Fated

The God Jars Saga #0.5

by Devon Vesper

He dreams of a future his destiny will never allow. Choosing between them is unthinkable, but he must choose, or lose everything.

Tortured by bullies and his own anxiety, Aesriphos Aspirant Kerac Vihn dreams of having a son. And while he aches to make that a reality, Kerac also feels the pull of his patron god to join the Aesriphos Order. But Aesriphos can only marry within the same gender and never have children of their own.

Then he meets Aesriphos Aspirant Darolen Jaund, a craggy aspirant in the holy Order with a kind, patient heart. Darolen’s gentleness soothes Kerac’s panic attacks as he becomes Kerac’s champion. But when he asks to court Kerac, saying yes will mean the end to his dreams of a son.

Darolen is sure they can have it each other, the Order, and their son. But old fears prove hard to shake. Can Kerac trust in Darolen’s love and his god’s promises, or will he ignore his destiny?

Fated is a prequel novella to the phenomenal God Jars Saga. With all the love, magic and adventure fans of the original series have come to expect of this amazing world, it’s sure to be your new favorite.

Tags:

Fated mates, mages, warriors, social anxiety, depression, found family, idiots learning how to help Kerac when he has a panic attack, Darolen puts the fear of the gods into his a**hole friends, threatens to make a friend swallow his sword, he is not amused, protective x11, Kerac is sweet dollbaby with a crush, Darolen gets tired of chasing and surprise kisses Kerac, Kerac can’t get enough of them kisses, adorable schmoop.

Genres: Fantasy, M M Romance, Novella, Ebooks, Queer, Magic, Romance

110 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2024

About the author

If there’s one thing Devon likes most, it’s chaos. They have a chaotic mind and a messy house, and they throw their characters into every calamitous situation possible. When they aren’t writing, they’re editing or formatting other authors’ works, building websites, creating graphics, reading, playing video games, or watching Fortnite streams on Twitch. They like to stay busy. So yes. Chaos.

Working full time, Devon spends as much time as they can talking to their readers. So if you want to get in touch with them, join their Facebook Group Devon’s Dreamers’ Den, or their newsletter, or email them directly at devon.vesper@gmail.com.

Reviews

[Rafael Andrade · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was expecting a story featuring warriors, battles, strong characters, and a romantic relationship between two powerful men. However, what I encountered were two weak characters lacking any chemistry. It felt more like I was reading a chick flick or a Harlequin novel. Don’t get me wrong; Harlequin books can be great because you know what to expect from them.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this prequel. I feel it was very much needed. Fated: A God Jar Prequel is the sorta first in the God Jar Saga by author Devon Vesper. Like the .5 start.

In this story Kerac and Darolen are established. They grow and find their footing in this book. To me was so beautiful, and the ending made me cry. I loved this story.

This is a slow-burn kind of story and more about these characters finding themselves and what that means to them as a couple.

Kerac suffers from crippling anxiety. He is a good sweet person but anxiety holds him back.

Darolen is smart, brave, kind. He helps Kerac. He is the first to stand up for Kerac and show how proud he is to be seen with him.

This is a beautiful story, I am so glad I got to read it. I am looking forward to book one in this series and see where it goes next.

Five Shooting Stars

[Wayne Blood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the world building and the quiet intensity shared by Darolen and Kerac. The compliment each other beautifully, and the final chapter implies that Kerac may just get his heart’s desire of gaining both a husband and son. I always feel a bit of apprehension when beginning a new series, but the author has pulled me into this world and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Dina Bushrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet MM romance. A man so filled with anxiety attacks that he finds it hard to function, and the strong, caring man he comes to trust. With that trust he's able to let him teach him to calm is anxiety. Read this touching story of learning to let go, finding live, and dreams coming true.

[Anne Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read! totally hooked
Firstly, let me say I got this book from gay romance reviews, and this is me leaving my honest review.
I’ve got to say this book had me totally hooked every time that Kerac would feel his anxieties, my chest would hurt out of concern for this young man. I felt he’s confusion about his decision through life and his confusion through his dilemma of what he wanted more. But at the same time he saw a man practising that made his chest tighten, but with a different feeling. Darolen was an amazing fighter and also part of Aesriphos but Kerac didn’t for one second, believe he had a chance with this amazing looking man, but that was where he was wrong. Because the next time he went into practice. Darolen came up to him and asked to practice together, but that sent him into anxiety. What happened next changed everything.
What a fantastic read honestly could not put this book down. I wasn’t sure at the beginning, but boy it only took a few paragraphs for me to get hooked what they come together as is magical But what Darolen becomes to Kerac is a lifeline it’s not just about the attraction it’s about the help. It’s about the support. It’s the techniques that he offers and the love that they share. an absolute joy to read, and I cannot wait for this theories to really kick off.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

FATED is a prequel novella to The God Jars Saga, which I haven't read but would now like to.

Kerac is an Aesriphos Aspirant who is having dreams of a son, which is impossible. He faces a crisis, not knowing what to do, when Darelon helps him with a panic attack. A bond builds quickly between these two and Kerac's friend group grows larger as more people understand what he is going through and how to help him. Kerac still faces a choice though, a leap of faith, regarding his son.

As a novella, it is fast-paced, especially once Darolen states that Kerlac is his fated mate. It has some angst in there, but not between our two MCs. Instead, it is the panic attacks that Kerac suffers through, and the behaviour of others regarding said attacks.

I thought the world-building was wonderful and definitely something on which to grow. I can only imagine how rich it must be in the following books. A great read and recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 2, 2024

[Alan D.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dulce, enternecedora, y muy diferente de lo que uno normalmente espera de las historias de romance fantástico. No hay casi acción, pero sí vemos cómo un personaje normal y tan humano como cualquiera de nosotros empieza un viaje de sanación y hace las pases con su pasado y futuro. El romance en sí me pareció un poco apresurado, algunos diálogos no me convencieron del todo, pero la atmósfera de la historia en general y lo bonito de esta relación hicieron que no pudiera dejar de leer. Muy dulce para algunos, quizá, pero para mí estuvo en su punto. ^^

Sweet, heartwarming, and very different from what one normally expects from fantastic romance stories. There's almost no action, but we do see how a normal character, as human as any of us, begins a healing journey and passes with his past and future. The romance itself seemed a bit rushed, some dialogues didn't completely convince me, but the atmosphere of the story in general and the beauty of this relationship made me unable to stop reading. Very sweet for some, perhaps, but for me it was right on point. ^^

[Kelsey Rhodes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25/5 stars! I appreciated the author's perspective on panic disorder and mental health and believe based on their acknowledgements page, this may be something they have dealt with themself. It was nice to see a character really getting support in this area. That said, it felt realistic that after one stern talking to EVERY character was understanding and accepting of mental health and wanted to support the main character. That's not just realistic of how the world works, so it took me out of the story.

I liked our two main characters and didn't mind their instalove connection as the world-building makes it sound like finding your mate would be rather instantaneous. What I enjoyed less, was how much the world-building didn't fill in all the gaps for me. I'm still very confused about what this world is, why people make choices to go into the clergy vs warriors etc. It also felt like a religiously-charged story, which is something I tend to avoid.

I would read additional stories by this author and see if with full-length stories some of these topics are adjusted.

[Alexandra Criddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this story not liking novellas, but I think this one might have turned it around for me.
This story is the prequel novella to Devon Vesper’s “The God Jars” saga and sets the stage for the rest of the series, a series that I have not yet read but I will after this novella.

For a story that is only 80 some pages, I felt like it was fast paced. It makes me want to jump I never felt bored learning about Kerac or Darolen or the world they exist in. I had empathy for Kerac and his extreme anxiety and I loved that Darolen was able to help Kerac so quickly. I think this story could have been developed into a full-fledged novel but my opinion might change depending on the rest of the series the further I read.

All in all, I think it’s a great introduction for the world the author is trying to build.

[Shelba · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 52%.

I feel like this is probably one of prequels to a series that is better off read after you've actually read the series.

These two bond so fast, like instantly, that I feel like I'm already supposed to be vested in them... but I don't know much about either of them, other than Kerac is a bundle of anxiety.... So much of the story us just about his anxiety, which seems to be cured by love.

World building is pretty vague. There's a lot of things I don't understand, like the Aesriphos Order, Aesriphos Aspirants, the missing God Jar, mates (can they only be same sex?), the gods, life spans (104 years?!), Ezhav (fated one) which I guess is a soul mate?

A lot of editing issues: words missing in sentences frequently, inconsistent capitalization, wrong pronouns.

[OneDayI'll · Rating 2 out of 5]

It didn't really add much to the overall storyline. Kerac, who had previously been stated as shy and sheltered, suffered with anxiety attacks. Dare, his husband, when mentioning their past had only ever stated shy and sheltered. But the anxiety is very quickly quelled, for how debilitating it was, and we see him deal with the visions of Valis. But that quickly goes away, too. It would have been better to have more of the history of the compound in this prequel, something that added to the already existing story. There's not enough time for more emotional attachment to Kerac and Dare if that was the intent.

[Jvles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a relatively short novella set before a longer series by this author. I have not read this series and was a little lost sometimes. The story itself about a man suffering from anxiety and finding his soul mate able to help him was sweet and comforting.
I was missing a little world-building but expect that is mostly done in the full-length installments of the series. I couldn't really get into the story because of the pacing. I felt like even the first day described should probably happen over several weeks and it all felt a little rushed to me.

[Demetra Roussakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this book came out 5 years ago, this is the first time I am reading it. Kerac is in an order to become Aesriphos, he is plagued with crippling anxiety. When he went to the training center, he saw someone who he couldn’t look away from. When he meets Darolen, he helped him overcome it. As the months go by, Darolen and Kerac become closer and lets Kerac know that he wants them to marry. Fast forward 127 years and it seems that Kerac’s dream of becoming a father are coming true. Cannot wait to read the God’s Jar series.

[Janet Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short showed us how Kerlac and Darolen came to be, fated mates. Kerlac has been having recurring dreams of a blond boy calling him papa. Kerlac has anxiety seems to prove that he shouldn’t continue his training for the order. He meets a fellow Aseriphos Aspirant named Darolen and only he can seem to calm Kerlac’ s anxiety. He must make choices thou. I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read the God Jars saga so I didn’t really have any expectations for this novella. I enjoyed Karek and Derolen’s story. This is apparently the beginning of the found family featured there. Karek is torn between his dreams and his divine calling. But what if he could have both? I loved how Derolan just took care of him and helped him right from the start. It was very sweet. I may have to go read this series now to see how it all turns out.

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fated: A God Jars Prequel Novella. This is the story of Kerac and Darolen. I feel like this was a needed part of the Gods Jar Saga. I loved both main characters so much. I felt bad for Kerac with his panic attacks and loved how patient, caring and understanding Darolen was. I couldn't put this book down once I started it. This was a perfect quick read. I would definitely recommend this book and the Gods Jar Saga.

[Chiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the God Jars a couple of times I was pleasantly surprised to see this prequel. I absolutely loved. Kerac has crippling anxiety which Darolen knows how to treat well. It shows the reader who the characters are before they become the great big protectors that are needed in the later series. I just wished it was longer because I would’ve loved a full story Kerac and Darolen. Otherwise I might just go read the God Jars again.

[Alastair H · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I read this one having no experience with the series it is a prequel to. After reading I think you are definitely able to enjoy it even if you aren't familiar with its series. It was very quick and sweet, and is a good choice if you want an extra book on your 2024 reading list. Overall I enjoyed it and thought it was well done for how short it is. It did make me want to read the rest of the series, which has been added to my every growing tbr.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic introduction to this series. As a prequel it does everything it is supposed to be hooking you in to this superbly written storyline. Great characters Darolen and Kerac who were so perfect together. However their journey was filled with emotional angsty moments that keep you on tender hooks hoping they get the ending they deserve! Highly recommend and can't wait for the next book.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to the God Jars world. We get to see Darolen and Kerac develop their relationship and are set up for some the conflicts to appear in the full series. The author does a wonderful job of depicting Kerac's anxiety and showing how Darolen's protection and support help him battle that as he tries to believe that everything he's been told might not be completely right when it comes to what he can have in his future.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so nice to get to see Kerlac and Derolen’s romance origin story. From Saviors, I wouldn’t have expected Kerlac to have had an anxiety disorder, but it worked so well to showcase the bond between the two men. While Saviors was lacking steam, this short more than made up for it. I’m completely hooked on this world.

[Mir Jak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this very much - hurt/comfort vibe big time !! It was lovely to see how one MC helped and brought out the other MC.....and it's slow burn. The only thing, I didn't really understand the world building - not much detail there and I haven't read the God Jars series. So, took me a bit to understand the atmosphere and setting. Other than that, really good book.

[EQUUS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story that I recommend to read for better understanding of the God jars saga world and the bond that Valis' adoptive fathers share. An amazing and addictive slow burn series with a lot of depth, emotion, angst and action. Great world building

[Precious · Rating 4 out of 5]

I. Couldn't. Put. This. Book. Down. I read it in one sitting like champ.

Kerac has really bad anxiety which prevents him from showing his true potential and has everyone not fully understanding the depth to his anxiety. Luckily he is helped by the ever so kind, ever so gentle, ever so patient Darolen who gets him. Darolen helps Kerac on his journey of healing- well, being more in control of his panic attacks and himself- and helps him thrive.

This novella left me satisfied, to be honest. I enjoyed the fact that there was low angst and total trust between these two MCs and the touch-starved/I-don't-like-being-touched-except-by-him? Yes, yes, yes. Loved it. Ate it up.

Kerac is such a mental/emotional softie, I can't- I want to give him a hug so badly. Being treated not so nicely by supposed friends because of his anxiety made me want to throw hands. But alas, they redeemed themselves (though, I'm still holding a grudge) and, thanks to Darolen, ended up being more understanding.

Darolen deserves the world. Where can you find a man like him, huh???? He was just so... yeah I got no words. That's how much of a green flag he was and I am not complaining. Kerac needed the greenest of flags to help him heal.

Alrighty, this is a fast burn, low angst book that entails hurt/comfort, healing, panick attacks, social anxiety, an emotional soft ball with a big muscular protector by his side.

//ARC Review//

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He wants to have a son and to join the order but he cannot have both of them. He will meet them and he believes he must give up one of his dreams. They say he cannot fire any get both but his fears rise again. So see how it will all go

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of how Kerac and Darolen came to be and it's a great short story.

[Thurman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was just confused. I think this is a prequel that you should read after you started the main series.
I received this book from GRR and this is my honest review.

[Natasha Lynn Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a Quickie

Fated: A God Jars Prequel Novella, this is the story of Kerac and Darolen, it was a great quick read.

[Virginia Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful short read. you see how the mates complete each other through things

[Charneen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great introduction to the world the author has created and written.

The Characters are greatly written and executed as is the storyline.