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To Kill A Goddess
Pureborn gods and goddesses cannot truly die.
Soren Cavell was taken from her home kingdom of Mise as a child and forced into servitude in the palace of the king responsible for the murders of her family and the war against her people. As one of the Princess of Aren's handmaidens, she is bound to serve, so when the princess requests Soren travel with her to the Choosing Ceremony, she cannot deny her. But when a rare moon-white dragon picks Soren, the tide of the war changes as power begins to shift.
Even as Soren falls into her new place amongst Aren's army ranks, strange dreams that have haunted her since childhood grow all the more vivid and disturbing. And when she meets her trainer, Vane Evva, she cannot help but connect the dreams to him.
The past leaves deep wounds. The question is, just how fatal?
The war-torn world of dragonriders in Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing meets the timeless, star crossed romance of When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker in this high fantasy world where echoes of the past and present collide and love paramounts all.
Soren Cavell was taken from her home kingdom of Mise as a child and forced into servitude in the palace of the king responsible for the murders of her family and the war against her people. As one of the Princess of Aren's handmaidens, she is bound to serve, so when the princess requests Soren travel with her to the Choosing Ceremony, she cannot deny her. But when a rare moon-white dragon picks Soren, the tide of the war changes as power begins to shift.
Even as Soren falls into her new place amongst Aren's army ranks, strange dreams that have haunted her since childhood grow all the more vivid and disturbing. And when she meets her trainer, Vane Evva, she cannot help but connect the dreams to him.
The past leaves deep wounds. The question is, just how fatal?
The war-torn world of dragonriders in Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing meets the timeless, star crossed romance of When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker in this high fantasy world where echoes of the past and present collide and love paramounts all.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2025
426 people are currently reading
4329 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Tork
8 books88 followersRachel Tork is the author of fantasy romance and contemporary romance books, including the Evening Star Saga. She adores rainy days, Reylo, and early mornings snuggled on her couch.
She writes quick-paced fantasy with snarky, yet flawed, characters, as well as deeply emotional romance that proves love really can conquer all.
You can follow Rachel on Instagram and TikTok at @racheltorkauthor
She writes quick-paced fantasy with snarky, yet flawed, characters, as well as deeply emotional romance that proves love really can conquer all.
You can follow Rachel on Instagram and TikTok at @racheltorkauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
November 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 3/5
To Kill a Goddess has a compelling plot and an engaging FMC who I connected with right away. I really enjoyed the premise, and I appreciated that it’s a standalone with everything wrapped up by the end.
However, the pacing felt very rushed. While the story had great potential, I wanted more time with the characters and more depth to their development — things moved so quickly that moments that could have been impactful didn’t fully land for me. I also struggled to picture the world at times, as the setting wasn’t described in enough detail to bring it to life.
Overall, this is a good novella with an interesting concept. I think this story would have been even stronger as a duet or slightly longer novel — I’d happily have read more
Thank you to the Rachel Tork,Alaza press publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
To Kill a Goddess has a compelling plot and an engaging FMC who I connected with right away. I really enjoyed the premise, and I appreciated that it’s a standalone with everything wrapped up by the end.
However, the pacing felt very rushed. While the story had great potential, I wanted more time with the characters and more depth to their development — things moved so quickly that moments that could have been impactful didn’t fully land for me. I also struggled to picture the world at times, as the setting wasn’t described in enough detail to bring it to life.
Overall, this is a good novella with an interesting concept. I think this story would have been even stronger as a duet or slightly longer novel — I’d happily have read more
Thank you to the Rachel Tork,Alaza press publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2026
thank you netgalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
i'll admit, i love anything to do with dragons and gods/godesses. and honestly, this was good.
i felt like it could have been longer, to add more into the world-building and to also explain more where some parts lacked (certain plot pieces). some of the info dump it did that, felt very rushed or felt like it was skirted around. i did love it was a standalone and tied everything together tho!
i'll admit, i love anything to do with dragons and gods/godesses. and honestly, this was good.
i felt like it could have been longer, to add more into the world-building and to also explain more where some parts lacked (certain plot pieces). some of the info dump it did that, felt very rushed or felt like it was skirted around. i did love it was a standalone and tied everything together tho!
October 31, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Azala Press for providing me with this arc!!
"You are my salvation, Sora. You were then, and you are now."
THIS. BOOK.
To Kill a Goddess is about a girl, Soren, who was taken from her home and kingdom as a child after her family was murdered and forced to serve a king from the kingdom that is at war with Soren’s kingdom. She accompanies her princess to her dragon choosing ceremony and ends up being picked one of the strongest dragons. She has strange dreams of a goddess and Demi-god from the past that have her haunted her throughout her childhood, but once she starts connecting those dreams to her present, what will she discover? If you’re a fan of dragons and star-crossed romance, you’ll love this book.
Honestly, I went into this book almost completely blind, and let me tell you. I lost all track of time while reading this. I could not stop, I could not put it down, I binged it.
To Kill a Goddess is so so so good. It’s a rare occurrence for me to be hooked enough to be able to read an ebook so quickly (I’m a big physical book girl) but this was just impossible to set down. Now I absolutely need to read other books from the author.
The tension, the yearning. Aghhhhhh!
I definitely cried in the last chapter. But the epilogue made up for it ugh 🥹.
It did have open spice, which I would rate a 2 out of 5 🌶️
"Sometimes, I wish to see your soul again, and sometimes- I wonder if this is what I deserve. But you know me; I've always been selfish when it comes to you."
