Vows & Ruins

"4.5 ⭐️ Holy smokes. What just happened?!?This was one of those books in a series where pacing can feel slow because you’re getting a lot of background information, politics and secrets being revealed…all of these things leading up to a battle. All the while, the spice really ramps up as the two main characters give you whiplash as they ping pong between not being together and not being able to contain their passion for each other. Yowza. The ending killed me. I want to just dive into the next one immediately but I’ve been advised to read the prequel before moving forward, so I’m doing that first. "

"This book was very SPICY! Lol! The story continues as Thea attempts to train with Wilder. He had left after the events of book 1 in an attempt to dull his feeling for her. Did not work. Then they mutually agreed to be friends & train like they were supposed to. Surprise surprise, did not work. You’d think they were rabbits. Anyway… The Daughter of Darkness and her army of monsters & men are searching for the lost heirs of the kingdoms that have fallen since the royals have the most magic and basically “conscript” them into their army is what I have guessed. So Thea and Ren have to keep their secret. The DoDs’ identity is revealed and a betrayal happens. I will reserve judgement since I suspect they have their reasons, and is mentioned early on. "

"⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (This review will contain #spoilers) Ugh, my disappointment is immeasurable & my day is ruined. I had such high hopes for this book, but it turned out to be 90% middle school romance BS, with the remainder driving the plot. Most of this book is “will they, won’t they” crap between Wilder & Thea. I’m not lying when I say there’s around 10 sex scenes, give or take. I’m no prude, but that’s ridiculous for a 530pg book that promises plot & action. I can only recall 3 plot driven scenes, and that was when Cal, Kipp, & Thea sabotaged those random boats, Wilder & Thea vs. the evil bush at Delmira, & the end battle scene that was pretty much Helm’s Deep. Maybe there were 2 short battles with wraiths. Everything else was utter nonsense. Thea & Wilder fought most of the book because that’s how it was written, it was founded on absolutely nothing, only to sprinkle in angry sex. Seb’s role as a whiny ass in B&S was fitting for the first book, but he literally has 0 purpose except being an annoying gnat in V&R. Where’s the devlopment? Make him more of a threat or make him go away! Though it didn’t pan out, Thea’s suspicion of Seb & Vernich had more than enough proof to back her up, so it was out of character that everyone gaslit her into thinking they weren’t plotting anything. I just didn’t understand why any of that was included. This book just felt like lazy writing to sell sex. Anya’s significance was given away immediately with the flashbacks, and though I didn’t expect Wilder’s “betrayal” in that way, it had no buildup. Neither did Thea’s improvement in combat & magic, it just… happened. I’m severely disappointed in Scheuerer for this story. I’m also annoyed because I bought the other 2 books, and now I want to finish them and get my money’s worth. I do NOT have high hopes for Fate & Furies, I already know there’s going to be more stupid sexual tension between Wilder and Thea without furthering the story. Authors: we can have just as much plot as spice!"

"The spice definitely was a little overdone in this book. It genuinely happened every couple chapters in detail. I would’ve liked more of the actual plot, but the plot that we got was enough to shatter Thea’s world. "

"Loved the first book. This book was great but the countless "spicy scenes" got annoying and old. I skipped over so many parts because it was just added for no reason other than to be a 🌶🌶🌶🌶 rated book. Third book should be better im hoping. "