Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by samandthebookstack
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
✔️ Workplace rivals to lovers
✔️ Historical, war-era fantasy (with less emphasis on intricate world-building and more emphasis on character-driven plot)
✔️ Epistolary story-telling
✔️ Cliffhanger
✔️ Dual POV
✔️ Found Family
Trigger warnings: content related to war and violence, loss of a parent, grievous injury, grief, and alcoholism.
Have you ever read something and felt as though you'd been transported into a favorite cozy chair nestled beneath a soft blanket? That's how Divine Rivals came to me.
Like a perfectly brewed cup of tea, it was precisely the story I needed to read at the exact moment I most required it. There were some moments where I felt like I'd been gut-punched by the exploration of Iris and Roman's grief, but I also left this book feeling as though I'd been thoroughly hugged and presented with a bowl of tomato soup and grilled cheese on a crisp, fall day.
The writing is excellent but never pretentious. The characters are all interesting and vibrant and contrast brilliantly against the backdrop of their war-torn world. The romance was of the warm and fuzzy variety. Roman Kitt is a precious, precious creature and I NEED to see him happy with Iris in book 2.
✔️ Historical, war-era fantasy (with less emphasis on intricate world-building and more emphasis on character-driven plot)
✔️ Epistolary story-telling
✔️ Cliffhanger
✔️ Dual POV
✔️ Found Family
Trigger warnings: content related to war and violence, loss of a parent, grievous injury, grief, and alcoholism.
Have you ever read something and felt as though you'd been transported into a favorite cozy chair nestled beneath a soft blanket? That's how Divine Rivals came to me.
Like a perfectly brewed cup of tea, it was precisely the story I needed to read at the exact moment I most required it. There were some moments where I felt like I'd been gut-punched by the exploration of Iris and Roman's grief, but I also left this book feeling as though I'd been thoroughly hugged and presented with a bowl of tomato soup and grilled cheese on a crisp, fall day.
The writing is excellent but never pretentious. The characters are all interesting and vibrant and contrast brilliantly against the backdrop of their war-torn world. The romance was of the warm and fuzzy variety. Roman Kitt is a precious, precious creature and I NEED to see him happy with Iris in book 2.
“It’s not a crime to feel joy, even when things seem hopeless. Iris, look at me. You deserve all the happiness in the world. And I intend to see that you have it.”
“But time will slowly heal you, as it is doing for me. There are good days and there are difficult days. Your grief will never fully fade; it will always be with you--a shadow you carry in your soul--but it will become fainter as your life becomes brighter. You will learn to live outside of it again, as impossible as that may sound. Others who share your pain will also help you heal. Because you are not alone. Not in your fear or your grief or your hopes or your dreams. You are not alone.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail