What do you think?
Rate this book
The Stolen Idol
Not yet published
Expected 11 Feb 26Jaimie Whitfield is accused of being a fae changeling, a creature who kidnaps children and assumes their form. If he does not escape, his father will execute him and invade the fae kingdom all because his father would rather believe his son has been taken by the fae than accept his son’s sexuality.
As Jaimie awaits his demise, he turns to the forbidden broken idol he found by the roadside during his last day of freedom. He pours out his soul not expecting an answer, but is shocked when a mysterious black cat slips through his window hundreds of feet from the ground...
In a world where myth is history Jaimie and the companions he meets along the way race to save the fae and unravel what happened to the gods and goddesses ages ago.
As Jaimie awaits his demise, he turns to the forbidden broken idol he found by the roadside during his last day of freedom. He pours out his soul not expecting an answer, but is shocked when a mysterious black cat slips through his window hundreds of feet from the ground...
In a world where myth is history Jaimie and the companions he meets along the way race to save the fae and unravel what happened to the gods and goddesses ages ago.
261 pages, ebook
Expected publication February 11, 2026
4 people want to read
About the author
C. Warde Lee
1 book2 followersC. Warde Lee has always had a passion for stories, but wasn't content to just read stories from other people's imaginations. During the pandemic his children asked for a different original story each night, which Warde had to make up on the spot. Some of the characters from those stories stuck with him and demanded to be put in proper writing so others could read about their adventures. Those are the characters filling out the world of Warde's debut novel, The Stolen Idol.
When Warde isn't writing about fairies and centaurs he works for several libraries and is a proud father and husband. While he was born and raised in Utah, he has called California home for nearly thirteen years.
When Warde isn't writing about fairies and centaurs he works for several libraries and is a proud father and husband. While he was born and raised in Utah, he has called California home for nearly thirteen years.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 8, 2026
The Stolen Idol was a really fun, ambitious read that blends mythology, emotion, and a high-stakes plot in a way that mostly worked for me. From the start, I loved the found family dynamic and how deeply tangled the relationships became—especially with the threads of unrequited love, betrayal, and family conflict running through everything.
The mythology is clearly the heart of this story, pulling from Celtic, Greek, Norse, and Egyptian lore, and I appreciated how rich and intentional that worldbuilding felt. That said, there were moments where I felt a bit overwhelmed. With so many mythological elements and so much happening at once, I occasionally found myself confused or needing to pause and reorient. It didn’t ruin the experience, but it did make certain sections harder to fully sink into.
The heist-gone-wrong aspect kept the tension high, and I really enjoyed the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ representation, which felt thoughtfully woven into the story rather than added as an afterthought. Even when I was slightly lost, I stayed invested in the characters and their choices.
Overall, this was a strong and engaging read with a lot going for it. A little more clarity in the denser mythological moments would’ve pushed it even higher for me, but I still had a great time with it and would absolutely continue reading more from this author.
The mythology is clearly the heart of this story, pulling from Celtic, Greek, Norse, and Egyptian lore, and I appreciated how rich and intentional that worldbuilding felt. That said, there were moments where I felt a bit overwhelmed. With so many mythological elements and so much happening at once, I occasionally found myself confused or needing to pause and reorient. It didn’t ruin the experience, but it did make certain sections harder to fully sink into.
The heist-gone-wrong aspect kept the tension high, and I really enjoyed the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ representation, which felt thoughtfully woven into the story rather than added as an afterthought. Even when I was slightly lost, I stayed invested in the characters and their choices.
Overall, this was a strong and engaging read with a lot going for it. A little more clarity in the denser mythological moments would’ve pushed it even higher for me, but I still had a great time with it and would absolutely continue reading more from this author.
Review of advance copy
I was so lucky to be gifted with an ARC copy of this book.
There are plenty of novels that have been written about the Greek Pantheon. Though this book is a little different than the rest. When the Greek pantheon is involved, there are several other pantheons involved, such as Celtic, Norse, and Egyptian. The moment I learned that this book involved not one but multiple types of mythology, I was sold!
The Stolen Idol has it all: found family, unrequited love, betrayal, heists, and LGBTQIA+ themes. Though it is not what it appears at the start. That is something I truly loved about this novel. It is also the first book in a series.
This is for fans of series like Crucible Trilogy (Abigail Owen), Villains of Lore Series (Jasmine Mas), Oak & Holly Cycle (K.A. Linde), and Percy Jackson (Rick Riordan).
The book does not offer spice, but I honestly think it does well without having those elements. I haven't had the opportunity to read many novels that focus on mythologies other than Greek, as they are the majority of novels. However, this novel offers a new take on various mythologies.
The book has lots of twists and turns that continue to keep the reader actively wanting more. I honestly can't wait for the next installment and to see where it takes us.
There are plenty of novels that have been written about the Greek Pantheon. Though this book is a little different than the rest. When the Greek pantheon is involved, there are several other pantheons involved, such as Celtic, Norse, and Egyptian. The moment I learned that this book involved not one but multiple types of mythology, I was sold!
The Stolen Idol has it all: found family, unrequited love, betrayal, heists, and LGBTQIA+ themes. Though it is not what it appears at the start. That is something I truly loved about this novel. It is also the first book in a series.
This is for fans of series like Crucible Trilogy (Abigail Owen), Villains of Lore Series (Jasmine Mas), Oak & Holly Cycle (K.A. Linde), and Percy Jackson (Rick Riordan).
The book does not offer spice, but I honestly think it does well without having those elements. I haven't had the opportunity to read many novels that focus on mythologies other than Greek, as they are the majority of novels. However, this novel offers a new take on various mythologies.
The book has lots of twists and turns that continue to keep the reader actively wanting more. I honestly can't wait for the next installment and to see where it takes us.
Review of advance copy received from Author
From the first paragraphs to the grand reveal, The Stolen Idol is an adventurous, well-paced tale.
The weaving of of many pantheons, with more layers than a wedding cake, brings so much life to the story. The characters are complicated and full of purpose. They have quests, but, as with any good mythological tale, the quests have them.
The descriptive writing felt poetic, with settings bursting from the pages.
I cannot say enough good things about The Stolen Idol. I feel lucky to read it. I cannot wait until it is formally released and I can share it with my friends and family! Definitely appropriate for middle grade and older. There are so many lessons to be built of this book for the younger and older readers.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The weaving of of many pantheons, with more layers than a wedding cake, brings so much life to the story. The characters are complicated and full of purpose. They have quests, but, as with any good mythological tale, the quests have them.
The descriptive writing felt poetic, with settings bursting from the pages.
I cannot say enough good things about The Stolen Idol. I feel lucky to read it. I cannot wait until it is formally released and I can share it with my friends and family! Definitely appropriate for middle grade and older. There are so many lessons to be built of this book for the younger and older readers.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Stolen Idol by C. Warde Lee is a fantastic, page-turning adventure that completely pulled me in. I loved the creative mix of Greek, Celtic, Norse, and Egyptian mythology, and the band of misfit characters quickly became ones I truly cared about. The climax and ending were especially gripping, and I finished the book genuinely excited for the next installment! Despite foreshadowing future adventures for the characters, The Stolen Idol came to a satisfying end that did not feel like a cliffhanger.
Review of advance copy
I loved this book!! I found myself staying up way too late reading because I simply could not put it down.
The way the author included and intertwined many different mythologies was both exciting and believable! I found that I truly cared about the characters and felt invested in the story.
It was very clear that the author did his research and put his heart and soul into his writing. It was beautifully written and I am excited for any future installments to the series!
The way the author included and intertwined many different mythologies was both exciting and believable! I found that I truly cared about the characters and felt invested in the story.
It was very clear that the author did his research and put his heart and soul into his writing. It was beautifully written and I am excited for any future installments to the series!
Review of advance copy
This book was a wild ride of emotions from a wild hook to get you wanting more to the emotional trauma that ensued by the end. I felt so deeply for the characters and their mission. It was a beautiful blend of mythology without being jarring. Will definitely be looking into everything else this author writes. First read of the year and what a great way to start! 100% recommend!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews