Book Summary Contents
Introductio: Divine Rivals Summary
“Sometimes strength isn’t swords and steel and fire… sometimes it’s found in quiet, gentle places.”
What if a letter written in desperation found its way not to your loved one on the frontlines—but into the hands of your fiercest rival? In Divine Rivals, Rebecca Ross crafts a tender, war-torn fantasy where love blooms through magical typewriters and tragedy shadows every word. This compelling tale of two rival journalists caught between romance and ruin is taking the YA fantasy world by storm.
Set in a WWI-inspired universe ruled by ancient gods at war, Divine Rivals is the first book in the Letters of Enchantment duology. This is your definitive Divine Rivals Summary, bringing you a deep dive into plot, themes, characters, and what makes this novel one of 2023’s most beloved fantasy reads.
Quick Summary
Genre: YA Fantasy, Romantasy, Enemies-to-Lovers
Setting: WWI-style world ruled by battling gods
Protagonists: Iris Winnow & Roman Kitt – rival journalists turned war correspondents
Plot Hook: Magic typewriters connect enemies through anonymous letters
Divine Rivals Summary & Plot Summary & Themes & Characters
Non-Spoiler Section
Iris Winnow is barely holding her life together. Her brother is missing in a god-fueled war, her mother is lost in grief, and her only hope lies in securing a columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette. Her rival? The cold, distant Roman Kitt, a privileged but brilliant journalist.
But fate intervenes through a magical connection—letters sent through her typewriter mysteriously reach Roman instead of her brother. Unaware of each other’s identities at first, they form a bond through shared grief, wit, and vulnerable confessions.
Amid a world teetering on the edge of divine destruction, Iris and Roman must decide if their connection is powerful enough to survive the war—and if love can truly blossom when the gods are watching.
Spoiler Section
After learning of her brother’s disappearance, Iris leaves her job and travels 600 km to the frontlines, taking a role as a war correspondent. There, the harsh reality of trench warfare and divine manipulation unfolds. Roman eventually follows her, defying his privileged upbringing and entering the warzone.
As their anonymous correspondence fades into reality, their love story deepens, but so do the stakes. A harrowing cliffhanger leaves readers breathless, with Iris in mortal peril and Roman sacrificing everything to protect her. The gods, silent and merciless, loom ever larger in the background.
Main Characters
✒️ Iris Winnow
A resilient, empathetic 18-year-old journalist, Iris is determined to keep her fractured family together. Writing obituaries by day and letters by night, Iris’s strength lies in her vulnerability. She represents hope, grief, and unwavering compassion amidst chaos.
Roman Kitt
Charming, reclusive, and quietly romantic, Roman comes from a privileged family but desires meaning beyond wealth. His protective instincts and devotion to Iris make him one of YA’s most beloved love interests. His growth from rival to romantic hero is both heartwarming and heartrending.
Supporting Cast
Forest Winnow: Iris’s missing brother, whose absence drives her into the war zone.
Mother Winnow: A figure of grief and addiction, symbolizing the war’s impact on families.
The Gods: Enva and Dacre, ancient deities whose war uses mortals as pawns. Mysterious, underdeveloped, but deeply influential.
Themes & Analysis
Enemies-to-Lovers
While the “rivalry” between Iris and Roman is brief, the emotional intimacy that follows is rich and satisfying. The anonymous letter trope adds layers of depth and suspense to their developing connection.
Grief & Communication
Letters are central—not just as a plot device but as vessels of emotion. Ross shows how grief can become a bridge, and how love grows in unexpected places when honesty prevails.
⚔️ War & Its Toll
With trench warfare imagery reminiscent of WWI, the novel critiques blind faith in deities and the way war consumes lives. The harsh contrast between love letters and brutal battlefields is deliberate and affecting.
Representation
While the primary romance is heterosexual, Divine Rivals handles emotional vulnerability and mental health in a way that resonates widely. LGBTQ+ representation is subtle but hinted at, leaving space for expansion in the sequel.
✍️ Writing Style
Ross’s prose is lyrical and poetic. Her use of metaphors, sensory details, and internal monologues evoke raw emotion without overwhelming the reader. Fans of slow-burn fantasy and evocative storytelling will feel right at home.
Author Spotlight: Rebecca Ross
Rebecca Ross is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author known for weaving lyrical, character-driven fantasy. Her Letters of Enchantment duology, including Divine Rivals, blends romantic tension with speculative world-building.
Raised in Georgia, Ross balances pastoral beauty with emotional depth in her writing. From The Queen’s Rising to Sisters of Sword & Song, she crafts strong female leads and swoon-worthy narratives. You can find her at rebeccarossauthor.com or @beccajross on Instagram.
Reader Reviews: What People Are Saying
“You are worthy of love. You are worthy to feel joy right now, even in the darkness.”
– Goodreads Reviewer
“This book has my entire heart. So heartbreakingly beautiful.”
– Amazon Reader
“The letters were the best part—raw, emotional, and unforgettable.”
– BookTok Fan
“Roman Kitt? I’m running away giggling. I need him, I want him, I love him.”
– Goodreads
“Beautiful prose, compelling characters, but I wish the world-building had gone deeper.”
– NetGalley ARC Reviewer
5 Questions the Book Answers
1. Who is the protagonist in Divine Rivals?
Iris Winnow, a young journalist fighting for a promotion and her brother’s safe return.
2. What makes the romance unique?
A magical typewriter sends anonymous letters, allowing two rivals to fall in love without knowing each other’s identity.
3. What’s the setting of the story?
A war-torn world inspired by WWI, where ancient gods Enva and Dacre use mortals as pawns.
4. Is Divine Rivals part of a series?
Yes, it’s the first in the Letters of Enchantment duology.
5. Does the book live up to its hype?
Mostly. While the romance and writing shine, some readers wanted deeper world-building and a longer rivalry arc.
Conclusion: Divine Rivals Summary
Why You Should Read Divine Rivals?
Divine Rivals is a breathtaking blend of fantasy, romance, and the enduring power of words. With unforgettable characters and a setting that mirrors real-world horrors through a mythic lens, this book is more than just a love story—it’s a tribute to resilience, vulnerability, and the courage to connect.
If you’re a fan of Enemies-to-Lovers, poetic writing, or fantastical wartime narratives, Divine Rivals deserves a spot on your shelf. And with a cliffhanger ending that demands more, the sequel can’t come soon enough.
Ready to be enchanted?
Read more in our Letters of Enchantment series hub or grab your copy of Divine Rivals today.
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Attachments & References
- Amazon’s book page
- Goodreaders’s book page
- Author’s image source: newleafliterary.com
- Book Cover: Amazon.com
- Quotes sources: Goodreads
