Cruel promises
Cruel promises -or Ruthless Vows, from its original title in English— is an epic fantasy novel and enemies to lovers written by American author Rebecca Ross. The work was first published on December 26, 2023. Upon its release, it received very good reviews from readers, being nominated for the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards.
The 12 March 2024 It was marketed in Spanish by the publisher Puck, attracting the attention of those who had already been enthralled by Divine rivals, the first installment of this story. To date, the book has earned average ratings of 4.03 on both Goodreads as on Amazon, accumulating positive reviews from critics increasingly sympathetic to Ross.
Synopsis of Cruel promises
Between Shadow and bone y Lore
In the center of Cruel promises The reader will find Iris Winnow, a young journalist who works for a local media while deals with the aftermath of his brother's absence, who has gone off to war. Through her work, the protagonist seeks to find her place in a world fragmented by violence and chaos, possessing both a visible fragility and an undeniable resilience.
On the other hand, Roman Kitt, His rival in the journalistic field, unexpectedly becomes a key figure in his life. when an accidental exchange of letters begins to reveal a deeper bond between them. What begins as a relationship marked by competition evolves into a bond that unravels secrets and challenges both of their beliefs about war, fate and love.
Magic and emotions in perfect balance
Ross skillfully combines the fantastic elements with a deeply human narrative. In Cruel promises, Magic is present in the letters that Iris writes and mysteriously end up in Roman's hands, a charming touch that gives the story an air of magical realism. However, the real magic lies in the depth of the characters, their motivations and their internal struggles.
The book also addresses universal themes such as grief, hope in the midst of adversity, and the importance of human connections. War is not only a physical background, but also an emotional one., which tests the protagonists in ways that are both poignant and heartbreaking. At the same time, this creates the foundation for relationships to be as strong as the battles.
A poetic prose that captivates
Rebecca Ross has an innate ability to describe landscapes, emotions and scenes in a way tan vivid It is impossible not to feel immersed in her world. Her prose is rich in detail and poetic, without being excessive, which makes the reading flow naturally. This ability of the author promotes a quick enjoyment, but not for that reason lacking in meaning, reflection or depth.
Impact of Cruel Promises
The work not only stands out as a story of love and fantasy, but also establishes itself as a reflection on resilience in dark times. In addition, the promise of a continuation in the series Letters of Enchantment leaves readers craving moreFor lovers of romantic fantasy, this book is a treasure.
Rebecca Ross proves once again that she knows how to tell entertaining stories that, in turn, inspire and touch the heart. If you are looking for a read that combines intense emotions, a carefully constructed romance and a touch of magic, Cruel promises it's a safe bet.
About the author
Rebecca Ross was born in Georgia, United States. She graduated in English from the university in her hometown. However, throughout her life she has held several jobs, as indicated by her work on a ranch in Colorado. She was also a librarian at a school and a stenographer at a higher education center. This same versatility is present in her stories.
Ross shocked the world after the publication of The Queen's Rebellion, a fantasy novel that was translated into several languages, including Spanish, German, Danish, Italian, Hungarian and Portuguese. Since its success, the author has published several books of "romantasy" (as the mixture of romance and young adult fantasy has come to be known), becoming a bestseller.
Best Rebecca Ross Quotes
- «Even when the world seems to stop, threatening to collapse, and time seems to darken as the siren sounds, it is not a crime to feel joy»;
- «We don't realize how powerful a dream is, both in the sleeping and waking world, until it's stolen from us.»
- "We all hold on to secrets as if they were our breath";
- «(…) but the last two days have shown me that purpose can appear in unexpected places»;
- «And I was quickly learning that our dreams were trying to unmask ourselves and our plans. Our secrets, our past. Our hopes. Our desires.»
- "But maybe love wasn't something easy to forget, even when it had been reduced to ashes."
Other books by Rebecca Ross
- The Queen's Rising — The Queen's Rebellion (2018);
- The Queen's Resistance — The Queen's Resistance (2019);
- Sisters of Sword & Song — The song of the sisters (2021);
- A River Enchanted — An enchanted river (2022);
- Dreams Lie Beneath — The curse of dreams (2022);
- A Fire Endless — An eternal fire (2023);
- Divine Rivals — Divine Rivals (2023)
Most popular young adult romance books
- Ugly Love. Ask me for anything but love, by Colleen Hoover;
- All the places we kept secret, by Inma Rubiales;
- The color of invisible things, by Andrea Longarela;
- The year we (almost) went, by Maria Zarate;
- You would do it?, by Megan Maxwell;
- Midnight Moon, by Alejandra Andrade;
- Us on the moon, by Alice Kellen;
- Saga heart stopper, by Alice Oseman;
- Still with us, by Lily del Pilar;
- running away from vice, by Jon Azkueta Castro;
- End of tour, by Alina Not;
- Tell me tonight, by Megan Maxwell;
- A heart at stake, by Ava Reed;
- The river of the first times, by Nando Lopez;
- The dragonfly dance, by Lidia Fernandez Galiana.