Reading Blog

Current and latest reads, spilled thoughts and anything that’s inspiring me

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"Despite our mundane lives, perhaps we make our own magic with words."

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That feeling when Kitt and Iris are exchanging letters... please! It genuinely caused me actual, physical heartache! It had been over a year since I read Divine Rivals, and it took me forever to pick this one up because I knew the moment I did... it would be over.

Keeping this spoiler free: Ruthless Vows picks up directly after the end of Divine Rivals (book 1), and drops you right back into one of the most unique fantasy worlds I've read. It reminds me of London, England, and WWI-adjacent, but it's own magic and mythology woven in.

The correspondence between Kitt and Iris is just everything. Their letters are so beautifully written that it's impossible not to root for them. I actually got halfway through this book, stopped, and went back to reread Divine Rivals because I just HAD to consume every drop of their story again before it ends!

Since this is the final book in the duology, I went in expecting a big finish. I gave Divine Rivals 5 stars, and while I loved Ruthless Vows, the ending wrapped up a bit too quickly for me. It felt quite unsatisfying after all that emotional build-up. Therefore, I gave this 4 stars, but I highly recommend it and it's absolutely worth the read.

If you are looking for a unique fantasy world, with a beautifully poetic romance at its heart, then this duology is for you.

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hey quick PSA but “reading before bed to wind down” only works if you’re normal about books btw. if you aren’t you are going to end up awake at 2:52am after finishing the whole book just trust me on this one

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Hello! I’m Heather, 30s, Edinburgh, cat mum. This is my first post and first time using Tumblr so bear with me. I really wanted a safe space to share my current reads and post about all things books and stories.

I recently finished Vicious by V.E. Schwab and have decided I need to consume every book written by her ever! I read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue about 5 years ago and adored it. I think it’s time for a reread for sure. Anyway, I gave Viscous 4.5 ⭐️ I thought the characters were incredible, especially Victor. Who doesn’t love a book with a likeable villain? Is Victor a villain? I think he is… he makes some pretty bad choices in this book, however he is absolutely redeemable and, without giving spoilers, already on that journey… His POV explains his choices and while I don’t agree with all of his actions, I understand them. And goddamn is he likeable as well!

I think Schwab is the master of time jumps and POV switches. She can bounce the reader back and forward in time and into different characters minds in such a way that it continues to build momentum rather than break it up. Each switch reveals more about the character, their drivers, how they got to where they are. Every character progresses the story, even from the past, and I think this is why I was able to fly through this book. This was also why I loved the POV from all the characters, even though I didn’t want to leave Victor’s view.

Has anyone else read this book? I really want to read the next book… but then the story will be over… until the third book comes out whenever that will be… Does anyone else delay reading certain books to keep the story alive?