This book is the very first ARC that I read after I moved from my parents' house. It's been difficult since then and I don't even bother to read anything. Then I stumbled onto this book and read the blurbs. This book completely sucked me in and I can't stop crying until the epilogue. My only complain is that I don't have the second book right away.

Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt are the one of the best couples ever. I definitely can feel their love for each other, especially Roman who fall for Iris first. Their letters through war for each other are otherworldly. I'm still mad for the epilogue but I wish the best for Iris and Roman. Roman doesn't deserve that ending tho...

I will wait for the second book and wish their own happy ending!
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

I loved this book. Loved the magic, the letters, the story, the characters. The writing and creativity blew me away. The city sits over the grave of a god, and veins of magic run through it, sometimes affecting buildings or homes. Or the clever man who engineers three typewriters with a magical connection.

Julie Berry's Lovely War meets You've Got Mail in the absolute best possible way! The language of this book is clean, there is one very suggestive scene between a married couple, and there is, of course, the violence and struggle of war.

Prepare yourself, Internet, because I am never going to shut up about this book. As with all books I truly love, I’m having a difficult time coming up with the words to review this one. Divine Rivals has a little bit of everything: rivals to lovers, journalism, secret penpals, ancient myth, World War I inspiration, and even some magic.

Some might say this book is cluttered, but I found that all of its seemingly disparate parts fit nicely together. Ultimately, this is a love story and the chemistry between Iris and Roman drives the narrative. They are both fascinating characters and I love them dearly. I read Divine Rivals in about 36 hours, so you could definitely say I was hooked. The distress I felt when my lunch break ended right as I got the most stressful part was unmatched.

I’d also like to note that the writing style was sublime. The gorgeous prose drew me in and would not let me go. It was pretty and descriptive without falling into purple prose territory. I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoyed Lovely War by Julie Berry!

Divine Rivals has such a unique premise. The story was a good mixture of historical fiction and fantasy, the world building was so vivid. I think my favorite part of it all was witnessing the development and growth between the two main characters. And with the way it ended, I'm anticipating to pick up the second installment already.

Great chemistry between lead characters but holy cliffhanger batman! Didn't see the twists coming at the end at all.

This was the first book in a long time that I stayed up WAAAAAAY past my bedtime to finish reading it. I had to get to the ending. So many parts resonated with me on such a personal level and I couldn't help but cheer for these star-crossed lovers. The hints of magic throughout the story gave it a Magical Realism touch that was perfect, and the mythology woven throughout was lovely. I read this on an eReader so I can't wait to see what the actually book will look like with the letters passed back and forth. Beautiful!

I absolutely loved this book! Once I got into reading, I was so invested in the characters, the war, the gods, the story, that I stayed up reading 2 nights in a row to finish it! It was just so sad and heartbreaking yet hopeful and sweet. The writing was beautiful and I loved everything about it. I cried several times while reading it. I know this book will stay with me for a long time. I was sad it ended on a cliffhanger but I can't wait for the next book to find out how Iris and Roman's story continues/ends.

4.5/5

Okay, this book was so much more than I had ever expected. Having only read Dreams Lie Beneath (which I wasn't very fond of), I didn't really go into this having too high of hopes. But boy was I surprised. The pacing, the characters, the story—everything in Divine Rivals was absolutely stunning. The perfect mixture of historical fiction & fantasy, the book follows young Iris Winnow: a reporter from Oath in a world where two sleeping gods have awoken and begun a devastating war with one another. With her brother fleeing to fight in the war, Iris is left with her mother (who's struggling with addiction), and a rival reporter who's eagerly seeking to knock her out of the running for a promotion.

When her brother goes missing, Iris' letters to him become a desperate plea for peace of mind. With the help of a 'magical' wardrobe, the letters vanish into what she can only hope is her brother's hands. However, their recipient is far from who'd she expect: said rival of the Gazette, Roman Kitt. Only when Kitt begins to respond to those letters do the two begin to form a tight knit connection, Kitt's identity anonymous and leading the two into a spiral of emotions, love, and heartbreak. Enemies-to-lovers HAS to be one of my favorite tropes, and god does Divine Rivals do it wonderfully. The ending will leave you shattered and devastated, and eagerly awaiting the second installment!

I love historical fiction and fantasy romance, so I appreciated this combination of the two. WWI was horrific, and this book did have its haunting moments that stayed with me after I was done reading. The wait until the sequel is so long.

The book of reminded me of some of Kate Atkinson’s in the way it tackles war (albeit a different one) and the strength of the female main character. I haven’t read Rebecca Ross’s work before - I couldn’t get into “A River Enchanted” - but it was easy to be drawn into “Divine Rivals.”

There will be many questions book #2 will need to answer because book #1 has a lot of setup but not much clarity when it comes to the mythology and magic of the world.

I was glad Roman’s point-of-view was included so we could understand him better. However, as the story reached the end, I felt like he started to lose himself as a character, and he became almost entirely defined by his relationship to Iris. I think in the sequel that may change, and it’ll be interesting to see that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book has completely torn me apart and I'm not sure how I'm going to pick up the pieces. Rebecca Ross is a truly phenomenal author, and she has outdone herself with this novel.

Kitt and Iris are fledgling journalists, competing for the same job. But there is more to both of them than there first seems, and love draws them both from the safety of Oath to the front line in a war of God's.

This book is beautiful, with really amazing world building. Part romance, part tragedy, part fantasy ... its all completely gripping and without a doubt one of the best books I've ever read.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

When you finish that great book that's kept you up late reading and thinking about it for 2.5 days despite having young children who get up early ... only to realize it's a duology where the second book doesn't even have a publication date yet because this one isn't out until April 4th next year 😭😭😭

Thank you to netgalley and wednesdaybooks for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you don't have Divine Rivals by @beccajross on your #TBR list, take this as your incentive to add it now. You don't want to miss this one! It has the perfect combination of WW2 vibes with fantasy.

After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish―into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.

When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever. Shadow and Bone meets Lore in this epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.

#booksbooksbooks #book #bookblogger #booksofinstagram #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #arcs #bookaesthetic #bookaddict #bookarc #youneedtoreadthisone #booklife

I love love this book! I went through big feelings reading through the story. A lot of heartache for Iris. Iris and Roman’s story is both romantic and heartbreaking. Rebecca’s storytelling was very fluid. Story’s plot is unique. I was gripped by Iris and Roman’s journey as well as the subplots.

If you have ever wondered what true magic feels like, pick up Divine Rivals. Rebecca Ross’s writing is enchanting and unlike anything you have ever read, trust me. Ross’s prose is like a river; each word flows together seamlessly. You’ll find yourself completely absorbed by Iris and Roman.

Divine Rivals is the story of Iris and Roman, two journalists competing for the same full-time columnist position at the Gazette newspaper. Iris is compassionate and brave. She longs to make an impact on the world through her words. However, her home life has steadily declined in the last six months. Her brother, Forest, enlisted to fight in the war between the gods. As a result of his leaving, their mother copes by drowning herself in alcohol. The only bright spot in Iris’s life is her writing. Roman Kitt, our other protagonist, is the bane of Iris’s existence. He appears to be everything Iris is not, rich and carefree. Naturally, Iris loves to mess with him daily. However, there is more than what meets the eye with Roman Kitt. I think you will all love him just as much as I do.

Divine Rivals is a beautiful, lyrical, heart-wrenching story that will leave a lasting impression on you. This story immediately captured my heart. Ross’s ability to make you feel is unlike any other. She encapsulates so much emotion in the pages of each of her books.

First, thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc of Divine Rivals in exchange for my honest feedback!

This book was so interesting! I wasn’t completely sold it for probably the first 30-40% of it but once I got past that I finished in a day.

The premise of this book is so unique. Enchanted typewriters that can send messages between writers. An ongoing war between two rival Gods. A brother who hasn’t been heard from since he joined the war effort. The sister left behind who feels like she’s losing everyone she loves.

At the very heart of this novel is a love story that gave me very strong ‘You’ve got mail’ vibes. The relationship between Iris and Roman grows in so many ways during this book and I loved it. Their letters to each other were my favorite part of the book.

What didn’t seem to work for me was what seemed like the clash of two worlds. For most of the book it reads like a historical novel and it feels like Iris is about to join the WWI trenches as a journalist. The war is such a distant part of the book that the fantasy element for this one seemed lacking, aside from the enchanted typewriters.

I did find myself really enjoying this book and am planning on picking up the next one when it comes out!

Thanks again to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press!

Divine Rivals was the first book I read from Rebecca Ross, but it certainly won’t be the last. I loved the way she entwined mythology and hints of magic to create a wonderful backstory for an otherwise ordinary world.

Ross’ writing was lyrical, and the plot kept me spellbound. My only critique here was that I wasn’t fully content with the middle portion of this book. It was well done, but some of the knight-in-shining-armor character interactions made me roll my eyes, and the love interest was a little too perfect and clichéd for my taste. Normally it wouldn’t bother me as much, but when the beginning and end are so perfect, the middle has a lot to live up to.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to go read all of Rebecca Ross’s other books immediately.

I received a digital Advance Reader’s Copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5/5 stars.

Well I’m a mess now. I’ve loved Rebecca Ross’s books since The Queen’s Rising but somehow I keep thinking I’ve found my favorite and then it gets one-upped by whatever she writes next. Divine Rivals is no exception.
It quite possibly might be the most creative (and my favorite) take on “The Shop Around The Corner”/“You’ve Got Mail” that I’ve ever read and it’s fantastic. Add in a war of the gods and letters sent through a wardrobe and I’m absolutely hooked. 10/10 recommend. Now I need to go have a cry and wait impatiently for the sequel. Because it’s just that good.

I received an advance copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own and a review was not required.

This story has the same effect as seeing a glimmer of light whilst being held in a space immersed with seemingly impenetrable darkness.

It's amazing to me how RR has taken the horrors of war and crafted a narrative that guides the reader to focus on hope, new directions, and comfort. Just like that light. It's really quite lovely.

And it's all because of the writing. There is such a light and ethereal quality to it, which helps lift the heavy and traumatic events of the plot. And the writing also really suits both Iris and Kitt's personalities, as well. To me, this doesn't feel like an author telling a story about two characters, but rather two characters telling their own story themselves.

I am absolutely blown away by this book and know it's one that I will come back to again and again.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an eARC of Divine Rivals!

Wow.
This book.
I don't know why it took me by surprise, because I've enjoyed all books I've read by Rebecca Ross, but this one really went above.

Iris is dealing with a lot. Her beloved older brother has gone to the front lines of a war between gods, her mother is suffering from addiction, and she has to deal with the entitled Roman Kitt at her newspaper job. One of the only things that seems to help is writing to her brother- and putting the letters under her wardrobe door where they promptly disappear. Soon we find out that they're appearing in the room of none other than Roman Kitt- who starts writing back. The two form a bond over letters, even as they continue their rivalry at work. When things get to be unbearable at home, Iris decides to head to the frontlines herself, as a reporter. Soon, Kitt joins her and their relationship really begins to bloom.

The world building is just exquisite- it's not quite steam punk, but fantasies that take place within an industrial revolution always hit differently. Between rivals to lovers AND the epistolary element to Iris/Roman's relationship, I was a goner. Also, the cliffhanger at the end would do Sabaa Tahir proud... I absolutely cannot wait until the next Iris at the Front book is in front of me.
Seriously, I can't wait- when can I get that ARC?!!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross before publishing.
All thoughts spoken are my own.

GR rating: 5 ⭐'s
My rating: 5 ⭐'s

When Iris Winnows brother hears the call and enlists in a war of the gods, her family collapses. Writing to him on the front lines, she is yet to receive a single letter in return. At least not from who she was hoping for. The letters Iris writes end up in the hands of her rival, Roman Kitt who anonymously writes her back. Forming a connection, the two navigate their growing feelings for one another (despite Iris not knowing who he is), and the bond brings them to the front lines where they must fight for each other, man kind, and love.

I don't even know what I can say about this book. The story is beautifully written and reminded me so much of a studio ghibli film. Beautiful, heart stopping, and full of hope.

Rebecca had me hooked from the very first page, and I couldn't put it down, binging it over two excessively late nights. Divine Rivals is one of the best books I have read in a long, long time. The tension between Iris and Roman was exquisite. The slow burn. The rivalry. The world building. UGH I was in love with all of it.

Divine Rivals was truly captivating, and I'm still thinking about it nearly a week after finishing it. My one complaint is that darn cliff hanger at the end! I was not okay...

I will, without a doubt, be recommending this book to absolutely everyone. I am absolutely thrilled for the next book!

Releasing April 4th 2023

*review posted to Goodreads. Will also be posted to my instagram upon release day.

Writing: 5/5
Character Development: 4/5
World Building: 4/5

Warnings: Death, War

POV: Dual

Themes: Romance, Adventure, Magical Realism

Divine Rivals was such a magical book to read. Even though there was only a few fantasy elements in the story it still felt like it was full of magic because of Rebecca Ross’s wonderful writing. Iris was such a fun character to read about. You definitely felt everything she felt while she was experiencing a war going on between two gods. Roman was a strong character who was stuck between doing what he was told and what he wanted. I loved their interactions between each other and how they made each other stronger.

This is just such a good book and I would absolutely suggest reading this for anyone who loves strong characters who push against all odds for those they love.

I received a free copy of this book and am leaving an honest review voluntarily.