Divine Rivals

This book both enchanted me and destroyed me! But I loved every minute, every second of reading it! I think it might be my favourite book this year and high on my all time favourites. I loved everything about it! Can we begin with enchanted typewriters? I mean that's all that needed to be said to pull me in, but then there is also the epic fantasy backdrop, but set within an era similar to the early 1900's, which is a wonderful breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre. The use of letters and words between characters that captured my heart. Iris and Roman. Enough said. It's been so long since I felt so deeply for two characters and their story. The romance, that was slow to build, but so satisfying and delightful and charming, but never at the cost of the characters own personal journey. And among that all it also managed to tell a heartbreaking story of war and loss, but also spark determination and inspiration. I cheered, laughed, cried, had a plethora of emotions run through me. It felt magical and whimsical, but also gritty and real. Overall it just grabbed me by the heart and never let go...I sobbed when it was over and I won't be the same until I can read the next one. I wish I had better words to say how much I loved this book and why it hit such a chord with me. All I can say is I've waited for a fantasy book to sweep me away emotionally and mentally like this for awhile now and I feel such an overwhelming satisfaction to have finally found one that was able to do that after a long line of misses. I will carry this one with me for a long time!