Initium: Book One

by Raven Leithe Harlow

Alice wants nothing more than to live a normal life, but her cruel and arduous journey has just begun. She yearns to graduate from college, pursue her mother's nursing career and find love.

When dark forces seek to exploit The Divine’s powers Alice wields, she must accept that Fate had paved the strenuous course of her future and that she has never had control of her life, nor will she ever.

Plagued by the suffering of her predecessors and her inner turmoil, she must make a decision that might lead to the destruction of Earth and all its inhabitants.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2024

Reviews

[Cheska Me and my Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc review.
Initium is a multi POV story, following Alice, a college student on a journey she does not see coming. Unbeknownst to Alice, her fate is already set in motion.
Caught in the crossfire of a war she did not ask for, not only does she have to relive the memories of past vessels lives and hardships, but Alice must endure the traumatic events and consequences to actions out of her control.
Alice alone now holds the fate of the world in her hands.
What path will she choose?
Following multiple characters through different time periods and their interconnected paths with one another, Initium will have you instantly connected to the story and feeling the emotional impact of each characters journey.
Harlow’s depth of world building, character development and the way each characters paths are interwoven like a tapestry, adds a unique complexity to the overall story, that will keep you captivated and engaged throughout.
I thoroughly enjoyed diving into this new world, and cannot wait to see where the story leads in book 2!

[Michael Bishop Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bumped into the author on threads. Boy, I am glad I did. I enjoyed reading this book. The character build may turn some off, but it's well worth it. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Celès Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initium by Raven Leithe Harlow is the first book of the divine saga, featuring a young woman named Alice who wants nothing more than to lead a normal life. However, Alice is destined for a cruel and harrowing journey. When evil forces seek to exploit the divine abilities Alice possesses, she must accept that she has never been in control of her life nor will she ever. Plagued not only by the fated events but also by the suffering of vessels before her, Alice must make a decision that could lead to the destruction of earth and all who inhabit it.

Initium is a complex perspective novel that alternates between multiple characters and their interwoven stories, adding depth and intricacies to the overall plot. Harlow expertly mixes together themes of power, fate, and sacrifice in a riveting story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Readers will find themselves questioning the concept of free will and the ramifications of individual decisions on a bigger scale. Harlow's detailed world-building and character development weave a beautiful tapestry that will captivate readers and keep them interested throughout the novel. Overall, Harlow's novel is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will leave a lasting impact on those who delve into its pages. The intricate connections between characters and the underlying themes make for a truly immersive reading experience that is sure to resonate with audiences long after they finish the book.

I personally cannot wait to see what lies ahead for Alice and her companions in future installments of this captivating series. I really hope to see the return of some of my favorite characters and witness how their stories continue to unfold in the rich and dynamic world that Harlow has created.

[Katrina Zarubinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Initium” by Raven Leithe Harlow is a striking, genre-blending novel—part urban fantasy, part spiritual thriller, with a faint, unsettling pulse of horror. Its central conceit is arresting: divine forces—both benevolent and malevolent—don’t merely walk among us; they inhabit us, using human lives as vessels to wage battles of purpose and power. That idea gives the book a fresh, eerie charge and frames every choice as potentially world-shaping.

Harlow’s prose has a distinctive cadence that takes a few pages to settle into, but once it clicks, it’s immersive. The narrative structure, alternating across multiple points of view and time periods, enriches the world-building: historical threads add texture and mythic resonance while contemporary chapters deepen character arcs. It’s ambitious without feeling scattered.

At the story’s heart is Alice, a protagonist forced to confront cruelty, ambiguity, and the weight of consequence. She makes choices that ripple far beyond her own life—decisions that, unbeknownst to her at first, tilt the axis of humanity. The surrounding cast—friends, rivals, and outright enemies—aren’t just satellites; their subplots complicate the moral geometry of the book and expand the novel’s thematic scope.

Inventive, unsettling, and thought-provoking, “Initium” is a compelling read that rewards your attention. If you enjoy urban fantasy that isn’t afraid to probe spiritual questions and moral gray zones, this one stands out.

[TBRBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initium by Raven Leithe Harlow

Urban Fantasy

Alice, wanting to help her mom take care of bills is working part time and attending college with the dream of being a nurse. But after a traumatic event her life is turned all around and she has a new dream that she will do anything to see come true.

Wow. Just WOW. This book was amazing! The writing was incredible, the world building and everything from start to finish felt incredibly real, which caused me to have to take a break from reading it at one point. Raven Leithe Harlow’s ability to write something that felt so real and alive is unmatched. Truly a masterpiece. If you are looking for a book that will yank out your heart and stomp on it just to give it back then this is your next read. Check the triggers before immersing yourself in this wild and incredible world and of course, when you start it make sure you buckle up because you are definitely in for a ride. I am anticipating the next book in The Divine Saga to be just as incredible as this one is. Initium is a five star read, every single page of this book is no doubt a masterpiece.

I received an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[ChunkyMamaBook · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a journey!

This is the first book that I have read by this author & honestly it did not disappoint.
This is a new twist on the take of God versus Lucifer. I have never read anything like this.

I must warn you though that this does give reference to non consenting activity that rhymes with grape. Along with dealing with thoughts & actions of wanting to unalive oneself.

In this world humans can be used as vessels for both holy & unholy entities. We follow such a vessel that carries The Devine. Though this human is not like any other, she is stronger than she knows. Capable of viewings the past lives of the human vessels before her.
If you're not one to enjoy or cope with multiple POVs then I would not recommend.

But I enjoyed seeing how each POV played out and added to story and the ongoings of what was taking place in the present day. How The Devine came to her recent vessel, what she learnt along the way, what she wanted for the world and ultimately WHO she was running away from.

I'm eager for the next book so I can see what happens next as this ended with the appearance of the other big character. The big bad to the big good.

Thoroughly enjoyed.

[Amy Doslich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing read! Alice’s journey is intense and emotional. The world-building is fantastic, and I was hooked from start to finish. If you love urban fantasy with strong characters and high stakes, this book is a must-read. Can’t wait for the next one!

[Alexandra Thomason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, a really intriguing concept with the story, I like that it was set in modern times but there were visits/POV’s to different characters in different locations in points in history. There were so many occasions where I thought one thing would happen but the complete opposite happened and the boom definitely kept me guessing right up to the end!
Wish we saw more POVs/spent more time with certain characters but I’m very excited to read more in the series as & when books are released 🥰🫶🏻