Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, #1)

by Rebecca Ross

✨A LOVE STORY TO DEFY THE GODS✨

The epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak from number one SUNDAY TIMES bestseller Rebecca Ross

A LOVE THAT CONQUERS ALL

Eighteen-year-old Iris dreams that one day her writing will make a difference. A war between gods is raging, and she’s landed a prestigious job at the Oath Gazette.

But at home, she’s barely holding it together. Her brother is missing on the frontline. Her mother is lost in a haze of addiction. And each night Iris pours her heart out in letters to her brother.

Letters that will never be answered. Or so she thinks…

RIVALS DRAWN TOGETHER BY INK AND MAGIC

Her letters have made their way into the hands of the last person Iris trusts: Roman Kitt, her cold, unforgiving rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes back, they forge a magical connection that will seal their fate forever.

NO GOD. NO CREATURE. NO WAR CAN COME BETWEEN THEM.

'Rich and romantic'

Shelby Mahurin, New York Times bestselling author of Serpent & Dove

'I adored this book'

Adalyn Grace,

Reader reviews:

✩✩✩✩✩ ‘The most tender rivals to lovers romance I’ve ever read’

✩✩✩✩✩ ‘My heart by the end couldn't take anymore!’

✩✩✩✩✩ ‘Easily a top read for me and definitely a new favourite. I will never stop recommending this book’

✩✩✩✩✩ ‘A truly moving story and very unlike anything I’ve read lately’

• ISBN13: 9780008588175
• Publish Date: 13 April 2023 (first published 4 April 2023)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
• Imprint: Magpie
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Language: English
• URL: http://harpercollins.co.uk

Reviews

[Hilarye]

My heart hurts & I am unwell. I don't even know where to start.

The short of it: Divine rivals is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. It was sublime. Transcendent. Positively divine. (IYKYK)

I held off on reading Divine Rivals until the duology was complete. On the one hand, I'm very glad I did. Being able to tuck into Ruthless Vows immediately after was (no doubt) imperative to my sanity & mental health. On the other, OH MY GOD, I should have read this book the day it came out. I feel like I let precious seconds slip away that I could have been ruminating on the prose. There is simply no other way to put it. Rebecca Ross wrote a masterpiece.

Roman & Iris (Kitt & Winnow) were so sweet, so perfect, so innocent. Their dynamic was electric. Their banter top notch. The letters, the tension, their reunion; Chef's kiss. Their love was pure & their wedding had me crying tears of joy. The ending broke my heart & left me reeling. When Iris finally read the letter she left on the floor when she went to war, I sat straight up and gasped. Rocked straight to my core. Literal pearl clutch. Immediately followed by tears streaming down my face. All pain & heartache they could have avoided had she read that letter when it came through her wardrobe.

My favorite part of reading is getting to know, and then falling in love with the characters. I fell hard for Kitt & Winnow. I felt like I was walking in a dream while I read. Wrapped up in a cozy blanket & comforted even though tragedy was inevitable. This book was absolutely magical & it's 100% made it to my all-time favorite list.

[Quirky Cat]

Book Summary:

They say that opposites attract. But do they become divine rivals? Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt live two very different lives. One recently lost her brother to the war efforts, while the other grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Despite these differences, both have the same goal in life – to write meaningful articles that impact the world. For this reason, they are both competing for the same position at the Oath Gazette. Little did they know this competition would change their lives.

My Review:

Holy cow. I've heard a lot about Divine Rivals, and I do mean a lot. Despite this, I don't think we're talking about this book! It's amazing! Rebecca Ross has created an absolutely enchanting world. Readers will fall into the world and never want to leave.

So many elements go into Divine Rivals, but that is what makes it so successful. Naturally, we have that whole enemies-to-lovers plot, magical wartime (battling gods, oh my!), historical/steampunk elements, and so much more. It's captivating, compelling, and shockingly emotional.

Divine Rivals is far from a light and easy read. Some plots will make you feel, and others that will make you think. This story portrays love and loss in the time of war and the many layers that come with it.

I went into Divine Rivals fully expecting an enjoyable experience. What I got was an emotional read that burrowed its way into my heart. I'm not sure I'll ever be free of it...and that's okay. Now excuse me; I need to go count down the days until the next installment releases.

Highlights:
Romantasy
Historical Fantasy
Gods and Fate
Journalism

Trigger Warnings:
War
Graphic Death/Injuries
Alcoholism

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[lisbethwhite]

This book had me swooning! While I felt like it started a little slowly, by the end, I was just in love with Iris and Roman and their colleagues. The story had one of my favorite things in a romance - a couple who find each other and have minimal self-inflicted problems put in their way. That doesn't mean there's no conflict, but I appreciate that they weren't acting dumb and making up problems that didn't need to exist.
I can't want to put this story into the hands or ears of students who love a good enemies to lovers romance.