Divine Rivals

Full disclosure, I've always hated the enemies to lovers trope. Until today? This was heart wrenching, heartwarming, and (something I never expect from these books) I actually understood how someone could love each of the characters here... AND why these characters loved each other! In my experience, fantasy romance tends to swing from an inexplicable love-at-first-sight-approach to the psychotic rollercoaster of toxicity with a strong foundation of terrible communication skills. This book deftly avoids both pitfalls and tells what actually feels like a real, romantic, love story. It's beautifully told, well paced, and keeps the characters at the centre throughout. This took me a while to pick up, but I was genuinely shocked by how much I enjoyed this book, how hard it was to put down, and how much I felt while reading it.

WOW that's one heck of an ending ;-; I must read the next one already!!! I really enjoyed the pacing of this book!! I was kind of worried at first with the banter between Iris and Roman because they both kind of sounded 'snobby'? xD But I'm glad it got better! Really wondering how this is going to turn out for Roman ahhhh

I chose the book only to complete one last "challenge" in a reading series - before 2023 concluded. It was on a "Best of 2023" list and so it fit the bill. I enjoyed the universe of gods - once subdued by humans, but now warring - with human foot soldiers. The main characters were engaging and yet from the start their story arc was pretty clear. I liked the "lite," mostly unexplained magic. And the typewriters and how they made the letters was clever. A quick read and yet not one which is likely to linger for me.

A friend of mine initially recommended this book to me, saying I would love the setting and the fact that the protagonists are writers. I'm always skeptical of fantasy even though I did find the premise intriguing. When it was chosen as a group read with The Global Book Nook, I figured it was a sign that I needed to give it a go. I'm so glad I did!    Iris is doing all she can do when war breaks out between the gods' — at home, at work, and personally. While writing to her brother who is off fighting, she winds up beginning correspondence with her work rival Roman, albeit, unknowingly. This friendship becomes her saving grace.    I was glad that the fantastical element wasn't too overwhelming and was more of a backdrop than the main focus being someone who doesn't gravitate toward fantasy. I absolutely loved the aesthetic of it all as well as Iris and Roman's chemistry. All around this book was a lovely surprise for me and I look forward to reading the next book! 

READ THIS BOOK!!! This has to be, hands down, one of the best and most beautifully written books I've read in my life. The pacing, the themes, the romance, the war aspects, everything about it was perfectly executed. From the very first page you're hooked and it's extremely hard to put down for even a second. Needless to say, I'm so happy I waited to read it because now I get to devour the sequel immediately!

1.5 stars

This sounded so promising but it is just historical fiction with very unbelievable “enemies”-to-lovers with to many conveniences.

The magical elements were not developed enough for me. And I hoped we go from historical war romance to a more magical approach.

There are regular mentions of technologies (lifts, baseball, ...) but the main media is still typing on typewriters for the newspapers. It's inconsistent and not explained enough for a solid world building. This also didn't grab my attention through this boring book.

The language of the two maincharacters changes between lyrical deep lovey-dovey to young teen language which took me out of the story a few times.

Even the ending couldn't have me engaged enough to read the second book.

If I wouldn't have read the audiobook most of the time, this would be a contender for chucking at the wall.

I always include major spoilers (hidden), to help with my memory  issues. Read them at your peril! 

Enjoyable, enemies to lovers story.  Has some fantasy elements. Iris is left alone with her alcoholic motherwhen her brother leaves to fight for the goddess Enva in a war against the God Dacre Iris had to leave school early and work at a newspaper where she is vying with Roman for the position of correspondent . Roman   gets the position and Iris' mother dies so she gets a job as war correspondent with a rival newspaper All along she has been unknowingly Communicating with Roman by magical typewriter . Both Iris and Roman end up at the battle front because he has followed her there to keep her safe.   In the end Roman is gassed and almost dead and Iris is dragged away by her brother .  Left as a cliffhanger, so one star removed as this is irritating.