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The Athanatoi and the Star of Inanna

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Born of gods, betrayed by love, and hunted by destiny.

Ida Morawski’s freshman year at Lake Haven University should be picture-perfect. She’s starting college with her high school sweetheart, and has just pledged her mother’s elite sorority. But Ida has a secret. Her great-grandmother is Athanatoi—the immortal race once worshipped as gods.

Under the guidance of her enigmatic mentor—the latest incarnation of Aphrodite herself—Ida must navigate a world of powerful magic, ancient rivalries, and dangerous secrets, unaware that a dark prophecy has already set forces in motion, threatening everything she holds dear.

When Ida's hidden world drives a wedge between her and her boyfriend, a mysterious stranger offers her the Star of Inanna, an enchanted necklace that promises to lead her to true love. With the gift in hand, Ida looks toward the future with hope, but soon finds herself torn between the boy she’s loved since childhood and the intriguing stranger who sees her for who she truly is.

But Ida will learn there’s more to that decision than meets the eye as she discovers what it truly means to live among the Athanatoi—facing manipulation, betrayal, and enemies who will stop at nothing to unlock the secrets buried in her bloodline. In a world where gods walk among mortals and love can be both weapon and salvation, the wrong choice could cost her everything…including her very soul.

The Athanatoi and the Star of Inanna is a captivating blend of high-stakes New Adult romance and richly layered urban fantasy where ancient mythology meets modern love and one young woman’s destiny could change the fate of immortals forever.

432 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2026

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Janine Baranski

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5 stars
8 (36%)
4 stars
12 (54%)
3 stars
1 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
3 reviews
Review of advance copy
May 22, 2026
I received a free copy of this book, but my review is my honest opinion.
The Athanatoi and the Star of Inanna felt like the kind of fantasy novel that fully commits to building its own mythology, history, and atmosphere, and I honestly appreciated how immersive the world became once I settled into it. This is definitely not a light, surface-level fantasy story. It’s layered, detailed, and clearly written for readers who enjoy getting deeply absorbed into a fully developed world.
What stood out most to me was the mythology and lore woven throughout the story. You can tell Janine Baranski put a lot of thought into the cultures, history, belief systems, and larger universe surrounding the characters. It gave the book a very rich, ancient feeling that made the world feel alive rather than just existing as a backdrop for the plot.
I also liked that the story takes its time developing things. Some fantasy books rush from action scene to action scene, but this one leans more into atmosphere, discovery, mystery, and gradual character development. Because of that, the emotional stakes and larger conflicts felt more meaningful once the story really got moving.
The writing style itself also fit the tone well. It felt mature and descriptive without becoming overly difficult to follow, and there were several moments where the imagery or mythology-based elements really stood out in my mind visually. It’s the type of book where you can picture entire scenes unfolding almost cinematically.
At 400+ pages, this is definitely a more substantial fantasy read, but for readers who enjoy detailed world-building, mythology-inspired storytelling, layered fantasy lore, and stories that slowly pull you deeper into their universe, I think this would be a very rewarding book to pick up.
Profile Image for Heather Rochon.
122 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 21, 2026
I received a free ARC of The Athanatoi and the Star of Inanna in exchange for an honest review.

I could not put this book down. I need the sequel immediately, please.

Step into the modern world where magic is real and the ancient gods go to college. Ida Morawski is a freshman at Lake Haven University, just joined her mother’s exclusive sorority, and found out that her new Big is the reincarnation of the goddess Aphrodite. Things get even more complicated when Ida is gifted a necklace with the Star of Inanna pendant. The necklace should help her find true love, but instead it thrusts her into a love triangle between her high school sweetheart and a new guy from the world of the Athanatoi.

The Athanatoi and the Star of Inanna is a mix of cozy fantasy and new adult romance. The world building is gradual yet the magical system is complex enough that I know we’ll dive further in with the next installment of the series. As someone who doesn’t read (or like) a lot of high-fantasy, I welcomed the cozy atmosphere of this book’s fantasy. I am more familiar with new adult romance, though, and this book excellently captured the mood of an on-campus love story.

While The Athanatoi and the Star of Inanna is told in four different point of views, Ida’s voice was the strongest and I was engaged the most with her storyline. Ida is imperfect, complex, and admirable. All of the characters are interesting and lovable (well, maybe not everyone, IYKYK).

This is a wonderful debut for Janine Baranski and the start of a great series.

The Athanatoi and the Star of Inanna is out on June 1, 2026.

4/5 Stars.
Profile Image for Dani.
375 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 31, 2026
When I first read the synopsis, I was immediately intrigued. Greek mythology is becoming more popular again, and I was excited to see a fresh take on it. The story begins with an interesting setup, briefly introducing the history, magic, and several characters early on.

However, I would have appreciated more time spent building this foundation. A deeper exploration of the mythology, and what exactly happened in the past and how it connects to the present. Especially the college setting and how it fit into the world - would have helped me feel more connected in the story.
As the plot progresses, we receive small pieces of information, but they felt somewhat fragmented to me. The main focus seems to shift more towards the romantic relationships and everyday experiences of young adults. Given that some characters have lived multiple lives, I found it difficult to understand why their behaviour and interactions still felt very much like those of teenagers more often than not.I do understand, that overall it was a New Adult book.

Overall, the book is very easy to read, and I moved through it quickly. Still, I was left wanting more, as I never fully connected with the characters or felt fully invested in the direction of the story.
If you like your stories a bit more easy to consume and don't mind not going too deep, this might actually be a good one for you.

I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
7 reviews
June 6, 2026
I was provided an advanced reader copy of The Athanatoi and the Star of Inanna to read.

Overall, I would rate this book a 4.25/5 stars, so I rounded down to 4 stars. I really enjoyed the overall premise of the book and it was very captivating. Once I got about a third of the way through the book, I would start reading and not be able to put it down for hours.

My main critique that lowered my rating was the writing style. The writing was quite straightforward and by that I mean Baranski explicitly wrote how each character was feeling, rather than having those feelings come through in more subtle ways. Basically, instead of “show not tell”, the writing was “tell instead of show”. This made the book feel YA in its writing style (which there’s nothing wrong with that, but it felt like it contradicted the intention of the plot and paired weirdly with the explicit sexual storylines). However, this was only a problem for me in the first 100 or so pages. I cannot say for certain if it was because I got used to the writing style or if it was because the main world building was complete so such explicit explanations were no longer needed.

Like I said, the later parts of this book were very good! I started to anticipate the reveal at the ending, yet I was still shocked at the intricacies! I am definitely sad this book ended with the story incomplete and would like to continue this story if another installment is published!
Profile Image for Celina Clark.
9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
May 19, 2026
While I loved the premise of this book, the execution fell a little short for me in the details.

As someone who reads a lot of high fantasy and romantasy, I kept noticing inconsistencies that pulled me out of the story. The relationship between Logan and Ida was what kept me invested — their dynamic felt believable and captured the awkward, emotional intensity of a college relationship really well.

Where the book struggled most for me was the magic system and worldbuilding continuity. Early on, the story implies descendants and magic users are rare and need to stay hidden, but almost immediately it feels like nearly everyone in the sorority openly has powers or knows about them. I also found myself confused by the reincarnation aspect: if these characters remember past lives and are descendants of Greek gods, it became harder for me to understand why normal college concerns carried so much weight. Some of the lineage details also felt muddled at times.

That said, I genuinely think this could become a very strong cozy romantasy with a bit more polishing and continuity refinement. Even with my frustrations, this was still one of the more enjoyable ARC reads I’ve had in a while, and I appreciate the opportunity to read it.
54 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy
May 22, 2026
Honestly, I went into this one not really knowing what to expect, but The Athanatoi and the Star of Inanna completely sucked me in from page one. It’s one of those books where the plot just keeps moving, and I found myself constantly wanting to know what was going to happen next. What I loved most was the sense of mystery, which kept me glued to the pages. The story follows Ida, who suddenly finds herself thrust into this hidden world of the Athanatoi. The premise is super intriguing, she’s dealing with people who are hunting her down because of her bloodline. It adds this layer of high stakes danger that makes you really root for her. And of course, when her involvement in this secret world starts ruining her relationship and it's the classic "torn between two guys" trope but it actually feels earned here because the mysterious guy actually sees her in a way her boyfriend doesn’t. If you’re looking for a page turner that blends mythology, secret societies, and messy romantic entanglements, and where the protagonist is thrown into the deep end and has to figure out who to trust while everything they know is being challenged, this is a solid pick. I was hooked until the very last page!
Profile Image for Katie Raygoza.
22 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 2, 2026
I was given an advanced copy of The Athanatoi and the Star of Inanna to read. This is perfect for those of us who were in a sorority in college. Or those who like those kinds of books. The mixture of mythology and young college campus drama is well done.

