A review by riada
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

3.0

“It takes courage to let down your armor, to welcome people to see you as you are.”

Divine Rivals had the potential to be a thrilling blend of fantasy and romance, but it fell short of its lofty promises. The underdeveloped fantasy elements, one-dimensional characters, and rushed romance hindered the overall enjoyment of the story.

Pros:
• Well-written prose
• Intriguing premise of a war between gods
• Historical setting provides a rich backdrop
• Letters exchanged between Iris and Roman offer a glimpse into their inner thoughts

Cons:
• Underdeveloped fantasy elements
• Lack of depth in world-building
• One-dimensional characters
• Rushed and underdeveloped romance
• Uneven pacing

“Let us make our names exactly what we want them to be.”

While the writing is polished and the historical setting provides a rich backdrop, the book lacks the depth, complexity, and emotional resonance that would have made it truly memorable. The underdeveloped fantasy elements and one-dimensional characters make it difficult to connect with the story on a deeper level. The rushed romance also feels unsatisfying, lacking the necessary tension and build-up.

The book's premise of a war between gods is intriguing, but the fantasy elements are underdeveloped. Readers are left with a superficial understanding of the gods' conflict and the magical elements at play. This lack of world-building makes it difficult to immerse oneself in the story.

The characters, while well-intentioned, are a bit one-dimensional. Iris, the female protagonist, is likable but lacks the depth and complexity to truly resonate. Roman, her love interest, is more engaging, but his character arc feels somewhat predictable. The budding romance between them lacks the spark and chemistry that could have elevated the story.

The letters exchanged between Iris and Roman are a highlight, offering a glimpse into their inner thoughts and feelings. However, the romance itself feels rushed and underdeveloped. The "enemies-to-lovers" trope is executed in a perfunctory manner, lacking the necessary tension and build-up.

Despite these issues, I did find some enjoyment in Divine Rivals. The book has its charm and is well-written, but it didn’t deliver the immersive fantasy experience I was hoping for. The pacing was slow, and the romance, while present, felt more like a gentle simmer than the passionate, high-stakes affair I was expecting.

“Endings were often found in beginnings,”