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A review by vernip
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I've always pondered sandwiches that have the most exquisite filling but fail completely when it comes to the bread.
This book is such a sandwich.
I was not hooked at first; I was quite bored. Once the two start to actually be mystery pen pals tho, then my interest is piqued.
AND THEN SHE GOES TO WAR!
So much richer when the setting is set within seemingly idyllic, countryside life but constantly under the threat of a ruthless enemy. At times I feel like the author really just wanted to write a straightforward war story and do away with the supernatural elements altogether, based strictly on the power of the tense scenes of an outsider observing the effects of brutal humanity which could totally have been the setting for WWI or WWII and not a holy war with immortals dragging mortal man into their conflict.
And all the while, a girl falls in love with her faceless late-night texter (via magic typewriter of course!) only to discover it's the boy she's been tsundere with for years. Ooh that's some good drama!
...
And then the last 1/8 of the book is my two least favorite things in a story, slog and tragedy.
Bad thing happen.
And rather than have the decency to end it right after, we just keep dragging our heels to get to a point of symbolic futility. It's that kind of Sisyphean result that makes you think you got invested for nothing.
Here's hoping the sequel is actually appetizing...
This book is such a sandwich.
I was not hooked at first; I was quite bored. Once the two start to actually be mystery pen pals tho, then my interest is piqued.
AND THEN SHE GOES TO WAR!
So much richer when the setting is set within seemingly idyllic, countryside life but constantly under the threat of a ruthless enemy. At times I feel like the author really just wanted to write a straightforward war story and do away with the supernatural elements altogether, based strictly on the power of the tense scenes of an outsider observing the effects of brutal humanity which could totally have been the setting for WWI or WWII and not a holy war with immortals dragging mortal man into their conflict.
And all the while, a girl falls in love with her faceless late-night texter (via magic typewriter of course!) only to discover it's the boy she's been tsundere with for years. Ooh that's some good drama!
...
And then the last 1/8 of the book is my two least favorite things in a story, slog and tragedy.
Bad thing happen.
And rather than have the decency to end it right after, we just keep dragging our heels to get to a point of symbolic futility. It's that kind of Sisyphean result that makes you think you got invested for nothing.
Here's hoping the sequel is actually appetizing...