Ida, the FMC, is starting her first year at Lake Haven University. She is still with her high school sweetheart, Logan, who also is a freshman at the same school. She is also a legacy for an elite sorority that caters to women with specific bloodlines. The sorority is the one place where these women, descendants of the Greek gods, can be themselves. There is magic and a prophecy which the characters are trying to solve.

Ida’s boyfriend, Logan, doesn’t know her secret and this drives a wedge in their relationship. One day, when she was feeling down, someone gifted her with a Star of Inanna necklace. Meant to be something helpful and will help her find her true love, Ida wears it devotedly. The Star of Inanna is also one of the symbols Ida’s sorority Big has as she is the latest incarnation of Aphrodite.

This urban fantasy book does a great job navigating the typical college campus lifestyle of young adults trying to have it all while figuring out adulthood. I liked the integration of Greek mythology but am a little confused still on the magic system involved. Hopefully, in book 2 as Ida steps into her destiny more, there will be a clearer description.
Profile Image for Merrit.
90 reviews
June 4, 2026
I was gifted an ARC and am truly grateful.

I was thrilled about the mythology as soon as I read the synopsy. I absolutely adore Greek mythology and was so excited to explore it in a modern setting with such a unique spin.

The book was easy to read, and enjoyable. It has some intense world building that can be a bit confusing. I also found that the history felt fragmented and was convoluted at times making it a bit difficult to keep straight. I did find myself getting annoyed by the focus and back and forth with multiple romantic entanglements. There are like 4 different points of view that I sometimes struggled to keep up with. I would have like to have seen these explored deeper.

Despite these issues, I genuinely enjoyed this book and appreciate the ARC opportunity. The mythology itself remains compelling, and I'm excited to see where the story goes in the sequel. With some refinement in character development and narrative focus, this series has great potential!
20 reviews
Review of advance copy
May 18, 2026
**ARC REVIEW**


I thoroughly enjoyed this romantasy and found its exploration of reincarnation especially fascinating. Janine Baranski creates an intriguing lineage and magic system that feels both fresh and immersive. The story beautifully captures the delicate balance of maintaining friendships after heartbreak while weaving in themes of identity and self-discovery. Despite following four different POV- the narrative remains clear and engaging, with each storyline blending seamlessly as the characters’ relationships evolve. The emotional intensity, magical elements, and complex connections between the characters kept me invested from beginning to end. It’s a compelling, imaginative read that constantly keeps you curious and eager to see what happens next.
1 review
Review of advance copy
May 26, 2026
I received a free ARC of The Athanatoi and the Star of Inanna.

I typically enjoy fantasy, romantasy, and college romances, but this book fell a bit flat for me. I feel that there were too many different POVs early on before we could get a feel for the characters which made it hard to keep track of with a lot of names thrown out very early on. It would have been nice to have more background on the magic system and Logan +Ida's relationship before big shifts started happening. The dialogue also felt a bit young for college-aged people who are also potentially centuries old.

All in all, I liked it but didn't love it. Definitely some fun moments and worth giving it a read, it may be more your speed than mine!
Profile Image for Jo Wyld.
174 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
April 21, 2026
A great start to a new intriguing fantasty series!

The magic system is Inspired by the gods, but has a new fresh angle I haven't seen before.

You can also expect:
Multiple POV
Multiple love triangles
Academia setting

Our MFC Ida is in college and has joined a sorority based on her families ties to the gods, Ida is learning all about magic, including her own in this book whilst dealing with a complicated love life!

Someone is sabotaging her and others in her sorority, but who is it and why?

We need book 2 to find out! I wonder if I'm right and is it just me thats feeling Xander and Ida couple vibes!?
2 reviews
Review of advance copy
May 24, 2026
The Athanatoi and the Star of Inanna was such a captivating read! The mix of mythology, mystery, and adventure kept me hooked from beginning to end. I loved how richly detailed the world-building was, and the characters felt both powerful and relatable. If you enjoy stories filled with ancient legends, suspense, and emotional depth, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR.

Ida and Logan’s dynamic was definitely my favorite part of the story — their chemistry and interactions kept me invested the entire time. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I had a hard time keeping up with some of the world building at times. (But thats a me problem, not the authors).
Profile Image for Kasey Connors-Beron.
548 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 10, 2026
I received an ARC of this book thanks to the publisher through NetGalley and leave this review voluntarily.

I cannot wait for more of this series. The story is complex, following four POVs, but it is not confusing at all. It was easy to follow the various threads and see how they all interwove as characters met each other and their relationships developed. There is a sense of discovering oneself, while it not being a main focus. It is a really interesting romantasy with a unique magic system that keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat!
Profile Image for Anne Marko.
253 reviews29 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 27, 2026
Pretty cool story mostly told from Ida's point of view. Set in a somewhat magical college in which direct decedents of old gods (Zeus, etc.) are reincarnated into new beings and reborn every so often. Ida's just learning about her abilities and is struggling with what her future holds for her and what magic will mean in her life. Really great set of developed characters and intriguing little mystery wound in. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
1 review
June 4, 2026
I really enjoyed this story! It gave me Crescent City vibes, but set in our world. This is very much an urban fantasy, so if you're looking for more of a high fantasy (Throne of Glass), this probably isn't the book for you. I found the magic system intriguing. It was familiar, but didn't make me think "oh, this reminds me of (insert any other fantasy story here)." I sometimes struggled to keep all of the characters straight, but that could just be a me problem. I received a free copy of this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
3 reviews
Review of advance copy
May 21, 2026
This novel weaves a great tale steeped in Greek (and other!) mythology, set in a modern college setting. The notions about reincarnation of the Gods & Goddesses and the mechanics involved is an intriguing idea. I’m not typically fond of the “other woman drama” trope, but in this case, I’m okay with with it, as it is for a plot reason. Really intrigued where Ida’s story goes now that she has her DNA results!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for KATIEY SWAIM.
27 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy
May 23, 2026
The Athanatoi and the Star of Inanna is an enthralling story of romance, fantasy and a mulitlayered ancient prophecy that if fulfilled could change the fate of every immortal being.  The story follows the life of Ida Morawski who is just starting her freshman year at Lake Haven University. She is a pledge at the sorority her Mom was a member of and she is still with her high school sweetheart. Everything seems perfectly ideal, but Ida has a secret that could change everything. 
Profile Image for Jean Goldstein.
11 reviews
Review of advance copy
May 25, 2026
This book is a great start to a new series. It is a mix of urban fantasy, greek mythology, and romantasy which basically combines some of my favorite genres. I could not put it down and found the concept of immortality for the Greek gods to be an original take on the subject. The story ends with only a partial answer to the main mystery, so I can't wait until the next book to find out more. Note: I received a free copy of this book.
Profile Image for Rei Marie.
Author 2 books8 followers
Review of advance copy
May 12, 2026
I really enjoyed this story. The possibility of reincarnation has always fascinated me and the way Janine Baranski detailed its lineage was very intriguing. The dance of maintaining a friendship after a breakup is always delicate. The power and magic these characters hold was beautiful and intense. I was grateful to be able to review this book through an advanced readers e-copy.
7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 25, 2026
This book is super exciting! I love how it mixes college life with ancient myths and magic. Ida’s choice between her childhood sweetheart and a mysterious stranger is so dramatic. It kept me guessing the whole time. If you like fantasy and epic romance, you should definitely check this out!
2 reviews
Review of advance copy
May 26, 2026
I REALLY wanted to like this book. I enjoy god themes and mythology but there was so much going on in the first couple chapters it was hard to settle in to the story. I do feel like it could be a great read it just wasn’t for me.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews