A Magical War of Words: My Review of Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Hello Aesthetes!! Welcome back to another review. I hope you are having a wonderful month so far. In this post, I’m going to gush about one of the best books I’ve ever read: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. This is the first book in the Letters of Enchantment duology, and it blew me away. It is a historical fantasy romance that follows two rival journalists who become pen pals through a magical connection, and then end up as war correspondents in a conflict between two awakened gods. It is a BookTok sensation, and for a good reason. It is amazing. I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. I gave it 5 stars, and I wish I could give it more. It was so good that I’m glad I read it late, because now I don’t have to wait too long for the sequel. The cliffhanger!!! This book had everything: action, adventure, mystery, intrigue, and a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance that made my heart race. It was like watching a movie. I couldn’t put it down.
Before I dive into the review.
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(If you missed my last review, You can check it out here.💓)
Okay, now that's out of the way, Let's get into this.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fall in love with your enemy through letters? That’s the premise of Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross, a historical fantasy romance that follows two rival journalists who become pen pals through a magical connection, and then end up as war correspondents in a conflict between two awakened gods. It was one of the most captivating and emotional books I’ve ever read.
- Child abuse
- Parent with alcoholism
- Panic attack
- Alcohol consumption
- Cigarette & cigar smoking mentioned
- Medical treatment including needles
- Blood, gore and physical injury
- Emesis
- Death of a sister from drowning recounted
- Death of a mother from being hit by a train
- Military service discussed
- Graphic war themes & battle scenes including bombings and chemical gassing, on-page
- Poverty
- Rivals/Enemies-to-Lovers
- Slow Burn
- Found Family
- She Fell First, He Fell Harder
"I am coming to love him, In two different ways. Face to face, and word to word."
I rated it 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, because it was a captivating and emotional read that transported me to a world of magic, war, and romance. The book had everything I look for in a fantasy novel: compelling characters, thrilling plot, beautiful writing, and swoon-worthy romance. The book also explored some important themes, such as the power of words, the ethics of journalism, and the consequences of war. The book kept me hooked from the first page to the last, and left me with a huge book hangover. It was one of the best books I read this year, and I can’t wait to read the sequel.
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💗Characters💗
The main characters of this book are Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt, two rival journalists from Oath who secretly become pen pals through a magical connection. They don’t know each other’s identities, but they share their thoughts and feelings through letters that vanish under their wardrobes and reappear under the other’s. They also independently decide to become war correspondents and report on the conflict between two rival gods, Dacre and Enva, who have awakened after centuries of slumber.
I loved both Iris and Roman as characters. They are complex, flawed, and relatable. They both struggle with their own issues, such as Iris’s alcoholic mother and missing brother, and Roman’s controlling father and unwanted engagement. They also have different opinions and perspectives on the war, the gods, and the media. They challenge each other, but they also support each other. They have a lot of chemistry and tension, both as rivals and as lovers. Their romance is slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, and absolutely swoon-worthy.
The secondary characters are also well-developed and interesting. I especially liked Iris’s friend and fellow war correspondent, Thea Attwood, and Marisol Toress. They both play important roles in the story and in the lives of the main characters.
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💗World Building💗
The world building of this book is rich and detailed. Rebecca creates a vivid and realistic setting, with a lot of history and culture. The book is inspired by the First World War, and it shows in the descriptions of the trenches, the weapons, the uniforms, and the propaganda. The book also incorporates elements of fantasy, such as the gods, the magic, and the creatures. The book creates a contrast between the beauty and the horror of the world, and the hope and the despair of the characters.
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💗Plot💗
The plot of this book is original and captivating. It combines elements of fantasy, romance, and historical fiction, creating a unique and immersive world. The book is set in a land divided by five gods who have been buried under different regions. The gods have different powers and followers, and they influence the culture and politics of their domains. The book explores the themes of war, religion, media, censorship, and identity, among others, in a nuanced and thought-provoking way.
The book also has a lot of magic and mystery. The book also has a lot of surprises and revelations, some of which I guessed and some of which I didn’t. The book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn’t put it down.
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💗Tone💗
The tone of this book is dark and emotional, but also hopeful and romantic. The book deals with some heavy topics, such as war, death, trauma, addiction, and betrayal. The book does not shy away from the brutality and the tragedy of the war, and the pain and the grief of the characters. The book also shows the courage and the resilience of the characters, and the power and the beauty of love. The book balances the darkness and the light, the sadness and the joy, the despair and the hope.
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💗Pace💗
The pace of this book is fast and engaging. There is never a dull moment, as the plot is full of twists and turns, action and adventure, mystery and intrigue. The chapters alternate between Iris and Roman’s points of view, which adds to the suspense and excitement. The book also has a MEGA cliffhangers at the end of the book. The ending left me breathless and desperate for the sequel.
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💗Enjoyment💗
I enjoyed this book immensely. It was one of the best books I read this year, and one of my new favorites. It had everything I look for in a book: compelling characters, thrilling plot, beautiful writing, and swoon-worthy romance. It made me laugh, cry, gasp, and swoon. It also made me think and feel. It was a roller coaster of emotions, and I loved every minute of it.
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In conclusion, Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross is a stunning and captivating book that I highly recommend to anyone who loves fantasy, romance, and historical fiction. It is a book that will make you feel and think, and that will stay with you long after you finish it. It is a book that deserves all the praise and hype it has received, and more. It is a book that I will reread and cherish, and that I can’t wait to continue with the sequel.
Thank you for reading my review, Aesthetes. I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope you will give Divine Rivals a try. If you have read it, let me know what you thought of it in the comments. And if you haven’t, what are you waiting for? Go and get yourself a copy, and prepare to be amazed. Until then,
Happy Reading! 💕
Disclaimer: This blog post does not contain any affiliate links. I do no receive any commission or compensation from the products or services that I mention or review. All opinions are my own and based on my personal experience.
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