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God's Scar
Not yet published
Expected 1 May 26There has never been an M/M fantasy like this.
Angels who fall not from grace, but into love. Demons who are more than their brimstone.
A cosmos where Heaven is not merciful, and love is both salvation and ruin.
In a world of divine rejection, one angel-demon hybrid will defy Heaven, survive Hell, and cross the void between realms, to save the one soul he was forbidden to love.
God’s Scar is a mythic, literary dark fantasy where theological worlds, forbidden love, and moral complexity collide in lyrical, aching fantasy.
The half-breed is a living heresy. Born of an angel and a demon, he is shaped by captivity and by a single forbidden tenderness from a healer angel who defied Heaven to hold him for a single night. In a cosmos where Heaven's cruel perfection demands absolute obedience and Hell's hunger devours the weak, he seeks what should be impossible: to belong. To love. To simply be.
When the healer is dragged into the Demon Realm as a sacrificial offering, the half-breed tears through demons, survives an arena that has consumed angels for millennia, and claims a crown he never wanted—all to reach the one soul that made his cursed existence bearable.
“Let them see it. Let them feel the weight of everything I was never allowed to be. I will not cower.”
This is a journey that asks whether a soul born as heresy can claim the right to love, and be loved in return.
From Heaven’s merciless courts to Hell’s blood-red arenas, through the void where souls face eternal erasure, he encounters angels of all ranks, demon lords and fallen beings, all for this :
•To love without shame.
•To have what he was never allowed to want.
•To exist as he is.
A slow-burn, emotionally intense, non-explicit M/M saga, God’s Scar examines the cruelty of sacred systems, the power of gentleness in a violent world, and the quiet heresy of choosing to love selflessly.
“I just want you.
Painfully. Desperately. Endlessly.
You are the only reason worth living for.
The only thing that makes this world bearable.”
With rich worldbuilding and a protagonist torn between who he was, who he is, and who he desires, this gritty, lyrical tale explores trauma, forbidden devotion, and what makes a cursed existence worth living.
For readers who seek:
•Vivid, immersive, theological worldbuilding
•Gritty, lyrical storytelling
•The ache, yearning, and grief that love demands
•Relentless devotion and forbidden love
•Morally complex, intellectually rigorous fantasy
•Epic fantasy grounded in philosophy and emotional depth
Angels who fall not from grace, but into love. Demons who are more than their brimstone.
A cosmos where Heaven is not merciful, and love is both salvation and ruin.
In a world of divine rejection, one angel-demon hybrid will defy Heaven, survive Hell, and cross the void between realms, to save the one soul he was forbidden to love.
God’s Scar is a mythic, literary dark fantasy where theological worlds, forbidden love, and moral complexity collide in lyrical, aching fantasy.
The half-breed is a living heresy. Born of an angel and a demon, he is shaped by captivity and by a single forbidden tenderness from a healer angel who defied Heaven to hold him for a single night. In a cosmos where Heaven's cruel perfection demands absolute obedience and Hell's hunger devours the weak, he seeks what should be impossible: to belong. To love. To simply be.
When the healer is dragged into the Demon Realm as a sacrificial offering, the half-breed tears through demons, survives an arena that has consumed angels for millennia, and claims a crown he never wanted—all to reach the one soul that made his cursed existence bearable.
“Let them see it. Let them feel the weight of everything I was never allowed to be. I will not cower.”
This is a journey that asks whether a soul born as heresy can claim the right to love, and be loved in return.
From Heaven’s merciless courts to Hell’s blood-red arenas, through the void where souls face eternal erasure, he encounters angels of all ranks, demon lords and fallen beings, all for this :
•To love without shame.
•To have what he was never allowed to want.
•To exist as he is.
A slow-burn, emotionally intense, non-explicit M/M saga, God’s Scar examines the cruelty of sacred systems, the power of gentleness in a violent world, and the quiet heresy of choosing to love selflessly.
“I just want you.
Painfully. Desperately. Endlessly.
You are the only reason worth living for.
The only thing that makes this world bearable.”
With rich worldbuilding and a protagonist torn between who he was, who he is, and who he desires, this gritty, lyrical tale explores trauma, forbidden devotion, and what makes a cursed existence worth living.
For readers who seek:
•Vivid, immersive, theological worldbuilding
•Gritty, lyrical storytelling
•The ache, yearning, and grief that love demands
•Relentless devotion and forbidden love
•Morally complex, intellectually rigorous fantasy
•Epic fantasy grounded in philosophy and emotional depth
439 pages, ebook
Expected publication May 1, 2026
6 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Ivy Margriette
1 book3 followersI write dark, lyrical fantasy blending theological myth, cosmic rebellion, and devastating intimacy.
I had been writing original fiction since 2010. This year is my debut.
Drawing from classical mythology, theological paradox, and the darker corners of liturgical tales, I draw narratives of mythic emotional depth that refuse the comfort of simple moralities. Every story is built to wound, to heal, and to remember—because the truths that transform us rarely come gently.
I live in the UK and spend my days and nights crafting worlds where souls bleed, love, and find salvation in ruin.
I had been writing original fiction since 2010. This year is my debut.
Drawing from classical mythology, theological paradox, and the darker corners of liturgical tales, I draw narratives of mythic emotional depth that refuse the comfort of simple moralities. Every story is built to wound, to heal, and to remember—because the truths that transform us rarely come gently.
I live in the UK and spend my days and nights crafting worlds where souls bleed, love, and find salvation in ruin.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 21, 2026
This is a beautifully written and highly descriptive story that leans more into character development than fast-paced plot, with a strong sense of atmosphere and emotional depth throughout. The author clearly has a gift for creating vivid scenes and immersive inner worlds, though at times the pacing slows, particularly in some of the longer action sequences, and tightening those could help the story flow more smoothly. I also found myself wanting a bit more exploration of certain emotional motivations and key moments to deepen the overall impact. Overall, it’s a thoughtful and well-crafted novel with clear strengths in prose and character work, and with some refinement, it has the potential to resonate even more strongly with readers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Did not finish
February 24, 2026Upon starting this book, I immediately noticed two things. The first being that this novel is so beautifully written. From the first page the author perfectly captures the transcendence of the atmosphere with the prose, and I was absolutely here for it! The second thing I noticed, however, was that it was so beautifully written that it overshadows the actual plot. I felt like the story was forgone in favor of pretty words and gorgeous descriptions. Although I was very much enjoying the writing (there is no doubt that the author is tremendously talented), I unfortunately decided to DNF this book. Its very much a 'it's not you, it's me' moment- I anticipate returning to this novel at some point in the future. I just found the actual story line so buried, and at the moment I'm not invested enough in the book to search for it.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A huge thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this as an ARC, and this review is spoiler-free.
This ended up being a 5-star read for me, but not a flawless one.
The worldbuilding is easily one of the strongest elements. Heaven isn’t soft or decorative here; it feels hierarchical, tense, and fully functioning. There’s structure, politics, labor, and consequence. The theological elements, including direct Catholic prayers and biblical references, are deeply embedded into the fabric of the story. Some readers may find parts of it provocative or uncomfortable, but the thematic commitment is unwavering.
There are familiar romance tropes : insta-love, jealousy, obsessive devotion, protective fury, love triangles , but the emotional intensity behind them feels sincere rather than dramatic for drama’s sake. The yearning is palpable. The devotion borders on destructive at times, but that’s part of what makes it compelling. The characters don’t just fall in love; they wrestle with it, resist it, suffer for it. There’s a constant tension between desire and consequence that keeps the relationship dynamic charged.
I also appreciated that the intimacy is emotional rather than explicit. There are no graphic sexual scenes; instead, the connection comes through in quieter, most tender moments that feel earned.
This is a slow burn. It takes its time, and the romance develops amid chaos, conflict, and moral struggle. It’s messy in a way that feels intentional.
Structurally, the POV shifts from single first person early on to multiple third person later, which expands the scope but can take some adjustment. Every character has complexity; they all encounter difficulties and pain.
The battle scenes also vary in cadence, sometimes sharp and vividly detailed, other times more impressionistic and drawn out. It’s stylistic rather than conventional.
The writing is excellent, lyrical without becoming incomprehensible. It leans poetic but maintains clarity.
This won’t be for readers looking for light romantasy or fast-paced action fantasy. It’s heavier, darker, and more philosophical. But if you’re willing to sit with the complexity, the payoff is powerful.
This ended up being a 5-star read for me, but not a flawless one.
The worldbuilding is easily one of the strongest elements. Heaven isn’t soft or decorative here; it feels hierarchical, tense, and fully functioning. There’s structure, politics, labor, and consequence. The theological elements, including direct Catholic prayers and biblical references, are deeply embedded into the fabric of the story. Some readers may find parts of it provocative or uncomfortable, but the thematic commitment is unwavering.
There are familiar romance tropes : insta-love, jealousy, obsessive devotion, protective fury, love triangles , but the emotional intensity behind them feels sincere rather than dramatic for drama’s sake. The yearning is palpable. The devotion borders on destructive at times, but that’s part of what makes it compelling. The characters don’t just fall in love; they wrestle with it, resist it, suffer for it. There’s a constant tension between desire and consequence that keeps the relationship dynamic charged.
I also appreciated that the intimacy is emotional rather than explicit. There are no graphic sexual scenes; instead, the connection comes through in quieter, most tender moments that feel earned.
This is a slow burn. It takes its time, and the romance develops amid chaos, conflict, and moral struggle. It’s messy in a way that feels intentional.
Structurally, the POV shifts from single first person early on to multiple third person later, which expands the scope but can take some adjustment. Every character has complexity; they all encounter difficulties and pain.
The battle scenes also vary in cadence, sometimes sharp and vividly detailed, other times more impressionistic and drawn out. It’s stylistic rather than conventional.
The writing is excellent, lyrical without becoming incomprehensible. It leans poetic but maintains clarity.
This won’t be for readers looking for light romantasy or fast-paced action fantasy. It’s heavier, darker, and more philosophical. But if you’re willing to sit with the complexity, the payoff is powerful.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is not just fantasy. This is theological angst, forbidden devotion, and cosmic rebellion wrapped in lyrical darkness.
📚 God’s Scar by Ivy Margriette
Genre: Literary dark fantasy
Vibes: forbidden love, angel and demon lore, moral complexity, aching slow burn
Angels do not fall from grace here. They fall into love. And Heaven is not kind.
At the center of this story is a half breed born of angel and demon. A living heresy. Raised in captivity. Shaped by cruelty. Sustained by one forbidden act of tenderness from a healer angel who risked everything just to hold him.
And when that angel is taken into the Demon Realm as a sacrifice, he does not mourn quietly.
He burns realms down.
What makes this stand out:
🔥 A cosmos where Heaven is rigid and merciless
🩸 Hell that devours the weak and rewards brutality
🕊️ A protagonist torn between monstrosity and gentleness
💔 Devotion that feels sacred and ruinous at the same time
👑 An arena soaked in blood and divine politics
This is slow burn in the truest sense. The love is non explicit but emotionally relentless. It aches. It lingers. It feels like standing at the edge of something holy and profane all at once.
What struck me most is how deeply philosophical this feels. It asks whether a soul labeled as wrong from birth has the right to exist as he is. To love without shame. To choose himself in a system designed to erase him.
This is not a light read. It is gritty. It is introspective. It leans into trauma and identity and what happens when sacred systems become cruel.
If you love morally complex fantasy, forbidden M M devotion, and lyrical storytelling that feels almost mythic, this will be for you.
💬 Do you prefer your fantasy rooted in romance, philosophy, or full scale chaos?
#IvyMargriette #GodsScar #DarkFantasy #MMFantasy #IndieFantasy
📚 God’s Scar by Ivy Margriette
Genre: Literary dark fantasy
Vibes: forbidden love, angel and demon lore, moral complexity, aching slow burn
Angels do not fall from grace here. They fall into love. And Heaven is not kind.
At the center of this story is a half breed born of angel and demon. A living heresy. Raised in captivity. Shaped by cruelty. Sustained by one forbidden act of tenderness from a healer angel who risked everything just to hold him.
And when that angel is taken into the Demon Realm as a sacrifice, he does not mourn quietly.
He burns realms down.
What makes this stand out:
🔥 A cosmos where Heaven is rigid and merciless
🩸 Hell that devours the weak and rewards brutality
🕊️ A protagonist torn between monstrosity and gentleness
💔 Devotion that feels sacred and ruinous at the same time
👑 An arena soaked in blood and divine politics
This is slow burn in the truest sense. The love is non explicit but emotionally relentless. It aches. It lingers. It feels like standing at the edge of something holy and profane all at once.
What struck me most is how deeply philosophical this feels. It asks whether a soul labeled as wrong from birth has the right to exist as he is. To love without shame. To choose himself in a system designed to erase him.
This is not a light read. It is gritty. It is introspective. It leans into trauma and identity and what happens when sacred systems become cruel.
If you love morally complex fantasy, forbidden M M devotion, and lyrical storytelling that feels almost mythic, this will be for you.
💬 Do you prefer your fantasy rooted in romance, philosophy, or full scale chaos?
#IvyMargriette #GodsScar #DarkFantasy #MMFantasy #IndieFantasy
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC
I wanted to love this but it jsut didn't hit right.
The blurb sounded amazing and exactly my ballpark but the execution missed the mark. I can see what the author wanted to achieve - an epic mythical landscape with evocative language and lyrical elements... however...
It's robotic...over described...and full of excessive hyperbole that makes it hard to digest. The fundamental idea of the story is good:
a 1/2 angel/demon hybrid who is born and...raises hell and goes through a slow-burn love affair during while epic battles play out - but again the executuion is...sorry - urgh.
The writing feels like the author is desperate to be emotional and make me, the reader, feel the text rather than read it but it doens't work. I also won't go into too much detail but the formatting and grammatical choices are...odd. I love a good em-dash but to have sometimes 10 per page is excessive and I think a good copy editor would be beneficial before this goes live. There are also many instances of synonyms for dramatic effect that become boring and frustrating fast.
The change of perspective during the book is not a bad choice (single to multiple) but the various characters are often over complex and less is more is a real factor.
I am the target market of this book.. romantasty with paranormal links and MM - yes please... but this one isn't for me - it might be for you.
I did enjoy the hints towards biblical and mythology but again I can't help the somewhat impersonal and forced feeling to the pacing and style of the writing - there were times it didn't feel natural and was more leaning towards forced emotional styling....
I wanted to love this but it jsut didn't hit right.
The blurb sounded amazing and exactly my ballpark but the execution missed the mark. I can see what the author wanted to achieve - an epic mythical landscape with evocative language and lyrical elements... however...
It's robotic...over described...and full of excessive hyperbole that makes it hard to digest. The fundamental idea of the story is good:
a 1/2 angel/demon hybrid who is born and...raises hell and goes through a slow-burn love affair during while epic battles play out - but again the executuion is...sorry - urgh.
The writing feels like the author is desperate to be emotional and make me, the reader, feel the text rather than read it but it doens't work. I also won't go into too much detail but the formatting and grammatical choices are...odd. I love a good em-dash but to have sometimes 10 per page is excessive and I think a good copy editor would be beneficial before this goes live. There are also many instances of synonyms for dramatic effect that become boring and frustrating fast.
The change of perspective during the book is not a bad choice (single to multiple) but the various characters are often over complex and less is more is a real factor.
I am the target market of this book.. romantasty with paranormal links and MM - yes please... but this one isn't for me - it might be for you.
I did enjoy the hints towards biblical and mythology but again I can't help the somewhat impersonal and forced feeling to the pacing and style of the writing - there were times it didn't feel natural and was more leaning towards forced emotional styling....
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
EDITORIAL REVIEW
15th March 2026
TITLE: God’s Scar
AUTHOR: Ivy Margriette
Star Rating: 5
“A dark, richly complex M/M fantasy novel. Be warned, it’s addictive stuff!” The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
Oh my, this is a dark novel! But it’s also very, VERY good; addictive, in fact. It’s very much based on angel/demon mythology with a central ‘forbidden M/M romance’ theme. The protagonist, if you can call him that – is a broken character, struggling with belonging and identity within a ‘system’ that is harsh and unforgiving.
So, why did I enjoy it so much? Firstly, I’m gay. Which, I have to say, helps – in terms of this book anyway. Secondly, I love theological fantasy and complex worlds. This book offers both – BIG TIME! And thirdly, I’m a big fan of forbidden love. Particularly if it’s in a slow-burn story where the author’s in no particular hurry to get to the end.
In terms of who is this novel for – hmm, let’s think. Well, I suspect fans of the wonderful A Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab will very much enjoy God’s Scar. It’s a dark novel, not brutal but, yes, gritty is a better word. Basically, if angels and demons, forbidden love, with a strong theological underpinning is your ‘thing’, then this book is for you.
Personally, I LOVED it!
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
EDITORIAL REVIEW
15th March 2026
TITLE: God’s Scar
AUTHOR: Ivy Margriette
Star Rating: 5
“A dark, richly complex M/M fantasy novel. Be warned, it’s addictive stuff!” The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
Oh my, this is a dark novel! But it’s also very, VERY good; addictive, in fact. It’s very much based on angel/demon mythology with a central ‘forbidden M/M romance’ theme. The protagonist, if you can call him that – is a broken character, struggling with belonging and identity within a ‘system’ that is harsh and unforgiving.
So, why did I enjoy it so much? Firstly, I’m gay. Which, I have to say, helps – in terms of this book anyway. Secondly, I love theological fantasy and complex worlds. This book offers both – BIG TIME! And thirdly, I’m a big fan of forbidden love. Particularly if it’s in a slow-burn story where the author’s in no particular hurry to get to the end.
In terms of who is this novel for – hmm, let’s think. Well, I suspect fans of the wonderful A Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab will very much enjoy God’s Scar. It’s a dark novel, not brutal but, yes, gritty is a better word. Basically, if angels and demons, forbidden love, with a strong theological underpinning is your ‘thing’, then this book is for you.
Personally, I LOVED it!
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found God’s Scar to be a compelling and worthwhile read that really sticks with you long after finishing the last page. The writing style is excellent — the author uses beautiful language and evocative prose that elevates the storytelling and draws you into the world they’ve created. The choice of words and overall tone reflect care and craft, making the narrative feel rich and poetic.
That said, the book’s abundance of lush, lyrical prose can at times feel like a double-edged sword. There were moments where the narrative leaned so heavily into artistic language that it made the actual descriptions and events a bit harder to follow. I found myself flipping back to previous pages a few times to re-read lines and ensure I wasn’t missing something — not because the story wasn’t interesting, but because the poetic style occasionally obscured clarity.
Another point that slightly slowed my reading experience was the timeline shifts. The transitions between the present timeline and past events were not always clearly delineated, which sometimes made it hard to immediately grasp where in the story you were. Once I adjusted to the structure, it became easier, but it was a noticeable hurdle early on.
Overall, God’s Scar is a beautiful piece of writing and definitely worth the read!
That said, the book’s abundance of lush, lyrical prose can at times feel like a double-edged sword. There were moments where the narrative leaned so heavily into artistic language that it made the actual descriptions and events a bit harder to follow. I found myself flipping back to previous pages a few times to re-read lines and ensure I wasn’t missing something — not because the story wasn’t interesting, but because the poetic style occasionally obscured clarity.
Another point that slightly slowed my reading experience was the timeline shifts. The transitions between the present timeline and past events were not always clearly delineated, which sometimes made it hard to immediately grasp where in the story you were. Once I adjusted to the structure, it became easier, but it was a noticeable hurdle early on.
Overall, God’s Scar is a beautiful piece of writing and definitely worth the read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Reading God’s Scar felt like stepping into a world both familiar and unsettling—a place where divine power comes with unbearable weight, and every choice leaves a mark. Ivy Margriette has a talent for creating characters who feel real, flawed, and dangerously magnetic. I found myself caught up in their struggles, cheering for their victories, and wincing at their mistakes.
The story is intense, with a dark, layered plot that kept me on edge. I loved the way Margriette explored the tension between morality and ambition—sometimes I wanted to shake the characters, other times I found myself quietly admiring their cunning. The romance threads through the story in a subtle, compelling way, adding emotional stakes without ever feeling forced.
There were moments where the narrative lingered too long on exposition, and some details were repeated, but honestly, the richness of the world and the depth of the characters kept me hooked. I felt immersed in every shadowed corner, every divine intrigue, and every pulse-pounding confrontation.
God’s Scar is a story that stayed with me even after I finished it. It’s dark, immersive, and emotionally resonant—a four-star read that I’d recommend to anyone who loves morally complex characters and high-stakes fantasy that tugs at your heart as much as it thrills you.
The story is intense, with a dark, layered plot that kept me on edge. I loved the way Margriette explored the tension between morality and ambition—sometimes I wanted to shake the characters, other times I found myself quietly admiring their cunning. The romance threads through the story in a subtle, compelling way, adding emotional stakes without ever feeling forced.
There were moments where the narrative lingered too long on exposition, and some details were repeated, but honestly, the richness of the world and the depth of the characters kept me hooked. I felt immersed in every shadowed corner, every divine intrigue, and every pulse-pounding confrontation.
God’s Scar is a story that stayed with me even after I finished it. It’s dark, immersive, and emotionally resonant—a four-star read that I’d recommend to anyone who loves morally complex characters and high-stakes fantasy that tugs at your heart as much as it thrills you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received early access to this book through NetGalley. This nonfiction book starts with an interesting story that hooks me up. I like the book cover, the art within the book, and the angelic theme in the story. I can easily relate to the emotions in the story and reflect on those emotions long after having a break from reading. I am currently reading using my tablet / phone with no issue. I am looking forward to the publication so I can buy the book as well!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Simply could not put this book down! Had to re-read several sections to make sure I didn't miss a single thing! Imaginative storytelling that blends ancient myth, religion, fantasy, and dark romance. Not for the faint of heart!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A dark fantasy with a dark tone, but amazing story. it gives a lot of thoughts even when you finished reading it. The relationship between characters are perfectly explained.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews