Scan barcode
A review by sai_g
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
dark
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was oddly underwhelming and it took me quite a while to figure out why, considering the fact that this book has many elements I usually am a sucker for. It had love letters, which always was a hit for me and romance in a war setting, which is also something that makes my brain go Zing. The book had me in tears and the end of the first chapter. But that was all. I then felt nothing at all.
So what made this book not good? I am neither a plot nor a character person. I enjoy either one of those. A look at the list of my favorite books will make this clear to anyone. It will contain a mixture of books with good plot and some others with no plot just vibes but good character development. Unfortunately this book had neither of them. The plot regarding the war? Underdeveloped. Maybe we'll get to see it in the sequel. Romance between Iris and Roman? Came out of nowhere. Other characters felt flat to me.
SPOILERS
Speaking of romance, atleast Roman's side was believable. Iris started loving "Carver" out of nowhere and then in the middle she also falls for "Kitt". I know they were the same person, but not to her at that point in the story. And that irked me to no end. The author should've just let Iris love Carver only and let the romance plot develop from there.
Because of this, Iris was not a reliable POV(to me) in terms of her romantic thoughts. It made me highly uneasy everytime she let go of Roman's hand while I already couldn't trust her to love him(felt like a foreshadowing of some sort. But it was nothing. Just Iris being a bad partner). I don't know why the author chose to mention them holding hands, and then purposefully pointing out that Iris pulled away her hand or let go of his hand and other similar phrases. It never amounted to anything plot wise(Ironic how Roman is the one on the other side now).
Roman had to limp because of an injury he got trying to save HER and she leaves him alone SEVERAL times(some of them did not anger me, while some definitely did. Hence the capital letters)to fend for himself during crucial moments. And in the end when Forest wore a mask and she thought it was Roman? Disgusting. I felt Iris did not put enough effort to save him in the end when Forest was taking her away. Roman was an incredible character and deserved better.
Though, I have to mention that the war effects were explained so perfectly that it was painful. All the siren scenes felt like I was standing along with them and was holding my breath till the danger passed.
END OF SPOILERS
There were many quotable sentences that I have highlighted and will note down. But the book overall was just not for me. I might read the sequel to find out what happened.
If the movie WW84 and the book The Hating Game had a baby, it would be this book.
So what made this book not good? I am neither a plot nor a character person. I enjoy either one of those. A look at the list of my favorite books will make this clear to anyone. It will contain a mixture of books with good plot and some others with no plot just vibes but good character development. Unfortunately this book had neither of them. The plot regarding the war? Underdeveloped. Maybe we'll get to see it in the sequel. Romance between Iris and Roman? Came out of nowhere. Other characters felt flat to me.
SPOILERS
Speaking of romance, atleast Roman's side was believable. Iris started loving "Carver" out of nowhere and then in the middle she also falls for "Kitt". I know they were the same person, but not to her at that point in the story. And that irked me to no end. The author should've just let Iris love Carver only and let the romance plot develop from there.
Because of this, Iris was not a reliable POV(to me) in terms of her romantic thoughts. It made me highly uneasy everytime she let go of Roman's hand while I already couldn't trust her to love him(felt like a foreshadowing of some sort. But it was nothing. Just Iris being a bad partner). I don't know why the author chose to mention them holding hands, and then purposefully pointing out that Iris pulled away her hand or let go of his hand and other similar phrases. It never amounted to anything plot wise(Ironic how Roman is the one on the other side now).
Roman had to limp because of an injury he got trying to save HER and she leaves him alone SEVERAL times(some of them did not anger me, while some definitely did. Hence the capital letters)to fend for himself during crucial moments. And in the end when Forest wore a mask and she thought it was Roman? Disgusting. I felt Iris did not put enough effort to save him in the end when Forest was taking her away. Roman was an incredible character and deserved better.
Though, I have to mention that the war effects were explained so perfectly that it was painful. All the siren scenes felt like I was standing along with them and was holding my breath till the danger passed.
END OF SPOILERS
There were many quotable sentences that I have highlighted and will note down. But the book overall was just not for me. I might read the sequel to find out what happened.
If the movie WW84 and the book The Hating Game had a baby, it would be this book.