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A review by misskitty14
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Overall, an enjoyable read but not as amazing as everyone makes it out to be.
The characters are fun and multi-layered, though I do find the romance to feel a little forced. We just accept that they have fallen in love with each other though I'm not sure if I believe their intensity. I definitely identified with Iris, specifically her struggle to start her life on her own terms. Roman is, IMO, more fun and interesting when he challenges Iris. This might be why I was a little less excited about their relationship towards the end.
I suppose I'm most disappointed in the lack of world-building. I love the idea of the novel taking place in an alternate version of the 1910s/1920s, but rather than weaving the magic throughout the world Ross sort of inserts it (it's a difference between telling and showing). The general plot is not new, so I was expecting the author to lean more heavily into the fantasy aspects. Based on the book's ending, I am hopeful that the sequel (spoiler?) will expand on the world-building.
The characters are fun and multi-layered, though I do find the romance to feel a little forced. We just accept that they have fallen in love with each other though I'm not sure if I believe their intensity. I definitely identified with Iris, specifically her struggle to start her life on her own terms. Roman is, IMO, more fun and interesting when he challenges Iris. This might be why I was a little less excited about their relationship towards the end.
I suppose I'm most disappointed in the lack of world-building. I love the idea of the novel taking place in an alternate version of the 1910s/1920s, but rather than weaving the magic throughout the world Ross sort of inserts it (it's a difference between telling and showing). The general plot is not new, so I was expecting the author to lean more heavily into the fantasy aspects. Based on the book's ending, I am hopeful that the sequel (spoiler?) will expand on the world-building.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment, and War