Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross was a marvelous fantasy tale.

This book was fantastic. It deserves every star it got.
I am so excited to read more from Rebecca Ross.
This author is so talented. Her writing is beautiful and captivating.
The world Ross created was phenomenal... Only word I can think of. Just phenomenal.
She created an intricate, magical, atmospheric story surrounded by rich characters that you do not want to leave behind. It is so stunning and it draws you in at once.
I was completely captivated by this book the moment I started reading it.
I literally did not put it down until the very end.

And I'm looking forward to seeing what you create next. Because after reading this book I need more of you.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Wednesday Books,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

I know everyone says this about their favorite authors, but I really would read Rebecca Ross’ grocery list. What is fueling that mind of hers? After reading and loving A River Enchanted earlier this year when it was a BOTM pick, I binge read her whole bibliography with the exception of just one book I still need to get to. The woman knows how to write! She has such a captivating, lyrical style that always gets my emotions flowing.


Divine Rivals is unlike anything I’ve read before. It comes war fiction, fantasy, and romance together so seamlessly and I found this unique story fascinating. The war is between two rival Gods that are recruiting a lot of soldiers against their well, with others joining in to protect their towns and loved ones. One of the gods, Dacre, gave me serious Hades vibes. The story opens with the main character, Iris, saying goodbye to her brother as he heads of to war, only to never hear from him again. Iris gets a job as a journalist in competition for a job with a impeccably dressed man named Roman who is quickly becomes her rival. Desperate to speak to her brother, Iris writes letter after letter to him on a typewriter given to her from her grandmother that magically sends letters off into oblivion. One night she receives a letter back that says “This isn’t Forest.” The romance has a great “You’ve got Mail” feel.

Just such a good book! I found the pacing in the middle of the book to be a bit slow for me and the last 20% was really fast-paced. I wish the last 20% was fleshed out more because it was easily my favorite part of the book. The wait for the next book is going to be brutal after that ending! Highly recommend if you think the combination of Historical Fiction and Fantasy sounds appealing.

4.5 ⭐️

What a strange, lovely book.

Admittedly, I never quite jived with Rebecca Ross's writing in the past. The Queen's Rising series was beautifully written, like a cathedral stained glass window. The plot and characterization was plain in comparison. After Divine Rivals, consider me a Ross convert.

Did I truly understand what was happening in this WW1/WW2 alternate universe? Absolutely not. But did I still eat up every morsel? Undoubtedly. This is my main qualm with this book- the circumstances and logistics surrounding the war between Enva and Dacre, and how the human world is organized. The relationship between Iris and Roman and the development of the world are more than enough to redeem the oblique insight on the gods' war. But I just can't see what the gods' war adds to the story. This would almost work better if it were a magical realism historical fiction- set it in 1910s, keep the magical typewriters, get rid of all the other fantasy elements. Alas, the gods' war elements will stay, and Ross needs to add significant development to this weak link.

This is a slow-burn, the plotting steady and cracking like a dying wick. It takes its time, but the story marches ever onward. The last 1/3 of the book felt a bit haphazard; clearly, parts 1 and 2 were more finely tuned and refined. Part 3 was a 4 star read, but parts 1 and 2 were full-on 5 stars.

Ross's prose are decadent, as always. I'm a sucker for purple prose, as I'm always captivated by shiny things. Sometimes, these golden words hide the muddy plot and characterization underneath, as it does in Ross's Queen's Rising series. But in Divine Rivals, the words reflect the thoughtful, sweeping, romantic tale underneath. Far and away, one of my top reads to start 2023.

WW1 setting. Two gods at war, enlisting humans to serve as their foot soldiers. A brother gone to fight for the cause. A sister missing him and not hearing from him on the field while her mother spirals into drunken depression. She gets hired as a journalist but has to compete for the spot with a rival colleague. Magic buildings/rooms, and enchanted objects. Enemies to lovers, and whirlwind romance.

