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Divine Thrall #1
The Lost Reliquary
“A ruthless, epic, and darkly hilarious read.” —Sara Hashem, author of The Jasad Heir
A divinely blessed warrior bound to the last living goddess plots deicide to win her freedom in this propulsive epic fantasy for fans of Godkiller and Gideon the Ninth.
The Devoted Lands was once home to many gods. Now, after centuries of brutal wars, only Tempestra-Innara, the Enduring Flame, remains.
As a divine warrior, Lys is outwardly loyal to her goddess. If she dreams of deicide, that’s her business. When a routine heretical execution erupts into a near-fatal assassination attempt on Tempestra-Innara, Lys sees a glimmer of hope for her freedom.
Lys is chosen to hunt down the heretics and find an ancient reliquary with the power to kill a god. Annoyingly, she’s not alone. Paired with Nolan, a warrior from a rival cloister who is as pious as he is determined, Lys must feign devotion if she hopes to keep her own god-killing ambitions within reach.
But as they pursue the heretics linked to the assassination, Lys uncovers a world with more possibility—and peril—than she ever anticipated.
Divine Thrall
The Lost Reliquary
A divinely blessed warrior bound to the last living goddess plots deicide to win her freedom in this propulsive epic fantasy for fans of Godkiller and Gideon the Ninth.
The Devoted Lands was once home to many gods. Now, after centuries of brutal wars, only Tempestra-Innara, the Enduring Flame, remains.
As a divine warrior, Lys is outwardly loyal to her goddess. If she dreams of deicide, that’s her business. When a routine heretical execution erupts into a near-fatal assassination attempt on Tempestra-Innara, Lys sees a glimmer of hope for her freedom.
Lys is chosen to hunt down the heretics and find an ancient reliquary with the power to kill a god. Annoyingly, she’s not alone. Paired with Nolan, a warrior from a rival cloister who is as pious as he is determined, Lys must feign devotion if she hopes to keep her own god-killing ambitions within reach.
But as they pursue the heretics linked to the assassination, Lys uncovers a world with more possibility—and peril—than she ever anticipated.
Divine Thrall
The Lost Reliquary
464 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2025
37 people are currently reading
8455 people want to read
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October 22, 2025
The Lost Reliquary
by Lyndsay Ely
Divine Thrall #1
Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Oct 21, 2025
Saga Press
Ages: 16+
Even though conscripted as a child and connected with the Goddess through blood to the point where she craves her Goddess's attention and is a loyal servant, Lys still finds little ways to rebel, and when an assassination attempt almost succeeds, there might be a way for Lys's dreams of freedom to come true.
Partnered with a rival, Lys is sent to find the heretics who attempted the assassination and the ancient reliquary before they can try and kill the goddess again.
This is a world where only one goddess/religion rules, and wars are brought to distant lands to convert. But in those lands, the distance helps with survival as the Goddess's servants do not stray too far away from Them because it can become distressing. Yes, the usage of the word them for a goddess did get distracting/confusing, even though the goddess was inside a woman's body, 'their' desired form. A goddess is a female, not a them. Them is for multiple, male and/or female. I know and understand that those 'pronouns' are the fad, but for older readers, it can be distracting, because it pulls those readers from the story as they question if they missed something.
Anyway, the story was interesting, but I wish there was more about the history about the lands and all of the goddesses and gods. Yes, there was some included, but not at the right time to impact the reader. Those things that are supposed to connect the reader to the characters need to happen quickly.
While there is a hint of a possible romance, it was mostly skipped, keeping to the main plot, which started to drag in the middle as they were trying to contact the heretics, and some of their activities seemed a little repetitive, that is, if they had anything to do with the story other than filler.
I have mixed feelings about the book cover. It is interesting in a plain sort of way, but the title matches the plot. There is violence and language, making this suitable for readers sixteen and older.
This is the first book of a series, and even though the story was good, I can guess what is going to happen, so I doubt I'll continue.
3 Stars
by Lyndsay Ely
Divine Thrall #1
Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Oct 21, 2025
Saga Press
Ages: 16+
Even though conscripted as a child and connected with the Goddess through blood to the point where she craves her Goddess's attention and is a loyal servant, Lys still finds little ways to rebel, and when an assassination attempt almost succeeds, there might be a way for Lys's dreams of freedom to come true.
Partnered with a rival, Lys is sent to find the heretics who attempted the assassination and the ancient reliquary before they can try and kill the goddess again.
This is a world where only one goddess/religion rules, and wars are brought to distant lands to convert. But in those lands, the distance helps with survival as the Goddess's servants do not stray too far away from Them because it can become distressing. Yes, the usage of the word them for a goddess did get distracting/confusing, even though the goddess was inside a woman's body, 'their' desired form. A goddess is a female, not a them. Them is for multiple, male and/or female. I know and understand that those 'pronouns' are the fad, but for older readers, it can be distracting, because it pulls those readers from the story as they question if they missed something.
Anyway, the story was interesting, but I wish there was more about the history about the lands and all of the goddesses and gods. Yes, there was some included, but not at the right time to impact the reader. Those things that are supposed to connect the reader to the characters need to happen quickly.
While there is a hint of a possible romance, it was mostly skipped, keeping to the main plot, which started to drag in the middle as they were trying to contact the heretics, and some of their activities seemed a little repetitive, that is, if they had anything to do with the story other than filler.
I have mixed feelings about the book cover. It is interesting in a plain sort of way, but the title matches the plot. There is violence and language, making this suitable for readers sixteen and older.
This is the first book of a series, and even though the story was good, I can guess what is going to happen, so I doubt I'll continue.
3 Stars
April 19, 2025
I received a free copy from Saga Press via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Publish date October 21st, 2025.
I requested this book based on its striking cover and comps to Gideon the Ninth and Godkiller. In The Lost Reliquary, Lys is a reluctant potentiate to the cruel fire goddess Tempestra-Innara. When a heretic attack leaves the goddess and many of Lys' fellow dedicates injured, Lys is freed from the cloisters for the first time in her life on a mission to find the heretics--a once in a lifetime opportunity for Lys to plot to kill the goddess.
The core of The Lost Reliquary is Lys' struggle between her forced reverence of the goddess and her passionate hatred of being bound to uphold Tempestra-Innara's cruel laws. The goddess' holy light forces their dedicates to worship them, and induces an addictive craving to please. The only way Lys can escape is through Tempestra-Innara's death--she can't run away without going into godly withdrawal. Lys' combination of involuntary fawning devotion and seething hatred is compelling, and carries much of the plot. However, Lys' other defining trait is an irreverent snarkiness that no doubt invited the Gideon the Ninth comp. While other readers may differ, I found Lys' constant witticisms and inability to take anything seriously a bit grating. Her obvious love of horses was sweet, though.
Despite the comparison to two queer novels, Lys only ever expresses attraction to men. (Although perhaps I can hold out hope for a sapphic romance in book two.) I found this to be a disappointment, but I did enjoy Ely's handling of the main relationship between Lys and the cold and fanatically devoted Nolan, who's sent on the mission with her. Nolan is an interesting character in his own right, an opaque manipulator who hides his true thoughts under a mask of standoffishness. Most authors would jam in an obligatory romance, but Ely resists the temptation. Lys even comments early on that Nolan is annoyingly attractive, but as they get to know each other better, these thoughts seem to disappear. An interesting approach, and I'm glad their relationship wasn't romantic.
The worldbuilding was a touch spare, but it suited the protagonists. Cloistered Lys only knows Tempestra-Innara, devotion, and stories of the old gods, and we don't get much more detail. Just as Lys knows little to nothing about the lands outside Tempestra-Innara's domain, we don't learn anything about them either. The plot tends a little towards the predictable fantasy journeying of a quest, but there are a handful of really excellent twists I won't spoil that keep the plot tense. Including the last chapter--based on that ending, it's clear Ely is planning a direct sequel.
An interesting debut about being bound to a goddess you hate. Recommended for fans of Godkiller or Frances Hardinge's Deeplight.
I requested this book based on its striking cover and comps to Gideon the Ninth and Godkiller. In The Lost Reliquary, Lys is a reluctant potentiate to the cruel fire goddess Tempestra-Innara. When a heretic attack leaves the goddess and many of Lys' fellow dedicates injured, Lys is freed from the cloisters for the first time in her life on a mission to find the heretics--a once in a lifetime opportunity for Lys to plot to kill the goddess.
The core of The Lost Reliquary is Lys' struggle between her forced reverence of the goddess and her passionate hatred of being bound to uphold Tempestra-Innara's cruel laws. The goddess' holy light forces their dedicates to worship them, and induces an addictive craving to please. The only way Lys can escape is through Tempestra-Innara's death--she can't run away without going into godly withdrawal. Lys' combination of involuntary fawning devotion and seething hatred is compelling, and carries much of the plot. However, Lys' other defining trait is an irreverent snarkiness that no doubt invited the Gideon the Ninth comp. While other readers may differ, I found Lys' constant witticisms and inability to take anything seriously a bit grating. Her obvious love of horses was sweet, though.
Despite the comparison to two queer novels, Lys only ever expresses attraction to men. (Although perhaps I can hold out hope for a sapphic romance in book two.) I found this to be a disappointment, but I did enjoy Ely's handling of the main relationship between Lys and the cold and fanatically devoted Nolan, who's sent on the mission with her. Nolan is an interesting character in his own right, an opaque manipulator who hides his true thoughts under a mask of standoffishness. Most authors would jam in an obligatory romance, but Ely resists the temptation. Lys even comments early on that Nolan is annoyingly attractive, but as they get to know each other better, these thoughts seem to disappear. An interesting approach, and I'm glad their relationship wasn't romantic.
The worldbuilding was a touch spare, but it suited the protagonists. Cloistered Lys only knows Tempestra-Innara, devotion, and stories of the old gods, and we don't get much more detail. Just as Lys knows little to nothing about the lands outside Tempestra-Innara's domain, we don't learn anything about them either. The plot tends a little towards the predictable fantasy journeying of a quest, but there are a handful of really excellent twists I won't spoil that keep the plot tense. Including the last chapter--based on that ending, it's clear Ely is planning a direct sequel.
An interesting debut about being bound to a goddess you hate. Recommended for fans of Godkiller or Frances Hardinge's Deeplight.
October 15, 2025
3.25 stars.
I came for the Gideon the Ninth comp, but this ended up being more Godkiller with a bit of Cry, Voidbringer and Redsight. (The only thing similar to Gideon is that this novel has a snarky FMC and living gods.)
This was a fun read if you love dark fantasy with a badass warrior monk-like FMC. I loved how the author portrayed Lys's religious trauma, especially since it was her driving force to kill her goddess. For Star Wars fans, it reminded me of stories about (insert your favorite) Jedi who were traumatized as children and decided to go rogue later in life. You know which ones I'm talking about.
Nolan was a great foil to Lys's sarcastic personality and singular crusade. I liked how they played off each other, especially when it came to their religious devotion. (Or faked devotion, on Lys's part.)
While I liked the dark fantasy and how the author portrayed religious trauma, not much really stood out to me. Ymmv, but the novel felt very generic. Sarcastic FMC, strait-laced foil character, a goddess ruler with hidden secrets, etc.
Lys's attitude was also very childish at times and her dialogue read like a modern-day person was isekaied into a medieval fantasy world. I also wanted more worldbuilding. Other than the beginning and the climax, the novel didn't really feel immersive enough for me.
I had a good time, but I probably won't pick up the sequel.
Thank you to S&S/Saga Press and NetGalley for this arc.
I came for the Gideon the Ninth comp, but this ended up being more Godkiller with a bit of Cry, Voidbringer and Redsight. (The only thing similar to Gideon is that this novel has a snarky FMC and living gods.)
This was a fun read if you love dark fantasy with a badass warrior monk-like FMC. I loved how the author portrayed Lys's religious trauma, especially since it was her driving force to kill her goddess. For Star Wars fans, it reminded me of stories about (insert your favorite) Jedi who were traumatized as children and decided to go rogue later in life. You know which ones I'm talking about.
Nolan was a great foil to Lys's sarcastic personality and singular crusade. I liked how they played off each other, especially when it came to their religious devotion. (Or faked devotion, on Lys's part.)
While I liked the dark fantasy and how the author portrayed religious trauma, not much really stood out to me. Ymmv, but the novel felt very generic. Sarcastic FMC, strait-laced foil character, a goddess ruler with hidden secrets, etc.
Lys's attitude was also very childish at times and her dialogue read like a modern-day person was isekaied into a medieval fantasy world. I also wanted more worldbuilding. Other than the beginning and the climax, the novel didn't really feel immersive enough for me.
I had a good time, but I probably won't pick up the sequel.
Thank you to S&S/Saga Press and NetGalley for this arc.
December 15, 2025
I often bemoan the lack of proper quest/adventure fantasy in the sea of romantasy and cozy, and this book fills that gap brilliantly. If you like fantasy full of action and plot twists, this is just what the doctor prescribed.
I can't believe this book is so underrated. Barely anybody I know has read it. I feel guilty for being a part of the problem, this book published during a busy season, I had 8 arcs for October while my average is half of that, and I put aside the longest of the 8 to manage on time with the rest. However, I must admit the length was justified. At no point I felt the story dragged or stood still. There's constant action, plot twists, betrayals, a web of lies and deceit, and Lys' struggles with her faith and conviction.
At start I expected the typical YA trope where fmc sees a handsome guy and falls head over heels for him. This doesn't happen. They teeter between enemies/rivals and reluctant allies, and it never progresses really to lovers, even though it could further in the series.
What I also liked was that the plot didn't feel like a line of dominoes tripped, where you can predict the direction of everything after the first step. There was a lot of setbacks, Lys being misled by her opponents (duh, ofc, people who are against you will lie, manipulate, and use half-truths) and overall landing in a situation with no good way out. I feel too many books these days make it too easy for the characters to always find/guess the "correct" solution that will progress them to the next plot point smoothly. Here the plot didn't feel like ticking boxes on a bucket list, and I'm so relieved it wasn't.
A few of the plot twists felt over the top, but when dealing with gods, I assume a few little miracles aren't out of the ordinary.
I really loved that Lys was a morally grey protagonist. On one side, who wouldn't sympathize with someone whose whole family and village was wiped out, they were forced into servitude, taught to kill in the name of the god, and bound with inescapable tether. I can always get behind someone wishing for freedom from tyranny. On the other hand, she's pretty selfish, ruthless, and has the "end justifies the means" attitude. Even when she ponders how her goal will harm innocents and sow chaos, she dismisses those concerns. In the end, both the character and the reader starts questioning should she go through with this plan, and will it be worth it. There's a bit of a tragedy in it, that no solution feels clean and correct.
I thought the resolution was really interesting and the climax gripped me by the throat. I'm curious which direction will the author take this series in the sequel.
I also enjoyed Lys' snarky, sassy humour, however this does give the book more of a YA vibe. I'm not sure is it stated how old she is, but I was under the impression she's fairly young and the story has a coming of age vibe.
Interestingly, I saw some initial similarities between this book and House of Dusk, that both mcs serve a religious order, they can wield fire as a part of their divine magic, they struggle with their faith, there's an overarching plot including dead gods, and there's a potential love interest whose name starts with N. And while mc in House of Dusk is older, there's a secondary plotline centering a young bodyguard who hides a secret, and this reminded me of Lys too. Both books are also both epic quest fantasy first. I think anyone who liked one of these books would like the other! They're also both very much underhyped.
Thank you Netgalley and Saga Press for the ARC.
I can't believe this book is so underrated. Barely anybody I know has read it. I feel guilty for being a part of the problem, this book published during a busy season, I had 8 arcs for October while my average is half of that, and I put aside the longest of the 8 to manage on time with the rest. However, I must admit the length was justified. At no point I felt the story dragged or stood still. There's constant action, plot twists, betrayals, a web of lies and deceit, and Lys' struggles with her faith and conviction.
At start I expected the typical YA trope where fmc sees a handsome guy and falls head over heels for him. This doesn't happen. They teeter between enemies/rivals and reluctant allies, and it never progresses really to lovers, even though it could further in the series.
What I also liked was that the plot didn't feel like a line of dominoes tripped, where you can predict the direction of everything after the first step. There was a lot of setbacks, Lys being misled by her opponents (duh, ofc, people who are against you will lie, manipulate, and use half-truths) and overall landing in a situation with no good way out. I feel too many books these days make it too easy for the characters to always find/guess the "correct" solution that will progress them to the next plot point smoothly. Here the plot didn't feel like ticking boxes on a bucket list, and I'm so relieved it wasn't.
A few of the plot twists felt over the top, but when dealing with gods, I assume a few little miracles aren't out of the ordinary.
I really loved that Lys was a morally grey protagonist. On one side, who wouldn't sympathize with someone whose whole family and village was wiped out, they were forced into servitude, taught to kill in the name of the god, and bound with inescapable tether. I can always get behind someone wishing for freedom from tyranny. On the other hand, she's pretty selfish, ruthless, and has the "end justifies the means" attitude. Even when she ponders how her goal will harm innocents and sow chaos, she dismisses those concerns. In the end, both the character and the reader starts questioning should she go through with this plan, and will it be worth it. There's a bit of a tragedy in it, that no solution feels clean and correct.
I thought the resolution was really interesting and the climax gripped me by the throat. I'm curious which direction will the author take this series in the sequel.
I also enjoyed Lys' snarky, sassy humour, however this does give the book more of a YA vibe. I'm not sure is it stated how old she is, but I was under the impression she's fairly young and the story has a coming of age vibe.
Interestingly, I saw some initial similarities between this book and House of Dusk, that both mcs serve a religious order, they can wield fire as a part of their divine magic, they struggle with their faith, there's an overarching plot including dead gods, and there's a potential love interest whose name starts with N. And while mc in House of Dusk is older, there's a secondary plotline centering a young bodyguard who hides a secret, and this reminded me of Lys too. Both books are also both epic quest fantasy first. I think anyone who liked one of these books would like the other! They're also both very much underhyped.
Thank you Netgalley and Saga Press for the ARC.
August 21, 2025
4⭐ for an incredibly unique story filled with secret heresy, betrayals, plot twists and an FMC with the best potty mouth I've read in awhile.
Tropes:
✨ Enemies to friends
✨ Secret heresy/heavy religious themes
✨ Quest to find a long-lost object
✨ Divinity possession
✨ Renaissance-like setting
The author's prose and writing style is absolutely right up my alley - her dark humor and sarcasm inserts were hilarious to me and I felt like a really rich world was developed here as we slowly learn about the previous defeated Gods and the dictator-like religious order of the last remaining "Butcher Goddess" that rules over the country.
The story took me a bit longer than usual to get through and I think that's just because the nature of a long drawn out journey and the author really taking the time to flesh out Lys' inner thoughts and the developing dynamic between her and Nolan made things seem slow at times. There isn't constant action in this story, it's definitely slow developing in some of its reveals, but there are a handful of betrayals, plot twists I never saw coming and moments that truly kept me on the edge of my seat, especially with the ending.
Because the world was so richly developed in the different rankings of the religious Orders, different heretic groups, the cities we traveled to and all of the side characters that would come up later in importance, a few things did get lost in the sauce for me. There were at least two moments where a chapter ended on a shocking reveal of a past character reappearing and I didn't even remember who they were, making the impact a bit lessened for me.
I also think this book would REALLY benefit from a glossary depicting all the different Gods and religious terms/orders but maybe that will come in the final editions.
Lys is such a funny and complex FMC, I loved every insult and quip that came out of her mouth, especially with how it pertained to our stoic, truly devoted Nolan. The internal struggles we see with Lys battling the duty that was forced upon her since a child, and her growing hatred and heresy, is really well done - though one particular ending reveal was a little confusing, so much so that it confused our own main character. But she's definitely a fun character to read about, especially from her own perspectives. I was unsure if there would be an enemies to lovers moment in this book, but there were definitely no romantic hints here.
With a storyline as this for the first book in a series, I didn't really know what to expect with how we would end up and I still don't know how I entirely feel about the ending, though I can definitely say it was unexpected. It's certainly intriguing to see this new direction and how the new dynamic between Nolan and Lys will develop and I will definitely continue this series down the line!
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press Books for the e-ARC copy in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own.
Tropes:
✨ Enemies to friends
✨ Secret heresy/heavy religious themes
✨ Quest to find a long-lost object
✨ Divinity possession
✨ Renaissance-like setting
The author's prose and writing style is absolutely right up my alley - her dark humor and sarcasm inserts were hilarious to me and I felt like a really rich world was developed here as we slowly learn about the previous defeated Gods and the dictator-like religious order of the last remaining "Butcher Goddess" that rules over the country.
The story took me a bit longer than usual to get through and I think that's just because the nature of a long drawn out journey and the author really taking the time to flesh out Lys' inner thoughts and the developing dynamic between her and Nolan made things seem slow at times. There isn't constant action in this story, it's definitely slow developing in some of its reveals, but there are a handful of betrayals, plot twists I never saw coming and moments that truly kept me on the edge of my seat, especially with the ending.
Because the world was so richly developed in the different rankings of the religious Orders, different heretic groups, the cities we traveled to and all of the side characters that would come up later in importance, a few things did get lost in the sauce for me. There were at least two moments where a chapter ended on a shocking reveal of a past character reappearing and I didn't even remember who they were, making the impact a bit lessened for me.
I also think this book would REALLY benefit from a glossary depicting all the different Gods and religious terms/orders but maybe that will come in the final editions.
Lys is such a funny and complex FMC, I loved every insult and quip that came out of her mouth, especially with how it pertained to our stoic, truly devoted Nolan. The internal struggles we see with Lys battling the duty that was forced upon her since a child, and her growing hatred and heresy, is really well done - though one particular ending reveal was a little confusing, so much so that it confused our own main character. But she's definitely a fun character to read about, especially from her own perspectives. I was unsure if there would be an enemies to lovers moment in this book, but there were definitely no romantic hints here.
With a storyline as this for the first book in a series, I didn't really know what to expect with how we would end up and I still don't know how I entirely feel about the ending, though I can definitely say it was unexpected. It's certainly intriguing to see this new direction and how the new dynamic between Nolan and Lys will develop and I will definitely continue this series down the line!
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press Books for the e-ARC copy in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own.
October 9, 2025
Final Rating: 4.5/5 Stars.
Since she was a child, Lys has been magically bound to Tempestra-Innara, the last living goddess of the Devoted Lands. She is one of Tempestra's most faithful servants. But Lys also has a secret: she dreams of killing the goddess and freeing herself from her servitude. When a heretic almost successfully assassinates Tempestra, Lys's daydreams suddenly become a realistic goal. Even better, Lys is tasked with hunting down the heretic's network and securing their god-killing weapon. If only she hadn't been paired with the utterly devout Nolan on her quest....
THE LOST RELIQUARY is a sprawling story of a quest to end divinity that had me captivated from start to finish. Lys and Nolan's journey takes twists and turns, as revelations are made, secrets uncovered. It is a bit of a slower paced travel story, as Lys and Nolan track clues to figure out where the heretics hide but I was impressed at how much the tale kept me constantly wanting to find out more. Whether it was the small reveal of how Lys came to work for the goddess or the bigger mysteries behind the lore I had a constant itch to read just one more chapter, just to learn a little bit more.
I also very much enjoyed the dynamic between Lys and Nolan. They are reluctant coworkers at best, cutthroat enemies at worst. Lys is as irreverent a paladin as she can get away with, whereas Nolan is utterly devout in all things. Lys has a dry humor, Nolan is serious. Best of all, this relationship is not on the usual predictable plot railroad. Even as walls come down between Lys and Nolan and their bond grows, I truly never knew which way Nolan would fall in any given situation. Would he stick to the letter of divine law or bend in the name of expediency for the mission? Would he follow Lys over another potentiate? Lys and Nolan have a complex relationship made even more complex by their mission and their goddess, and figuring out where that relationship stood always kept me on my toes.
And oh, that ending. I am so excited to see where things go in the sequel because the cliffhanger was so juicy. Best of all, even though I had a guess as to where the story was going, things did not play out like I thought, the author always just oooone step ahead.
THE LOST RELIQUARY is a compelling tale of an irreverent divine knight on a quest to find her freedom. The characters made me root for them, the mysteries kept me hooked. I highly recommend this, and will be eagerly awaiting the sequel.
Note: I was provided a free ARC by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.
Since she was a child, Lys has been magically bound to Tempestra-Innara, the last living goddess of the Devoted Lands. She is one of Tempestra's most faithful servants. But Lys also has a secret: she dreams of killing the goddess and freeing herself from her servitude. When a heretic almost successfully assassinates Tempestra, Lys's daydreams suddenly become a realistic goal. Even better, Lys is tasked with hunting down the heretic's network and securing their god-killing weapon. If only she hadn't been paired with the utterly devout Nolan on her quest....
THE LOST RELIQUARY is a sprawling story of a quest to end divinity that had me captivated from start to finish. Lys and Nolan's journey takes twists and turns, as revelations are made, secrets uncovered. It is a bit of a slower paced travel story, as Lys and Nolan track clues to figure out where the heretics hide but I was impressed at how much the tale kept me constantly wanting to find out more. Whether it was the small reveal of how Lys came to work for the goddess or the bigger mysteries behind the lore I had a constant itch to read just one more chapter, just to learn a little bit more.
I also very much enjoyed the dynamic between Lys and Nolan. They are reluctant coworkers at best, cutthroat enemies at worst. Lys is as irreverent a paladin as she can get away with, whereas Nolan is utterly devout in all things. Lys has a dry humor, Nolan is serious. Best of all, this relationship is not on the usual predictable plot railroad. Even as walls come down between Lys and Nolan and their bond grows, I truly never knew which way Nolan would fall in any given situation. Would he stick to the letter of divine law or bend in the name of expediency for the mission? Would he follow Lys over another potentiate? Lys and Nolan have a complex relationship made even more complex by their mission and their goddess, and figuring out where that relationship stood always kept me on my toes.
And oh, that ending. I am so excited to see where things go in the sequel because the cliffhanger was so juicy. Best of all, even though I had a guess as to where the story was going, things did not play out like I thought, the author always just oooone step ahead.
THE LOST RELIQUARY is a compelling tale of an irreverent divine knight on a quest to find her freedom. The characters made me root for them, the mysteries kept me hooked. I highly recommend this, and will be eagerly awaiting the sequel.
Note: I was provided a free ARC by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.
December 19, 2025
Full of stunning religious parallels and from the perspective of a foul-mouthed fmc, this book is one of those that I’ll never forget. It’s gonna be hard to move on to another story from this point, to be honest. I was so wildly engrossed in this action-packed book the entire time. 2 days!! I’m a slower reader, with an easily distracted fish brain. But The Lost Reliquary triumphed over my ADHD (and hunger; I barely stopped reading to eat lmao).
The religious aspect is obviously (once you start reading) at the forefront, but Lys’ character is one of my all time favorites. I couldn’t get enough of her snark and rebellion—she’s a god-tier (get it lmao sorry) fmc in my opinion.
I cannot WAAAIT for book 2, and I’m so ecstatic to learn that this is slotted for a duology. That sounds literally perfect for this story. Thank you Saga Press for the print arc, and Lyndsay Ely for writing one of my new top 3 favorite books.
The religious aspect is obviously (once you start reading) at the forefront, but Lys’ character is one of my all time favorites. I couldn’t get enough of her snark and rebellion—she’s a god-tier (get it lmao sorry) fmc in my opinion.
I cannot WAAAIT for book 2, and I’m so ecstatic to learn that this is slotted for a duology. That sounds literally perfect for this story. Thank you Saga Press for the print arc, and Lyndsay Ely for writing one of my new top 3 favorite books.
December 23, 2025
This fucked insanely hard. Can't wait for toxic yuri in book 2
April 13, 2025
My rating: 5/5 Stars.
This was the first thing I have read by Lyndsay Ely and I would like to begin by saying WOW. The Lost Reliquary was fantastic.
Gods, goddesses, and the heretics/devotees in between make up the bulk of the Lost Reliquary. Lore is not in short supply within this book.
I adore a strong FMC, and Lys fits the bill. If I had to choose three words to describe her (which would not be nearly enough) I would have to say witty, strong, and headstrong. Throughout her journey she not only pisses people off in the BEST kind of way, but does so with purpose… most of the time. Her partnership with Nolan is rocky at first, shifting into something else entirely by the end. I definitely found myself thinking “just kiss already!”. The tension between Lys and Nolan was ugh. Fabulously written. I can’t tell what I want to happen between them but I cannot wait to see more of their story in the next book.
Nolan himself is an interesting character. Of course, we are seeing him through Lys, and I cannot help but wonder what the “real” Nolan is. Is he the one who wishes to serve? To devote himself to Lys AND Tempestra? Or is he something else entirely? I love a handsome, tormented MMC. Especially one who knows his way around a weapon.
I tore through this book (all 417 pages) of it in two days. I am a mood reader at heart and ignore the constraints of a “what’s next” on the TBR list. This was an instant skip to the top for me based on description. I absolutely cannot wait to see more of Lys + Nolan’s story in a future sequel. If you are a fan of fantasy, fabulously written plot, and twists that will make your jaw drop, The Lost Reliquary is for you.
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Lyndsay Ely, and S&S/Saga Press for allowing me an ARC and the chance to review this book.
This was the first thing I have read by Lyndsay Ely and I would like to begin by saying WOW. The Lost Reliquary was fantastic.
Gods, goddesses, and the heretics/devotees in between make up the bulk of the Lost Reliquary. Lore is not in short supply within this book.
I adore a strong FMC, and Lys fits the bill. If I had to choose three words to describe her (which would not be nearly enough) I would have to say witty, strong, and headstrong. Throughout her journey she not only pisses people off in the BEST kind of way, but does so with purpose… most of the time. Her partnership with Nolan is rocky at first, shifting into something else entirely by the end. I definitely found myself thinking “just kiss already!”. The tension between Lys and Nolan was ugh. Fabulously written. I can’t tell what I want to happen between them but I cannot wait to see more of their story in the next book.
Nolan himself is an interesting character. Of course, we are seeing him through Lys, and I cannot help but wonder what the “real” Nolan is. Is he the one who wishes to serve? To devote himself to Lys AND Tempestra? Or is he something else entirely? I love a handsome, tormented MMC. Especially one who knows his way around a weapon.
I tore through this book (all 417 pages) of it in two days. I am a mood reader at heart and ignore the constraints of a “what’s next” on the TBR list. This was an instant skip to the top for me based on description. I absolutely cannot wait to see more of Lys + Nolan’s story in a future sequel. If you are a fan of fantasy, fabulously written plot, and twists that will make your jaw drop, The Lost Reliquary is for you.
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Lyndsay Ely, and S&S/Saga Press for allowing me an ARC and the chance to review this book.
November 6, 2025
Lyndsay Ely’s The Lost Reliquary is a captivating blend of adventure, atmosphere, and emotional depth that had me hooked from the opening pages. Ely writes with confidence and clarity, balancing vivid world-building with a fast-moving plot that never loses sight of its characters. The prose is elegant yet accessible, drawing you into a setting steeped in mystery and history without ever feeling bogged down.
What stands out most is the sense of discovery that runs through the novel. The characters are richly drawn, with motivations that feel layered and authentic, and their interactions drive much of the story’s emotional resonance. The pacing is tight, weaving together moments of high tension with quieter beats that allow for relationships and personal struggles to breathe. The world and magic system are immersive and interesting with an underlying question of religion, faith, and power.
The Lost Reliquary satisfies on every level; immersive prose, memorable characters, and a story that lingers long after the final page.
What stands out most is the sense of discovery that runs through the novel. The characters are richly drawn, with motivations that feel layered and authentic, and their interactions drive much of the story’s emotional resonance. The pacing is tight, weaving together moments of high tension with quieter beats that allow for relationships and personal struggles to breathe. The world and magic system are immersive and interesting with an underlying question of religion, faith, and power.
The Lost Reliquary satisfies on every level; immersive prose, memorable characters, and a story that lingers long after the final page.
April 20, 2025
Mixed feelings here. The beginning was really good. The ending was fantastic. But for me, the middle sagged heavily. I think ultimately that the pacing in the second act was off, and a lot of the scenes seemed either repetitive or inconsequential. If all of that had been tightened up, I would have enjoyed the book more. Still, I was satisfied with the ending, and I’ll most likely pick up the second in the series.
November 6, 2025
My very talented friend Lyndsay Ely published another book! She’s actually published a few other books but I’m simply not going to read the Skibidi Toilet ones, sorry. But she specifically just published an original fantasy novel–her first for adults–which I had the privilege of reviewing a very early draft of back in the pandemic.
The Lost Reliquary is about a young woman named Lys who is in training to be of service to the last remaining god in the Devoted Lands, the flame goddess Tempestra-Innara. Tempestra is the goddess herself; Innara is her current human avatar; i.e., the person she’s possessed in order to be embodied. Lys, like all the other Chosen, loves the goddess, but in her case, this love is in conflict with an independent streak that resents that love, and is aware that it’s a deliberately inculcated dependence that the goddess uses to control her “children.” The only possible resolution of this conflict, as far as Lys can figure, is deicide.
An exciting opportunity to carry out said deicide drops in her lap when a band of heretics almost kills Tempestra-Innara, and the goddess entrusts Lys and a potentiate from her rival cloister with a quest to team up and go fetch the weapon the heretics used in their assassination attempt. The purpose of this quest, of course, is to bring the thing back to Tempestra-Innara so they can destroy it, but Lys has other plans. Lys’ assigned partner, Nolan, also has his own agenda, but it emphatically does not involve betraying his goddess in any way, shape, or form. (Betraying Lys, of course, could be another story.)
The quest takes Lys and Nolan out of their elite little cloisters and around to many different parts of the Devoted Lands, including some less-devoted parts of it that scandalize Nolan and tantalize Lys. Various leads are followed and lost, with an entertaining combination of violent fight scenes and sneaky intrigue and double-dealing. Lys deals with the constant pressure and violence the same way she always has, by being sarcastic, which irritates most of the various humorless prigs that infest the very serious religious establishment. Also she fights with two sickles, which is extremely cool.
The book comps here include Gideon the Ninth, which I think is correct as far as the book contains a truly shitty god character, a lot of gross fucked-up necromancy stuff, some delightful skulls (I was so glad to see Alistair again), and a martial female lead forcibly raised in a fucked-up monastery who uses bitchy humor as a coping mechanism. It should be noted, in case it misleads anybody, that unlike the Locked Tomb series this book is not screamingly gay, but rather refreshingly devoid of romantic concerns altogether. Lys’ complicated relationship with Nolan is interesting in its own right without shoehorning a romantic subplot into it, which I personally appreciated as a longtime hater of shoehorned-in romantic subplots.
At over 400 pages this book is fairly long, but it’s a fast-paced action-adventure and despite a murderously busy week I barrelled through it in a few 50- to 100-page sessions, including more than one round of staying up later than intended reading “just a few pages” before bed. This doesn’t happen to me anymore as much as it used to. I have probably read more action-adventure quest fantasies with heavily armed young women than most people could name in a lifetime, to the point where I have become somewhat critical and easily bored of them, but this one I found very engaging the whole way through. I’m also excited for the sequel, as I am interested to see how Lys deals with the whole new set of problems she acquires in the final pages.
Originally published at The Quest for the Unholy MacGuffin... with some twists.
The Lost Reliquary is about a young woman named Lys who is in training to be of service to the last remaining god in the Devoted Lands, the flame goddess Tempestra-Innara. Tempestra is the goddess herself; Innara is her current human avatar; i.e., the person she’s possessed in order to be embodied. Lys, like all the other Chosen, loves the goddess, but in her case, this love is in conflict with an independent streak that resents that love, and is aware that it’s a deliberately inculcated dependence that the goddess uses to control her “children.” The only possible resolution of this conflict, as far as Lys can figure, is deicide.
An exciting opportunity to carry out said deicide drops in her lap when a band of heretics almost kills Tempestra-Innara, and the goddess entrusts Lys and a potentiate from her rival cloister with a quest to team up and go fetch the weapon the heretics used in their assassination attempt. The purpose of this quest, of course, is to bring the thing back to Tempestra-Innara so they can destroy it, but Lys has other plans. Lys’ assigned partner, Nolan, also has his own agenda, but it emphatically does not involve betraying his goddess in any way, shape, or form. (Betraying Lys, of course, could be another story.)
The quest takes Lys and Nolan out of their elite little cloisters and around to many different parts of the Devoted Lands, including some less-devoted parts of it that scandalize Nolan and tantalize Lys. Various leads are followed and lost, with an entertaining combination of violent fight scenes and sneaky intrigue and double-dealing. Lys deals with the constant pressure and violence the same way she always has, by being sarcastic, which irritates most of the various humorless prigs that infest the very serious religious establishment. Also she fights with two sickles, which is extremely cool.
The book comps here include Gideon the Ninth, which I think is correct as far as the book contains a truly shitty god character, a lot of gross fucked-up necromancy stuff, some delightful skulls (I was so glad to see Alistair again), and a martial female lead forcibly raised in a fucked-up monastery who uses bitchy humor as a coping mechanism. It should be noted, in case it misleads anybody, that unlike the Locked Tomb series this book is not screamingly gay, but rather refreshingly devoid of romantic concerns altogether. Lys’ complicated relationship with Nolan is interesting in its own right without shoehorning a romantic subplot into it, which I personally appreciated as a longtime hater of shoehorned-in romantic subplots.
At over 400 pages this book is fairly long, but it’s a fast-paced action-adventure and despite a murderously busy week I barrelled through it in a few 50- to 100-page sessions, including more than one round of staying up later than intended reading “just a few pages” before bed. This doesn’t happen to me anymore as much as it used to. I have probably read more action-adventure quest fantasies with heavily armed young women than most people could name in a lifetime, to the point where I have become somewhat critical and easily bored of them, but this one I found very engaging the whole way through. I’m also excited for the sequel, as I am interested to see how Lys deals with the whole new set of problems she acquires in the final pages.
Originally published at The Quest for the Unholy MacGuffin... with some twists.
April 24, 2025
Devotion is the purest form of love
The Lost Reliquary is a witty, fast paced and thought provoking epic fantasy. We meet Lys, a trained warrior of the last living goddess - blessed by their blood. Although the blessed part is debatable, based on what we learn from Lys. Our friend is forced to serve her goddess and fights internal conflicts as well as physical ones to find her answers. Oddly enough, the deeper she digs, the more questions arise and we are left to ponder what devotion to a god truly means.
