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The plot, the family drama, the war, the myths, the rivalry turning to love - engaging and well-written. And the ending! So, into the sequel :)

Ohhhhh babyyyyyyyy.
This book. Omg.
Kicky feet for sure.
I'm obsessed.
It was so lovely.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

04.01.2024

Magic in a book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This 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.

I really ended up liking this one. I loved watching the relationship between Roman and Iris unfold.

This 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.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

I 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 🤓

Oh my goodness!!! What a great book; the world is intriguing, that characters are amazing, and the hope that this book inspires. I love every bit of it and I may have to dive in to book 2 ASAP. #BOTM
Book 7 of 2024

I have been reading. But I have not been posting. Here are most of them from Jan and Feb. All different, all mostly good. Some coming in April, and some in May. And of course, some like the tagged book are already released. #readingandreviewing #youngadult

#February #bookreport #wrapup

I read 9 books in February. 3 audiobooks 3 ebooks and 3 books. My favourite was Divine Rivals which was my choice for our local book club. I have plan to read sequel in March. I very liked Remarkably Bright Creatures, Hello Beautiful and The Secret Of A Heart Note. All 3 were #buddyread on Litsy. Thanks to @TheBookHippie and @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks to share/chose these books.

I thought this was YA fantasy, but I‘m not sure that‘s what it was. Honestly it felt more historical fiction or a war story with some magical elements. I don‘t feel we learned anything much about the gods that were at war. However, with all that said, I definitely enjoyed Divine Rivals and will definitely be reading Ruthless Vows.

I wasn‘t sure if I would like this book because fantasy isn‘t my normal genre that I gravitate to, but I took a chance and I‘m glad I did. I suspect that this book (series) is going to be very big and we will be hearing a lot more about it. I think I loved it so much because it wasn‘t typical for a fantasy book with heavy world building, etc. This felt real and like it could be something that would happen. I loved it and can‘t wait to read book 2.

#LoveLetter 💌 #LuckyInLove 💋👩🏻‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏻💌💘

#BookNerd 🤓💙📚

I read for 1hour and 12minutes. And I need more of this story. It becoming more and more interesting. Going to take shower and then in bed with my kindle. It is good that I'm in afternoon shift tomorrow.🙃
#hyggehour #hyggehourreadathon #litsolace

@AllDebooks @TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit @jenniferw88

I'm ready for #hyggehour #hyggehourreadathon #litsolace
I have my kindle tea candle and aroma therapy🥰
#currentlyreading the tagged one.

@AllDebooks @TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit @jenniferw88

#LuckyInLove #Candlelit

I'm #currentlyreading Divine Rivals and enjoying it so far. A warm tea and scented candle are my company.

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

I wasn‘t sure about this book at first. It started off a little slow and I didn‘t really understand what was going on, but as we got further, I started to enjoy the relationship between Iris and Kip. I like the ending of the book and am excited to see what happens in the next book.

Book 6 of 2024.

I inhaled this. It has been on my TBR for awhile but had I realized I‘d become this invested…😰😂🤣

While the romance itself bloomed a little quick, it was so well-written I was willing to forgive and buy-in. The ending did feel rushed but also added to the desperate yearning for this couple/what comes next. Guess I just have to get a copy for myself. 😭🫶🏻 Book 2 for #AuldLangSpine - @DGRachel did you read the second book?

First book of 2024. Magical typewriters, anonymous penpals, work rivals, war of the gods, tragedy, and love...It took me a bit to engage, but the last 100 pages FLEW by. Taking away 1/2 a star cause of the slow build, lack of "spice" (which is a me problem), feeling like the romances developed bit too quickly/easily, and cause I wish some bits at the end were more fleshed out. Finished it FURIOUS, cause it ends on a cliffhanger - the audacity lol!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Divine Rivals was a really sweet YA Fantasy that had a slight real world twist, creating a setting of its own. I loved Iris and Roman‘s journey. Ross is a great writer who always keeps the plot moving. I felt it was too light on the war with the Gods information, tho. We got bare minimum and worry book 2 may be an info dump! Hopefully it‘s just as magical!

My first book of 2024 what a great book to start with I absolutely love Iris and Roman!

I really had no idea what this book was about, I thought it was total fantasy and then I started to read it.. it‘s a mix of everything you would want in a fantasy/love/friendship/family/mythical story! I never read the inside cover and most times I love that I had no idea what was ahead! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ So good! If you never had a typewriter you are missing out.

1. Divine Rivals remains my only full 5 star read this year, although there were a few very close runners up
2. Icebreaker just did nothing for me. Both plot and romance were really poorly realized.
3. Invited to a friend‘s family cabin for the weekend, heading out on Saturday!
4. I was back to work on the 26th :/
5. I live in Alaska, so I don‘t think I‘ve ever experienced a non-white Christmas, except for on a tropical vacation.

#wintergames

Oh, this hit. Delicious romance, heartbreaking warfare, an interesting mix of "our" world and a created fantasy realm. And the ending!! Dear Lord!! #yalit #yafantasy #yaromance #yaromantasy

This was a sweet YA Fantasy. I loved the main characters using typewriters & writing letters to each other. Cute enemies to lovers tale with the backdrop of a war. Excited to read the next book in this series!

