3 Answers2026-07-09 09:07:43
Finding the proper order for 'Divine Rivals' depends on whether you want to start with the core duology or include the novella. The series timeline isn't strictly linear, but publication order works best. Read 'Divine Rivals' first—it sets up the whole world, the wartime letters between Iris and Roman, and that incredible magical-post-office system. Their dynamic is everything. Then jump into 'Ruthless Vows'. It's a direct sequel that picks up right after the cliffhanger and concludes their arc with higher stakes and a satisfying payoff.
You'll see people mention a prequel novella, 'Letters of Enchantment'. It came out between the two main books. It's a lovely, bittersweet side story about Iris's grandmother and adds some nice texture to the lore, but it’s not essential for understanding the main plot. Honestly, I'd save it for after 'Ruthless Vows' if you're craving a little more from that universe.
3 Answers2026-07-09 11:16:57
Man, I just went through this trying to update my Goodreads shelf. Last I checked, the 'Divine Rivals' series by Rebecca Ross currently has two books out. The first is obviously the one that started it all, 'Divine Rivals' itself. The second book is called 'Ruthless Vows'.
From everything the author has said, that's it for Iris and Roman's main story. It's a duology, so those two books make up the complete series. No third mainline novel has been announced. The order is straightforward: start with 'Divine Rivals', then go straight into 'Ruthless Vows'. I think some people keep hoping for more because the world is so rich, but the character arcs seem pretty definitively wrapped up in that second installment.
3 Answers2026-07-09 18:07:04
Been following Rebecca Ross's work since 'The Queen's Rising' and the world of 'Divine Rivals' felt ripe for expansion. The direct continuation is 'Ruthless Vows', which picks up right after the first book's cliffhanger, following Iris and Roman's story. That's the core duology.
I haven't seen any official spin-offs yet in the sense of a new series focusing on different characters. Rebecca Ross has mentioned in interviews she might explore other corners of that universe someday, given how rich the lore of the gods and the war is, but nothing's been announced. For now, the reading order is strictly the two books: 'Divine Rivals' then 'Ruthless Vows'. I'd kill for a novella about Attie or Marisol, though.
7 Answers2025-10-22 07:52:57
I get a kick out of mapping out series for friends, so here’s the clean, no-fuss path I recommend: read 'The Diviners' first, then 'Lair of Dreams', followed by 'Before the Devil Breaks You', and finish with 'The King of Crows'. Those four books are the published sequence and were written to be read in that order — each builds on plot threads, character growth, and the creeping mythology of the 1920s supernatural world.
Read them in publication order if you want surprises preserved and character arcs to land properly. If you’re hankering for extra atmosphere, try the audiobooks while walking or on a late-night drive; the tone and period language really sing that way. Also, keep in mind content triggers — the series handles violence, trauma, and some mature themes, so pacing yourself can help.
One last tip from my experience: savor the middle books. 'Lair of Dreams' and 'Before the Devil Breaks You' expand the scope in satisfying and sometimes unsettling ways, so don’t rush the quartet. I still get chills thinking about certain scenes, in the best possible way.
7 Answers2025-08-30 15:26:28
There’s a comforting simplicity to the order: read 'Inferno', then 'Purgatorio', then 'Paradiso'. That’s the narrative path Dante himself set up — a soul’s motion from darkness up toward the light — and it’s how the theological and poetic architecture unfolds. Practically speaking, start with 'Inferno' because it grabs you fast: vivid punishments, memorable characters, and a clearer moral map make it the most immediately accessible. After you’ve lived a few cantos in the dark, let 'Purgatorio' slow you down; it’s more introspective and symbolic, and the climb structure (ante-purgatory, seven terraces, Earthly Paradise) rewards patience. Finish with 'Paradiso', which is linguistically and conceptually the most challenging but also the most luminous.
If you’re reading in translation, pick one you like and stick with it for consistency. I’ve bounced between translations — I love Robert Pinsky’s poetic rhythms for 'Inferno' and Allen Mandelbaum’s complete trilogy for steady readability — but Dorothy L. Sayers’ notes are golden if you want medieval context. Bring a map of Dante’s cosmos, a short guidebook or commentary (even a chapter summary before each canto helps), and don’t be afraid to read a canto twice. Reading it aloud or listening to a performance can unlock terza rima’s music.
A lot of people treat each cantica almost as its own book; that’s fine. But if you want the full experience, let the whole trilogy close the arc. For a lighter gateway, check out modern takes like Dan Brown’s 'Inferno' or the video game 'Dante’s Inferno' to whet your appetite before diving back into the originals.
4 Answers2026-03-08 15:31:28
Divine Rivals Ruthless Vows' has this intoxicating blend of high-stakes fantasy, intricate rivalries, and emotional depth—it’s hard to find anything that matches its vibe exactly, but a few come close. 'The Poppy War' by R.F. Kuang shares that relentless ambition and morally gray characters, where alliances shift like sand. The way Kuang writes about power and sacrifice hits just as hard.
Then there’s 'The Jasmine Throne' by Tasha Suri, which has that same lush, political tension and complex female leads. If you loved the enemies-to-reluctant-allies dynamic in 'Divine Rivals,' this one’s a gem. Also, don’t sleep on 'She Who Became the Sun' by Shelley Parker-Chan—it’s got that ruthless ambition and divine undertones, wrapped in historical fantasy. The way destiny and defiance collide in that book still haunts me.
4 Answers2026-07-31 07:57:10
Man, this question shows up all the time and there are a couple ways to go at it. Most people will tell you to read by original publication: 'Twisted Love' first, then 'Twisted Games', 'Twisted Hate', and finish with 'Twisted Lies'. That's the default path and it works fine, following the friend group in the order Ana Huang introduced them.
But honestly? I tried that and bounced off 'Twisted Games' hard—the whole bodyguard/princess thing just didn't grab me. I skipped ahead to 'Twisted Hate' because the enemies-to-lovers premise sounded more my speed, and it totally hooked me. I went back to 'Games' later and enjoyed it more with the context of the wider circle. So my take is, if one premise calls to you more, start there. The books are only loosely connected, mostly through cameos and party scenes.
The real 'correct' order is whatever keeps you reading. The only one I'd say truly needs its place is 'Twisted Lies', since it feels like a culmination with all the cameos paying off. Start with 'Love' or 'Hate' and you'll be fine.
11 Answers2026-06-19 20:27:29
If you're asking about the 'Briar U' books, there seems to be a bit of confusion because that isn't the actual series name. Elle Kennedy's series is called 'Off-Campus', and the follow-up is 'Briar U'. The whole thing is basically one big hockey romance universe, and reading them out of order will have you missing inside jokes and cameos like crazy.
The chronological order you want is: 'The Deal', 'The Mistake', 'The Score', 'The Goal', and then 'The Chase' and 'The Risk' from the Briar U set. Honestly, you could maybe skip 'The Goal' if you're pressed for time—it's fine, but it feels a bit like an extended epilogue for the first three couples. Starting with 'The Deal' is non-negotiable though; it sets up the whole friend group dynamic and the college setting.
I tried reading 'The Chase' first once because the blurb hooked me, but I kept wondering who all these people in the background were and why their banter seemed so loaded. Went back, did it right, and it was a way better experience. The later books assume you know the crew.
4 Answers2026-08-20 19:16:09
My friend insists you should read them in reverse publication order. She says seeing the refined, older characters first and then going back to their rougher, earlier selves is a fascinating character study. I haven't tried it, but her passion for the idea has me curious. Could be a fun experiment for a re-read.
3 Answers2026-01-30 22:07:09
figuring out the reading order can be a bit tricky since the series expanded beyond the original novels. The core books by Kass Morgan are where you should start: 'The 100', followed by 'Day 21', 'Homecoming', and 'Rebellion'. These lay the groundwork for the world and characters.
After that, if you're craving more, there are tie-in novels like 'The 100: Rebellion' and prequels that explore the backstory of the Ark. The TV series diverges pretty early on, so I'd treat it as its own thing—though it’s fun to compare the differences. Personally, I love how the books delve deeper into the characters' psyches, especially Clarke and Bellamy, in a way the show doesn’t always have time for.