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Gods and Desire
She was sent to kill him. Her soul had other plans.
For readers who devoured ACOTAR and wanted it darker. Fans of The Serpent and the Wings of Night and From Blood and Ash will feel right at home.
☆ Enemies to Lovers ☆ Fated Mates / Soul Bond ☆ Touch Her and Die ☆ Morally Gray Characters ☆ Found Family ☆ Slow Burn with Explosive Payoff
Lyrix Vireya has spent twenty-one years as a weapon. Raised by the Order of the Chain, she has completed over two hundred contracts without a single failure. No attachments. No hesitation. No room for anything as dangerous as wanting.
When the Order assigns her the most valuable contract in a generation, she and her partner Jalen cross ten brutal days of mountain passes and frozen wilderness toward Caer Luthar, where the warlord Kael Thorne waits to die.
But the moment Lyrix sees him, the mark she's carried since childhood burns to life for the first time.
Kael Thorne is a conqueror. A general. A man who rules through strength and refuses to play by anyone's rules. He should be nothing more than a target. Instead, his touch unlocks visions of lives they've lived before, bound by something older than empires.
They are Thornbound. And the Flame Circle will burn the world to claim what they carry.
She was trained to want nothing. He makes her want everything.
Contains explicit sexual content, violence, and mature themes. For readers 18+.
For readers who devoured ACOTAR and wanted it darker. Fans of The Serpent and the Wings of Night and From Blood and Ash will feel right at home.
☆ Enemies to Lovers ☆ Fated Mates / Soul Bond ☆ Touch Her and Die ☆ Morally Gray Characters ☆ Found Family ☆ Slow Burn with Explosive Payoff
Lyrix Vireya has spent twenty-one years as a weapon. Raised by the Order of the Chain, she has completed over two hundred contracts without a single failure. No attachments. No hesitation. No room for anything as dangerous as wanting.
When the Order assigns her the most valuable contract in a generation, she and her partner Jalen cross ten brutal days of mountain passes and frozen wilderness toward Caer Luthar, where the warlord Kael Thorne waits to die.
But the moment Lyrix sees him, the mark she's carried since childhood burns to life for the first time.
Kael Thorne is a conqueror. A general. A man who rules through strength and refuses to play by anyone's rules. He should be nothing more than a target. Instead, his touch unlocks visions of lives they've lived before, bound by something older than empires.
They are Thornbound. And the Flame Circle will burn the world to claim what they carry.
She was trained to want nothing. He makes her want everything.
Contains explicit sexual content, violence, and mature themes. For readers 18+.
524 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2026
3 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
M.R. Thorne
1 book4 followersM.R. Thorne crafts dark fantasy worlds where ancient powers collide with mortal desires, and where the line between hero and villain blurs in shadows. With a passion for complex characters and layered storytelling, Thorne invites readers into realms where nothing is quite as it seems.
The Thornbound Saga represents years of worldbuilding and character development, blending epic fantasy with intense romance and political intrigue.
The Thornbound Saga represents years of worldbuilding and character development, blending epic fantasy with intense romance and political intrigue.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 28, 2026
Where do I begin with this one? Gods and Desire is M.R. Thorne’s debut book that launches his first series, The Thornbound Saga. WOW, just wow. Again, this ARC was another one that completely surpassed all expectations! I think what I loved most was the growth and character development that occurs with Lyrix (the FMC). She goes from being unemotional and completely detached from her emotions to developing strong relationships and defending those relationships!
This book kept me engaged and I couldn’t put it down. I constantly wanted to know what was going to happen next! Some of the writing was slightly repetitive, but it was tolerable. I truly truly loved this book and I can’t wait for the next one!
This book kept me engaged and I couldn’t put it down. I constantly wanted to know what was going to happen next! Some of the writing was slightly repetitive, but it was tolerable. I truly truly loved this book and I can’t wait for the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Gods and Desire, book 1 in The Thornbound Saga, is M.R. Thorne's debut novel. Let me tell yall, this book blew every single one of my expectations clear out of the water. Thank you SO much for having me ARC read! 5 stars! ✨️
From the start, I was fully enamored with the story and the world that Thorne has constructed. The writing was exquisite, the characters pulled you in. Lyrix and Kael's fated connection to one another transcends through lifetimes. It's a beautiful slow burn that once it hits, it HITS in an explosive way. The plot twists... just when I thought I knew what was happening, *cue car screeching to a stop noise* I was proven wrong. Consider my emotions messed with. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, in a constant state of "WAIT WHAT?", jaw-dropping moments.
If I had to say one thing, it would be that, on occasion, some of the phrasing felt just a smidge repetitive. It was not bad by any means! Just a situation where one thing would be said, and then it would be said again a page or two later. That in no way affected my perception of the story, just something that I noticed! :]
Without a silver of a doubt in my mind, Gods and Desire is by far my favorite read of the year thus far. Shush, I'm well aware that it's January. 🤫 Anyway, I HIGHLY recommend this story, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for the future of this series.
From the start, I was fully enamored with the story and the world that Thorne has constructed. The writing was exquisite, the characters pulled you in. Lyrix and Kael's fated connection to one another transcends through lifetimes. It's a beautiful slow burn that once it hits, it HITS in an explosive way. The plot twists... just when I thought I knew what was happening, *cue car screeching to a stop noise* I was proven wrong. Consider my emotions messed with. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, in a constant state of "WAIT WHAT?", jaw-dropping moments.
If I had to say one thing, it would be that, on occasion, some of the phrasing felt just a smidge repetitive. It was not bad by any means! Just a situation where one thing would be said, and then it would be said again a page or two later. That in no way affected my perception of the story, just something that I noticed! :]
Without a silver of a doubt in my mind, Gods and Desire is by far my favorite read of the year thus far. Shush, I'm well aware that it's January. 🤫 Anyway, I HIGHLY recommend this story, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for the future of this series.
February 1, 2026
I loved the world building and the magic system, which were well explained and also very distinctive and unique. I appreciated all the lore that was created and can't wait to see this world expand.
Lyrix grew throughout the pages, transforming from a cold and detached character into one with a soul and a heart, even if she had to sweat blood to get there.
The action scenes were very well described, my absolute favorites!
What made me lower my rating were the repetitions, which I found a bit too frequent throughout the book, especially when entire sentences were repeated from one chapter to the next.
A special thank you to the author for the eARC 💚
Lyrix grew throughout the pages, transforming from a cold and detached character into one with a soul and a heart, even if she had to sweat blood to get there.
The action scenes were very well described, my absolute favorites!
What made me lower my rating were the repetitions, which I found a bit too frequent throughout the book, especially when entire sentences were repeated from one chapter to the next.
A special thank you to the author for the eARC 💚
February 7, 2026
I loved the plot of this story. It was a slow burn enemies to lovers.
Lyrix is an assassin who is given a contract to kill Kael. She is one of the best assassins in the guild and is only worried about fulfilling her contract. When she sees Kael she soon realizes this contract isn't going to be as easy as she originally thought. Torn between her duty as an assassin and fighting the feelings that Kael stirs in her we slowly see their story unfold.
Thank you MR Thorne for choosing me to be an ARC reader for this book!
Lyrix is an assassin who is given a contract to kill Kael. She is one of the best assassins in the guild and is only worried about fulfilling her contract. When she sees Kael she soon realizes this contract isn't going to be as easy as she originally thought. Torn between her duty as an assassin and fighting the feelings that Kael stirs in her we slowly see their story unfold.
Thank you MR Thorne for choosing me to be an ARC reader for this book!
February 8, 2026
Wow. Like… I don’t even know what to say because I have no words! It’s one of those books that you just have to read for yourself to truly get it.
I loved 100% of this book! The character development, found family, fated mates, gods and goddesses, all of it was absolutely amazing.
This is the kind of book that you don’t want to put down after you have started reading it!
I literally can’t wait for book 2!!!!! I need it like, tomorrow!
I loved 100% of this book! The character development, found family, fated mates, gods and goddesses, all of it was absolutely amazing.
This is the kind of book that you don’t want to put down after you have started reading it!
I literally can’t wait for book 2!!!!! I need it like, tomorrow!
February 8, 2026
Run don’t walk to Amazon and either read on KU or purchase this. You will regret it if you don’t. I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for book 2!
@sorceryandstories1
@sorceryandstories1
February 6, 2026
A great start to a series that I can't wait to read more of.
February 7, 2026
This was such a unique story and was very enjoyable!! Lyrix is #assassingoals
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved the world of the Thornbound!
I received this book as an ARC reader and truly enjoyed entering the world of the Thornbound! Lyrix is a complex, badass female character who you root for from day 1. The growth you watch her achieve in this first book with not just herself but her Order partner and her bondmate is just so good. She’s had a hard life being molded into a weapon for a very long time, she’s guarded, she’s the prickly one (which I loved!), she’s extremely loyal, and is calculated in a way that a character like her needs to be. Yet shes willing to trust, willing to let people in even if it’s against her basic instincts, and man does she take things in stride meeting them head on and then some! I was literally cheering for her many different times throughout the book! Kael is my kind of MMC, guarded but trusts when he should, fiercely loyal, good to his people, a warlord with a conscience, and he loves with an intensity that every book boyfriend should. I also fell in love with so many other characters along the way, finding myself rooting so hard for this rag-tag found family. The magic in this world is different from others I have read about, with an old-world intense feel that is exciting, it develops in ways I did not see coming! (Insert audible gasp here) I was quickly flipping through pages in the last third of the book with so many great twists that have left me truly excited for book 2! I definitely recommend Of Gods and Desire, it’s one for the fantasy and romantasy bookshelves!
I received this book as an ARC reader and truly enjoyed entering the world of the Thornbound! Lyrix is a complex, badass female character who you root for from day 1. The growth you watch her achieve in this first book with not just herself but her Order partner and her bondmate is just so good. She’s had a hard life being molded into a weapon for a very long time, she’s guarded, she’s the prickly one (which I loved!), she’s extremely loyal, and is calculated in a way that a character like her needs to be. Yet shes willing to trust, willing to let people in even if it’s against her basic instincts, and man does she take things in stride meeting them head on and then some! I was literally cheering for her many different times throughout the book! Kael is my kind of MMC, guarded but trusts when he should, fiercely loyal, good to his people, a warlord with a conscience, and he loves with an intensity that every book boyfriend should. I also fell in love with so many other characters along the way, finding myself rooting so hard for this rag-tag found family. The magic in this world is different from others I have read about, with an old-world intense feel that is exciting, it develops in ways I did not see coming! (Insert audible gasp here) I was quickly flipping through pages in the last third of the book with so many great twists that have left me truly excited for book 2! I definitely recommend Of Gods and Desire, it’s one for the fantasy and romantasy bookshelves!
January 31, 2026
I am a sucker for slow burn, enemies to lovers, and touch her and die tropes and while I don't really think it was a real enemies to lovers it still had that effect.
Lyrix (FMC) is an assassin for hire for the Order of the Chain (a women only guild) and Kael (MMC) is the target.
They both have ancient supernatural entity's inside them that pulls them together and can feel when each other is in proximity.
She is supposed to kill but instead protected him. In turn he also protected her.
The magic system isn't groundbreaking but its still badass and even though most fantasy romance geared for woman has powerful FMC it never get old.
I highly recommend this book and I am excited to read the future books in this series when they are released!
Thank you M.R. Thorne for accepting me to ARC read this!!
Lyrix (FMC) is an assassin for hire for the Order of the Chain (a women only guild) and Kael (MMC) is the target.
They both have ancient supernatural entity's inside them that pulls them together and can feel when each other is in proximity.
She is supposed to kill but instead protected him. In turn he also protected her.
The magic system isn't groundbreaking but its still badass and even though most fantasy romance geared for woman has powerful FMC it never get old.
I highly recommend this book and I am excited to read the future books in this series when they are released!
Thank you M.R. Thorne for accepting me to ARC read this!!
February 8, 2026
✨️✨️✨️ Gods & Desire ✨️✨️✨️
✨️ Enemies-to-lovers
✨️ Fated Mates
✨️ Found Family
✨️ Ancient Gods
✨️ Assassin FMC
Spice: 🌶
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Lyrix is more weapon than woman. After being raised by the Order of the Chain following a tradegy in her home town that left Lyrix marked by shadows, she has completed over 200 assassination contracts without hesitation. After winning the most valuable contract in a generation Lyrix and her partner Jalen set off to k!ll the infamously warlord Kael Thorne. What should have been any job, any other target changes Lyrix's life forever. One look at Kael Thorne ignites the shadows beneath her skin and lures unforseen dangers to hunt Lyrix down.
I loved the relationship between Lyrix and Jalen, especially the scene at riverbank where Lyrix lowered her walls a little and Jalen reminded her what living was about.
Some of the phrasing was a little repetative throughout but overall great read with an interesting plot, loveable side characters, FMC/MMC.
The twist right at the end will make for great reading in book 2 and cant wait to learn more about the Thornbound bonds and ancient Gods. This book really sets the stage and does all the worldbuilding for the saga ready for drama and secrets to be revealed in book 2.
✨️ Enemies-to-lovers
✨️ Fated Mates
✨️ Found Family
✨️ Ancient Gods
✨️ Assassin FMC
Spice: 🌶
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Lyrix is more weapon than woman. After being raised by the Order of the Chain following a tradegy in her home town that left Lyrix marked by shadows, she has completed over 200 assassination contracts without hesitation. After winning the most valuable contract in a generation Lyrix and her partner Jalen set off to k!ll the infamously warlord Kael Thorne. What should have been any job, any other target changes Lyrix's life forever. One look at Kael Thorne ignites the shadows beneath her skin and lures unforseen dangers to hunt Lyrix down.
I loved the relationship between Lyrix and Jalen, especially the scene at riverbank where Lyrix lowered her walls a little and Jalen reminded her what living was about.
Some of the phrasing was a little repetative throughout but overall great read with an interesting plot, loveable side characters, FMC/MMC.
The twist right at the end will make for great reading in book 2 and cant wait to learn more about the Thornbound bonds and ancient Gods. This book really sets the stage and does all the worldbuilding for the saga ready for drama and secrets to be revealed in book 2.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews