Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Divine Rivals
Author: Rebecca Ross
Series: Letters of Enchantment
Genre: Magical Realism, Fantasy, Romance
Format: Physical Purchase
Publish Date: April 2023
Read: April 2024
Favorite Quote: Endings were often found in beginnings, and she began to type what she knew.
Story Synopsis: Iris Winnow is vying for a columnist position at the Oath Gazette, and her competition is Roman Kitt. Unfortunately, Roman is a good reporter and he and Iris are equally matched in their skills. Iris, however, does not have the cushy, wealthy life that Roman does. Her brother left to fight for Enva in the war between gods and her mother is drinking herself into oblivion, leaving Iris to pick up the pieces. Desperate for an outlet, Iris types letters to her brother, and through some old enchantment, they disappear through her wardrobe. She never receives a reply until one day, she does, but not from her brother.
Shocked, Iris begins corresponding with this stranger and makes a bold decision to leave the Gazette and report on the war from the front lines. When Roman Kitt arrives to be a war correspondent, and to show up Iris’s reporting, Iris must learn how to process her feelings, the war, and face death.
Why does this book beguile? Divine Rivals has been making the rounds in my book bubble since it was published. Many people said things like, “If you like Fourth Wing, read Divine Rivals,” and “Divine Rivals is better than ACOTAR!” While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, it’s unfair to put Divine RIvals in the same category as Fourth Wing and ACOTAR. It’s good, but a different type of book.
Yes, there are gods and monsters, but Divine Rivals is more of a magical realism book set in a World War I universe than an epic fantasy. There are gods and monsters, but also feels very historical. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to book two!
Rating: 4.5/5
Link*: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
If you’re interested in this, read*: Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo