Spoiler-Free Review

Divine Rivals is the perfect novel for all those who enjoy beautiful writing and romance on the backdrop of war. If you might like magical typewriters, WW1 vibes, and gods who wage war – this should be on your radar.

I’m tagging this under Young Adult because that’s what it’s marketed as, but I’m also tagging it under New Adult since the main characters are 18 and 19 years old (for more on those categories, click here).

What’s Divine Rivals about?

Two competing young journalists navigate life, love, and the front line in the midst of war between gods.

Iris Winnow is a young woman whose older brother has enlisted to fight in the war and whose mother is an alcoholic. As she tries to find her own path forward, she decides to write letters to her brother – but she can’t send them, because she doesn’t know where he is. So instead, she slips the letters under her closet door.

Except the letters disappear, and now someone has started to write her back, and it’s not her brother.

This was a very enjoyable read.

I do want to say that you shouldn’t go into this story expecting a lot on the rivals front. While there is some rivalry (and wonderful banter to go with it), this is really a war story. Two young people are forced to change and sacrifice so much of themselves because of the battles raging beyond their control.

“In the meantime, I hope you will find your place, wherever you are. Even in the silence, I hope you will find the words you need to share.”

The writing in this story is beautiful. And of course it is – it’s about journalism and letters and correspondence. If it didn’t have lyrical, enrapturing prose, it would be a shame.

“I think we all wear 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 again. But if I’ve learned anything from those fools, it is that to be vulnerable is a strength most of us fear. It takes courage to let down your armor, to welcome people to see you as you are.”

There were moments throughout that warmed me through and brought tears to my eyes, but also moments that made me rage. It did an excellent job of highlighting the injustice of war on regular people, on civilians, and not just those on the front lines. But it’s also about stealing moments of joy in the devastation, and the importance of taking all the happiness we can get.

“It’s not a crime to feel joy, even when things seem hopeless. Iris, look at me. You deserve all the happiness in the world. And I intend to see that you have it.”

My only qualm was the pacing, as the middle felt a little slow. The first third was arguably my favorite, but the last third also packed a punch. I’m very excited for book 2 – and I’m also hoping it comes with a map. Because I sure needed it.

Should you read Divine Rivals?

If you enjoy wartime romances and a little bit of magic without the hard worldbuilding, then you’ll probably like this one. Just know that it’s not as hard on the rivals part of rivals-to-lovers, and has minimal spice (as it’s a young adult novel). The fantasy elements bordered on magical realism in a historical setting (think 1910s or 1920s), which I enjoyed. It didn’t have too much of a magic system, it was more of a magical environment.

I recommend this to anyone looking for stories about someone who must fight for their own joy, love, and life in the face of extreme obstacles.

Click here for my review of book 2.