Divine Rivals 

Author: Rebecca Ross    Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy Romance

Summary (www.goodreads.com): 

All eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow wants to do is hold her family together. With a brother on the frontline forced to fight on behalf of the Gods now missing from the frontline and a mother drowning her sorrows, Iris’s best bet is winning the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

But when 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 tow, can their bond withstand the fight for the fate of mankind and, most importantly, love?

Review:

Iris and Rowan are both journalists during the times of war. Since this is a war between gods, it has a different magical aspect to it. Iris' older brother is enlisted in the war and I think the grief that comes with that is shown so perfectly here. Iris is this hardworking, talented and determined character but is also carrying the alcoholism of her mother with her. Her rivalry with Rowan was definitely my favorite part of the book. Rowan and Iris share this tension and connection between them which is depicted really well. They work at the same paper and are both competing for a promotion and their banter was really nice. 

We also meet other interesting side characters throughout the book who help Iris and Rowen and add a freshness to the story. Each character had a different back story.  The book also has a bit more darker side to it. It shows the violence and grief which war brings with it. There is a battle scene later in the book and it's definitely one of my favourites. I really really like the world the book is playing in and the premise surrounding it. It's unique since it played during a war and is set in a realistic world with the twist of the gods for some magic. Letters and articles play a big role in this book and they are actually the main reason I like this book so much. Many letters we get to read are written beautifully and poetically. Rebecca Ross's writing is so whimsical and lush. It's original and descriptive and, since this book is playing in the past, has a bit of an “antique” tone to it. The plot in this book is really fast paced and has small twists and turns, keeping it really interesting. The plot is really engaging and it never felt like we were stuck in a place for too long.  

Buchbuzz Rating:

4.5/5 - Such a beautifully written book with a fast moving and interesting plot. Definitely recommend.