Review: Letters of Enchantment Duology

Author: Rebecca Ross

Book 1: Divine Rivals

Publication Date: April 2023

Book 2: Ruthless Vows

Publication Date: December 2023

Confession:

I really, really enjoyed both of these books! The adventure, the world building, the wonderful characters just all come together in a wonderful romantasy that was so much more than that. I’m not sure I have all of the right words to convey how much I really enjoyed spending time in this world with these characters. If you haven’t read them yet, I highly recommend that you do.

Iris Winnow is only 18 years old, but she is very mature. She puts up a very good front that she is tough and can withstand anything, but inside she is quite the mess. She is always ready and willing to put others first even when it puts her in danger. I just wanted to wrap her in a blanket and give her hot cocoa and tell her everything is going to be ok.

“Iris,” said Roman, “you are worthy of love. You are worthy to feel joy right now, even in the darkness. And just in case you’re wondering … I’m not going anywhere, unless you tell me to leave, and even then, we might need to negotiate.”
― Rebecca Ross, Divine Rivals

Roman Kitt is everything you look for in a leading man. He is handsome, charming and witty and pretty much the opposite of Iris. But he also has a dark past and his father very much wants to control his life, so he also has hidden emotions that he struggles with. He falls for Iris first and fell hard. I loved that he followed her to the frontlines of the war, just so he could be near her.

“He found me on my darkest day. He followed me to war, to the front lines. He came between me and Death, taking wounds that were supposed to be mine.”
― Rebecca Ross, Divine Rivals

I also adored the whole magical typewriters concept. The letters were just adorable, and I loved how they were able to help each other even not really knowing who the other person was, well at least Iris didn’t know. I loved the connection they both felt for each other through the letters. I think it really enhanced the romance as well.

“Should I be surprised that I was falling in love with you a second time? Should I be surprised that your words found me here, even in the darkness? That I’ve been carrying your E. letters close to my heart like they are a shield to protect me?”
― Rebecca Ross, Ruthless Vows

There is a great secondary cast of characters that really fleshed out the whole story and world. I loved Marisol, who becomes a sort of mother to Iris and eventually Roman too. Attie was the best friend everyone wishes they had. I also liked Forest, Iris’s brother, although we only really get to know him in the second book.

“Soon it would be night; the stars would pierce the sky like nails, and he would light the candles and write by fire because the words came easier in the darkness.”
― Rebecca Ross, Ruthless Vows

The world building was great, it was a bit of a mix of our world with some magic mixed in. I liked to think of it as an alternate universe to ours, that is somewhat the same but different. The Gods were also a fun addition to this world. The background mythology that is scattered between the two books was fascinating. I could read a whole book just full of these stories. I despised Dacre as soon as we meet him in book two. Enva was nicer and easier to love, but I still questioned her motives at times. The writing was absolutely stunning and beautiful at times and I also really enjoyed all of the witty banter between the characters.

The plot of both books was wonderful. Full of adventure, excitement, some scary parts, the horrors of war. There was lots of romance sprinkled throughout both books too, and not just between the two main characters. The pacing was great and I loved that it was told through both Iris and Roman’s points of view. I just love seeing both sides of a romance. I listened to some of the audiobook for the second book, and really enjoyed both narrators. I kind of wished I had listened to the whole book. I highly recommend the audiobook if you enjoy listening to your books.

Overall this was a delightful romantasy duology. These are the first books I have read by this author, but I will definitely pick up another one of her books, hopefully soon.