6/5

For fans of: lost memories, enchanted doorways, love letters, enchanted objects, banter, wartime romance, warring gods, found family, writers

The Big Questions:

• What genre is this in? Fantasy, Romance

• Are there any swoon-worthy characters? Iris and Roman are GOALS.

• Is it spicy? Steamy fade to black

• Is it violent or gory? War violence

• Should I buy, borrow, or pass on this book? BUY THIS BOOK

Synopsis: 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.

Review: What a perfect way to wrap up my 2023 reading year. This book was EVERYTHING I loved about reading all year long. There’s heartfelt yearning, witty banter, deeply emotional connections between characters, romantic love, familial love, soulmate love, and pain. So.much.pain. There’s action, magic, the highest of stakes, betrayal, twists and turns, schemes, those in power brought low and those low raised to power, and the strength of community to overcome authoritarianism. I laughed, cried, sat up in shock, and kicked my feet in utter delight. If you are going to pick up any new releases from this year, let it be Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows.