Restless and Insurgent Gods

Labyrinth of Gods #3

by Debbie Cassidy

The path to glory is veiled in deception.

With the primordial evil free from its prison, my ascension is vital. The throne holds the power to help us lock away the evil for good. But there are forces at work that would rather not have me on the board, and the Authority will play every card in their hand to make sure I don’t claim my birth right.

But I made a vow, to the man I love, and to myself, to free the people of this world from the cages that the asura have placed them in. I will not fail.

Half-truths and lies pave the way to the throne. Discernment is all I have, and one wrong decision could cause everything to crumble.

With my demigod friends at my back, and Blue and Chandra by my side, victory feels possible.

But the primordial evil made me a promise in the labyrinth, and he’s coming to collect.

Leela’s journey continues in Restless and Insurgent Gods

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

297 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2025

About the author

Debbie Cassidy lives in England, Bedfordshire, with her three kids and very supportive husband. Coffee and chocolate biscuits are her writing fuels of choice, and she is still working on getting that perfect tower of solitude built in her back garden. Obsessed with building new worlds and reading about them, she spends her spare time daydreaming and conversing with the characters in her head. She writes Urban Fantasy, Romance, Fantasy and Reverse Harem Fantasy. All her books contain plenty of action, romance and twisty plots.

Connect with Debbie via her website at https://debbiecassidyauthor.com, email her at debbiecassidyauthor@gmail.com or check her out on twitter https://twitter.com/authordcassidy Sign up to her newsletter to grab a free short story, and stay up to date on new releases: http://www.subscribepage.com/f6u2k8 Or join her reader group on Facebook to stay in the know: https://www.facebook.com/groups/17595...

Reviews

[Mona Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Restless is right

My mind is still recovering. This story picks up right where the other one left us. So much happens in such a short time, and hold on, because you can't put it down, and the twists and turns it takes are just well restless.......love this series

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story continues for Leela and her friends and if you've read the series to this point...grab this book because you're not going to want to miss what happens next!
This installment slows things down for a good portion of the story. Leela is mourning what happened to Araz. She's not ready to let go and truly acknowledge that he's gone. But Chandra says that she must. That her time for ascension and claiming the throne is at hand. A good portion of this book focuses on Leela's emotional fall-out, her coming to terms with and piecing together her group of allies to depend on moving forward.
The pace is slower, but that doesn't mean that it stays that way. Gradually the pacing picks up and then before you know it you are in a race to the end. Brace yourself for another wild cliffhanger. The tension is going to build and build and build!! The closer we got the end the more our hair started standing on end, and the more excited chills we got! The final pages had us on the edge of our seat, and we may or may not have almost chunked our tablet thinking that the author was going to leave us hanging at certain moments. LOL! This book is a rollercoaster and we absolutely enjoyed the ride! Bring on the next book!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared for all of the feels in this book before starting reading it. It definitely made me a bit weepy in parts. I loved that Blue was there as a source of humour though. It was needed. I honestly thought that this book was the last one in this series so I was slightly frustrated that it wasn't. Saying that though Leela (FMC) is still trying to come to terms with the reprocussions of how book 2 ended throughout this book. The plot twists and turns were jaw droppingly brilliant all leading up to one bloody great cliffhanger ending. That completely threw me. I can't tell you how much I'm dying to get my hands on the final book now.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, what did I think?

I think this was a beautifully written follow-up to the cliffhanger in book 2. I love this series. I love the lore that Debbie has created in this story, and I appreciate the way she handled grief.

Book 3 has us back in the thick of it after Araz expresses his love for Leela before he is killed, his body taken by the Primordial evil, and the heart-aching loss that Leela finds herself in. I appreciate the space given to grieve in this book. I feel grief is different for many of us, and that despite all the juicy bits you come to love and long for in Debbie’s writing, this book is a bit different, and it was done perfectly. Don’t fret though, you saucy minxes. We love a steam bath, and omg, just you wait.

Leela, while grieving, is still in the midst of political intrigue and assassination attempts, doing the best she can and finding comfort where she can while maintaining her core beliefs. Blue is still so adorable and more important than ever, and I love that the little guy has gotten quite an arc himself.

This story is amazing. I cannot spoil all the details, as I hope others will pick up this series and enjoy it as much as I am, and find themselves in this miserable position of having to wait for the next book.

[Georgie 📚🐲✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot twists smacked me around and left me with with an open mouth and a brain screaming for the next book. 💥

This world got me fully invested

[Nikki Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another stunner from Debbie! Leela and Araz’s journey continues, the world building is sensational, and each event leaves you guessing. Another cliffhanger and left waiting for book 4! Can’t wait!

[Dreia Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say!! Debbie dropped some serious bombs with the third book in this series. I want to scream because we have to wait for the next book to find out what happens next. Beautiful storytelling is the standard for Debbie Cassidy and I can’t wait for more.

[Beba Andric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms Cassidy can never be accused of easing into a story, just like the previous 2 in this series, they start off with a bang! Picking up right after the devastating events of the previous book, my breath was already hitching. By the end of the book? Hell, I was FINISHED! Emotionally decimated!

Against all odds, against EVERYTHING the Authority threw at Leela, she survived the Labyrinth, the cost dreadfully, devastatingly high. Now, with the Throne's acceptance, Leela IS the new monarch. But...yeah, the Authority still wants her gone, like permanently extinguished, so they concoct and devise another hurdle for Leela to overcome, or to perish...before she can claim her rightful place as Queen. Everything is based on a lie, everything is built on a lie, everything is about a choice few retaining power, namely the Authority. So, instead of basking in the win, her heart has been shredded, the pain she feels, insurmountable. Araz is gone, she is left to pick up the pieces, to make right all that is wrong. She is not alone, she has her snarky Anchor Blue, she has the loyalty of her friends, she even has a thunderbird who bonded with her, she has a resolve that burns bright within. Through her anguish and despair, these words keep her sane, well, as sane as a broken heart can be, "The soul is resilient. It has the capacity for great healing if we allow it. If we open ourselves to it. But we cannot heal if we do not tend to our wounds. Tears must fall for healing to begin.” Her wakened state is a mess, her dream state even worse, confusing, distressing, realistic. I love Leela, she's so pure and good, she only wants to correct the wrongs done to so many, the problem is, who the hell WAS wronged?

Even though the tempo of this book was slower than the previous 2, it gave me a chance to catch a breath, get into the psychi of Leela and all she has to process. And it's a lot....It picked up pace somewhere just after the halfway mark and then it was the twisty turny rollercoaster ride of revelations, truths and half-truths. C'ael captured exactly what I was thinking, “Not what you thought you’d find, is it?” WHERE Leena ended up, WHAT she was exposed to, what she saw, was sooooo far from anything either she or I could have anticipated. And that, dear readers, is how this author "traps" me! And then... oh my heck, THEN Ms Cassidy turns it inside out, and I'm speechless, gobsmacked, whipped and battered by the THEN! She duped me so good and solid I was making involuntarily sounds, sounds of horror, disbelief and anguish. So much so, my husband asked me if I was ok....NO! FREKKING HECK, I WASN'T OK!!! I'M NOT OK! I loved some characters, I trusted some characters, I loathed some characters but they were like slippery eels, as I attached myself to one or another, they wriggled away. To bite me. This is the skill Ms Cassidy possesses, giving with one hand and clobbering with the other!

What a kaleidescope of shifting images, characters and events. Just as I was convinced I could align it all and see the true image, it blurred, it distorted into something unimaginable! What I was 100% certain I knew, I didn't. What I thought was going to happen, didn't. This author not only pulled the wool over my eyes, she wrapped it so tight, I was blindsided! And a few times at that...Superbly done! Muddied water? Frek! A maelstrom of murky, turbid sediment whipped up! The last few pages of the book, the Jaws soundtrack was pounding in my ears, the "dun, dun, dun, dun" was so loud, that was all I heard, my eyes glued to the unfolding words, silently urging Leela to race like the wind! I'm clinging to the thread of hope instilled at the end, that allowed my churning stomach to still, slightly....

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many surprises!

Another cliffhanger, I'm hanging on by a thread until the final book comes out. I cannot express how good this series is! I love all the twist and turns and unknowns I come across with each book. The betrayals and scheming, and let's be honest, the steamy parts too, are great.

This review will have nuggets from prior books so if you haven't read those, stop reading now. In Book 1, we learn Leela is the long missing queen. She was taken to earth to hide, but in order to save her life, her Nani removes the mark hiding her and men come to take her away to make her into a demigod. She's bonded to a drohi that hates her, and it put in training where she may not survive. In Book 2, Araz and Leela finally admit what's between them, but they try not to get too close because Araz knows he still needs to go to war to free his people. Leela, working to ascend to the throne, vows to free his people without war. She has to go through a test from the Authority, who definitely don't want her on the throne, and they are doing their best to be rid of her. What they throw at her is too much, and Araz sacrifices himself to the primordial evil to save her. Her family, Chandra, takes her to the royal palace to grieve until she can ascend. Now, in Book 3, Leela knows she needs to surround herself with people she can actually trust. So she ask her friends who have passed the labryinth to join her, but only if they choose. She's done with choices being take from the people in her domain - that includes making sure the anchors can come too. The authority have one final test for her - a possibly deadliy task, where you know, we know, they will all work to make sure she doesn't make it. There are definitely some duplicitous things occuring and even after the book ended, I still have questions. It may be more than just the Authority trying to get rid of Leela - and there may be questions on who she can truly trust.

[Vallene Boddington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Restless and Insurgent Gods by Debbie Cassidy book 3 in Labyrinth gods series
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶🌶🌶💀💀💀
I am absolutely obsessed with this romantasy. Restless and Insurgent Gods are filled with intrigue, creatures and major world building. The past is colliding with the present and a history rewritten has left our heroine on uneven playing field. It's hard to see whom to trust, whom to believe and whom to follow. Recovering from the brutal ending in Damned and Broken Gods only to be left realing with this one. These cliffhangers are a total doozy.
Leela's growth in this book was slower, more concentrated than before and gives an edge to her, almost makes her unknown entity to watch. Which i am totally loving. Blue is still MVP and his role is getting larger. Delving into Araz and the others might lead to spoiling the story, so I say this... buckle up you are in for some serious revelations and shocking truths. Boom! You are warned you may destroy your kindle 😎
Tropes:
Loss. Chosen family. Mystery. Cliffhanger. Action. Monsters. Intrigue. Tortured hero. Fated mates.
Quotes:
“The whole time heals thing?” “I know, it sounds prescribed. Like something people say to make grief seem finite, but there is truth in it. The soul is resilient. It has the capacity for great healing if we allow it. If we open ourselves to it. But we cannot heal if we do not tend to our wounds. Tears must fall for healing to begin.”

“Don’t do that. Don’t dim your joy because of me. We’ve both had loss.”

“No.” I kept my gaze fixed on Kalani, my eyes hot with the threat of tears. Tears of frustration and anger. “I want to address your daughter.” I took a steadying breath, and when I spoke, my tone was cold and even. “I will tolerate your insolence and your barbs if they are aimed simply at me, but dare speak of him or our bond with such disregard again, and I will exercise whatever power I have to ensure that you never speak his name again. Am I making myself clear?”

[Mrs R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 3 in the series, and is not the final book.

Leela is trying to claim her rightful place on the throne whilst trying to learn all she can about this new world she now lives in.

The story picks up where the last one left off, with Leela reeling from some pretty devastating losses. She’s trying to figure out how to help everyone, but The Authority is doing everything they can to stop her.

I find the world building quite complex. There is a lot to keep track of and so many things to learn and try and understand; the history of the gods and the different realms. There are a lot of specific terms for the different creatures, places, weapons, food, clothing. I was honestly so glad there was a glossary included; although I still feel like I'm missing out on understanding a lot more. I'm having to keep my own written notes on this series, otherwise I would be completely lost.

Leela isn't alone, though. She still has her close group of friends and her anchor.

Someone makes a reappearance, and I am so, so glad they do as they are one of my favourite characters and I hope they get to stick around.

I mentioned in my book 2 review that I'm still not over how Araz treated Leela from the first book and I'm still not a fan of his character at all, and I have a feeling we've probably not seen the last of him.

As the story progresses there are people who can be trusted and those that cannot - some are obvious and others have been hiding secrets. This not knowing who we can trust is absolutely keeping me turning the pages and waiting for the next book.

[Christina Lerew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Restless and Insurgent Gods is the kind of book that reminds you why you fell in love with epic fantasy in the first place. Debbie Cassidy raises the stakes sky-high in this installment of The Labyrinth of Gods, delivering a story that is fierce, emotional, and impossible to put down.
Leela continues to be a standout heroine—resilient, stubborn, and driven by a heart that refuses to surrender, even when the gods themselves seem stacked against her. Her journey is messy in the best way, filled with hard choices, sacrifices, and growth that feels earned rather than easy. Watching her step into her power while still clinging to her humanity made every chapter hit harder.
Araz’s storyline is especially gripping. His sacrifice—housing the primordial evil within himself—adds a haunting layer to every moment he’s on the page. Even bound by darkness, he never stops fighting his way back to Leela. That quiet, desperate determination makes their bond feel unbreakable and real. His struggle isn’t just against the evil inside him, but against fate itself, and it adds a powerful emotional undercurrent to the story.
What makes this journey even stronger is the unwavering support of Leela’s friends and the unexpected allies she gathers along the way. These relationships bring warmth, strength, and hope to an otherwise brutal world. The cliffhanger is brutal but I trust Debbie with my book heart and her piecing it back together.

[Samantha Silensky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is riddled with surprises and plot twists, and this book was no exception. We start off after the devastation from the last book, with Leela coming out on top of yet another challenge the authority has tasked her with. However, this one came with a tragic loss. Araz is gone. His soul lost thanks to the primordial evil, according to Chandra. But there’s twists and turns in this book that will leave you second guessing everything you knew, and then second guessing your second guesses.
This book does give blue a lot more character development, which I love. It also adds to the intrigue of the plot by quite a bit. The group is tighter than ever, not knowing who to trust, but they do second guess the story around the Anchors. If they are part of their own souls, why do they need to recharge away from them, in the nest?
Blue goes off on a side quest to help Leela, after learning she’s been taken, in ways no human can understand yet, and learns much more than one lifetime should comprehend. But how will all this information help everyone? And what’s the actual truth to the history they’ve all been told? How will they get Leela back? Most importantly, who can they actually trust, and who is putting on a show to be close to Leela?
I’m so excited for the next book. I’m low key obsessed with this series.

[KT Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you aren't reading the Labyrinth of Gods series yet, you are seriously missing out. I just finished book three, Restless and Insurgent Gods, and Debbie Cassidy is officially trying to ruin my life. This installment is where everything finally explodes—the stakes are higher, the world-building is darker, and the character growth is top-tier. Leela is finally leaning into her power and stopping the "victim" act, which is so satisfying to watch as she navigates all the deadly politics of the Asura.

But let’s talk about what we’re really here for: the tension. The slow-burn between Leela and Araz is honestly agonizing in the best way possible. They have that "forced proximity" and "fated bond" energy where they clearly want to kill each other half the time and devour each other the other half. The spice definitely cranks up in this one—I’d give it a solid 3 out of 5🌶️—and because the emotional buildup has been so intense over three books, the payoff feels totally earned.

It hits all the best tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found family, and a "chosen one" plot that actually feels unique thanks to the cool Hindu-inspired mythology. It’s fast-paced, super atmospheric, and has a cliffhanger that made me want to hurl my Kindle across the room. Seriously, go start the first book so we can scream about Araz together!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The good news is my heart’s not totally broken by the end of this one, but giiirl, am I mad! At the bad guys. Who the bad guys are? You’ll kind of have an idea, but absolutely will NOT know everything until the very end. Exactly how I love a book to end – even if Cassidy’s making me wait AGAIN for another book to find out what happens.

This one has a ton of cool twists, unexpected characters, and a slow piecing together of all the questions we’ve been racking up. If you want me to even hint about Araz and if he’s even in this book, that’s just not happening. What I will say is that I was already crying just a few pages into the book, and every time she was about to cry when someone brought him up, I just went ahead and cried for her.

Above all, this book is about Leela finally coming into her own, and realizing her own strength and importance. Of course, she has her friends, her adorable anchor, and her giant friend in the sky by her side at all times, and she makes some new allies. She’s getting ready to kick some serious ass, and she’s not going to depend on anyone to help her. She’ll gladly accept it, but if she has to go to her war on her own, she will. This was a buildup to something huge, and I’m dying to see her explode on everyone that’s against her and the freedoms she’s long fought for.

[Ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third, not the final, book in the “Labyrinth of Gods” series, where everything starts to come together again to blow it all up before the book is over. It fits this author’s style where you know you can’t trust things going well too soon… Still, this isn’t my favorite book in the series if I’m being honest, although it might be different if you read it right after the second book. It suffers a little from what I call “third book syndrome” and doesn’t flow the same way the first two books did. It isn’t necessarily bad though, it makes sense as a build-up to book four. But I did notice myself putting it down voluntarily at times anyway.

What I did like in this book, was not knowing who could be trusted and who couldn’t. This is not the book where you want to scream at the leading lady about being stupid, because you really don’t know if she is or isn’t. There are multiple possibilities keeping you on your toes while reading, and you might be tempted to say “I knew it”, but it could have just has easily gone into a different direction… So no matter what, I’m curious to see what book four will bring. For once the cliffhanger at the end is a hopeful one, so I’m excited to see where it leads.

[D K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original and Captivating Series! 🥰 3.75 Stars!

When I first stumbled upon this series I was really thrilled to have found such a wonderful gem. I was immediately drawn to the story and its characters. The mystery of it, the plot, the creative story and everything in between. Which is why it pains me to say, that after the first two books, I was a bit disappointed by this one. Don’t get me wrong, I am still fully invested in continuing reading the rest of the series, but I felt let down by a few things. For starters, I was happy to see the FMC Leela start showing more character growth and finally come to her own, only to see her backpedal at a later time in the book by crumbling her resolve without much effort and accepting so easily what she was told by the new “Araz”. I expected her to behave more cautiously and have more of a backbone. Secondly, her “retinue” or group of friends are hardly felt or seen in this third book. Up until this point they had been an integral part of the story. This book in general felt rushed and a bit convoluted in comparison to the rest of the series. I just hope the author will bring a fourth book that is as magnificent as the first two. Having said that, I still highly recommend this amazing series. Enjoy! 💜🩷💜

[Stephanie Surmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Not what you thought you’d find, is it?” C’ael said. I shook my head. “No. It isn’t.” And I still wasn’t sure I believed it.

"I love you. I love you with every aspect of my being…I would have come back for you. I would have loved you for eternity"


Well Debbie Cassidy has done it again......

We dive straight into the book following the cliffhanger at the end of the second book, I was hooked from the first line. Leela is such a strong and compassionate character. Her love for her friends and Araz is so strong but her grief doesn't stop her. the Authority throw everything at her, always finding some game to try and get rid of her and she beats them each and every time. Blue is my absolute favorite character, straight talking and loyal all the way through. Something tells me Blue is more important than we all realise. C'ael, now this is a confusing character but is definitely important going into the 4th book, cant wait to see his story play out.

Just when I thought that finally Leela and Araz have found their way back Debbie throws yet ANOTHER spanner in the works and has me questioning whether my heart can take anymore.

I cannot wait for the 4th book!

[Lene Blackthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow. I am speechless. Again. It seems every book by this author just gets better and better.
Leela's story continues after she lost Araz in the labyrith... but maybe not completely. The road to the throne is full of challenges and obstacles, the primordial evil is free, and there are many injustices embedded in the rules imposed by Asura.. and now it seems that the history has been rewritten. After all, the history is always written by the victor. And this book brings up many secrets, many revelations, and many answers; however it also raises many more questions and doubts. And, as usual, the stakes are sky high.
I absolutely love the complexity of this world and the inspiration by hindu/ Indian mythology. The story is very dynamic and an absolute emotional rollercoaster, with a great FMC and diverse cast of side characters, so everyone can pick a favorite. It always keeps me guessing what kind of shock will come in the next chapter (the only certainty is that there for sure will be a twist). I am rooting for Araz and Leela and their friends and anchors, and can't wait to see the next book out - it will be epic!

[Amelia Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 of 4 and they're not standalone, you need to read the others before this one, you will not be disappointed.

This is an amazing series and wow the twists and turns you didn't see coming will blow you away. I have shouted a couple of times while reading this book as I didn't see the twist coming. The characters are amazingly written and you get a really good feel and understanding for all of them.

Leela is a Demi God with ancient royal blood and is recognised by the throne and will be crowned queen, but the authority will do anything to stop her. Can she along with her trusty group of friends and Drohi overcome all the obstacles put in her way to ascend and be crowned so that she can make the world better for everyone and stop the Primordial evil.

Warning this ends on a cliff hanger that will leave you desperate to find out what happens next and how this story will end. I cannot wait for the last book in the series as I have to know the ending and am praying for a HEA all around because wow there is a lot that needs tying up and I need the answers.

This series is a must read

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debbie Cassidy is trying to kill me with this series. Restless and Insurgent Gods was epic! At the beginning, Araz is gone. Leela is grieving, and I'm right there beside her. I made the horrendous decision to start this book in public and was bawling. The grief is forging Leela into something stronger and sharper. She's become a fine leader, and her friends are right there beside her, and so is her anchor. Blue is just as adorable as ever. I loved how protective he was of Leela. He even had his own missions. Blue has become an important character in the story. I'm pretty sure Blue is more than he seems.


The story was a little fast-paced. There was always something going on, or some kind of new information was revealed, but I'm starting to see a bigger picture. Things weren't adding up, and it was starting to get hard to distinguish allies from enemies. After a rollercoaster of twists and turns, I was left gobsmacked by the revelations. Gods, Restless and Insurgent Gods wrecked me! This book was brutal but worth it!

[Ioana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Restless and Insurgent Gods by Debbie Cassidy is the 3rd book in the Labyrinth of Gods.
After Leela is told that she lost Araz forever, she needs to find the strength to continue her journey to Ascension, which is critical in the fight with the primordial evil who also took over the body of her sweet and broody soulmate.
We see more of Blue's adventure to help, and I have a feeling he is way more special than we already believed.
The Authority are feeling more threatened by Leela's ascension and are trying everything possible to get rid of her, not knowing that she has allies.
C'ael, the character we met in book 2, is making an appearance again, and I'm very curious about what his actual destiny is.
What I loved the most about this specific book was that Debbie decided to glue back our broken hearts after she unalived two of the most awesome characters in books 1 and 2. ❤️❤️❤️
Can't say there is something I didn't like because, just as usual, for a few hours I just forgot about the real world.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[iliana G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really do not know what to say about this book.....

This is the 3rd book in the series and i really do not know where to start from. I still feel my heart beating and i am not recovering well from this book.
So many things happening and the story progresses rapidly.
In this book we mainly see Leela trying to become the Queen and trying to cope with the loss of Araz.
It is hearbreaking and the struggles she is facing are real and she has to come up against betrayals and scemings and the primordial evil.

Fast paced with the story having so many twists and turns that it feels like you are in a rollercoaster.
The ending was an amazing hook to reel readers more into the story!
I absolutely love this story and i could write so much about it but i do not think i can without spoilers.

The author has done an amazing job with the characters and the depth of each one and i have to note here how much i adore blue!
But you can also see how much she had delved into the culture of the Indian people and the gods and godesses the have.
absolutely amazing

[Cassandra James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Restless and Insurgent Gods (Book 3 in the Risen Empire Series) by Debbie Cassidy is an exhilarating continuation of an enthralling urban fantasy saga that pushes the boundaries of magic, power, and destiny. As the third installment in the series, it picks up the intense narrative established in the previous books while intricately weaving in new elements, making it a must-read for fans.

In this installment, readers follows Leela as she grapples with the consequences of her choices amidst a world teetering on the brink of chaos. The stakes are higher than ever as ancient forces awaken, and alliances are tested. The plot unfolds with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, exploring themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the ever-blurring lines between right and wrong.

Restless and Insurgent Gods is a powerful addition to the Risen Empire series that will satisfy loyal fans and newcomers alike. I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a blend of magic, adventure, and emotional depth.

[FluffPandas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gripping novel in a series that had me hooked from the get go, and kept reeling me in with plot.

I have once again considered taking up cliff diving as a profession (the cliffhanger on the previous book was intense) and I am once again reeling from the ending of this one.

This series is all about Leela's journey and whilst you feel everything she does and feel like you are experiencing, her heartache and happiness with her, it doesn't stop there.

The world is beautifully penned with characters that feel real and aren't just at the periphery of the story. What they do matters, how they feel matters and every detail is important and adds to the immersive atmosphere.

Some of the characters I feel I could do without - but that's only because I don't like them - Yes Araz looking at you, however that just means fantastic writing on the author's part.

If you want cookie cutter, this is anything but, however if you are looking for an adventure to dive into - fly back to Book 1 and prepare to swim into the whirlpool.

[JackaayReadsallday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh 👏 my 👏 gods 👏 I thought the ending to the last book broke my heart…these cliffhangers DC leaves me with is just killer…I thought this was a trilogy but I realize now that I was mistaken… It does make me happy that in the last 10% of the book I didn’t get a stupid short wrap up that would have left me unsatisfied… I also should expect emotional damage from this author by now… She knows how to reel me in and grab my attention in just a few short sentences and keep me in an emotional chokehold throughout the entire story. Did I avoid adulting today? Yes I did… Do I regret it at all? No I don’t… But I should probably avoid reading her books while I am in certain times of the month because that shit makes me emotional. I was extremely attached to a few characters in the very beginning of this series, and color me surprised to find out that they’re not dead… So yay! But I did not get enough time with them in this book, I can’t wait to see how the rest of this shakes out. I am so anxious and impatiently waiting for the next book… It’s gonna hurt so good!

[Amanda Matthiessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back in the Labyrinth of Gods Series for book 3 with Leela, her gang, and Araz. We dive deeper into this world with more twists and turns leaving you wondering which way this story will go. Just when you thought you had it figured out, Debbie throws more at you and gives you more of a glimpse into the back story that is full of lies. And I am all here for it! Poor Leela is in the middle of it all but she is so strong. She is uncovering more about the past of the djinn and Asura that has been twisted twice so no one has the full story. Her past lives are coming into play as she grows in power and strength. I absolutely love her anchor Blue and he has a crucial role in this book with uncovering the past. There is so much going on but at the same time, it ties everything together. The cliffy was a whirlwind but you saw it coming and you can't wait to see what happens next. Book 4 will have a lot of ground to cover but Debbie is amazing with this. It is going to be epic!

[MandyViolete · Rating 5 out of 5]

holy book pages!!

Ahh!! I love this series so much!! This one gives so many answers but also throws a few more mysteries in. We get the action that I love, spice, and intrigue - you just can’t get a better series! We went from deadly trials and forbidden love to doubly forbidden love and a little more deadly-ness, and questioning who in this world is even trustworthy anymore?? I love it! If you enjoy fast paced adventure, fantasy full of mythology based threads, high stakes and where every bread crumb counts - this is the series for you! The author does a phenomenal job of not just pulling us in and keeping us addicted to every page, but making sure every single moment is accounted for without filler. We get more survive or die, zero to hero, fated mates (man that seems like an understatement), found family, and all the intrigue!! Did I mention the intrigue? I have so many questions!! Book 4 cannot come soon enough!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved Restless and Insurgent Gods! Debbie Cassidy has created such a rich, immersive world rooted in Indian mythology that feels fresh and incredibly high-stakes. The story of Leela’s journey toward ascension is filled with exactly the kind of tension, betrayal, and dark romance that keeps you turning pages late into the night.

One thing I particularly appreciated was the inclusion of the glossary. Because the world-building is so deep and some of the language and names were unfamiliar to me, I occasionally found it a bit difficult to keep track of everyone. Having that reference guide made a huge difference! It allowed me to fully enjoy the complex plot and the 'Asura' lore without getting lost in the terminology.

If you love 'romantasy' with strong female leads and a unique mythological twist, I highly recommend this series. Just keep that glossary bookmarked it’s a lifesaver!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly had no idea how this book was even going to work after the end of book two, and that alone had me stressed before I even started. This one hurts. Like deep, sit-with-it kind of hurt.

I loved how much space this book gives Leela’s pain. Seriously. My heart. She is grieving, broken, and still expected to hold everything together while the world keeps pushing her forward. She doesn’t magically get better and I appreciated that so much. She survives one moment at a time, and watching her keep going even when she’s falling apart made me love her even more.

The pacing slows just enough to let everything sink in, and then it starts twisting again. Politics, lies, danger, and reveals that made me stop and stare at my Kindle like… wait WHAT. Nothing is simple anymore and nothing is what it seems.

By the end, I was emotionally wrecked and completely invested all over again. This series owns me. I NEED the next book immediately.