Godbound

by Masha Sova

The Scarlet Letter meets the divine, deadly trials of The Games Gods Play in this dark, epic romantic fantasy where society weaponizes shame, gods weaponize survival, and love becomes the most dangerous rebellion of all.

They branded her a sinner.
She chose to become a threat.

In a kingdom where a forgotten goddess’s curse has become law—where purity is power and desire is a death sentence—Raylane has lived her life playing the perfect girl. Obedient. Untouched. Destined for the crown.

All so she might one day reshape a realm that damns cursed women like her mother… women who dared to fall in love.

Until one kiss ruins everything.

Branded impure and cursed with rot-magic that spreads by touch, Raylane is cast into the Trial of the Bound—a brutal arena where champions fight to the death, gods revel in blood, and power feeds on the prayers of the crowd.

Her only hope of survival? Swear fealty to the very goddess who cursed her. In return, the goddess tears a shadowbeast from another world and binds him to Raylane’s side—feral, unwilling, and the only one who can help her tame the power threatening to consume her.

He doesn’t want her. Doesn’t trust her. But their fates are entwined, and every step toward mastery binds them tighter.

As her power grows and their bond deepens, Raylane must make an impossible win the trial, free the cursed, and unleash a forgotten goddess bent on reclaiming the world… or lose everything to save those who now pray for her death.

One path leads to love.
The other, to mercy.
Both end in ruin.

Godbound contains mature content and is recommended for readers 17+. For a full list of content warnings, please visit the author’s website.

Perfect for fans
- Forced proximity
- Reluctant allies-to-lovers
- Slow burn romance
- Who did this to you
- He nurses her back to health
- Forbidden desire
- One bed and One horse
- She’ll hate me for this, but at least she'll be safe
... and books like Blood and Ash, The Serpent & the Wings of Night, and The Plated Prisoner Series.

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Magic

455 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 6, 2026

About the author

Masha Sova came to the U.S. at eighteen with a suitcase full of dreams and absolutely no idea that one day she'd be writing books filled with magic, mayhem, and morally complex love interests.

After founding an animal rescue in Brooklyn dedicated to saving the most heartbreaking cases of abuse and neglect, Masha did something equally brave: she started writing the stories she wanted to read. Fantasy. Romantasy. Epic stakes and soft animal companions. Her books are for anyone who’s ever needed an escape and found it in a page.

She writes to make readers feel deeply, laugh unexpectedly, cry unapologetically, and fall completely in love with characters who would fight gods for each other. And yes, there will always be at least one animal. Probably more. Deal with it.

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book 6, 7, 8…. 10 stars I would!! Just wow!! I was immediately hooked by the first chapter and could not put it down. I loved that this is based on the story of a female main character. The writing style is nicely executed and the storyline was amazing!! Of course with this being the start of a series, it does leave on a cliffhanger. But this book was wrapped up pretty nicely at the end while still leaving you with the anticipation of what’s to come due to a major turn of events.

My only question… When’s the next book!??

HUGE thank you to Masha Sova for this amazing ARC opportunity. I was not disappointed at all.

[itsliterary_emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a strong and impressive debut, and I’m genuinely excited to see where this author goes next.

The worldbuilding was absolutely stunning. It’s layered, immersive, and clearly crafted with a lot of care. From the gods and their champions to the trials and political structure, everything felt intentional and well thought out. The magic system in particular stood out as something really unique. It was a little confusing at first, especially with the godbound ties and the history of the Skyburn War, but by the end it all comes together in a way that feels rewarding and cohesive.

I also really loved the writing style. It had a very atmospheric and story telling quality that made it easy to get pulled into the story and stay there. I think the prose is incredibly well written.

Plot wise, this book really delivers. Watching Ray move through the trials and ultimately win the third one felt like such a satisfying buildup only for everything to unravel right before she’s crowned Archpriestess. The reveal of Kael’s ring, Calista’s ability to exist in a human body, and Peonicas decision to take the ring to protect Ray added so many layers of complexity to the story.

Ray severing the godbound tie and essentially breaking the system was such a powerful moment, even though it comes with huge consequences especially with Zyrel now positioned to rise. And then finding out that the previous Archpriest wasn’t killed by the gods, but actually confirmed he was murdered as part of a political plot that includes Mael is wild. That twist really reframes everything and adds a whole new level of intrigue going into the next book.

I also found the dynamic between Ray and Kael really fun. There’s a lot of tension there, especially once the truth comes out about what he knew and what he couldn’t tell her. Even though I understood his position, it still creates a painful rift between them, and Ray sending him away at the end felt like such an emotional turning point. I loved their banter together and some of the very witty remarks he made. I really can’t wait to see how he comes back in the next book.

As for Ray, I didn’t fully connect with her in every moment, but I was still able to appreciate her journey and the position she was placed in. She’s navigating impossible choices, power she doesn’t fully understand, and a system that becomes increasingly more complicated the more she uncovers. While some of her reactions didn’t always resonate with me, I found her overall arc compelling especially as she begins to question everything and shift from acceptance to actively challenging it. There were moments where I struggled a bit with how long it took her to fully accept and understand her magic, particularly her resistance to it. That said, the turning point with the fire when she finally recognizes that her rotting power can also be a form of saving felt meaningful, even if it came a little later than I expected. I did appreciate seeing her reach that realization and start to embrace what she’s capable of.

By the end, with Ray uncovering the political conspiracy, trying to figure out how to save Ryker, Kael gone, Calista now in a new body, and the mystery of the dragon still looming, it really feels like the story is just getting started.

Overall, this was a beautifully written, ambitious debut with a lot of moving pieces and a lot of potential. I’m definitely continuing the series.

Congrats on a great debut Masha! ♥️

[Sarah Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be selected to receive an advance reading copy for Godbound by Masa Sova. This was a great novel and I enjoyed reading it!

The story follows Raylane. Raylane was on the path to be Queen of Calcatra with hopes to spark change for women, however, things take a turn for the worse when she is drugged and kissed again her will, and cursed with the Crimson teather, a very unique twist inspired by The Scarlet Letter. To avoid being shunned and hopefully reverse her curse from being forced unknowingly into a kiss against her will and also take back control of her life, Ray becomes a champion for the goddess Calista (not a good people loved) and is bound to her Godbeast, Kaelzar, to compete in trails to become the Archpriestest, ridding herself of the curse.

Overall I loved the pacing and world building of this novel. There wasn’t a slow part, and the whole story was so well written. I think there could have been more added to the relationship building between Kaelzar and Ray. It felt almost too much like an instant flip from forced allies to friends (or something more). It seemed a little forced, like they would have been just fine being good friends supporting each other through the trails, but the story wanted them to be more and it don’t feel 100% authentic. I’m hoping this relationship will be developed more in a future book, which I will definitely read. The author didn’t fail at exploring this relationship, I just felt it needed more to make it make sense. I usually read fantasy for the romance in it, but I genuinely flew through the pages of Godbound for the hope that Ray kindled in people to inspire change in a world so rooted in tradition and keeping women in their place.

I do recommend this book and I look forward to the next book! Thank you for the opportunity to read this early!

[Nicole Dang · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW WOW WOW!!! I was gifted this book as an ARC and I’m SO grateful to have been able to be an ARC reader for this masterpiece.

This book was incredibly beautiful. Our strong FMC, our morally gray MMC, selfish royalty and aristocracy, our band of feminist supporting characters made this book an easy 10/10.

I love how Masha used the romantacy genre to address important social justice issues head on in a poignant and provocative way that still kept you immersed in her own world.

I thought all the characters were so beautifully developed (even our villains). I was invested in literally everyone’s story!

I absolutely loved everything about this book.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dyslexic Reviewer - Spoil Free Reviews

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+
Spice: 🌶️
Author: @masha.the.author
POV: Single First Person
Gene: Romantasy, Scarlet Letter Retelling
Triggers: Vio-lence, subjection of women, etc.
Read Time: 6 - 9 hours
Expected Publishing Date: 6/6/2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

❤️ World Building: The world building was perfect. It was lush without being overwhelming. I suppose I personally don’t like when the world building is too detailed because I feel like it can drag the story down. This book did not have that problem. It gave you the atmosphere of the world and the things around characters, without over describing everything.

❤️ The Characters: Raylane is a really likeable character, she was stuck between a rock and a hard place, and I agree with her decision to try and get out of her situation. Ryker is her unofficial fiance and King, he is a quieter character in this book, even though he still has a major role. Mael is like a lot of younger brothers in these situations. Kaelzar is the Godbeast assigned to Raylane in her trials, but he is so much more than just that. I also loved the female friendships in this book, Eva and Peonica are what female friendships should be. Strong and unconditional love.

❤️ The Story: The story was just amazing! It was so moving, touching up some touch subjects about the way the world treats men and women differently when it comes to consequences of their actions. Things we still see in today's modern world. It was so moving and had all the feels!!!

❤️‍🔥Overall: Trust me, GET THIS BOOK! As of right now ARC applications are open on the authors instagram!

Tutelary gods Fact Inspired by the Godbeasts: A patron deity may play a protective and guiding role in a specific human life. The relationship between an individual and their patron deity is usually a deep and personal one, being anything along the lines of a kind master, teacher, parent, guardian or anything of that sort. This form of patron deity is a Personal Relation. (Hellenicfaith.com)

[Yari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested this book because the premise of it sounded unique and different. And while some aspects of the book are typical, like trials and betrayal, the story as a whole felt very unique, different, and touching.

In the beginning I thought we were going one way and we quickly got whipped in another direction, in the best way, which made the story feel more unique. While there is romance in this book, the author did not rely on it to bring you a gripping story that made you want to continue reading. The conquest that our FMC is on, her journey, was what really made you want to continue reading. Would she conquer? Would she prevail and win and how? That’s what drew me in to this story. The romance was just folded in in the perfect way. And the MMC! 🤌🏽 All done with no spice (which I am not opposed to, but I very much appreciated in this story). I don’t know that I would call this a slow burn romance, but if you like a slow burn romance, I think you would appreciate this book!

When I got to the last few chapters I had to check if this was a series because I was scared I was going to get left on a cliff hanger. There were so many questions remaining and so little book left! This indeed is a series, but the way Masha wrapped this book up was done so well. She didn’t rely on a cliff hanger to leave you stunned and yearning for the next book. The book ended with the right balance of answered vs unanswered questions. I finished the book feeling both satisfied and excited for the next book release (hopefully we will not be waiting too long).

This book was just perfect! Down to the acknowledgements. And I hope Masha Sova and this book gets all the hype it deserves. ♥️

(Did I just write an essay for a review?? 😂 welp. I enjoyed it that much.)

*** Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso book tours for gifting me this advance reader copy. **

[bookswithcorey · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥️ Some books are good. Some books consume you.

♥️ This book was NEXT LEVEL and I’m honestly struggling to put into words just how much I loved it. Without a doubt, this is my favorite read of the month and very likely one of my top books of the year.

♥️ The feminine rage? Exquisite, and I am always here for it. The tension woven through Calcatra because of the Crimson Tether and the gods’ influence over everything? Painfully compelling.

♥️ Raylane’s growth throughout the trials made me so happy (in a vengeance sort of way?). I also adored the female friendships in this book because they brought warmth to such an intense story. And despite the heavier themes, there were moments that had me laughing out loud (the chicken dance… iykyk 😂).

♥️ This is one of those reviews where I feel like I can’t talk about my favorite moments or characters too much without spoiling something, but trust me when I say this book deserves the hype. And as a bonus, I FINALLY got to go back and read all the “present messages” in our buddy read chat after finishing 😭

🙏 Huge thank you to Masha Sova and IRIS Influencer for the ARC!

[TheBookDragonReads || Chloë · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy for free of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This could’ve been a 5 star read for me, and honestly, the only thing holding it back was one major issue: Raylane.

The world itself is fantastic. It’s a kingdom dictated by gods and their churches, where women are expected to remain “pure” or risk punishment and exile, or death. The injustice of that system creates an immediate tension, and I loved that the story actively fights against it the whole way through. Raylane’s goal is to challenge that system and create a safer world for women — which is a premise I was immediately on board for. She’s supposed to marry the king… but, as is tradition in fantasy books, things do not go to plan.

At first, I really liked Raylane. Her inner monologue makes it clear she’s quietly rebellious (until she isn’t very early on), determined, and unwilling to accept the status quo. Unfortunately, the longer the book went on, the more insufferably up herself she became. She’s unnecessarily nasty at times in ways that have nothing to do with feminine rage, and every time she did something that made me warm back up to her, she’d go and ruin it a chapter later by being an absolute ass.

And that became especially frustrating with Kaelzar — because I loved Kaelzar the second he appeared. Instantly. No notes. Well, almost no notes.

I really enjoyed his character arc throughout most of the book, particularly his grief and the glimpses into his past. Which is exactly why I hated how Raylane responded to it — using his trauma and emotions to try and wound him was such an ugly look, and it made me like her even less. She also repeatedly complains that it’s unfair he’s grumpy about being “stuck” with her… even though she actively chose to enter the trials. Granted, her alternative options were limited, but still.

My one annoyance with Kaelzar comes right at the end. The twist involving him and his motivations didn’t quite line up for me with the character arc that had been built. His reasoning and earlier actions toward Raylane didn’t fully make sense in hindsight, and it knocked me out of the story a bit. Also — and this may be controversial — I genuinely struggled to understand why he was romantically interested in Raylane at all. What exactly was there to fall for? I certainly didn’t see it. The hint of romance between them seemed almost forced, when I personally think this could’ve worked better if they never crossed the friend boundary in book 1, and the author built on tension between them instead for something to happen between them in book 2.

That said, the author was not afraid to go dark, and I loved that. The lore surrounding the gods and religion is absolutely this book’s strongest selling point. It’s rich, detailed, and genuinely compelling. The worldbuilding is excellent, the magic is cool, and on a deeply personal note — I love dragons. I need more dragons. I am begging for more dragons in book two. Especially Seraphina’s dragon. I need answers, I need wings restored, and I need more about what happened during the Skyburn War because those hints were too good to leave hanging.

I did have a minor believability issue with Raylane suddenly becoming physically “unstoppable.” She’s a noblewoman with no established combat training or notable stamina mentioned at any point… and now she’s battering giant hunters and outrunning enormous worms? Sure. Fine. Fantasy. I’ll allow it, but I did raise an eyebrow.

Ultimately, this scraped a 4 star read because the lore, the worldbuilding, the exploration of religion and misogyny, and the fight against injustice for women were all incredibly well done. It had all the ingredients for a 5 star read. If Raylane hadn’t been such an asshole — and if Kaelzar’s ending arc had lined up a little better — it absolutely could have been one.

[Brytknee · Rating 5 out of 5]

***This is an ARC read and was given by the author and hereafter is my honest review***

Fantasy and some slight romance
Spice rating is none to maybe a one pepper

"In fairy tales, a kiss breaks the curse. In this kingdom, it unleashes one." (front cover of Godbound)

The premise of this story lies around a society that is polytheistic, yet, only reveres one main God at a time, the ruling God that was decided some time ago, a royal family runs the kingdom, and a kingdom that is most definitely painted pretty quickly as very misogynistic in the way the society as a whole.

Part of the reasoning for the misogynistic society would be because one of the rarely, if at all, worshiped Gods, AKA Calista, put a curse on the women of the world. This curse makes women turn bright red hair and blackened hands which decay anything that they touch if they have any altercation of sexual motive with a man. The men are not cursed at all, ever.The women affected are then sent away to live in a separate segregated area known as Rust Hollow.

Our story starts with our main character Lady Raylane Troubelle, she is a lady who is meant to marry Prince Ryker. We start with her on the way to a lashing of a woman recently found to be cursed; true to character, she has reservations about this, especially since her mother was once whipped for being a cursed woman. As we progress to the scene of the whipping she is overcome with raging emotions and catapults herself onto the scene to try to stop the lashings from progressing. Little does she know this action is the start to her life taking a very drastic turn for herself.

Skipping over some details, actually a lot, the current Arch Priest is killed and his presiding God is now no longer the presiding God. They begin a competition between willing volunteers who dedicate themselves to a God and battle to become the next Arch Priest/priestess in the end and whoever wins that God will be the next presiding God over the kingdom. Our Girl finding herself in a tough spot now that she has been marked as a cursed woman, one of the skipped details, ends up dedicating herself to the Goddess Calista. Our girl receives her God-beast, Kaelzar, but he is anything but a beast. Kaelzar is a man with shadow powers, yes I know no surprise, and an attitude to boot. Together they roll through the challenges of the competition and the challenges of dealing with each other.

Do I recommend this read? YES. It was so fun even with the misogynistic theme. Utilizing that theme to showcase how women are even to this day still treated differently than men and are shown different standards and expectations, unfairly so. Kaelzar is yet another brooding shadow powered main male character but he is worth it; as is our main spit fire Raylane Troubelle, AKA Trouble, and their dynamic together is very enjoyable to witness the growth of thought the book. Ending with a couple twists this is worth a read or two or three, and I cannot wait for the second book! (sorry for the odd summary of the beginning I just didn't want to give away too much)

[Nancy Weiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

6⭐️

I’m in tears writing this review, no words or emotions I can say will do this book justice.

Godbound isn’t just a dark romantic fantasy it’s so much more, from the character development, plot structure to the rollercoaster of emotions you’ll have reading this. This book is perfection in every way.

The world is built on destruction and corruption amongst women. Any woman who has any sort of intimacy before marriage is cursed with blackened fingertips and streaks of red in their hair - most women have white hair so it’s easy to spot. If you are cursed, you are thrown away into a ‘camp’ I can describe it. You are whipped, chained, underfed, malnourished until your death bed. These are dark themes, and how the author writes, makes you feel immediately connected with what’s happening. To be honest I felt like I was there.

Our FMC Raylane, is in line to marry the prince, she grew up within the royal family, absolutely disgusted with the current affairs of her world and desires for change. But it’s hard to be listened to as a woman. Until one day the curse comes for her. Her character development was incredible, from chapter 1 thinking she was going to be a quiet idle wife to the future king, to then becoming the bad ass warrior she is, not caring or bowing down to men with power.

Once every 15 years or so a new archpriest/ archpriestess is appointed in the Godbound Trials. They are like I can describe a dictatorship, and unleash these rules set against women.

There is so much I want to write about this book I could probably write a dissertation again about it. It was incredible. The trials were so intense and unlike any other trials I’ve read before, so unique and constantly on the edge of your seat. The characters and the side characters became apart of my soul and oh my gosh the MMC Kaelzar, my heart. He is your book boyfriend of dreams (and another shadow daddy). His personality sold me from the first time he entered the page, his sarcastic, whitty humour had me laughing so hard. His past is so traumatic, yet he fights above and beyond.

The plot and overall story was one of the best books I’ve ever read. Yes there’s no spice but you don’t need spice to make a book amazing. The yearning and tension did that enough, and Christ was it hot. I want to live in this world forever.

Also dying for a POV from Kaelzar!

Favourite quotes

“Because the Church says sinners deserve their penance. And my conscience? It screams I’m a coward.”

“I am the Champion of the Goddess of Blood and Decay, and your word means nothing to me now.”

“I chose you over every yesterday. I realised I would burn every memory for one more heartbeat with you.”

Things I loved

Deadly Trials
Reluctant allies to lovers
Slow burn
Forced proximity
Shadow Powers

[Haley Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️
🫑

Wow. This book was equally amazing and devastating.

The FMC, Raylane Troubelle, has an incredible moral compass. And she fought for what she believed in until the very end. She’s lost so much and I am surprised at her resolve to still keep standing. No doubt from the help of her two best friends, Eva and Peonica—who turns out to be her sister! (I wasn’t expecting that twist).

In a world where gods and archpriests/priestesses have the highest authority over the kingdom of Calcatra, Raylene throws herself into the trials of the bonded after getting plagued with the Crimson Tether—which presents itself with blackened fingers and crimson streaks staining her white hair. This happens when the woman shows affection to another man, or when a man takes their affection from a betrothed woman. With no consequences to the man. With the same fate the plagued her mother, she enters the trials and pledges herself to the forbidden goddess of Calista in hopes to rid the Crimson Tether Curse all together and save the women of Rust Hollow.

Enter Kaelzar, Ray’s Godbeast—hello new shadow daddy. Now that she’s Godbound to Calista, Kaelzar is her companion throughout these trials. Their tension is palpable that slowly shifts to wanting. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s enemies to lovers—not yet anyway—but the slow burn definitely burned.

The world building was stunning, and I did feel what I think the author intended for us to feel for all the characters. Hate, love, laughter, pity. And oh the feminine rage I felt with Raylane was unmatched.

However, there was a period in the first half of the book where it just kinda lulled and I felt like it lacked in momentum for 15% of the book. Ray’s pride in the first half of the book I think overshadowed her drive and character development a little bit to where I was getting annoyed. But once the second trial came around, the momentum kicked back up and I was glued to the pages again.

This was a great first installment to what I hope will be a series and I really enjoyed the writing, the world building and the characters. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a unique political system that is important to the plot, slow burn, enemies to lovers, feminine rage, trials, bonded beasts, strong shadow weilding MMC, kings and thrones, and betrayals.

Thank you to Masha Sova, BookSirens, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read, rate and review this book! ✨

[Haley Dunn-McKinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read dark, epic romantic fantasy where society weaponizes shame, gods weaponize survival, and love becomes the most dangerous rebellion of all.

“There once was a chicken who dreamed they could fly. She leapt from the fence and flapped to the sky, but her wings were too small, her feathers too plain, and down she fell, again and again. But the chicken kept trying, and try she did still, til her feathers grew sharper and bent to her will. And one day she rose, the air in her chest, she learned she was never a chicken at best…”

Raylane has lived her life playing the perfect girl. Obedient. Untouched. Destined for the crown. Until one kiss ruins everything. Branded impure and cursed with rot-magic that spreads by touch, Raylane is cast into the Trial of the Bound; a brutal arena where champions fight to the death, gods revel in blood, and power feeds on the prayers of the crowd. To survive, she must swear fealty to the very goddess who cursed her. In return, she is bound to a shadowbeast (Kaelzar) feral, unwilling, and the only one who can help her tame the power threatening to consume her.

There is so many points during the story that I felt Raylane’s turmoil at what was happening around her in her city, the betrayal from those that she trusted and loved, and the fear of letting down those who she was fighting for. Raylane has got to be one of the most selfless characters I have read in a fantasy book. This book does end on a cliffhanger and there is no HEA but we will have to see what book 2 brings. AND, there is no way anyone could read this book and not read book 2.

It is so hard to adequately describe the love I have for this book. Unlike Masha, I do not have a way with words. I am still thinking about it days later.

Thank you so much Masha for writing this book and allowing me the opportunity to read it prior to release. Now, it’s time to release book 2…. Like now!! Please, pretty please!

“…She wasn’t a chicken, all feathers and fear, but a hawk in disguise, kept earthbound for years. They told her she couldn’t, they needed her small, but she spread her own wings and she outflew them all.”

[Amanda L · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS is how you do visceral, feminine rage. 5 stars.

A land cursed by a vengeful Goddess where women physically bear the responsibility, the shame, and the proof of intimacy, welcomed or otherwise. A society built by men who gleefully abuse their power to maintain this inequitable status quo. A series of deadly trials to determine who will be the next bloodthirsty, savage, and misogynistic leader with enough influence and magical ability to be a law unto themselves. Until one woman throws herself on the altar of that vengeful Goddess and dares to bring the whole system down.

GODBOUND was absolute treat to read. Full of action, banter, delectable tension, and stunning character arcs. You will struggle to put this book down, because I certainly couldn’t. The trials and the magic felt reminiscent of Clarissa Broadbent’s THE SERPENT AND THE WINGS OF NIGHT mixed with some elements of Abigail Owen’s THE GAMES GODS PLAY. The politics and machinations relating to gender dynamics is foundational. Imagine THE SCARLET LETTER or THE CRUCIBLE but on steroids and with magic, dragons, Gods, and Goddesses.

Sova has a beautiful, successful career ahead of her. The investment into the editorial of this book, alone, makes it worth buying. This has the potential to be a TikTok/Instagram darling with a plethora of quotable moments and a truly stunning slow burn tension. There’s plenty of worldbuilding and action to satisfy every reader. Having reached the stunning end, there is still so much left to explore despite the impressive ground covered in this debut.

Masha Sova is now an auto-buy author.



Thank you so much to the author’s incredible beta readers, whose social media posts convinced me to apply for the ARC. Thank you, thank you to Masha Sova & her team who approved me.

I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. If I was any more honest, I’d be reaching through the computer to shake your shirt until you purchase a copy.

[Tonje Lien · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amaazing debut!!!

This is absolutely extremely well written and executed! It all comes together in the end, i promise!

Handmaids tale mixed with gods, magic and trials.

The premise of the book that women must be pure and not be touched by a man not to get the crimson tether curse. The cursed are cast out and treated horribly and Raylane (Ray) the becoming queen wants to change this treatment.

It's so easy to blame the women, the only ones affected when stepping over the line. And I mean, the line is teeny tiny when only a kiss means your cursed, and it lets itself known by blackening of fingers and red strands of hair. And the men you ask? The men is not affected in any way, what - so - ever.

Ray unfortunatly is tricked and gets cursed, the king cannot marry her anymore and the Prince (Mael) tries to marry her to fix the curse. Instead she launches herself into the trials to determine who is to be the new archpriest or archpriestess to get the power to change things for the women.

The trials means to get a godbound, a power to help you through, the others get a creature, a dragon but Ray she gets a man, Kaelzar (Kael) who controls shadows, and she gets the power to rot.

What I found very impressive with this, is that there's so much small stories unraveling throughout the whole big help women premise. There's friendships, politics, foul play, secrets both enemies and friends keep hidden, brewing connections with tension and so so much more!

It ends on a cliffhanger but everything wraps up nicely to have an ending but you will want to know that the heck is going to happen and want the next book yesterday!!

By the way: there's major plot twists but also medium or minor ones throughout depending on how you view things. I was shocked, annoyed, irritated, sad, laughing and smiling at it.

Cannot wait to see what comes next!!

Thank you netgalley and the author for an arc of this!

[Tara 🦈 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Godbound was such an interesting mix of brutal trials, divine magic, politics, control and so so much rage and fear. The world is built around the Crimson Tether where women are branded as impure and cursed with rot-magic that spreads by touch. They are feared, shamed and beaten and honestly some of those moments were devastating. The imbalance of power between men and women is such a vital part of this story and seeing how much fear, judgement and control shaped Raylane’s entire life added a lot of emotional weight to her journey.

Ray definitely frustrated me at times, some of her choices and reactions made me want to shake her a little but at the same time it made sense for who she was. She’s been sheltered and raised to survive within a system designed to keep women obedient and then suddenly everything she believed about herself and her future is ripped away. Once I reminded myself of that I appreciated her growth a lot more because it felt earned rather than instant especially as she carries so much pressure, guilt and expectation on her shoulders.

The magic system was one of my favourite parts. I loved the connection between the gods, prayer and power and the contrast of Calista's Blood and Decay magic where decay must first take for blood to give. The Trial of the Bound added another layer and a sense of danger which kept things interesting and I enjoyed watching Ray learn to work alongside Kaelzar. Their relationship starts with so much distrust and tension but seeing that bond slowly evolve and hearing more about Kaelzar and his past was easily one of the better parts of the story for me.

Overall this was a darker romantasy with strong themes around shame, control, faith and rebellion. Definitely a solid 4 stars for me and I’m really curious to see where the series goes next.

Thank you Xpresso Book Tours and NetGalley for the ARC!

[K K Jones Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masha Sova's book Godbound is book one in her new SkyburnWar series, and is absolutely unparalleled in it's breathtaking, and groundbreaking, piece of artmanship.

Engaged to a king, Raylane is sure she knows how her life is going to turn out until she is betrayed and she becomes one of the condemned. In order to save her life and escape a punishment she doesn't deserve, Raylane throws herself into the Trial of the Bound, swearing fealty to an all but forgotten Goddess who sends her her shadow beast.

Together, Raylane and her shadow beast have to survive four trials that will determine who will become either the next Arch Priest or Priestess, and which God or Goddess will become the new Supreme deity of the kingdom. Raylane knows if she doesn't survive, it won't be just her that will be condemned, but all women that have kissed someone out of wedlock, whether willing or not.

Ms. Sova brings this new world to life combining The Scarlett Letter and The Hunger Games. The characters are so life like, their flaws so human like, readers will be completely enthralled in their lives from the first couple of pages up until the last page. The pain Raylane feels throughout the book is felt by the readers just as if they were the ones to physically experience it instead of Raylane. And when she thinks she's been betrayed, readers want to cry right alongside her.

Godbound is the type of book readers say play movies inside inside their head as they read. The scenes are so detailed and descriptive, a movie playing the reader's head is the least of what they hope should expect.

Ms. Sova is the type of writer readers hope to find, but in truth only comes around once or twice a generation. Other authors that she could compare to in world building would be Stephen King, George R. R. Martin, J. R. R. Tolkein, Elizabeth Haydon, and Barb and J. C. Hendee.

[Cassandra Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC in return for my honest review.

Tropes to expect -
⛓️‍💥 Forced proximity
💔 Betrayals
🖤 Deadly trials
🖤 Dark romantasy
🐉 Godbeasts and magic
❤️‍🔥 Slow burn
🐴 One horse 🛏️ One bed

Godbound starts by following Raylane Troubelle, our FMC, as she attends the lashing of a cursed woman, an event she does not want to attend. As the lashing begins, Raylane intervenes and releases the woman from any more harm. This sets in motion the death of the current Archpriest and his presiding god creating the God Trials, where willing participants must dedicate themselves to a god and battle to become the next Archpriest or priestess.

Most women have white hair, a sign of purity. Any woman who has experienced intimacy before marriage is 'cursed' by the Crimson Tether, streaks of red in their hair and blackened fingertips with rot-magic spread by touch, easy to identify. They are then sent to Rust Hollow where they are left to 'survive' until death with all the other cursed women to be forgotten about.

Raylane is quietly engaged to Prince Ryker, destined for the crown. It all comes crashing down because of one kiss, she is cursed. Raylane casts herself into the Trial of the Bound where she is bound to the Godbeast, Kaelzar. He is feral, dark, moody and unwilling to help her but is the only one who can help her control her power threatening to consume her.

The worldbuilding in this book is simple yet intricate. The book has a balanced plot, and the slow burn is impeccable!! It is refreshing to read a book with no spice, the yearning and the tension, chefs kiss!!!!

The twists, political intrigue, betrayals and the ending of the book, had me nearly throw my phone at the wall. Now I have to wait for book 2. Masha, why did you have to do that to us????!!!!!!!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Godbound by Masha Sova - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow, wow, wow! This book was incredible - I can’t wait for book 2.

Described as The Scarlet Letter meets The Games Gods play with hints of A Handmaid’s Tale, Masha Sova drew me in to a plot that was filled with tension, turmoil and OMG moments that had me gripping my kindle in disbelief.

The plot starts with a public flaying of a cursed woman, an incredibly conflicted FMC and a decision that seems to start a chain reaction that continues to ripple the narrative throughout. Set in a kingdom where women have been cursed by a scorned Goddess, rendering any woman who so much as kisses a man outside of marriage permanently branded with red hair, blackened finger tips and a touch that will rot anyone they have contact with, the story is told from the perspective of soon to be queen, Raylane Troubelle. Raylane’s dreams of a kingdom where the cursed women are no longer abused and treated as lesser come shattering down one fateful evening. Desperate, Raylane propels herself into a series of deadly trials, fighting on behalf of the very goddess who cursed the women she so desperately wants to save.

Raylane Troubelle is a phenomenal FMC driven by desperation, a desire to absolve the cursed women and seek revenge. Kaelzar is the perfect, bitter, powerful shadow daddy MMC. Their initially resentful relationship slowly burns its way through the pages but with the curse lying in wait as a constant threat, the tension remains palpable throughout.

The deadly trials are action packed and feature creatures so grotesque I physically recoiled whilst reading. The plot twists in places, fills you with hope in others, then sends you plummeting further into despair…in the best possible way. I’m just furious I have to wait to hear what happens next!


Key tropes:
* Ancient curses
* Gods
* Deadly trials
* Shadow Daddy MMC
* Found family
* Betrayal
* Forced proximity
* Dragons and monsters
* One bed/one horse
* Slow burn romance

[Michaela K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as a Beta read.

This was a fantastic read, and I need book 2. Immediately. I’ve been left with more questions than answers, but in the best way.

The worldbuilding is unlike anything I’ve read before. The magic and gods system is intricate yet clear - everything connects, and nothing feels unnecessary. There’s no info-dumping; instead, the lore is woven seamlessly into the story, often told through beautifully crafted moments of history and character-driven explanation.

The political intrigue and deadly trials are executed with precision. The trials are intense and well thought out, yet balanced by quieter moments. The political breadcrumbs are there from the beginning - and when everything connects at the end, you’ll realize it was in front of you all along.

The characters? Incredible. Every introduction serves a purpose, and the growth, whether positive or negative, feels earned. Both the FMC and MMC undergo powerful arcs that feel authentic, compelling, and in line with their characters.

The romance is a true slow burn, and I mean slow in the best way. There’s banter, tension, longing, care-taking, and immaculate trust-building. The best scenes are those where the FMC and the MMC connect on an intimate and soul deep level, sans spice. I was squealing the deeper their connection got. And when I say the MMC delivers the most beautiful line I’ve ever read, I mean it!

The female friendship is strong and natural, never forced or overbearing. It feels real, supportive, and necessary.

And the twists? Brutal.
The betrayals? Absolutely heartbreaking.

I am emotionally unwell.

[Taylor Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“To give life…you must take it first.”

Godbound is the kind of book that consumes you and leaves no crumbs behind. From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. The premise feels fresh, dark, and intensely gripping—I genuinely felt like an adrenaline junkie, itching to devour just one more chapter.

The story gives strong romantasy vibes, layered with a world that echoes elements of The Scarlet Letter, where women who dare to embrace desire are cursed and cast out. It’s unsettling in the best way.

I loved the world-building—everything from the politics, to the curse, to the trials, to the gods and beasts. There are so many moving parts, yet they blend together seamlessly. The characters add even more depth. Raylane’s strength stands out, but what truly drew me in were her flaws, her humanity, and her relentless desire to make the world better.

The MMC is exactly what I love—morally gray, full of secrets, and carrying a tragic past. The romance is a slow burn packed with tension, and it absolutely delivers.

And that ending… the cliffhanger left me with a serious book hangover (okay, massive). I’ll be eagerly waiting for any news about the next installment.

If you haven’t gathered by now—read this book, especially if you love romantasy with layered characters, high stakes, and plenty of action.

Tropes: slow burn, morally gray characters, secrets & betrayals, one bed, forced proximity, curses, gods & magical creatures, deadly trials

⚠️ Please check trigger warnings—this story includes darker themes, including sexual assault.

Thank you to Iris Influencer Society and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Daphne Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook arc. This book is highly addictive and I could not put this down, and even thought about calling in sick to my job to finish it. If you’re a fan of feminine rage, slowest of slow burn, the scarlet letter, hunger games, and the handmaid’s tale then this book is for you.
Women are cursed that if they so much as kiss a man they are not wed to then the curse activates and they her a stream of red in their hair and can no longer touch a living thing without causing that living person to rot away.
Ray is in her way to the castle to watch another girl get sent to the hollows when she decides she can’t take it anymore and stays the punishment causing the archpriest to show up and remind people of the roles only for him to get struck down by the gods and the games for the new gods begin.
Each god have one champion bow allegiance to them and fight to be the archpriest. Ray after being tricked into kissing the brother of her fiancé and almost marrying the brother to rid herself of the cursed, decided the only way out of this situation is to fight for the good of decay and fight for all the cursed women.
Everyone that dedicates gets a dragon as a companion to help them with the challenges, she gets a broody shadow daddy with a mouth and doubts she has what it takes to win the challenges.
I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. I’m normally not a fan of slow burn but this was done just right and the magic and political system definitely a unique setting, and cannot wait till the next installment in this series. I know it’ll be worth the wait.

[NatalieSreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if, instead of the classical tales where a kiss saves the damsel in distress, the kiss gives the curse? Masha Sova said “BET!” and wrote this god-tier book filled with female rage, societal injustices, a unique magic system with trials and a curse so cruel it makes my toes curl.

I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.

I’m afraid my soul now belongs to this book. Godbound is so exquisite, it has everything I need in a a great story: the world building is artistically drawn up for us, the purpose of the books is clear, the main characters are far from perfect, there are plot twists and the villains are great and truly frightening, because they’re not too far from the reality in today’s political climate. And the cherry on top? It’s filled with amazing side characters and I’m such a sucker for great best friends.

Godbound is set in a puritanical world where females get cursed for so much as a kiss before marriage. The curse you may ask? You’ll get a red streak in your hair, blackened fingertips that rots anything living you touch, and you get thrown out of society to live as an outcast in Rust Hollow with the other cursed women.

Lady Raylane is set to marry the king. Fate wills it differently when she, after an evening of drinking with the king’s brother, wakes up cursed and confused. As a way of not ending up in Rust Hollow she throws herself head first into a deadly trial, as the champion of the Goddess for Blood and Decay.

Go read it when it comes out June 6th, you do not want to miss Godbound! It is very. slowly. burning 🔥

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Godbound is a dark romantic fantasy set in a world where women are cursed and punished for intimacy before marriage, and honestly... that alone hooked me. The story centers on Raylane, a girl who has lived her entire life under the shadow of her mother's curse and death, trying to be "good enough" in a kingdom where virtue is literally power.

When Raylane finally thinks she's found a way to secure a better future, everything unravels after one kiss she doesn't even remember-and suddenly she's carrying the same curse that destroyed her mother. Instead of accepting the fate laid out for her, she chooses to fight it, even when that choice could cost her everything.

This book does such a good job balancing plot, romance, and emotional weight. The trials are intense, the magic system feels fresh, and the political tension in the background keeps the stakes high the entire time. And the romance? Painfully slow, full of tension, reluctant allies, forbidden feelings, and that constant pull between two people who absolutely should not want each other-but do.

Also, the tropes hit exactly the way I like them to: curses, deadly trials, forbidden desire, love triangle, intrigue and betrayal, ballroom scenes, one horse, one bed, "who did this to you," he nurses her back to health, and the slowest burn imaginable. By the end, I was fully invested-not just in the romance, but in what happens to Raylane and the other women trapped under this system. Dark, emotional, and very easy to get lost in. Five stars from me, no question.

[Abbey Vale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Godbound: The Skyburn War (Book 1) is an absolutely electrifying start to what promises to be an unforgettable series. From the very first chapter, the story pulls you into a richly imagined world where divine power, political intrigue, and human vulnerability collide in spectacular fashion.

The author masterfully balances epic scale with deeply personal storytelling. The worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming—every kingdom, conflict, and myth feels purposeful and alive. What truly elevates this novel, however, is its characters. The protagonist’s journey from uncertainty to power is both compelling and emotionally grounded, making their struggles feel real even amid godlike abilities.

The pacing is spot-on, with intense action sequences interwoven seamlessly with quieter, character-driven moments. The “Skyburn War” itself is depicted with cinematic intensity, full of high stakes, moral ambiguity, and twists that keep you turning pages late into the night.

The prose is vivid and confident, painting scenes that linger in your imagination long after you’ve finished reading. Themes of power, responsibility, and sacrifice are explored thoughtfully, adding depth beneath the thrilling surface.

In short, this is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy. It delivers everything you could want—gripping plot, memorable characters, and a world that begs to be explored further. If this first installment is any indication, the series is destined to be something truly special.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Bogi Gergely · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, it took me a while to figure out what was going on, but once I got through the first few chapters, I couldn’t put it down—I was completely sucked into the story. You can’t predict what’s going to happen, and I love that the main character seems to be asking the same questions I am. I love Raylane—she’s one of those FMCs who’s smart, brave, and someone I’d love to be best friends with.

I love the dynamics between the characters, and the slow burn here actually makes sense—it explains why they have to hold back (not just to keep the reader guessing).
In this game of gods and power-hungry nobles, Raylane doesn’t back down, and through her story, I somehow felt that nothing is impossible.
I loved the world-building, the power struggles, and the longing that made my blood boil.
I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t mention any names, but I love the male character despite everything, and I’m really looking forward to meeting him in the second book. I hope that, thanks to the author, I’ll have the chance to read it sooner than the masses!
I’d especially like to mention the cliffhanger, which basically blew my mind. I just stared into space for about five minutes, thinking there’s no way I have to wait to find out what happens next…
I miss Raylane’s impulsive remarks and her eventful, unpredictable life.
If you’re looking to follow a strong, brave, yet relatable and lovable girl on a journey where women’s value, wounds, and struggles are front and center, then welcome to our circle ❤️

P.S. How red would your hair be in this world? 🍷🌹

[Ashley Jurczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if your first kiss cursed you? A curse so powerful that everything living around you began to decay… 👀
Did I pique your interest? Because Godbound by Masha Sova was absolutely immaculate. The world-building in this story completely pulled me in from the very first page. In this world, women are cursed if they touch a man before marriage. Their hair turns red, and they gain the terrifying ability to decay living things around them.
Our FMC, Raylane, is destined to become the next Queen… until one devastating moment changes everything and leaves her cursed. To survive, she enters the deadly trials to become the next Archpriestess, competing under the Goddess of Decay alongside her own terrifying Godbeast.
And then there’s Kaelzar… her terrifying Godbeast and our MMC : the ultimate shadow daddy. 🖤 This man literally controls shadows and stores pieces of them to use as weapons and tools under his command. Add in his dark, tortured past, and I was DONE FOR.
The tension and yearning between Raylane and Kaelzar was absolute perfection. The reluctant allies -to-lovers dynamic delivered EVERYTHING I wanted, especially with the genuine hatred between them in the beginning. No spoilers though. 👀
If you’re looking for:
✨ A fresh fantasy world
🖤 Dark and dangerous trials
⚔️ Enemies to lovers tension
🐉 Godbeasts and powerful magic
🤯 Plot twists that keep coming
…then this book is for you.
And as usual, I desperately need the next book immediately. 😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars

[Erin Dyches · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have SO many feelings about this book and I’m still trying to recover. I would describe this book as God Tier 😂
This story explores the oppression of women through a unique fantasy lens, and the premise immediately pulled me in. The Crimson Tether concept was fascinating and honestly disturbing in the best way. The world-building put me right there beside the women of Rust Hollow and had me emotionally invested from the start.

Our FMC? She had me rooting for her immediately. Watching her challenge a broken system and refuse to quietly accept her circumstances made me want to stand up and cheer. Ray’s growth throughout this story was incredible. After everything she endured, she became someone I fully stood behind.

The gods? TRICKY. The trials? Brutal. The backstories? Emotionally devastating. I cried actual tears over Kaelzar and Ray’s back stories and at one point became so invested that I completely stopped taking notes because I was IN IT.
And can we talk about the betrayals?! Because this book kept dropping truth bombs and every time I thought I knew where things were going, I got hit again. The people of Rust Hollow had me stressed. The ending betrayal? Absolutely not. I was left physically ill and staring into space questioning my life choices.

Also… sexy Godbeast? Say less.

The emotional weight, the world-building, the twists, and the character growth made this one incredibly hard to put down. And after everything Ray went through, I am READY for Book 2.

Heart. Whip. All. Make them pay, girl. ❤️

[Shannon Isaacs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to be chosen to Beta read this book and OMG I could not put it down!! I’ve been an ARC reader so was so excited to mark this book as my first beta. Thank you again Masha Sova for trusting me with your book

Now I’ve done a lot of reading and this book.. hooked me from the very start! Our FMC Raylane lives in a world where females are cursed for so much as a kiss before marriage. One moment of passion can turn a females world into tragedy, as her hair is immediately streaked red for all to see and cursed with the ability to rot anything they touch. Engaged to the King, Raylane is determined once she gets married to have a positive impact on women. Until one kiss steals that goal and she’s suddenly unworthy of the king.

Raylane is forced into the Trial of bounds, where it seems even then the gods are laughing at her as her competition are given mighty beasts, she is sent Kaelzar - a handsome mystery who immediately wants nothing to do with Raylane.

The trials in this story are some of the best I have read in years! I was screaming and cheering… I honestly never wanted this book to end. The tension and the slow burn in this book. The way I need book 2 needs to be studied because I would literally call into work sick until I finished - my children would learn to order grub hub and I would just rot on the couch to get myself back into this world… and the way book 1 ends - I’m not ok

[Aithene · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5/5 | 🌶️ 1/5

This is not a light romantasy. It’s political, layered, and very character focused.

The story leans into strong Scarlet Letter style themes. Public shame, reputation, and judgment sit at the centre of everything, but they’re woven into a magic system tied closely to gods and faith. Power, belief, and politics all overlap in a way that feels intentional. Faith isn’t soft here. It carries BIG consequences.

Ray’s growth is what makes the book. She starts reactive and boxed in by scandal, but over time she steps into her own power in a way that feels earned. It’s messy. There’s pride, doubt, collapse, and rebuilding. Her magic responding to her emotional state is one of the strongest elements, and it keeps the stakes feeling personal.

The enemies to lovers dynamic with Kael is slow burn and tension heavy without feeling forced. The power shifts between them are subtle, especially in public moments, which makes those scenes hit harder. There's also dragons, divine judgment, political pressure. But it always comes back to character and their growth. And betrayal.

A few internal sections could be tightened, but overall the pacing is strong and there were multiple chapters I read straight through without stopping. Which is rare as a mum of two tiny humans!

A thoughtful, faith driven political romantasy with real stakes and a heroine who has to earn every inch of her strength.

Thank you Masha, for trusting me to be one of your Beta Readers.

[Azra Markham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just… wow. This was a full-blown 6-star read.

From the very first page, Godbound had me in a chokehold and did not let go. The writing is immersive, sharp, and addictive in that “just one more chapter” way that turns into finishing the book at an unreasonable hour.

The world-building is rich without ever feeling overwhelming, and the pacing is relentless in the best way. Every trial, every layer of deception, and every revelation hits exactly right and keeps you questioning everything.

But the real star here is the FMC.

Her journey is raw, powerful, and deeply unfair in a way that makes you want to fight the universe on her behalf. She’s forced to navigate choices taken from her, decisions thrust upon her, and the ones she must make herself-all while carrying the weight of her people and humanity. Watching her grow into her strength felt earned in every sense.

And without saying too much… there is a certain bond in this story that is as intense as it is complicated 👀
It’s the kind of connection that simmers beneath the surface-charged, reluctant, and full of unspoken tension. You can feel the pull, even when trust is… questionable.

Emotional Damage Level: High
Moral Grayness: Delicious
Tension Level: Quietly feral

I am completely invested and already desperate for the next book.