God's Scar

by Ivy Margriette

There 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

Genres: Fantasy, Literary Fiction, LGBT

439 pages, ebook

First published May 1, 2026

About the author

I write dark, lyrical fantasy romance by 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, cultural myths and 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 feeling 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.

Reviews

[Layla Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[˚₊‧✩ ryane ✩‧₊˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautifully written story filled with theological angst — it is very much a character driven story with 5 different narrators that are introduced throughout the saga.

the story is told through multiple povs beginning with when tzimrael, who is half demon half angel, opens his eyes in heaven. each character deals with what it means to truly love somebody in their own unique way. i loved the way that both angels and demons were portrayed as flawed beings who crave acceptance. the depiction of michael and lucifer’s relationship, especially during the fall, was one of my favorite parts and it might be one of my favorite portrayals of all time.

the world building was atmospheric and immersive. there was a good balance between angst and tenderness. the fight scenes were well-written.

i am also really happy with how everything came together between tzimrael and lyriel, it was just really beautiful. i did in fact cheer for velorian and caelan — the yearning of it all honestly.

yearning, angels and demons, flawed characters, and a whole lot of catholic guilt

✶ thank you to the author and booksirens for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review ✶

[C R Corking · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a profoundly beautiful, yet horrific book. It was unlike anything I have ever read before, and I loved every second of it. It was so moving and thought provoking. I cried and felt so deeply by the end. This is the first book where I genuinely thought there wouldn't be a happy ending and I didnt see a way forward at points. The sacrifices the characters make and the intensity of their loves are so powerfully portrayed by the writer, I truly would have believed every word if she told me it was a true story!

A book set in Heaven definitely needed a certain style of writing, and the author pulled this off perfectly! The words, descriptions and entire vibe of this book really worked to make me feel like I was reading something based in a divine realm.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Alora Truss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was different for me. Yes it’s a romance but more of a slow burn. A lot of yearning but patience was graced with the story. It is hard to get use to the povs it jumps from first to third a lot so be prepared. Outside of that small thing it was an excellent story. Also there is some spice but not a lot of it closed door style if you know what I mean.

[Sara K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book via ARC, and here is my honest review.

Overall, this was an interesting story with a very complex plot. The main love story is quite unconventional and took me a while to get on board with, which is rare for me. I enjoyed the darker themes in this book, and I was glad the author treated these darker themes with respect and appropriate severity. All in all, I did enjoy reading this book, however, it wasn't a page-turner for me, so it was a bit of a challenge to keep picking up the book (hence why my ARC review is a tad late, because it took me so long to finish it).

Let me dive into the details.

***SPOILERS***

As the protagonist, TzimRael/Ashevel is quite the character to root for. It felt like his entire life was just suffering with few bright spots. It was painful and compelling to read about his journey. Meanwhile, I struggled with Lyriel's character. A lot of his relationships with others didn't quite make sense to me - I couldn't quite believe that he truly loved Zephain, and his entire relationship with Velorin was strange (I'll get to that later). I particularly loved Nafsu - I thought he was just such a deliciously complex character and such a diva too. He's pervy and incestuous as heck, but really such an interesting character.

I thought the writing in this book was rather beautiful, very lyrical and poetic in its descriptions. However, the elaborate prose could get a little excessive at times.

On world-building, I admit I was a little disappointed. It's clear the author made a lot of effort to build this world, from heaven to hell. The world-building in hell, in particular, was quite enjoyable. But there was still a lot left unexplained. For example, why was there just...no women? Except for Lilith, apparently. And I kept wondering throughout the book about the "awakening" that TzimRael went through - is that just a thing all angels go through (and if yes, are all angels bald and pasty until they awaken?) Also, was Lucifer always Beelzebub? Even when Lilith was summoned to Eden? How had Beelzebub been able to impersonate Lucifer? Where's the real Lucifer? I understand not explaining EVERYTHING since this is the first in a series, but they really were too many unanswered questions.

