This book didn't feel intrinsically *fantasy* until the last page. And yet? I still freaking loved it. Imagine taking a WWII book and making it about warring gods instead. Then add in an epistolary romance between rival journalists. Hi, Wednesday Books? I'll take 20. The dual narrators were exceptional, especially for dramatic readings of their correspondences. I'm convinced that this book is best read on audiobook honestly. Iris was so headstrong and determined, while Kitt is infuriating and dapper. Rebecca Ross, I want the latter half now please.

*Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for my ARC and Macmillan Audio for my ALC in exchange for my honest review*

Ok. enchanted typewriters that can exchange messages back and forth regardless of location might be my new favorite thing... combine that with a You've Got Mail style rivals-to-lovers secret connection might be my new favorite romance trope.

I really liked the characters of Iris and Roman and thought their chemistry was genuine, the side characters were interesting as well. The lore that Ross weaves throughout the plot adds another layer to the novel and overall this was such a great read. The second half gets pretty dark as Iris heads off to be a war correspondent and that ending... OMG. I will now be not so patiently waiting for the next book in this series so I can find out what happens next.

Alex Wingfield and Rebecca Norfolk do a great job with the audiobook narration and given that a lot of the plot revolves around letters being shared between two characters, DIVINE RIVALS is a perfect book to read with your ears (as in listen to the audiobook version).

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Macmillan Young Listeners in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the Audio ARC of Divine Rivals.

I loved this book, the way the author writes is so inviting and easy to read. The world was very vivid in my mind as the story progressed and I LOVE when books incorporate writing letters/ pen pals and that this was one of the magical elements in the book. It had everything that I want in a fantasy/ romance: Slow burn, rivals or enemies to lovers, the pining after each other, the banter (that doesn't go to far), Historical- but not middle/dark ages, and the CLIFF HANGER. I love this so much, but I'm heart broken that I'll have to wait at least a year before the next book is released.

Short synopsis: Iris and Roman are both trying to get the columnist position at the newspaper. When the war stars and Iris’s brother joins, she writes letters to him but finds out quickly the letters being returned are not from her brother.

My thoughts: Wow, what a cliffhanger! And we won’t get book #2 until sometime next year.

This was a unique spin on a fantasy novel. It felt somewhat set in a “normal” world, until the random magical creature halfway through the book starts attacking. The first half was really slow going for me, but the second half picked up with the romance and action part of the story.

Rebecca really does have a way of writing that makes everything seem so real. I could almost picture myself in the war trenches along with Iris.

Read if you love:
- Enemies to lovers
- Magical elements
- Battle scenes
- Pen pals
- Lost family

The audio on this was very well done. I’m a huge fan of dual narration and both told the story so well.

I absolutely LOVED, LOVED this story. When I tell you that I listened to this audiobook for almost 12 hours straight with only stopping to sleep for a few hours, it is true. I have never listened so intently to a story and I couldn't wait to hear how it would end. Now there better be a second book and I'm already searching now to purchase it.

The story was amazing, the narration was perfect. I couldn't say anything slightly bad about his book. A enemies to lovers trope with a bit of mythology god theme and a little bit of a magical typewriter in it. I loved it!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rebecca Ross has quickly become one of my very favorite authors, because she writes the most beautiful reading "experiences." Meaning, her books are somehow more than just stories and characters and plot, but they exude an aesthetic and you as a reader cannot help but get swept up in the thoughtful world and feeling she creates. I loved her Elements of Cadence duology, so was thrilled to get the chance to read this upcoming work early.

Divine Rivals is another winner! The book is set in a WWI inspired English world, but the war is being waged between two gods, who are using humans (and possibly other creatures) as their troops. Iris Winnow, the FMC, is a poor girl working for a newspaper, trying to earn a columnist job; Roman Kitt, the MMC, lives a privileged life but is vying for the columnist job as well. Iris' brother Forrest is off fighting in the war, but has gone missing. Iris ends up heading to the front to report on the war, and learns there's a lot more going on than she realized.

I absolutely loved the magical world Ross creates, with enchanted houses, and typewriters that can send letters through wardrobe portals. The larger conflict between the two gods is introduced, and will undoubtedly be expanded upon in further books. Iris is such a great character to root for - she is curious, smart, hardworking, and has faced many things in her young life, but she is still earnest. There's great romance in this book, the kind that makes you cheer for young love - and there's a "one seat" take on the one bed trope that's delightful. I enjoyed the dual POV chapters, the world-building, and the letters and newspaper article bits.

Ross uses the climax of this book to widen the scope of the story, provide some twists I did not see coming, and smack readers with a tough cliffhanger we'll have to wait to have (hopefully) resolved in the next book. Highly recommend this to any reader who is a fan of realistic fantasy, historical fiction, ya fiction, creative magic, or strong female protagonists.

Enemies-to-lovers. Fantasy. Warring Gods. Writers. A sweeping novel full of the power love provides. Love for family, for friends, for country. The reader is immersed in the bravery of young war correspondents as they step into the unknown hiding from their own personal turmoils. Just as you are rooting for many of the characters, all hell breaks loose, literally. The reader is left on a cliffhanger, waiting for so many answers…

I highly recommend this book to everyone. It would pique the interest of fantasy lovers, romance fiends, and adventure seekers alike.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and author Rebecca Ross for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Suspenseful and romantic, Divine Rivals is grounded in its WWI-inspired world while still feeling deeply magical. The reader can't help but fall in love with Iris and Roman as they fall for each other. The "You've Got Mail" premise is cleverly executed through magical typewriters, and the twist ending is a gut punch of a cliffhanger. Rebecca Ross continues to be an auto-buy author for me, both in YA and adult.

I was intrigued by the premise & loved the writing and main characters right from the start. I am also a fan of the author. As the story went on, I felt myself wishing that there was no fantasy element at all to the war since she barely addressed those elements, but by the end, I was clamoring for more fantasy elements that will undoubtably be explored in book 2 after QUITE the cliffhanger ending. This was perfect for anyone seeking a beautifully written, slow burn love story set in the backdrop of a war. Hard pressed to call it historical fiction since it does not seem historically grounded in the details of a particular war.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross is a young adult fantasy book with a side of historical fiction. Although it is not set in our world, the era the story takes place in is very reminiscent of the WWI era. The mash up of a historical fiction setting and magical realism along with a touch of mythology makes for a very interesting setting for the storyline.

What I Liked: I am not traditionally a fan of romance, but this story was sweet and had me rooting for the two main characters, Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt. I enjoyed the multi-POV from the main characters. The spark between the two enemies beginning in an epistolary fashion made for a nice slow burn to lovers which I appreciated. The narrator was easy to understand and perfectly emotive.

What I Did Not Like: Although I like the idea of the enchanted alouette typewriters, I'm didn't feel like the explanation was in depth enough to grasp why they were actually enchanted. Sometimes the pacing of this story drug and in other parts it whizzed by.

All in all, I thought this was a great book and I am definitely looking forward to the second book in this duology and reading more from Rebecca Ross.

“I should have looked behind me.
I am broken, full of contradictions.
I wish I were brave, but I am so afraid.”

I didn’t love the whole book. There were definitely some parts that reeled me in and had my heart in a vise. **Queue tension and love interests.** But outside of those moments I just liked it. I kept reading out of curiosity and stuck around for the love story.

I was always intrigued enough by the mythology aspect, but I wasn’t captivated to the point of obsession like I hope for in any book.

The first 40% was a bit slow and after that it definitely picked up but it almost seemed like the details were glossed over. The climax was the only part that really gave us any deep insights. I almost feel like it was done on purpose for book 2 but I can’t be positive. Basically, I just wanted more.

The audio was so well done with dual narrators for Kit (Alex Wingfield) and Iris (Rebecca Norfolk). The animation from their voices definitely helped me through the slower parts.

3.5/5

5 Simply Divine Stars!

I absolutely adored this book. It was everything I love in a book - - a great enemies to lovers story, strong fantasy plot, characters that seem so real you feel as if you know them, a unique and fresh storyline......and magic.

When we meet them, Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt are two young journalists working for a local newspaper. The catch is that they are both competing for the one available columnist spot. They are both intense competitors and the sparring banter between these two is awesome.

Iris comes from a poor background. Her father isn't in the picture, her brother has recently gone off to fight in the Gods War and her mother is drinking on a daily basis. Iris desperately needs to win the columnist position but the odds seem to be against her.

Roman comes from a wealthy background and it seems like he has every advantage. However, his life at home is anything but happy. His father is dictating everything about his life and Roman feels like all his choices are being taken away. He doesn't necessarily even want the columnist position, but his father told him it's prestigious and that he should go after it. Basically, it's expected of him.

The story eventually moves to the front lines of the war where Iris will learn even more about not just herself but others as well.

I really enjoyed every aspect of this book. From the romance to the fantastical history of the Gods War to the battles themselves and their struggle to survive. It's a creative storyline with wonderful world building and fleshed out characters. The only down side for me is having to wait now for the next book in the series.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The audiobook was phenomenal. I loved the narration. The characters' accents were wonderful and lent authenticity to the story in my opinion. Listening to this audiobook was effortless. It easily kept my attention and I was basically addicted to this story until I finished. 5 huge stars!

Thank you to NetGalley for both the early reading copy and listening copy. I voluntarily chose to read/listen to it and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Divine Rivals is set in WW era-esque simile of the European continent. Winnow writes letters to her brother, off at war, and then slips them into the void of her closet. Unbeknownst to her, they are received and read by someone other than her brother, and that someone is a fellow reporter she knows. This story is their tale, how they end up as war correspondents, and how they become separated. I am hoping for a sequel!

The story is dual POV, and different narrators are used for each character.

I loved this book. It has everything. Magical correspondence, war, gods, mythical creatures, new love, etc. I was totally enthralled and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. The audiobook narration was great. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Young Listeners.

All the stars! This is my favorite book of the year thus far and completely swept me away. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator had the perfect accent and voice for the story.

Enemies to lovers, slow burn, and a peculiar magical element make this book a cocktail of fun. I loved getting dual POVs and being inside the head of a journalist. This felt like one of those stories that had a book within due to the writing correspondence you get to read that is written by the main characters.

It was whimsical and absolutely squeezed my heart. This is a part of a series, and it does leave on a cliffhanger but don’t wait for book 2…read this now!

LGBTQ+ rep: F/F side character relationship

So it took me about three times to really get into the audiobook. Once I made it through the first two chapters I was hooked. The writing was absolutely beautiful, almost lyrical. The storytelling was phenomenal. I enjoyed the sprinkled point of view of the love interest, but the fact that it was in the MCs view most of the book was great. It was just enough. Third person reads are always a little more difficult for me to get attached to. It usually does take me a little longer to get into them. I am a first person reader, I love first person, but this book was beautiful, and had my heart swooning. Great read and can’t wait for book two.

✨Saturday ARC Review✨

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross is a beautiful story that will grip you from start to finish. It gets all the stars and more:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖Blurb: 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.

📚Ross’s writing is beautiful, as always, and the story is magical. Despite dire circumstances of war and difficulty Ross manages to weaves threads of hope and encouragement into her story Divine Rivals. It has academic rivalry, magic, familial ties, raw emotion, and romance. Not to mention the audio narration is excellent. Pre order this one as soon as you can friends!

🎧Rebecca Ross has quickly become one of my auto buy authors since listening to The Queen’s Rising duology and I am currently enthralled with reading the remainder of her exciting stories! I was therefore thrilled to receive the audiobook ARC of this latest book from NetGalley.

🔔Content: This book contains loss, violence, mental health, addictions, and non explicit mature scenes.

#bookcommunity #bookish #netgalley #booksbooksbooks #bookstack #bookish

Thank you to Rebecca and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to review Divine Rivals as an audiobook ARC.

Initially, I was intrigued due to a mutual on tik tok to try and pick up this arc. I'm SOOO happy I found that video because this re-invigorated my pace of reading. Am I a little upset it's a duology? Of course because I want that second book IN MY HANDS, but outside of that, this is a 5/5 book.

We are following Iris Winnow, who's mother is completely torn apart and who's brother is fighting in a godly war. Iris left school early to work for a local paper and of course, she has an academic rival, Roman Kitt. Iris is starting to fall apart at the seams, writing to her brother on her personal typewriter at home to relieve her stress after work. The letters disappear; however, they aren't going to her brother, they're going to Roman Kitt himself. Roman doesn't come clean as he and Iris are neck in neck for a promotion at work. However, war eventually calls Iris as she does learn her brother is not receiving her letters. She's not sure who's getting them, but staying in a place she no longer belongs does not serve her. Will Roman reveal himself? Will Iris find her brother? Will war take over their sleepy town? All questions that are answered, yet not answered, in this book.

It was fast-paced, the audiobook narrators were AMAZING. I loved the ebb and flow of the story, it was not too gory but you still felt the anticipation and anxiety surrounding the war, and the ENDING is a RUDE CLIFFHANGER (that i love). I cared about all of the characters, I wanted to know more about each one, and I cannot wait for more. In the meantime, I probably will pick up some more Rebecca Ross books :)

It took a minute to hook me - some of the fantasy elements just weren't for me.
But the plot - UM YES!
The character development of Winnow and Kitt - so well done, complex, relatable and so heart wrenching. The use of a typewriter - the story behind its creation as well as the magical ability to communicate between them. Creative and lovely.
Rivals to friendship - again complex and so well done.
Family issues. Feisty grandmothers. Siblings.
I cannot wait for the next!

This is my first Rebecca Ross book and it will definitely not be my last. This is an epic start to an amazing YA fantasy series. It captivated me from the beginning and I have absolutely no idea how I can wait until 2024 for the next book!

I completely immersed myself into the story. The dual POV narration was amazing, especially with the letter writing. Listening to this book was an entrancing experience. I did not stop once I started. Rebecca's writing style is lyrical and absolutely perfect for an atmospheric audio experience!

The characters are so well developed and I thought the pacing of their relationship was good, if not a little slow at the beginning. The rivals to lovers trope did remind me of You've Got Mail. I found myself completely in love with both Iris and Roman. The magic of the typewriters and letters gives me all the warm and fuzzy feelings.

Even though the story did cover some serious topics such alcoholism, grief, loss of a loved one, violence, they story itself is ultimately about hope, love and acceptance. While I would like to see a bit more world building, it did not take anything away from the story line. I am sure I will get more of that in the next book.

Thank you to Net Galley, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, Rebecca, Ross, Alex Wingfield and Rebecca Norfolk for this fantastic audio ARC.