If you know me or have hovered around my Instagram for any period of time, you know that I am not a romance reader. I like my books to be about adventures, and if the characters must be in love, I would like them to do it as a subplot off to the side. Somehow, Rebecca Ross has managed to write a love story that I may never get over. This book is very obviously, from the beginning, a romance and because of that, I was skeptical. But Rebecca Ross has quickly become one of my favorite authors, so I trusted her and I requested the ARC on Netgalley and when I was approved I put it off for longer than I should have because oh my goodness, this might be the best book I've read so far this year.

When Rebecca Ross writes romance, she doesn't do it at the expense of individual character development like many romances I've read. Instead, the characters grow together and push each other to do better and work harder. As the romance develops, so do the characters, in a way that feels very true to real life. Ross' characters are so realistic that they could walk out of the pages of this book into the real world and you'd never know they were figments of her imagination. Ross also avoids letting her plot hide behind the romantic elements of her story. There is an adventure to be had, and the plot will move forward without waiting for romance to catch up.

I want to know everything about this world, about the warring gods, the history, the lore and the mechanics of certain events and effects. I would read a textbook about this universe if Rebecca Ross wrote it. There is so much rich worldbuilding in this book and I know there is so much more to come in book 2. The tragic downside of being gifted early copies is the extra wait time for a sequel, so consider this my advanced request for the next ARC ASAP.

Thank you to Wednesday books and Netgalley for my eARC.

This book was amazing. I couldn’t put it down. Everything this author writes is magical. I would recommend it.

-epistolary romance
-rival journalists
-mythology
-war between gods

4.5/5 stars

Rebecca Ross's writing is SO GORGEOUS. She really has such a way with words. I think this is my first epistolary novel and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I do wish there was a bit more fantasy elements to the story. It was very in the background and part of the story, but I wish we were shown a bit more of that (hoping this will happen in the sequel). That being said, Ross sure does know how to write a swoonworthy romance!


Content Warnings:
Graphic: War, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Child death, Sexual content, and Alcoholism

Thank you so much, NetGalley, for an E-Arc for review!!!

This book had perhaps the best execution of rivals to lovers trope I’ve read so far, & it had me kicking my feet, giddy, & blushing every time I picked it up. The world in this was so wildly interesting; it very much felt like a re-imagined fantastical world war 1 with humans & warring gods. It has mystery elements to its core that keep you guessing as things slowly are revealed to you while you read, & the action scenes were so wild at times it truly felt like I was watching a movie play out in front of me. The writing was also so lush and beautiful & passionate & lyrical & I truly cannot wait for the next installment! This is my first Rebecca Ross & I will absolutely be reading more from her!!

TW: Violence, blood, gore, Loss of a parent, alcoholism, abandonment

Quite enjoyed this! One of the rare more mainstream YA books that actually had great writing, plot, and characters.
There were so many quotes in this book where I just paused and reflected on them, cause they were profound or just beautiful. Kind of reminiscent of All the Lost Places but with a completely different genre. A few funny moments too.
Both points of view were intriguing and fun to read. Iris was spunky, full of life, and very human. Roman, more serious, but still human. They contrasted very well.
The main thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars is content.

I just have to share some of the quotes!
"Do you ever feel as if you wear armor, day after day? That when people look at you, they see only the shine of steel that you've so carefully encased yourself in? They see what they want to see in you - the warped reflection of their own face, or a piece of the sky, or a shadow cast between buildings."

"I don't want to wake up when I'm seventy-four only to realize that I haven't lived."

"It's not a crime to feel joy, even when things seem hopeless."

4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC.

I do not have the words to describe how much I adored Divine Rivals. This book was a rollercoaster of emotion. One minute I was giggling and kicking my feet about Roman and Iris's relationship and the next I was crying about the hardships of war. The enemies/rivals to lovers was perfectly executed (don't get me started on how good the pining was!!!!!) It was so easy to get absorbed in the world due to its resemblance to 1940s England. I enjoyed the description of Enva and Dacre's conflict and how it rolled over to mortals. My biggest issue with this book is now I have to wait until at least 2024 to find out how the cliffhanger is resolved!

Divine Rivals is definitely being a romance in a fantasy setting rather than a fantasy with light romance. Most of the story revolves around relationships, including Iris and Roman's own romance and their familial relationships. However, I think Ross did a great job of balancing the main romance plot with the fantasy war setting. I honestly felt like I was getting the best of both worlds!

I cannot say enough good things about this book. It was just perfect, and I know I'll continue to revisit it in years to come.

Thank you to Netgalley, Rebecca Ross, and Wednesday Books for an advanced eArc in exchange for an honest review!

"The days to come will only grow darker. And when you find something good? You hold onto it. You don't waste time worrying about things that won't even matter in the end. Rather, you take a risk for that light."

DIVINE RIVALS is a multifaceted and nuanced novel written in an unexpected and beautiful way; layered with mythology, love (romantic and otherwise), and healing. I didn't want the book to end, and days after finishing it, I still find myself thinking about it often. It's set in a fictional location with fictitious warring gods, yet it was easy to believe the events were truly happening. Ross adeptly cultivated tension, grief, and hope, resulting in a reading experience with "all of the feels", for a lack of a better phrase.

"Do you think we could live in a world made only of those things? Death and pain and horror? Loss and agony? It's not a crime to feel joy, even when things seem hopeless."

The book is light on "magic" in the traditional sense, but I never found it lacking because of that. The way that the scenes were written while Iris was at the true front presented a cinematic quality, something that you don't always see when combined with a tender romance with complexities of its own. DIVINE RIVALS was so many things, and often, I find that it doesn't work when attempted, but the outcome in this case was absolutely sublime. I already wish that I could read it again for the first time. Many thanks to Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio for the early copies in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

"Perhaps it begins with one person. Someone you trust. You remove a piece of armor for them; you let the light stream in, even if it makes you wince. Perhaps that is how you learn to be soft yet strong, even in fear and uncertainty. One person, one piece of steel."

I was excited for this one given its interesting premise and seeing so many rave reviews but it just missed the mark for me. It started off a bit slow and the story’s organization felt a bit haphazard with how busy the plot was and the flimsy world building. While I can see where others would really enjoy this one, or where it’s sequel could rectify some of the issues I have with it, this book ended up just being middling and so-so for me.
Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rebecca Ross always impresses me. Her characters feel so authentic and real, I love how she weaves her stories together.

This one is a setting I don't often see, but the descriptions make it accessible in a breathtaking way. Little details make me feel the world could be a Ghibli movie. There is a casual whimsy about it that made me giddy.

The focus is on the romance. Which is developed in a refreshingly authentic way that is just not found in YA that often. In fact I found myself checking a few times to make sure this wasn't another Adult novel from her!

The characters popped off the page and their supporting cast made them shine. I recommend to anyone who is looking for 'romantasy' and an epic love story that will defy the lines of war.

I can't wait for the sequel!

Oh my gosh I don't even know where to begin with this book; I have nothing but great things to say about Divine Rivals. Rebecca Ross surpassed my expectations with her writing, and as an avid fantasy reader, it isn't an easy feat. I fell completely in love with this story from the very beginning and I was utterly unable to put it down. This charming, emotional, and devastating book will have my heart until the end of time, and my only complaint is that the sequel isn't coming out for a bit. I will be recommending Divine Rivals to everyone I know!
A million thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!

4.5

Divine Rivals was the most gripping story I have read this year. I was so attached to Iris and Roman I could barely put this book down. I truly think this is just the beginning of my dive into Rebecca Ross’s writing and can’t wait to see what she comes up with next

It's often said that we can only show our true selves when we're backed in a corner and that feels like the running theme of this book: we are in desperate times, what are your desperate measures?

Divine Rivals is the first book in a duology set in a fantastical alternate WWI time period where the gods are at war, no one really knows why, and when faced with the unthinkable happening to our loved ones what are we willing to stand up for? Our main characters are Iris and Roman, rival journalists, tied together via a magical typewriter that allows them to send letters to each other. There are secret identities involved and a lot of pining.

The book reminded me so much of how it felt to be in love for the first time, that desperation that comes with finally feeling like someone understands you without asking and not being able to bear to lose it. It was atmospheric and romantic and very well crafted. The prose was as beautiful as the story was simple (and I mean that is in the nicest way possible).

The book's cliffhanger ending nearly killed me, though, so I am sitting here counting down the days until we get Book 2. 5/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Wow. This book is absolutely amazing. This was recommended to me by a friend, and I’m so glad I picked it up—the story is captivating, once you get into it. It started a bit slow but then drew me in with an amazing historical romance/fantasy novel. The writing and story is well developed and the characters are engaging. A story of two competing journalists turned into a story detailing war, this book is sure to suit most readers. Absolutely amazing!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this title.

I really enjoyed this book! I thought the story was really engaging and beautiful. The writing style was so good. This book covers some really heavy topics including war, alcoholism, and death, but yet it was a pretty easy read. The writing is really beautiful and light. I enjoyed the relationships explored in this story as well as the magical/fantasy element with the letters. This was a pretty quick read and was engaging throughout.

This book really wasn't what I was expecting, but that was great. Historical fiction isn't usually my thing, but the magical and fantasy elements really made this story fun. I'm not sure that I loved how this book ended, but it sounds like maybe it's going to be part of a series (or at least that there will be a second book). Overall, this was a really good read, and I enjoyed it a lot.

This book was just plain wonderful! Rivals to lovers is a fun genre.

Shop Around the Corner/You’ve Got Mail in a fantasy war situation. I never knew I needed this. I was completely hooked from the beginning. I just wanted to sit and read all day.

Kitt was the best. Truly. He did everything he could for Iris. And I loved watching these two together. Heart eyes all day.

As for the ending…I’m basically dying now. I need book two asap!

After A River Enchanted and A Fire Endless, I am a huge fan of Rebecca’s writing. I was almost giddy reading this novel, just knowing I will be transported to a new world with magic and great characters. It surprised me even expecting these emotions. Absolutely lovely story of love and loss, yearning and learning. To quote the author "a girl who writes letters to her missing brother, and the boy who reads them."

Entering a world of rewoken gods in a town called Oath. Iris Winnow, a budding reporter, works at the Oath Gazette trying to stay afloat after her brother joined the gods’ war and her mother struggles with addiction. The one person still keeping Iris on her toes is Roman Kitt, a rival journalist vying for the same columnist position in the paper. Their connection grows through their magical typewriters, writing out letters each night and slipping them through their wardrobes. Until a heartbreaking event alters Iris’ trajectory to the front lines of war.

Beautifully written and respectful to the realities of war, it was interesting to see it from a fantasy perspective. Truly deep at the core this is a story of the perseverance of love and connection between the characters. The fantasy and magic are a big bonus, I loved the magical typewriters and their owners were great characters. I enjoyed the realistic portrayal of loss and living in a world at war. I would categorize this as more adult than YA due to the seriousness of the topics portrayed in the novel, even though the characters are in their late teens/early twenties.

Divine Rivals publishes on April 4, 2023 🐌

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early copy of the ebook, this is my honest review.

A historical fiction/fantasy/romance? Sounds like a lot, but this author makes it work.

There are two main plot lines in this story.
1) The complicated relationship between two journalists at the Oath Gazette, Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt. It is pretty clear there is a hate-to-love relationship in the works, but that takes some time to develop.
2) The war between two Gods, Dacre and Enva, which is waged on human soil.
*There is also the mysterious case of letters between Iris and an unknown someone, that are sent/received through her wardrobe. I thought it was evident fairly early who the other person was, but the bigger mystery is how the letters were being transported, but I won't get into that.

While the story begins as the two young journalists vie for the same job at the paper, the story eventually moves to the front lines where the war is being fought. That's when the dynamics of this relationship begin to evolve as the truth about the origins of the letters is revealed. It also introduces us to two fierce women, Thea Attwood, another reporter, and Marisol Torres, the owner of a B&B hosting the reporters. I adored both women and how they worked to stay safe and protect one another.

I loved the atmospheric quality of this part of the story. I was transported into this chaotic world filled with blood thirsty hounds and eithrals, and two reporters balancing the harrowing war experience while falling in love.

The majority of this installment focuses on the young couple, but with how it ends on a cliffhanger, I believe the Gods will be more prominently featured in book two. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Are you a fan of romance in a world war setting with a sprinkles of fantasy elements? You need to add Divine Rivals to your TBR!

Wheeew what a journey. this book probably my first Rebecca Ross books and wow i enjoyed it more than i thought!

The writing is beautiful but still easily disgestible. So i was invested quickly to the story.

I could feel the pain when one of the characters was grieving. Feel like it took all the joy in life. But Rebecca Ross handles the topic really well.
“Your grief will never fully fade; it will always be with you—a shadow you carry in your soul—but it will become dimmer as your life becomes brighter.”

The other things that draw me more into the story is the part when Iris and “strangers” sent letters to each others.
Sometimes you feel more comfortable to talk with strangers, then we find more connection and became friend or even our closest friend.

The World War time setting adds more mixed emotions in it.
“ Even when the world seems to stop, threatening to crumble, and the hour feels dark as the siren rings . . . it isn’t a crime to feel joy.”

But i have a certain things i dislike in this book, i don’t get the explanation about the Magic and the Gods. I really want to know more about the Gods and his creatures. How about the magic system? Magic in Roman’s house? The Typewriter?

The twist at the end omg how dare u miss Ross! I need a book 2 ASAP! When it comes, please let me get the eArc for the book 2 🥹 (i’m begging you St.Martin’s Press)

Thank you Netgalley and St.Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for providing me an eArc

Atmospheric, character-driven, engaging... In a word, this book was amazing! It drew me in quickly and didn't let up. The character's were the focus of the book I think, and it was so well done. Each relationship, romantic or otherwise, was well developed and explored. Each character had nuance and layers and felt realistic and well-rounded. The atmosphere added nicely to the plot and gave it such a unique vibe. Ross's writing was easy to follow, easy to get lost in, and easy to enjoy. Definitely recommend.

Wow, what a tearjerker! I read A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross and fell in love with her writing style. This book did not disappoint! I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I started this book. Rival journalists with a touch of war because of gods? Sounds good. But oh was it so much more. This book is, at its core, really and truly about war and how it affects everyone.

Let's start with the characters. Each one of them feels so real and well crafted. You cannot help but fall in love with all of them. The romance is endearing - my only complaint is that it goes from slow burn to moving very fast all at once. The heartache, however, is so real in this book. I think she did such a good job at portraying the seriousness and sadness of war, while maintaining a balance of hope so as to not overwhelm the reader. Be mindful of the PTSD and war-related trauma if you have triggers!

Lastly, the magic. This is more of a historical fiction book set in an alternate universe with gods who have magic. I think that the next book may delve a little bit deeper into what the gods magic is capable of. However, don't come into this thinking that the main characters have any magic!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an e-arc of this book!