Divine Rivals BOOK ONE of the LETTERS OF ENCHANTMENT Duology by Rebecca Ross
Divine Rivals is one of the best books I’ve read this year. Alas, good stories are back. Divine Lovers took me out of a reading slump and I loved loved it so much. The writing was so captivating, the narrative’s uniqueness drew me in, and the enchanting writing held me spellbound throughout.
Iris’s brother Forrest has gone off to fight for the goddess Enva in the war against Darce. Despite his promise to respond to her letters upon leaving, he has not been doing so.
As a result, she has started hiding her letters under her wardrobe and they seem to be disappearing. One day a response comes in under the wardrobe. “I am not Forrest.” The letter says. So who has been receiving her letters?
It’s her rival Roman Kitt and they begin a connection from the exchange of letters. Their unexpected connection is forged through these clandestine exchanges, transforming their rivalry into a fascinating journey towards companionship.
Divine Rivals Book Plot
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.
After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.
To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish—into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper.
When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.
Shadow and Bone meets Lore in Rebecca Ross’s Divine Rivals, an epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.
Divine Rivals Book Review
Iris and Roman are characters I wouldn’t be forgetting for a while.
This is a enemies to lovers story but most enemies-to-lovers I read these days aren’t exactly enemies to lovers this was more like nemesis or rivals to lovers and I didn’t mind that tbh. Their relationship progressed so nicely that I wasn’t bothered with scrutinising that.
Iris Winnow: Iris had a kind of strength I want to see more in female characters, she also had a vulnerability that made her so human and relatable. She was determined, bold and cared for people around her. Iris’s determination, audacity, and genuine concern for those around her underscore her complexity.
Roman Kitt: Intriguingly, Roman Kitt, the rival-turned-comrade, defies initial impressions. Beneath the veneer of rivalry lies a heart that brims with compassion and courage.
I liked his character development in this book, He went from a pompous rich boy to caring, brave, and passionate. Roman’s journey resonates with you so well, it leaves you eager to discover more to his story and character development in the upcoming sequel.
I liked the world-building and how we were introduced to the gods and the mythology, It didn’t feel like an info dump and it was interesting how we were informed about these details as the characters were. The gradual revelation of these details parallels the characters’ own discoveries, fostering a sense of immersion.
While the gods initially linger in the background during the first instalment, it’s evident that they are poised to play a more significant role in the sequel, promising a deeper exploration of their influence.
However, what stands out most profoundly is the writing itself. The way the words were put together, how the stories were woven and the intentionality of the writing, interweaving words and narratives with utmost intentionality.
The exchange of letters between Iris and Roman was my favourite part and while I do not care much for romance, I loved their relationship and the build-up.
I thought some aspects of the romance silly especially because they were in the middle of a war but it all worked out.
In conclusion, Divine Rivals is a resounding triumph, deserving of its full five stars.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all readers, as it offers a narrative experience that lingers long after the final page.
It is probably a duology with the second book coming up later in the year.
It is titled Ruthless Vows to be released later this year on the 26th of December 2023.
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