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Shards of Sevia #4
For Better and Worse
Boris and Anna's first baby is due any day, but the thought of raising a child in the war-torn city of Dor fills Anna with dread. Because Boris is so focused on keeping his struggling business afloat, he brushes her fears aside.
When White Horse gangsters attack his illegal employee, Boris's attempt to protect him puts his own family in danger. Will doing the right thing cost him more than he's willing to pay? Will Boris and Anna live to see their second anniversary?
FOR BETTER AND WORSE is the fourth book in Shards of Sevia, a Dystopian Romantic Suspense series. It continues the story that began in WRONG PLACE, RIGHT TIME.
When White Horse gangsters attack his illegal employee, Boris's attempt to protect him puts his own family in danger. Will doing the right thing cost him more than he's willing to pay? Will Boris and Anna live to see their second anniversary?
FOR BETTER AND WORSE is the fourth book in Shards of Sevia, a Dystopian Romantic Suspense series. It continues the story that began in WRONG PLACE, RIGHT TIME.
194 pages, Paperback
Published April 17, 2021
About the author
E.B. Roshan
14 books90 followersE.B. Roshan enjoyed a nomadic lifestyle for several years, living in the Middle East, Asia and various parts of the U.S. She is now temporarily settled in Pennsylvania with her husband and three children.
She enjoys gardening, both indoors and out, and writing stories of all kinds.
To learn more about E.B. Roshan and her books, visit: https://shardsofsevia.wordpress.com
She enjoys gardening, both indoors and out, and writing stories of all kinds.
To learn more about E.B. Roshan and her books, visit: https://shardsofsevia.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 24, 2023
Absolutely loved it good to see Anna and Boris back they are my favourite in this series, Anna is pregnant with their first baby but not everything goes to plan
April 10, 2021
It took me a little while to really get into the story, I’m wondering if I should have read
Wrong Place, Right Time
first, so that I “knew” Anna and Boris. That said, I do believe you can read this stand-alone if you wish to. Once the story took off I didn’t want to put this one down. I was hooked right in, wondering what would happen next and whether all the main characters would survive the turbulent times they faced. I do like all the moral dilemmas the story generates, they way it has you questioning what your responses and choices might be in a similar situation. It's easy to empathise with the characters - particularly when we see very similar real life situations regularly on the evening news.
The author gave some much needed background to the civil war, which I had felt was missing in some of the previously published books. Although this is the fourth book in the Shards of Sevia series, I am fairly certain that events take place before those in book #2 (which is the only other I have read from the series). Set in a fictionalised, war-torn present-day country For Better and Worse is a thought provoking, engaging and fast paced read. Christian fiction is not normally my genre of choice but, whilst this does speak of God and his forgiveness, the story never feels overtly religious nor as though it were preaching the gospel.
Whilst there are many questions posed by the book there does seem to be an overriding theme. That of the moral dilemma created by doing the right thing morally, when that right thing can lead to suffering, or death, for those who you love. What do you do when you HAVE to make a choice that will inevitably hurt someone innocent? Is it OK to do the right thing, when that puts others at risk of harm?
The author gave some much needed background to the civil war, which I had felt was missing in some of the previously published books. Although this is the fourth book in the Shards of Sevia series, I am fairly certain that events take place before those in book #2 (which is the only other I have read from the series). Set in a fictionalised, war-torn present-day country For Better and Worse is a thought provoking, engaging and fast paced read. Christian fiction is not normally my genre of choice but, whilst this does speak of God and his forgiveness, the story never feels overtly religious nor as though it were preaching the gospel.
Whilst there are many questions posed by the book there does seem to be an overriding theme. That of the moral dilemma created by doing the right thing morally, when that right thing can lead to suffering, or death, for those who you love. What do you do when you HAVE to make a choice that will inevitably hurt someone innocent? Is it OK to do the right thing, when that puts others at risk of harm?
April 17, 2021
Although I haven’t read any of the other books in the Shards of Sevia series, I had no trouble understanding or enjoying FOR BETTER AND WORSE. I was a little confused at times about the conflict between Dor and Tur, not having read any of the other books, but that’s a very minor thing.
I loved seeing the struggles of a family in the midst of a war-torn society. Often, war/dystopian stories focus on dysfunctional or bereaved families, and it was wonderful to see a husband and wife wrestling together through questions of faith, security, and the rightness of their actions. Their love for one another was beautiful and realistic; they didn’t get along perfectly, as no one does, but their relationship grew stronger through the struggles. And their love for their unborn son was beautiful, as well.
The author’s writing style is vivid, and she excels at setting descriptions (something I admire since I struggle with that myself). Although I would have enjoyed a little more description of exactly where Sevia is (a fictional European country), my imagination painted a vivid picture of the story as I was reading it. Despite a very few stilted parts, mostly at the beginning of the book, I found the dialogue and situations to be believable and fleshed out well.
The faith element in the story is wonderfully woven into the narrative without being preachy or heavy-handed. The characters are by no means perfect, and they lose sight of their hope. But throughout the story, they grow and change and learn to cling to their always-present hope, no matter what befalls them.
I loved the thought-provoking themes that shine profoundly among the story threads. In this war-torn society, questions of loyalty, submission, and duty to one’s family and friends become ambiguous. The characters stumble and make wrong decisions, but the mistakes shape them and help them to gradually learn what is right.
There were a few loose ends left dangling at the end of the book, so it can’t completely be a standalone. But I suspect that those ends will be tied up in future installments of the series.
Overall, FOR BETTER AND WORSE is a quick, exciting, and thought-provoking read. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Content Cautions: violence, including shooting and hand-to-hand fighting, and a woman gives birth (neither are excessively graphic)
*I was given a free eARC from the author in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review; all opinions are my own.*
I loved seeing the struggles of a family in the midst of a war-torn society. Often, war/dystopian stories focus on dysfunctional or bereaved families, and it was wonderful to see a husband and wife wrestling together through questions of faith, security, and the rightness of their actions. Their love for one another was beautiful and realistic; they didn’t get along perfectly, as no one does, but their relationship grew stronger through the struggles. And their love for their unborn son was beautiful, as well.
The author’s writing style is vivid, and she excels at setting descriptions (something I admire since I struggle with that myself). Although I would have enjoyed a little more description of exactly where Sevia is (a fictional European country), my imagination painted a vivid picture of the story as I was reading it. Despite a very few stilted parts, mostly at the beginning of the book, I found the dialogue and situations to be believable and fleshed out well.
The faith element in the story is wonderfully woven into the narrative without being preachy or heavy-handed. The characters are by no means perfect, and they lose sight of their hope. But throughout the story, they grow and change and learn to cling to their always-present hope, no matter what befalls them.
I loved the thought-provoking themes that shine profoundly among the story threads. In this war-torn society, questions of loyalty, submission, and duty to one’s family and friends become ambiguous. The characters stumble and make wrong decisions, but the mistakes shape them and help them to gradually learn what is right.
There were a few loose ends left dangling at the end of the book, so it can’t completely be a standalone. But I suspect that those ends will be tied up in future installments of the series.
Overall, FOR BETTER AND WORSE is a quick, exciting, and thought-provoking read. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Content Cautions: violence, including shooting and hand-to-hand fighting, and a woman gives birth (neither are excessively graphic)
*I was given a free eARC from the author in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review; all opinions are my own.*
April 28, 2021
First off -- if you're a fan of dystopian novels that present thought-provoking moral and ethical dilemmas, you'll really like this one. It grabbed my attention within the first chapter, but I did end up taking a bit more time to get really invested into it -- just a few chapters, though. It keeps a quick pace, and while it took me a little bit to really "get" the depths of the dystopian society Roshan presented, the worldbuilding really impressed me. It was very compelling and, to a certain extent, pretty realistic too. She starts the book right off with a fair amount of tension, and keeps building that pressure (whether through society's pressures, neighbors who are pressuring the characters, or knee-jerk choices made by the main couple) through the very end of the book. And to top it all off, the female main character is heavily pregnant -- you don't see that in a dystopian novel everyday! Through that, and the cascade of events that occur through the book, the author wonderfully presented some pretty deep themes for the reader to mull over. Exactly how far would you go to protect your family? Your employees? Strangers? Yourself? And why? Overall, it's an easy 5 stars from me, and I read it very quickly because I couldn't stand to put it down. You'll probably feel the same way.
July 28, 2023
4 stars. Remember when I said in book 1 that Boris wasn’t my fav? He made me straight-up mad here.
*coughs*
Let’s scale back. So, this goes back a bit before book 3, and Anna + Boris are having a rough time. Anna’s scared, Boris is stubborn, and Arjun is stuck in the middle. I liked Arjun as much as always—I liked Anna too—and Boris made me angry, because he manages to be weak and obstinate at the same time. And he doesn’t listen to his wife. And he’s always mad. I know, it’s necessary to the plot, and he gets it out of his system eventually, but I still don’t like him!!
Besides my dislike for a principal character, though, I really enjoyed the book. It’s very suspenseful—more than the other books—with local mafia who are out to destroy the Turs and anyone helping them, plus the government cracking down on Turs and those helping them. There’s betrayal and angst and real uncertainty if people are gonna make it out alive. There’s Erkan’s family and backstory—finally!—and more of the amazing doctor and his wife, and Preen too. I forgot to say before that these books interlock also in how they sway backwards and forwards in time, so that adds another interesting dimension to how you see everyone.
My favourite part of this novel is for sure the deep themes that hit hard—doing the right thing, figuring moral dilemmas, and pushing through fear. I look forwards to the next book in this series and seeing everything wrapped up!!
Content: on-screen birth that was a bit too detailed for me personally, violence.
A Favourite Quote: “Yes, the worst thing. The White Horses kill me, right? So I'm dead. Finish. When I'm alive, I'm in God's hands. And when I'm dead?” He waited.
“You're still in God's hands,” I finished softly. “We all are.”
“So nothing changes. That's not so bad.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Thanks to God somebody has a brain that works,” I whispered. The future didn't look great for mine.
*Full content list to come. I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
*coughs*
Let’s scale back. So, this goes back a bit before book 3, and Anna + Boris are having a rough time. Anna’s scared, Boris is stubborn, and Arjun is stuck in the middle. I liked Arjun as much as always—I liked Anna too—and Boris made me angry, because he manages to be weak and obstinate at the same time. And he doesn’t listen to his wife. And he’s always mad. I know, it’s necessary to the plot, and he gets it out of his system eventually, but I still don’t like him!!
Besides my dislike for a principal character, though, I really enjoyed the book. It’s very suspenseful—more than the other books—with local mafia who are out to destroy the Turs and anyone helping them, plus the government cracking down on Turs and those helping them. There’s betrayal and angst and real uncertainty if people are gonna make it out alive. There’s Erkan’s family and backstory—finally!—and more of the amazing doctor and his wife, and Preen too. I forgot to say before that these books interlock also in how they sway backwards and forwards in time, so that adds another interesting dimension to how you see everyone.
My favourite part of this novel is for sure the deep themes that hit hard—doing the right thing, figuring moral dilemmas, and pushing through fear. I look forwards to the next book in this series and seeing everything wrapped up!!
Content: on-screen birth that was a bit too detailed for me personally, violence.
A Favourite Quote: “Yes, the worst thing. The White Horses kill me, right? So I'm dead. Finish. When I'm alive, I'm in God's hands. And when I'm dead?” He waited.
“You're still in God's hands,” I finished softly. “We all are.”
“So nothing changes. That's not so bad.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Thanks to God somebody has a brain that works,” I whispered. The future didn't look great for mine.
*Full content list to come. I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
May 16, 2021
This book combines all the action of a dystopian thriller with a realistic and heartfelt story of love and marriage. I was on the edge of my seat, biting my fingernails, nervous for the characters I'd fallen in love with for most of this fast-paced book. Roshan has created a realistic world with a host of believable and relatable characters, and a story that is impossible to put down.
August 25, 2022
Disclosure: I received a complimentary ecopy of the book from the author. Opinions expressed are my own.
Scripture Connection
“Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.”
Luke 12:4
Spiritual Themes
Characters pray frequently, throughout the book. Additionally, there are some brief discussions about morality, as well as good deeds. Something I appreciated is that the author conveys the biblical truths of God’s grace, through conversation, which flows more naturally.
One of the themes I noticed, a few times, is the idea that following Jesus doesn’t solve all of our problems. Oftentimes, Christian books depict the characters praying (for safety, perhaps), and then maybe thanking God when the prayer is answered. In this case, the characters pray with the understanding that God may not answer in the way they hope He will. However, the characters are also grounded with an eternal perspective.
I selected the theme verse based on a conversation between Boris and Arjun, which I really liked:
Arjun: When I’m alive, I’m in God’s hands. And when I’m dead?
Boris: You’re still in God’s hands… we all are.
This conversation also makes me think of Phil. 1:21, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” And it’s such a refreshing theme to read!
What I Liked
The title of the book is For Better and For Worse, based on the traditional wedding vows. I really like the title, because, while the book is very much about the marriage between a man and a woman, it is also about the relationship between Christ and His bride— exemplified in Boris and Anna’s relationships with God. The characters must grapple with what it means to walk with God, even when things aren’t going the way we want for them to go. This is such a beautiful and important message.
I haven’t read the previous books in the series, but I could tell that Anna was originally more “on-board” with Boris’ work on behalf of Arjun and other Tur characters. I appreciated that Roshan showed how Anna’s new status as a mother caused a shift in her priorities. I felt that this was realistic, and it’s an angle that I don’t always see explored in books, which often depict couples happily risking their lives together.
The book was well-paced. While it took me a little longer to “get into,” because I haven’t read the series, once I was invested, I wanted to keep reading. The alternating perspectives also built into the suspense, with character changes at crucial moments in the plot.
I liked the social justice themes the author explores through her treatment of the Sevia/Tur conflict. Scripturally, it is SO important to care for the orphan, the widow, the oppressed and the “alien living among you,” and I really appreciate that Roshan emphasizes this theme. I also like the nuanced approach she takes. She reveals the bloody history of the Tur people, but she also demonstrates their dignity and the wrongness of their being oppressed. The Sevian people, despite being those in power, are not all bad. We see the graciousness of those related to White Horse members, and the humanity of members of that prejudiced group.
There was one “blurry” scene, where a character wasn’t thinking clearly due to an injury. I felt the author did a great job writing this scene.
Content Consideration
There’s a scene where Boris, in a fit of rage, shatters a picture frame. I felt concerned for Anna when this happened. Granted, it’s not her property, but this felt pretty close to domestic abuse, and didn’t seem to be addressed as such. We also witness his rage in another scene, where it is definitely not praised. I’m just concerned because I think some books do glorify this kind of behavior. I don’t think that is this book’s intent; I just wouldn’t want it lumped in with other books that do glorify domestic violence/anger problems.
Recommendation Status
Recommended with reader discretion, due to the one content note above. This was an overall engaging read, with some meaningful themes.
Scripture Connection
“Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.”
Luke 12:4
Spiritual Themes
Characters pray frequently, throughout the book. Additionally, there are some brief discussions about morality, as well as good deeds. Something I appreciated is that the author conveys the biblical truths of God’s grace, through conversation, which flows more naturally.
One of the themes I noticed, a few times, is the idea that following Jesus doesn’t solve all of our problems. Oftentimes, Christian books depict the characters praying (for safety, perhaps), and then maybe thanking God when the prayer is answered. In this case, the characters pray with the understanding that God may not answer in the way they hope He will. However, the characters are also grounded with an eternal perspective.
I selected the theme verse based on a conversation between Boris and Arjun, which I really liked:
Arjun: When I’m alive, I’m in God’s hands. And when I’m dead?
Boris: You’re still in God’s hands… we all are.
This conversation also makes me think of Phil. 1:21, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” And it’s such a refreshing theme to read!
What I Liked
The title of the book is For Better and For Worse, based on the traditional wedding vows. I really like the title, because, while the book is very much about the marriage between a man and a woman, it is also about the relationship between Christ and His bride— exemplified in Boris and Anna’s relationships with God. The characters must grapple with what it means to walk with God, even when things aren’t going the way we want for them to go. This is such a beautiful and important message.
I haven’t read the previous books in the series, but I could tell that Anna was originally more “on-board” with Boris’ work on behalf of Arjun and other Tur characters. I appreciated that Roshan showed how Anna’s new status as a mother caused a shift in her priorities. I felt that this was realistic, and it’s an angle that I don’t always see explored in books, which often depict couples happily risking their lives together.
The book was well-paced. While it took me a little longer to “get into,” because I haven’t read the series, once I was invested, I wanted to keep reading. The alternating perspectives also built into the suspense, with character changes at crucial moments in the plot.
I liked the social justice themes the author explores through her treatment of the Sevia/Tur conflict. Scripturally, it is SO important to care for the orphan, the widow, the oppressed and the “alien living among you,” and I really appreciate that Roshan emphasizes this theme. I also like the nuanced approach she takes. She reveals the bloody history of the Tur people, but she also demonstrates their dignity and the wrongness of their being oppressed. The Sevian people, despite being those in power, are not all bad. We see the graciousness of those related to White Horse members, and the humanity of members of that prejudiced group.
There was one “blurry” scene, where a character wasn’t thinking clearly due to an injury. I felt the author did a great job writing this scene.
Content Consideration
There’s a scene where Boris, in a fit of rage, shatters a picture frame. I felt concerned for Anna when this happened. Granted, it’s not her property, but this felt pretty close to domestic abuse, and didn’t seem to be addressed as such. We also witness his rage in another scene, where it is definitely not praised. I’m just concerned because I think some books do glorify this kind of behavior. I don’t think that is this book’s intent; I just wouldn’t want it lumped in with other books that do glorify domestic violence/anger problems.
Recommendation Status
Recommended with reader discretion, due to the one content note above. This was an overall engaging read, with some meaningful themes.
June 12, 2021
This was an interesting read! I really enjoyed the different characters and their personalities.
