FIVE STARS. And then another FIVE STARS.

This book is so good I read it in ONE (!!!!) sitting. It’s got everything I expect from Rebecca Ross and then it delivered more! I absolutely loved Dreams Lie Beneath and the Elements of Cadence Duology, but this one was so tender and engrossing and hopeful.

It’s set in a WWI fantasy world, with two gods at war and the humans caught in the middle. Iris is trying to keep her life together by working for a columnist position at a newspaper against her rival, Roman, while her brother is off at war and her mother deals with alcoholism and depression. Her perseverance and kindness and personality were a joy to read, and I was immediately hooked.

The best part: ENCHANTED TYPEWRITERS! (Rebecca Ross, you complete genius) Letters filled with yearning? Dangerous war front depictions coupled with found family and angry gods? Yeah I didn't know I needed it until I read it. I now NEED the second book so badly. I just listened to the audiobook again to relive some of the banter 😅

Thank you to the publisher Wednesday books and Netgalley for the digital arc. This did not affect my review in anyway!

I am giving all the stars to Divine Rivals!! I may be a bit biased because Rebecca Ross can do no wrong in my eyes but this book blew me out of the water.

Rebecca Ross has an unmatched ability to create the most magical and beautiful worlds. There is probably no one else who can take a WW2-era-type world and mix fantasy into it to create such a stunning story. Readers will find themselves transported into a story full of love, heartache, magic, friendship, and loss that they will not want to end.

Roman and Kit's story is one that will stick with you long after you close this book and I am so happy this is a duology because that ending is jaw-dropping.

This book was well written and I could clearly picture the landscape. The romance was great and I felt like the story had great pacing throughout.

Oh my goodness. I am speechless with how amazing this book was! I loved the romance so much! The writing was just so beautiful, and I cannot wait to read the next book.

I adored Rebecca Ross's recent Elements of Cadence duology, so when I read she was writing a new book, I was intrigued even before I got the details - WWI inspired! Rival journalists! The Shop Around the Corner-style plot! Hello, I am SO in for this.

I wasn't disappointed. While the writing sometimes felt a little more simplistic and straightforward than I expected (appropriately so for YA, don't get me wrong), it's still a lushly, richly described world (the rainy cobblestone smoky city vibes, they are impeccable) peopled with compelling characters. The story falls into two halves for me, moving first from the city, some distance from the war, into the hell of the conflict itself. Iris and Roman, and their complicated relationship, shine in both halves, and I can't wait to read the sequel.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the advance review copy!

Divine Rivals follows Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt, aspiring columnists who work at the same paper, while gods are recruiting civilians to fight in their war. Iris begins writing letters to her brother, who hasn’t been heard from since he left for the war and slides them under her closet door to be forgotten. Except they don’t stay in her closet. They disappear and fall into the hands of Roman Kitt, her work rival.

I cannot help but love stories were two rival characters end up unknowingly writing letters to each other. Add in warring gods and magical typewriters and I was hooked from the start. I recommend this to anyone who loves character driven fantasy books, rivals to lovers, and the movie You Got Mail.

My rating: 3.75 stars

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An absolutely excellent read - great fantasy. Can't wait to put this one in my library for my high school students!

Thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy of divine rivals by Rebecca ross. This was very good and I can see this being a next big thing if the right people get it but I am getting copies for my book shop.

What an emotional ride this was! I’ve always loved falling in love with someone through some form of communication, and typewriters magically connected was so sweet. Iris and Roman are protagonists that balance each other out and have beautifully heartbreaking emotional arcs that tie together, much like how they fall in love. The world building was subtle and never overwhelming, and I’m kind of in need for more World War II/ancient deities vibes in books. AND THE ENDING. Lordy loo, did I cry. I need the next one asap.

DIVINE RIVALS by Rebecca Ross is the first in a Young Adult Fantasy duology described as Shadow and Bone meets Lore. It's set in a world with a WWII vibe except the war is between two clashing gods. I loved the two main characters, Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt, and the magic, the letters, and the mutual attraction that draws these rivals together. Other than the sob-inducing cliffhanger ending, I adored this book and can't wait for the next installment. Before I gush on more, let me share the setup.

Iris Winnow is suffering the aftereffects of her older brother, Forest, leaving to fight in the war. He was called by the goddess to fight on her side. It's been five months, and she hasn't heard a word from him. Iris's mother has fallen into an addiction to alcohol and is no longer working at the Revel Diner. To help make ends meet, Iris enters a contest and wins the opportunity to work for one of the major newspapers in town. If she can secure the position of columnist, it will help her better support herself and her mom. Iris is not a shoo-in for the position because her rival, the annoyingly handsome Roman Kitt, is also in the running for the job. Using her grandmother's antique type-writer, she writes a letter to her brother and sticks it under her wardrobe to "mail it". To her great surprise, it disappears. She continues to send letters, wondering if they are actually getting to her brother. One day, someone responds, "I'm not Forest." You'll never guess who it is... or maybe you will.

What I loved most about this book:
- I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns, yes, even that ending
- The little details that made this world come together. For example, the way people at the newspaper go by their last names, but then outside of the newspaper they sometimes keep up the habit, and sometimes not.
- I love how Iris and Roman are from completely different backgrounds, yet they can still connect over their shared human experience and trauma
- As a writer, the idea that this couple was sharing bits of themselves in written form really resonated and is such an interesting hook
- The settings. Every single one was described with such fantastic prose I felt like I could be standing there.
- The unique mythology intrigued me and I want to learn more
- This book contained so many of my favorite tropes: rivals to lovers, found family, secret identities
- The romance was a masterclass in how to write romance.
- War, what is it good for? Lots of action sequences depicting the tragedy of war will open reader's eyes to how horrible and devastating it is.

What didn't work:
- Honestly, I can't think of a single thing that needs improvement. Bravo!

DIVINE RIVALS is a pacey, enjoyable read with an original mythology, a swoon-worthy romance, and a strong cast of characters. I highly recommend it. Run, don't walk, to purchase this fantastic novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for providing me with an eARC of this book for my honest feedback.

Words cannot describe the way this book gripped my soul and refused to let go until I'd read those crushing final words. Rebecca Ross, what have you done? What magic did you weave to create this utterly exquisite story full of love, longing, and grief? I knew I would enjoy this book simply because it was a war-time tale of rival correspondents, a perfect recipe for my favorite type of tale, but I had no idea I would fall so completely in love with Roman and Iris as they fell in love with each other. And while we were given only tantalizing tastes of the complex mythology and magic of this world so similar and yet so unlike our own, I know the next volume of this story will throw us right into the thick of things. I anticipate that this incredibly talented author will break our hearts into tiny pieces before we reach the end, but hopefully, she will mend them along the way as well.

It was the Shadow and Bone comp title that initially drew me to this book. I also liked the idea of rival journalists with a magical connection through typewriters.

Iris has a lot on her plate. She’s heard nothing from her beloved brother since he left for war months ago, her grieving mother lost her job and seeks comfort in alcohol, and Iris isn’t sure if she wants to kiss or strangle her competition for the columnist position at the Oath Gazette – it changes from moment to moment.

I’m not always a fan of the enemies to lovers trope, but for these two I’ll make an exception. Their journey is full of chemistry and banter. Iris and Roman are intent on finding their paths in life without interference from outsiders. In Iris’s case, she has a passion for writing and wants to choose her own stories. Roman struggles to get out from under his father’s thumb and put his own goals and desires first. Their typewritten letters to each other are heartfelt and expose their fears, hopes, and vulnerabilities. What makes it even more interesting is that while Roman is aware he’s writing to Iris, she doesn’t know the identity of her recipient.

With the story taking place during war (the time period is similar to the 1940s), parts are bleak, dark, and dangerous, and grief, guilt, and addiction are prominent themes. But rays of hope and happiness break up the darkness, and Iris finds strong friendships during the horrors of war. And that ending? It ripped my heart out and then stuffed it through a meat grinder.

Divine Rivals is a beautifully written story with nail-biting suspense and a sweet romance set against a background of warring gods. It’s an emotional ride, but one I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. I'm still a bit awestruck.

This story is as beautiful, intriguing, and intricate as the cover leads you to believe. I devoured it.

This is a subtle story. Yes, big action happens -- it's about a war, after all -- and big emotions are present but so much of the story is told in the subtleties. The quieter, lingering emotions. The unexpected moments. A glance. A whisper of paper. The clack of typewriter keys.

The atmosphere of this novel is easy to fall into because it is impeccably done. It feels both real (historic England, maybe?) and fantastical. There are elements within the story that feel a little anachronistic to me but it wasn't hard to accept them as part of this world. And it has a great balance: part war-between-the-gods and part-romance. I don't think you could separate one line from the other.

The characters! They're unique and nuanced and feisty and they all work together in a wonderful way. Their emotions are so vivid. They sneak up on you, wriggling into your heart and grabbing on. The journeys Roman and Iris are on, separately and together, are slowly creeping things. They're fascinating and I need more now!

I love mythology and stories about gods and it was really cool to spot tiny bits of other myths woven into this tale. I don't know if it was intentionally or subconsciously done but it's brilliant (even if this is just me reading WAY too much into it). They leave me wondering if those recognizable bits are foreshadowing or if they're being subverted and used for an entirely different ending.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It's so, so good!

📚 𝕯𝖎𝖛𝖎𝖓𝖊 𝕽𝖎𝖛𝖆𝖑𝖘
✍️ Rebecca Ross
💬 English

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for the e-ARC. This is my honest thoughts.

𝕯𝖎𝖛𝖎𝖓𝖊 𝕽𝖎𝖛𝖆𝖑𝖘 is the best book I've read so far this month. Mixing the idea of gods and goddesses, magic, war, romance wrapped in the world of journalism, makes this book different from other fantasy books I've read.

The story follows Iris Winnow, an 18-year-old girl who lost a brother in the gods' war. To support her family and her depressed mother, Iris works as a journalist for a local newspaper. In the same place, lives Roman Kitt, an ambitious journalist who is Iris' archenemy. The two compete to be the best, but little did they know, Iris and Roman are bound by a magical destiny together.

This book is amazing. It was set on 1930 or something when everyone working with typewriters and all (that was really cool!) and it instantly gave me the classic vibe. I could picture Iris with my grandma's laces blouse and Roman with white shirt, vest and bowler hat (Peaky Blinders mood!).

The story was focusing in a war triggered by gods and goddesses fighting for... for something that was still not fully revealed in the book. Interestingly, despite called as a “God’s War”, it was actually more physical instead of divine-power war. The gods used human as soldier, and those humans were joining war voluntary (I know that was really ??? but yeah, people is people). Fighting one another with weapons, bombs, guns just like the world war.

Was there any magical power? Yes. There were monsters and magic. Political intrigue? Not sure, but after reading the end of this book, it's clear that the second book will have it.

I like Ross's writing style. She builds the world slowly, mixing Roman and Iris’s POV alternately. Her words can also be very poetic, especially during the magical-letters-correspondence scenes. I could read it over and over again all day long.

Will I read the second book? Definitely.

I like the couple in this book, I like the enemies to lovers plot. Rebecca Ross is a new favorite author of mine. I really hated her brother. I liked her found family they were great.

Rebecca Ross has done it again! With a tinge of sepia and the magic of love.... this book took my breath away! I loved Iris and felt drawn to Kit. The heartfelt fire of their courtship was immersive and I loved the connection between the typewriters. The mythical infusion of the stories was a wonderful addition to the tale and gave it the fantasy feel that I loved. I would highly recommend this book to my friends and fellow readers.

I can’t believe this was only a BOTM add on and not a pick. It was phenomenal. By far her best book yet. This is so unique, but the story wasn’t confusing at all. I enjoyed the YA aspects mixed with fantasy and historical fiction. What a fun mix! I am frustrated that we have to wait for the next book! It was amazing and I’m so glad I read it.

Quick take - not for me.

This is a cute romance story, about two rival journalists and their struggles to get a great story during a war between Gods. There's a lot of tension and angst, and a really sweet way of connecting the writers with their magical typewriters. But I was bored with all that angst. I am not a romance reader, nor do I usually look for it. I was drawn into the God War theme, and hoped to have more of that. But I didn't get that. Just a tiny bit.

The writing is great, the story telling is great. So I give credit where it's due. It just not the book for me. It did leave on a cliffhanger, so maybe I'll pick up the next book just to see if anything changes, but at this point I'm glad I'm done with this book.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for my complimentary review copy. All opinions are my own. 3.5 rounded up for great writing.

I truly believe that Rebecca Ross doesn't miss. This is my third Ross book and I think it might be the best one yet. After losing a competitive position to her rival, Iris Winnow takes a job as a war correspondent on the front lines to try to connect with her brother, a soldier who has not written since he left for the war. Meanwhile, she exchanges letters with an anonymous recipient through her wardrobe.

This novel was filled with Ross's signature, atmospheric prose that really drew me in from the start. The way she writes tends to wrap around you and completely pull you into the story - the real world around the reader ceases the exist, and you're completely submerged into the plot.

Roman and Iris are amazing, full, beautiful characters. I read somewhere that it was the author Isabel Ibanez who suggested that Ross add Roman's POV - I must say, I couldn't be more grateful to Ibanez! This wouldn't be the same without Roman's perspective. Indeed, the story certainly skewed towards Iris's arc. The novel would've felt more complete with more from Roman, and as I was reading, it almost seemed as if I was missing something and was left to fill in the gaps.

Still, I absolutely loved this pair. They were the perfect incarnation of the serious x silly trope - Iris was often much more straight-laced to Roman's carefree attitude. It created a sweet, perfect dichotomy between the two. The romance was beautiful and even a little bit steamy.

The setting was so awesome - I don't have any other words, really. It almost reminded me of A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft. The action takes place during a fictionalized version of World War I. While this could've been a magical, alternative history of World War I, Rebecca Ross opens up further storytelling elements by sticking with a wholly fictionalized setting. The brutality and horrors of more "modern" warfare is reminiscent of shadow and bone, while the relationship between the gods and mortals reads like a Greek myth. Divine Rivals was full of thrilling suspense and I'm so excited to get my hands on the sequel.

Thanks to netgalley and st. martin's press for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to @netgalley and @Stmartinspress @wednesdaybooks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @macmillian.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

Two aspiring journalists vying for the open columnist position? Two magical typewriters passed from grandmother to grandchildren? Two Gods waging war on each other? This enemies to lovers told in a You’ve Got Mail style by @beccajross, will have you swooning and devastated all at the same time. The biggest bummer for me is knowing I know have to wait for the second book. I loved everything about Divine Rivals.

A friend recommended this book, and I will now 1000% be recommending it too!

5 stars