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The Rivals
Orion Varn became the kingdom of Wyntyrn's hero after saving Princess Nyra Polos from an assassin he once called friend. Now that the assassin has broken out from the strongest prison in the world after ten years of incarceration, there will be hell to pay. Everyone has secrets…
- GenresFantasy
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2024
8 people are currently reading
2134 people want to read
About the author
David R.R. Greenberg
2 books10 followersI am a young fantasy and science-fiction writer. I have written novels, short stories, poems, and film and television scripts. I have also won several writing awards. My goal is to make a living as an author and screenwriter. My debut book "Raging Storm" was released in 2023. My newest book "The Rivals" was released in 2024.
I was born in Hell's Kitchen, NYC; grew up in Stamford, CT; and am a member of the inaugural Class of 2028 at the University of Austin.
I was born in Hell's Kitchen, NYC; grew up in Stamford, CT; and am a member of the inaugural Class of 2028 at the University of Austin.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 13, 2026
This was great!! Very quick and easy! I would have loved to dive more into the talented/magic wayyy more than what we got, but I’m not complaining!!
April 6, 2025
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for choosing me.
There was no part of me that expected to come out of this with a broken heart. I truly believed it was going to be a hero vs. villain story filled with action and adventure (which it was), and yet it was so much more than that. I fell in love with the storyline, the world, and the characters, even the ones we technically aren't supposed to love, and then my heart was completely shattered. Getting glimpses of them as friends prior to the tragic event was amazing. The revenge plot was awesome. There was even a heartwarming moment thrown in that will stay with me for a long time. I find myself in shock, I should've expected it (at least some of it), but my naive heart simply rejected the idea. The entire journey, I just kept hoping my assumptions were wrong. Even now, my foolish heart won't totally accept it. I got to the last page, hoping it was a sick joke, hoping that I'd be put out of my misery, but it wasn't to be.
I think anyone who decides to pick up this fantastic book will find something to love about it. This incredible book will be living rent-free in my mind forever. I sincerely hope there is a sequel because I NEED it.
There was no part of me that expected to come out of this with a broken heart. I truly believed it was going to be a hero vs. villain story filled with action and adventure (which it was), and yet it was so much more than that. I fell in love with the storyline, the world, and the characters, even the ones we technically aren't supposed to love, and then my heart was completely shattered. Getting glimpses of them as friends prior to the tragic event was amazing. The revenge plot was awesome. There was even a heartwarming moment thrown in that will stay with me for a long time. I find myself in shock, I should've expected it (at least some of it), but my naive heart simply rejected the idea. The entire journey, I just kept hoping my assumptions were wrong. Even now, my foolish heart won't totally accept it. I got to the last page, hoping it was a sick joke, hoping that I'd be put out of my misery, but it wasn't to be.
I think anyone who decides to pick up this fantastic book will find something to love about it. This incredible book will be living rent-free in my mind forever. I sincerely hope there is a sequel because I NEED it.
April 4, 2025
Gotta say I was surprised by this one. It’s pretty short for the kind of action adventure fantasy it is. I’d really like to know more about the magic Talents and Infused weapons…pretty cool. I actually loved the super short chapters. Never got bogged down in exposition, just got right to the point most of the time. That’s hard to do effectively when you’ve got a make believe world and a bunch of different magic. Pretty solid novel.
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February 23, 2026 Villain escapes from inescapable prison to get revenge on the man who sent him there.
What this book has:
1. A wide range of characters, all described whether they are significant of not.
2. Lots of meetings, getting to meetings and people talking to themselves.
3. Cool names for the magical abilities.
4. Detailed explanation about this fantasy land's history.
5. Lots of repetition, sometimes in the same paragraph to make sure the reader knows what is going on.
What this book doesn't have:
1. Whys. Why does the villain what to kill the royal family? Why is he in prison? Why do we have to know all these different people who never do anything?
2. Explanations of what the magic abilities are and how they work.
3. Character development and character interaction.
4. Action.
I realized I was reading the book hoping to find something good about it (or something so awful I would have an excuse to stop). I couldn't concentrate while reading because I was bored. DNF 46% done.
What this book has:
1. A wide range of characters, all described whether they are significant of not.
2. Lots of meetings, getting to meetings and people talking to themselves.
3. Cool names for the magical abilities.
4. Detailed explanation about this fantasy land's history.
5. Lots of repetition, sometimes in the same paragraph to make sure the reader knows what is going on.
What this book doesn't have:
1. Whys. Why does the villain what to kill the royal family? Why is he in prison? Why do we have to know all these different people who never do anything?
2. Explanations of what the magic abilities are and how they work.
3. Character development and character interaction.
4. Action.
I realized I was reading the book hoping to find something good about it (or something so awful I would have an excuse to stop). I couldn't concentrate while reading because I was bored. DNF 46% done.
January 30, 2026
This is a Goodreads giveaway. Thanks!
"The Rivals" is a sharp, fast-paced fantasy that delivers a satisfying punch of betrayal and high-stakes drama. David R.R. Greenberg excels at subverting the "shining hero" trope by giving Orion Varn a past that feels genuinely heavy and complicated.
The dynamic between Orion and his escaped rival is the book's strongest asset—the tension is tight, and the history between them adds a layer of psychological depth often missing from standard "good vs. evil" stories. At 262 pages, it’s a lean read that moves at a breakneck speed, making it perfect for fans of dark fantasy who want a story they can finish in a weekend.
The only reason it’s not a full five stars is that the secondary characters could have used a bit more room to breathe, as the plot sometimes prioritizes action over world-building.
"The Rivals" is a sharp, fast-paced fantasy that delivers a satisfying punch of betrayal and high-stakes drama. David R.R. Greenberg excels at subverting the "shining hero" trope by giving Orion Varn a past that feels genuinely heavy and complicated.
The dynamic between Orion and his escaped rival is the book's strongest asset—the tension is tight, and the history between them adds a layer of psychological depth often missing from standard "good vs. evil" stories. At 262 pages, it’s a lean read that moves at a breakneck speed, making it perfect for fans of dark fantasy who want a story they can finish in a weekend.
The only reason it’s not a full five stars is that the secondary characters could have used a bit more room to breathe, as the plot sometimes prioritizes action over world-building.
March 2, 2025
What a fun read. Even though it was listed as a fantasy, it was an action adventure mystery in a time and place where magic is prevalent. You have to love that it is a fantasy but is less than300 pages. Sometimes they are so long winded. Not this book, it did not mess around. All go and always something happening. Even with that the characters are well written and fleshed out. I really enjoyed this book and absolutely recommend it. Can't wait for the next one.
March 3, 2025
Must-read. Page turner. The author is literally the next Tolkien, you don’t want to miss this 🫡
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews