Book Review: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

‘Divine Rivals’ by Rebecca Ross was released in early 2023. It is the first book in the Letters of Enchantment duology. The second book, ‘Ruthless Vows’ is due to be released in the latter end of the month.

The story followed two characters, Roman Kitt and Iris Winnow, both of whom are writers, journalists, rivals who seek the same promotion at the Oath Gazette, the most prestigious newspaper in the city. By day, Iris is a teasing rival, reorganising Kit’s desk, and producing writing that acts as a thorn in his side. But, outside of work, her world is in disarray.

Her brother, Forest left Oath to fight in the war as a soldier for the Goddess Enva, leaving Iris and their mother behind. Her mother succumbed to the allure of drink and dulled her pain in addiction. And, in the midst of it all, the letters she writes to Forest and tucks in her wardrobe keep disappearing and somebody – not Forest, has them.

When her circumstances change, Iris leaves her job at the Gazette and takes up a position as a War Correspondent with the Gazette’s rival paper, the Inkridden Tribune, and for some irksome reason her rival promptly joins her. And while she has grown close with her penpal, Carver, she can’t seem to handle the emotions washing over her as she spends more time with Roman Kitt.

This is an enemies-to-lovers story which is gut-wrenching, evocative, punchy and immersive. I loved how quickly Iris was able to make Avalon Bluff her home, and find peace among friends, while doing her part and more for the wounded.

The stakes are high, the relationship is fast-paced, fun and still retains the brilliant banter that existed when Kitt and Winnow were still at the Gazette, all the way to the end, even when they put everything on the line and share their feelings.

I loved Ross’ writing style and how she managed the pacing when it came to Iris handling patients in the infirmary versus her trip to the Front Lines. I really got to feel like I knew, not only Iris but the characters she interacted with.

I loved how casual and queer-normative this world was. The way Marisol is just so casual when she mentions her wife is delightful and made my heart happy. Getting to know more about their relationship and how it inadvertently acted as a parallel to Roman and Iris’ relationship was so fun! I was so glad we got to meet Keegan by the end of the book, and see her and Marisol happy, in spite of the imminent danger coming to Avalon Bluff.

There were so many things to like, and so many unanswered questions. I wonder how Kitt’s family will respond to his relationship. I wonder how Keegan faired since her ending was left particularly ambiguous. The cliffhanger, although, arguably predictable and one readers could see coming, offers a lot of possibilities for the mutual pining, forbidden love, star-crossed love and fated love that transcends time, space, class, and war when it comes to the characters in this book. It really was fantastic.

I loved this book, it was incredibly immersive and fun! I very much look forward to reading the sequel when it comes out. It’ll shoot to the top of my TBR, no doubt about it!