy reading:
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Fantasy)
A Court of Thorns & Roses | A Court of Mist & Fury | A Court of Wings & Ruin | A Court of Frost & Starlight
One Dark Window | Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig (Dark Fantasy)
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black (YA Fantasy)
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim (YA fairytale retelling fantasy)
A Deadly Education | The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik (Dark academia fantasy)
