Divine Rivals

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Although Ross employs a fantasy setting, how realistic is her depiction of wartime violence, propaganda, and social upheaval? 
• Compare Divine Rivals and its sequel, Ruthless Vows, to Ross’s Elements of Cadence duology, which is designed for an adult audience. In your opinion, which of the two duologies carries a more compelling narrative, and why? 

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• What harsh lessons do Roman and Iris learn when they become front-line war correspondents and witness the violence of battle firsthand? 
• Roman and Iris’s relationship conforms to the traditional “enemies-to-lovers” romance trope. Have you ever experienced a relationship that began with wariness and hostility and transformed into a friendship or an even closer relationship? What first prompted you to set aside your differences?
• Roman and Iris fall in love amidst an environment of great social and political turmoil. Do you believe that lasting romances can be forged from such intensely life-threatening circumstances?
• Does Ross create a force of undiluted “evil” in her narrative, or are her characters and ethical commentaries more complex?  

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