Plot - Let's just say I LOVED the different elements in this story plot-wise. It felt unique and fresh. However it was kind of confusing at times.... I think it would've made more sense if I'd read the other books by the author.
Characters - The character arcs were interesting and unique, although I didn't find them very easy to follow.
All in all, the themes of friendship and family were very sweet and I enjoyed the writing style, but I wasn't totally engaged to due my lack of understanding of some things. I would definitely recommend reading the other books in the series instead of reading it as a stand-alone!
Plot - Let's just say I LOVED the different elements in this story plot-wise. It felt unique and fresh. However it was kind of confusing at times.... I think it would've made more sense if I'd read the other books by the author.
Characters - The character arcs were interesting and unique, although I didn't find them very easy to follow.
All in all, the themes of friendship and family were very sweet and I enjoyed the writing style, but I wasn't totally engaged to due my lack of understanding of some things. I would definitely recommend reading the other books in the series instead of reading it as a stand-alone!
April 13, 2021
For Better and Worse is not an easy or a pleasant read. But it’s a compelling, page-turning story and, I believe, an important one.
Boris and his wife Anna are scratching out a living in the war-torn city of Dor, a fictional city that reflects how things are in many all-too-real locations. It’s a bleak and frightening place, where violence and death are only a breath away.
The story begins with Boris determined to cater a wedding with the help of his ethnic minority worker. Although I haven’t read the previous books in the series, it’s immediately clear that, in this society where the different races are at war, Boris is breaking the law by giving this man work. Not just breaking the law, but putting his family in danger. Despite the pleas of his heavily pregnant wife Anna, Boris goes ahead with the job. You feel Anna’s dread and you just know things are going to go wrong as, indeed, they do.
The rest of the book tracks the frightening hours that follow. We see the sickening brutality of the thugs who control Boris and Anna’s neighborhood and EB ratchets up the tension to such a peak that I confess I peeked at the ending to find out what happened before cycling back and reading through. The characters come across as authentic, their dilemmas real. I particularly liked Boris (despite a boneheaded move or two) and his aunt Oksana.
Although this isn’t the typical sort of book I read, I think it’s important that stories like this are written, and it’s wonderful that writers like EB Roshan have the skill and desire to write them. Because although Dor is fictional, there are people on this earth who experience this sort of fear and violence every day, and who are trying to make some sort of a life for themselves in the midst of it.
I highly recommend this book and after I’ve consumed some more lighthearted fare, I very well might check out some of the previous ones in the series.
Boris and his wife Anna are scratching out a living in the war-torn city of Dor, a fictional city that reflects how things are in many all-too-real locations. It’s a bleak and frightening place, where violence and death are only a breath away.
The story begins with Boris determined to cater a wedding with the help of his ethnic minority worker. Although I haven’t read the previous books in the series, it’s immediately clear that, in this society where the different races are at war, Boris is breaking the law by giving this man work. Not just breaking the law, but putting his family in danger. Despite the pleas of his heavily pregnant wife Anna, Boris goes ahead with the job. You feel Anna’s dread and you just know things are going to go wrong as, indeed, they do.
The rest of the book tracks the frightening hours that follow. We see the sickening brutality of the thugs who control Boris and Anna’s neighborhood and EB ratchets up the tension to such a peak that I confess I peeked at the ending to find out what happened before cycling back and reading through. The characters come across as authentic, their dilemmas real. I particularly liked Boris (despite a boneheaded move or two) and his aunt Oksana.
Although this isn’t the typical sort of book I read, I think it’s important that stories like this are written, and it’s wonderful that writers like EB Roshan have the skill and desire to write them. Because although Dor is fictional, there are people on this earth who experience this sort of fear and violence every day, and who are trying to make some sort of a life for themselves in the midst of it.
I highly recommend this book and after I’ve consumed some more lighthearted fare, I very well might check out some of the previous ones in the series.
August 13, 2021
An engaging story with intriguing suspense
Though I have not read the previous Shards of Sevia series, "For Better or Worse" is the fourth book but it works fine as a standalone story. It's romantic suspense, set in a dystopian Southeast European country.
Even if you have not read the other books, the author gives the brief of happenings in the past and the present situation in each character’s life beautifully woven together with an interesting turn of events and twists. You won’t feel missed out.
The book begins with a prologue and introduction of the characters - The Sevians and The Tur. The chapters are told from the perspective of the protagonists - Boris and Anna. You would get to know both sides of the story.
Unputdownable and quick-paced read. You could feel the transformation and emotions the characters go through while reading it.
The chaos, family love, fears, strategic plans, uncertainties and revenge are rightly captured. Impressive storytelling with a nail-biting climax keeps you on edge. The book surprises you when you least expect it.
The author totally nailed it and I highly recommend this book.
Though I have not read the previous Shards of Sevia series, "For Better or Worse" is the fourth book but it works fine as a standalone story. It's romantic suspense, set in a dystopian Southeast European country.
Even if you have not read the other books, the author gives the brief of happenings in the past and the present situation in each character’s life beautifully woven together with an interesting turn of events and twists. You won’t feel missed out.
The book begins with a prologue and introduction of the characters - The Sevians and The Tur. The chapters are told from the perspective of the protagonists - Boris and Anna. You would get to know both sides of the story.
Unputdownable and quick-paced read. You could feel the transformation and emotions the characters go through while reading it.
The chaos, family love, fears, strategic plans, uncertainties and revenge are rightly captured. Impressive storytelling with a nail-biting climax keeps you on edge. The book surprises you when you least expect it.
The author totally nailed it and I highly recommend this book.
Read
June 16, 2022Author Content Rating:
Violence: fistfights, shooting, multiple characters receive injuries, a character’s severe facial injuries are briefly described
Sexual Content: mild
Language: none
Other: a woman gives birth, but the process is not graphically described, use of cigarettes and alcohol
Violence: fistfights, shooting, multiple characters receive injuries, a character’s severe facial injuries are briefly described
Sexual Content: mild
Language: none
Other: a woman gives birth, but the process is not graphically described, use of cigarettes and alcohol
April 11, 2021
I received an ARC from E.B. Roshan in exchange for a review. This review is no less an honest summary of my thoughts and reactions to the book.
(Actual rating is a little under 4 stars, closer to 3.7)
I've never been a fan of starting a series at any place other than the beginning, and had already planned on reading the Shards of Sevia books, so I was hesitant to agree to the offer of an ARC for this story. And though it did take me a bit to get truly involved in the story, I'm glad that I did agree (and thank you, Ms. Roshan, for letting me!).
For Better and Worse was a suspenseful and realistic novel. It portrayed Christianity, marriage, and war in a way I haven't seen done before in fiction but that I am no less happy to see.
Every character was believable, which I believe is in large part thanks to the faults that they had. Often times, I read a book where the good guys are saints and thus unrelatable. Authors seem hesitant to show their characters have faults, perhaps fearing that it will make the readers dislike them.
And there were times where I was annoyed with a character, or had one of those "set-the-book-down-and-sigh-deeply" moments, but it didn't seem unintentional on the author's part and it circled around to benefiting the story.
In addition to the characters being realistic, the setting was as well. And, not just the setting of the book at large; I mean how Roshan set each scene. Characters' body language, mental notes, actions during interactions with other characters, they all really helped to pull in the setting of each scene and portray the emotion or subject of the scene simultaneously.
Plot-wise, oh man. It was stressful. A gang threatening a newly wed couple, struggling with martial issues already, with a baby on the way. A true recipe for disaster. But. This was not a bad thing. The high-stress plot and subplots were appropriate and done well.
The only thing negative thing I can think of (excluding things that I didn't like just because it didn't mesh well with my preferences), is that the "big bad" seemed a little over the top at times. I know that he was probably supposed to in some ways, but there were times when it seemed less realistic than others.
All in all, though it wouldn't make my favorites list, I do recommend this novel to fans of dystopia romance, or even just readers looking to try something new.
(Actual rating is a little under 4 stars, closer to 3.7)
I've never been a fan of starting a series at any place other than the beginning, and had already planned on reading the Shards of Sevia books, so I was hesitant to agree to the offer of an ARC for this story. And though it did take me a bit to get truly involved in the story, I'm glad that I did agree (and thank you, Ms. Roshan, for letting me!).
For Better and Worse was a suspenseful and realistic novel. It portrayed Christianity, marriage, and war in a way I haven't seen done before in fiction but that I am no less happy to see.
Every character was believable, which I believe is in large part thanks to the faults that they had. Often times, I read a book where the good guys are saints and thus unrelatable. Authors seem hesitant to show their characters have faults, perhaps fearing that it will make the readers dislike them.
And there were times where I was annoyed with a character, or had one of those "set-the-book-down-and-sigh-deeply" moments, but it didn't seem unintentional on the author's part and it circled around to benefiting the story.
In addition to the characters being realistic, the setting was as well. And, not just the setting of the book at large; I mean how Roshan set each scene. Characters' body language, mental notes, actions during interactions with other characters, they all really helped to pull in the setting of each scene and portray the emotion or subject of the scene simultaneously.
Plot-wise, oh man. It was stressful. A gang threatening a newly wed couple, struggling with martial issues already, with a baby on the way. A true recipe for disaster. But. This was not a bad thing. The high-stress plot and subplots were appropriate and done well.
The only thing negative thing I can think of (excluding things that I didn't like just because it didn't mesh well with my preferences), is that the "big bad" seemed a little over the top at times. I know that he was probably supposed to in some ways, but there were times when it seemed less realistic than others.
All in all, though it wouldn't make my favorites list, I do recommend this novel to fans of dystopia romance, or even just readers looking to try something new.
April 12, 2021
"For Better or Worse" was an exciting ride, and I must say that once I got into it I did not want to put it down. The story was fast-paced and exciting. I could really picture it as a dark, grainy movie full of gunshots and anxious faces set in a war-torn city. The author is really gifted at writing action scenes, and at making things gritty enough to be interesting without leaning on being gruesome.
I felt so sorry for Boris. He is such a nice, relatable guy but things just keep going wrong. All he wants is to protect the people he cares about and do the right thing. I appreciated that about this book - Boris picked a hard path because it was the right thing to do. It came at a great cost to him and his wife, though. The tension between Boris wanting to do the right thing and Anna wanting to be safe was thick!
Anyone who has ever been pregnant will relate to Anna's state of mind. I felt she really came alive near the end when things got urgent. Until then her character frustrated me a little, but I forgave her because she was expecting a baby in the middle of a gang warzone and her husband was trying to be a hero!
I do recommend reading the first book in the Shards of Sevia series before this one, to get a sense of Anna and Boris' relationship.
An enjoyable and quick read.
I felt so sorry for Boris. He is such a nice, relatable guy but things just keep going wrong. All he wants is to protect the people he cares about and do the right thing. I appreciated that about this book - Boris picked a hard path because it was the right thing to do. It came at a great cost to him and his wife, though. The tension between Boris wanting to do the right thing and Anna wanting to be safe was thick!
Anyone who has ever been pregnant will relate to Anna's state of mind. I felt she really came alive near the end when things got urgent. Until then her character frustrated me a little, but I forgave her because she was expecting a baby in the middle of a gang warzone and her husband was trying to be a hero!
I do recommend reading the first book in the Shards of Sevia series before this one, to get a sense of Anna and Boris' relationship.
An enjoyable and quick read.
April 14, 2021
My philosophy on reviewing books is linked here: http://www.curiousdoodler.com/myblog/2021/1/15/philosophy-for-book-reviews
This book was provided as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Overview:
This book was an exciting, fast paced ride that was gripping and fun to read.
This is book four in the Shards of Sevia series. I have not read the prior three books, and I was not lost reading this book on its own. I don’t read this genre often, but I enjoyed this story!
Deep Dive:
The editing in this book has a solid polish, except for a few awkward moments at the beginning. Any weakness in the story is in the first few chapters, once it finds its feet, it really takes off and there isn’t much to complain about.
The writing style is fantastic. There are two PoV characters and they each have a strong voice. I was fully engaged throughout the story.
The one thing that stuck out as odd to me was the heavy reference to Christian religion. It was so strong, I at one point, checked to see if this book was categorized as christian lit. It was strange and I kept expecting it to have an impact on the plot, but I never saw a pay off for the constant references to religiosity. It provided some interesting insight into characters as they all interact with religion slightly differently.
Some world building elements were confusing, although I suspect that is because I haven’t read the previous books. The confusing parts didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story, but I was left with some questions. I was surprised by how much of the world building I actually got in this book. I learned a lot more about the setting than I expected for the fourth book in the series, but I still was left with questions.
This book was provided as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Overview:
This book was an exciting, fast paced ride that was gripping and fun to read.
This is book four in the Shards of Sevia series. I have not read the prior three books, and I was not lost reading this book on its own. I don’t read this genre often, but I enjoyed this story!
Deep Dive:
The editing in this book has a solid polish, except for a few awkward moments at the beginning. Any weakness in the story is in the first few chapters, once it finds its feet, it really takes off and there isn’t much to complain about.
The writing style is fantastic. There are two PoV characters and they each have a strong voice. I was fully engaged throughout the story.
The one thing that stuck out as odd to me was the heavy reference to Christian religion. It was so strong, I at one point, checked to see if this book was categorized as christian lit. It was strange and I kept expecting it to have an impact on the plot, but I never saw a pay off for the constant references to religiosity. It provided some interesting insight into characters as they all interact with religion slightly differently.
Some world building elements were confusing, although I suspect that is because I haven’t read the previous books. The confusing parts didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story, but I was left with some questions. I was surprised by how much of the world building I actually got in this book. I learned a lot more about the setting than I expected for the fourth book in the series, but I still was left with questions.
August 20, 2026
This was a riveting, fast-paced read. Everything that can go wrong does, and the tension ratchets up to such a point that it had me shaking in my seat.
Boris irritated me tremendously. While I understood his desire to help his Tur employees, his anger issues were alarming, and his obstinacy caused serious problems in his relationship with Anna. I liked Anna even better this time around; I think the increasing danger and her son’s impending birth gave her fearfulness more gravity.
I appreciated that more was uncovered about what the Neyrevs do for the Tur as I’d been wondering what they were up to for a while.
Also, THANK YOU for writing a relatively normal birth scene. Despite all the crazy going on in the story, Anna gets to work and has her son with none of the nonsense or traumatic hype typical in fiction. Not all births have to be that way. While it happened incredibly fast for a first child (seemed like just a few hours), it was still plausible.
The themes naturally played out in the actions of the characters. I liked how the difficult scenarios had no easy answers because life is often like that, though one is not necessarily choosing who lives and who dies.
Overall, this was a well done, action-packed book with a married couple working out both their faith and their relationship in a war-torn city. It’s real and raw. It’s beautiful.
Boris irritated me tremendously. While I understood his desire to help his Tur employees, his anger issues were alarming, and his obstinacy caused serious problems in his relationship with Anna. I liked Anna even better this time around; I think the increasing danger and her son’s impending birth gave her fearfulness more gravity.
I appreciated that more was uncovered about what the Neyrevs do for the Tur as I’d been wondering what they were up to for a while.
Also, THANK YOU for writing a relatively normal birth scene. Despite all the crazy going on in the story, Anna gets to work and has her son with none of the nonsense or traumatic hype typical in fiction. Not all births have to be that way. While it happened incredibly fast for a first child (seemed like just a few hours), it was still plausible.
The themes naturally played out in the actions of the characters. I liked how the difficult scenarios had no easy answers because life is often like that, though one is not necessarily choosing who lives and who dies.
Overall, this was a well done, action-packed book with a married couple working out both their faith and their relationship in a war-torn city. It’s real and raw. It’s beautiful.
May 8, 2021
The book is a good, and enjoyable read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 30, 2021
Title – For Better and Worse
Author – E.B. Roshan
Genre – Dystopian Romantic Suspense
Word Count - 51,000
Rating – 5 stars out of 5
No. 18 - 2021
Posted 4/30/2021
My Impressions: In depth look into a complex dystopian society, greed and hate mingled on both sides.
Main Characters:
Boris Merkovich
Anna Merkovich
Boris and Anna are expecting their first child in the strife filled city of Dor. The White Horse forces of Sevians are in combat with the Rayads of the Tur group. The two ethnic groups had fought and devastated sections of the city into abandoned war zones.
Boris owned and operated a restaurant until he was forced to close it. He and Anna try to avoid taking sides in the conflict surrounding them but are targeted by the White Horses because Boris keeps a man of Tur ethnic origin as his assistant for his business. They continue to operate the business from their home kitchen and provide food for wedding parties and other large gatherings.
After a catering job, the two lone caterers are harassed by a group of drunks who wet them with a hose and hurl disparaging, crude remarks at them. Boris loses his temper and attacks the leader of the troublemakers and puts him in the hospital in a coma he may or may not live through. From there the young couples’ affairs and relationship go downhill until Anna gives birth by herself at home while Boris is attacked by the White Horse thugs.
The editing is better than average but not as perfect as it can be. Sentence structure is good.
Character Development is thorough especially for the two main characters.
In depth details speak to thorough research.
The plot is simple but delves into the lives of two lovers in a war torn dystopian society.
I don’t normally review romance stories, but this story of two young people learning to adjust to each other while experiencing the strengths and weaknesses of their mate amid ethnic conflict is intriguing and well written.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – E.B. Roshan
Genre – Dystopian Romantic Suspense
Word Count - 51,000
Rating – 5 stars out of 5
No. 18 - 2021
Posted 4/30/2021
My Impressions: In depth look into a complex dystopian society, greed and hate mingled on both sides.
Main Characters:
Boris Merkovich
Anna Merkovich
Boris and Anna are expecting their first child in the strife filled city of Dor. The White Horse forces of Sevians are in combat with the Rayads of the Tur group. The two ethnic groups had fought and devastated sections of the city into abandoned war zones.
Boris owned and operated a restaurant until he was forced to close it. He and Anna try to avoid taking sides in the conflict surrounding them but are targeted by the White Horses because Boris keeps a man of Tur ethnic origin as his assistant for his business. They continue to operate the business from their home kitchen and provide food for wedding parties and other large gatherings.
After a catering job, the two lone caterers are harassed by a group of drunks who wet them with a hose and hurl disparaging, crude remarks at them. Boris loses his temper and attacks the leader of the troublemakers and puts him in the hospital in a coma he may or may not live through. From there the young couples’ affairs and relationship go downhill until Anna gives birth by herself at home while Boris is attacked by the White Horse thugs.
The editing is better than average but not as perfect as it can be. Sentence structure is good.
Character Development is thorough especially for the two main characters.
In depth details speak to thorough research.
The plot is simple but delves into the lives of two lovers in a war torn dystopian society.
I don’t normally review romance stories, but this story of two young people learning to adjust to each other while experiencing the strengths and weaknesses of their mate amid ethnic conflict is intriguing and well written.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
May 24, 2021
For Better and Worse is the fourth book in E.B. Roshan’s Shards of Sevia series. I haven’t read the first three books in the series, so I must admit that I was a bit lost at first. Then, when I finally started to feel comfortable with understanding the setting, I found myself really questioning why the characters behaved the way they did. I’m guessing that had I read the first three books, the backstories provided by the other plot lines would have helped me understand why the characters made the choices they did and said the things they said.
When it came down to it, however, I did enjoy the overall story. I found myself getting wrapped up in the separate, but entwined plights of Boris and Anna, wondering when either of them would finally make the right decisions. It was made more interesting in how the author presented both of their stories via alternating first-person point of view, because you could get both sides of the story and wait for the moment when those sides would finally come back together.
Overall, the story was interesting, it made me curious about the rest of the series, I’d recommend it for those who enjoy dystopian reads, but I don’t know if I’d highly recommend it. So, I feel I’d probably give this book 3.75 out of 5 stars (although I know that’s not an option on any star rating, I’m sure you understand what I mean 😉).
Thank you to the author for the digital copy of this novel for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own! 🙂
When it came down to it, however, I did enjoy the overall story. I found myself getting wrapped up in the separate, but entwined plights of Boris and Anna, wondering when either of them would finally make the right decisions. It was made more interesting in how the author presented both of their stories via alternating first-person point of view, because you could get both sides of the story and wait for the moment when those sides would finally come back together.
Overall, the story was interesting, it made me curious about the rest of the series, I’d recommend it for those who enjoy dystopian reads, but I don’t know if I’d highly recommend it. So, I feel I’d probably give this book 3.75 out of 5 stars (although I know that’s not an option on any star rating, I’m sure you understand what I mean 😉).
Thank you to the author for the digital copy of this novel for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own! 🙂
July 3, 2021
For Better and Worse is the fourth book in the Shards of Sevia series by E. B. Roshan. As a Book Reviewer, I received a free ebook copy, and this is my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review or any review.
The Shards of Sevia series by E. B. Roshan is a series of stories that take place in a country that is very much like a middle eastern country in our world. The country is Sevia and there are towns and cities in Sevia. Sevia is war-torn and two people groups are constantly fighting: the White Horses and the Tur people.
Caught in the middle of the fighting are Boris and Anna Merkovich, a sweet couple, who are just trying to live their lives. They do not wish to have anything to do with the fighting. Boris works hard and Anna is expecting their first child. Anna’s fear of the fighting in their town of Dor causes her to plead with her husband to move to a safer place, the town, Dovni, where her family lives, but Boris does not want to close the business that has been in his family for many years.
Boris has a temper, and soon his temper brings danger to their door. Will Boris and his family survive? Will Boris and Anna be torn apart? Will Boris live to see his firstborn child?
E. B. Roshan has traveled in the Middle East and it is clear, in the Shards of Sevia series, that she has knowledge as to what living in the Middle East is like. She has created characters that the reader comes to know deeply and cares about. The reader experiences their struggles, and hopes to see them, not only survive, but thrive.
For Better and Worse is full of struggles and conflict between Boris and people in the neighborhood as well as between Boris and Anna. It is a heart-wrenching story and it is a fast, easy read. Boris and Anna, as well as one of Boris’s employees, face many dangers in this book that also keep the reader on the edge of his or her seat, hoping they will all survive.
One thing that stuck out to me in this story, is that Boris begins to show proof of learning that he needs to change his life, or at least his reactions to things, and he offers short prayers to God for help.
Also, the book is, not only well-written, but well edited.
After four books, I thought this might be the completion of the story, but, though this book has a solid ending with resolution, I believe Ms. Roshan could still offer us more of Boris and Anna’s story. I know I will be watching for more.
If you haven’t read the Shards of Sevia by E. B. Roshan, I highly recommend the series, especially if you like to experience stories of a different culture in a different country and if you enjoy suspenseful stories.
I give For Better and Worse by E.B. Roshan 5 stars.
The Shards of Sevia series by E. B. Roshan is a series of stories that take place in a country that is very much like a middle eastern country in our world. The country is Sevia and there are towns and cities in Sevia. Sevia is war-torn and two people groups are constantly fighting: the White Horses and the Tur people.
Caught in the middle of the fighting are Boris and Anna Merkovich, a sweet couple, who are just trying to live their lives. They do not wish to have anything to do with the fighting. Boris works hard and Anna is expecting their first child. Anna’s fear of the fighting in their town of Dor causes her to plead with her husband to move to a safer place, the town, Dovni, where her family lives, but Boris does not want to close the business that has been in his family for many years.
Boris has a temper, and soon his temper brings danger to their door. Will Boris and his family survive? Will Boris and Anna be torn apart? Will Boris live to see his firstborn child?
E. B. Roshan has traveled in the Middle East and it is clear, in the Shards of Sevia series, that she has knowledge as to what living in the Middle East is like. She has created characters that the reader comes to know deeply and cares about. The reader experiences their struggles, and hopes to see them, not only survive, but thrive.
For Better and Worse is full of struggles and conflict between Boris and people in the neighborhood as well as between Boris and Anna. It is a heart-wrenching story and it is a fast, easy read. Boris and Anna, as well as one of Boris’s employees, face many dangers in this book that also keep the reader on the edge of his or her seat, hoping they will all survive.
One thing that stuck out to me in this story, is that Boris begins to show proof of learning that he needs to change his life, or at least his reactions to things, and he offers short prayers to God for help.
Also, the book is, not only well-written, but well edited.
After four books, I thought this might be the completion of the story, but, though this book has a solid ending with resolution, I believe Ms. Roshan could still offer us more of Boris and Anna’s story. I know I will be watching for more.
If you haven’t read the Shards of Sevia by E. B. Roshan, I highly recommend the series, especially if you like to experience stories of a different culture in a different country and if you enjoy suspenseful stories.
I give For Better and Worse by E.B. Roshan 5 stars.
August 11, 2024
I was so grateful to receive this complimentary copy of For Better and Worse. I haven't read any of the previous books in the series, and I wasn't entirely aware there were any, but that didn't prevent me from entering fully into the tension of the story!
I thought the author's choice to show a married couple struggling at the beginning of their marriage with civil unrest outside and a new baby on the way to be a refreshing perspective. The characters were excellently written and believable in their difficulties and good qualities. I also really felt the stress of so much packed into only two days, and I really didn't know how the characters were going to get out of difficulties. I'd certainly read the other books in the series!
I thought the author's choice to show a married couple struggling at the beginning of their marriage with civil unrest outside and a new baby on the way to be a refreshing perspective. The characters were excellently written and believable in their difficulties and good qualities. I also really felt the stress of so much packed into only two days, and I really didn't know how the characters were going to get out of difficulties. I'd certainly read the other books in the series!
July 12, 2024
3.75 stars!
I enjoyed this book. The characters were good as and so was the story. I also liked the writing, it was good.
The only thing lacking was the world building, but this is most likely because I only read the standalone. So, honestly this made me want to read the entire series so I could understand everything better. And of course, get more of Boris and Anna!!
🩷
I enjoyed this book. The characters were good as and so was the story. I also liked the writing, it was good.
The only thing lacking was the world building, but this is most likely because I only read the standalone. So, honestly this made me want to read the entire series so I could understand everything better. And of course, get more of Boris and Anna!!
🩷
April 16, 2021
Overall, this was a solid story. I think that it would be best to read the other books in this series just to have more background on Boris and Anna’s relationship and the world they live in, but as a stand alone the author did a good job giving some description of the characters and the war surrounding them. It was a little slow to set up, but as soon as events took place I was on the edge of my seat and anxious to know what happened next.
Boris and Anna are living in a world of civil war with a child on the way. Boris gets mixed up with the local gang when he seriously injures one of its members. He acted out because he thought he was doing the right thing by defending his friend from harassment. This sets off a chain of events that had me fearful for the main characters and angry at the gang for their behavior towards others especially Anna and the Aunt. This story touches on topics of race, war, and religion but it’s woven throughout the story in way that is deliberate yet thoughtful.
If you’re looking for a quick read and want something that keeps you on the edge, then I definitely recommend this!
Boris and Anna are living in a world of civil war with a child on the way. Boris gets mixed up with the local gang when he seriously injures one of its members. He acted out because he thought he was doing the right thing by defending his friend from harassment. This sets off a chain of events that had me fearful for the main characters and angry at the gang for their behavior towards others especially Anna and the Aunt. This story touches on topics of race, war, and religion but it’s woven throughout the story in way that is deliberate yet thoughtful.
If you’re looking for a quick read and want something that keeps you on the edge, then I definitely recommend this!
November 17, 2025
Easily my favorite Shards of Sevia book so far.
June 20, 2023
This is the third book I’m reading by E.B. Roshan and it was a treat as always. For Better and Worse is the fourth book in the Sevia series but it could potentially be read as a standalone. I’ve read the first book in the series and this book is the continuation.
Pregnant and nearing her due date, Anna is fearing now more than ever what it will mean to raise a child as war rages on around them. Boris is reluctant to leave Dor, more focused on saving his business — even if it means putting his family in danger.
I enjoyed this book even more than Wrong Place, Right Time. The recurring themes of love and forgiveness filled my heart (especially where the book is written from a Christian perspective). The characters and relationships are realistic and relatable. Mixed in with the dystopian setting, it’s an all-around fantastic read.
A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital copy of the book to read and review!
Pregnant and nearing her due date, Anna is fearing now more than ever what it will mean to raise a child as war rages on around them. Boris is reluctant to leave Dor, more focused on saving his business — even if it means putting his family in danger.
I enjoyed this book even more than Wrong Place, Right Time. The recurring themes of love and forgiveness filled my heart (especially where the book is written from a Christian perspective). The characters and relationships are realistic and relatable. Mixed in with the dystopian setting, it’s an all-around fantastic read.
A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital copy of the book to read and review!
May 27, 2024
Loved this one! I really enjoyed how the story goes back and forth being told from Anna's perspective and then Boris' perspective. The story line is gripping and the characters feel very real.
January 21, 2026
4.5 stars
I got off to a jarring beginning as I had to sort out mentally that this book is *chronologically* the second book in the series, though fourth in publication order. It was kinda odd to find Arjun having gone backwards in time/circumstance and if I’d have known the chronology, I probably would have read the series in a different order: 1,4,2,5,3,6.
The war is just breaking out in earnest in this book and Boris and Anna are under a lot of stress with the imminent arrival of their first child. War isn’t considerate of any such thing and there is a great deal of danger to navigate. I loved the clear Christian message and the satisfying ending.
I got off to a jarring beginning as I had to sort out mentally that this book is *chronologically* the second book in the series, though fourth in publication order. It was kinda odd to find Arjun having gone backwards in time/circumstance and if I’d have known the chronology, I probably would have read the series in a different order: 1,4,2,5,3,6.
The war is just breaking out in earnest in this book and Boris and Anna are under a lot of stress with the imminent arrival of their first child. War isn’t considerate of any such thing and there is a great deal of danger to navigate. I loved the clear Christian message and the satisfying ending.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews