"The war may be chaos, but the symmetries of these books are exquisite." - New York Times
"Rich world-building and the poignancy of young love make the first in this fantasy romance duology a wistful and riveting read." - The Washington Post
"An ardent romance and a harrowing exploration of war’s horrors and heartbreaks... with inventive worldbuilding, nuanced characterizations, and prose by turns dreamy and atmospherically tense." - Publishers Weekly
"Divine Rivals is another absolute winner from author Rebecca Ross, who is rapidly proving there’s very little she can’t do in the realm of fantasy fiction." - Paste Magazine
“Rich and romantic—if stories had scent, this one would smell like a mug of black tea, the ink ribbons of a typewriter, and that addictive spice called enemies to lovers.” —Shelby Mahurin, New York Times bestselling author of Serpent & Dove
"A sweeping start to a beautiful and romantic new series. Ross weaves her stories in such a vulnerable and delicate way, truly with a style all her own. I adored this book." - Adalyn Grace, New York Times bestselling author of Belladonna
“Deeply romantic and beautifully written, Divine Rivals is a story that lingers long after the final page. Set in a world steeped in mythology, Iris’s journey to the front is both fascinating and moving, with an ending that will leave readers aching for the next book. I absolutely loved it.” —Rachel Griffin, New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches
"Ross enchants with a clever and sweeping love story set against an imaginative, dangerous world. Her writing sparkles, brimming with wit and magic from the first page to the last." —Isabel Ibañez, finalist for the William C. Morrow award
"Ross has crafted a tale that hooks its readers with whip-smart intrigue, and holds them fast with dazzling prose, a charming cast, and a world where mystique shimmers just beneath the surface. Hers is a brilliant blend of whimsy and heart.” —Ayana Gray, New York Times bestselling author of Beasts of Prey
“Beautifully written and deeply emotional, Divine Rivals is a story of resilience and love, crafted with Ross’s bewitching storytelling. Real characters, swept into a magical war, this is the kind of a tale that gets under your skin and straight to your heart. Truly romantic and atmospheric, this book will leave you hungry for the next installment.” - Valia Lind, USA Today bestselling author of The Scarlet Rose
"Rich, evocative details build a world both gritty and whimsical, and Ross’ gorgeous prose is equal to the novel’s ambitious premise. Readers who enjoy enemies-to-lovers with a heaping dose of angst will find plenty worthwhile here." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"This YA historical fiction with a touch of fantasy...will appeal to fans of mythology combined with everyday life as well as enemies-to-lovers romance." - Booklist
2023-01-12
A war between gods plays havoc with mortals and their everyday lives.
In a time of typewriters and steam engines, Iris Winnow awaits word from her older brother, who has enlisted on the side of Enva the Skyward goddess. Alcohol abuse led to her mother’s losing her job, and Iris has dropped out of school and found work utilizing her writing skills at the Oath Gazette. Hiding the stress of her home issues behind a brave face, Iris competes for valuable assignments that may one day earn her the coveted columnist position. Her rival for the job is handsome and wealthy Roman Kitt, whose prose entrances her so much she avoids reading his articles. At home, she writes cathartic letters to her brother, never posting them but instead placing them in her wardrobe, where they vanish overnight. One day Iris receives a reply, which, along with other events, pushes her to make dramatic life decisions. Magic plays a quiet role in this story, and readers may for a time forget there is anything supernatural going on. This is more of a wartime tale of broken families, inspired youths, and higher powers using people as pawns. It flirts with clichéd tropes but also takes some startling turns. Main characters are assumed White; same-sex marriages and gender equality at the warfront appear to be the norm in this world.
Ideal for readers seeking perspectives on war, with a heavy dash of romance and touch of fantasy. (Fantasy. 14-18)