#SassyBookworm😏 #DivineRivals

5⭐️ Binged this audiobook over the past few days and was sucked into the city of Oath, war between Dacre and Enva, and most importantly Iris and Roman. 1/2 🌶️ spicy- very PG imo- but gave the perfect amount of details to create the illusions in my mind. Ross‘ writing had me hooked and narrators Norfolk and Wingfield breathe life into the characters making them jump off the “page” and swim through my ears and brain. Can‘t wait for #2‘s release!!

“I think we all armor. I think those who don‘t are fools risking the pain of being wounded by the sharp edges of the world over and over.”

Loved this one so much! I am excited the sequel comes out right after Christmas.

#LittenListen - 6hrs - 60pts
#Rushathon - 6hrs - 60pts
#Adventathon - 6hrs - 60pts
Word Search - 95 words - 950
Participation - 1pt

Total: 1,131

@Julsmarshall @katiekat311 @Bookworm54 @AmandaBlaze @tdrosebud @Coueriamb @Sarahreadstoomuch @RedxoHearts

#wintergames #restinggrinchface

Blame it on Litsy...

This book blew me away. The premise, the characters, the prose- absolutely DIVINE. The way Rebecca Ross can capture the horrors and heartbreaks of war, while also delivering this beautiful love story full of hope is just impeccable. I‘m sad it took me so long to get to this, but glad I won‘t have a long wait for the sequel! 5/5

Kindle Unlimited • fantasy • historical • romance • young adult • war • adventure • 3 Stars

This novel is set in a world where five gods are warring after centuries of slumber. Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt, two rival journalists work for the Oath Gazette, a newspaper that is censored by the chancellor. Iris and Roman discover a magical connection through letters that they exchange anonymously, unaware of each other‘s identity. ⬇️

The words “you must not have pups with her” have been bouncing around my head and making me go 🫢🫨🙄 ever since I read them.

Roman‘s dad has me wishing physical violence on a fictional character… he goes on to reveal his plans to capitalise on the war which include plans to start manufacturing bombs… so fingers crossed that karma comes along soon to give Mr Kitt the kind of day he deserves.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I know I‘m a bit late to the party re: this title, but count me among those eagerly awaiting the next book. I loved the characters and Ross‘ writing style.

Two young rival journalists (Roman and Iris) find love through a magical connection. The Gods are at war and they both end up at the front line.
A beautifully written story, with two main characters who stand out. A great cast of supporting characters who I loved just as much. The ending has a brutal cliffhanger and I literally can‘t wait to pick up the sequel. An epic enemies to lovers fantasy, filled with heartbreak, hope and love. 5⭐️

Rebecca Ross is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! I absolutely loved this story about falling in love through letters and the importance of the written word. A love story taking place during a time of war with a hint of magic thrown in. I can‘t wait for book 2 coming out in Dec! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My library hold arrived! Can‘t wait to start this tonight. I‘ve heard so many good things 📚

This was my new favorite read of the year until very very recently. It‘s brilliant, it‘s worth all the hype, I adored it. Funny how something that is clearly fantasy felt so much like historical fiction. Magic typewriters?! I mean come on! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I know I‘ve been very anti-YA for a while. That‘s because YA fantasy is usually all angsty love triangles and ordinary people destined to be the One to save humanity. This is none of those things. It‘s a gorgeous enemies-to-lovers romance set against the backdrop of a war between gods. The writing is beautiful. I absolutely loved it. My only complaint is that it has a sequel that doesn‘t release until Dec 26th. I want it NOW.

Gah! The ending!!! And the middle…&…the whole thing Entertaining, wonderful escape & exactly what I needed. The gods are warring again & when Iris Winnow‘s brother enlists her life is upended. Iris drops out of school & goes to work as a journalist. Rivals with another journalist & worried about her brother, the only thing that brings her comfort are magical letters she exchanges with an anonymous stranger. And then she‘s sent to the front…

Starting this one next.

4.5 ⭐ I get it. I know why this book is all over TikTok. This book is fabulous and the fact that I must wait for book two is annoying. This book reads very much like an 80s historical romance novel. I mean that as a compliment. There are two competing journalists, who both want the same job. But war has come about, and they both end up on the front lines as war correspondents. Besides our historical setting, you have a fantastical element

Since I‘ve seen this misunderstanding more than a fair few times, I encourage all readers to repeat after me: “Divine Rivals is not historical fiction. Divine Rivals is NOT HISTORICAL FICTION. DIVINE RIVALS IS NOT HISTORICAL FICTION.” 😂😂

This was gods damned beautiful. 10/5 stars. But why must I torture myself by reading books that have unreleased sequels?! In this instance I blame Booktok peer pressure.

What does it say about me that a new character was introduced and when they made me giggle I immediately went ‘OH crap don‘t die!‘

“I‘ve given you a piece of armor, I suppose. But I don‘t think you‘ll mind.” Page 73

Why did this line give me the shivers? Oooh.

I absolutely LOVED this book. 1st 5 🌟 read of ‘23. Very much lived up to the hype. I even bought a hardcover after reading the library ebook!

What is there to say that hasn‘t already been said about this book? Probably not much, but the epistolary narrative element, slow burn romance, light magical realism, and completely lovable main characters really made this book a standout for me.

I can‘t wait for the sequel Ruthless Vows to be released!