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This was a reread with friends, and I think I liked it even better the second time! I remembered a lot of the big stuff, but there are so many fun/sad/charming details that I had forgotten, and I really don‘t remember book two very well at all, so I am excited to jump back into the world.
Ross continues to be one of my favorite world builders!
pickThis story gave me butterflies. My heart fluttered as I read. Many would classify this as romance, but I think it‘s more than that. The character‘s connection wasn‘t about intimacy and passion. They had a deep, selfless devotion to each other. The relationship between the main characters was soul-stirring; I was so invested in their journey. It was beautifully written. This series lived up to the hype. I will forever cherish this. 5⭐s
pickFinished the first part of the duology.
A bit predictable at times. Everything seemingly turned out well for Iris and Roman. And they weren‘t really rivals, per se, they both secretly liked each other before their true feelings were revealed.
I don‘t feel compelled to continue right away, but it would be nice to see how the story concludes. I think book two will be more dire and imminent with consequences for actions.
Started this #audiobook today as a buddy read with my older sister. (Who I‘m trying to persuade that she needs to get a Litsy account!) #hoopla for the win!
125/100 🎧📖🔖
Just finished Divine Rivals
#divinerivals #rebeccaross #ebook #audiobook #goodreads #goodreadsreadingchallenge #crossstitch #crossstitching #crossstitchersofinstagram #totefairie
pickThis is very good. I have no idea why I'm leaning into the fantasy books so hard (escapism?). I need to slow down because they are all series and I'm going to mix them all together if I keep reading all book 1s.
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
#5JoysFriday
1. Monthly get together with the girls
2. My Granddoggy
3. My Sister-in-Law whose always up for a good time (my 60th Birthday)
4. I am Worthy
5. ❤️ my Kansas City Chiefs
pickThe alternate cover for this would have never attracted me. But this one is beautiful and I‘m the first to admit I judge books by their covers. But then a book about letter writing and magic typewriters? Yes, please! This one was fun!
pickI liked this much more than I thought I would - I am not generally a "romantasy girlie".
I thought the premise of magic typewriters was great, I don't know if I fully understood the gods war aspect, but rival journalists gunning for the same job I enjoyed.
I thought the writing was solid and not overly cheesy. It was a fun romp I might even read the follow up (I don't read many seconds in a series!)
3.75/5
pickI enjoyed reading this book a lot. I loved the plot and the characters. I rated this book a 3 out of 5 stars.
My favourite books I read last year were Divine Rivals and Remarkably Bright Creatures. Both books touched me. On the one hand, the love story between Iris and Roman. On the other, the unique friendship between Tova and Marcellus. Characters you care about and remember. I highly recommend both!
#25alive #FaveBk24
@alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @eggs
pickI could relate to Iris and some of her feelings made me cry. Roman was cute and I felt for him too - I always hate when someone is trying to tell you how you should live your life.
I loved the beginning, it was intriguing. But overall I think there could have been more worldbuilding. There were some super cool things and I would have loved to get more of them. There were some parts in the middle of the book that dragged a bit.
#serieslove2024
“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.”
“It takes courage to let down your armor, to welcome people to see you as you are.”
pickI skipped this book when it first came out but reader‘s FOMO had me purchase this and the sequel together. Sometimes FOMO is a good thing! I love these characters and their magic typewriter. I enjoy a love story in fantasies when that love doesn‘t take over the fantastical plot - so kudos to the author.
so-soSet in a mythical time, during a war between gods that looks a lot like WWI, complete with trenches and mustard gas. Two newspaper reporters, rivals for a column, fall in love after they enlist as war correspondents. Written for young adults, it would have been a better book if it really was about WWI. The gods were a not well drawn distraction. Not sure if I‘ll read the next.
pickCan't wait for book two to come in from the library. Book one was so good!
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pickRoman is becoming my Roman Empire. He is such a good rival mascaraing as a love interest. I adored how these two came together, through their love of writing. The balance between being at war and being journalists was well written. Between slights towards trauma and feeling guilty to having feeling happy when so many won‘t make it home. Confusion is on the magic of the war; don‘t understand a thing about how those two gods are causing this war.
so-soThis book was S-L-O-W. It was good, but closer to the meh side.
Things I liked: 1940s alternate world (I mean completely different from ours), the mythology, the main characters as rival journalists.
Things I didn't like: the pacing. The book was also mostly depressing (which is why I stay away from WWII historical novels). I needed more magic.
Sure there were some brighter moments, but they didn't last. Will I read the second one? Probably.
pickAbsolutely adored this and it is absolutely worthy of the hype it has! I can‘t wait to dive into the second part of Kitt and Winnow‘s story!
pickI thoroughly enjoyed DIVINE RIVALS. Suspense, the brutality of war, and hope weaved through the entire narrative kept me turning pages even though I didn't want the story to end. I can't wait to read more about Winnow and Kitt.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I have been wanting to read this one for a while, and I‘m glad I waited until I could just jump right in to book 2 because talk about a wild ending!
This was a very fun read - I love romances that take place via letters, emails, or, in this case, enchanted typewriters, and I thought all the main & side characters were well imagined.
I‘ve heard mixed reviews on book two, but I‘m excited to jump into it & see what happens next!
so-soAn enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance that's been getting a lot of hype. Iris and Roman are both competing for a columnist job in a land where the gods are at war. Iris's brother is away fighting, and Iris writes him letters that disappear, but it turns out that someone else is getting them - and one day, he writes back, starting a correspondence. Pretty predictable and I'm not sure I'm invested enough to read the sequel.
e-book ISBN: 9780008588175
I learned a new word: petrichor - the scent after newly-fallen rain.
Upto chapter 16 and really enjoying this one. A sort of 'You Got Mail', but with a wardrobe that delivers letters instead of e-mail.
pickRecently finished and absolutely loved it-I haven‘t loved a book this much in a long time! It brought me back to my middle/high school years of loving this genre so much! The writing was engaging. The characters of Iris and Roman were well-written; their chemistry was outstanding. The imagery was incredible; I can easily picture every scene and character. It includes many tropes, but the tropes were well-done. So excited to read the 2nd book!
pickFinally jumped on the bandwagon! Verdict: Worth. The. Hype. 😍 I loved this book! Devoured this book. Savored this book. Slow burn believable romance, easy-to-follow fantasy world building/historical fiction, realistic events rather than sunshine and rainbows. Immediately started the second book!
4 stars ⭐️
pickWhat's not to love about a love story brought on by magically linked typewriters and wardrobes? But the agony!!! It kept me fraught through the rest all the way to a cliffhanging ending that will likely put me through much of the same for 484ish pages of the sequel.
pickWhat did I just read?! Because my heart has been ripped out & now I have to wait, WAIT, for the sequel.
I don't think I'm going to make it. Had I known, HAD I KNOWN, this was book 1 & there will be a book 2, I would have left this book ON MY SHELF until book 2 was released like exactly what I did with Strike the Zither by Joan He. Instead, I'm left with a gaping hole in my chest.
This is why I normally read reviews & check out the book. 👇🏻
#firstlinefridays
“Cold fog had settled over the depot like a burial shroud, and Iris Winnie thought the weather couldn‘t have been better.”
I also love that she uses the word “petrichor” in the first paragraph.
pickI thought I was over the YA genre but this one is too cute to resist!
What can one not love about two people falling in love over letters, beautiful words, with a hint of magic in background. It has a captivating story, reveals heartbreaking dark side of wars and how love can survive the worst! Can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this duology.
pickThe plot, the family drama, the war, the myths, the rivalry turning to love - engaging and well-written. And the ending! So, into the sequel :)
pickOhhhhh babyyyyyyyy.
This book. Omg.
Kicky feet for sure.
I'm obsessed.
It was so lovely.
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04.01.2024
pickThis book is amazing! It's definitely worth all the hype.
I loved all the characters and the plot.
Iris writes letters to her brother, who is fighting in a war, but when she slips them in her wardrobe and they disappear, they are actually going to her work rival, Roman Kitt.
Enemies to lovers, a war between two Gods, what's not to love.
I will be starting the second book immediately.
pickI really ended up liking this one. I loved watching the relationship between Roman and Iris unfold.
pickThis was my first fantasy book and I adored it! I found myself quickly rooting for Iris and Roman as individuals on their own journeys, gasping at the twists and not wanting the story to end. I‘m so glad I‘m able to read the sequel soon, as I have to know what happens next.
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Just started. A little into it and I‘m reading about how her mom is an alcoholic and sells things for money. Wondering if her mom will find typewriter and sell it
pickI didn't love this at first, but it grew on me. The last hour or so of audio was extremely engaging and I can't wait to see where the duology goes. Fortunately I have Ruthless Vows up next 🤓
Divine Rivals | 
