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Gods & Villains
- GenresFantasy
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2026
About the author
Stella Brie
18 books448 followersAuthor of steamy contemporary and paranormal romance books, Stella Brie lives outside of Nashville, TN, with her husband and golden retriever, Bailey.
After her husband challenged her to write a paragraph, she wrote a book! Ideas are pestering her night and day now. She's currently in her writing cave, but when not writing, you can find her reading, boxing, traveling and all the other good things in life.
After her husband challenged her to write a paragraph, she wrote a book! Ideas are pestering her night and day now. She's currently in her writing cave, but when not writing, you can find her reading, boxing, traveling and all the other good things in life.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 10, 2026
A very interesting wrap up to this duet! While I’ll admit that I preferred the intrigue and chemistry in book 1 more, I still enjoyed this one. The only things that brought it down a bit for me were that the guys were jerks and she just forgave them, and I would have actually preferred to see more fleshing out of the history and story aspect, rather than the relationships in this one. Still, it’s very much worth the read!
March 14, 2026
Absolutely loved this duet
We have Phaedra - an ancient princess turned spy to the gods as well as protector to humans. Her job is to remove curses from objects that could be harmful
Matthias - a vampire
Gatlin - a gryphon shifter (created by the magi)
Jamison - a mage with above average power
Hawthorne - an elven prince
At 15 years old Phaedra opened a vase from the gods that opened portals to different realms. In doing this she also lost her sister Pandora who was created by the gods. The gods locked Phaedra up to 10 years before bestowing on her immortality and the job of protecting humans from curses.
The duet is about the gods quest to assemble a box with a key. Different panels of the boxes are hidden in different temples dedicated to the gods. On top of that quest Hera also gives her another. 5 gifts to 5 of her temples. Once completed the box and the key is the new portal opener.
We have Phaedra - an ancient princess turned spy to the gods as well as protector to humans. Her job is to remove curses from objects that could be harmful
Matthias - a vampire
Gatlin - a gryphon shifter (created by the magi)
Jamison - a mage with above average power
Hawthorne - an elven prince
At 15 years old Phaedra opened a vase from the gods that opened portals to different realms. In doing this she also lost her sister Pandora who was created by the gods. The gods locked Phaedra up to 10 years before bestowing on her immortality and the job of protecting humans from curses.
The duet is about the gods quest to assemble a box with a key. Different panels of the boxes are hidden in different temples dedicated to the gods. On top of that quest Hera also gives her another. 5 gifts to 5 of her temples. Once completed the box and the key is the new portal opener.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2026
Gods & Villains by Stella Brie-
I can always count on Stella to pull me into a story so much that the real world just disappears.
This book concludes the duet Curses and Gods series. We get so much action, emotions and Greek mythology within these two books it’s amazing she was able to keep it a duet.
Phaedra (FMC) is one of the strongest characters and being immortal has lived thousands of years. Now that she has found her mates - she has the risk yet again of losing them. This time at the hands of mortals, supernaturals and the Gods.
But like any strong woman- she claims what is hers with her heart & life on the line.
Wow - Seriously this book had me swooning, on the edge of my seat during the fight scenes, and in tears as these fated mates made fate theirs.
Well done yet again Stella!
I can always count on Stella to pull me into a story so much that the real world just disappears.
This book concludes the duet Curses and Gods series. We get so much action, emotions and Greek mythology within these two books it’s amazing she was able to keep it a duet.
Phaedra (FMC) is one of the strongest characters and being immortal has lived thousands of years. Now that she has found her mates - she has the risk yet again of losing them. This time at the hands of mortals, supernaturals and the Gods.
But like any strong woman- she claims what is hers with her heart & life on the line.
Wow - Seriously this book had me swooning, on the edge of my seat during the fight scenes, and in tears as these fated mates made fate theirs.
Well done yet again Stella!
March 13, 2026
It was a good conclusion to the duet. The book started where it left off and my heart broke for Paedra in the first few chapters. Even after 3000 years she feels so much guilt over one mistake she has made as a young girl.
Fortunately, she wasn’t so sad for too long. Some of the guys came to their senses pretty soon so she had someone to lean on.
This book has a lot of action as the main story is about the quest and getting all the panels. Even though it was really interesting I would like to see a bit more of the personal relationship and maybe a glimpse into the characters future.
And the epilogue, it’s so Stella’s style… I really hope we get more because it just couldn’t have ended like this… maybe we will get Pandora’s story next.
Fortunately, she wasn’t so sad for too long. Some of the guys came to their senses pretty soon so she had someone to lean on.
This book has a lot of action as the main story is about the quest and getting all the panels. Even though it was really interesting I would like to see a bit more of the personal relationship and maybe a glimpse into the characters future.
And the epilogue, it’s so Stella’s style… I really hope we get more because it just couldn’t have ended like this… maybe we will get Pandora’s story next.
March 20, 2026
This duet was so darn fantastic! The world building and mythology are top tier. I cannot even imagine how much research went into this duet, but it’s amazing! All the feels with these characters. Book 1 (Curses & Keys) left us on a heck of a cliff hanger, but Book 2 (Gods & Villains) picks up right where we left off. The mystery, the intrigue, the saving the world, just all of it was so good! In case you need to know…yes…there is a happy ending and this is a true reverse harem.
March 13, 2026
brilliant duet
I adored this duet and found it hard to put down. Strong FMC. The story line pulls you along at a good clip. Strong finish, the finish is where a lot of save the world books let me down. I strongly recommend these books. I wonder if there is an audiobook.
I adored this duet and found it hard to put down. Strong FMC. The story line pulls you along at a good clip. Strong finish, the finish is where a lot of save the world books let me down. I strongly recommend these books. I wonder if there is an audiobook.
March 25, 2026
New favorite
The energy and mystery that I loved in book 1 carried over into this book. I loved this and am sad that it is over. The interactions between the characters and seeing their growth with each other on top of a mystery to solve kept my interest from page one.
The energy and mystery that I loved in book 1 carried over into this book. I loved this and am sad that it is over. The interactions between the characters and seeing their growth with each other on top of a mystery to solve kept my interest from page one.
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March 12, 2026🟢 This is a reverse harem 🟢
March 15, 2026
Great duet
Really loved meeting Phaedra and the team. The machinations of the gods get quite intricate in this book and enjoyed the happy for now.
Really loved meeting Phaedra and the team. The machinations of the gods get quite intricate in this book and enjoyed the happy for now.
March 18, 2026
Idk something about the first book hit so much harder than this one, but it was still good
March 26, 2026
3.5⭐️
April 5, 2026
Such a great end to this duet! Seems like there could be room for spin offs that I would love to see!
April 8, 2026
Enjoyed the conclusion this was a great series!
April 8, 2026
I'm glad the author didn't drag on the story, two books was enough to finish the plot without feeling rushed or cut off. Everything finally gets resolved, and we get our HEA.
May 1, 2026
I admit, maybe the fact the I liked the first book way more made me have too high exceptions? I personally wasn’t too impressed with the guys’ reactions to her secret in the end of the first book. I understand that they were hurt, but it was selfish of them to just drop her.
Then when she leaves, at the start of this book, Gatlin is the only one mature enough to find and stay with her, but he gets mad at her for leaving. However, what are you supposed to do when the people you trust just walk out on you in such an abrupt and asshole-ish way? I think the guys were selfish, and they didn’t take the time to get out of their feelings (they act like angry teenagers, not the supposed 200+ or however old they are mature beings they’re portrayed initially as) and realize the Phaedra has literally been punished for centuries of a stupid mistake she made as basically a child. None of her men were children when the portals opened, but they act like children and refuse to sit down and have a decent conversation like the centuries old warriors, scholars, and heirs they are.
Just the relationships overall in this book felt rushed, not super fleshed out, and frustrating. I think it would’ve been better if this wasn’t a duet, but like a 4 book series at most. I was mad at Riven for not being a good mate, or just man, for not telling her what he feels, and suppressing it like an idiot until near the end. The only one of her men I somewhat warmed up to was Gatlin, but even him I got frustrated at.
The ending felt unearned. It was just…flat. I wasn’t thrilled with Jamison becoming immortal. I know everyone else was, but I just didn’t feel like the relationship was evolved and together enough to earn that moment. The same goes for Phaedra meeting her sister again. Pandora was sort of a dick to Phaedra. Her part in the story was really short too and maybe I was just hoping Phaedra would have one thing she wouldn’t have to earn like everything else in this book, or her whole life, but it didn’t happen. That’s the thing that bugged me a great deal. Phaedra’s entire existence I feel was just her having to earn everything, and it’s exhausting as a reader. Let the girl breathe for once!
Overall, the book wasn’t bad, but there’s all the stuff I mentioned above, and I wish there had been more scenes of Phaedra doing her archeology and travelling around. That’s what helped snag my attention in the first book, and that stuff was sort of just pushed to the side for her men to act like selfish fools for a good portion of the book. Honestly, if I were Phaedra, I’d have dropped all of her men, with the exception of Gatlin if he worked more to earn her trust and love, and just found a new harem to put her love and trust in.
But really, I would’ve loved this book and duet more if it were longer and took the time to flesh out the relationships or if the author had chucked out the men’s stupidity.
Then when she leaves, at the start of this book, Gatlin is the only one mature enough to find and stay with her, but he gets mad at her for leaving. However, what are you supposed to do when the people you trust just walk out on you in such an abrupt and asshole-ish way? I think the guys were selfish, and they didn’t take the time to get out of their feelings (they act like angry teenagers, not the supposed 200+ or however old they are mature beings they’re portrayed initially as) and realize the Phaedra has literally been punished for centuries of a stupid mistake she made as basically a child. None of her men were children when the portals opened, but they act like children and refuse to sit down and have a decent conversation like the centuries old warriors, scholars, and heirs they are.
Just the relationships overall in this book felt rushed, not super fleshed out, and frustrating. I think it would’ve been better if this wasn’t a duet, but like a 4 book series at most. I was mad at Riven for not being a good mate, or just man, for not telling her what he feels, and suppressing it like an idiot until near the end. The only one of her men I somewhat warmed up to was Gatlin, but even him I got frustrated at.
The ending felt unearned. It was just…flat. I wasn’t thrilled with Jamison becoming immortal. I know everyone else was, but I just didn’t feel like the relationship was evolved and together enough to earn that moment. The same goes for Phaedra meeting her sister again. Pandora was sort of a dick to Phaedra. Her part in the story was really short too and maybe I was just hoping Phaedra would have one thing she wouldn’t have to earn like everything else in this book, or her whole life, but it didn’t happen. That’s the thing that bugged me a great deal. Phaedra’s entire existence I feel was just her having to earn everything, and it’s exhausting as a reader. Let the girl breathe for once!
Overall, the book wasn’t bad, but there’s all the stuff I mentioned above, and I wish there had been more scenes of Phaedra doing her archeology and travelling around. That’s what helped snag my attention in the first book, and that stuff was sort of just pushed to the side for her men to act like selfish fools for a good portion of the book. Honestly, if I were Phaedra, I’d have dropped all of her men, with the exception of Gatlin if he worked more to earn her trust and love, and just found a new harem to put her love and trust in.
But really, I would’ve loved this book and duet more if it were longer and took the time to flesh out the relationships or if the author had chucked out the men’s stupidity.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews