Scan barcode
A review by jessicarosee
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
4.0
Reminiscent of autumn days spent drinking tea, and my endless longing to bring snail mail back in fashion, Divine Rivals is a culmination of the dreamy, rivals-to-lovers romance we all yearn for, and my odd fascination for wartime fantasies (i.e. my favourite ACOTAR book being the third, despite everyone else finding the war strategy talks and battles boring). So, in spite of my apprehension towards books that go viral on TikTok, the temptation to find out what all the fuss was about won, and so here we are.
Rebecca Ross succeeds in conjuring a world with enough magic to dazzle readers who love mythology and lore, but still real enough to ground someone who hasn't read many fantasies in a while (me!!!). The city of Oath and the westward towns of Avalon Bluff became so real in my mind through her tactical yet poetic use of language that I too could feel myself wandering through Roman's enchanted mansion and Marisol's Bed & Breakfast alongside the characters I grew to love. That is another thing Ross masters in this book, her development of characters with clear personalities and thoughtful banter that roots them in reality despite their fantastical setting. I grew to love Iris, Roman, Marisol, and Attie, each description and conversation forming a clear image in my mind of the people who call each page home.
The magic system is intriguing. It is rather that magic runs throughout the veins of the world, rather than something someone can harness themselves. The gods of this world are alive, able to influence their people (and control them), taking on a very real role in the story. The other important magical element of the story is Iris and Roman's magic typewriters. Handed down from their grandmothers, the Alouettes are essential in the growth of their relationship, and allow for some of the most funny moments in the story, but also the most romantic.
I will say the story is not enemies-to-lovers, but rather rivals-to-lovers. They never hate each other or even dislike each other particularly. It is more just that they are competing for the same thing whilst also trying to ignore their feelings for each other.
The story is not five stars, but for a reason I never really have with any other book. I want more. It isn't the fact that I am absolutely begging, dying, for the sequel, but rather the fact that I think the story would have been even better if it was, say, 100-200 pages longer. The pacing in the story was odd at times, too fast for me to reflect on certain moments and render them into the reality of my mind. But it isn't too big of a complaint for me to not absolutely adore this story. The first YA fantasy I have enjoyed in such a long time.
Rebecca Ross succeeds in conjuring a world with enough magic to dazzle readers who love mythology and lore, but still real enough to ground someone who hasn't read many fantasies in a while (me!!!). The city of Oath and the westward towns of Avalon Bluff became so real in my mind through her tactical yet poetic use of language that I too could feel myself wandering through Roman's enchanted mansion and Marisol's Bed & Breakfast alongside the characters I grew to love. That is another thing Ross masters in this book, her development of characters with clear personalities and thoughtful banter that roots them in reality despite their fantastical setting. I grew to love Iris, Roman, Marisol, and Attie, each description and conversation forming a clear image in my mind of the people who call each page home.
The magic system is intriguing. It is rather that magic runs throughout the veins of the world, rather than something someone can harness themselves. The gods of this world are alive, able to influence their people (and control them), taking on a very real role in the story. The other important magical element of the story is Iris and Roman's magic typewriters. Handed down from their grandmothers, the Alouettes are essential in the growth of their relationship, and allow for some of the most funny moments in the story, but also the most romantic.
I will say the story is not enemies-to-lovers, but rather rivals-to-lovers. They never hate each other or even dislike each other particularly. It is more just that they are competing for the same thing whilst also trying to ignore their feelings for each other.
The story is not five stars, but for a reason I never really have with any other book. I want more. It isn't the fact that I am absolutely begging, dying, for the sequel, but rather the fact that I think the story would have been even better if it was, say, 100-200 pages longer. The pacing in the story was odd at times, too fast for me to reflect on certain moments and render them into the reality of my mind. But it isn't too big of a complaint for me to not absolutely adore this story. The first YA fantasy I have enjoyed in such a long time.