divine rivals book review ✨

my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

it was such a beautiful story about finding love in uncertain times with unsuspecting people. it’s centered in a fantasy land during a war between the gods.

the war is loosely centered on the fighting tactics during ww1. the one personal complaint i have about the book is that the main couple aren’t enemies to lovers, they’re more like disgruntled acquaintances to lovers. the book ended on such a cliffhanger, i can’t wait to read the second one

#Lemon8Diary #BookReview #bookrecommendations #booksoflemon8 #bookwormsoflemon8

2024/2/26 Edited to

... Read moreAfter finishing 'Divine Rivals' and giving it a solid five stars, I found myself thinking about all the little details that make this book so special, especially for new readers diving in! If you're curious about the world and its unique elements, allow me to share a few more thoughts. First, let's talk about the setting. The original review mentions the war between gods and the WW1-inspired fighting tactics. What truly struck me was how Rebecca Ross weaves this historical influence into a fantastical world, giving it a somewhat ethereal yet grounded feel. While there isn't a specific 'year' mentioned, the atmosphere evokes a post-industrial, early 20th-century vibe, with typewriters, telegraphs, and a sense of old-world charm mixed with divine conflict. It’s a backdrop that feels both familiar and utterly unique, really drawing you into the narrative and making you wonder about the precise era this war of words and wills unfolds in. And what about the 'divine rivals' themselves? The story hints at powerful beings and ancient conflicts, and this cosmic struggle is ever-present. While the main romance is center stage, the lore surrounding the gods and their influence on the mortal world is incredibly rich. It makes you ponder the roles of destiny and free will in a world overseen by such powerful entities. The secondary characters, too, play crucial roles, adding depth to the narrative and highlighting the human cost of divine disagreements. For my fellow bookworms who appreciate a good aesthetic, the physical book itself is a treat. The 'Divine Rivals' cover, which I've seen up close, really captures the essence of the story. It features a dark background, beautifully contrasted with elegant gold accents and delicate blue flowers. You can also spot the stylized 'D' and 'R' in gold circles, hinting at the rivalry and romance within. It’s a cover that promises both darkness and beauty, a perfect visual representation of the fantasy romance awaiting inside. This visual design, for me, really makes the book feel like a treasured object. Finally, for those who love to immerse themselves through sound, I can only imagine how wonderful the 'Divine Rivals audiobook' must be. With its rich descriptions and emotional depth, it feels like a story perfectly suited for an audio format. A great narrator could truly bring the world, the internal monologues, and the poignant letters exchanged between characters to life, making the experience even more captivating. If you're considering a listen, I’d definitely recommend it, as I think the prose would shine through a captivating narration. Overall, 'Divine Rivals' offers so much more than just a romance; it's a deeply atmospheric journey with intriguing world-building and character dynamics that stay with you long after the last page. I hope these extra insights help you decide to pick it up!

Related posts

The book cover for 'Divine Rivals' by Rebecca Ross, featuring dark blue flowers and text 'No God No Creature No War Can Come Between Them'. Overlaid text reads 'Book Review:'.
An illustrated cover of 'Divine Rivals' with two characters, showing the book was started on 01/18/24 and finished on 01/20/24. A five-star rating is displayed below an illustration of two characters.
A collage of images creating a 'BOOK AESTHETIC' for 'Divine Rivals', including hands writing, a couple embracing, a typewriter, and text 'Gods & Goddesses' and 'Rivals To Lovers'.
Book review: Divine Rivals
My whole life I have never been one for fantasy books; luckily for me, my book club decided to choose Ruthless vows for our months read (which is the second book in the duology) forcing me to read the first one. I am SO happy that that was chosen bc it forced me to read fantasy, and this YA boo
saighey

saighey

27 likes

The front cover of the book "Divine Rivals" by Rebecca Ross, a #1 New York Times Bestseller. It features a dark background with golden typewriter key-style letters for the title, blue floral elements, and golden speckles, lying on a green textured surface.
The spine and back cover of "Divine Rivals" by Rebecca Ross. The spine shows the author and title, while the back cover features a golden typewriter illustration with "Dear Iris," typed on the paper, held by a hand on a green textured surface.
The back cover of the book "Divine Rivals" by Rebecca Ross, displaying a golden illustration of a vintage typewriter with the words "Dear Iris," typed on its paper. The book is resting on a green textured fabric surface.
divine rivals book review 🩵⭐️📚
📖 name of the book: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross 📄 plot: “Iris's letters to her brother fall into the wrong hands - that of the handsome but cold Roman Kitt, her rival at the paper - an unlikely magical connection forms. Expelled into the middle of a mystical war, magical typewriters in t
nicole noelle

nicole noelle

7 likes

A flat lay features a tablet displaying a review for 'Divine Rivals' by Rebecca Ross, showing its page count, genre, and themes. Alongside are two copies of the book, a pink candle, a pink book pouch, and a clear book cover adorned with 'Cozy Fantasy Vibes' and other reading-themed stickers, all resting on a pink and white striped blanket.
divine rivals review ✨📝📚
🩵💕Book Review: Divine Rivals by @beccajross 💕🩵 Available on #kindleunlimited This was one of the top books I read in 2023 and reread it right before reading ruthless vows! Loved it again just as much! Read if you like: 🩵ya fantasy but written as a historical fiction with magic 🩷pen
Jules ✿

Jules ✿

18 likes

The book 'Divine Rivals' by Rebecca Ross, featuring a dark cover with gold and blue accents, rests on a vintage typewriter. Text overlays read 'I went into this book blind' and 'Here are my thoughts'.
The spine of the book 'Divine Rivals' by Rebecca Ross is displayed on a vintage typewriter. Overlays highlight key themes: YA, Fantasy, WWII Vibes, and Rivals to Lovers, summarizing the book's genre.
An open page from 'Divine Rivals' by Rebecca Ross shows text, including a letter starting 'Dear Iris,' discussing strength and bravery, and a narrative passage describing Iris entering a room.
Book Review of Divine Rivals
I went into this book a bit blind because I purchased it so long ago and didn’t remember what it was about or what was said about it by other readers. I wasn’t entirely sure if it was fantasy or romance, and had no idea it was YA. That being said, I loved this book. I loved the vibes: candlelit
Amanda Courtney

Amanda Courtney

18 likes

A flat lay shows the book 'Divine Rivals' by Rebecca Ross on a light carpet, with a person's leg in grey clothing. The black cover features blue and pink floral designs, the title, and '#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'. A 'Book Review' overlay is at the top.
Book Review: Divine Rivals✨
Book Review: Divine Rivals📖 4⭐️/5 I absolutely loved this book! I really like the different type of fantasy elements in this book, it’s unlike anything I’ve read before. I never really like war books but enjoyed this one a lot. The only reason I’m giving this book 4⭐️ is because I felt like
Rachel🫶🏻📚

Rachel🫶🏻📚

4 likes

Divine Rivals Book Review 🌿🧳📰🤍
So this was by far the best romance book I’ve read! It’s about two rivals Roman Kitt and Iris Winnow who are competing for the newspaper at the Oath Gazette, it’s a ww1 setting. I give it 6 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #fyp #books #booktok #divinerivalsrebeccaross #irisandkitt #romanebooks
𐙚 A 𐙚

𐙚 A 𐙚

4 likes

Ruthless Vows Book Review
When I tell you this book made me cry it did! The romance between Roman and Iris was so beautiful! 😭🤚🏻 At first I didn’t like it because it was so slow but I’m so glad I kept going and finished it! Definitely going to re read Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows again soon! 5 stars over all! ✨✨✨
𐙚 A 𐙚

𐙚 A 𐙚

3 likes

A book review graphic for 'Divine Rivals' by Rebecca Ross, a New York Times Bestseller. It highlights features like 'Slow Burn,' 'Enemies to Lovers,' 'Multiple Character Perspectives,' 'Cliffhanger Ending,' and 'War, Magic, Gods.' The book received a 4.5-star rating.
Divine Rivals Book Review
I really loved this book! Excited to see where the second book in the series takes it 🙌 #booktok #bookreviewer
Elizabeth C. | Books 📚

Elizabeth C. | Books 📚

2 likes

Books I have read so far this year (plus review)
Picking Daises on Sundays - I absolutely loved this book! Definitely started my year off right reading this! Highly recommend reading this especially if you like any of Lynn Painter’s books, this kind of has a similar feel to me. Plot - 9.5/10 Spice - no spice Character arc - 9.25/10 Over all
kay 📖🎵🫶🏼

kay 📖🎵🫶🏼

87 likes

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
The descriptive detail in this book really set a scene for you. It pulled me in. The letters look like they came from a typewriter. I could not put it down. I will be picking up Ruthless Vows tomorrow. Can’t wait. #lemon8bookclub #Lemon8Diary #divinerivals #divinerivalsrebeccaross #rebeccar
Shay

Shay

13 likes

A flat lay of several 'enemies to lovers' book recommendations, including 'Once Upon a Broken Heart,' 'The Cruel Prince,' 'Powerless,' 'Love on the Brain,' 'Better Than the Movies,' 'Divine Rivals,' and 'Ignite Me,' displayed on a white textured surface.
Two copies of the book 'Powerless' by Lauren Roberts, featuring a dark cover with a sword and purple flowers, resting on a white textured blanket.
Three books from 'The Cruel Prince' series by Holly Black: 'The Cruel Prince,' 'The Wicked King,' and 'The Queen of Nothing,' arranged on a white textured blanket.
book recs
some of my top enemies to lovers books! powerless by lauren roberts the cruel prince series by holly black better than the movies and betting on you by lynn painter shatter me by tahira mafi once upon a broken heart series by stephanie garber divine rivals duology by rebecca ross check an
joline

joline

1455 likes

A flat lay image featuring the book 'Divine Rivals' by Rebecca Ross, a #1 New York Times Bestseller, on a dark nightstand next to a bed. Decorative elements include a bronze statue, dried flowers, and overlaid 'book review' text with floral line art.
MINI BOOK REVIEW: Divine Rivals + Ruthless Vows
“I don’t want to wake up when I’m seventy-four only to realize I haven’t lived.” -Rebecca Ross, Divine Rivals This duo genuinely took me by surprise. I saw it all over social media which peaked my interest but you know how trendy books go sometimes, it’s not always a fit for everyone. But I deci
hailey

hailey

2 likes

Ruthless Vows Book Review
Ruthless Vows picks up immediately after the events in Divine Rivals. Kitt and Winnow managed to survive Avalon Bluff, but the actions of the gods continue to rip fractures in their world and love. Will Roman be able to overcome what has happened to him and the position in which he finds himself? W
Ginasbookreport

Ginasbookreport

9 likes

A hand holds two books, 'Ruthless Vows' and 'Divine Rivals,' on a knitted blanket, with a 5.00-star rating displayed in the bottom right corner.
The book cover for 'Ruthless Vows' by Rebecca Ross, showing start and finish dates (01/21/24 - 01/26/24), and a four-star rating on a torn paper note.
A book aesthetic collage for 'Ruthless Vows,' featuring vintage elements like letters, old buildings, a typewriter, and romantic imagery, with text 'Gods & goddesses,' 'Divine war,' and 'Romance'.
Ruthless Vows Book Review
I didn’t love this one like I did Divine Rivals, I felt like she could’ve done more with the plot. Specifically, Roman when he’s with Dacre, and Envas story/ background overall, but either way, this duology will always hold a special place in my heart for getting me into fantasy reads. I do hav
saighey

saighey

14 likes

Divine Rivals 💫💼🫖📜🗞️🤎
Synopsis from Amazon: After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oat
BookishGiugi

BookishGiugi

17 likes

The book cover for "Ruthless Vows" by Rebecca Ross, a YA fantasy romance, is displayed with annotations highlighting it as a dual POV story about warring gods, amnesia, and the second book in a duology.
The must read sequel to Divine Rivals
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝙍𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙑𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀/𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: ✚ 𝘙𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘝𝘰𝘸𝘴 is poetically written, just like 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘴. Ross knocks it out the park again with this sequel! ✚ There was a nice mixture of sweet, tender moments as well as suspenseful and action-packed scenes. This book does focus more on
Sarah Prather

Sarah Prather

16 likes

A hand holds the dark cover of the book "Divine Rivals" by Rebecca Ross, featuring gold and blue floral designs. Overlays include "Book Review," "Rival Romance," and "Slowburn." A pleated lamp is in the background.
Divine Rivals
✨📖 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐬 📖✨ Rebecca Ross Publication Date: April 4, 2023 Rating: ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ Spice:🌶️ Favorite Quote: “I don't think you realize how strong you are, because sometimes strenght isn't swords and steel and fire, as we are so often made to believe. Someimes it's found in quie
Lovely’s Nook

Lovely’s Nook

10 likes

The image displays the book cover for 'Divine Rivals' by Rebecca Ross, featuring blue withered flowers and typewriter keys with 'D' and 'R' on a black, speckled background. Overlay text announces an 'AUDIOBOOK REVIEW' and a blog address.
Audiobook Review: Divine Rivals
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Its captivating narrative style held my attention. The chemistry between the main characters developed gradually, eventually blossoming into a meaningful connection. I was particularly intrigued by the incorporation of gods and goddesses, finding it to be an interest
Michelle

Michelle

2 likes

Book Haul📖🍂
📖Gild $14.24 Book 1 in the Plated Prisoner Series GR rating:3.59 📚the Ashes& the Star Cursed King $15.99 Book 2 of the Crowns of Nyaxia Series GR rating: 4.12 📖Caraval $6.87 Book 1 in the Caraval Series GR rating: 3.98 📚Until the World Falls Down $15.56 GR rating: 4.16 📖Thron
her.bookescape

her.bookescape

178 likes

A person holds the book "Heartless Hunter" by Kristen Ciccarelli, featuring a moth on its cover. The image is overlaid with text "THE NEXT BOOKTOK BOOK" and red heart emojis, suggesting a popular fantasy romance novel.
THE NEXT BOOKTOK BOOK 🗡️✨🔮
“enemies to lovers doesn’t get more high stakes than a witch and witch hunter.” let me tell you about my new favorite book! this book is so terribly good, i’m afraid i put myself in a book hangover reading slump 😅 🗡️ my goodreads review: ♾️⭐️ my ABSOLUTE favorite fantasy of all time! this
kalees reads

kalees reads

29 likes

A book review graphic for 'Full Ride' by Ashley Reyes, featuring the book cover, genre tags like 'Contemporary Romance' and 'MMM', and a 4.5-star rating with chili peppers. It highlights themes of college, polyamory, and cam boys.
A text blurb for the book 'Full Ride' by Ashley Reyes, detailing the plot about Beckett, Theo, and Asher, and their journey into content creation after Beckett's father is arrested for fraud.
A book review for 'Full Ride' by Ashley Reyes, summarizing the plot and comparing it to 'For the Fans' but as an MMM version. It includes a 4.5-star rating with chili peppers.
Book Review: Full Ride by Ashley Reyes
🩶🤳🏽Book Review 🤳🏽🩶 📖 Full Ride by Ashley Reyes Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5 🩶 Contemporary Romance 🩶 MMM 🩶 College Age 🩶 Polyamory 🩶 Best Friends to Lovers 🩶 Rivals-to-Lovers 🩶 Cam Boys 🩶 Rich Boys x Poor Boy 🩶 High Heat 🩶 Multiple POV 🩶 e-Book in KU Get It Here:
FavoriteSaintReads

FavoriteSaintReads

13 likes

The front cover of the book "Ruthless Vows" by Rebecca Ross, featuring the title with stylized R and V typewriter keys, and blue and red floral designs, resting on a dark green quilted surface.
The light blue spine of the book "Ruthless Vows" by Rebecca Ross, with gold lettering and a gold typewriter illustration, held by a hand against a dark green quilted background.
The light blue back cover of the book "Ruthless Vows" by Rebecca Ross, featuring a gold typewriter illustration and the text "Dear Roman,", lying on a dark green quilted surface.
ruthless vows book review 📚⭐️🤍
📖 name of the book: Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross 📄 plot: “Since waking below in Dacre's realm, Roman cannot remember his past. But given the reassurance that his memories will return in time, Roman begins to write articles for Dacre, uncertain of his place in the greater scheme of the war.
nicole noelle

nicole noelle

4 likes

Book review 📚
Ruthless vows by Rebecca Ross review ✉️📚 #books #bookreview #divinerivals #ruthlessvows #rebeccaross Texas
Harmoni💕📚

Harmoni💕📚

1 like

📖 Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross ✉️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enemies to lovers + war between gods + letter writing + magical connection Two rival journalists: Iris and Roman— compete for columnist on the Oath Gazette amidst a war. Iris struggles to keep her torn family together, with her brother at war and mother battling grief— this proves
mabeljournals

mabeljournals

13 likes

The cover for 'Lost and Found' by Anne Schraff features a woman's face on the left and a man carrying a woman through a dark forest under a full moon. Text overlays include 'Secrets,' 'Teen,' 'Family,' and 'Drama'.
The cover for 'A Matter of Trust' by Anne Schraff shows a woman's face holding a book in the foreground. In the background, a couple walks arm-in-arm down a school hallway, with another student further down.
The cover for 'Secrets in the Shadows' by Anne Schraff depicts a sweating man's face in the foreground. In the background, a man is digging a grave while another person is tied up, under a single light source.
Bluford series (23 Book Series )
Do you all remember these books? I started reading them in high school, and my teacher used to make us read them out loud. I started reading them in high school. However, I didn't get to read all of them because I didn't know the series was still happening. Her last book came out in 2020, a
Lia32pride2.0🌟🍋

Lia32pride2.0🌟🍋

1128 likes

A hand holds the book 'Ruthless Vows' by Rebecca Ross against a blue sky with clouds. Overlays read 'BOOK REVIEW', 'WW1 era fantasy', 'Enchanted typewriters', and 'War time fantasy romance'. The Lemon8 username '@itsjusttshay' is also visible.
Book Review - Ruthless Vows
💥💥Spoiler alert💥💥 Do not read this if you have not read Divine Rivals first. 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 The beginning of this book had me worried that Iris and Roman would not end up together. Each chapter pulled me in more and more. I could not put this down. When I read the line about Forest dying, I wa
Shay

Shay

11 likes

See more