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eli_leo94's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
justkarlah's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The worldbuilding was amazing. It kept me wanting to read until the very end. The characters were mostly great too, especially the way friendships developed between them. The romance wasn't my favorite, but I do like both main characters, so it was still cute to read about them.
Will definitely be reading the next book!
Will definitely be reading the next book!
jukebox1168's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
bookloverlisaw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
vistelimus's review against another edition
5.0
Just finished rereading this and I still get the feeling that I got when I first read it. I absolutely LOVE Divine Rivals. This is definitely my favorite 2023 book so far (and also my favorite book of all time honestly).
"I don't think you realize how strong you are, because sometimes strength isn't swords and steel and fire, as we are so often made to believe. Sometimes it's found in quiet, gentle places. The way you hold someone's hand as they grieve. The way you listen to others. The way you show up, day after day, even when you are weary or afraid or simply uncertain."
Rebecca Ross’ writing is BEAUTIFUL. The heartbreak, the loss, the grief, the happiness, and the love that the characters feel was conveyed very well, you can just feel it in every sentences. I was very emotional (I think I cried a little bit) throughout my reading experience because her writing is just SO GOOD.
"I am coming to love him, in two different ways. Face to face, and word to word."
I LOVE IRIS AND ROMAN. They are definitely two of my favorite characters. Iris was smart, so brave and courageous, and overall was just very kind and compassionate. And Roman was quick-witted, clever, so protective over Iris that he would follow her anywhere and do anything to keep her safe. They were rivals in the beginning of the story, and they have lots of banters that made me smile and giggle out loud. Their relationship grew throughout the story and the chemistry between them is just out of this world. And the letters that they send to each other were INSANE, they were beautiful yet emotional.
The worldbuilding is also easy to follow and the pacing is perfect, it’s not too fast and not to slow. THE CLIFFHANGER THOUGH…. it left me feeling devastated (For days when I first read it).
After the cliffhanger I’m actually scared for Iris and Roman, and I just hope that they will finally get their happy ending. I can’t wait for Ruthless Vows and see the conclusion of Iris and Roman’s story.
"I don't think you realize how strong you are, because sometimes strength isn't swords and steel and fire, as we are so often made to believe. Sometimes it's found in quiet, gentle places. The way you hold someone's hand as they grieve. The way you listen to others. The way you show up, day after day, even when you are weary or afraid or simply uncertain."
Rebecca Ross’ writing is BEAUTIFUL. The heartbreak, the loss, the grief, the happiness, and the love that the characters feel was conveyed very well, you can just feel it in every sentences. I was very emotional (I think I cried a little bit) throughout my reading experience because her writing is just SO GOOD.
"I am coming to love him, in two different ways. Face to face, and word to word."
I LOVE IRIS AND ROMAN. They are definitely two of my favorite characters. Iris was smart, so brave and courageous, and overall was just very kind and compassionate. And Roman was quick-witted, clever, so protective over Iris that he would follow her anywhere and do anything to keep her safe. They were rivals in the beginning of the story, and they have lots of banters that made me smile and giggle out loud. Their relationship grew throughout the story and the chemistry between them is just out of this world. And the letters that they send to each other were INSANE, they were beautiful yet emotional.
The worldbuilding is also easy to follow and the pacing is perfect, it’s not too fast and not to slow. THE CLIFFHANGER THOUGH…. it left me feeling devastated (For days when I first read it).
After the cliffhanger I’m actually scared for Iris and Roman, and I just hope that they will finally get their happy ending. I can’t wait for Ruthless Vows and see the conclusion of Iris and Roman’s story.
maleahschrader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
katierucki's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
For a slow reader I ate this book up when I first picked it up. The romance, the world, the tears I shed all just made my heart happy.
The way Iris handles grief really resonated with me as someone who spent so much of last year grieving. I loved how raw it felt and also how she still had to push through.
Rowan is nearly a dream besides the whole not telling her thing. He is patient and kind and honestly one of my favorite book boyfriends. He has a special place in my heart.
I was so incredibly excited to meet Forest. He did let me down but in a truly realistic way. No one is the same after war but he almost killed Iris trying to get her away. It made me really upset because she’d been praying for the day she’d get to see him again and turns out he’s kinda an ass.
Overall loved all the characters and their relationships. I already miss being in this world.
The way Iris handles grief really resonated with me as someone who spent so much of last year grieving. I loved how raw it felt and also how she still had to push through.
Rowan is nearly a dream besides the whole not telling her thing. He is patient and kind and honestly one of my favorite book boyfriends. He has a special place in my heart.
I was so incredibly excited to meet Forest. He did let me down but in a truly realistic way. No one is the same after war but he almost killed Iris trying to get her away. It made me really upset because she’d been praying for the day she’d get to see him again and turns out he’s kinda an ass.
Overall loved all the characters and their relationships. I already miss being in this world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
aalva0531's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
fionadesantis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0