Published on 4th April 2023, Divine Rivals is a young adult fantasy novel written by Rebecca Ross. In this novel, Ross transports readers into a fantastical realm where ancient gods wage a tumultuous battle for supremacy over Cambria.
Within this turbulent setting, the story follows the wild journey of Iris Winnow—an eighteen-year-old facing a cascade of personal challenges. Her mother's battle with addiction and her brother's absence propel Iris into a quest for stability and connection within her fractured family. In a touching attempt to maintain a bond with her missing brother, Iris pours her heart into letters then discreetly placing them beneath her wardrobe. Unbeknownst to her, these missives find an unexpected recipient in Roman Kitt—a rival journalist at the Oath Gazette. Roman clandestinely responds to Iris's letters, sparking an unanticipated and profound kinship between them. Amidst the turmoil of celestial warfare and humanity's precarious fate being uncertain, Iris and Roman navigate their intricate relationship.
The novel blends elements of fantasy, romance, and adventure to examine mysterious connections and the poignant realities of a divine struggle. Publishers Weekly reviewed, "An ardent romance and a harrowing exploration of war’s horrors and heartbreaks... with inventive worldbuilding, nuanced characterizations, and prose by turns dreamy and atmospherically tense."