This book gave me all of the feelings! I unexpectedly loved the journalists on the front lines historical fiction vibes it gave off despite not being drawn to this time period generally. I loved the rivalry. The romance had me rooting for them, swooning, and my heart being torn open. My heart is in agony and anxiety right now.

I don't know what I'm going to do with myself until the sequel arrives!

Contains inexplicit sexual content.

Thank you to St Martin's Press for sending me a free ARC to review through Netgalley!

This is the epistolary novel I've been waiting for! It has everything I love: lush gorgeous prose, rivals to lovers, an unstoppable heroine, (typewriters!) and a fascinating World War I inspired fantasy realm. This was a wondrous, magical book, crafted by one of my new favorite storytellers. I adored getting swept away in these pages––read this, read this, read this!

My mind is still reeling from the ending of this book, so bear with me as I try to formulate my thoughts.

Ross captured my heart with her debut adult novel, A River Enchanted. After seeing the blurbs for her newest book, I was really excited to get an ARC and dive in. There are very levels to the plot of this book, the foremost being this: “A girl who writes letters to her missing brother, and the boy who reads them.” However, on a much broader scale, we have a war between gods that draws humanity in. The world-building was unique, and unfortunately I don’t think I totally got used to it. It’s almost a historical British setting: we have electricity, regular jobs, etc. However, it’s juxtaposed by a magical realism aspect in that there are several gods and two of which are at war. Enter a world we’re mystical creatures exist side by side with science. Kitt and Winnow are also in possession of magical typewriters. While readers get some backstory into why the gods are warring, it still didn’t feel natural to the story. It could have easily (in my opinion) just be a regular war between two countries or rulers. I do think that the second book will explore this fantasy aspect more, which I look forward to reading about.

The crowning jewel of this book is truly the romance. Ross has a way of writing romance that smolders. It oftentimes looks like friendship, but there’s an intensity to it that makes your heart melt. This is an enemies to friends to lovers book, so readers get all the good parts from each trope. There’s the banter of enemies (really rivals in this case), and there’s also the loyalty and support of friends. I adored Kitt and Winnow so much, and I hope you all will as well.

I’ll finish this review with my favorite quote from the book:
“I am coming to love him, in two different ways. Face to face, and word to word.”

⭐️4.5/5 stars.
Rebecca Ross is becoming one of my instant-buys. Her writing so enchanting, beautifully weaving these scenes that you can get lost in. And this book reiterates that.
If you love like those period dramas on PBS Masterpiece/BBC, especially like WWI period dramas, I think you’ll enjoy this. But there’s a twist: this is like an alternate universe version of the world reminiscent of World War I, but make it fantasy. The war in this story has the country divided due to the influence of two gods believed to be gone. (Also, once again, I absolutely adore the mythology she builds to lie under the plot) Like one of our main characters is capable of magically sending letters through her wardrobe. However, the focus of this story is this beautiful relationship developing between two work rivals. I have no words to describe how much I loved this romantic plot line. It was so god damn cute.
The only reason why I didn’t give it five stars was because I didn’t love the last like 25% of the book. It was good, there was nothing truly wrong with it, it just wasn’t as good as the first 75%. However, that should definitely not deter you from reading this book because it is truly amazing and spellbinding. Like I couldn’t put it down. I definitely recommend reading this book.
Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for providing the ARC for my honest review.

It took me a bit to get invested in this story but once I did, I did NOT want to put it down! The main character, Iris, has so many struggles in her life and when she is just doesn't know what else to do, she decides to become a war correspondent and also see if she can find her missing brother. The characters are lovable, and I am invested in this series now. I am looking forward to what comes next!! I think there is so much more to tell about the Gods and the war!

Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Ross, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this arc!

This had me on edge towards the end - until I realised this was going to have another book…thank god. I had so much stress reading this but in the best way possible. I was anxious but the romance and these characters were both so beautifully and intricately written. I’m so glad I picked this up!

