In an age of fleeting digital storytelling, Divine Rivals emerges as a beacon of lush prose, immersive world-building, and emotionally resonant themes. At its core, it’s a war story—yet unlike any you’ve read before. The book skillfully blends romance, mythology, and journalism to present a universe where gods wage silent wars through human hands. If you’re wondering whether Divine Rivals is simply another fantasy novel, the answer is no. It’s a poignant reflection on love in times of chaos, the transformative power of words, and the divine burden of duty. Here’s everything you need to know—and why it’s captivating readers far beyond the usual YA circles.
What is Divine Rivals?
Divine Rivals is the first installment in a fantasy duology by Rebecca Ross. Set in a fictional early-20th-century world, the novel explores a realm where gods once slumbered but are now stirring again, with humanity caught in the crossfire. This book is not just about magic and mythology—it’s about what happens when you combine personal grief with professional ambition, and how unexpected connections can reshape destinies.
The story follows Iris Winnow, a young aspiring journalist, and her reluctant rival Roman Kitt. As war breaks out—not merely between nations but between deities—their once-ordinary newsroom becomes a frontline for truth, propaganda, and poetic resistance. Iris begins to write letters addressed to her missing brother and, unknowingly, these letters reach Roman through a magical wardrobe, sparking an anonymous correspondence that becomes the emotional backbone of the novel.
The World of Divine Rivals
The world Ross constructs is both familiar and fantastical. Imagine 1940s Europe reimagined with divine warfare—typewriters, trench coats, and divine awakenings. It’s a society grappling with modern journalism ethics while also navigating divine propaganda. There are no elves or dragons here, but there are ancient gods with agendas, waging war through mortal surrogates.
What makes the setting unique is its subtlety. Magic is woven into the infrastructure of the story, but not overly explained. The divine beings, such as Enva and Dacre, represent opposing ideologies—light versus darkness, freedom versus tyranny. The mythology is rooted not in exposition, but in how characters relate to these gods, pray to them, or are haunted by them.
Table: Key Elements of the Divine Rivals Universe
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Setting | Fictional world reminiscent of 20th-century wartime Europe |
| Protagonist | Iris Winnow – young journalist, sister, dreamer |
| Rival/Love Interest | Roman Kitt – privileged but emotionally complex colleague |
| Central Conflict | War between the gods Enva (light) and Dacre (darkness) |
| Magical Mechanism | Letters travel through wardrobes, connecting Iris and Roman in secret |
| Themes | Love, loss, ambition, divine responsibility, war ethics |
| Genre | YA Fantasy with literary undertones and mythological elements |
Character-Driven Brilliance
What separates Divine Rivals from genre peers is its emotionally complex characters. Iris isn’t your typical heroine. She’s grieving the disappearance of her brother while competing professionally in a male-dominated newsroom. Her resilience isn’t flashy but quiet and enduring. Roman, on the other hand, starts off as aloof, but through the anonymous letter exchange, readers discover his vulnerability, intellectual depth, and emotional intelligence.
This dual-character arc unfolds in alternating perspectives—a technique Ross uses to great effect. Readers feel the full weight of their isolation and gradual connection. Their relationship grows not from superficial chemistry but from authentic intellectual and emotional exchanges. It’s a modern love story wrapped in ancient mythology.
The Epistolary Heart of the Story
The anonymous letters are more than a narrative device—they are the soul of the novel. Iris and Roman, unknown to each other as pen pals, express their fears, dreams, and inner struggles through written words. These letters foster a connection deeper than physical attraction; they’re about recognizing someone’s soul before their face.
This epistolary format gives readers a voyeuristic thrill—a feeling of reading something intimate and forbidden. It’s a reminder of the lost art of letter-writing, of revealing oneself slowly through words rather than images or emojis. In a digital world, it’s nostalgic and profoundly human.
War, Journalism, and Propaganda
Divine Rivals isn’t just a love story; it’s a wartime dispatch. Ross cleverly critiques media manipulation through the lens of a fictional newsroom. Iris and Roman both work for The Oath Gazette, and the way their stories are censored, redirected, or outright fabricated is chillingly relevant.
The book examines the role of journalists during war—not just as recorders of truth, but as tools of influence. Iris’s desire to report from the front lines is driven not by glory, but by the moral imperative to bear witness. Ross’s depiction of journalism is mature, timely, and refreshingly non-romanticized.
Divine Warfare as Political Allegory
At first glance, the gods of Divine Rivals may seem like mythological metaphors. But dig deeper, and you’ll see a commentary on power, authoritarianism, and spiritual weaponization. Dacre, the god of darkness, represents a nihilistic, consuming ideology—one that thrives on fear, silence, and compliance. Enva, by contrast, is light, but not without ambiguity.
The war between them plays out in real-world terms: recruitment, manipulation, sacrifice. Ross is interested not in gods as omnipotent beings, but as reflections of human ambitions and failings. Her world blurs the line between the divine and the political, creating a moral grayness that deepens the narrative.
Language, Style, and Prose
Rebecca Ross’s prose in Divine Rivals is literary without being inaccessible. Her sentences are precise, lyrical, and filled with emotional undertones. She avoids fantasy tropes and instead writes with the gravity of historical fiction. Dialogue is intelligent, characters speak with nuance, and emotions are expressed not through melodrama but through moments of quiet revelation.
Ross’s pacing is also masterful. The first half builds slowly, investing deeply in character development and setting, before spiraling into the intensity of war and romance in the latter half. It rewards patient readers with a payoff that is both devastating and hopeful.
Why It Resonates Today
In a world rife with war, misinformation, and disconnection, Divine Rivals feels eerily timely. It offers no easy solutions, but it does affirm the value of empathy, communication, and truth-telling. The letter-writing motif is particularly resonant in an era of instant messaging, reminding us that some things take time—like trust, like understanding, like love.
Moreover, the book’s focus on women in journalism—still a relevant issue—adds another layer of social commentary. Iris’s journey is not just romantic; it’s about finding her voice in a world that often dismisses it.
Reader Reception and Cultural Impact
Since its release, Divine Rivals has cultivated a passionate fanbase. Book clubs, social media circles, and even literary critics have praised its emotional depth and originality. It has sparked renewed interest in epistolary fiction and has been compared to works like The Night Circus and All the Light We Cannot See, though it firmly carves out its own space.
Importantly, it’s also attracting adult readers who typically avoid YA. Its themes transcend age categories, proving that young protagonists can lead mature, philosophically rich narratives.
Literary Legacy and Future Installments
While Divine Rivals is part of a duology, it stands strong on its own. The next installment, Ruthless Vows, continues the saga, but Ross’s careful plotting ensures a satisfying narrative arc in this first book. Fans eagerly anticipate what’s next—not only for Iris and Roman but for the moral questions the world of Divine Rivals continues to raise.
Who Should Read Divine Rivals?
If you enjoy:
- Mythological themes grounded in real-world emotions
- Slow-burn, epistolary romances
- Thoughtful wartime commentary
- Literary fiction with accessible pacing
- Character-driven storytelling
Then Divine Rivals belongs on your bookshelf.
Final Thoughts: A Love Letter to Storytelling Itself
Divine Rivals is not just a fantasy novel—it’s a meditation on the power of words. In a time when truth feels contested and connection feels fractured, this story reminds us that sometimes, a letter can change everything. A god can whisper through ink. And a rival can become your salvation.
Rebecca Ross has written more than a book—she’s delivered a literary relic for the modern age, reminding readers that courage often begins with the decision to write something down and send it into the unknown.
If you pick up Divine Rivals, don’t expect to simply read it. Expect to feel it. To remember it. To find pieces of yourself in the spaces between its lines.
FAQs
1. What genre is Divine Rivals and is it suitable for adults as well as young adults?
Divine Rivals is primarily categorized as Young Adult (YA) fantasy, but it blends elements of historical fiction, romance, and mythology. While the protagonists are young, the mature themes—war, loss, media ethics, and emotional intimacy—make it equally compelling for adult readers.
2. Do you need to enjoy fantasy to appreciate Divine Rivals?
Not necessarily. The fantasy elements (like divine beings and magical letter delivery) are subtle and serve the emotional and thematic depth of the story. Even readers who prefer literary or historical fiction often find it immersive and emotionally satisfying.
3. Is Divine Rivals a standalone book or part of a series?
It is the first book in a duology. The story continues in the sequel, Ruthless Vows. While Divine Rivals ends with a powerful resolution, many threads are expanded in the next installment.
4. What age group is Divine Rivals best suited for?
The book is best suited for ages 14 and up due to its thematic complexity, war-related content, and romantic plotlines. However, its literary style and nuanced characters make it enjoyable for readers of all ages.
5. What are the main themes explored in Divine Rivals?
Key themes include the power of writing, the emotional cost of war, anonymous connection through letters, love blooming in adversity, divine influence on human conflict, and the resilience of women in male-dominated fields like journalism.