Unwritten by the Gods

The Eternal Wars #0.5

by Caty Rogan

In a world ruled by gods and torn by rebellion, a serf-turned-rebel must face the man she once loved—and the betrayal that broke them.

As a serf in Selencia, Maera had no right to love Aelric, the son of the overlord. Aelric was forbidden to love her back, and when the gods reveal Aelric is an elite warrior his family tries to erase all evidence of their relationship, including Maera.
She escapes and forges herself into a weapon for the rebellion.

Ten years later, a chance mission brings her face-to-face with Aelric, the man she loved and mourned, forcing the truth of their past to collide amid the chaos of war.

As the rebellion escalates and the gods’ war looms, Maera and Aelric must confront their buried love, the scars of betrayal, and a secret that could change everything.

For fans of forbidden romance, second chances, and high-stakes rebellion, Unwritten by the Gods is a heart-wrenching tale of love, survival, and redemption.

Unwritten by the Gods is available in Bewitched Blooms: A Fundraiser Anthology for Zoë.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romance, Novella, Fiction, Second Chance

122 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2025

About the author

Caty Rogan wrote her first story at five—with crayons, dramatic flair, and a firm belief the Power Rangers were the villains. She later became an award-winning journalist, chasing stories across the globe.

Now she writes spicy romantasy full of badass heroines and he-falls-first heroes. Caty lives in Arizona with her two boss-girl daughters and her husband—her real-life he-falls-first hero—and survives on caffeine, popcorn, and pure chaotic energy.

Find her at www.catyrogan.com and on Instagram and TikTok @CatyRogan

Reviews

[Bea27x · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5
Really good and interesting. Being a novella there's not that much character development, but what we see of them is well done. A nice tease for a new world to read, it definitely piqued my curiosity for the series.

[shaelinslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novellas can be a tough thing to pull off, but this book was amazing!

I was tearing up throughout this whole thing. I loooove Maera, she’s so bad ass. I hope we get more of these characters in this series!

This tiny little thing packed a PUNCH.

5 stars!

[Emily-Rose At The Rose House · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You seduce me just by breathing”

Let me catch my breath, this fast paced novella has me so excited to dive into Kissed By The Gods!

Meddling gods, warriors, rebels, mythical creatures and hidden powers , I can’t wait to see how it all connects.

“The gods may have stolen our past, but our story continues. Unfinished. Unwritten. Unknown. And beautifully, wonderfully ours.”

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay wow!! So much happened in such a short novella. The writing is so wonderful, I already feel deeply connected to the characters. What a way to start to the series. It truly has me excited to continue to book 1 immediately!

Thank you so much to Caty Rogan and The Nerd Fam for the physical copy!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this after Kissed by the Gods even though this is a prequel. You already know what’s going to happen but I still cried. Happy tears of course. I’m looking forward to more from this series.

[TwinreadsandReds-Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok is this was just the prequel novella to this story I immediately know I’m going to love it! How did Caty Rogan make me fall in love with the characters so much in 88 pages?! 🤯

[Gabi Koz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read this in one sitting and I am now INSANELY EXCITED to dive into book 1!!! I’m shook - this was outstanding !!!

I seriously NEED more of Bri, Maera & Aelric NOW pls

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️

Tropes & what to expect:
- Romantasy
- Second chance romance
- Forbidden romance

You guys, I don't typically LOVE novellas, but this one was so good!

This was fast paced and such a page turner. I'm so excited to dive into book 1 now!

[Urbookgirly ౨ৎ˚(inactive cause phone is taken!)]

ON HOLD FOR NOW AS IM NOT FEELING LIKE I WANNA READ SECOND CHANCE.

[Karly · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.25/5) What a great snack of a novella before I jumped into book 1!

What to expect:
🪶 Fantasy romance novella
🪶 1st person, single POV
🪶 Second chance romance
🪶 Forbidden romance
🪶 Gods, magic & war

Spice rating: 🌶🌶
Available on KU (indie)

This book was a super fast-paced read that I finished in one sitting. It gave me a great initial foundation to this world, a taste for Caty Rogan's writing style, and had me excited to officially start Kissed by the Gods.

A sincere thank to Inkspire Author Services & Caty Rogan for gifting me a physical copy.

[Sandra's Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read.Full of meddling gods and mythical creatures! Forbidden love and second chance romance. You will love Maera and Aelric. The characters are written very well, and I'm looking forward to the next book after reading this page turner!

[Nawelle Feral Reader Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply moving, beautifully crafted novella that took my heart apart and put it back together with trembling hands. I picked this up right after finishing Kissed by the Gods, and I’m genuinely glad I read them in that order. Where Kissed hits with intensity, heat, and feral energy, Unwritten by the Gods follows like a quiet aftershock — gentler in size but devastating in emotional power. It felt like stepping into the soft, aching heart of the world after surviving the storm.

And somehow, this novella managed to carve its way even deeper into me as it expanded on what I had already learnt in KBTG.

This is a story about love that endures beyond death, beyond destiny, beyond the brutality of the world they live in. It’s tender and sharp all at once, filled with the kind of aching sacrifice that sneaks up on you. I wasn’t prepared for how much it would move me. I cried — the real, stinging-behind-the-eyes kind of cry — because the love in these pages is that powerful.

✨ Maera & Aelric
Their relationship is written with such emotional clarity that even the smallest gestures feel monumental. Rogan captures the full spectrum of grief, longing, anger, devotion — and threads it through every look, every breath, every touch.

The reunion scene?
I had to set my Kindle down. The rawness of his grief, the disbelief, the desperate tenderness… it’s one of the best reunion moments I’ve read all year.

And then there’s the moment Aelric learns he has a daughter. The awe. The tremble. The way he sees her and just breaks. It’s powerful without being melodramatic, and it floored me.

✨ Themes that lingered with me

Second chances— fragile, rare, and fought for with everything they have.
Fate vs. free will — the gods write stories, but love rewrites them.
Resilience — Maera’s strength is quiet but relentless; Aelric’s devotion is fierce enough to defy heaven.
Parenthood — unexpected, tender, and life-altering in the softest ways.

✨ Favourite quotes:
✨“Everything to do with you matters to me.”
✨“There are no gods here, Maera. Just you and me.”
✨“My strength is yours. My love is yours… even if the Kher’zenn take my body, they’ll never take my soul, because it already belongs to you.”
✨“The gods may have stolen our past, but our story continues. Unfinished. Unwritten. Unknown. And beautifully, wonderfully ours.”

✨ Final Thoughts
For a novella, this story carries the emotional weight of a full-length novel. It’s rich with heartache, devotion, and impossible choices — yet it never feels rushed or thin.

Reading it straight after KBTG made the experience even richer, almost like I’d stepped into a secret corner of the same universe where the tone shifts from battle and desire to intimacy and fate.

This is a story I’ll come back to when I want to feel something real and raw and hopeful.
Absolutely stunning and I was WHOLLY UNPREPARED.

[Chasing Silhouettes · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Once upon a time, there was a boy and a girl. They were the very best of friends. And then, as they grew older, the boy and the girl fell in love…” (Ch 5)

I absolutely love this prequel! Was about to read Kissed by the Gods eARC, but found out that this prequel existed in the Bewitched Blooms anthology, which I already had, but haven't yet had a chance to read. Figured I'd read this short story first as I have found that prequels often help a reader to have a deeper understanding of a series, or at least help enhance the journey.

"This kiss … It’s a battle that’s won and a war yet to be fought." (Ch 17)

Loved every aspect of this, the story, the love, and the secrets! Hoping it is a fine example and prelude of what is to come with this series. Even more excited to read Kissed by the Gods than I was before!

“Our story was written by the gods long ago, and we didn’t get a say in the ending.” (Ch 4)

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.5
Spice 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

This is an amazing set paced and intro prequel to a series I’m so excited for. It’s got great intro to our leading characters, with definitely leads to more depth for more layers to unfold.
World build wasn’t super fleshed out but you do grasp the concept quite well and can easily follow. Eager to see what the gods and fate decide for this little family.

[Amanie ✮⋆˙ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“ʜᴏᴡ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ꜱʜᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ꜱʜᴇ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ? ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴀᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴜᴄᴋɪɴɢ ɢᴏᴅꜱ ᴛʜᴇᴍꜱᴇʟᴠᴇꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɢɪᴠᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ — ᴍʏ ᴠᴇʀʏ ʙᴇɪɴɢ, ᴍʏ ᴇɴᴛɪʀᴇ ꜱᴇʟꜰ — ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ.”

After seeing all the hype around the upcoming release of Kissed by the Gods, I just haddd to pick up this prequel while I waited — and oh, I’m so glad I did.

This was such a beautiful introduction to this world. I’m confused, yes. But I’m also intrigued. Excited. Nervous. Absolutely buzzing with anticipation for what’s to come.

Caty’s writing is nothing short of magical — lyrical and aching and so full of heart. If this is how she wrote a prequel, I can’t even imagine what’s waiting for us in the first installment. My heart is so not ready, but I am counting down the days until I start the next book!!

This story felt like heartbreak and hope colliding — like falling apart and falling in love all at once.

And Aelric… oh, this man. The way he YEARNS. The way he loves. I was blushing, swooning, giggling into my pillow — it’s been a while since a character made me feel like that.

“You strip me of all reason, of all thought. Of control, of restraint, of anything that isn’t you.”

If you’re craving a story that will tug on every string of your heart and leave you daydreaming about star-crossed souls and fate-defying love, this prequel is the perfect place to begin. 💫

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Maera, the billion commander’s daughter, and Aelric, the Altor who was “lost” and never found, - two characters barely mentioned in “Kissed by the Gods”. They are also tied to the young girl, “Bri” who was introduced in KBTG as Leo’s (Leina’s little brother) best friend. Although SUPER minor characters in the first book, it looks like they will probably have some serious influence in books to come.

[Ashley Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unwritten by the Gods absolutely blew me away. Wow this prequel was incredible and I couldn’t put it down for a second. It sets the tone for what I know is going to be a top tier series.

Aeleic is already a top tier book boyfriend and I am fully obsessed. And Bri? I cannot wait to see who she becomes and how her power unfolds. The world, the tension, the setup, everything hooked me instantly.

I’m so excited to dive into Kissed by the Gods next. If the prequel is this good, I can only imagine what’s coming!

[Manal ྀིྀིྀིྀིྀི · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m pretty indifferent about this novella. It’s not because it’s short, I’ve read novellas with completely different characters from the main series and still ended up crying over them. This one just didn’t really do it for me.

I finished it in one sitting, and I can see the vision the author had. Maybe it would have worked better for me if I had read it after book one. Goodreads labels it as 0.5, so I assumed it was meant to be read first.

It could have been a really cute story if we had seen more of the characters especially when they were 19 and when everything actually went down. I wasn’t expecting them to be 29, and because of that it felt like we skipped over a lot.

I’m not even sure how to rate it because their story technically ended, but I still feel like I barely know anything about them. I wouldn’t say I disliked the book because I’m still planning to pick up the next one right away but this one just kind of… exists for me right now. Maybe my opinion will change after I read the second book.

Also, I’m not really a fan of Bri right now. She kind of creeps me out. I’m generally not a fan of storylines with children who have undiscovered powers, so that part didn’t really work for me.

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 5 out of 5]

UNWRITTEN BY THE GODS was a fantastic introduction to the ETERNAL WARS series and I can't wait to read book 1 when it comes out! The world-building was so intriguing and even though we don't have the full picture yet, it was still really easy to understand.

But what I truly loved was the romance between Maera and Aelric which had me swooning and highlighting quotes like crazy. Aelric was a warrior and protector and when he discovered the woman he loved wasn't dead like he thought, he didn't hold back. I loved how honest he was with Maera and how sweet he was with Bri. Throw in a few "good girls" and some dirty talk and yes please! I also really liked Maera and how she represented a different kind of strength with her resilience and devotion to her family.

Add a cute but not annoying kid, a budding rebellion, mysterious gods, and winged warhorses, and I loved everything about this.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:

I’ve broken into a thousand pieces and I’ve rebuilt myself. I gathered those pieces, no matter how sharp, and forged them into something stronger, something harder. I am not fragile. I am a mosaic of resilience and scars.

- - - - -

“You’re a force, Maera. I don’t protect you because I doubt your strength. I protect you because you’re everything to me.”

- - - - -

“Maybe tonight,” she says softly, “we can be the softness denied to us both. We can carry the weight for each other, even if just for a while.”

- - - - -

“You seduce me just by breathing, Maera.”

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a TEASER!

Unwritten by the Gods is a fast paced teaser for the upcoming series The Eternal Wars by Caty Rogan.

Ms. Rogan wasted no time, in 120 pages they have packed in so much action, romance and turmoil that if fleshed out- it could have been an epic novel of HUNDREDS of pages.

So- good thing the first in the series in coming in August.

In this, we meet Maera, who has no right to love Aelric, but that doesnt change their feelings. Ripped from her love, she is turned into a weapon for a rebellion. But, in tragic romantasy rules, she comes face to face with Aelric again...

Yes, you need to read this, and YES we are all excited to read the first in the series in August, stay tuned.

Thank you to the author and InkSpireServices for the chance to read and review.

[Aricka Shively · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such an amazing prequel to what I can imagine will be a completely insane (good) series that I am anxious to dive into! Rogan is so talented in the way she writes and creates this world that was seamlessly portrayed throughout this novella. The chemistry between our main characters, the inexplicable yearning and the devastation and hope we feel alongside them was fantastic. Plus the spice was immaculate if I do say so myself. I highly recommend everyone read this once it’s published, so we can all be waiting on the edge of our seats for the rest of the series!

[harli gadau · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ what a beautiful love story and such a perfect novella to set me up for the first book in this series! this one hit a little harder as well since i’m a mom now 🥺

cant wait to get into the next book and dive into the lore and world building more!!!!

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝘖𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯, 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 …”

Really intrigued to see where this story goes! Starting the first book now! The world seems really interesting!!!!

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m honestly floored. Very rarely do I feel this strongly about a novella, if ever. This packed so much character development and world building into 120 pages. I absolutely love Maera, Aelric, and Bri. I’m so excited to jump into book 1.

[Laura Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so lucky to be an arc reader for Kissed by the Gods by Caty Rogan. I absolutely loved it!!!!
I ordered a physical copy of Kissed by the Gods and it also came with a copy of the novella Unwritten by the Gods. :)

I loved getting to be back in the world Caty created.

Unwritten by the Gods is Maera and Aelric's story. They must confront their past in the chaos of a rebellion.

What to expect

-Forbidden romance
-High stakes
-Rebellion
-Second chance romance

I can't wait to see what happens next for these beloved characters!

[Maddy Freitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — This deserves a full-length novel, not just a novella!

It is CRIMINAL that this is just a novella. I need more. No, scratch that—I demand more. I’m genuinely mad at Caty Rogan (in the best way) because she wrote this beautiful story and it's a PREQUEL?!?!??! I was hooked by the first couple of pages, and this story is uniquely perfect. If you're reading this, just know that this series is going to be nothing short of epic.

I picked this up not expecting to fall so hard for it, but here I am, impatiently waiting for more. Highly recommend this to anyone looking to get in at the ground floor of what is sure to be a phenomenal fantasy series.

Thank you to the author and Inkspire for the ARC. I am so shocked at how much I loved this.

📚 Find me on Booksta + BookTok + Tome: @bookishsirensong – always down to scream about fantasy romances & ocean magic with fellow readers 💬🌊

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘙𝘌𝘝𝘐𝘌𝘞 ✨

GUYS. THIS NOVELLA. This novella i#has committed a crime. It is criminal that I felt so many emotions in 120 pages. I laughed, I cried (literally), I raged, and got it back together in 120 pages. That’s. Ridiculous. I cannot WAIT to read the rest of this story. Truly, I tell you.

𝕌𝕟𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕟 𝕓𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕠𝕕𝕤 will be a part of the Bewitched Blooms Anthology. This is a Fundraiser Anthology for Zoë. There will be 30+ romantasy and paranormal stories and novellas featured from some of your favorite authors!

Every purchase of Bewitched Blooms supports Zoë’s family, after they lost her to stage 4 colorectal cancer, and will go toward cancer research.

I’m so excited for the full novel!

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

'But I've shattered before. I've broken into a thousand pieces and I've rebuilt myself. I gathered those pieces, no matter how sharp, and forged them into something stronger, something harder. I am not fragile. I am a mosaic of resilience and scars.'

Look, we all know I'm not a very patient reader. I see some quotes shared on a review and they turn me feral and I need to read the book IMMEDIATELY. After seeing all the incredible reviews for Kissed by the Gods by @catyrogan, and knowing it doesn't release until later in the month, I've compromised and instead read her prequel novella, Unwritten by the Gods. And you guys?? It was worth every second!

A boy and a girl fall in love and are brutally separated. The find each other ten years later on opposite sides of a war - she a rebel, he a warrior.

The way Caty managed to squeeze emotional damage into a one hundred and twenty page novella needs to be studied. I love it when writing gives me those goosebumpy moments and there are plenty in this.

The yearning bleeds off the pages and the spice is emotional, bittersweet and undeniably hot 😏

Kicking off in a pleasurehouse, with war crossed lovers, political intrigue, rebels, gods blessed warriors and a WINGED WARHORSE, this is an excellent introduction to the Eternal Wars series and kept me completely fed until I can get my lil grabby hands on Kissed by the Gods.

And that cliffhanger at the end with Ryot? Just a little teaser of what's to come and I can't wait!

[Meg (fantasybook.adventurer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Unwritten by the Gods✨

For being a novella, this book hooked me and drew me in deeply with little effort. A sucker for second chance romance, my heart easily found its rhythm with our two MCs. And y’all. I cried. She made me cry twice within 120 pages.

In this prequel to Kissed by the Gods, we get to meet Aelric and Maera, two former lovers from ten years ago. When Maera enters the Crimson Feather for her secret mission, it is suddenly wrecked by the sight of the man she once loved who tried to kill her. And as Aelric’s gaze lands on the woman he thought died in a fire a decade ago, his purpose in life is shaken and questioned. In a kingdom where Aelric’s job now forbids him from love and the surprise appearance of a character equally wrecks his world as Maera has, duty and protection may mean leaving everything you thought you lost once again.

This novella packs such a punch in its swift telling. I could thoroughly have a full length novel between these two and it’s a testimate to Cary’s storytelling that she can weave such yearning, longing, presence, and emotion in such a short time. I immediately loved these characters and hope to see them again!

Tropes you may find in UBTG are light world building, magically enhanced warriors, good girl, I’ve got you, forbidden love, second chance romance, dual POV, 1 spice scene, banter, and an exciting ending that leads us into book one!!

[Amanda | bookishlaboratory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in its entirety in two hours overnight and I have zero regrets.

A mortal woman falls in love with an overlord's son, despite it being forbidden. His family attempts to erase her as the gods choose him to become a warhorse-riding demigod to fight off the nation's invading enemy. Ten years later, fate brings them back together and the gods begin to meddle in their war-crossed love, shifting fate itself for their biggest twist yet...

Can’t wait to read Kissed by the Gods 🙂‍↕️