Man. I don’t normally read YA, and I don’t normally like books about angsty teens. But damn, this book.

Somehow part a dark Harry Potter book, some part fantasy, some part you’ve got mail and yet an entirely unique book. Anxiously await the sequel.

Synopsis:

Iris’ life isn’t working out how it’s supposed to, ever since her brother went off to fight the war among gods. Her dream job at a newspaper is slipping through her fingers to her nemesis Kitt and she only has herself to blame. To distract herself, she’s been writing letters to her brother and sending them off into the abyss until one night someone answers her. When tragedy tests what she’s made of, will Iris rise to her potential?

Arc provide in exchange for an honest review.

I must say I did not go into this book expecting to have my heart ripped out of my chest but look what happened. This book was superb and made me smile, gasp, and nearly start crying. It was lovely for that and I really appreciated it.

The characters were super intense and dynamic and I found myself rooting for them almost instantly. Characters that are not committed to a cause but are instead committed to people continue to rip my heart out every day and I love them for it. They had conflicting motivations and inner conflicts. The only thing I would have wished is that they had more hobbies (or even just one hobby) besides writing. However they were very well done and I loved it.

I also want to note that this book had a rivals to lovers plot that actually worked. I was so happy with this, as quite a few rivals to lovers (and enemies to lovers) plots have the “he’s just mean to you because he likes you” and a very fast way to actually I love you. However this book had a slow getting to know you process and worked really well for that. I enjoyed reading them getting to know each other and connecting and just having a great time. It was super nice to read and laugh with the characters and connect with them.

And the plot with the war and journalism was really well done too I think. I enjoyed how both characters could explore the conflict and see why it was so bad, without actually being in the conflict themselves (directly). From family relations like Iris to having a morality conflict like Ronan, it was just so nice to see them interact with the war in a way that wasn’t by directly fighting.

The letters that were exchanged in this book were so fun and I thought quite realistic. As someone who is writing letters to a friend during my exchange year, I can confirm that people get more emotional when writing letters. So I thought the baring of ones heart was realistic and very fun to read.

The style and flow of the book was also superb. The letters were well written and the entire book was well-written and it felt like I was being dragged into the book and experiencing the setting with the characters. That was really nice and I was just completely impressed with it all.

Once again I got writing style envy, but what else is new.

The relationships drew me in and not just the romantic ones. Iris and her brother Forest, away at the war, and Iris and her alcoholic mother and mean boss, and Ronan with his family and betrothed and Nan and not really family. It was so interesting.

However I would warn you, this book is a series and the first book does end on a (slight of) cliffhanger. So if you’re not into that, then wait until the sequel is coming out before purchasing. I know I am anxiously awaiting the sequel.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this book. All of the relationships were so heartfelt and the plot was incredibly interesting. I can’t wait to read the sequel.

"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."
This was such an original story about a girl named Iris fighting to find her brother in a war-torn world. The world she lives in is being destroyed by two gods that have started a war. Iris is a journalist that writes for a local newspaper with the hope that her words will inform people about important events going on in the world. Working for this local newspaper she is rivals with a high society boy that drives her crazy. They are both competing for a better position and they spend every day doing small things to annoy each other. Iris also owns a magical typewriter that allows her to exchange letters with a mysterious recipient. Iris's brother has gone missing in the war and one day she decides she must find him. She embarks on a journey that will change her life.
This book was full of love, surprises and most importantly was completely unique. I have never read a story like this one and it was very enjoyable. Cannot wait to continue with the next one.
This book would work great in a high school literature class. It would provide students with an opportunity to decide what their own articles would be about had they encountered the same situation. Would they have responded the same way and written about the same events Iris chose to write about?
Fun, engaging story for many age levels.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an e-reader ARC of this book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an electronic ARC of this novel.

Eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow has always aspired to become a writer, and she lands an opportunity of a lifetime to become a columnist at the prestigious Gazette in her hometown of Oath. Unfortunately, she has a rival in the form of Roman Kitt, her wealthier and arrogant competition, who enjoys needling her as much as she gives to him. Her world is in the mist of a war, which came about when an angry God, Dacre, who was put to slumber years ago, woke up and declared war and on the God who wronged him, Enva. Mortals chose sides, and thus began a bloody war.

Iris' brother volunteers to fight and is soon missing in action. Full of despair, Iris writes letters to her brother that magically seem to disappear when she pushes them underneath her wardrobe...and one day, she finds a reply.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross, is a well written and entertainment novel that depicts young love, belief, found family and the devastation of war along with a mixture of magic and Gods living among us. I really enjoyed this - the world building, the characterization and the plot were all on point. The only quibble I have with this novel is that it's set up for a sequel, which definitely leaves you hanging, and I hope that I will have a chance to read that one as well.

Fans of romance, a strong female protagonist, friendship, found family, wartime journalism and fantasy will definitely enjoy this book!

I finished this book weeks ago, and I still think about it. Howl's Moving Castle meets Violet Evergarden in this whimsical war time story. There's an enemies to lovers work rival romance, secret notes and typewriters. The only complaint I have is that I have to wait so long for the next book because the ending hurt.

This book is so good! Rebecca Ross's writing is beautiful and atmospheric and the story premise for this is so unique. I loved the bits of magic and whimsy that twined all through this tale of war, and writers, and rivals to lovers romance. My only complaint is that I NEED THE SEQUEL!!!

Overall: Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 4.5⭐️!


Content warnings: gore, violence, loss of loved ones

Rep: rivals to lovers, sibling relationships

Thoughts
Neutral thoughts:

Rebecca Ross does not miss. Not at all. This made me laugh, made me feel sad and gave me the butterflies that Ross is just getting better and better writing about with each book. I can’t wait for the concluding sequel! Stuff was revealed at the end of this book and we need answers.

The longing and the angst was done really well! Ross writes emotion so well and you actually feel what the characters are feeling. There were some laugh out loud moments, some really sad moments and some really happy/cute moments that just pull on your tiny little heart strings. And the lore was really interesting! We get tidbits of info about the 2 gods that are at the center of this war and we even got to meet one of them! 👀 I just had a good time with this one and it's one I definitely recommend those who love historical fiction, fantasy historical fiction and any of Ross' previous works

The only “gripe” I have about the book is the war part of the story, it just went over my head because that stuff is sad AF & it’s hard to read bout so I would just skim the more heavy war/battle scenes.

Phenomenal writing with excellent world building and a memorable cast of characters. It took a bit for me to feel the chemistry between the two leads, but I enjoyed how it ended. Definitely recommend

This book was beautifully written. It reminds me of why I love reading!

Rebecca Ross created something truly great and I look forward to more of her work

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

I believe that there are some books which are made better when you go in blind. If you love romance and fantasy books about war, gods, and female protagonists who take on the world, this is a book for you. Roman, my newest book boyfriend, has raised my romantic standards even higher and I loved rooting for Iris throughout this first part of her journey. I’m afraid that I’ll be obsessing over Divine Rivals until the sequel comes out which is going to completely derail my tbr (again).

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC copy of this book! This book was, in a word, enchanting. The premise was everything I could have wanted out of it - think WW2 love story crossed with the Iliad crossed with the story of Hades and Persephone. A lot going on but it just works. Not to mention the perfect enemies to lovers (where he falls first!). The story follows 2 rival journalists at the middle of an on-going war between 2 long, formally asleep, gods. We follow them to the front lines, where we are witness to just what a modern war with a mix of divine intervention would look like. War rages on, tensions flare, rivalry turns to romance. Again, the concept just works and I devoured this in one sitting. Absolute adored this book and can’t wait wait for the sequel.