The Blood of Gods and Monsters

Mortal Gods #3

by Lucinda Dark, Lucy Smoke

Greed is lethal. Blood is honest.

Between the blood of gods and monsters, I am both killer and healer.

The Darkhavens were once my obstacle. Now, they may be the only safe haven I have left.

The Gods are lying to us all.

They are not Gods at all, but creatures that came from another world to rule over ours.

Through blood, death, and pain, I will uncover what they have hidden from us and I will reveal their secrets.

I am Kiera Nezerac of the Hinterlands, daughter of the Divine. Assassin of the Underworld. And I am not leaving this world without the truth.

Genres: Fantasy, Why Choose, Dark Romance, Magic, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance

411 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 23, 2024

Reviews

[Caitlin_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨Preread

Heading into book 3, still waiting for answers about Kiera’s mysterious powers and her parents—because of course that’s still unresolved.

Kalix will probably remain gloriously unhinged, Theos charmingly cruel, and Ruen… well, let’s hope book 3 is HIS book because he’s giving emo wet blanket energy. Loose ends are everywhere, and I’m bracing for more chaos, lust-driven decisions, and hopefully…a hint of actual character growth.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC reader and review.

I have been waiting for the next book. I needed it like I needed air. I needed to know what our little liar was up too. What would happen if she was exposed.....
Now I'm ready for the final chapter in book 4. I was left on a cliffhanger. The ending is spectacular even ending that way. Things are coming together I need to know how the little thief and her boys are going to fix it. What else they will uncover. Lies that will be exposed.

[Taylor Krasinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review: The Blood of Gods and Monsters ✨

Mortal Gods Series: Book 3

5 ⭐️
3 🌶️

Call me an addict because this series has me SUFFERING from withdrawal! If you’re a fan of this series, book 3 delivers on every level!

What to expect from this EPIC installment:
🔥 Sassy murderous FMC
🔥 Moody, deranged, possessive MMCs
🔥 Plot that gets better & better with every book
🔥 New villains & spilled secrets (not the delicious kind)
🔥 So many clues & secrets that haunted my dreams
🔥 Layered emotional depth within each MC!
🔥 Spice that freaking SLAYS 🥵

We pick up immediately where we left Kiera & the Darkhaven brothers. The questions we had about the previous deceptive cliffhanger are (mostly) answered within the first few chapters that also set the stage for an epic journey ahead!

🤯 Kiera’s secrets are exposed & everyone is on high alert. The Gods know… they discover her secret Divinity & they’re demanding answers. But the oh so high and mighty Gods are not what they seem… As Kiera begins to uncover the truth, she believes it’s her solely against the world, but thankfully our favorite trio is right by her side!

This book was everything I hoped it would be! Not only do we get a deeper understanding into Kiera’s personal past, we also dig into the last brother who refuses to let his guard down. Yes, Ruen finally cracks - and hot dayumm… I am smitten for each & every brother!

👏🏼 I love that Kiera gets to be herself in this crazy setting. She FINALLY leans into her true abilities & is in full send it mode! But she’s only so strong… She finds herself drawn like a moth to a fucked up flame with these brothers. Recognizing her deep dark emotions are reflected within each MMC - Kiera’s heart is beginning to lead her down a dangerous path.

This book was BEYOND perfection! I read this within 38 hours… So that should tell you how deep her claws got into me! I loved every sinful second! 😍 Thank you Lucy Smoke for this ARC opportunity! And thank you for Kalix… Just… thank you 🙏🏻

[Amber's Book Cave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series; the mix of dark romance and fantasy really works for me. "The Blood of Gods and Monsters" adds so much to the world-building and dives deeper into Kiera’s past and the dynamics with the Darkhaven brothers, leading to some intense moments. The plot is packed with twists, and just when I thought I had it figured out, something new would surprise me.

Kiera’s character really shines here—she’s fierce, complicated, and relatable. The pacing is spot on, with plenty of action, spice, and emotional depth to keep me engaged and entertained throughout the entire book. I can't wait for the next one!

[FloofyMooseReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Mortal Gods, a dark fantasy romance series with gods, demi-gods, and humans that explores themes of freedom, power and control. Tropes include why choose, an assassin FMC, hidden identity, familiars and a lot secrets. This is a darker fantasy romance so please review the content warnings.

The Lovely: I loved this story, the characters and their relationships. The plot is unique and engaging, to the point where I couldn’t put the book down. The FMC has a lot more intimate interactions with the brothers in this book, which I liked and thought it helped to solidify this series as why choose. The FMC’s interactions with the brothers are complicated and real as the FMC tries to protect herself.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Flames

Recommendation: I received an advance review copy from the author and Literally Yours PR, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book was an exciting ride and the ending has me anxious for the next book (which is due to release at the end of the year). There was a revelation of sorts at the end that I had been suspecting for a while. I feel like in this book a lot of the mysteries were solved (but not all) and now the characters need to figure out what to do. I love dark romantasy and why choose so put them together and this book did not disappoint.

[Liv🤍 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

So happy to have been back in this world!🤩

This was my least favourite so far I’m thinking. I loveddd the characters and the relationships, the plot though wasn’t my favourite of them all as of now! However,I do feel we are now getting somewhere after the first two books.I’m excited to see where it goes from here. I’d only figured out half the plot twist in this so when reading the ending I was like ohhhh…😆🙌🏻
I just lovee these three brothers and I love the magic elements they all have for example the familiars and illusions!
Although it wasn’t my favourite, I still enjoyed being back in this world and everything unfolding. If you love a why choose and a fantasy I’d definitely say give this series a go!!😍

Thank you so much to the author and Literally Yours PR for giving me the chance to read this as an ARC! Although it’s an ARC, all opinions are my honest ones🤍

[Amanda Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! I think it’s the first and only why choose romance I’ve read so far but it works for me! Normally series are trilogies, so I’m glad to hear this one is not done yet, especially after that ending!
Also something big happened to our FMC this book, and seeing her with more of her power is pretty amazing. Also her relationship with each of the brothers develops more, especially one in particular. There are some wild truths unveiled in this one and I’m curious as to how things will continue to evolve in the next and last book. Can’t wait to come back to this world!

Thank you Literally Yours PR for the copy!

[Migeldy Mauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 ⭐️

I don't know how to feel about this one.
It felt more like a filler than anything else
It honestly could've been a email

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot is really good and I want to race for more, but boy does this pacing infuriate me at times. The characters finally grasped at what I put together two books ago and it has been damn near agonizing watching them fumble through this. I don’t want to call them stupid, but these 4 aren’t the brightest crayons in the box. That last chapter was like pulling teeth to get her to spit it out already.


But all of that aside, I really am engaged in this world and the story. Ability to see and understand all the clues at the same speed as me aside, I actually like the characters even though I wish they’d ALL get out of their heads more and interact on the page. Have conversations.

Off to the next…

[Mandy Enchantedbookduo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 💎
2.5 🌶️ (not many scenes but you need to read TW’s)

📘The speed of the plot untwisting. There was some big revelations at the start of book but then you get a chance to stop and let them sink in
📘The slow burn spice in this books, there is the undercurrent of this bigger connection with the brothers
📘42% there is something building in her powers, what is it ?
📘Wow never thought I would be ok with snakes 😉😉
📘She is always just pushing people away - so frustrating
📘Ok the ending - what the hell? I knew the gods were doing something to replenish themselves but wow didn’t expect that.
🍷“I am no one’s hero,” I say. “And I’m certainly no one’s salvation.”
🍷“What you need is a hero,” I tell him. “Someone from the storybooks.”
🍷”Your anger changes no one but yourself. You may use it as fuel, but do not let it consume you or you will cease to be everything that you are—the child of my heart.”

[Jaidyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

-The blood of gods and monsters-
Book #3 in mortal gods series
5/5⭐️

The start of this book are you kidding me Lucy, the start of this book was sad I started crying the I want my dad broke me 😫😭.

She is the solution she is there savior what the f*ck.

Omg the ending of this book how, is he dead, why is he dead, what the fuck happened, how are the consuming I don’t understand I need answers now

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite in the series, but still exciting and I've still so much fun. One more book to go!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘✨
📖: The Blood of Gods and Monsters (Mortal Gods #3) by @authorlucysmoke
🩸: Publication Date: August 23rd
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.

In this third installment, secrets come to light that alter the fabric of their reality. Kiera struggles with reconciling the betrayals and her fear of loss, pain, and abandonment. She and the Darkhaven brothers navigate their precarious circumstances as they search for answers.

Tropes/themes:
👀 Multi POV
🖤 Dark Fantasy Romance
🗡️ Ass@ssin FMC
☠️ Anti-Hero
❤️️ Enemies-to-Lovers
🔥 Why Choose
🌶️: moderate

"𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘒𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘢. 𝘐 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰."

Secrets are uncovered and sinister plots begin to unravel. Their fates are uncertain but one thing is for sure- they must face it all together.

Lucinda meticulously peels back the layers of each main character through interwoven inner monologues and flashbacks. We explore their desires and vulnerabilities. This book dials up the danger and delivers some top tier snark, intrigue, and angst. I am once again unwell after that ending 🥲

Laced with feminine rage, action, and unhinged spicing spice, The Blood of Gods and Monsters takes the reader on an enthralling ride!

Huge thanks to @authorlucysmoke and @literallyyourspr for the ARC opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review

[Froggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF ~65%

Maybe I hyped this up too much in my head because I was counting down the days, but the story really went downhill for me. I wasn’t super into the reveal and new plot direction in the beginning of the book, but I kept going thinking I just had to give it a chance. Unfortunately, I just felt like the author kept adding stuff to justify this new ‘Atlantean reveal’ because there hadn’t been any setup, foreshadowing, or clues that built up to it in the previous two books. It felt like it came out of nowhere and not in a shocking reveal type of way that is exciting to the reader but rather in a very boring and monotone way. As a reader it’s a head scratcher.. it made me wonder if the author wasn’t sure of the direction they were going to take the series from the beginning and maybe this was a later decision that they made. I don’t know…

The reason I stopped reading was actually the inner monologuing that started to get a little too flowery for me. It started to feel like it was trying too hard to be dark and edgy, but it just wasn’t. The last straw for me was the 3 chapter long sex scene with Ruen, I kept skimming hoping it would end soon and it just kept going and I was finally like…. Maybe this one is just not for me

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "The Blood of Gods and Monsters," we delve deeper into the intricate world-building. We get to learn more about the origins of the "Gods." The story also explores the captivating backstory of Kiera, and how she became an assassin, and we get to see Ruen's childhood and what became of his mother.

The Darkhaven brothers 🥵. Kalix, Theos and Ruen are all so different. Ruen who is stoic and very much the leader, Theos who just wants to be wanted/needed and Kalix who is completely unhinged. I love them all for very different reasons. I just want to give Theos the biggest hug ever.

Kalix - "Bite harder, little Theif. I like it when you cause me pain. Makes my cock want to repay the favor."

Once again Lucy has left me hanging! I swear she loves to torture us with these cliff hangers. She always leaves us wanting more!!!!

[Jasmin E Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

so addictive

This series is intoxicatingly suspenseful and fraught with dangerous spice... take a breathe dear fellow readers cause its got dark BDE with solid plotting with a powerful female riddled with so many secrets... Im page turning for answers like Kiera.

Im praying for an Early release of book 4.
Dark ruthlessness is in the spice but the tenderness is there. sure theres a million tws cws here. so what.

Im here for the found family, mystery & achingly good prose. Remember darkness is only where you see it.... this series is prepared to expose this worlds corruption.
I cant wait 4 more.
Jasmin E Reads

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my gosh!! loved it!

I love the Mortal Gods series.

In this installment of the series we are given a lot of answers to questions that have popped up so far but are with, what the heck are Kiera and the brothers going to do now!?

This is a why choose fantasy romance. The love interests are all brothers but don’t worry they keep their lov’in separated.

I have loved watching the progression of Kiera’s character as she really comes into herself. I especially love the dynamic between Kiera and the brothers but also the brother with each other.

I cant wait to dive into book 4!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another banger from Miss Lucy! We pick up where book two left off and I hated that I had to keep putting this book down to do life things. Kiera and the Darkhaven brothers are as delicious as ever as they continue to unveil the deep dark secrets of the Gods and how to save themselves and the people around them. The smut was good and the plot had me cursing and screaming. I’m excited to see what is truly lurking underneath Kiera’s skin and how the next book is going to take everything we thought we knew and destroy us.

.
.
I received an ARC of this book!

[Samantha Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blood of Gods and Monsters is the third installment of the Mortal Gods series and it picks up right where the second books leave off.

In the face of betrayal Kiera leans that everything she thought she knew has been a lie, and the only people she can trust are the three men who stood in her way of competing her mission. Kiera and the Darkhaven bothers are determined to learn the truth about the Gods who have been puppeteering the lives of mortals since their arrival into the mortal realm. The question is will they be able to learn the truth before it is too late, or will the quest for truth lead to not only their deaths but the deaths others around them.

This series has had me in a choke hold since book one and it keeps getting better. I really enjoy the writing style along with the plot development of this story line. The characters are fantastic, the dynamics between them have shifted from the brothers looking out for themselves and Kiera being on her own to them becoming a unit working together and protecting one another. The character development is great especially when it comes to Kalix and Ruen. This book definitely made Ruen more likable in my eyes, his actions becoming more understandable, and I could not help but feel a little heartbroken for him. I know for a fact I will be impatiently waiting for book 4 to be released!

[Jules Just Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with action, intrigue, and a captivating fast-paced plot, The Blood of Gods and Monsters is a book you don't want to miss! It begins right where A Reign of Storm and Madness ended. Some secrets are revealed after the last crazy cliffhanger. However, now there are more mysteries to solve. The clues Caedmon is leaving allude to the Gods taking part in a seriously sinister plot and Kiera and the Darkhavens must quickly find a way to prevent the worst from happening. And now that Kiera’s divinity has been exposed, the Gods are demanding further explanation and retribution. Who is her God parent and why did they hide her? What else will she be capable of?

Tropes:
✨️Dark Fantasy Romance
✨️Why Choose
✨️Fierce, Assassin FMC
✨️Multiple POV
✨️Mystery
✨️Spice 🌶🌶🌶

This series is entirely too addicting! I devoured this book! I loved the character development and the backstories about the Darkhaven brothers, especially Ruen. And true to this series fashion, The Blood of Gods and Monsters ended on a huge cliffhanger and I'm dying for some answers! I cannot wait for the next book!

[Claire Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying these books now, they have Den of Vipers vibes with the MMCs they are all a bit crazy in their own way! There was more backstory in this book which I liked and the story is getting very interesting!! Can’t wait for the final book to come out after that ending!

[Krystal Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I'm still invested in the series, but this one wasn't as good as the first two. The beginning is clunky; the dialogue is choppy and the descriptions are very repetitive. Everyone is obsessed with curling their lips. And for all that Kiera says about Ophelia, she didn't come across as intimidating at all.

After the first 10% or so, it gets better.

The flashback scenes are well written and I found myself hoping for more of these background reveals.

There's not much of Niall in this book at all. It would be so cool if he ends up having a crucial role to play in Kiera's destiny.

I'm hopeful the next book will be really thought out, and bring everything together.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Another really solid book of the series, but this one was definitely ‘the build-up book’ to the finale.

We don’t get quite as much action, and there are still so many questions we need solved surrounding Kiera.

The scenes with the Darkhaven’s are just drool-worthy thoooooo. 🔥🧯🚒

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all! This series just keeps getting better and better with each book! I loved how we got to see more of her past and what happens to her. But that ending!! Ugh I can’t wait for the next one. I have questions that need answers

[Pixie Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every minute of this story ❤ 💕

[Rikke's Reading Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

We finally got the great mystery revealed and what a revelation that was! I'm really enjoying this series.

All the characters are interesting and the world continues to intrigue me.

On to book 4!

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has the BIGGEST plot hole, but I’m willing to see where it goes tbh

[Stacey Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still reeling from the ending. It’s a subtle cliffhanger that doesn’t kill you to wait but you also become very impatient because you have to know what happens next. If you’re gonna leave us hanging, this is the way to do it.
I am trying to figure out who Kiera’s God parent is, and I think I might know, but there’s no way I’m that smart. We meet the God Council and it is possible to hate several characters at once! The males are so creepy! Major ick factor.
Who should be creepy, but aren’t, are the brothers. Good lord, Kalix and his snakes. But I love how they are so loyal to Kiera, even if she can’t give them the same. This series has taken over my life and I can’t stop thinking about it. Not many books get and keep my attention like The Blood of Gods & Monsters did. Like this whole series has!

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but a bit predictable

I figured out the “taboo” pretty quickly, which made the various scenes of Kiera trying to figure it out kind of hard to get through. Some of the people who were given early reviews mentioned the fact that this book ends on yet another cliff hanger, so I went into it feeling jaded from the start knowing the next installment isn’t for months.

While there were some significant moments, it feels like this book could have been combined with the second and the series is just being stretched out and padded with tropes for the formula: The alleged assassin who somehow rarely kills anyone throughout the series and has her primary objective derailed by the urge to pump uglies with a group of men intensely attracted to her. The old friend who’s rarely mentioned betrays a main character to save their own hide and is then easily forgiven after being hurt and/or kidnapped. The unknown origin main character prophecy child with secret powers that will probably end up a bastard to the king. The random side character with the ability the see the future who is mostly useless because they can’t say too much for fear of changing the trajectory of things. The love interest are a mixture of the kinky psycho who’s discovering something other than violence and his bros to obsess over, the intellectual who serves as an ally until he ultimately chooses to side with the bros at the wrong moment and instantly regrets it, and the tortured leader who bites his nose to spite his face and is really not coping anywhere near as well as he initially appeared. Sigh.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is enjoyable, but the FMC is just dumb! How did she survive as an assassin for so many years?!

You’re given a book that will give you the answers you need, but you don’t read it?

How could you not figure out what the “gods” were doing? From the note she found, to the clues she was given it was plain to see….

You have full access to your powers and you don’t test them out?!

You know who your mother is, and you don’t research her or your possible power’s?

Some of the flashbacks make no sense to the story…they might come into play in the last book, but then why am I reading about it now?

The story is slow moving as well…and the last 5% of the book is the only action.

I was hoping by the 3rd book they would be a little more aware, and not being gobsmacked by stuff.

I’ll read the 4th book, cause I’m curious how this will end. Hopefully the 4 of them will smarten up!