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Of Rebels and Gods: The Orchard Of Souls Is Calling
Brennus the Demon Child. Brennus the Bastard. Brennus the grandson of Tyrant Emperor Ectorius.
Cursed with a magic that he refuses to use, and with a family that only views him as a tool to be used, Brennus is given an opportunity when the rebels kidnap his uncle, the Crown Prince.
Sent to be a spy, Brennus begins to uncover the truths about the gods, the empire, and even his own family. With these secrets in mind, he begins to question everything he ever knew. Brennus must quickly determine his future and his fate, before everything is decided for him.
As the truth unfurls around him, he must decide, will he betray the family that sent him to be a prisoner? Or will he live up to his family's demands?
The Orchard of Souls is calling.
With gods somehow alive and a rebellion anxious to overthrow, Brennus finds himself stuck in between a war of Rebels and Gods.
Cursed with a magic that he refuses to use, and with a family that only views him as a tool to be used, Brennus is given an opportunity when the rebels kidnap his uncle, the Crown Prince.
Sent to be a spy, Brennus begins to uncover the truths about the gods, the empire, and even his own family. With these secrets in mind, he begins to question everything he ever knew. Brennus must quickly determine his future and his fate, before everything is decided for him.
As the truth unfurls around him, he must decide, will he betray the family that sent him to be a prisoner? Or will he live up to his family's demands?
The Orchard of Souls is calling.
With gods somehow alive and a rebellion anxious to overthrow, Brennus finds himself stuck in between a war of Rebels and Gods.
324 pages, Paperback
First published July 19, 2024
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427 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 20, 2024
"𝑴𝒚 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅. 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆."
If you like dark fantasy, trapped gods, a fight for the throne, betrayal and just a hint of lgbtq+ romance, this book is for you!
I was NOT expecting the book to end the way that it did :0 THAT had me surprised more than any other part of this book. The epilogue especially piqued my interest. I would definitely still give the 2nd book a shot because I definitely want to know what happens next and the realm is intriguing.
The premise has a LOT of potential, but this fell flat for me/was an average read that was unfortunately anticlimactic and a plot twist that I was not very surprised by. I'm not sure if part of it came out of building the foundation for the series despite being fast paced and a short read. There are some good lines in here, but I found the banter to be a bit childish and I didn't love a lot of the characters. I'm hoping that the 2nd book has less whining from Brennus and more development. By the end of it all, it doesn't feel like Brennus grew despite his experiences and my favorites literally DIED.
If you like dark fantasy, trapped gods, a fight for the throne, betrayal and just a hint of lgbtq+ romance, this book is for you!
I was NOT expecting the book to end the way that it did :0 THAT had me surprised more than any other part of this book. The epilogue especially piqued my interest. I would definitely still give the 2nd book a shot because I definitely want to know what happens next and the realm is intriguing.
The premise has a LOT of potential, but this fell flat for me/was an average read that was unfortunately anticlimactic and a plot twist that I was not very surprised by. I'm not sure if part of it came out of building the foundation for the series despite being fast paced and a short read. There are some good lines in here, but I found the banter to be a bit childish and I didn't love a lot of the characters. I'm hoping that the 2nd book has less whining from Brennus and more development. By the end of it all, it doesn't feel like Brennus grew despite his experiences and my favorites literally DIED.
August 31, 2024
Thanks to the author for giving me an ARC to review.
I liked this book. It was interesting with a lot of complexities, twists and turns with shocking revelations. The world building was vast but it didn't feel like I was being thrown information which I always appreciate, it's a beautiful world in these pages but of course there's darkness lurking in the shadows. The LGBT representation was awesome, I really liked the forbidden magic and Gods. However, the beginning for me personally was extremely slow, and I didn't really feel truly immersed in the overall plot.
Brennus was an awesome main character though, I really loved his inner conflicting thoughts and being inside his head as he tries to work against the circumstances placed on him. I really liked Kestrel too how she helped Brennus and kept him out of harms way. All of the characters were awesome.
Overall, if you really enjoy Dark Fantasy and books to do with ancient prophecies, Gods and betrayal at every corner then you will really enjoy this. It's a good introduction to the series and I'm excited for where it's going to go from that cliffhanger!
I liked this book. It was interesting with a lot of complexities, twists and turns with shocking revelations. The world building was vast but it didn't feel like I was being thrown information which I always appreciate, it's a beautiful world in these pages but of course there's darkness lurking in the shadows. The LGBT representation was awesome, I really liked the forbidden magic and Gods. However, the beginning for me personally was extremely slow, and I didn't really feel truly immersed in the overall plot.
Brennus was an awesome main character though, I really loved his inner conflicting thoughts and being inside his head as he tries to work against the circumstances placed on him. I really liked Kestrel too how she helped Brennus and kept him out of harms way. All of the characters were awesome.
Overall, if you really enjoy Dark Fantasy and books to do with ancient prophecies, Gods and betrayal at every corner then you will really enjoy this. It's a good introduction to the series and I'm excited for where it's going to go from that cliffhanger!
October 13, 2024
"FIVE STARS AND MORE. A COMPELLING MASTERPIECE."
TO BE HONEST, I AM BEING RENDERED SPEECHLESS, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT I AM TRYING TO CONSOLE MYSELF THAT A BOOK TWO IS COMING 2026. Of Rebels and Gods by James Stadig is a must read for everyone. I thought I wouldn't flow with the book, but I got hooked from the first line and the anticipation and bubbling climax made me fall into the rabbit hole of continuous reading. I was so eager to know what happened. My heart thumped in my chest after every lines.
Let's talk about the characters, OH MY GOD, they're so amazing and unpredictable. Let's talk about Brennus, I wasn't expecting his development, but his growth from a mediocre character to an anti-hero was too climactic and beautiful by the way. I pictured the scenes in this book as if I was watching an adventurous/fantasy film. This...this needs to be adapted into a film please. I love every bits of this novel that was deliciously devoured by me and I can't wait for book two.
Thank you, James Stadig for entrusting me to read this work of art. It is my unbridled pleasure.
Favorite quote: “Fire is a vicious mistress.”
TO BE HONEST, I AM BEING RENDERED SPEECHLESS, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT I AM TRYING TO CONSOLE MYSELF THAT A BOOK TWO IS COMING 2026. Of Rebels and Gods by James Stadig is a must read for everyone. I thought I wouldn't flow with the book, but I got hooked from the first line and the anticipation and bubbling climax made me fall into the rabbit hole of continuous reading. I was so eager to know what happened. My heart thumped in my chest after every lines.
Let's talk about the characters, OH MY GOD, they're so amazing and unpredictable. Let's talk about Brennus, I wasn't expecting his development, but his growth from a mediocre character to an anti-hero was too climactic and beautiful by the way. I pictured the scenes in this book as if I was watching an adventurous/fantasy film. This...this needs to be adapted into a film please. I love every bits of this novel that was deliciously devoured by me and I can't wait for book two.
Thank you, James Stadig for entrusting me to read this work of art. It is my unbridled pleasure.
Favorite quote: “Fire is a vicious mistress.”
December 31, 2025
James Stadig is a gripping fantasy that thrives on moral tension, political intrigue, and a deeply conflicted protagonist. Brennus is not a typical chosen-one hero; he is scarred by legacy, mistrusted by family, and burdened with a power he actively rejects. That inner resistance makes his journey compelling and believable.
The story excels at blurring the lines between loyalty and betrayal. As Brennus infiltrates the rebels, the narrative steadily peels back layers of deception surrounding the gods, the empire, and his own bloodline. Each revelation forces him and the reader to reconsider who the true villains are. The gods feel ominous and unsettling rather than distant myths, while the rebellion carries its own shadows and moral compromises.
The story excels at blurring the lines between loyalty and betrayal. As Brennus infiltrates the rebels, the narrative steadily peels back layers of deception surrounding the gods, the empire, and his own bloodline. Each revelation forces him and the reader to reconsider who the true villains are. The gods feel ominous and unsettling rather than distant myths, while the rebellion carries its own shadows and moral compromises.
August 24, 2024
I loved it. For a book one it read as it should. I loved Harald but by the end Kestral became a secondary favorite. Brennus honestly could have been a touch less whiney but I get why he is. The twists and turns this book takes you down is a wild exciting ride. I can't wait for book 2 and other words by Mr. Stadig.
January 22, 2025
I have really mixed feelings on this book. I like the over story and how different it is from everything out right now but the way it was written can be very confusing at times and the grammatical errors killed me while reading it. I feel like some of the sentences should've been reworded and overall the book should have been edited more.
August 15, 2024
ARC REVIEW
This took so long to finish but was so worth it. Brennus was casted aside literally and then overnight became the most wanted person. The plot twist!!!! i never saw it coming , i kept screaming and kept getting surprised ; one thing though never trust anyone when reading this book.
This took so long to finish but was so worth it. Brennus was casted aside literally and then overnight became the most wanted person. The plot twist!!!! i never saw it coming , i kept screaming and kept getting surprised ; one thing though never trust anyone when reading this book.
September 5, 2024
Thank you to James for the eARC!
This was quite the interesting book with several twists and turns. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect; as the world started building and the characters were introduced, I didn’t really get how they were all connected. After the first few chapters, things became much clearer.. or did they? Characters I thought were solidly ‘good’ weren’t, and the ‘villains’ didn’t always stay that way! The world-building did take a good chunk of the first half, but this is common with fantasy, especially when there will be future stories in this world. Though a tad slow, it was very well done.
Brennus was a really intriguing character, quite the blend of whiny young-seeming anti-hero and strong, resilient warrior. Harald and Kestrel were well-written characters, really lending to Brennus’ journey – I won’t spoil their roles, though.
The LGBTQ+ rep was a welcome addition to the plot, as well.
If you like dark fantasy centered around betrayal, fights for the throne, and ancient prophecies, then check this one out!
This was quite the interesting book with several twists and turns. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect; as the world started building and the characters were introduced, I didn’t really get how they were all connected. After the first few chapters, things became much clearer.. or did they? Characters I thought were solidly ‘good’ weren’t, and the ‘villains’ didn’t always stay that way! The world-building did take a good chunk of the first half, but this is common with fantasy, especially when there will be future stories in this world. Though a tad slow, it was very well done.
Brennus was a really intriguing character, quite the blend of whiny young-seeming anti-hero and strong, resilient warrior. Harald and Kestrel were well-written characters, really lending to Brennus’ journey – I won’t spoil their roles, though.
The LGBTQ+ rep was a welcome addition to the plot, as well.
If you like dark fantasy centered around betrayal, fights for the throne, and ancient prophecies, then check this one out!
September 10, 2025
in need of severe editing, ended up DNF'ing because i just couldn't
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews