Divine Rivals Book Review

By: Hazel Nava

Divine Rivals is a fantasy novel written by Rebecca Ross, published in 2023. There are many elements incorporated into this book including romance, war, multiple beliefs in gods, and so much more. One aspect I enjoyed was the level of detail in which each setting is described. It makes the reader feel as if they are completely immersed in the story. Over the course of this book, the development of the main character, Iris, is astonishing as she overcomes mental, physical, and emotional challenges. Throughout these challenges, it is fascinating to see how multiple characters from different backgrounds come together to support one another.

In the beginning, there is a lot of character and setting exposition in order to help the reader better understand the world they are immersing themselves into. Some components that bring you deeper into the story include the amount of cliff hangers and shocking events, making you even more invested in the story and unable to put the book down.

Although there are many captivating moments in this story, one of my favorite quotes from the book is on page 154; “The land seemed to roll on and on forever, idyllic as a dream, and Iris shields her eyes, wondering where the road would take them if they kept running.” This quote captures the beauty of the world the reader is learning about, along with showing a rare moment in which the character has a sense of relaxation, since Iris is typically unable to let her guard down.

Divine Rivals is based in the early 1900s around WW1, and this timeline stays very consistent throughout the book. War correspondents, warfare, and trenches are heavily involved in the storyline and setting. Throughout this warfare, magic is incorporated into the story, history, and daily life. By doing this, the author enhances the events for the reader, and makes them curious to know more. As this book continues, the reader will quickly uncover further insight on the two gods that Divine Rivals revolves around.

Rebecca Ross’s writing style is completely immersive as she incorporates themes of rivalry and love using engaging vocabulary. One example of this is on page 155; “It’s a school-turned-infirmary filled with wounded bodies and souls and lives, and yet they are people so full of bravery and hope and determination it makes you hold a mirror to your own self when you’re alone.”

Overall, I think this is a really well written book, and readers who enjoy romance, fantasy, justice, struggle, and conflict should highly consider Divine Rivals for their next read!