"You and I... we need to stay together. We're better this way" - Roman Kitt

SHORT REVIEW:
Divine Rivals has shook the book community by its beautiful story telling, focusing on magical letters & building a connection between two young, yet mature & strong couple. Who can resist a book that is about Greek Mythology, magical typewriter and ends in a cliff hanger leaving us all wanting more? I’d recommend this book to anyone, as it has a little of everything for everyone and it delves into the Greek mythology a lot more than other books. You get to see the connection between the war and its impact on Winnow, Kitt & everyone around them. This book has the Historical Fantasy, Found Family, Enemies to Lovers and Greek Mythology vibes & tropes.

LENGHTY REVIEW WITH SPOILERS:
Below, I discuss different themes in Divine Rivals, including: Vulnerabilities, Grief, the impact of one decision, Grandmothers & Greek Mythology:

The whole story focuses on vulnerabilities, exposing one true's self & protecting oneself with the multiple shield we build throughout our lives due to the hurts & battles we go through. Ross gives us a lot of gems from Iris & Roman, as they learn to trust, cherish & appreciate each other.

"Do you ever feel as if you wear armor, day after day? That when people look at you, they see only the shine of steel that you've so carefully encased yourself in? They see what they want to see in you - the warped reflection of their own face, or a piece of the sky, or a shadow cast between buildings. They see all the times you've made mistakes, all the times you've failed, all the times you've hurt them or disappointed them. As if that is all you will ever be in their eyes.
How do you change something like that? How do you make your life your own and not feel guilt over it?" - Roman Carver Kitt

"I think we all wear armor. I think those who don't are fools, risking the pain of being wounded by the sharp edges of the world, over and over again. But if I've learned anything from those fools, it's that to be vulnerable is a strength most of us fear. It takes courage to let down your armor, to welcome people to see you as you are. Sometimes I feel the same as you: I can't risk having people behold me as I truly am. But there's also a small voice in the back of mind, a voice that tells me,
"You will miss so much by being so guarded." " - Iris Winnow

"I am so afraid. And yet how I long to be vulnerable and brave when it comes to my own heart." -Iris Winnow

A huge topic in Divine Rivals is Grief and how it shapes & impacts us:

"Time will slowly heal you, as it is doing for me. There are good days and there are difficult days. Your grief will never fully fade; it will always be with you • a shadow you carry in your soul • but it will become fainter as your life becomes brighter." - Roman Carver Kitt

"But she wondered how much the two of them would change in this war. What marks would it leave on them, shining like scars that never faded?" - Iris Winnow

As Iris goes through life and tries to weather all the difficulties, we are faced with many moments where her brother's sacrifice impacted her life:

"Every morning, when I wade through Mum's Sea of Green Bottles, I think of you. Every morning, when I slip into the trench coat you left behind for me, I wonder if you thought of me for even a moment. If you imagined what your departure would do to me. To Mum."- Iris Winnow

I think one of the most under-rated theme of this book is Grandmothers. This is such a sensitive topic for me as my grandmother is my best friend and at the moment she is in a coma. As I reflect on this book, I can see that both Iris & Roman have a unique relationship with their grandmothers and that made me love this book more. The magical typewriters are owned by both of their grandmothers and the magical legacy started with them:

"I am seventy-five years old, Roman," she began. "I've seen endless things throughout my life, and I can tell you right now that this world is about to change. The days to come will only grow darker. And when you find something good? You hold on to it. You dont waste time worrying about things that won't even matter in the end. Rather, you take a risk for that light."

AND what about the beautiful Greek Mythology that we read about in Divine Rivals, the story of beautiful Enva & horrible Dacre who declared a war on her & everything that is beautiful in the world? What about the political input of how the rish side with Dacre while they fear the beautiful music Enva produces. As Roman says, Enva's songs are woven with truth & knowledge.