"You are my salvation, Sora. You were then, and you are now."
THIS. BOOK.
To Kill a Goddess is about a girl, Soren, who was taken from her home and kingdom as a child after her family was murdered and forced to serve a king from the kingdom that is at war with Soren’s kingdom. She accompanies her princess to her dragon choosing ceremony and ends up being picked one of the strongest dragons. She has strange dreams of a goddess and Demi-god from the past that have her haunted her throughout her childhood, but once she starts connecting those dreams to her present, what will she discover? If you’re a fan of dragons and star-crossed romance, you’ll love this book.
Honestly, I went into this book almost completely blind, and let me tell you. I lost all track of time while reading this. I could not stop, I could not put it down, I binged it.
To Kill a Goddess is so so so good. It’s a rare occurrence for me to be hooked enough to be able to read an ebook so quickly (I’m a big physical book girl) but this was just impossible to set down. Now I absolutely need to read other books from the author.
The tension, the yearning. Aghhhhhh!
I definitely cried in the last chapter. But the epilogue made up for it ugh 🥹.
It did have open spice, which I would rate a 2 out of 5 🌶️
"Sometimes, I wish to see your soul again, and sometimes- I wonder if this is what I deserve. But you know me; I've always been selfish when it comes to you."
December 31, 2025
I was expecting to like this a lot and, though it was good, it also felt a bit flat. The story was fast-paced, there was always something happening which kept you wanting to continue.
Soren, the fmc, was taken and forced to serve the princess of a rival kingdom, but the story goes far beyond that. There were dragons, gods, magic and, of course, the soul mates trope we all love. I really liked the way the dragons were introduced and how they were part of the story, not just something metioned once. Also, loved how the fmc became more confident about who she was and what she was capable of. The relationship between the Soren and Vane was really good, with enough tension and yearning to make you want to read more.
Nevertheless, the world-building was lacking some development. There were times where we were thrown into a scene or where we jumped a bit too fast between settings. The story could have used more pages to explain how everything was unfolding, it just felt rushed and that it lacked some background. Also, there were many scenes which felt too convinient and a little predictable. The idea and the writing were good but, for me, the story needed more development.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Tork and Azala Press for providing me with this arc!
Soren, the fmc, was taken and forced to serve the princess of a rival kingdom, but the story goes far beyond that. There were dragons, gods, magic and, of course, the soul mates trope we all love. I really liked the way the dragons were introduced and how they were part of the story, not just something metioned once. Also, loved how the fmc became more confident about who she was and what she was capable of. The relationship between the Soren and Vane was really good, with enough tension and yearning to make you want to read more.
Nevertheless, the world-building was lacking some development. There were times where we were thrown into a scene or where we jumped a bit too fast between settings. The story could have used more pages to explain how everything was unfolding, it just felt rushed and that it lacked some background. Also, there were many scenes which felt too convinient and a little predictable. The idea and the writing were good but, for me, the story needed more development.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Tork and Azala Press for providing me with this arc!
January 1, 2026
Easy fantasy storyline
December 29, 2025
Leuk boek, maar het verhaal ging soms iets te snel voor mij. Ik miste beetje world-building en personages beter leren kennen waardoor ik minder connectie voelde.
Wel een leuke standalone die vlot leest.
Wel een leuke standalone die vlot leest.
November 14, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Azala Press for providing me with this arc!!
To Kill a Goddess is a fast paced romantasy with dragons and wyvers, battling kingdoms, training for war, court politics and cruel gods. It reminded me of Heavenly Bodies, so if you liked that I would recommend this book.
I liked the word, it wasn't too complicated and easy to follow. The more I saw, it become even more interesting.
Soren our FMC was a bit too smart and a bit dumb at the same time, which is usually my pet peeve in romantasy books. She also got very powerful in a very short time (she had 2 weeks to become ready to fight in a battle), which usually annoys me, but in this story it actually made sense that she was learning quickly. I also didn't really understand her decisions sometimes. She was either a lil too eager about being a traitor at times or I just didn't really understand who she was loyal to sometimes.
Vane the MMC was also a very typical archetype of a romantasy love interest, I neither loved or hated him
I wish we got to see more of the side characters, but they were absent from a lot of the book. Th e middle part only really focused on Soren and Vane, I would have liked to see what Cion and the others did in this time.
I probably enjoyed the first half of the book more because of its setting, but the action picked up during the second half. The ending felt rushed, I didn't like that the part of the final fight was partly off page.
I think for a stand alone fantasy it was good and I'm happy the author didn't dragged it out, when it didn't need it
To Kill a Goddess is a fast paced romantasy with dragons and wyvers, battling kingdoms, training for war, court politics and cruel gods. It reminded me of Heavenly Bodies, so if you liked that I would recommend this book.
I liked the word, it wasn't too complicated and easy to follow. The more I saw, it become even more interesting.
Soren our FMC was a bit too smart and a bit dumb at the same time, which is usually my pet peeve in romantasy books. She also got very powerful in a very short time (she had 2 weeks to become ready to fight in a battle), which usually annoys me, but in this story it actually made sense that she was learning quickly. I also didn't really understand her decisions sometimes. She was either a lil too eager about being a traitor at times or I just didn't really understand who she was loyal to sometimes.
Vane the MMC was also a very typical archetype of a romantasy love interest, I neither loved or hated him
I wish we got to see more of the side characters, but they were absent from a lot of the book. Th e middle part only really focused on Soren and Vane, I would have liked to see what Cion and the others did in this time.
I probably enjoyed the first half of the book more because of its setting, but the action picked up during the second half. The ending felt rushed, I didn't like that the part of the final fight was partly off page.
I think for a stand alone fantasy it was good and I'm happy the author didn't dragged it out, when it didn't need it
November 10, 2025
2.75⭐️
Soren was taken as a child from her home when a neighboring kingdom invades, killing her family and kidnapping her to serve as a slave in the enemy palace. She becomes attendant to the princess, and when they travel to a dragon-choosing ceremony, Soren is unexpectedly chosen by a rare moon-white dragon. This binds her to become a dragon rider and fight on behalf of the very king who destroyed her people. As she trains and grows stronger under the guidance of the mysterious warrior Vane, Soren’s memories and sense of identity begin to unravel.
This is a standalone romantasy featuring gods and goddesses, warring kingdoms, and both dragons and wyverns. The story has potential, especially in the glimpses of mythology and history woven throughout. However, due to the shorter length, the worldbuilding and lore feel underdeveloped, and the pacing felt rushed throughout, particularly when it comes to emotional and character-driven moments.
Overall, this is a quick and predictable romantasy that leans into familiar tropes such as the chosen one, ancient deities, dragons, and warring kingdoms. Readers looking for a fast, fantasy romance may enjoy it, but those wanting deeper worldbuilding or more layered development may find themselves wanting more.
Thank you to Azala Press and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Soren was taken as a child from her home when a neighboring kingdom invades, killing her family and kidnapping her to serve as a slave in the enemy palace. She becomes attendant to the princess, and when they travel to a dragon-choosing ceremony, Soren is unexpectedly chosen by a rare moon-white dragon. This binds her to become a dragon rider and fight on behalf of the very king who destroyed her people. As she trains and grows stronger under the guidance of the mysterious warrior Vane, Soren’s memories and sense of identity begin to unravel.
This is a standalone romantasy featuring gods and goddesses, warring kingdoms, and both dragons and wyverns. The story has potential, especially in the glimpses of mythology and history woven throughout. However, due to the shorter length, the worldbuilding and lore feel underdeveloped, and the pacing felt rushed throughout, particularly when it comes to emotional and character-driven moments.
Overall, this is a quick and predictable romantasy that leans into familiar tropes such as the chosen one, ancient deities, dragons, and warring kingdoms. Readers looking for a fast, fantasy romance may enjoy it, but those wanting deeper worldbuilding or more layered development may find themselves wanting more.
Thank you to Azala Press and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
October 31, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, Azala Press, and Rachel Tork for the eARC.
Genre: Romantacy
⭐️ 4/5
🌶 2/5
🧠 4/10
Cliffhanger: N/A
Noteworthy: Standalone book. Publication date 11/11/2025.
This novella length standalone stands tall for it's small size. Rachel Tork packs a lot of story into less than 250 pages. The world spans two kingdoms and a godly realm and includes political intrigue, war and battle scenes, and complex familial relationships. The heart of the story shows us that true love will tie souls, span lifetimes and endure nearly insurmountable obstacles. The romance here is immaculate! The climax feels daunting making for a highly stressful ending.
As with all shorter stories, it feels like we could use more time with the characters to allow a bit more depth especially with side characters. But the shorter time frame does not prevent you from growing attached to the two mains and rooting for them.
If you want a quick romantacy read that will suck you right in and make you reluctant to put it down until you finish, add this to your TBR!
Genre: Romantacy
⭐️ 4/5
🌶 2/5
🧠 4/10
Cliffhanger: N/A
Noteworthy: Standalone book. Publication date 11/11/2025.
This novella length standalone stands tall for it's small size. Rachel Tork packs a lot of story into less than 250 pages. The world spans two kingdoms and a godly realm and includes political intrigue, war and battle scenes, and complex familial relationships. The heart of the story shows us that true love will tie souls, span lifetimes and endure nearly insurmountable obstacles. The romance here is immaculate! The climax feels daunting making for a highly stressful ending.
As with all shorter stories, it feels like we could use more time with the characters to allow a bit more depth especially with side characters. But the shorter time frame does not prevent you from growing attached to the two mains and rooting for them.
If you want a quick romantacy read that will suck you right in and make you reluctant to put it down until you finish, add this to your TBR!
November 6, 2025
“Fear was enough to keep you chained”
To Kill a Goddess is a great stand alone romantasy book with a little mystery, a lot of fractured memory, a controlling god, and some very loyal dragons. I went into this totally blind and really enjoyed it. It’s well written and honestly very timely.
“I always knew you were dangerous.” Why…because of what I can do or the system I challenge by simply holding any power?”
Tork writes in her acknowledgments that “their systems are more fragile than they will ever admit” and “that’s why they are so afraid of us, of any resistance.” She states that our voices hold power, and throughout this book it was really lovely to see the main character, Soren, get her voice back and reclaim her power. The romance was also well done and I appreciated the complicated ways the female friendships were portrayed. Even though this book is under 250 pages, Tork really understood the assignment.
4 stars ✨
Thank you NetGalley and Azalea press for providing this arc. To Kill a Goddess comes out November 11, 2025.
To Kill a Goddess is a great stand alone romantasy book with a little mystery, a lot of fractured memory, a controlling god, and some very loyal dragons. I went into this totally blind and really enjoyed it. It’s well written and honestly very timely.
“I always knew you were dangerous.” Why…because of what I can do or the system I challenge by simply holding any power?”
Tork writes in her acknowledgments that “their systems are more fragile than they will ever admit” and “that’s why they are so afraid of us, of any resistance.” She states that our voices hold power, and throughout this book it was really lovely to see the main character, Soren, get her voice back and reclaim her power. The romance was also well done and I appreciated the complicated ways the female friendships were portrayed. Even though this book is under 250 pages, Tork really understood the assignment.
4 stars ✨
Thank you NetGalley and Azalea press for providing this arc. To Kill a Goddess comes out November 11, 2025.
November 12, 2025
We have Dragon Riders and a Shadow Mommy. But first, I love the whole concept of having memories of the past life. And Soren, while being a handmaiden, has some dreams of a goddess and other things she sees pretty clearly. Then she meets Vane in the present, who happens to be her trainer, and they have a connection.
I liked the action, conflict, and battles. The dragon riding is new to me, as I don’t typically read a lot of dragon riding stories. To K¡ll A Goddess is a very slow burn, focusing on building tension between the two characters and on world-building and their shared connection.
The ending and epilogue wrapped up quite nicely overall, making it an enjoyable read.
Thank you to Azala Press and Author Rachel Tork for the gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I liked the action, conflict, and battles. The dragon riding is new to me, as I don’t typically read a lot of dragon riding stories. To K¡ll A Goddess is a very slow burn, focusing on building tension between the two characters and on world-building and their shared connection.
The ending and epilogue wrapped up quite nicely overall, making it an enjoyable read.
Thank you to Azala Press and Author Rachel Tork for the gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 27, 2025
I literally ate this up. I actually liked the pacing of this book and loved that it got straight to the point. Sora and Vane falling back in love omg that killed me and the pain he felt ughhh. To see her grow and remember her memories was so satisfying and sad when she realised who she was and who vane was to her. I loved the dragons bond with them and communicating with eachother. The epilogue was so sweet LIKE A LITTLE MINI THEM WITH POWER and Cion bringing their wedding bands back LOVE LOVE
This quote killed me
“I love that you made a mess all over our wedding band”
This quote killed me
“I love that you made a mess all over our wedding band”
January 2, 2026
“i will walk into the dark of oblivion with you without fear, but i cannot remain without you.”
certified down bad yearning male reporting for duty. this was super fun & i enjoyed the relationship between soren and vane the most. so so good. the plot was fast paced and i think the world building was pretty simple but solid. honestly i think a slow burn duology of this story would’ve been kinda SIIICK but ykw this was still a banger & i’m excited for more from this author!!
certified down bad yearning male reporting for duty. this was super fun & i enjoyed the relationship between soren and vane the most. so so good. the plot was fast paced and i think the world building was pretty simple but solid. honestly i think a slow burn duology of this story would’ve been kinda SIIICK but ykw this was still a banger & i’m excited for more from this author!!
November 17, 2025
was very predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless bc i love this trope sm. some of the conclusion explanations didn’t really make 100% sense and some things felt too convenient. bc the novel was a bit short some of the details and characters outside of FMC and MMC fell flat, and worldbuilding had potential but wasn’t all the way fleshed out for me to give it 5 stars.
November 28, 2025
4.5 STARS
It’s the perfect standalone fantasy romance!
If you love the trainer and trainee vibes with talking bonded dragons and so much action and adventure and maybe some reincarnation, then this one is a MUST read!
It’s the perfect standalone fantasy romance!
If you love the trainer and trainee vibes with talking bonded dragons and so much action and adventure and maybe some reincarnation, then this one is a MUST read!
December 18, 2025
Meh. Guessed the major plot twists so that was unfortunate. I liked the reincarnation vibes but like idk it just was too surface level it would've been better if it was split into 2 books and we could've gone deeper into things. I had fun reading it but to much inspiration taken from other books and series.
January 7, 2026
I actually adored this book i miss reading fantasy
January 10, 2026
honestly when was reading I thought that this book could’ve been longer, maybe even a second book
A little predictable tbh (but could be cause I found it on tiktok) but if you like iron flame and heavenly bodies then you’ll like this
A little predictable tbh (but could be cause I found it on tiktok) but if you like iron flame and heavenly bodies then you’ll like this
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 12, 2026The title of the book is misleading, they did exactly the opposite
December 19, 2025
2.5 lowkey
the plot and characters are so interesting but I just wish it was giving more. More detail, more world building, just more!!
that to say, the ending had me shook
the plot and characters are so interesting but I just wish it was giving more. More detail, more world building, just more!!
that to say, the ending had me shook
December 6, 2025
it was okay
It started off great but then the pacing went crazy and the story changed a lot. I wanted a story about a girl that trains and slowly comes into herself but instead I got *boom* she’s a completely different person (kind of) and is now in a relationship. I think that transition could’ve been done smoother and not feel like the snap of a finger. I just didn’t really like what the story became and even the ending scenes felt so rushed which is ironic because I was also hoping it would hurry up and end
It started off great but then the pacing went crazy and the story changed a lot. I wanted a story about a girl that trains and slowly comes into herself but instead I got *boom* she’s a completely different person (kind of) and is now in a relationship. I think that transition could’ve been done smoother and not feel like the snap of a finger. I just didn’t really like what the story became and even the ending scenes felt so rushed which is ironic because I was also hoping it would hurry up and end
November 19, 2025
good story
I would love to give this book 5 stars however I find that it was very surface level writing. I feel that it could’ve been a series with just the first book alone there’s not enough time for world building the story takes place over a month it the timing just in the plot was just not hitting right for me, but it was a good story idea
I would love to give this book 5 stars however I find that it was very surface level writing. I feel that it could’ve been a series with just the first book alone there’s not enough time for world building the story takes place over a month it the timing just in the plot was just not hitting right for me, but it was a good story idea
November 15, 2025
Comparing this to Fourth Wing and When the Moon Hatched was a choice. A bad one.
The premise had potential, but the execution flopped. It was too short to really allow for full development of the world, magic system, characters, everything. Because of this, I felt little to no connection, and was bored for much of it. Those 309 pages felt like they would never end.
Thank you NetGalley and Azala Press for the eARC. This one is available to read now. It’s a respectful, hard no from me. Luckily, reading is subjective and what I don’t enjoy, others might love!
The premise had potential, but the execution flopped. It was too short to really allow for full development of the world, magic system, characters, everything. Because of this, I felt little to no connection, and was bored for much of it. Those 309 pages felt like they would never end.
Thank you NetGalley and Azala Press for the eARC. This one is available to read now. It’s a respectful, hard no from me. Luckily, reading is subjective and what I don’t enjoy, others might love!
November 15, 2025
This book had the potential to be good … but it was so confusing??? It should’ve been at least a duology. Plot felt super rushed and there wasn’t enough world building
November 12, 2025
A remarkable standalone fantasy romance! Soren was taken from her homeland at a young age, forced to serve Princess Cion; she is meek and obedient, but she strong and resilient. Chosen to accompany the Princess to the dragon rider selection ceremony, during which Soren is unexpectedly bonded to a dragon. Now a dragon rider, Soren must be trained into a weapon and receives private instruction from Commander Vane. In his presence, Soren's dreams become more vivid and she comes to question the mysterious man before her as he seems so familiar despite being a stranger.
An echoing tale of love encircles this excruciatingly heart-breaking story. It's definitely not your typical romance. There is a lingering ache that draws emotional depth into the story; and I was absolutely captivated by it. Absorbed in the story, there was a little mystery of the unknown in what was recognisable that was artfully written. The twists were satisfying, rather than being impactful, but I really enjoyed the gentler reveals as they went with the tone of the novel.
The tone is further enhanced by the dual perspectives of Soren and Vane. Each role was well written and beautifully poignant. The steady pacing of the relationship, the recognition, and the resistance felt by both characters was all complimentary to the overall workings of the plot and really increased the tension. The slow-burn is brutal (in the best way) as more of the story is uncovered, the feelings hold so much power to the narrative. Vane has definitely become one of my favourite male main characters; he was so fierce but unafraid of his emotions. He was written brilliantly - as were all the characters - but he was definitely a highlight.
Quickly thrown into romantic turmoil, I was completely obsessed with this book. Fast-paced, but lacking no detail, I enjoyed the unrest and the exploration of dark and light in this novel as the characters are moulded and resist what they are made to be in a war-torn world. Exploring the sense of keeping yourself when faced with a world that wants to change you had my attention, and I loved seeing how this shaped and developed characters, which made me love the twists all the more.
And, of course, sassy, terrifying, magnificent, wise dragons had me from the get go.
________________
Favourite Quotes:
Even if he did not. Even if that was breaking the promise they had made to each other. Because the thought of her lifeless again, eyes wide open…
Death sensed the closeness of so many lives in peril, and his call was a siren’s song.
My home is where you are, silly godling. But fine. Let us fly to our deaths.
“Fate will twist our hands, even when we do not want it to.”
I think you know well enough now that not all his wounds are visible.
“I will not be what they made me,” she snarled, “even if you will.”
“You,” he rasped. “You are my every…reason.”
________________
🌶🌶🌶/5
Thank you so much Rachel Tork, Azala Press, and NetGalley for the e-arc of the gorgeous book.
An echoing tale of love encircles this excruciatingly heart-breaking story. It's definitely not your typical romance. There is a lingering ache that draws emotional depth into the story; and I was absolutely captivated by it. Absorbed in the story, there was a little mystery of the unknown in what was recognisable that was artfully written. The twists were satisfying, rather than being impactful, but I really enjoyed the gentler reveals as they went with the tone of the novel.
The tone is further enhanced by the dual perspectives of Soren and Vane. Each role was well written and beautifully poignant. The steady pacing of the relationship, the recognition, and the resistance felt by both characters was all complimentary to the overall workings of the plot and really increased the tension. The slow-burn is brutal (in the best way) as more of the story is uncovered, the feelings hold so much power to the narrative. Vane has definitely become one of my favourite male main characters; he was so fierce but unafraid of his emotions. He was written brilliantly - as were all the characters - but he was definitely a highlight.
Quickly thrown into romantic turmoil, I was completely obsessed with this book. Fast-paced, but lacking no detail, I enjoyed the unrest and the exploration of dark and light in this novel as the characters are moulded and resist what they are made to be in a war-torn world. Exploring the sense of keeping yourself when faced with a world that wants to change you had my attention, and I loved seeing how this shaped and developed characters, which made me love the twists all the more.
And, of course, sassy, terrifying, magnificent, wise dragons had me from the get go.
________________
Favourite Quotes:
Even if he did not. Even if that was breaking the promise they had made to each other. Because the thought of her lifeless again, eyes wide open…
Death sensed the closeness of so many lives in peril, and his call was a siren’s song.
My home is where you are, silly godling. But fine. Let us fly to our deaths.
“Fate will twist our hands, even when we do not want it to.”
I think you know well enough now that not all his wounds are visible.
“I will not be what they made me,” she snarled, “even if you will.”
“You,” he rasped. “You are my every…reason.”
________________
🌶🌶🌶/5
Thank you so much Rachel Tork, Azala Press, and NetGalley for the e-arc of the gorgeous book.
November 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC. This is my honest review, as always.
3,5 ⭐️ rounded up
Fans of Fourth Wing will probably love this.
This was an enjoyable read overall, and there were several elements I genuinely loved.
What I loved:
The dedication: “For the Readers who prefer their romance served with a side of tragedy (and dragons)” — Perfect start and perfect way to describe the book!
I really enjoyed the protagonist’s arc from slave to dragon rider. Her training scenes were vivid and immersive. I could almost see the action unfolding. Although I wish we had learned more about the gods earlier on, perhaps through stories or cultural lore, I really enjoyed this world.
As always, I’m a sucker for romance in a fantasy setting. The soulmate angle — destined to find each other in every lifetime — was exactly the kind of trope I adore. Their tragic backstory was a highlight for me.
The prologue, while confusing at first, became one of my favourite parts once I finished the book and went back to reread it. In retrospect, it added a beautiful layer to the story.
What didn’t work as well for me:
The first 25% of the book felt agonisingly slow. There was plenty of world building, but the repetition of information kept me from settling into the rhythm of the story.
The foreshadowing was also heavy-handed at times, making the plot more predictable than I would have liked. I found myself getting frustrated with Soren, who took a long time to realise things that were already obvious to the reader.
One major issue for me was the protagonist’s relationship with her sister. For the first half of the book, finding her sister is her main motivation. She isn’t trying to rebel against her oppressors; she’s simply trying to stay out of trouble, serve her princess, and locate her sister. [I'am trying not to spoil the book for you]. Let's just say: considering how central this relationship was meant to be, I expected a far more emotionally complex resolution.
I also stumbled on a few sentences where the repetition of the same word made the writing feel clunky, such as «…Soren told her. “We told you…”». Since this was an ARC, I trust these small issues will be fixed before publication, and they didn’t ruin my reading experience.
My favourite quotes:
«He looked at her like it hurt» (bonus points for being true… he did saw her die before)
«For my safety or for theirs?» (I love a snarky comeback)
«He froze, a kind of predatory stillness , a mortal could not achieve»
«Fire and Night. Death, burning and ablaze»
«The hand of fate was coming»
«I would like to think it’s not a crime to fuck my husband»
«Imminent death had a taste, a scent, even a feeling. Thanatos knew them all intimately.»
One last note: The dreams could be in the beginning of a new chapter instead of having an entire chapter for 1 dream.
3,5 ⭐️ rounded up
Fans of Fourth Wing will probably love this.
This was an enjoyable read overall, and there were several elements I genuinely loved.
What I loved:
The dedication: “For the Readers who prefer their romance served with a side of tragedy (and dragons)” — Perfect start and perfect way to describe the book!
I really enjoyed the protagonist’s arc from slave to dragon rider. Her training scenes were vivid and immersive. I could almost see the action unfolding. Although I wish we had learned more about the gods earlier on, perhaps through stories or cultural lore, I really enjoyed this world.
As always, I’m a sucker for romance in a fantasy setting. The soulmate angle — destined to find each other in every lifetime — was exactly the kind of trope I adore. Their tragic backstory was a highlight for me.
The prologue, while confusing at first, became one of my favourite parts once I finished the book and went back to reread it. In retrospect, it added a beautiful layer to the story.
What didn’t work as well for me:
The first 25% of the book felt agonisingly slow. There was plenty of world building, but the repetition of information kept me from settling into the rhythm of the story.
The foreshadowing was also heavy-handed at times, making the plot more predictable than I would have liked. I found myself getting frustrated with Soren, who took a long time to realise things that were already obvious to the reader.
One major issue for me was the protagonist’s relationship with her sister. For the first half of the book, finding her sister is her main motivation. She isn’t trying to rebel against her oppressors; she’s simply trying to stay out of trouble, serve her princess, and locate her sister. [I'am trying not to spoil the book for you]. Let's just say: considering how central this relationship was meant to be, I expected a far more emotionally complex resolution.
I also stumbled on a few sentences where the repetition of the same word made the writing feel clunky, such as «…Soren told her. “We told you…”». Since this was an ARC, I trust these small issues will be fixed before publication, and they didn’t ruin my reading experience.
My favourite quotes:
«He looked at her like it hurt» (bonus points for being true… he did saw her die before)
«For my safety or for theirs?» (I love a snarky comeback)
«He froze, a kind of predatory stillness , a mortal could not achieve»
«Fire and Night. Death, burning and ablaze»
«The hand of fate was coming»
«I would like to think it’s not a crime to fuck my husband»
«Imminent death had a taste, a scent, even a feeling. Thanatos knew them all intimately.»
One last note: The dreams could be in the beginning of a new chapter instead of having an entire chapter for 1 dream.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2025
Soren Cavell’s story hit me harder than I expected, it was like someone quietly tucked a blade between my ribs and twisted with every chapter. Taken from Mise as a child, forced into servitude under the very king who destroyed her family, she begins this book already carrying wounds most people couldn’t survive and yet…. she does. She serves as a handmaiden to Princess Aren, bound by duty and circumstancez that is until fate decides it’s done watching her crawl.
Because when a rare moon white dragon chooses her at the Choosing Ceremony.... her, the stolen girl with a shattered past, the entire war shifts and so did something inside me. Seeing Soren step into Aren’s army, finally claiming a place that was never supposed to be denied to her, was one of those quiet but powerful moments that stays lodged in your chest.
But it isn’t just the rise of her power that grabbed me, it’s the dreams. The ones that stalked her since childhood, now vivid and haunting, like memories echoing through time and when Vane Evva enters the story; her trainer, her equal, her gravitational pull, you can feel something ancient and inevitable stitching itself back together between them.
And this is where the book went from good to rip-my-heart-out-and-feed-it-to-a-dragon levels of emotional chaos for me.
This book made me cry, scream, pace the house like a feral ghost, and then cry again. The plot twists? I thought I was prepared. Absolutely not. Rachel Tork did not come to play, she came to emotionally body slam me into the nearest kingdom wall. Every reveal felt like being smacked by destiny itself.
Soren and Vane?
They are what happens when love refuses to die. When connection survives war, time, memory, dreams and everything else. Watching them collide, unravel, and rebuild felt sacred.... the dynamic? Listen…. having the woman be the strongest force in the room? Delicious. Truly “knight saves the prince” energy, and I devoured every second of it. Soren starts off soft, wounded, unsure but the moment her power awakens, she becomes everything her enemies feared she might grow into and Vane? He meets her strength with devotion, not intimidation.
Rachel Tork crafted something breathtaking here: a story of war and destiny, yes but also healing, power, love that transcends lifetimes, and the brutal beauty of reclaiming what was stolen from you.
By the end, I wasn’t just reading about Soren and Vane, I was rooting for them with my entire soul. Their bond felt ancient, inevitable, and deeply earned. I’m genuinely forever in love with this world, with these characters, and with the way this story reminded me that even the most damaged hearts can rise again.
Because when a rare moon white dragon chooses her at the Choosing Ceremony.... her, the stolen girl with a shattered past, the entire war shifts and so did something inside me. Seeing Soren step into Aren’s army, finally claiming a place that was never supposed to be denied to her, was one of those quiet but powerful moments that stays lodged in your chest.
But it isn’t just the rise of her power that grabbed me, it’s the dreams. The ones that stalked her since childhood, now vivid and haunting, like memories echoing through time and when Vane Evva enters the story; her trainer, her equal, her gravitational pull, you can feel something ancient and inevitable stitching itself back together between them.
And this is where the book went from good to rip-my-heart-out-and-feed-it-to-a-dragon levels of emotional chaos for me.
This book made me cry, scream, pace the house like a feral ghost, and then cry again. The plot twists? I thought I was prepared. Absolutely not. Rachel Tork did not come to play, she came to emotionally body slam me into the nearest kingdom wall. Every reveal felt like being smacked by destiny itself.
Soren and Vane?
They are what happens when love refuses to die. When connection survives war, time, memory, dreams and everything else. Watching them collide, unravel, and rebuild felt sacred.... the dynamic? Listen…. having the woman be the strongest force in the room? Delicious. Truly “knight saves the prince” energy, and I devoured every second of it. Soren starts off soft, wounded, unsure but the moment her power awakens, she becomes everything her enemies feared she might grow into and Vane? He meets her strength with devotion, not intimidation.
Rachel Tork crafted something breathtaking here: a story of war and destiny, yes but also healing, power, love that transcends lifetimes, and the brutal beauty of reclaiming what was stolen from you.
By the end, I wasn’t just reading about Soren and Vane, I was rooting for them with my entire soul. Their bond felt ancient, inevitable, and deeply earned. I’m genuinely forever in love with this world, with these characters, and with the way this story reminded me that even the most damaged hearts can rise again.
October 30, 2025
Thank you so much Azala Press for sending me this ARC via Netgalley!
To Kill a Goddess is a standalone Fantasy Romance and I was so excited to read it after seeing all those intriguing posts on the author’s Instagram and it definitely didn’t disappoint, I loved this book.
Soren is a slave serving a princess of a kingdom at war with her own. When she is chosen to accompany the princess to a ceremony where she will be chosen by a dragon, in a twist of fate a dragon chooses Soren too and she must train to become a raider with Vane, a mysterious captain who seems to know more about her than he should and who appears in her dreams of the past. With her loyalties divided, not knowing who to trust and in the middle of war, Soren needs to uncover the secrets about her past and Vane before they all lose their lives.
I knew I was going to enjoy this book but the author truly blew me away. The fascinating world building, the dragons and their bonds with the riders, the high-stakes action, the plot twists and the beautiful romance, I loved it all and couldn’t put this book down. Soren was such a strong FMC, she was a slave but I loved seeing her embrace her new circumstances and become a badass. Vane… my heart was breaking for him at times even without having his POV, I could see his pain and love for Soren from the beginning and was rooting so hard for them to be together. They were an amazing couple and I loved all their scenes together, especially when they finally admitted their feelings, their relationship was full of heartbreak, secrets, pain but also yearning, trust and so much love, I adored them and loved every second I spent reading about them. I also loved the dragons, they were some of my favourite characters and their bonds were amazing. I also must admit I cried and almost had a heart attack nearing the end, but the ending was perfect and fit this story so well, I would love to see these characters again in this author’s other books, I know I’m going to miss them.
To Kill a Goddess is a really great fantasy romance book, I loved it and recommend it to everyone. I can’t wait for more books from this author.
To Kill a Goddess is a standalone Fantasy Romance and I was so excited to read it after seeing all those intriguing posts on the author’s Instagram and it definitely didn’t disappoint, I loved this book.
Soren is a slave serving a princess of a kingdom at war with her own. When she is chosen to accompany the princess to a ceremony where she will be chosen by a dragon, in a twist of fate a dragon chooses Soren too and she must train to become a raider with Vane, a mysterious captain who seems to know more about her than he should and who appears in her dreams of the past. With her loyalties divided, not knowing who to trust and in the middle of war, Soren needs to uncover the secrets about her past and Vane before they all lose their lives.
I knew I was going to enjoy this book but the author truly blew me away. The fascinating world building, the dragons and their bonds with the riders, the high-stakes action, the plot twists and the beautiful romance, I loved it all and couldn’t put this book down. Soren was such a strong FMC, she was a slave but I loved seeing her embrace her new circumstances and become a badass. Vane… my heart was breaking for him at times even without having his POV, I could see his pain and love for Soren from the beginning and was rooting so hard for them to be together. They were an amazing couple and I loved all their scenes together, especially when they finally admitted their feelings, their relationship was full of heartbreak, secrets, pain but also yearning, trust and so much love, I adored them and loved every second I spent reading about them. I also loved the dragons, they were some of my favourite characters and their bonds were amazing. I also must admit I cried and almost had a heart attack nearing the end, but the ending was perfect and fit this story so well, I would love to see these characters again in this author’s other books, I know I’m going to miss them.
To Kill a Goddess is a really great fantasy romance book, I loved it and recommend it to everyone. I can’t wait for more books from this author.
November 23, 2025
“Fear was enough to keep you chained”
To Kill a Goddess by Rachel Tork is a fast paced standalone romantasy with dragons and wyvers, battling kingdoms, court politics and cruel gods. There's a little mystery, fractured memories, and loyal dragons.
The worldbuilding was fairly easy to follow. The setting with the dragons and a selection ceremony was familiar, but worked well here.
The story follows, Sorin, a slave who works for the family and Princess Cion, who subjugates her people. When Soren accompanies Princess Cion to the dragon rider selection ceremony, the unthinkable happens: a dragon also chooses Soren as its rider.
Now, Soren, never prepared for life as a dragon rider, has to play catch up, receiving support from Commander Vane. But the dreams that have plagued Soren for years become more and more frequent, and soon she wonders whether she might know Vane, whom she has never seen before. Whether or not her heart has belonged to him for a long time.
The heavy theme of the oppression of Soren's people was poignant, as were the prejudices and punishments, along with the constant fear of accidentally doing something wrong.
----- “their systems are more fragile than they will ever admit”-----
---“that’s why they are so afraid of us, of any resistance.”----
Tork states that our voices hold power, and with the progression of this book, you get to see Soren, get her voice back and reclaim her power. And what a beautiful thing that was. (Also , does this all sound all to familiar and close to home for some? Given the world today?)
The love between the main characters, Soren and Vane, was truly beautiful and heartbreaking.
To Kill a Goddess is a heartwarming and tragic story about star-crossed lovers, gods and dragons in a war-torn setting with a heroine caught between past and present. I do recommend this to anyone who has read and liked books like Heavenly bodies and When the Moon Hatched.
I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy through Netgalley /Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op in exchange for my honest review.
To Kill a Goddess by Rachel Tork is a fast paced standalone romantasy with dragons and wyvers, battling kingdoms, court politics and cruel gods. There's a little mystery, fractured memories, and loyal dragons.
The worldbuilding was fairly easy to follow. The setting with the dragons and a selection ceremony was familiar, but worked well here.
The story follows, Sorin, a slave who works for the family and Princess Cion, who subjugates her people. When Soren accompanies Princess Cion to the dragon rider selection ceremony, the unthinkable happens: a dragon also chooses Soren as its rider.
Now, Soren, never prepared for life as a dragon rider, has to play catch up, receiving support from Commander Vane. But the dreams that have plagued Soren for years become more and more frequent, and soon she wonders whether she might know Vane, whom she has never seen before. Whether or not her heart has belonged to him for a long time.
The heavy theme of the oppression of Soren's people was poignant, as were the prejudices and punishments, along with the constant fear of accidentally doing something wrong.
----- “their systems are more fragile than they will ever admit”-----
---“that’s why they are so afraid of us, of any resistance.”----
Tork states that our voices hold power, and with the progression of this book, you get to see Soren, get her voice back and reclaim her power. And what a beautiful thing that was. (Also , does this all sound all to familiar and close to home for some? Given the world today?)
The love between the main characters, Soren and Vane, was truly beautiful and heartbreaking.
To Kill a Goddess is a heartwarming and tragic story about star-crossed lovers, gods and dragons in a war-torn setting with a heroine caught between past and present. I do recommend this to anyone who has read and liked books like Heavenly bodies and When the Moon Hatched.
I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy through Netgalley /Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op in exchange for my honest review.
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