Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment #1)

Favorite Quotes…

“Let me guess. He’s young, handsome, suave, and knows you write better than him, so he’s doing all he can to distract and worry you.”

“I’ve seen endless things throughout my life, and I can tell you right now that this world is about to change. The days to come will only grow darker. And when you find something good? You hold on to it. You don’t waste time worrying about things that won’t even matter in the end. Rather, you take a risk for that light. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

“He didn’t want to live in a world without her and her words.”

“I’m here because of him.”

“He came between me and Death, taking wounds that were supposed to be mine.”

“Read to me, Roman.”

by Rebecca Ross

4 out of 5 stars

"Divine Rivals" is a novel that captures the imagination with its clever intertwining of lives amidst the backdrop of a celestial war. Rebecca Ross weaves a story that transcends the typical enemies-to-lovers trope, presenting a world where the personal struggles of Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt mirror the larger, mythical conflicts at play.

At its heart, the book is a journey through the power of connection. Iris, beset by her family's trials and her mother's addiction, seeks solace and a sense of purpose at the Oath Gazette. Here, she battles Roman Kitt for journalistic supremacy, unaware that their rivalry is the crucible in which their bond is forged. Through the intimate exchange of letters—meant for Iris's brother but serendipitously finding their way to Roman—a silent dialogue of hearts begins. Each letter is a thread pulling them closer, a testament to the unexpected ways we find kinship.

The setting of "Divine Rivals" is a character in itself—a curious blend of the historical and the mystical. The world is at once familiar and fantastical, with typewriters and steam engines coexisting with a pantheon of deities and subtle enchantments. This juxtaposition creates a canvas for Iris and Roman's story, a space where the ordinary and the divine collide and coalesce.

The narrative's charm lies in its focus on the characters. Iris and Roman shine as individuals and as a pair. Their growth, from professional adversaries to unexpected confidants, is drawn with a deft hand. The dance of their relationship, from the cautious first steps to a harmonious stride, is both believable and deeply satisfying.

While the book indulges in the fantastical, it is grounded by the emotional realities of its characters. It explores themes of resilience, the search for joy in tumult, and the enduring human spirit. "Divine Rivals" is not merely about the gods and their wars; it is about how we, as mortals, navigate the tides of fate and find strength in connections forged in the most unlikely of circumstances.

The novel ends on a precipice, a cliffhanger that leaves readers eager for the continuation of Iris and Roman's tale. It is a testament to Ross's storytelling that we are left both satisfied and longing, comfortably nestled in the world she has created yet looking to the horizon for what is yet to come.

"Divine Rivals" is a book that reminds us of the enchantment that lies in the unexpected. It is a story for anyone who has ever found a kindred spirit in a place they least expected, for those who know that sometimes, the most divine experiences are those that are most human.

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