A read that I didn't expect to like as much - but I took quite a liking to it.
More heavily-romance-focused-fantasy-book, Divine Rivals is a story that had got me giggling and smiling and fearing for the character's lives, and showed the realities of war and how it can take so much from a person.

I feel that its been awhile since I was ensnared into what I would say leaning more on New Adult Fantasy, and the writing reminds me a bit of what Cassandra Clare could do. Its enchanting and captivating and it makes you intrigued to learn more of the world and story.

Plot
The story is set in a world where magic is subtly infused in each of the lives of the people. Divided into the West, East, North and Southern towns - and heavily influenced by the Gods and the Lore ; is a story that is mainly based from the POV of two young-to-be-journalists, Roman Kitt and Iris Winnow. In a town called Oath in the East, where Iris's brother set on a journey to fight in the name of the God - Enva, she is set to become a journalist with her competitor Roman Kitt. In an incident where enchanted letters were exchanged - its a story of a love and betrayal , and of war and its hardships, and the bitter truths of how the people of power can affect the lives of people to the very end.

Plot-wise
This book had a steady plot going on and I feel that it progresses quite fast. I do wish that more of the Gods were actually there or - to even get a chapter of them on what is actually going on - I do like how the author had highlighted the hardships of war and how Writing can actually save the lives of many people, and this is shown in the acts of true journalism. I liked the subtle politics, where the Gazette - the one who reports the news on Oath - is held high in prestige in society , only to report what's beneficial to the people of power. The spirits of the act of journalism itself - in which to write stories that actually matters - is what made this book appealing to me. I liked that the setting of the book has a bit of a different setting to the normal fantasy books that we are used to and the fact that the author highlighted writing and putting out stories of the war to be the main goal - makes it a story that made me compelled to finish it to the very end.

Character - Wise
The book is set in the third POV and I liked that we get to know the two main characters of their own. Iris Winnow is a character that came to love. She is smart, independent, and she takes help when she needed. She's headstrong but not stubborn enough to be stupid (which I find annoying in most female characters in fantasy books), and I loved that she takes heart in what she does.

Roman... is... ***sighs***** Gosh I love him :')

Honestly, I'm not the biggest fan of Romance Fantasy (more of a genre preference) , but this one hits just right for me. I liked how both Roman and Iris came together, and I loved how their rivalry turned out to be something beautiful and sweet. Gosh Chapter 34 (the author quoted this at her acknowledgements) - it was something else :') Loved this two :')

Magic System
I would say that the magical aspects of the book is more on the lore and the tidbits of magic infused in the world building itself. I would call this more of a Historical Romance Fantasy (if we want to go into specifics). The lore for me is quite unique and I honestly can't wait for the second book to come out to find out more of the two Gods that are currently fighting at their wits end - using humans as their props for war. I just hope that the auhtor would include more POV's of the Gods cause I do want to learn more about their motives at the end.

Overall
A read that actually took me by surprise. Can't wait for the sequel to come out cause I want to see how the world and story unfolds at the end.

Recommended!

Personal Ratings: 4🌟

Biggest thank you to Harper Collins and Harper Reach for sending me a beautiful ARC of this novel :)