Divine Rivals

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross follows eighteen-year-old journalist Iris Winnow, who writes letters to her missing brother that magically end up with her workplace rival, Roman Kitt. Set during a war between gods Dacre and Enva, the story blends historical fantasy with enemies-to-lovers romance as the two journalists forge an anonymous connection through enchanted typewriters before meeting at the war's front lines.

Rebecca Ross is a #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author who writes fantasy novels for teens and adults. She has authored multiple acclaimed duologies including Letters of Enchantment, Elements of Cadence, and The Queen's Rising. Ross lives in Northeast Georgia with her husband and dog, where she grows wildflowers and story ideas in her garden.

Divine Rivals is worth reading if you enjoy emotionally rich romantasy with strong worldbuilding. The book won the 2023 Goodreads Choice Award for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction. Readers praise Rebecca Ross's beautiful writing style, the natural rivals-to-lovers progression between Iris and Kitt, and the perfect balance of romance, war drama, and magical elements that make it nearly impossible to put down.

Divine Rivals is perfect for readers aged 13 and up who enjoy young adult historical fantasy romance. Fans of Shadow and Bone, Lore, and romantasy will appreciate the WWI-inspired setting, enemies-to-lovers trope, and magical typewriter connection. The book appeals to those seeking emotional storytelling that balances war themes, family struggles including addiction, ambition, and heartfelt romance with strong character development.

The enemies-to-lovers romance in Divine Rivals develops naturally through anonymous letters exchanged via magical typewriters. Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt compete for a columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette while unknowingly writing to each other. Their connection builds from workplace rivalry to emotional intimacy as they share vulnerabilities on paper before discovering each other's identities, creating a slow-burn romance filled with yearning and stolen words.

Divine Rivals is the first book in the Letters of Enchantment duology by Rebecca Ross. The sequel, Ruthless Vows, continues the story after the cliffhanger ending where Dacre takes Kitt to the underworld to become his war correspondent. Readers should prepare for an emotional conclusion to Divine Rivals that leaves them eagerly awaiting the second installment to resolve the separation between Iris and Roman.

The magic system in Divine Rivals centers on enchanted typewriters that create mysterious connections between writers. When Iris slips letters beneath her wardrobe door intended for her missing brother, they magically vanish into Roman Kitt's hands. This intimate form of communication allows characters to forge deep emotional bonds anonymously, while the broader fantasy world includes gods with power to compel followers and enchanted buildings within a WWI-inspired setting.

Divine Rivals explores themes of love, grief, ambition, and resilience against a backdrop of divine warfare. The story examines family struggles including Iris's mother's addiction and her brother's disappearance, while addressing how journalism can provide truth during wartime. Rebecca Ross balances the devastating effects of war with hope and the transformative power of love, showing how human connection endures even when gods battle and cities fall.

Divine Rivals ends with a devastating cliffhanger when Dacre's forces attack Avalon Bluff with poisonous gas. Iris's brother Forest, who had been forced to fight for Dacre after being mortally wounded, rescues Iris but Kitt gets separated during the chaos. Dacre finds Kitt dying on the battlefield and grants him life, taking him to the underworld to become his first war correspondent, leaving Iris and Kitt torn apart.

Divine Rivals combines the war-torn fantasy worldbuilding of Shadow and Bone with the mythological elements of Lore, but distinguishes itself through its WWI-inspired setting and epistolary romance. Unlike typical YA fantasy, Rebecca Ross uses magical typewriters rather than traditional magic systems, creating intimacy through written correspondence. The historical fantasy atmosphere feels more grounded than Shadow and Bone's Grishaverse while maintaining romantasy appeal through the gods' war and enemies-to-lovers dynamic.

Divine Rivals takes place in a fantasy world with strong World War I vibes, where gods Dacre and Enva have awakened after centuries of sleep to wage war. The setting blends historical elements like trenches and wartime journalism with fantasy aspects including enchanted buildings, magical typewriters, and eithrals that drop poisonous gas. Iris works at the Oath Gazette in the city of Oath before traveling to Avalon Bluff on the front lines, where the divine conflict's devastation becomes visceral.

Iris Winnow's family faces tragedy when her brother Forest answers goddess Enva's call to war and goes missing from the front lines. Her mother Aster turns to alcohol addiction after Forest's departure, eventually losing her job and forcing Iris to drop out of school to support them financially. Later, Iris discovers Forest was mortally wounded but healed by god Dacre, who forced him to fight for his army until Forest found their mother's locket and escaped to save Iris.