I wasn’t sure if I would pick up Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross, not because I thought it would be bad, but because I wasn’t sure if the magical realism and historical fiction aspects of the novel would gel with me. I loved elements of Divine Rivals, but I felt something was hiding from view and I didn’t want to read Ruthless Vows and not get that satisfaction. Alas, I have now read Ruthless Vows. But was it a good read?

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 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.

Let’s start with the magical realism; I liked it. I am not a huge fan of magical realism in small parts – I really like full magical influence and involvement in a world and I really like reads without magic. The middle ground can be a little dicey for my preferences. Ruthless Vows, however, passes the test. The typewriters are fabulous and I absolutely love the magical lore surrounding these typewriters and what they are capable of. If anything, this duology makes me want to shift my priorities and get a typewriter sooner rather than later. The gods and their magic is a little murky for me but I see how it fits with the story and makes sense for the characters and gods. The idea of there being residences and businesses where magic is part of the very framework of the building is another plus for the magical realism question here. It gives the Oath, and the book in general, a cute enchantment feel but I wish it did a little ore.

The plot is equal parts romance plot and action plot, but I didn’t feel as invested in Ruthless Vows as I did with Divine Rivals. I could predict things easily and the natural plot progression as the climax neared didn’t feel as exciting or tense as it could have. It is a fun story, but there is a lack of that war element that made me really like Divine Rivals. This isn’t to say Ruthless Vows is mediocre, but it doesn’t hit the same depth as Divine Rivals did for me. The return of Roman’s memory unfolded as I anticipated and the culmination of events could only lead to one conclusion – though the finer details and character decisions were good choices and it made the ending feel less empty.

Roman and Iris have changed so much across Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows as is evident in their decisions, secrets, and how they act in given situations. I am happy to see Iris making gutsy decisions and putting herself out there a little more. Similarly, seeing how Roman acts, reacts, and interacts around Dacre and the army he has created, especially the officers, lends years of experience and instinct to his young life. These two feel older than they are, and perhaps that’s what this world has forced them into, but I also feel that their love for each other has built them up individually and made them see the world in a harsher light than before. If there is one reason I don’t regret reading Ruthless Vows, it is seeing how their characters have grown across the two books. While they may not be my favourites, Roman and Iris aren’t bad characters to analyse.

I did enjoy reading Ruthless Vows, and I did like it, but I don’t think it is as good as Divine Rivals. If you do read Ruthless Vows, my only suggestion is to not go into it expecting it to be like the first book. I would recommend reading it if you have been putting it off like I was, but if you have read this review and you are fine leaving it unread I cannot blame you. I did feel like BookTok and Bookstagram hyped this up a little, but perhaps I don’t fit so snugly in the intended reading demographic.