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A review by jcreads85
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
4.5 Stars
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was dragged in by the hype and continuous posts…and the fact it finally became available through the library. But I’m glad I gave it a chance. I’m not always about YA, especially when it’s young people and romance - it can feel icky, or shallow; like they haven’t lived long enough. The circumstances set this apart, more believable and I didn’t feel as if I was reading about children.
This book read as if from an alternative reality, one where World War 1 still happened - trenches, gas/chemical warfare. But we are now in a world where Gods walk the earth and mortals are pawns for them to move around the board. In that setting we find our main characters: journalists who head to the front lines.
But before we get there, it’s just young people trying to carve out a name for themselves, rivals for one columnist spot at the leading publication in the city. From there we follow their journey, in a dual point of view tale, that brings us found family, rivals-to-lovers, and a civilian view of war.
I loved the romance built over magic typewriters. Pen-Pal relationships are underrated. And I’d love if this series made typewriters cool again.
The rivals-to-lovers was believable; the chemistry was there when they fought and you could see the care even when they “didn’t” even like each other. And what an amazing gesture to follow the other to the field.
And though the tale is grim, it read warmly, a little softened around the edges even though it is largely a war story. That might sound odd, but the lyrical prose makes it work. Makes sure you don’t get lost in the dark.
I was invested in the tale from start and even went to get the second book the moment I finished just to find it on hold. But I know the wait will be worth it.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was dragged in by the hype and continuous posts…and the fact it finally became available through the library. But I’m glad I gave it a chance. I’m not always about YA, especially when it’s young people and romance - it can feel icky, or shallow; like they haven’t lived long enough. The circumstances set this apart, more believable and I didn’t feel as if I was reading about children.
This book read as if from an alternative reality, one where World War 1 still happened - trenches, gas/chemical warfare. But we are now in a world where Gods walk the earth and mortals are pawns for them to move around the board. In that setting we find our main characters: journalists who head to the front lines.
But before we get there, it’s just young people trying to carve out a name for themselves, rivals for one columnist spot at the leading publication in the city. From there we follow their journey, in a dual point of view tale, that brings us found family, rivals-to-lovers, and a civilian view of war.
I loved the romance built over magic typewriters. Pen-Pal relationships are underrated. And I’d love if this series made typewriters cool again.
The rivals-to-lovers was believable; the chemistry was there when they fought and you could see the care even when they “didn’t” even like each other. And what an amazing gesture to follow the other to the field.
And though the tale is grim, it read warmly, a little softened around the edges even though it is largely a war story. That might sound odd, but the lyrical prose makes it work. Makes sure you don’t get lost in the dark.
I was invested in the tale from start and even went to get the second book the moment I finished just to find it on hold. But I know the wait will be worth it.