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Mortal Gods #1
A Sword of Shadow and Deceit
Desperation makes warriors of captives.
The Gods split the skies and rained down tyranny upon the mortal realm long ago. Ever since then, the only thing worse than being human is being of Divine Blood.
For someone like me—an undocumented God child, indebted to the Underworld Assassination Guild—that means only one thing: A life in the shadows.
Or so it should have been … until Mortal Gods Academy. Until them.
The Darkhaven Brothers are truly the worst of all the Gods’ spawn. Arrogant. Wicked. Violent.
To them, I’m nothing more than a human plaything meant for torment. For me … they’re the path and the key to my freedom.
But if any of them find out who I am, what I am … even the shadows won’t be able to save me.
*Please note this is a DARK Fantasy Romance with themes of enslavement, death of loved ones, and other various themes that may be triggering. Please check trigger warnings and read responsibly*
The Gods split the skies and rained down tyranny upon the mortal realm long ago. Ever since then, the only thing worse than being human is being of Divine Blood.
For someone like me—an undocumented God child, indebted to the Underworld Assassination Guild—that means only one thing: A life in the shadows.
Or so it should have been … until Mortal Gods Academy. Until them.
The Darkhaven Brothers are truly the worst of all the Gods’ spawn. Arrogant. Wicked. Violent.
To them, I’m nothing more than a human plaything meant for torment. For me … they’re the path and the key to my freedom.
But if any of them find out who I am, what I am … even the shadows won’t be able to save me.
*Please note this is a DARK Fantasy Romance with themes of enslavement, death of loved ones, and other various themes that may be triggering. Please check trigger warnings and read responsibly*
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2024
1247 people are currently reading
8206 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 399 reviews
July 2, 2024
This definitely had a strong start, but then the Deja vu hit and couldn’t stop comparing it to Trickery(Curse of the Gods). I feel like this version is its more sinister twin sister, but they are similar nonetheless.
I mean both :
🪽Are set in a God academy.
🪽 Have the FMC as a servant.
🪽Have the MMCs being children of the highest god (rules do not apply to them)
🪽Make an agreement not to touch the FMC (for darker reasons)
🪽Have an FMC who is very outspoken towards the MMCs and doesn’t follow the rules set for servants.
🪽Both are reverse harems (but this one probably doesn’t count)
I feel like these plot points are pretty niche. Maybe I’m wrong though. I just needed something more from this book to differentiate it because the similarities seemed too close. I mean she is an Assassin, so that is different and straight off the bat it’s not a PG, in any way.
I actually really like the grittiness of the FMC and the first scene between the FMc and one of the MMCs was a great start to an enemies to lovers. He was a guard and she was a thief.
This was a dark bully romance, so the MMCs were VERY hard to like initially, as they were pretty crude, vicious and gave off small d*ck energy. Kind of a typical bully romance though.
The introduction to these guys was … unique. This is my personal preference, but do we need the MMC's first POV chapter to be him having sex with another woman? I understand this will solidify his player status. I understand it is a bit darker and more taboo. I understand it usually shows how sexually unsatisfied he is… but is it necessarily needed?
It is mentioned in the triggers that there is dubcon, so I wasn’t unaware of the fact, but these situations seemed to be recurring more frequently than I thought they would.
I stopped around the time the MMCs got another god to order the FMC to have sex with him in a busy hallway. The MMCs made a bet with the heroine on how long she could last as a servant, so they were actively trying to get her to leave. It just felt seedy and the lines were blurred, like when one of the MMCs ordered another servant to give him a BJ. If this was only the first half of the book, I didn’t really want to see how far they would push it… and how quickly she would forgive them after.
DNF at 37%. Not my type of book, but might be yours 🫤
I mean both :
🪽Are set in a God academy.
🪽 Have the FMC as a servant.
🪽Have the MMCs being children of the highest god (rules do not apply to them)
🪽Make an agreement not to touch the FMC (for darker reasons)
🪽Have an FMC who is very outspoken towards the MMCs and doesn’t follow the rules set for servants.
🪽Both are reverse harems (but this one probably doesn’t count)
I feel like these plot points are pretty niche. Maybe I’m wrong though. I just needed something more from this book to differentiate it because the similarities seemed too close. I mean she is an Assassin, so that is different and straight off the bat it’s not a PG, in any way.
I actually really like the grittiness of the FMC and the first scene between the FMc and one of the MMCs was a great start to an enemies to lovers. He was a guard and she was a thief.
This was a dark bully romance, so the MMCs were VERY hard to like initially, as they were pretty crude, vicious and gave off small d*ck energy. Kind of a typical bully romance though.
The introduction to these guys was … unique. This is my personal preference, but do we need the MMC's first POV chapter to be him having sex with another woman? I understand this will solidify his player status. I understand it is a bit darker and more taboo. I understand it usually shows how sexually unsatisfied he is… but is it necessarily needed?
It is mentioned in the triggers that there is dubcon, so I wasn’t unaware of the fact, but these situations seemed to be recurring more frequently than I thought they would.
I stopped around the time the MMCs got another god to order the FMC to have sex with him in a busy hallway. The MMCs made a bet with the heroine on how long she could last as a servant, so they were actively trying to get her to leave. It just felt seedy and the lines were blurred, like when one of the MMCs ordered another servant to give him a BJ. If this was only the first half of the book, I didn’t really want to see how far they would push it… and how quickly she would forgive them after.
DNF at 37%. Not my type of book, but might be yours 🫤
January 5, 2025
3 ⭐️
So everyone’s unhinged. Got it.
Assassins, gods, and an academy setting—because why not throw every trope into the cauldron?
We’re following Kiera, an undercover assassin infiltrating Mortal Gods Academy. Her mission? Unclear…for the ENTIRE book. Which was irritating. Her strategy? Blend in as a servant to the Darkhaven brothers—three divine offspring with all the charm of a nest of vipers. Not really sure how she’s been successful for over a decade (and held the title of #2 assassin of an ENTIRE guild) after that performance 😂
Emotional Impact: If you enjoy rollercoasters that mostly go in circles, this one’s for you.
Kalix: gloriously unhinged. ⚠️ He’s giving non-con energy at times so if that will disturb you, I’d stay away from this one.
Theos: charmingly cruel with zero moral boundaries. A sprinkle of potential.
Ruen: an overconfident idiot. Broody, indecisive, and capable of tanking everything with one bad choice.
Morality? What’s that? A joke, and everyone’s just winging it. Kalix thrives on chaos, Theos manipulates like it’s second nature, and Ruen…well, he tries, but let’s just say his attempts at playing the long game backfire spectacularly. He certainly outdoes himself with that end-of-the-book decision—because why not make things worse for literally everyone?!
The spice? 🌶️ Oh, it’s there. In brief moments. Dark, intense, and teetering on the edge of twisted —equal parts attraction and danger, perfectly fitting for a cast with questionable ethics and a whole lot of unresolved tension.
The pace keeps things moving, and while the morally gray drama and chaotic moments are entertaining, there’s no deep emotional attachment (yet). Kiera’s character is super strong in moments where her inner monologue focuses on strategy and mind games and plotting her next moves and that was satisfying, at least. This is the kind of book you read for the messy dynamics, brooding antiheroes, and the sheer audacity of everyone’s terrible decisions.
✔️ Gods, Demigods, & Humans
✔️ Academy Setting
✔️ Assassin FMC
✔️ Why Choose (this is not a main focus of the plot)
✔️ Spicy 🌶️ scenes (⚠️ some** explicit content happening and being discussed is borderline disturbing and non consensual)
✔️ Dark romantic fantasy elements
✔️ Violence & Gore
✔️Emotional Manipulation
✔️ Toxic Relationships
✔️ Spiders….loooooots of spiders 🕷️
⚠️ CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!!
*****************************************
✨ Preread
“The Gods split the skies and rained down tyranny upon the mortal realm long ago. Ever since then, the only thing worse than being human is being of Divine Blood.
For someone like me—an undocumented God child, indebted to the Underworld Assassination Guild—that means only one thing: A life in the shadows.
Or so it should have been … until Mortal Gods Academy. Until them….”
….off to the Mortal Gods Academy we go…I hope there’s snacks….tall, dark & handsome ones 😏😈
So everyone’s unhinged. Got it.
Assassins, gods, and an academy setting—because why not throw every trope into the cauldron?
We’re following Kiera, an undercover assassin infiltrating Mortal Gods Academy. Her mission? Unclear…for the ENTIRE book. Which was irritating. Her strategy? Blend in as a servant to the Darkhaven brothers—three divine offspring with all the charm of a nest of vipers. Not really sure how she’s been successful for over a decade (and held the title of #2 assassin of an ENTIRE guild) after that performance 😂
Emotional Impact: If you enjoy rollercoasters that mostly go in circles, this one’s for you.
Kalix: gloriously unhinged. ⚠️ He’s giving non-con energy at times so if that will disturb you, I’d stay away from this one.
Theos: charmingly cruel with zero moral boundaries. A sprinkle of potential.
Ruen: an overconfident idiot. Broody, indecisive, and capable of tanking everything with one bad choice.
Morality? What’s that? A joke, and everyone’s just winging it. Kalix thrives on chaos, Theos manipulates like it’s second nature, and Ruen…well, he tries, but let’s just say his attempts at playing the long game backfire spectacularly. He certainly outdoes himself with that end-of-the-book decision—because why not make things worse for literally everyone?!
The spice? 🌶️ Oh, it’s there. In brief moments. Dark, intense, and teetering on the edge of twisted —equal parts attraction and danger, perfectly fitting for a cast with questionable ethics and a whole lot of unresolved tension.
The pace keeps things moving, and while the morally gray drama and chaotic moments are entertaining, there’s no deep emotional attachment (yet). Kiera’s character is super strong in moments where her inner monologue focuses on strategy and mind games and plotting her next moves and that was satisfying, at least. This is the kind of book you read for the messy dynamics, brooding antiheroes, and the sheer audacity of everyone’s terrible decisions.
✔️ Gods, Demigods, & Humans
✔️ Academy Setting
✔️ Assassin FMC
✔️ Why Choose (this is not a main focus of the plot)
✔️ Spicy 🌶️ scenes (⚠️ some** explicit content happening and being discussed is borderline disturbing and non consensual)
✔️ Dark romantic fantasy elements
✔️ Violence & Gore
✔️Emotional Manipulation
✔️ Toxic Relationships
✔️ Spiders….loooooots of spiders 🕷️
⚠️ CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!!
*****************************************
✨ Preread
“The Gods split the skies and rained down tyranny upon the mortal realm long ago. Ever since then, the only thing worse than being human is being of Divine Blood.
For someone like me—an undocumented God child, indebted to the Underworld Assassination Guild—that means only one thing: A life in the shadows.
Or so it should have been … until Mortal Gods Academy. Until them….”
….off to the Mortal Gods Academy we go…I hope there’s snacks….tall, dark & handsome ones 😏😈
March 10, 2024
I need the second book nowwww!!
The plot had me so intrigued from the very beginning until the end !! When I saw the tropes of this book, I was like, SOLD ! I mean 😏
🗡 Enemies to Lovers
🗡 Dark Fantasy Romance
🗡 Fantasy Academy
🗡 Assassin FMC
🗡 Why Choose/Reverse Harem
🗡 Anti Hero/Villains
The ending left me with so many questions !!
What kind of powers exactly do the darkhavens’s possess? We’ve seen a few but I doubt that’s all. I think we’ve barely scratched the surface of their powers!! Same thing for Kiera. Since she had to go to the academy incognito as an assassin. Nobody could know she was not a regular mortal so she couldn’t really show off .
I can’t wait to see more of their powers in the next book!
Who is the target ??! 🤯 I have a few theories but I can’t wait to see who it is!! I hope it’s not the boys 🙊 but if it issss😏 bring it on !
Who is Kiera’s mother ?
How will Kiera react after what happened at the end ? Will she forgive that certain someone?
Ughhhh I can’t wait for the next one !!
Also, The writing was amazing 🥰
I do wish there had been a more action tho! I feel like most of the book was world building so I had a bit of a hard time at first but when it started to pick up, I couldn’t put it down!
Thank you so much Lucy for the Arc 🥰 I had the best time reading this one & I can’t wait for the next one 🤩
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️.5
Read it if you like :
🗡 Enemies to Lovers
🗡 Dark Fantasy Romance
🗡 Fantasy Academy
🗡 Assassin FMC
🗡 Why Choose/Reverse Harem
🗡 Anti Hero/Villains
The plot had me so intrigued from the very beginning until the end !! When I saw the tropes of this book, I was like, SOLD ! I mean 😏
🗡 Enemies to Lovers
🗡 Dark Fantasy Romance
🗡 Fantasy Academy
🗡 Assassin FMC
🗡 Why Choose/Reverse Harem
🗡 Anti Hero/Villains
The ending left me with so many questions !!
What kind of powers exactly do the darkhavens’s possess? We’ve seen a few but I doubt that’s all. I think we’ve barely scratched the surface of their powers!! Same thing for Kiera. Since she had to go to the academy incognito as an assassin. Nobody could know she was not a regular mortal so she couldn’t really show off .
I can’t wait to see more of their powers in the next book!
Who is the target ??! 🤯 I have a few theories but I can’t wait to see who it is!! I hope it’s not the boys 🙊 but if it issss😏 bring it on !
Who is Kiera’s mother ?
How will Kiera react after what happened at the end ? Will she forgive that certain someone?
Ughhhh I can’t wait for the next one !!
Also, The writing was amazing 🥰
I do wish there had been a more action tho! I feel like most of the book was world building so I had a bit of a hard time at first but when it started to pick up, I couldn’t put it down!
Thank you so much Lucy for the Arc 🥰 I had the best time reading this one & I can’t wait for the next one 🤩
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️.5
Read it if you like :
🗡 Enemies to Lovers
🗡 Dark Fantasy Romance
🗡 Fantasy Academy
🗡 Assassin FMC
🗡 Why Choose/Reverse Harem
🗡 Anti Hero/Villains
April 6, 2024
What seemed to spoil this book for me was the fact that it was copying another book (series) too much. And unfortunately for this book, the other book is much better. If you've ever read Jaymin Eve and Jane Washington's "Curse of the Gods" series, you will be disappointed in this one.
Also, I felt like I was reading a hundred different storylines that all seemed far too disconnected to keep me interested. The book needed some editing: fewer boring parts and more interaction between the main characters and more world building. I also didn't feel any connection between the leading lady and the three brothers.
Also, I felt like I was reading a hundred different storylines that all seemed far too disconnected to keep me interested. The book needed some editing: fewer boring parts and more interaction between the main characters and more world building. I also didn't feel any connection between the leading lady and the three brothers.
April 24, 2024
What even is this? A bait for the next book? I've rarely seen a book with this much unabashed filler.
Who cares about the chapters long flashbacks when we've already been shown and told of Kiera's realtionship with the ones the flashbacks are about? Who cares about the meaningless daily life of the servants? Who cares about every single description of completely redundant objects, rooms, buildings etc...? Why do we waste half a chapter to say that they have public transport carriages if we're not going to DO anything with it? Why do we think it's a good idea to have this many characters at play when we can spare two interactions with each? Like seriously, if we're meant to have a "reverse harem" romance, why do we spend so little time on the three brothers? At the pace we're keeping, it seems we'll need book 7 or something to connect with them. Okay, one brother has lost his best friend, but we've not done anything about it, Okay the second brother has connected with us at the middle point because he's been mistreated as a child, but we've done nothing with that (worse, he's decided to go behind his brothers's backs and punish us for existing, even thought he's the one who's against punishments), Okay the third brother is "amused" with us, but he's a complete lunatic and i clearly don't see the angle where he could ever be considered a choice.
I don't know if the author is too in love with her descriptions to write efficiently or if the goal was to do essentially nothing from the start and we filled in the 400 pages with an absolute void, but seriously, it's insane. We make a bet with the brothers and it seems like this huge thing that will give her an advantage over them, but it has one reference right after it (the guy who Theos sets on her but she bats away) and then it's completely forgotten, they BET on her endurance and then they don't test said endurance, why the fuck did Ruen bet A WEEK? They set this whole thing up to tell you how horrible the brothers are, but then they're mostly harmless, like, we forgot they were supposed to be the n°1 worst Mortal Gods to work for because they quite litterally ignore her for most of the runtime. And are you telling me Kalix didn't recognize her scent from their fight at the beginning? He remembers a HUGE amount of things from that encounter but he's face to face with the same person right after and can't recognize her? She's not even ATTEMPTING at being a different person.
Speaking of which, the amount of disrespect Kiera is allowed to dish out and never be punished for it is insane. No, nobody would ever believe you if you tried that shit irl, because most people are not 30 IQ monkeys you can insult in their face and they let you slide. It's wholly unbelievable and completely throws you out of the story every time she's allowed to walk away unscathed. You really get the feel the author wanted it both ways, fearful BUT defiant, submitted BUT in control, thing is, you can only do it if you are VERY smart about it and still she will have to make concessions.
Talking about having things both ways, the entire story kind of wants that: Kiera is a dangerous and deadly assassin...but only of horrible people, the three brothers are loose cannons dangerous for Terra to work for....but they never do anything to her, Kiera suffers horrible punishments...but they don't mean anything and she heals instantly, somehow the Guild of assassins can afford to have it's two best assassins AND soon it's heir, doing absolutely jack shit for MONTHS lounging around the city while waiting for this mysterious employer to say anything, but sure they're poor and can only walk around in the slums and afford a stinky uncleaned room, yeah sure.
None of this is a problem as much as the absolute abismal pacing, the wasted page time is almost insulting, look at the flashback about Kiera's first kill and notice how much space is there between each line of dialogue with Ophelia and then ask yourself "what did this accomplish?". Worst of all, we already knew Kiera didn't feel anything when she made her first kill, so WHO CARES about seeing that stretched over a chapter, with zero additional information?
Who cares about the chapters long flashbacks when we've already been shown and told of Kiera's realtionship with the ones the flashbacks are about? Who cares about the meaningless daily life of the servants? Who cares about every single description of completely redundant objects, rooms, buildings etc...? Why do we waste half a chapter to say that they have public transport carriages if we're not going to DO anything with it? Why do we think it's a good idea to have this many characters at play when we can spare two interactions with each? Like seriously, if we're meant to have a "reverse harem" romance, why do we spend so little time on the three brothers? At the pace we're keeping, it seems we'll need book 7 or something to connect with them. Okay, one brother has lost his best friend, but we've not done anything about it, Okay the second brother has connected with us at the middle point because he's been mistreated as a child, but we've done nothing with that (worse, he's decided to go behind his brothers's backs and punish us for existing, even thought he's the one who's against punishments), Okay the third brother is "amused" with us, but he's a complete lunatic and i clearly don't see the angle where he could ever be considered a choice.
I don't know if the author is too in love with her descriptions to write efficiently or if the goal was to do essentially nothing from the start and we filled in the 400 pages with an absolute void, but seriously, it's insane. We make a bet with the brothers and it seems like this huge thing that will give her an advantage over them, but it has one reference right after it (the guy who Theos sets on her but she bats away) and then it's completely forgotten, they BET on her endurance and then they don't test said endurance, why the fuck did Ruen bet A WEEK? They set this whole thing up to tell you how horrible the brothers are, but then they're mostly harmless, like, we forgot they were supposed to be the n°1 worst Mortal Gods to work for because they quite litterally ignore her for most of the runtime. And are you telling me Kalix didn't recognize her scent from their fight at the beginning? He remembers a HUGE amount of things from that encounter but he's face to face with the same person right after and can't recognize her? She's not even ATTEMPTING at being a different person.
Speaking of which, the amount of disrespect Kiera is allowed to dish out and never be punished for it is insane. No, nobody would ever believe you if you tried that shit irl, because most people are not 30 IQ monkeys you can insult in their face and they let you slide. It's wholly unbelievable and completely throws you out of the story every time she's allowed to walk away unscathed. You really get the feel the author wanted it both ways, fearful BUT defiant, submitted BUT in control, thing is, you can only do it if you are VERY smart about it and still she will have to make concessions.
Talking about having things both ways, the entire story kind of wants that: Kiera is a dangerous and deadly assassin...but only of horrible people, the three brothers are loose cannons dangerous for Terra to work for....but they never do anything to her, Kiera suffers horrible punishments...but they don't mean anything and she heals instantly, somehow the Guild of assassins can afford to have it's two best assassins AND soon it's heir, doing absolutely jack shit for MONTHS lounging around the city while waiting for this mysterious employer to say anything, but sure they're poor and can only walk around in the slums and afford a stinky uncleaned room, yeah sure.
None of this is a problem as much as the absolute abismal pacing, the wasted page time is almost insulting, look at the flashback about Kiera's first kill and notice how much space is there between each line of dialogue with Ophelia and then ask yourself "what did this accomplish?". Worst of all, we already knew Kiera didn't feel anything when she made her first kill, so WHO CARES about seeing that stretched over a chapter, with zero additional information?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2024
Nothing made sense.
Good things first:
- good world building
- the characters were likeable
Now to the bad stuff:
- the main character
She is an assassin, but only kills bad people. I am just so over this trope of the fmc being portrayed as a badass assassin and being shown as a tough person, but having problems with killing innocent people.
She has been trained and worked as an assassin for quite some time, but when she gets the mission she refuses the fcking book that would help her prepare for her task. She is so stubborn that it can just be called stupid. She can think as far ahead as a fly.
She refuses to wear a dress and skirts ,because an assassin with secret powers obviously doesn’t need to blend in.
She is questioning the authority and the rules every chance she gets for what?
To show the reader that this society is flawed and that she is the only one who recognises that. The others are just “sheep”.
All in all is she the most useless assassin when it comes to missions about blending in and her refusing to follow rules makes her just stand out. Every single one of her actions was just plain stupid.
I would only recommend this book if you like main character that are written like they are 4 year olds who can’t see reason.
Good things first:
- good world building
- the characters were likeable
Now to the bad stuff:
- the main character
She is an assassin, but only kills bad people. I am just so over this trope of the fmc being portrayed as a badass assassin and being shown as a tough person, but having problems with killing innocent people.
She has been trained and worked as an assassin for quite some time, but when she gets the mission she refuses the fcking book that would help her prepare for her task. She is so stubborn that it can just be called stupid. She can think as far ahead as a fly.
She refuses to wear a dress and skirts ,because an assassin with secret powers obviously doesn’t need to blend in.
She is questioning the authority and the rules every chance she gets for what?
To show the reader that this society is flawed and that she is the only one who recognises that. The others are just “sheep”.
All in all is she the most useless assassin when it comes to missions about blending in and her refusing to follow rules makes her just stand out. Every single one of her actions was just plain stupid.
I would only recommend this book if you like main character that are written like they are 4 year olds who can’t see reason.
March 22, 2024
A Sword of Shadow and Deceit is a romantasy that features a badass FMC and three arrogant MMCs. This story follows Kiera, a Mortal God and trained assassin, as she goes undercover in a school for Mortal Gods. She must pretend to serve the Darkhaven Brothers as she waits to learn who her target is.
This story is filled with lots of banter, tension, and angst. It is a slow burn romance that just slightly scratches that itch (the itch that you get when you want more romance lol). Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the way that Keira would talk back and stand up for herself. Even while being forced to serve the Darkhaven Brothers, she still always made sure to give them a piece of her mind.
I cannot wait for book 2. That cliffhanger was so cruel. I literally couldn’t believe it ended the way it did 😭 It completely surprised me and definitely left me aching for me. I can’t wait to see how Kiera’s relationship with the guys develops (manifesting some spicy scenes with all four of them🤞🏼).
Thank you so much Lucinda Dark and Literally Yours PR for sending me an ARC to honestly review 🫶
This story is filled with lots of banter, tension, and angst. It is a slow burn romance that just slightly scratches that itch (the itch that you get when you want more romance lol). Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the way that Keira would talk back and stand up for herself. Even while being forced to serve the Darkhaven Brothers, she still always made sure to give them a piece of her mind.
I cannot wait for book 2. That cliffhanger was so cruel. I literally couldn’t believe it ended the way it did 😭 It completely surprised me and definitely left me aching for me. I can’t wait to see how Kiera’s relationship with the guys develops (manifesting some spicy scenes with all four of them🤞🏼).
Thank you so much Lucinda Dark and Literally Yours PR for sending me an ARC to honestly review 🫶
May 3, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐.5 | Rounded up to 3 stars
A Sword of Shadow and Deceit fulfilled the purpose of my need to read at least one half decent reverse harem romance after an incredibly long streak of disappointing reads. This might obviously elevate the book's rating more than expected but I really don't have the brain power to pick that apart right now.
The Love Interests (all brothers):
1. Ruen Darkhaven (the realistic one with common sense)
2. Kalix Darkhaven (slightly psychotic & murderous one)
3. Theos Darkhaven (the attractive player who doesn't feel understood)
MC: Kiera (likable assassin who isn't a pushover or unnecessarily overpowered)
Also, can I note the fact that I saw that ending from literally a mile away? Like that "plot twist" surprised absolutely no one Ms. Dark.
Nevertheless, this book was something I would categorize as semi "trashy" but it was enjoyable so that is worth something.
The main setting for this book is basically an academy that houses and trains(?) demi-gods or like titled in the book: Mortal Gods. These Mortal Gods are split into different tiers based on how close in relation they are to their godly parent. For instance, a god being your mother vs. your grandmother, and the closer you get the more powerful you are.
While we haven't met a lot of gods yet, most of them (bar one) are depicted as egotistical assholes who look down upon and abuse humans. And of course, the MC sympathizes with the plight of humans due to having been raised amongst them.
But that isn't the reason she actually enters the academy. She actually enters because she's been given an incredibly large amount of money, one that could free her from the underground human assassin organization she is indebted to, to kill a person whose identity she doesn't even know. All she knows is that the person must be considerably important to a certain degree.
So, she enters the academy as a human servant to 3 Mortal Gods (I think you can guess who they are), and it follows her romance and her actions in this deeply unfair world skewed against humans and maybe even Mortal Gods themselves.
All in all, this book was amusing but okay in quality. The writing was good, and the characters were likeable. Don't read this expecting an incredibly complex fantasy world or a fleshed-out romance but if you want to turn your brain off and just have fun, try this.
A Sword of Shadow and Deceit fulfilled the purpose of my need to read at least one half decent reverse harem romance after an incredibly long streak of disappointing reads. This might obviously elevate the book's rating more than expected but I really don't have the brain power to pick that apart right now.
The Love Interests (all brothers):
1. Ruen Darkhaven (the realistic one with common sense)
2. Kalix Darkhaven (slightly psychotic & murderous one)
3. Theos Darkhaven (the attractive player who doesn't feel understood)
MC: Kiera (likable assassin who isn't a pushover or unnecessarily overpowered)
Also, can I note the fact that I saw that ending from literally a mile away? Like that "plot twist" surprised absolutely no one Ms. Dark.
Nevertheless, this book was something I would categorize as semi "trashy" but it was enjoyable so that is worth something.
The main setting for this book is basically an academy that houses and trains(?) demi-gods or like titled in the book: Mortal Gods. These Mortal Gods are split into different tiers based on how close in relation they are to their godly parent. For instance, a god being your mother vs. your grandmother, and the closer you get the more powerful you are.
While we haven't met a lot of gods yet, most of them (bar one) are depicted as egotistical assholes who look down upon and abuse humans. And of course, the MC sympathizes with the plight of humans due to having been raised amongst them.
But that isn't the reason she actually enters the academy. She actually enters because she's been given an incredibly large amount of money, one that could free her from the underground human assassin organization she is indebted to, to kill a person whose identity she doesn't even know. All she knows is that the person must be considerably important to a certain degree.
So, she enters the academy as a human servant to 3 Mortal Gods (I think you can guess who they are), and it follows her romance and her actions in this deeply unfair world skewed against humans and maybe even Mortal Gods themselves.
All in all, this book was amusing but okay in quality. The writing was good, and the characters were likeable. Don't read this expecting an incredibly complex fantasy world or a fleshed-out romance but if you want to turn your brain off and just have fun, try this.
May 5, 2024
This book had a really interesting concept but the execution was just so bad.
My biggest complaint is that *nothing happened.* Like the main character is supposed to be an assassin and yet that plot didn’t progress at all throughout the book. The most interesting plot was whatever was going on with the boys and we barely got any of that.
Which brings me to my second complaint which is that the boys’ chapters felt so thrown in. We didn’t get nearly enough plot from their perspectives so either they needed to be fleshed out a lot more or cut entirely so that Kiera’s plot could move more.
Third issue is that the romance wasn’t even good. For a why choose book, this had so little romance. When we finally did get something, it felt like there was no proper buildup and the smut wasn’t even good…
Lastly, I just did not like Kiera’s character. At all. She was so annoying and kept making stupid decisions because of her pride. It didn’t even feel like a character flaw, where it’s just part of who she is and the story. She’s supposed to be an assassin and yet…it seems like she’s just a really bad assassin? Everything bad that happened to her was because she had no self control and let her pride get in the way. Purely contrived and doesn’t make sense for the story. Like first thing she does undercover is refuse to wear a dress so she immediately stands out?? How is that being a good assassin??
I try to be pretty forgiving about books I didn’t like but I actually have almost nothing good to say about this. The spider thing was cool I guess.
My biggest complaint is that *nothing happened.* Like the main character is supposed to be an assassin and yet that plot didn’t progress at all throughout the book. The most interesting plot was whatever was going on with the boys and we barely got any of that.
Which brings me to my second complaint which is that the boys’ chapters felt so thrown in. We didn’t get nearly enough plot from their perspectives so either they needed to be fleshed out a lot more or cut entirely so that Kiera’s plot could move more.
Third issue is that the romance wasn’t even good. For a why choose book, this had so little romance. When we finally did get something, it felt like there was no proper buildup and the smut wasn’t even good…
Lastly, I just did not like Kiera’s character. At all. She was so annoying and kept making stupid decisions because of her pride. It didn’t even feel like a character flaw, where it’s just part of who she is and the story. She’s supposed to be an assassin and yet…it seems like she’s just a really bad assassin? Everything bad that happened to her was because she had no self control and let her pride get in the way. Purely contrived and doesn’t make sense for the story. Like first thing she does undercover is refuse to wear a dress so she immediately stands out?? How is that being a good assassin??
I try to be pretty forgiving about books I didn’t like but I actually have almost nothing good to say about this. The spider thing was cool I guess.
April 21, 2024
Just finished "A Sword of Shadow and Deceit," and wow, that was a ride! 🔥
The book starts off kind of slow due to the world-building in the beginning, but once it took off, I. WAS. HOOKED. The dynamic between the gods and mortals is gripping and adds political intrigue, especially as we follow Kiera, a Mortal God and trained assassin, on her undercover mission at a brutal school for Mortal Gods.
Kiera enters the school undercover as a servant and is assigned to the three Darkhaven brothers. The simmering tension between Kiera and the brothers kept me glued to the pages, and that cliffhanger ending? Let's just say I am eagerly anticipating the next book.
Thank you Lucinda Dark and Literally Yours PR for providing me with a review copy. All opinions are unbiased and my own. 🖤
The book starts off kind of slow due to the world-building in the beginning, but once it took off, I. WAS. HOOKED. The dynamic between the gods and mortals is gripping and adds political intrigue, especially as we follow Kiera, a Mortal God and trained assassin, on her undercover mission at a brutal school for Mortal Gods.
Kiera enters the school undercover as a servant and is assigned to the three Darkhaven brothers. The simmering tension between Kiera and the brothers kept me glued to the pages, and that cliffhanger ending? Let's just say I am eagerly anticipating the next book.
Thank you Lucinda Dark and Literally Yours PR for providing me with a review copy. All opinions are unbiased and my own. 🖤
March 26, 2024
I wasn’t prepared for how GOOD and addictive this book was going to be.
The fmc is an assassin who has to go to an academy for the children of the gods and serve as a servant while waiting to find out her next target.
I DEVOURED this book. The fmc is a this strong witth bad bitch and I loved her. This is a slowburn and the spice doesn’t hit until like 90% but it’s like 20 pages of spice and it’s delicious. It is a series so it ends on a cliffy. I can’t wait for book 2.
The fmc is an assassin who has to go to an academy for the children of the gods and serve as a servant while waiting to find out her next target.
I DEVOURED this book. The fmc is a this strong witth bad bitch and I loved her. This is a slowburn and the spice doesn’t hit until like 90% but it’s like 20 pages of spice and it’s delicious. It is a series so it ends on a cliffy. I can’t wait for book 2.
July 29, 2025
I really enjoyed this one!
The FMC is a hidden Mortal God (aka Demi-god) who was kidnapped and trained to be an assassin. She is sent on a mission to infiltrate the Mortal God Academy as a human servant, a Terra, where she is supposed to find her targets and kill them. She’s assigned to serve the three Darkhaven brothers, who are ruthless and the strongest of the academy.
The story is somewhat simple, but I liked the concept and the pacing.
Kiera’s personality of being so prideful and stupid sometimes bothers me, but overall i think it’s worth the read.
The FMC is a hidden Mortal God (aka Demi-god) who was kidnapped and trained to be an assassin. She is sent on a mission to infiltrate the Mortal God Academy as a human servant, a Terra, where she is supposed to find her targets and kill them. She’s assigned to serve the three Darkhaven brothers, who are ruthless and the strongest of the academy.
The story is somewhat simple, but I liked the concept and the pacing.
Kiera’s personality of being so prideful and stupid sometimes bothers me, but overall i think it’s worth the read.
February 17, 2025
This book is a copycat, darker, lamer version of Trickery/ The curse of Gods series by Jaymin Eve and Jane Washington AKA my favorite rh series ever written, but cheaper and sinister.
I absolutely despise everything about this book, the main heroine is annoying, the guys despicable, lame and wannabe-badass-but-truly-lame-ass-bullies, the world building, the writing style. Hell, I loathe this type of story.
I don’t recommend this series and it’s not worth your time.
Instead do yourself a favor and just go ahead with The Curse of Gods series or do a re-read of this masterpiece because it’s just that good.
I absolutely despise everything about this book, the main heroine is annoying, the guys despicable, lame and wannabe-badass-but-truly-lame-ass-bullies, the world building, the writing style. Hell, I loathe this type of story.
I don’t recommend this series and it’s not worth your time.
Instead do yourself a favor and just go ahead with The Curse of Gods series or do a re-read of this masterpiece because it’s just that good.
May 8, 2024
I NEED BOOK 2 NOW.
Honestly, The romance is lackluster—slow burn but not quite swoon-worthy (yet). I still don’t know how to feel about Kiera's love interests. Just…meh I guess. The plot progression felt minimal and too short for my liking. However, it still managed to hold my attention, and I’m weirdly addicted 😂 (Which explains my somewhat high rating depite my complaints lol)
I have no doubt that Kiera will kick ass in the next book!
Honestly, The romance is lackluster—slow burn but not quite swoon-worthy (yet). I still don’t know how to feel about Kiera's love interests. Just…meh I guess. The plot progression felt minimal and too short for my liking. However, it still managed to hold my attention, and I’m weirdly addicted 😂 (Which explains my somewhat high rating depite my complaints lol)
I have no doubt that Kiera will kick ass in the next book!
March 29, 2024
UM this was so so so good Miss Lucy!!! I’ve never read anything like it and it kept me on the tip of my toes while also grinning like an evil woman and kicking my feet. I love Kiera and don’t make me choose between the Darkhaven brothers (it’s Theos). The twists and turns were exciting and the SLOW. BURN. SIMMERING OBSESSION. Puhleaaasseeee.
April 12, 2024
Rating: 4.5/5
Spice Rating: 3.5/5
I quickly fell in love with this Dark Romantasy Reverse Harem! I usually don’t read darker books, but this one I couldn’t put down! It wasn’t took dark that I couldn’t handle it. This was such an easy read, with immersive writing and a captivating plot/storyline. I can already tell this is going to be a top read of the year!
Our FMC is total bad ass with a bleeding heart. Kiera finally has the chance at a freedom she’s longed for and she takes it. She is strong-willed, and doesn’t take crap from anyone. Our MMCs are just the right amount of messed up and I love it. They the world and life they are stuck in and do reckless things to drown out the pain, but I foresee a certain fmc changing that soon. This world has Gods and Demigods with a really unique magic system. I can’t wait to see more abilities in the second book. I think my favorite is Keira’s ability to control and spiders and see through their eyes. This book definitely kept me on my toes with all of the twists and turns! I am super excited to see what is in store for Kiera in book 2…..especially with that cliffhanger!!!
Spice Rating: 3.5/5
I quickly fell in love with this Dark Romantasy Reverse Harem! I usually don’t read darker books, but this one I couldn’t put down! It wasn’t took dark that I couldn’t handle it. This was such an easy read, with immersive writing and a captivating plot/storyline. I can already tell this is going to be a top read of the year!
Our FMC is total bad ass with a bleeding heart. Kiera finally has the chance at a freedom she’s longed for and she takes it. She is strong-willed, and doesn’t take crap from anyone. Our MMCs are just the right amount of messed up and I love it. They the world and life they are stuck in and do reckless things to drown out the pain, but I foresee a certain fmc changing that soon. This world has Gods and Demigods with a really unique magic system. I can’t wait to see more abilities in the second book. I think my favorite is Keira’s ability to control and spiders and see through their eyes. This book definitely kept me on my toes with all of the twists and turns! I am super excited to see what is in store for Kiera in book 2…..especially with that cliffhanger!!!
August 12, 2024
Okay so I have a few things to say👀
First off, I actually really enjoyed this! I loved the fmc. She was one of those badass fmcs you can’t decide whether you want to be or want to be friends with. I did wish we got to see a bit more of her and Regis because I just know from the bits we did see that their friendship would be funny asf.
I loved the backstory and the lore behind the whole book. Stories with Gods and mortals are always so fun to read. The overall plot was super interesting, low key reminded me of ToG with the whole assassins guild and secret undercover missions which I loved anyway.
I think the main thing that brought this book down a little bit was that I felt as though the story didn’t really go anywhere. The story seemed to span over weeks but not much happened. HOWEVER I do have every intention of reading the next books in the series because I feel like this book was possibly setting up for the next ones.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book I just wanted a bit more from it (but I can sense this happening in the next books in the series)
📖tropes: badass fmc, secret assassins guild, secret powers, dislike to lovers?, cliffhanger
⭐️3.75/5
🌶️2.5/5
First off, I actually really enjoyed this! I loved the fmc. She was one of those badass fmcs you can’t decide whether you want to be or want to be friends with. I did wish we got to see a bit more of her and Regis because I just know from the bits we did see that their friendship would be funny asf.
I loved the backstory and the lore behind the whole book. Stories with Gods and mortals are always so fun to read. The overall plot was super interesting, low key reminded me of ToG with the whole assassins guild and secret undercover missions which I loved anyway.
I think the main thing that brought this book down a little bit was that I felt as though the story didn’t really go anywhere. The story seemed to span over weeks but not much happened. HOWEVER I do have every intention of reading the next books in the series because I feel like this book was possibly setting up for the next ones.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book I just wanted a bit more from it (but I can sense this happening in the next books in the series)
📖tropes: badass fmc, secret assassins guild, secret powers, dislike to lovers?, cliffhanger
⭐️3.75/5
🌶️2.5/5
April 14, 2024
A Sword of Shadow and Deceit has the makings for a great, why choose fantasy romance series and I’m already super excited for the next book. My main complaint is that this first book didn’t have much actually happen plot wise. We stay in the same spot for what feels like months on end with zero development except for some random tidbits of info here and there. I think about half this book is filler and could’ve been scrapped with whatever the author has planned for the next book. Did I still enjoy the story? Yes, I just wish there was actual plot movement. I wasn’t bored by the lack of character and plot development, but I just feel like most of the book was a whole bunch of nothing. I’ll definitely follow with where this series goes, I just hope a lot more happens in the next one. Overall, when things actually progressed plot-wise, I really liked this and that’s why I’ve rated as high as I did.
Thank you to the author and R&R Book Tours for the free copy.
Thank you to the author and R&R Book Tours for the free copy.
April 8, 2024
Ooh this book is addictive! I need book two straight away.
I really liked Kiera as a main character. She's relatable and her attitude is 100% justified. The three MMCs are intriguing and I feel like there's a whole lot more to their stories we haven't discovered yet and I'm looking forward to finding out more in book two.
The spice in this book was delicious and I have a feeling there will be more coming.
I really liked Kiera as a main character. She's relatable and her attitude is 100% justified. The three MMCs are intriguing and I feel like there's a whole lot more to their stories we haven't discovered yet and I'm looking forward to finding out more in book two.
The spice in this book was delicious and I have a feeling there will be more coming.
May 6, 2024
Let me start by saying I'm normally a dark romance girl that wants instant spice. This book offered me something different. Tons of world building with memory flashbacks. I was drawn to this world and wanted more. The book ends on a cliffy and I cannot wait for book two! I need to know what happens. DECEIT is the name of this game, and everyone has a secret. Shhhh! 😂
dnf
October 22, 2025Literally not one part was making sense lol
March 23, 2024
OMG this book did not disappoint AT ALL! I desperately need book 2 now! 🖤
⭐️5/5
🌶3/5
-Multiple pov
-Enemies to lovers
-Dark fantasy romance
-Why choose
-Assassin fmc
⭐️5/5
🌶3/5
-Multiple pov
-Enemies to lovers
-Dark fantasy romance
-Why choose
-Assassin fmc
March 16, 2025
3.75 ☆
while this dark romantasy left me with so many questions and minimal answers, I still thought it was a compelling read! thankfully, this is only book 1, so I'm praying to all the gods that this is just a teaser of what's to come! the world that the author has built is one filled with both gods and their semi divine offspring, referred to as Mortal Gods, who rule over the humans, treating them like little more than playthings for their entertainment. the Divine are ruthless and unfeeling, caring only about their desires and maintaining power through fear and worship alike.
in this story, we follow Kiera, a lethal assassin in the service of the Underworld, an elite guild of the deadliest mortals who are wielded like a weapon for the gain of others. ripped away from her father as a child, she's lived her life bound to the woman who purchased and guided her, given a long leash to do as she pleases when not on a mission, but still at the beck and call of another. I love her tenacity, her intense sense of right and wrong in the face of such a harsh life, her boldness, her willpower. I'm a Kiera STAN. our gal doesn't take things lying down or without a fight. and she's got a secret, one that she's been guarding her whole life. she is a Mortal God. unclaimed by her God parent, hidden by the Underworld and her Mistress instead of sent off to the Mortal God Academy to join the ranks of the divine like a good soldier.
the Darkhaven brothers are the cream of the crop at the MGA. dangerous, calculating, deadly. these three have been honed into unstoppable and unforgiving weapons, much like Kiera, with one exception. they have little regard for humanity. they've been elevated as superior, even amongst their own kind for their power, and it's made them even more ruthless than most. but Ruen, Theos, and Kallix finally meet their new Terra, they're intrigued. unlike most mortals, she doesn't cower in their presence. she challenges them. she surprises them. their curious about this mysterious new human that doesn't simply fawn at their feet, but keeps them on their toes. I looooved their banter. and while, I initially saw this advertised as 'Why Choose' romance, we didn’t really get much in terms of romance. There were a few tense & steamy moments. I still loved seeing Kiera interact with each of them & am hoping for the delicious tension that's been built with all three to erupt in the next book!
this left me with soooo many questions that I'm literally aching for answerings!!!! who is Keira's god parent? what are her powers? we see snippets of this throughout, with her familiars and her abilities of persuasion. but I have the sense that there's sooo much more that she's been holding close the chest. she's spent her life keeping her Divinity hidden & I want our girl to LET LOOSE. that sentiment goes for our three broody & hot brothers. I just want a little more out of their development as the story goes! this ends on such a precipice and has so much potential for the story to grow. who is the hit that Kiera is here for? what does the Darkhaven brother's father have planned for them? what do the gods have planned for their army of children? so many possibilities!
Thank you to Lucinda Dark and Literally Yours for providing an ARC of this book.
while this dark romantasy left me with so many questions and minimal answers, I still thought it was a compelling read! thankfully, this is only book 1, so I'm praying to all the gods that this is just a teaser of what's to come! the world that the author has built is one filled with both gods and their semi divine offspring, referred to as Mortal Gods, who rule over the humans, treating them like little more than playthings for their entertainment. the Divine are ruthless and unfeeling, caring only about their desires and maintaining power through fear and worship alike.
in this story, we follow Kiera, a lethal assassin in the service of the Underworld, an elite guild of the deadliest mortals who are wielded like a weapon for the gain of others. ripped away from her father as a child, she's lived her life bound to the woman who purchased and guided her, given a long leash to do as she pleases when not on a mission, but still at the beck and call of another. I love her tenacity, her intense sense of right and wrong in the face of such a harsh life, her boldness, her willpower. I'm a Kiera STAN. our gal doesn't take things lying down or without a fight. and she's got a secret, one that she's been guarding her whole life. she is a Mortal God. unclaimed by her God parent, hidden by the Underworld and her Mistress instead of sent off to the Mortal God Academy to join the ranks of the divine like a good soldier.
the Darkhaven brothers are the cream of the crop at the MGA. dangerous, calculating, deadly. these three have been honed into unstoppable and unforgiving weapons, much like Kiera, with one exception. they have little regard for humanity. they've been elevated as superior, even amongst their own kind for their power, and it's made them even more ruthless than most. but Ruen, Theos, and Kallix finally meet their new Terra, they're intrigued. unlike most mortals, she doesn't cower in their presence. she challenges them. she surprises them. their curious about this mysterious new human that doesn't simply fawn at their feet, but keeps them on their toes. I looooved their banter. and while, I initially saw this advertised as 'Why Choose' romance, we didn’t really get much in terms of romance. There were a few tense & steamy moments. I still loved seeing Kiera interact with each of them & am hoping for the delicious tension that's been built with all three to erupt in the next book!
this left me with soooo many questions that I'm literally aching for answerings!!!! who is Keira's god parent? what are her powers? we see snippets of this throughout, with her familiars and her abilities of persuasion. but I have the sense that there's sooo much more that she's been holding close the chest. she's spent her life keeping her Divinity hidden & I want our girl to LET LOOSE. that sentiment goes for our three broody & hot brothers. I just want a little more out of their development as the story goes! this ends on such a precipice and has so much potential for the story to grow. who is the hit that Kiera is here for? what does the Darkhaven brother's father have planned for them? what do the gods have planned for their army of children? so many possibilities!
Thank you to Lucinda Dark and Literally Yours for providing an ARC of this book.
February 23, 2025
Kiera is not who people think she is. After her dad was killed, she was sold off and trained to be the ultimate shadow:silent, deadly, and impossible to spot. She’s been completing missions for years, and failing? Yeah, that’s not even on the table. She lives in a world where Gods and Mortal Gods rule, but no one knows about the divine blood running through her veins. It’s suppressed, hidden, and ruthless. Even she doesn’t know who her God parent is. Now, she’s sent on a mission that could finally set her free, but here’s the kicker-she has no clue who her target is. Cue the ultimate high stakes performance of her life.
Dark, addictive, and so much fun. It throws you into a gritty world of gods, secrets, and danger, where literally anything can happen. Kiera’s a total badass, but she’s also got that vulnerability that makes you root for her. And the Darkhaven brothers? Oh, man. They’re damaged, powerful, and a little unhinged (okay, maybe a lot unhinged). One of them? Total psychopath vibes, but I’m so here for it. 🤣🤌🏻
If you’re into dark, edgy fantasy with an assassin FMC, morally black MMCs, and those delicious enemies to lovers vibes this one’s for you. This is suppose to be a why choose reverse harem I believe, but we don’t see TOO much action in book one yet.
Tropes and themes I liked:
🖤Assassin FMC
🖤Hidden Identities
🖤Slow Burn
🖤Animal Familiars
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Unhinged and Morally Black
🖤Anti Hero
This has a cliffhanger, maybe like a 1/5 on the trauma scale but you can dive into book two asap😘
Dark, addictive, and so much fun. It throws you into a gritty world of gods, secrets, and danger, where literally anything can happen. Kiera’s a total badass, but she’s also got that vulnerability that makes you root for her. And the Darkhaven brothers? Oh, man. They’re damaged, powerful, and a little unhinged (okay, maybe a lot unhinged). One of them? Total psychopath vibes, but I’m so here for it. 🤣🤌🏻
If you’re into dark, edgy fantasy with an assassin FMC, morally black MMCs, and those delicious enemies to lovers vibes this one’s for you. This is suppose to be a why choose reverse harem I believe, but we don’t see TOO much action in book one yet.
Tropes and themes I liked:
🖤Assassin FMC
🖤Hidden Identities
🖤Slow Burn
🖤Animal Familiars
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Unhinged and Morally Black
🖤Anti Hero
This has a cliffhanger, maybe like a 1/5 on the trauma scale but you can dive into book two asap😘
June 20, 2024
Tropes:
-Dark Fantasy Romance 🖤
-Assassin FMC 🔥
-Enemies to Lovers 🗡️
-Why Choose 😅
-Fantasy Academy 🔮
Let’s start off with the ending… that left me asking soo many questions.
The multiple POV kept me engaged and I was hooked. I thought this book was headed in one direction but totally changed and I was like whoa.
I have so many theories and questions. Book 2? Well I shall wait but this book is a def solid read!
Thank you to Literally Yours PR for an ARC, this is my honest review!
-Dark Fantasy Romance 🖤
-Assassin FMC 🔥
-Enemies to Lovers 🗡️
-Why Choose 😅
-Fantasy Academy 🔮
Let’s start off with the ending… that left me asking soo many questions.
The multiple POV kept me engaged and I was hooked. I thought this book was headed in one direction but totally changed and I was like whoa.
I have so many theories and questions. Book 2? Well I shall wait but this book is a def solid read!
Thank you to Literally Yours PR for an ARC, this is my honest review!
September 12, 2024
Honestly, this book wasn't the greatest. We learn nothing really, nothing from the "client" or who the target was. The plot was meh and honestly it was just so confusing at times... and the spider that she risked so much for... was hardly there. The book had so much potential and didn't follow. Part of me doesn't want to attempt the 2nd book as this one was just meh.
April 1, 2025
4/5⭐️
2/5🌶️
I had a fun time with this read! A little bit of academia, a little bit of espionage, a would-be (should-be?) FMC assassin… all of it rolled into a really great story. I loved our feisty FMC Kiera’s attitude, giving no qualms about putting her ‘masters’ into their place. I am incredibly intrigued about what she’s actually supposed to be accomplishing, who her target is, and hopefully we’ll find that out next book! Not an abundance of spice but WOWZA what we got was delicious and absolutely nutritious. Kiera is in a bit of a pickle at the end of this story… and I’m excited to see how that continues.
2/5🌶️
I had a fun time with this read! A little bit of academia, a little bit of espionage, a would-be (should-be?) FMC assassin… all of it rolled into a really great story. I loved our feisty FMC Kiera’s attitude, giving no qualms about putting her ‘masters’ into their place. I am incredibly intrigued about what she’s actually supposed to be accomplishing, who her target is, and hopefully we’ll find that out next book! Not an abundance of spice but WOWZA what we got was delicious and absolutely nutritious. Kiera is in a bit of a pickle at the end of this story… and I’m excited to see how that continues.
November 25, 2024
Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice🌶️🌶️🫑
Tropes
⚔️ Dark fantasy
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
⚔️ Why chose & reverse harem
⚔️ Secret identity
⚔️ Forbidden existence
⚔️ Assassin FMC
⚔️ Anti hero
“You feel so perfect,” Theos whispers. “I can smell how
wet you are for me, how much you want me.”
“You’re f*cking tormenting me,” Theos curses.
“Then make me stop,” I tell him. “Take me, Theos Darkhaven. Forget everything and f*ck all of your anger” —and your sorrow-“out on me. I can take it.”
Oh this was good!! I had no idea what I was getting into. I went in completely blind and ended up loving this so so much! I love how the world building was easy to follow but painted a perfect picture. The characters are all so different and their development throughout the book is *chefs kiss*! And that spice?! Oooo mama that was fabulous! I can’t wait to continue reading the series!
Spice🌶️🌶️🫑
Tropes
⚔️ Dark fantasy
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
⚔️ Why chose & reverse harem
⚔️ Secret identity
⚔️ Forbidden existence
⚔️ Assassin FMC
⚔️ Anti hero
“You feel so perfect,” Theos whispers. “I can smell how
wet you are for me, how much you want me.”
“You’re f*cking tormenting me,” Theos curses.
“Then make me stop,” I tell him. “Take me, Theos Darkhaven. Forget everything and f*ck all of your anger” —and your sorrow-“out on me. I can take it.”
Oh this was good!! I had no idea what I was getting into. I went in completely blind and ended up loving this so so much! I love how the world building was easy to follow but painted a perfect picture. The characters are all so different and their development throughout the book is *chefs kiss*! And that spice?! Oooo mama that was fabulous! I can’t wait to continue reading the series!
March 18, 2025
Oh my god. I hate this. One of the MMC SA’s someone in the first few chapters. Then one of the mmc 2000% rapes the mc. The MC was abused by every love interest and repeatedly gaslight. The power dynamics with the servants not being allowed to say no, regardless of what happens or what they are asked…no matter what.
March 21, 2024
This is the first book in the Mortal Gods, a new dark fantasy romance series with gods and humans about what a desperate woman will do for freedom, and the power of control. Tropes include why choose, an assassin FMC, hidden identity, familiars and forbidden love. This is a darker fantasy romance so please review the content warnings.
The Lovely: I loved this story and the MCs. The plot is unique and engaging, and definitely didn’t go the way I thought it would (in a good way). The FMC’s hidden identity increased the tension as I was constantly worried she would be found out. She is sassy and cunning, especially against the MMCs, something they’re definitely not used to experiencing.
The Mundane: This book lays a solid foundation for the series to continue, with establishing the plot and characters, and with necessary world-building. However, this first book is lighter on the romance. The FMC has limited intimate interactions with most of the MMCs, so the why choose didn’t really shine through. This seems to be fairly common in why choose series so I expect the why choose to build as the series progresses.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Flames
Recommendation: Thank you to the author and Literally Yours PR for providing this book for review consideration. I absolutely cannot wait for book two. So much so I ran to the interwebs to see if a date had been announced (and it has - May 31, 2024). I love dark romantasy and why chose so put them together and this book did not disappoint.
The Lovely: I loved this story and the MCs. The plot is unique and engaging, and definitely didn’t go the way I thought it would (in a good way). The FMC’s hidden identity increased the tension as I was constantly worried she would be found out. She is sassy and cunning, especially against the MMCs, something they’re definitely not used to experiencing.
The Mundane: This book lays a solid foundation for the series to continue, with establishing the plot and characters, and with necessary world-building. However, this first book is lighter on the romance. The FMC has limited intimate interactions with most of the MMCs, so the why choose didn’t really shine through. This seems to be fairly common in why choose series so I expect the why choose to build as the series progresses.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Flames
Recommendation: Thank you to the author and Literally Yours PR for providing this book for review consideration. I absolutely cannot wait for book two. So much so I ran to the interwebs to see if a date had been announced (and it has - May 31, 2024). I love dark romantasy and why chose so put them together and this book did not disappoint.
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