Initially, I was very on the fence about TzimRael and Lyriel's relationship, honestly. As much as TzimRael claimed he loved Lyriel from the beginning, it was clearly infatuation in my opinion, because he didn't even know Lyriel at all. And I was worried their relationship was doomed from the start, because how much of Lyriel's feeling would be because of TzimRael himself and how much because of his transplanted feelings for Zephain? But then the author navigated this difficult situation so brilliantly. By creating a major conflict between them so early on, it forced Lyriel to view TzimRael a separate person from Zephain. (On a sidenote, I was so grateful and relieved that the author treated what TzimRael did to Lyriel with the same severity afforded to SA. While TzimRael's violation of Lyriel's mind is of course a fictional action which is impossible in real life, the nature of it is just a violating as SA and hence, treating it the same way was great to see. Especially when I can name other pieces of media which are dismissive of similar magical violations and even turn it into a joke.) And as they spent time together and TzimRael got to actually know Lyriel as a person and also find out the real reason behind Lyriel's affection towards him in the first place, I feel that TzimRael's feelings deepened into actual love. And Lyriel also developed his own love towards TzimRael which was separate from how he felt towards Zephain.

But...then Lyriel chose to enter the bath. I have VERY mixed feelings about this development. On one hand, I understand. the parallels of Lyriel wanting to give TzimRael a pure, untainted version of himself, to give him pure love without the shadows and anchors of the past, the same way TzimRael loved him as a baby. But I also feel like it erases every little thread between them that grew from all the moments they shared. Because, yes, TzimRael "loved" Lyriel when he first laid eyes on him as a baby. But it was through actually spending time with him and their shared experiences together, that he actually developed real love for Lyriel. And the same goes for Lyriel. And I loved the idea that despite all the history, all the shadows of the past, all the bad experiences between them, they still fell in love with each other. It made their love feel more meaningful, rather than just infatuation. So to just erase all of that in the name of starting anew? It was devastating. But I also think it was reflective of Lyriel's state of mind and how he felt about himself. Because I think he viewed himself as tainted and he wanted to be cleansed and begin again as a fresh clean slate. Which...kinda of rubbed me the wrong way. Because throughout this book, true to the author's word, the story indeed felt like an allegory for the real world. But this whole storyline about Lyriel starting over? That was the only part that felt completely false. Because in the real world, there isn't any starting over. You pick yourself up and move on, there isn't a reset button. So, I don't know, this part didn't gel well with me. Though, I was relieved that TzimRael was equally devastated about Lyriel's memory loss. I had feared he would just be happy to see Lyriel again and that Lyriel wanted him despite not knowing him. Instead, he was so crushed by it and it led so a particularly good scene where Lyriel yelled at Nafsu that he "just wanted TzimRael", which was a perfect parallel to TzimRael's words in the early part of their relationship.

Also, I really enjoyed the way the author explored dark themes in this book. In particular, the part where Nafsu gave birth to Lili was very striking to me. It was so visceral and cruel and painful and yet the infant titan was so innocent that Nafsu shielded her with his body, despite the bitterness and resentment in his heart towards her and the circumstances of her conception. Moments like this were present throughout the book and I think the author handled these difficult topics in such a real way that resonated with me.

Additionally, while it was interesting to read multiple PoVs, it did get quite disorienting and jarring at times. Especially when the pacing of the story differs drastically between the PoVs. For example, it was really jarring to go from the middle of an intense action sequence to some random new character's normal daily life (cough Caelan cough). The switch arounds happened very quickly at times too, which was a bit difficult and confusing to read. In addition, there are some characters that I just did not want to get into the head of, namely, Asmodeus and Velorin. These are two very abhorrent, disgusting, horrid characters and being forced into their headspace was painful. On that topic, I also did not enjoy Velorin's story, because frankly, I never forgave him for coercing Lyriel into sex, and it frustrated me to see Lyriel apologising to him for "dragging him into his storm", when not only was it Velorin's choice to do so, he even bartered for Lyriel's body to do so.

I also didn't care much for Lilith and Zephain's love story. It was hammered home several times how much they loved each other and how their love story transcended death etc etc. But since we were given so few glimpses of them in love, it was hard to really feel for them. For Zephain, we mostly saw him through the lens of others such as Lyriel, Velorin and Nafsu. All of which had very different perceptions and feelings towards him. And as it had been said many times, he kept a distance between himself and everyone else, except Lilith. Which means we never got to see and understand the real Zephain through the eyes of others. For Lilith, the most we got to see her was when she was possessing Lyriel. In which she was an absolutely terrible person. So it was difficult to agree when the author makes it a point that theirs is this big epic love story.

In summary, I think the story was very interesting and unique. Much of the story was centred on events which occured in the past, which was confusing to understand and also made the main characters feel relegated to the side at times. I wonder if this book was meant to be more of an ensemble, rather than having main characters. Whilst some characters were very compelling to read, others were confusing or plain horrible people that I just did not want to read about. But I'm glad TzimRael and Lyriel finally got their happy ending, even if the path they took was very winding.

[maddie]

Upon 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!

[Siavahda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am unfortunately unable to get past the fact that the protagonist somehow functions normally, has what we'd consider normal knowledge of his world, despite spending his whole life in a cell.

How can he even speak? How does he know what the sky is? Why isn't he struck by shock/wonder/fear ANYTHING when he flies out of his prison and sees the world spread out under and around him??? I did a search in my ebook and there's never a mention of him being taught anything, of learning anything at all until he escapes. He never had teachers. ???

This is extra annoying because this character can read the minds of people he touches - it would have been a simple thing to say he absorbed all the general knowledge from the first person he touched. But nope! We're just going to ignore this collossal plothole.

If you can get past that, I have no real objections - the prose is flowery in a way I think is pretty; Heaven is conventionally merciless and law-obsessed, which I find boring but isn't objectively a flaw; angels are all-male which again I think is boring, but whatever; we have a fragile delicate love interest to contrast with our feral half-demon protagonist, a dynamic some readers will adore. It's not enough to keep me reading, but it's fine. Definitely doesn't live up to its own hype, but it's fine.

I need a lot more than fine if you want me to stick around for over 400 pages, however.

:edit: No, wait, I forgot the Spear Moment.

Quote taken from my arc, so it might be edited/removed from the final copy.

The spear spun in my hands as I reversed it, and I slammed the butt of the weapon into the marble floor. The impact bent the shaft, forcing the blade to angle downwards.

With all the strength in my arms, I shoved.

The blade plunged into his shoulder.

Armor shrieked as it split. His scream choked off. I pushed harder, pushing him back--then down--using his braid like reins as I forced the weapon through his shoulder and into the marble beneath.

Hi, can YOU figure out where everything is in this moment? Because I tried acting it out, and I cannot make sense of where the hell the spear is - the base is on the floor, but the blade is pointing down? How does it go into the other guy's shoulder? If the other guy is being pushed down (onto the blade???) how does the blade go into the floor? (There was no mention of the other guy being on the floor to begin with; afaik he's standing.)

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

This is in the FIRST CHAPTER. It doesn't give me ANY confidence that the rest of the book is going to make sense, particularly in combat scenes - which is going to be a huge problem since there will evidently be a lot of fighting in this story.

NOPE. Deducting a star.

[Ayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was unlike anything I've read in a really long time, maybe ever.

The blurb of the book drew me in but also held me a bit apprehensive. I mean I'm alwasy drawn to books with M/M plots. But how appealing does not this sound: A mythic M/M dark fantasy of angels, deamons, and forbidden devotion.

What made me a little apprehensive was the religious part that looked to be a good part of it.

But I have no regrets reading this what so ever!

It has taken me longer than usual to read but that is due to circumstances in life and has nothing to do with the book. I truly loved this one. The theological take on how heaven and hell interacts and what is God-given and expexted of Gods creatures was so interesting. What is forbidden, what rules are ingrained in the characters, how guilt plauges and makes their choises and how all of it drives the charachters to an edge. Edges that differ wastly from character to character but yet so similar.

In the beginning of the book there were few characters that the story was told through but later it's told through more of them. At first I found this confusing but later I found that the story needed it.

This book has brought me through most of the feelings one can feel. Even if it's not a book written for humour it still gives a few laughs. But mostly it pictures angst, guilt and redemption. And yet it's kind of a story of finding oneself and one of not just following along, believing what is said to be true. A story where the strong yet boken ones break free from their shackles and make their own way. A story of pining, of guilt and of miscommunication.

It's soul wrenching, nerve wrecking, it's healing and it is grim, brutal but also so very beautiful.

Ivy Margriettes writing is colorful and paints a vividly detailed picture of all the surroundings and characters in this book. I would really love to read this book for the first time once again and as soon as it is released I will buy it. This book definitely deserves a place in my bookshelf. As a throphy, as a reminder, as a tempress or just as a beautiful placeholder of a corner in my heart.

I was very lucky to receive an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Brittney · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Kellie Lowen · Rating 2 out of 5]

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....

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing a copy of this novel!

This was a pretty interesting book. I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about it. For the writing style, I liked it overall but had some issues. The writing style is quite lyrical. While I don't always like overly poetic writing styles, I thought it worked well with this story. One issue I had though was that the lyrical style wasn't consistent. This book is in first-person perspective, yet the dialogue didn't reflect the internal lyrical dialogue. Also, the fight scenes were a lot more direct and didn't have that same lyrical quality as the rest. Another issue I had was that the style was also "too consistent." By this I mean that all the narrators sounded the same. I think there were...5 different narrators in this book and they all sounded this same.
Plot-wise, little to none, but I don't think this is a bad thing. The author referred to this book as a "saga", and I think that is the best way to describe it. It really is more of a "series of incidents" than a plot-driven story. It is a character driven story in that we follow the main character as he fights for acceptance and love. However, we never learn a whole lot about him as a person (or a half demon). The focus is a lot more on love, shame, and regret. Lot of "catholic guilt" in there.
I did quite like the characters in this book. I liked how flawed they all were. I especially found the angel characters interesting, as they were pretty much just filled with guilt and shame the whole time.
I'm not really sure if this is going to be part of a series, but it reads well as a stand alone.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Hannah (DaemonGal) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and to the author for the ARC in return for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐ rounded up

His wings had always been pure, always divine. He never fell from grace. He only fell in love.

God's scar follows the half angel, half demon Tzimrael and follows his life and love as he discovers his place in the world as an outcast from birth.

The overall story of the book has a lot of heart and is a detailed exploration of grief, unrequited love and abuse, to name only a few of the key elements. The prose are written beautifully and it's clear that the author has a talent for descriptions of feelings but I do feel like sometimes they can be a bit lengthy and can pull away from the plot.

My other criticism is around the sentence formatting for a lot of the book. The quick pacing of the sentences works really well for the more fast paced fights and moments, but when it's used for general descriptions it can feel repetitive and doesn't flow smoothly. It would benefit greatly for more connecting words used in places of commas.

Saying all of this, the book is clearly a whole-hearted labour of love and it very much showed as I was reading it. I think with some more editing and shortening of some parts it could really be something special. I very much look forward to seeing what the author does in the future as well as their writing style and vision really is beautiful.

[yi bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Hazel Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Marlin Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first ARC I got from NetGalley. As a new bookish account, I am thankful to be approved for this ARC.
I read a lot of fantasy and some classics, and this book is a unique combination of them, added with deep romance.
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The first 3 chapters are whiplash. The pacing and writing are 'unconventional'. But it keeps pulling me through 'oh, poor guy won't get what he wants' ,'what now?' ,'he is in Hell?' ,'oh he can't ever go back', 'poor guy' (again), 'ah poor side characters' ,'geez the characters and creatures and the world are epic', 'ah what now?!' (again), 'eh, flashback again?', 'I don't see how they can get out of this situation', 'everyone here is suffering! poor guys' (again).
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There are multiple POVs halfway in the book but now I realize they are needed for the conclusion of the story. The ending is perfect, though it left me wishing for more. For 400 pages, I feel the theme and 'lore' of this book can still be expanded. The story feels 'mythic' and layered and promising to be an epic one.
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I didnt realize this is a debut. I will be reading whatever else is written in this world.

[Demi Goddess Solis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I went into this knowing it wasn’t my usual type of read, but I’m really glad I gave it a chance. It leans more into atmosphere and emotion than plot, with a slow, moody build that ended up pulling me in more than I expected.

The writing is quite poetic, which I actually appreciated, but I can see how it might not work for everyone—especially if you prefer something fast-paced or more straightforward. For me, though, that style added to the overall experience and made it feel more immersive.

Overall, I enjoyed it. It’s the kind of book that lingers in its tone and feeling rather than big, dramatic moments.

[Kit M · Rating 3 out of 5]

True rating : 3.5 starts
Love:
This is a beautiful written story about heaven vs hell, devotion vs contempt, and where one belongs. The love story between the MMCs was a tug of war and confusion of what love is supposed to be. Ivy Margriette write to the sense of smell. Through out the book I could smell Lyriel with in the room or the garden, even the grotesque burning of hell. She wrote exquisitely dark tale of belonging, family history and grieving love.

Don’t Love:
Thought it was beautifully written, it was a heavy read that probably could be a little shorter. The pinning of the characters was a little to slow of a burn. There was a lot left off the table that could have been this book a little hotter and a little more emotionally damaging

[Jenya Cro · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world building in this book is stunning, it is truly beautifully descriptively written and I felt like I was really immersed into the world.
However at the beginning I struggled to get into the storyline and felt it got lost within the world building, I persevered and ended up enjoying it but I did have to push though at several points of the story hence the three stars. I do think that it was not my cup of tea but other people will love this!
This was a slow burn romance and the tension between the characters was electric but doesn't include much spice if that's your thing.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! 5 stars. This was an incredible journey through true love, pain, suffering, and the aching beauty of letting go. The world of angels and demons was fascinating and immersive, and I was completely swept up in it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I absolutely loved the push and pull between Lyriel and TzimRael—the tension, the longing, the inevitability of it all. Beautifully written and emotionally resonant, with an ending that’s as bittersweet as it is unforgettable.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this was phenomenally written and detailed in so many aspects, it was also a distraction from the story.
It felt like there were too many offshoot back stories that may have helped with the current issue and may have not.
I tried for a month to get through this and still had over 120 pages left that I could not bear to read.
Had it stuck with the main story and characters I'm sure I would have gobbled this up quickly like I do with so many other books.

I received an ARC from Book Sirens for my honest review.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Half demon, half angel TzimRael is not welcome in either world. Neither Heaven or Hell want him. Lyriel, a healer but also an Angel. Lyriel was asked by TzimRael 's father Zephain, who was banished for falling in love with a demon to look after his son. TzimRael is in love with Lyriel but Lyriel is in love with Zephain. The story takes you to the different realms, battles are fought, unrequited love. Will Love prevail? I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Skylar Keeton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review
God's Scar by Ivy Margriette
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you Eden Quill Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was very well written, I could tell the author put in so much hard work and effort. The book is so very detailed and discriptive that it just captivates you and holds you hostage till the very end.
I really enjoyed reading the book and thank the author for writing it!!
#GodsScar #NetGalley

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[LxH39 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[S.C. Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was extremely beautiful. Some of the most lyrical, beautiful prose I’ve ever read. That said, I think that same writing sometimes overshadowed the plot itself.

I absolutely recommend it though. Marvelous writer in the making

[Kardelen · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Because love was not the warmth they sang about in hymns. Love made you vulnerable, exposed to the sheer, naked terror of caring enough to lose everything'

This was an amazing story about love, belonging and acceptance.

After reading the blurb I knew I would enjoy reading this book but I wasn't prepared for how mind blowing it was.

The story starts when a newborn half breed angel TzimRael opens his eyes in Heaven. As the story progresses he has to struggle with being shunned for his demon blood, trying to find a place he belongs and finally finding solace after meeting Lyriel.

The story is told from multiple POVs, each with a distinct personality and unique story. Every character is well fleshed out and easy to empathize with. It was good to see how different characters saw and reacted to what was happening. Both angels and demons were portrayed as morally gray, flawed and desiring acceptance. Each of their stories was very emotional. Especially Caelan's POV was very heartbreaking.

The world building was atmospheric and immersive. The battle scenes were described so well, it was like watching a film not reading a book. The writing style was very beautiful and evocative.

Overall, it was an amazing read, one of my favorites this year for sure. The unique portrayal of Heaven and Hell and complex characters make this book a must read for people who love books with high stakes and lyrical writing. I am looking forward to read more by this author.

'They'd built their purity on deprivation and called it holy'

'Another rule, another law carved into Heaven's bones and never questioned'

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.