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Blood of Gods and Girls: A fierce feminist fantasy
A fierce feminist fantasy romance for fans of For She is Wrath, We Hunt the Flame, The Gilded Ones and Children of Blood and Bone.
When she bleeds, the Kingdom falls.
At five years old, Nisha was selected to be the Mortal Goddess – a vessel for the great Goddess Shantavi. But on her twelfth birthday, Nisha escaped the temple before she could be sacrificed at the hands of the Immortal King.
Now the Kingdom searches for its new Mortal Goddess and their eye has fallen on Ratna, the only family Nisha has left.
Helped by a Golden Eagle Warrior and the only boy she has ever trusted, Nisha must learn to embrace her power in order to liberate her people.
It’s time to take the Kingdom back.
When she bleeds, the Kingdom falls.
At five years old, Nisha was selected to be the Mortal Goddess – a vessel for the great Goddess Shantavi. But on her twelfth birthday, Nisha escaped the temple before she could be sacrificed at the hands of the Immortal King.
Now the Kingdom searches for its new Mortal Goddess and their eye has fallen on Ratna, the only family Nisha has left.
Helped by a Golden Eagle Warrior and the only boy she has ever trusted, Nisha must learn to embrace her power in order to liberate her people.
It’s time to take the Kingdom back.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 29, 2026
Das Buch schien mir vom Klappentext her viel Potential zu versprechen. Es hat den Ton einer Dystopie in einer High Fantasy Welt versprochen, zumindest vom Klang her und das fand ich interessant.
In dieser Hinsicht spielt es auch eine klassische Dystopiegeschichte nach: Der Protagonist, der in einem kaputten System eine Rebellion oder ein Umdenken anzettelt. Ich mag in dieser Hinsicht wie auch wirklich stark angezeigt wurde, wie nur eine Person, in diesem Falle der König, mit seinen Entscheidungen ein ganzes System lenken kann, bis zu dem Punkt, an welchem die ganze Geschichte des Reiches glaubhaft geändert wurde. Das wurde stark beschrieben. Was dabei auch klar ist und auch deutlich hervorgehoben sind, ist die Tatsache, dass in dieser Gesellschaft die Frauen noch mehr benachteiligt sind. Das möchte ich auch keineswegs bestreiten, aber manchmal wird es vom Text her etwas angedeutet, als sei es Schuld aller Männer und nicht einfach des einen Diktators, der das System so aufgebaut hat und nichts weiter gegen die Massnahmen dieser Rollenverteilungen unternommen hat.
Und da war für mich auch ein klein wenig das Problem: Die Tonlage. Das Buch kommt immer wieder nah an die sehr einseitige Message von «Alle Männer sind scheisse» dran, besonders bei der Beschreibung des Zufluchtortes für die Frauen, der einfach nur als rundum perfekt beschrieben wird, obwohl wirklich jeder Mann, sobald er ausgewachsen ist, nicht dortbleiben will, was schon genug über die Gesellschaft aussagen sollte. Die Geschichte versucht es immer wieder gut auszugleichen, was ich nur loben kann, aber das nagende Gefühl verlies mich trotzdem nicht.
Trotz dieser Tonlage konnte die Schreibweise noch immer überzeugen. Gerade die Beschreibungen und die Rückblicke konnten in dieser Hinsicht strahlen. Diese Szenen haben mir wirklich gefallen. Auch die Verstrickung mit der Göttin und dem Mythos, sowie auch die Rituale am Tempel wurden interessant beschrieben. Gleichzeitig kommt man auch rasant hindurch, ein stückweit auch, weil man eben die Grundstruktur der Geschichte doch auch schon kennt.
Gesamthaft ist es also ein wirklich interessantes Buch, welches in vielerlei Hinsicht auch überzeugen kann. Die Basis ist zwar auf einem sehr klassischem Geschichtsstrang aufgebaut, was es aber immerhin einfach zu lesen macht. Von mir gibt es vier Sterne dafür.
In dieser Hinsicht spielt es auch eine klassische Dystopiegeschichte nach: Der Protagonist, der in einem kaputten System eine Rebellion oder ein Umdenken anzettelt. Ich mag in dieser Hinsicht wie auch wirklich stark angezeigt wurde, wie nur eine Person, in diesem Falle der König, mit seinen Entscheidungen ein ganzes System lenken kann, bis zu dem Punkt, an welchem die ganze Geschichte des Reiches glaubhaft geändert wurde. Das wurde stark beschrieben. Was dabei auch klar ist und auch deutlich hervorgehoben sind, ist die Tatsache, dass in dieser Gesellschaft die Frauen noch mehr benachteiligt sind. Das möchte ich auch keineswegs bestreiten, aber manchmal wird es vom Text her etwas angedeutet, als sei es Schuld aller Männer und nicht einfach des einen Diktators, der das System so aufgebaut hat und nichts weiter gegen die Massnahmen dieser Rollenverteilungen unternommen hat.
Und da war für mich auch ein klein wenig das Problem: Die Tonlage. Das Buch kommt immer wieder nah an die sehr einseitige Message von «Alle Männer sind scheisse» dran, besonders bei der Beschreibung des Zufluchtortes für die Frauen, der einfach nur als rundum perfekt beschrieben wird, obwohl wirklich jeder Mann, sobald er ausgewachsen ist, nicht dortbleiben will, was schon genug über die Gesellschaft aussagen sollte. Die Geschichte versucht es immer wieder gut auszugleichen, was ich nur loben kann, aber das nagende Gefühl verlies mich trotzdem nicht.
Trotz dieser Tonlage konnte die Schreibweise noch immer überzeugen. Gerade die Beschreibungen und die Rückblicke konnten in dieser Hinsicht strahlen. Diese Szenen haben mir wirklich gefallen. Auch die Verstrickung mit der Göttin und dem Mythos, sowie auch die Rituale am Tempel wurden interessant beschrieben. Gleichzeitig kommt man auch rasant hindurch, ein stückweit auch, weil man eben die Grundstruktur der Geschichte doch auch schon kennt.
Gesamthaft ist es also ein wirklich interessantes Buch, welches in vielerlei Hinsicht auch überzeugen kann. Die Basis ist zwar auf einem sehr klassischem Geschichtsstrang aufgebaut, was es aber immerhin einfach zu lesen macht. Von mir gibt es vier Sterne dafür.
July 4, 2026
What an absolutely beautiful fantasy novel. I loved every part of this book, the strength of the girls and women in this book was truly inspiring and brought me to tears. Such beautiful writing and world building.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
an amazing story with middle eastern feel. I could not put this down
July 7, 2026
Thank you so much, Penguin Australia, for gifting me a copy of Blood of Girls & Gods in exchange for my review.
It was an interesting story set in a fantasy world where patriarchy rules, and women are second-class citizens.
Nisha was a special girl from childhood, as she was chosen to be a vessel of the great goddess Shantavi in the flesh. On her twelfth birthday, she escapes the temple as she discovers a dark secret of the Immortal King, Katomato, who plans something really awful for the Kingdom. Since she is on the run, they need another Goddess, and Nisha’s street friend Ratna is selected. Help comes from an unexpected place, and a mysterious Golden Eagle Warrior helps girls to escape the city. Nisha reunites with people loyal to the cause of overthrowing the Immortal King and stumbles upon her old friend, who works with the enemy… or not.
I loved the main character, Nisha, for her fierceness and determination to fight for her friend Ratna and make sure she is safe. Her will to change the world and break the tyranny against women is admirable!
Even though this story is well-constructed, I would love to know more about the Immortal King's origin and to have a deeper look into Nisha's past.
Overall, it is an immersive fantasy with a powerful message to all women, reminding them that they all should be celebrated because they all have potential abilities & strength to change the world!
It was an interesting story set in a fantasy world where patriarchy rules, and women are second-class citizens.
Nisha was a special girl from childhood, as she was chosen to be a vessel of the great goddess Shantavi in the flesh. On her twelfth birthday, she escapes the temple as she discovers a dark secret of the Immortal King, Katomato, who plans something really awful for the Kingdom. Since she is on the run, they need another Goddess, and Nisha’s street friend Ratna is selected. Help comes from an unexpected place, and a mysterious Golden Eagle Warrior helps girls to escape the city. Nisha reunites with people loyal to the cause of overthrowing the Immortal King and stumbles upon her old friend, who works with the enemy… or not.
I loved the main character, Nisha, for her fierceness and determination to fight for her friend Ratna and make sure she is safe. Her will to change the world and break the tyranny against women is admirable!
Even though this story is well-constructed, I would love to know more about the Immortal King's origin and to have a deeper look into Nisha's past.
Overall, it is an immersive fantasy with a powerful message to all women, reminding them that they all should be celebrated because they all have potential abilities & strength to change the world!
July 10, 2026
A well-written and fast-paced YA fantasy with an intriguing set-up following a former 'Chosen One' who abandoned her post as Mortal Goddess and successfully faked her death - but she's reluctantly drawn back into the public eye and becomes a player again in the kingdom's politics when a loved one is taken as the next incarnation of the Goddess Shantavi.
I enjoyed Nisha's platonic relationships - the little sister she found as a baby and takes under her wing, the female warrior that starts off an adversary and ends up a close ally; these were heartwarming and not a common dynamic I find in books. It's a compelling story following her journey from merely surviving and feeling safer wearing the torc symbolizing the oppression of women in her culture to taking a stand despite the danger because striving for the freedom of all women mattered more.
This is better suited for the younger end of the YA audience; as an older reader, I struggled with Nisha's obliviousness to her own feelings and her love interest's which were telegraphed very obviously for the genre-savvy, but took ages to be resolved. I'm also not a fan of the trope of guys being jerks out of jealousy - this was thankfully challenged in the text, but still tiring to read about.
With thought-provoking themes and an inspiring message, this is a fun page-turner with creative world-building and characters that leap off the page.
Thanks to @penguinbooksaus for the review copy!
I enjoyed Nisha's platonic relationships - the little sister she found as a baby and takes under her wing, the female warrior that starts off an adversary and ends up a close ally; these were heartwarming and not a common dynamic I find in books. It's a compelling story following her journey from merely surviving and feeling safer wearing the torc symbolizing the oppression of women in her culture to taking a stand despite the danger because striving for the freedom of all women mattered more.
This is better suited for the younger end of the YA audience; as an older reader, I struggled with Nisha's obliviousness to her own feelings and her love interest's which were telegraphed very obviously for the genre-savvy, but took ages to be resolved. I'm also not a fan of the trope of guys being jerks out of jealousy - this was thankfully challenged in the text, but still tiring to read about.
With thought-provoking themes and an inspiring message, this is a fun page-turner with creative world-building and characters that leap off the page.
Thanks to @penguinbooksaus for the review copy!
July 6, 2026
Blood of Gods and Girls slowly worked its way under my skin and somewhere along the way I stopped thinking about where the story was going and started caring about who was going to make it through it.
That's always the point where I know a book has really clicked for me.
I spent so much of this book hoping the characters would catch a break, and then immediately wanting to know what they were going to do next when things inevitably got complicated again.
Their relationships were the heart of the story for me.
Those quieter conversations and little moments between them ended up meaning just as much as everything happening around them.
I also loved that the world never felt like it was trying to impress me.
It just quietly unfolded piece by piece, and before I knew it I felt completely at home in it.
It made discovering new parts of the story feel really rewarding.
I also really loved how the magic and mythology were woven into the story. It never felt like they were there just to make the world feel bigger.
They shaped the characters, the choices they made, and the danger surrounding them.
I loved uncovering more about the gods, the history, and how everything connected. It made the world feel ancient.
That's always the point where I know a book has really clicked for me.
I spent so much of this book hoping the characters would catch a break, and then immediately wanting to know what they were going to do next when things inevitably got complicated again.
Their relationships were the heart of the story for me.
Those quieter conversations and little moments between them ended up meaning just as much as everything happening around them.
I also loved that the world never felt like it was trying to impress me.
It just quietly unfolded piece by piece, and before I knew it I felt completely at home in it.
It made discovering new parts of the story feel really rewarding.
I also really loved how the magic and mythology were woven into the story. It never felt like they were there just to make the world feel bigger.
They shaped the characters, the choices they made, and the danger surrounding them.
I loved uncovering more about the gods, the history, and how everything connected. It made the world feel ancient.
June 28, 2026
Advanced Copy.
In einer Welt in der Frauen keine Rechte haben und unterdrückt werden muss sich eine Frau erheben um dies zu ändern.
Die Göttin der Insel hat sich von den Frauen abgewandt. Diese müssen sich ihr beweisen. Unter dem herrschenden König werden seit jeher Regeln erlassen, die dazu führen sollen die göttin zu besänftigen. Außerdem dient immer ein Mädchen als sterbliches Gefäß für die Göttin.
In diesem Buch gibt es einige Parallelen zu unserer Welt. Sowohl das Gefäß für die, als auch Kulturen die Frauen unterdrücken gibt es auch bei uns.
Dabei wird in diesem Buch eine Frau auserkorenen dem ein Ende zu setzen. Es braucht eine um eine Veränderung ins Rollen zu bringen, aber viele um sie auch wirklich zu vollziehen.
In einer Welt in der Frauen keine Rechte haben und unterdrückt werden muss sich eine Frau erheben um dies zu ändern.
Die Göttin der Insel hat sich von den Frauen abgewandt. Diese müssen sich ihr beweisen. Unter dem herrschenden König werden seit jeher Regeln erlassen, die dazu führen sollen die göttin zu besänftigen. Außerdem dient immer ein Mädchen als sterbliches Gefäß für die Göttin.
In diesem Buch gibt es einige Parallelen zu unserer Welt. Sowohl das Gefäß für die, als auch Kulturen die Frauen unterdrücken gibt es auch bei uns.
Dabei wird in diesem Buch eine Frau auserkorenen dem ein Ende zu setzen. Es braucht eine um eine Veränderung ins Rollen zu bringen, aber viele um sie auch wirklich zu vollziehen.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early copy!
I had the chance to meet this author in 2025 at a YA book event and hearing her speak about this novel made me so excited to pick it up and I'm glad to say I really enjoyed this!
The pace was fast enough to keep me engaged but also offered slower moments to really connect with the characters.
This book was a wonderful and inspiring story for women to believe in their own strength. Everyone should have the freedom to choose their own path no matter what that looks like.
'But things don't "work out" just because you wish, hope or pray they will. You have to shape your future yourself, with your voice, with your hands, and with your actions'
I had the chance to meet this author in 2025 at a YA book event and hearing her speak about this novel made me so excited to pick it up and I'm glad to say I really enjoyed this!
The pace was fast enough to keep me engaged but also offered slower moments to really connect with the characters.
This book was a wonderful and inspiring story for women to believe in their own strength. Everyone should have the freedom to choose their own path no matter what that looks like.
'But things don't "work out" just because you wish, hope or pray they will. You have to shape your future yourself, with your voice, with your hands, and with your actions'
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
I loved every single page of this book and devoured it in a day.
This is one that I will recommend to all of my friends to read.
Kaine has a talent for world building and I was immersed from page 1. Nisha is an incredibly compelling FMC and watching her develop from start to finish was delightful. This book holds an important message and delivers it exceptionally well, whilst also sprinkling in some of the fluff that makes a book all the more enjoyable.
Feminine rage? Yes.
Cutesy romance? Yes.
Hilariously funny one-liners tossed in here and there? Absolutely, yes.
10/10 for me! A fantastic standalone read.
I loved every single page of this book and devoured it in a day.
This is one that I will recommend to all of my friends to read.
Kaine has a talent for world building and I was immersed from page 1. Nisha is an incredibly compelling FMC and watching her develop from start to finish was delightful. This book holds an important message and delivers it exceptionally well, whilst also sprinkling in some of the fluff that makes a book all the more enjoyable.
Feminine rage? Yes.
Cutesy romance? Yes.
Hilariously funny one-liners tossed in here and there? Absolutely, yes.
10/10 for me! A fantastic standalone read.
May 29, 2026
This is one of those books that I know is going to stay with me for such a long time!
I enjoyed the premise, it was so unlike anything I’ve read before. The feminism throughout was so well handled and I honestly have such high praise for this book. It’s crazy that it’s a debut!
The only niggles I have is that there were times when things were over explained and it was a lot of telling which pulled me out of the story slightly. But in the grand scheme of things, it is a very small niggle!
Thank you for the ARC
I enjoyed the premise, it was so unlike anything I’ve read before. The feminism throughout was so well handled and I honestly have such high praise for this book. It’s crazy that it’s a debut!
The only niggles I have is that there were times when things were over explained and it was a lot of telling which pulled me out of the story slightly. But in the grand scheme of things, it is a very small niggle!
Thank you for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This stunning and much anticipated YA fantasy is an absolute joy - beautifully written with rich immersive world building and brave, relatable characters to root for.
Fiercely feminist as promised, it is refreshing to see male allies among the cast, portrayed with nuance.
Katja Kaines's debut is vivid, thought provoking and powerful (and it even has a flying lioness - what more could you ask for?!). Five shining stars.
Fiercely feminist as promised, it is refreshing to see male allies among the cast, portrayed with nuance.
Katja Kaines's debut is vivid, thought provoking and powerful (and it even has a flying lioness - what more could you ask for?!). Five shining stars.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews