This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨
First Impressions
Divine Rivals is the first book in the duo series "Letters of Enchantment" and I wasn't sure that I was going to read this one, but after receiving many recommendations from those that have similar reading tastes as I do, I decided to pick this up. So I first want to say that Divine Rivals was an incredible read. I have no clue why its categorized as YA though, they are adults in this book, most likely for just marketing purposes most likely. I had really high expectations for this one and it definitely lived up to those expectations. I can see why this one is so well loved. My largest impression is that this had some of the most unique world building I have ever read. It had a quality to it that just drew you in slowly and I really appreciated the delicate nature in the author in being able to deliver that aspect to the reader.
First Line
Cold fog had settled over the depot like a burial shroud, and Iris Winnow thought the weather couldn't have been better.
Summary
Iris and Kitt are rival journalists that are both fighting for the same position. Iris is struggling with her brother being missing in the war and her mother is a alcoholic. She needs to win the columnists promotion. Roman Kitt has his own home struggles. His father is forcing him into a marriage he doesn't want and going to use anything to his power to get Kitt the position but he is determined to make his own way without his father's aid. When he starts writing letters with a special typewriter and figuring out its from his work nemesis, he is curious to discover what he can but the more they exchange words, the more intrigued he becomes and determined to be the man that she needs. When their ways keep running into each other, they discover a powerful love. But there is a war happening with an enemy that wants to destroy them at all costs. Will they lose each other just when they find a love worth fighting for?
What I Loved
Divine Rivals is a book I wasn't expecting. I couldn't seem to get enough of and I did this mostly in audiobook and then at the end I physically read it in my kindle. So I absolutely had a blast with the chemistry between Kitt and Iris and it was off the charts. The rivals to lovers aspects was written perfectly. There was such a easy flow from rivals to friends to lovers. They have a powerful connection in their letters and when the truth comes out .....the romance BLOSSOMS in a way that is so epic and beautifully captured. But the angst between them isn't too overpowering either. Its handled with a delicate writ that pulls you further into the story. The atmosphere that is created is so cozy at times but in other times has a more majestic feel to it. It definitely has a 1940's war era type of feel with the technology and clothing and culture of the time. Its a blend of magical realism and historical mythological fantasy mixed together. The magical elements are slowly inforced, so you don't need to worry about being overwhelmed by the world building. The fantastical elements really build in the third act with so much mystery being hinted at in the first half of the story. Rebecca Ross really captured the beauty of love so brilliantly. I was on board with these two as a couple and how they were willing to fight for each other in the third act finale was so precious and captured my complete attention. Its a story of devotion, of healing and redemption and the transcendent beauty of love in the most dangerous of circumstances.
What I Struggled With
The ending was a cliffhanger, not a fan of this but it didn't change my rating or overall enjoyment of the story.
Narration
I absolutely adored the narration. There is a bit of an accent so that took some getting used to. But once you get used to it, it really flows so naturally.
Overall View
I found this to be a journey of mystery, connection and magic that will stir the senses and keep you captivated all the way through!
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Mythological Fantasy, Magical Realism
Character Types: Journalists
Themes: Angst, Whimsical, Lyrical Writing
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Enemies to Lovers, Epic Love
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both
Song This Book Inspires
The Power of Love by Celine Dion
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
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All 2 for you in this series
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More like Divine Rivals: A Novel (Letters of Enchantment Book 1)
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From the Publisher
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|---|---|---|
| A River Enchanted | A Fire Endless | |
| Customer Reviews |
5,447
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3,761
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| Price | $11.59 | $11.66 |
| Also available | Elements of Cadence, 1 | Elements of Cadence, 2 |
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My thoughts on this fantasy from a non fantasy reader
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Review - Divine Rivals Hardback by Rebecca Ross
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5/5 Divine Rivals - One of My Top Reads This Year
Andi Hoffman
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Reviews with images
I can only describe these 2 books as enchanting!
Wow! So I am not usually in to this kind of book, and I definitely didn’t think I would like it. I swear the author must have used actual real magic to write something so… enchanting. I was truly enchanted by the words I was reading that I actually lost track of time! I wish I didn’t put off reading them for so long! Although I’m glad I read these when I did because I needed them! They are now in my top favorites. Minor typos won’t even knock a star off of these because these books are truly magical. And even if you aren’t into this kind of book, I dare you to read it and say it ain’t good! I double dare you! You will be just as enthralled as I was. When I am done reading the rest of the books in my library I am going to be rereading these again! The story is actually so vivid that I could truly picture exactly what was happening and there was ALOT happening. There was none of those annoying scenes that don’t move the story along. Every page kept me wanting more and when it ended I was so sad. The author did not have to be so elaborate with wasteful words to describe the scenes vividly, you would think with how well she describes everything the books would be much longer but nope! She truly used magic! And the story is so unique that I’m positive that there is no other story like this. I mean magical type writers!? Who thinks of these things?! Truly creative and talented people, that’s who. I would say these books would be great for everyone. you have rivals to lovers, loss, fear, love, and you would never believe it but so action packed! I also felt Iris when she was looking for her brother, and as I read I had truly hoped she found her brother alive, as something similar happened to mine, so it swept me away and I had to know if he was alive, I won’t spoil anything but :’( my bother too was in the army and things also didn’t work out for him so yes this did punch me right in the heart but it is ok I forgive. There is literally nothing bad to say about these books.Rebecca Ross is a magician and master of the writing arts and I am now her biggest fan and will continue reading her writing. I really needed this series and it came to me at a time in my life that it was perfect for. I just can’t help but think magic is at play here ! Thanks Rebecca!This series will remain on the top shelf in my little library!
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