There were perfectly satisfying plot twists, that had me up in arms! The inner monologue of Lys is spot on and her commentary is that of a friend anyone would love to have. We even have an animal companion, I’ll give you one spoiler, it’s a horse.
The characters are very nuanced and Ely truly had me guessing until the very end. Fast paced, intriguing plot and lore, and most importantly the magic system made sense and wasn’t overly complicated. This is a definite and easy 5 star read and I can honestly say, I enjoy Ely’s writing style and will read whatever she puts out next!
Thank you to @lynzely and @sagapress @netgalley for this amazing journey!
The Lost Reliquary is a witty, fast paced and thought provoking epic fantasy. We meet Lys, a trained warrior of the last living goddess - blessed by their blood. Although the blessed part is debatable, based on what we learn from Lys. Our friend is forced to serve her goddess and fights internal conflicts as well as physical ones to find her answers. Oddly enough, the deeper she digs, the more questions arise and we are left to ponder what devotion to a god truly means.
There were perfectly satisfying plot twists, that had me up in arms! The inner monologue of Lys is spot on and her commentary is that of a friend anyone would love to have. We even have an animal companion, I’ll give you one spoiler, it’s a horse.
The characters are very nuanced and Ely truly had me guessing until the very end. Fast paced, intriguing plot and lore, and most importantly the magic system made sense and wasn’t overly complicated. This is a definite and easy 5 star read and I can honestly say, I enjoy Ely’s writing style and will read whatever she puts out next!
Thank you to @lynzely and @sagapress @netgalley for this amazing journey!
August 9, 2025
I got an ARC from Goodreads via a giveaway
4.5 stars rounded up
Quite good. It was well written if a little bit longer than I think it should have been. A few typos and clunky sentences but probably a little more will get cut and edited before the final draft.
Lys is an interesting and engaging character. She's snarky and funny, and even though I don't really like first person POV as I find it's often quite juvenile it was still enjoyable to read from her perspective. She was impulsive, yes, but she was also clever and strong in a way that didn't make her feel otherwise childish. She made mistakes but she either learned from them or was quick enough to bounce back and think on her feet.
Definitely an interesting plot and world but there were a few parts that felt a little slow. It took me a little while to get to the last ~25% or so because I got a little, not bored, but disinterested. Then when I picked it up again after some time I was much more into reading the rest.
I would definitely be interested in reading this as a series, if a sequel were to come out.
4.5 stars rounded up
Quite good. It was well written if a little bit longer than I think it should have been. A few typos and clunky sentences but probably a little more will get cut and edited before the final draft.
Lys is an interesting and engaging character. She's snarky and funny, and even though I don't really like first person POV as I find it's often quite juvenile it was still enjoyable to read from her perspective. She was impulsive, yes, but she was also clever and strong in a way that didn't make her feel otherwise childish. She made mistakes but she either learned from them or was quick enough to bounce back and think on her feet.
Definitely an interesting plot and world but there were a few parts that felt a little slow. It took me a little while to get to the last ~25% or so because I got a little, not bored, but disinterested. Then when I picked it up again after some time I was much more into reading the rest.
I would definitely be interested in reading this as a series, if a sequel were to come out.
October 28, 2025
I NEED more people to read this one. Full confession, I requested a physical galley for this one based off the description and was bummed when I didn’t receive one, only to have Saga Press send me an e-galley. Definitely stung a little bit, but I am so thankful I got anything at all after finishing this one.
The Lost Reliquary is compared to Gideon the Ninth and Godkiller. To be honest, I haven’t read either, so I have no clue how it compares, but I absolutely love it. Lys has served her goddess, Tempestra, since she was a child without being given a choice to do so. Causing her to have conflicting feelings of both hated and devoted love for Tempestra. She is sent on a mission to find a powerful weapon with a very devout, grumpy Nolan. Both have different goals. Who will succeed?
Sometimes first-person narratives can be hit or miss, but this one was fantastic. Living in Lys’s brain was such a ride. She was such a complex character, but I especially loved her sarcastic humor and immense anger. Ultimately, her character arc was very fun to watch throughout the story.
Lyndsay Ely’s choices regarding the dynamics between Nolan and Lys were spot-on. The ebb and flow of their relationship, from enemy to friend, felt natural and entertaining.
The pacing was well-done. I never felt like any part of the book dragged on. However, the last quarter felt like a whirlwind of twists and turns.
The plot twists were absolutely incredible. I only saw one of them, but the other ones left me shocked.
The world-building was a bit sparse compared to the vastness of the world, history, and lore. However, it works well with the narrative because Lys’s knowledge is limited. I’m excited to see how the world expands in the next book.
This one deserves so much hype in my opinion. I can’t wait to see what is in store next for these characters.
Thank you, Saga Press, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, and Netgalley for a gifted electronic galley for the review.
I also listened to the audiobook, and Kelsey Navarro Foster’s narration was perfect. She perfectly captured Lys’s character, bringing her sarcasm and defiance to life.
The Lost Reliquary is compared to Gideon the Ninth and Godkiller. To be honest, I haven’t read either, so I have no clue how it compares, but I absolutely love it. Lys has served her goddess, Tempestra, since she was a child without being given a choice to do so. Causing her to have conflicting feelings of both hated and devoted love for Tempestra. She is sent on a mission to find a powerful weapon with a very devout, grumpy Nolan. Both have different goals. Who will succeed?
Sometimes first-person narratives can be hit or miss, but this one was fantastic. Living in Lys’s brain was such a ride. She was such a complex character, but I especially loved her sarcastic humor and immense anger. Ultimately, her character arc was very fun to watch throughout the story.
Lyndsay Ely’s choices regarding the dynamics between Nolan and Lys were spot-on. The ebb and flow of their relationship, from enemy to friend, felt natural and entertaining.
The pacing was well-done. I never felt like any part of the book dragged on. However, the last quarter felt like a whirlwind of twists and turns.
The plot twists were absolutely incredible. I only saw one of them, but the other ones left me shocked.
The world-building was a bit sparse compared to the vastness of the world, history, and lore. However, it works well with the narrative because Lys’s knowledge is limited. I’m excited to see how the world expands in the next book.
This one deserves so much hype in my opinion. I can’t wait to see what is in store next for these characters.
Thank you, Saga Press, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, and Netgalley for a gifted electronic galley for the review.
I also listened to the audiobook, and Kelsey Navarro Foster’s narration was perfect. She perfectly captured Lys’s character, bringing her sarcasm and defiance to life.
November 1, 2025
ARC Review
I feel conflicted on this one. The book kicks off with a bang, the first 10% was so good! But then it really slowed down for me and didn't pick back up until about the 85% mark. There were bursts of excitement throughout the middle but once the action was done I was immediately bored again. This is partially my own fault because I am not the biggest fan of quest stories and this book is majority a quest. The last 15% of the book was very enjoyable for me and we do end on a cliffhanger. I am not sure whether or not I will continue on with the series, I think I need to take some time and sit with my thoughts on the book and I'll see how I feel when book 2 is announced. Overall though I do think this book would be great for anyone that does enjoy quest stories. There were plenty of twist and betrayals that kept the story interesting enough for me a known quest hater to keep reading.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher (Saga Press) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I feel conflicted on this one. The book kicks off with a bang, the first 10% was so good! But then it really slowed down for me and didn't pick back up until about the 85% mark. There were bursts of excitement throughout the middle but once the action was done I was immediately bored again. This is partially my own fault because I am not the biggest fan of quest stories and this book is majority a quest. The last 15% of the book was very enjoyable for me and we do end on a cliffhanger. I am not sure whether or not I will continue on with the series, I think I need to take some time and sit with my thoughts on the book and I'll see how I feel when book 2 is announced. Overall though I do think this book would be great for anyone that does enjoy quest stories. There were plenty of twist and betrayals that kept the story interesting enough for me a known quest hater to keep reading.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher (Saga Press) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2025
If you love a stabby FMC that just wants her freedom from an oppressive goddess, you’ll want to grab The Lost Reliquary.
Lys is such a fantastic character! I love how she goes along with her duties being bound to the last remaining god (in a world where gods have real manifestations), all the while plotting on how to kill this goddess. She finally finds an opening when she is sent on a quest to find something that may potentially harm the god along with Nolan, who is very devoted to his goddess.
Lys could have benefited from more friends in this story, because she goes through so much and really just has Nolan, who is a bit of a frenemy/rival. I really like where this went in the last 50 pages or so. I did not expect a single bit of that ending and the execution was fantastic.
Thank you to @sagapressbooks for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.
Lys is such a fantastic character! I love how she goes along with her duties being bound to the last remaining god (in a world where gods have real manifestations), all the while plotting on how to kill this goddess. She finally finds an opening when she is sent on a quest to find something that may potentially harm the god along with Nolan, who is very devoted to his goddess.
Lys could have benefited from more friends in this story, because she goes through so much and really just has Nolan, who is a bit of a frenemy/rival. I really like where this went in the last 50 pages or so. I did not expect a single bit of that ending and the execution was fantastic.
Thank you to @sagapressbooks for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.
September 13, 2025
Read this review and more on my Medium page: Distorted Visions
Score: 3.5/5 (rounded to 4/5)
Since this is an ARC, the review aims to be as Spoiler-free as possible.
Lyndsay Ely’s first original novel, The Lost Reliquary is a surprisingly dense and rewarding tale of the perils of fanatic worship. A darkened fantasy tale of the complex relationship between worshiper and deity, this novel is packed with plenty of action, suspense, and thought-provoking commentary!
While I mostly stick to authors I have previous experience with, or come highly recommended on various online forums in dark fantasy and scifi spaces, I will occasionally pick up something solely by a cover, or a blurb, or the plot summary. Ely’s The Lost Reliquary piqued my interest in all categories. When mention was made that this book/series was for fans of Godkiller and The Locked Tomb, both of which are known favorites, taking up this novel seemed like an easy pick!
The Lost Reliquary, kicks off the Divine Thrall series and follows the trials and tribulations of the novitiate Lystrata. Lys is a highly trained warrior disciple, part of the Dawn cloister, in devoted worship of the fire goddess Tempestra-Innara. When tasked with locating the titular “lost reliquary”, a weapon to fatally injure the last surviving goddess, Lys is forced to team up with Nolan, a fanatic potentiate from the rival Dusk cloister. The hunt sends Lys and Nolan across the breadth of Tempestra’s holy empire.
Except, Lys wants to steal the reliquary for herself, to kill the goddess!
The opening sequences of The Lost Reliquary fully set me up into an antagonistic view, judging this story to be yet another YA-adjacent darkened fantasy, with all its magic-school tropes and cheesy romantic subplots. My enjoyment of this story only heightened after the author suitably chastised me via a complex tale with conflicting motivations, a rich lived-in world, and dense characterization.
The plot follows Lys and Nolan as they are forced to traverse the Divine Lands together, following clues to the location of the reliquary, as their own faith and motivations are questioned by seeing the effects of Tempestra’s tyrannical rule. Lys internal conflict of indoctrinated-laced-with-magic faith and her own desire to break the chains and attain freedom, as well as her relationship with the purely fanatic Nolan. Nolan’s faith is also questioned as he is forced to leave the comfort of the cloisters to see the long-lasting effects of Tempestra’s rule with a flame-fist.
Ely creates an expansive world, with varied landscapes with their own cultures and mythologies, harkening back to the world-breaking conflict between the gods, from which Tempestra emerged victorious and sole divine power. Her inclusion of various factions with their own heretical worship, added layers of detail to the world, and fueled Lys’ and Nolan’s progression in its own way. Adding in side-characters with their own altruistic, selfish, and purely cruel motivations, added depth that continued to surprise me!
I enjoyed many elements of the magic systems and worldbuilding laid out in The Lost Reliquary, the bonding of divine essence to mortal flesh to yield a walking god like Tempestra-Innara, set up the plot expansion nicely in future entries. The pacing felt comfortable with adrenaline fueled action set pieces interspersed with slower worldbuilding, and even spent some time with quieter chapters exploring Lys’ internal struggle and navigating her complex feelings toward Nolan.
My only complaint with The Lost Reliquary was that Ely chose to make Lys your bog-standard YA protagonist with quippy one-liners, and “zinger” dialog, which pushed the prose and novel closer towards YA territory. Thankfully the plot, with its myriad twists and turns, friendships and betrayals, kept the balance and nudged it back into New Adult darkened fantasy. I see where the parallels could be drawn between her style and Godkiller and The Locked Tomb, but those series were simply superior products.
Lyndsay Ely’s debut original story, The Lost Reliquary, overturned my old-man-grumbles-at-new-fantasy expectations to present an enjoyable story with plenty of twists and turns, in a fresh world, with engaging characters and a push-forward plot. Any book that can surprise me with the quality of its elements is a win for me, and this book definitely qualifies. Ely may have just garnered a new fan, as I await for the sequel.
Advanced Review Copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley.
Score: 3.5/5 (rounded to 4/5)
Since this is an ARC, the review aims to be as Spoiler-free as possible.
Lyndsay Ely’s first original novel, The Lost Reliquary is a surprisingly dense and rewarding tale of the perils of fanatic worship. A darkened fantasy tale of the complex relationship between worshiper and deity, this novel is packed with plenty of action, suspense, and thought-provoking commentary!
While I mostly stick to authors I have previous experience with, or come highly recommended on various online forums in dark fantasy and scifi spaces, I will occasionally pick up something solely by a cover, or a blurb, or the plot summary. Ely’s The Lost Reliquary piqued my interest in all categories. When mention was made that this book/series was for fans of Godkiller and The Locked Tomb, both of which are known favorites, taking up this novel seemed like an easy pick!
The Lost Reliquary, kicks off the Divine Thrall series and follows the trials and tribulations of the novitiate Lystrata. Lys is a highly trained warrior disciple, part of the Dawn cloister, in devoted worship of the fire goddess Tempestra-Innara. When tasked with locating the titular “lost reliquary”, a weapon to fatally injure the last surviving goddess, Lys is forced to team up with Nolan, a fanatic potentiate from the rival Dusk cloister. The hunt sends Lys and Nolan across the breadth of Tempestra’s holy empire.
Except, Lys wants to steal the reliquary for herself, to kill the goddess!
The opening sequences of The Lost Reliquary fully set me up into an antagonistic view, judging this story to be yet another YA-adjacent darkened fantasy, with all its magic-school tropes and cheesy romantic subplots. My enjoyment of this story only heightened after the author suitably chastised me via a complex tale with conflicting motivations, a rich lived-in world, and dense characterization.
The plot follows Lys and Nolan as they are forced to traverse the Divine Lands together, following clues to the location of the reliquary, as their own faith and motivations are questioned by seeing the effects of Tempestra’s tyrannical rule. Lys internal conflict of indoctrinated-laced-with-magic faith and her own desire to break the chains and attain freedom, as well as her relationship with the purely fanatic Nolan. Nolan’s faith is also questioned as he is forced to leave the comfort of the cloisters to see the long-lasting effects of Tempestra’s rule with a flame-fist.
Ely creates an expansive world, with varied landscapes with their own cultures and mythologies, harkening back to the world-breaking conflict between the gods, from which Tempestra emerged victorious and sole divine power. Her inclusion of various factions with their own heretical worship, added layers of detail to the world, and fueled Lys’ and Nolan’s progression in its own way. Adding in side-characters with their own altruistic, selfish, and purely cruel motivations, added depth that continued to surprise me!
I enjoyed many elements of the magic systems and worldbuilding laid out in The Lost Reliquary, the bonding of divine essence to mortal flesh to yield a walking god like Tempestra-Innara, set up the plot expansion nicely in future entries. The pacing felt comfortable with adrenaline fueled action set pieces interspersed with slower worldbuilding, and even spent some time with quieter chapters exploring Lys’ internal struggle and navigating her complex feelings toward Nolan.
My only complaint with The Lost Reliquary was that Ely chose to make Lys your bog-standard YA protagonist with quippy one-liners, and “zinger” dialog, which pushed the prose and novel closer towards YA territory. Thankfully the plot, with its myriad twists and turns, friendships and betrayals, kept the balance and nudged it back into New Adult darkened fantasy. I see where the parallels could be drawn between her style and Godkiller and The Locked Tomb, but those series were simply superior products.
Lyndsay Ely’s debut original story, The Lost Reliquary, overturned my old-man-grumbles-at-new-fantasy expectations to present an enjoyable story with plenty of twists and turns, in a fresh world, with engaging characters and a push-forward plot. Any book that can surprise me with the quality of its elements is a win for me, and this book definitely qualifies. Ely may have just garnered a new fan, as I await for the sequel.
Advanced Review Copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley.
October 13, 2025
Out on October 21st, 2025!
This was a thought-provoking story, full of plot twists, heresy, a snarky complex female main character, and dark humor. It's one thing to have devotion to a God that you can't see, but how about one that is still present?
The premise for this book was original and the magic system wasn't overly complicated. It really delved deep into the concept of faith. Particularly with our main character and her inner struggle with being involuntarily devoted to her God while also despising that devotion to the point of hatred.
After that ending, I am absolutely looking forward to the next book in the series!
P.S.
The quote from the horse was absolutely diabolical. I will be forwarding my therapy bill to the author for that one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the eARC!
This was a thought-provoking story, full of plot twists, heresy, a snarky complex female main character, and dark humor. It's one thing to have devotion to a God that you can't see, but how about one that is still present?
The premise for this book was original and the magic system wasn't overly complicated. It really delved deep into the concept of faith. Particularly with our main character and her inner struggle with being involuntarily devoted to her God while also despising that devotion to the point of hatred.
After that ending, I am absolutely looking forward to the next book in the series!
P.S.
The quote from the horse was absolutely diabolical. I will be forwarding my therapy bill to the author for that one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the eARC!
November 9, 2025
Check out this review and more on The Quill to Live!
I always get suckered into thinking ‘killing a god’ books are going to be epic, but man, I have really had a rough go with these particular stories lately. So much so that I’m developing an aversion to them. The Lost Reliquary by Lyndsay Ely initially started off strong with its vulgar and unrefined main character, but as the story dragged on, it quickly became clear that it would not go much deeper than irreverent jokes on a never-ending journey to kill a god.
The entire story is centered around Lys’s desire to kill her goddess, yet the story has zero tension surrounding her being a non-believer in a world dominated by the goddess’s faith. This aspect is so disappointing, especially when the author makes it a point to show how pervasive the belief system is across the continent. Lys’s inner monologue will highlight the fact that she needs to keep her true feelings hidden, but they never spill out onto the page. I wanted to feel anxious about this lone non-believer going on a quest that is supposed to help her deity. I wanted her to slip up and navigate interactions with the devout without revealing herself and her true mission. But no dice. And let me tell you. The meandering, slow plot could have benefited greatly from playing with this secret that Lys so desperately needs to hold on to.
The Lost Reliquary’s core themes are choice, powerlessness, and loss of bodily autonomy. We learn early on that Lys was forced against her will to become one of the goddess’s Chosen. It’s her motivation to find a way to kill the goddess so she can ultimately earn her freedom. However, the story runs into the same problem of not exploring this in depth, and it robs the reader of what could have been a brutal internal war within Lys as she tries to free herself while struggling against the pull of the goddess’s blood in her veins. The most we get from this is an incessant aching tug in her body whenever Lys is too far from the goddess. Disappointing. The book also sows a small amount of fear around body autonomy, as the goddess lives on by taking new avatars and overpowering the person they once were. This was not explored too deeply in book one, but hints toward being important for the sequel.
It may not be surprising to learn that this book is all plot and no substance. This is especially true when looking at our two main characters, Lys and Nolan, whom I know absolutely nothing about besides one being a hidden heretic and one, a devout follower. At the beginning of the book, Lys’s voice seems interesting and crass, and it did catch my interest for a bit. The problem is, neither Lys nor Nolan ever beefs up in the character department beyond sarcasm and big tantrums. They are like walking, talking avatars that constantly annoyed me. Their dialogue is stilted and awkward. Their reactions feel chaotic and all over the place because I don't understand them as characters. It just makes it hard to pin them and their motivations down when they feel so intangible and flat.
The Lost Reliquary is a series that plans to continue on, but luckily, I am not one of the Chosen and can easily take my leave from this story.
Rating: The Lost Reliquary - 4.0/10
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The thoughts on this story are my own.
I always get suckered into thinking ‘killing a god’ books are going to be epic, but man, I have really had a rough go with these particular stories lately. So much so that I’m developing an aversion to them. The Lost Reliquary by Lyndsay Ely initially started off strong with its vulgar and unrefined main character, but as the story dragged on, it quickly became clear that it would not go much deeper than irreverent jokes on a never-ending journey to kill a god.
The entire story is centered around Lys’s desire to kill her goddess, yet the story has zero tension surrounding her being a non-believer in a world dominated by the goddess’s faith. This aspect is so disappointing, especially when the author makes it a point to show how pervasive the belief system is across the continent. Lys’s inner monologue will highlight the fact that she needs to keep her true feelings hidden, but they never spill out onto the page. I wanted to feel anxious about this lone non-believer going on a quest that is supposed to help her deity. I wanted her to slip up and navigate interactions with the devout without revealing herself and her true mission. But no dice. And let me tell you. The meandering, slow plot could have benefited greatly from playing with this secret that Lys so desperately needs to hold on to.
The Lost Reliquary’s core themes are choice, powerlessness, and loss of bodily autonomy. We learn early on that Lys was forced against her will to become one of the goddess’s Chosen. It’s her motivation to find a way to kill the goddess so she can ultimately earn her freedom. However, the story runs into the same problem of not exploring this in depth, and it robs the reader of what could have been a brutal internal war within Lys as she tries to free herself while struggling against the pull of the goddess’s blood in her veins. The most we get from this is an incessant aching tug in her body whenever Lys is too far from the goddess. Disappointing. The book also sows a small amount of fear around body autonomy, as the goddess lives on by taking new avatars and overpowering the person they once were. This was not explored too deeply in book one, but hints toward being important for the sequel.
It may not be surprising to learn that this book is all plot and no substance. This is especially true when looking at our two main characters, Lys and Nolan, whom I know absolutely nothing about besides one being a hidden heretic and one, a devout follower. At the beginning of the book, Lys’s voice seems interesting and crass, and it did catch my interest for a bit. The problem is, neither Lys nor Nolan ever beefs up in the character department beyond sarcasm and big tantrums. They are like walking, talking avatars that constantly annoyed me. Their dialogue is stilted and awkward. Their reactions feel chaotic and all over the place because I don't understand them as characters. It just makes it hard to pin them and their motivations down when they feel so intangible and flat.
The Lost Reliquary is a series that plans to continue on, but luckily, I am not one of the Chosen and can easily take my leave from this story.
Rating: The Lost Reliquary - 4.0/10
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The thoughts on this story are my own.
October 25, 2025
A heartfelt thank you to @lynzely and @sagapressbooks #sagasayscrew for the #gifted book, as well as @simon.audio for the #gifted audiobook.
An extraordinary fantasy! I savored every moment of this book, fully immersing myself in its captivating story and intricate world-building.
The story weaves a rich tapestry of gods, goddesses, and the devoted heretics caught in between. Nolan and Lys are chosen to embark on a compelling quest to locate the Reliquary, seeking to aid the powerful goddess, Tempestra-Innara.
The world is marvelously crafted, showcasing a variety of religious Orders, diverse heretical factions, and the vibrant cities that serve as their backdrop. Each side character is masterfully developed and plays a significant role as the plot unfolds. A glossary of the myriad gods and religious concepts would have added even more depth for readers navigating this complex universe.
Written from a first-person perspective, the narrative revolves around Lys, a truly engaging character. Her snarky wit and relatable struggles, torn between her imposed reverence for the goddess and her fervent resistance to the oppressive laws, make her journey all the more compelling.
I was thrilled by the evolution of the relationship between Nolan and Lys throughout the story. The conclusion left me eagerly anticipating the next installment to discover their fate.
The narrator did a superb job of bringing the characters to life, most especially Lys’ sarcasm.
This was an outstanding read, and I can't wait for the next book in this duology. It's available now, don’t miss out!
An extraordinary fantasy! I savored every moment of this book, fully immersing myself in its captivating story and intricate world-building.
The story weaves a rich tapestry of gods, goddesses, and the devoted heretics caught in between. Nolan and Lys are chosen to embark on a compelling quest to locate the Reliquary, seeking to aid the powerful goddess, Tempestra-Innara.
The world is marvelously crafted, showcasing a variety of religious Orders, diverse heretical factions, and the vibrant cities that serve as their backdrop. Each side character is masterfully developed and plays a significant role as the plot unfolds. A glossary of the myriad gods and religious concepts would have added even more depth for readers navigating this complex universe.
Written from a first-person perspective, the narrative revolves around Lys, a truly engaging character. Her snarky wit and relatable struggles, torn between her imposed reverence for the goddess and her fervent resistance to the oppressive laws, make her journey all the more compelling.
I was thrilled by the evolution of the relationship between Nolan and Lys throughout the story. The conclusion left me eagerly anticipating the next installment to discover their fate.
The narrator did a superb job of bringing the characters to life, most especially Lys’ sarcasm.
This was an outstanding read, and I can't wait for the next book in this duology. It's available now, don’t miss out!
Read
November 5, 2025The cover hooked me, and the description reeled me in. This was a fun fantasy romp with an irreverent POV character working towards her ultimate goal (killing the god she serves) while also dealing with the fact that it goes against every fiber of her being (i.e. because she was. yk. raised to serve that god. and also because her companion on her god-killing quest is a fellow devotee, except he is ACTUALLY devoted and convinced that its a god-saving quest).
Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC!
Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC!
October 29, 2025
Thanks so much to @sagapressbooks #sagasayscrew and @lynzely for sending me this ARC!
THE LOST RELIQUARY is a story of complicated relationships with deities perfect for fans of Godkiller and Gideon the Ninth. Gideon is one of my fave books and this one definitely felt reminiscent with the complicated characters and the snarky MC!
I enjoyed this book so much. The highlight for me was Lystrata’s complex feelings toward her goddess, it was handled so well and was made even better by said goddess’s actual presence in the story. They were multifaceted and I had complicated feelings toward them too!
The journey Lys goes on with fellow follower Nolan was so fascinating, especially when they got to see the sites of the previous gods’ deaths and the lingering magic they left behind. Their relationship is so interesting, as they go from competing with each other to feeling their own kind of devotion. They made a friend for the first time which I loved seeing.
There was action, betrayal, magic, danger, plenty of snark, and an ending that left me needing more! I definitely recommend to fellow fantasy lovers, especially those who loved Gideon the Ninth as I did.
THE LOST RELIQUARY is a story of complicated relationships with deities perfect for fans of Godkiller and Gideon the Ninth. Gideon is one of my fave books and this one definitely felt reminiscent with the complicated characters and the snarky MC!
I enjoyed this book so much. The highlight for me was Lystrata’s complex feelings toward her goddess, it was handled so well and was made even better by said goddess’s actual presence in the story. They were multifaceted and I had complicated feelings toward them too!
The journey Lys goes on with fellow follower Nolan was so fascinating, especially when they got to see the sites of the previous gods’ deaths and the lingering magic they left behind. Their relationship is so interesting, as they go from competing with each other to feeling their own kind of devotion. They made a friend for the first time which I loved seeing.
There was action, betrayal, magic, danger, plenty of snark, and an ending that left me needing more! I definitely recommend to fellow fantasy lovers, especially those who loved Gideon the Ninth as I did.
October 28, 2025
I had so much fun with this kinda D&D quest adventure arc, I bought the copy. The main character is gun to follow, lots of action, lots of banter with her journey companion. There is a lot of exposition at the end that may annoy some readers but I liked it a lot, I wanted to play it as a video game. Would be awesome.
October 23, 2025
A strong start to a new series. Middle sags a bit, but it starts and ends strong, with an ending that wouldn’t be nearly as good without all that middle. I’ll definitely be continuing.
November 12, 2025
Where to begin. I loved this. The characters are fleshed out, the plot is intriguing, and there are a good amount of plot twists to keep you on your toes. I love a strong FMC, especially one who is snarky and may want to commit deicide, so I had a great time reading about Lys. I cannot wait to see where book two takes us, especially after that ending.
Thank you Saga Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
Thank you Saga Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
April 18, 2025
Oh, this book was fantastic. It so wonderfully presents the ideas of faith and devotion and the way both love and hate exist side by side.
The world is so beautifully built, gods long dead but still influencing the shape of the world. There is just the right amount of snark, Lys pushing every boundary that she meets. This book is everything that I love about fantasy; it's absolutely incredible.
The world is so beautifully built, gods long dead but still influencing the shape of the world. There is just the right amount of snark, Lys pushing every boundary that she meets. This book is everything that I love about fantasy; it's absolutely incredible.
June 9, 2025
The Last Reliquary by Lindsay Ely is an epic fantasy that follows Lys, a Dawn Potentiate of Tempestra-Innara, a fire Goddess whose religion controls all of their country, and Nolan, a Dusk Potentiate, as they journey to find a weapon that was used in an attack on the Goddess. Lys has a secret though; she secretly dreams of the day Tempestra-Innara is dead and she can be free of her, which she must hide from Nolan as they journey together, as his loyalty and devotion their Goddess is unmatched.
As they journey together, Lys’s determination to be free only grows, as she sees new sights and experiences a freedom she hasn’t known since she was brought to the citadel to become one of Tempestra-Innara’s Chosen as a child, blessed with the blood of the Goddess and transformed by it to be stronger - a bit of living divinity. But as they get closer to their goal, Lys is faced with challenges and betrayals, that force her to choose just how far she’ll go to be free.
This book was dense, with world-building that I found intriguing. I loved the premise, that the world used to have six sibling gods with their own centers and worshippers, until they started wars between them for dominance. Tempestra-Innara emerged victorious, despite being wounded and having to select a new avatar. The worship of the other gods was violently suppressed and outlawed. The Goddess is supposedly invincible, as only divinity can hurt divinity, until a condemned man grievously wounds Tempestra-Innara in their citadel. To keep their vulnerability secret, the Goddess slaughters the hundreds of devoted that had come to see the execution of the heretic and bask in the Goddess’ justice.
Lys, already disenchanted with her forced service, is horrified by the slaughter. Her service is reluctant, and is disgusted with the violence of the religion built around the Goddess. She is conflicted throughout the book, wanting to be ruthless but continuously acting against her own interests in order to do what is right. Her character arc shows some growth, but she doesn’t really change as a character until the last ten percent of the book.
The book is written as a first-person singular POV focusing on Lys. The prose was a little clunky, and not always smooth, which made getting into the flow of the book difficult at times. I felt myself glazing over on some of Lys’ internal dialogue, especially when it didn’t really advance the plot. The author injects Lys with a wry cynicism that emerges as sarcastic humor, but it doesn’t always fit well; there were several instances where the writing felt trite because of it. While I loved the world-building and imagery, this chonk of a book - over 500 pages - could have used some streamlining. The pacing is slow, especially in the middle, and doesn’t really pick up until the very end of the book.
I’m not entirely sure how Lys is supposed to view Nolan as her feelings towards him shift around frequently. They aren’t really friends, they aren’t really attracted to each other, but there’s SOMETHING, and the author hinges a twist and major plot point on their relationship. I find this a little questionable as there wasn’t really any chemistry and barely a friendship between them by the end. This made the ending twist slightly unbelievable as it felt inconsistent with Lys’ motivation and desires - and we receive a massive amount of internal monologue to be evaluate those thoughts and desires. The twist was still enjoyable and was definitely unpredicted, but it didn’t quite stick in terms of story coherence.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and found the world-building gorgeous. I am curious to see where the author goes next with the story, and will pick up the sequel when it is published.
As they journey together, Lys’s determination to be free only grows, as she sees new sights and experiences a freedom she hasn’t known since she was brought to the citadel to become one of Tempestra-Innara’s Chosen as a child, blessed with the blood of the Goddess and transformed by it to be stronger - a bit of living divinity. But as they get closer to their goal, Lys is faced with challenges and betrayals, that force her to choose just how far she’ll go to be free.
This book was dense, with world-building that I found intriguing. I loved the premise, that the world used to have six sibling gods with their own centers and worshippers, until they started wars between them for dominance. Tempestra-Innara emerged victorious, despite being wounded and having to select a new avatar. The worship of the other gods was violently suppressed and outlawed. The Goddess is supposedly invincible, as only divinity can hurt divinity, until a condemned man grievously wounds Tempestra-Innara in their citadel. To keep their vulnerability secret, the Goddess slaughters the hundreds of devoted that had come to see the execution of the heretic and bask in the Goddess’ justice.
Lys, already disenchanted with her forced service, is horrified by the slaughter. Her service is reluctant, and is disgusted with the violence of the religion built around the Goddess. She is conflicted throughout the book, wanting to be ruthless but continuously acting against her own interests in order to do what is right. Her character arc shows some growth, but she doesn’t really change as a character until the last ten percent of the book.
The book is written as a first-person singular POV focusing on Lys. The prose was a little clunky, and not always smooth, which made getting into the flow of the book difficult at times. I felt myself glazing over on some of Lys’ internal dialogue, especially when it didn’t really advance the plot. The author injects Lys with a wry cynicism that emerges as sarcastic humor, but it doesn’t always fit well; there were several instances where the writing felt trite because of it. While I loved the world-building and imagery, this chonk of a book - over 500 pages - could have used some streamlining. The pacing is slow, especially in the middle, and doesn’t really pick up until the very end of the book.
I’m not entirely sure how Lys is supposed to view Nolan as her feelings towards him shift around frequently. They aren’t really friends, they aren’t really attracted to each other, but there’s SOMETHING, and the author hinges a twist and major plot point on their relationship. I find this a little questionable as there wasn’t really any chemistry and barely a friendship between them by the end. This made the ending twist slightly unbelievable as it felt inconsistent with Lys’ motivation and desires - and we receive a massive amount of internal monologue to be evaluate those thoughts and desires. The twist was still enjoyable and was definitely unpredicted, but it didn’t quite stick in terms of story coherence.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and found the world-building gorgeous. I am curious to see where the author goes next with the story, and will pick up the sequel when it is published.
October 18, 2025
9.5 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
Behold Tempestra-Innara, the last living goddess of the Devoted Lands. There were once many—Salt and Stone, Storm and Shadow, Green and more—but now all are dead. And Tempestra killed them, for the sake of the lands.
Lys has been devoted to the goddess since childhood, an initiate of the Dawn Cloister, the goddess’s power on earth. She lives and dies for the goddess, and loves her above all else.
But Lys harbors a secret. One that would see her stricken from the Cloister, imprisoned, tortured, executed by the divine fire. One that she can never, ever admit. She loves the goddess, truly. But Lys also wants her dead. And wants to be the hand that lays her low.
When Tempestra is attacked, her current host Innara is wounded, and the goddess’ Executrix—her personal bodyguard and assassin—is killed, there are, for the first time, chinks in her armor. Lys, representing the Dawn Cloister, and Nolan, an initiate of the Dusk Potentiates, are tasked with collecting a seed of divine power: a reliquary. One desired by those who would depose the goddess.
Someone like Lys.
—
Lys is quite the character. She loves and loathes the goddess both, two seemingly contradictory emotions that are constantly at war within her. It’s ridiculous. And yet, it is so very real. Remember, humans are complicated. Does it make any sense for someone to kill someone else, whom they’re madly in love with? No, but people do it all the time, anyway.
The lost reliquary presents the perfect opportunity for Lys to kill her idol—all she has to do is find it. She even has help in this endeavor, in the form of Nolan, her erstwhile rival, turned nemesis, turned… companion? Their relationship is complicated, again, as humans are wont to be.
This complex, often contradictory story, combined with a deep and vibrant—if dark—world really sold the story for me. I love a bit of darkness and chaos in my fantasy novels, so long as they don’t tip the whole way over into grimdark (though that’s okay every now and then). It’s helped along the way by Lys’ sarcasm and dark humor, which lends the story immersion even when the pacing lulls, which it is wont to do throughout, as this one features a rather long, slow build.
I had a bit of an issue in the ultimate confusion that is the end, but it’s far from a dealbreaker. Pretty much the only thing that held the Lost Reliquary back from absolute perfection. That said, the ending—and resultant cliffhanger—remains incredible.
I can’t wait for the second one.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
Behold Tempestra-Innara, the last living goddess of the Devoted Lands. There were once many—Salt and Stone, Storm and Shadow, Green and more—but now all are dead. And Tempestra killed them, for the sake of the lands.
Lys has been devoted to the goddess since childhood, an initiate of the Dawn Cloister, the goddess’s power on earth. She lives and dies for the goddess, and loves her above all else.
But Lys harbors a secret. One that would see her stricken from the Cloister, imprisoned, tortured, executed by the divine fire. One that she can never, ever admit. She loves the goddess, truly. But Lys also wants her dead. And wants to be the hand that lays her low.
When Tempestra is attacked, her current host Innara is wounded, and the goddess’ Executrix—her personal bodyguard and assassin—is killed, there are, for the first time, chinks in her armor. Lys, representing the Dawn Cloister, and Nolan, an initiate of the Dusk Potentiates, are tasked with collecting a seed of divine power: a reliquary. One desired by those who would depose the goddess.
Someone like Lys.
—
Lys is quite the character. She loves and loathes the goddess both, two seemingly contradictory emotions that are constantly at war within her. It’s ridiculous. And yet, it is so very real. Remember, humans are complicated. Does it make any sense for someone to kill someone else, whom they’re madly in love with? No, but people do it all the time, anyway.
The lost reliquary presents the perfect opportunity for Lys to kill her idol—all she has to do is find it. She even has help in this endeavor, in the form of Nolan, her erstwhile rival, turned nemesis, turned… companion? Their relationship is complicated, again, as humans are wont to be.
This complex, often contradictory story, combined with a deep and vibrant—if dark—world really sold the story for me. I love a bit of darkness and chaos in my fantasy novels, so long as they don’t tip the whole way over into grimdark (though that’s okay every now and then). It’s helped along the way by Lys’ sarcasm and dark humor, which lends the story immersion even when the pacing lulls, which it is wont to do throughout, as this one features a rather long, slow build.
I had a bit of an issue in the ultimate confusion that is the end, but it’s far from a dealbreaker. Pretty much the only thing that held the Lost Reliquary back from absolute perfection. That said, the ending—and resultant cliffhanger—remains incredible.
I can’t wait for the second one.
December 17, 2025
3.5 I like a snarky heroine! And the themes are spot on.
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