This is my favorite book of the year. I have been sharing with everyone through reader's advisory, book talks. and our book recommendation service.

I absolutely adore this book. I really enjoyed A River Enchanted and A Fire Endless by the previous author, so I knew going in that I already enjoy her style of writing. Ross creates beautiful, vibrant worlds that absolutely come to life on paper. She's a master of getting you emotionally invested with her characters early on and has such a gorgeous, lyrical prose that you just get swept away.

That ending, I’m still reeling from it!! Cannot wait for book 2! The setting was atmospheric and the romance had the perfect amount of tension! Absolutely loved it.

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for this eARC.

I LOVED this book. I was worried because World War isn't usually my typical vibe. But the relationship between Roman and Iris and Rebecca Ross's beautiful writing completely won me over.

This book is both grounded and magical. We have warring gods, magical typewriters, and letters being magically transported. We also have two rival journalists and the relationship between them which is the heart of the book.

I loved both main characters and I even loved the world Rebecca built despite the fact that World War isn't my typical vibe. The story is both charming and even funny at times while also containing heartbreaking emotional moments. And of course the romance. Such a beautiful love story.

There's even some twists towards the end!

It's a book you won't want to put down and I can't recommend it enough. Rebecca Ross has become one of my top authors and everyone needs to do themselves a favor and pick up her books.

Rebecca Ross is the queen of the cliffhanger. I loved the academic vibes of Divine Rivals and CANNOT wait for the sequel.

This book is absolutely amazing, but anything that Rebecca Ross writes is.
Divine Rivals is a book that takes ahold of your hand and pulls you right in to the world. It was magical and as always felt so rich in characters design and development.

Rebecca Ross is a auto buy author for me and i will always be recommending her to other readers.

I think this book was okay but I don’t know that it lived up to all the hype I had seen about it. Thank you for the chance to read it.

Why is it when the two main characters are bound to be enemies but will soon be lovers, and I know I have to devour the book? Is it the snarky banter? Is it me screaming? Oh, get a room, you too, or do I want to ensure the author gets it right? I think it all these things, but this story has more than just the brimming romance to cheer about. There are magical buildings that can sense how rich or poor you are. There is a mansion that takes care of the male paramour. There are connected magical typewriters and a wardrobe that whisks away your correspondence to the matching owner of the typewriter.
We have Kit and Roman, two aggressive, competitive journalists who end up on the war front as war correspondents trying to share a neutral story about the war. Kit is there hoping to locate her brother, who is fighting in the war, and Roman is there to protect Kit. There is a deep connection between these two, and with the war in the background, you may need a tissue or two at the end. I love this book so much; I think it was expertly woven, and I am eager for the sequel.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I've already added it to our list for order next year and will recommend it to students.

Absolutely LOVED. Flew through this charming, magical, high stakes, and romantic book in two days. Everything worked well here. This was my first Rebecca Ross novel and it won't be my last. Need the next one immediately.

This book filled me up and made my heart swell. I loved the subtle magical elements, the epistolary details, and vintage feel of it all. Yes I took about a 2-month break from it after getting to the 50% mark, but that was definitely a me and my mood thing at the time and not the book. When I picked it up again, I inhaled the remaining pages within a day.

Ross's stories always feel so effortlessly magical and exceptionally unique. I thoroughly enjoy getting lost in her writing style and world building, and Divine Rivals held that same special- and one-of-a-kind-ness. This time through a story of two young, rival journalists who find love by way of a magical connection and must face the perilous intricacies of a resurrected and long-waged war among the gods.

The love story made me feel light and happy and joyous and full. Roman C. Kitt has my whole heart. It was emotional at times, gripping and devastating at others, and simultaneously fun and lighthearted all at the same time with banter to boot. The story pace allowed for significant character development, story growth, and a solid foundation to start a series with. And, let me tell you, I am SO glad this is the first in a series!! The writing flowed smoothly and was easily digestible. Every scene stood out vividly in my mind's eye. It also feels like there's a story within a story here and I can't wait to find out more about the gods and their ancient war!

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
- dual, shifting POVs
- gods, myths, legends
- war x 1920s-40s feel
- historical fantasy vibes
- rivals to lovers
- letter writing x magical artifacts
- journalists x war correspondence

Divine Rivals

“ Perhaps it begins with one person. Someone you trust. You remove a piece of armor for them, you like 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 think this was advertised as a fantasy, which it was, but oh my goodness was this a romance!!

Not only is there a romantic notion throughout the novel , but it also highlights familial bonds. Most notable is the importance of the family we have in the family and the family we choose for ourselves. There is also overarching themes of grief loss, overcoming uncertainty, and resilience.

The story kept a slow and steady pace, which doesn’t always work for all novels, but definitely did for this one. It was a beautiful slow burn. this when you definitely have to add to your radar and also as proof that you need to try an author out more than once. I did not like her debut, but I really loved this one!!

5⭐️

This was one of my favorite reads of the year. I love how the author developed Roman and Iris's relationship throughout the book, it wasn't to fast but wasn't to slow. I really enjoyed reading this book and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Really really loved this story. Went in not expecting anything and this was so beautifully written with the sweetest love story.

There is something about a Rebecca Ross book...even in the most harrowing moments her voice always imparts a sense of serenity to me. This doesn't take away from the tension or conflict though, it just eases the reader through it as though she's holding your hand on your journey. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this, I was only sure I would likely love it given the author. Rivals at a newspaper in a magical world where gods and goddesses play? Yes please! I was not disappointed at all! I loved the found family aspect, the magical typewriters, even the wartime scenes were exquisite. My only gripe, if I had to pick one, is that the main relationship was SUPER insta-love when it came to be. I can see the logic in it but it still felt a tad abrupt. But that's a very minor complaint and I still swooned away. If you love Rebecca Ross pick this one up!

What a fantastic book!

The WWII feeling mixed with fantasy was so perfect for this read. I also loved the characterization, world building, subtle magic system, and romance. Ross's writing is stunning and was a truly magical experience to follow these characters through their journey.

I cannot wait for the next book and found myself thinking: This book is so good I hurts to read it!

If you enjoy YA fantasy you're going to LOVE this book!

My rating: 5*
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Thanks to NetGalley for an early review copy via audiobook. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed Rebecca Ross's previous books and this was no different! I loved the rivals to lovers and the fantasy world with two gods, it all came together well.

5 Beautiful Stars

Ever find an author who just speaks to your soul? Rebecca Ross is one of those for me. I have read just about every single book she has written and I have loved every one of them. Divine Rivals was no exception. The story was brilliant from start to finish. And now mere months after reading it, I still think about it. Still dreaming about what is going to happen next. The ending utterly broke my heart into a thousand pieces. So the wait for the sequel is going to be pure torture.

Iris and Kitt's love story is far from over but I need Ruthless Vows asap. I never want this series to end. That would be my one complaint, the Letters of Enchantment is only a duology. It should be a trilogy or longer.

Cannot wait for the next book!!

I'm more of a fantasy reader than romance, so I'm surprised how much I liked this book. It's got magic typewriters, enemies to lovers, and such atmosphere. The writing is sublime. I didn't realize this is part of a duology, so I'm planning to listen to the audiobook when the conclusion comes out next year.

This is an excellent read, and further proof of Rebecca Ross's consistency as a strong voice in the fantasy genre. Her protagonists are as real and believable as her fantastic worlds are unique and inventive. The theme of writing that its power and transporting nature is handled beautifully, and the rivalry-turned-romance of the main characters is endlessly endearing. Another 5-star Rebecca Ross book.