What do you think?
Rate this book
Wells of Istri #2
Because the Gods Left
The final book in the Wells of Istri duology is here! This dark romantic fantasy delivers even bigger stakes, forbidden romance, and a dangerous world pushing them towards destruction.
In Because the Beasts Came, Iryana met Pyetar while infiltrating the 18th to save her family and ended up healing herself in the process.
Now, Iryana and Pyetar must work together to strength both their peoples in the face of even greater threats, and hope that path will eventually allow them to be together.
Because the Gods Left is the last book in a romantic fantasy duology within the Wells of Istri world. It features slow burn, forbidden romance, emotional healing, dark fantasy, fantasy romance, and action and adventure. Full of aching tension, angst, a unique and dangerous world full of monsters, and a strong but heroine torn between duty, desire, and survival, you won't be able to put this book down.
In Because the Beasts Came, Iryana met Pyetar while infiltrating the 18th to save her family and ended up healing herself in the process.
Now, Iryana and Pyetar must work together to strength both their peoples in the face of even greater threats, and hope that path will eventually allow them to be together.
Because the Gods Left is the last book in a romantic fantasy duology within the Wells of Istri world. It features slow burn, forbidden romance, emotional healing, dark fantasy, fantasy romance, and action and adventure. Full of aching tension, angst, a unique and dangerous world full of monsters, and a strong but heroine torn between duty, desire, and survival, you won't be able to put this book down.
783 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
Currently Reading
October 14, 2026Thabk you to the author for the ARC.
Disclaimer: I am not actually finished this book yet so I am a tad unqualified to review it.
I am loving this!
It releases tommorow so I feel ought to share my opinions, my full review will come as soon as I finish! (I am half way through now)
my review of book 1 Because the Beasts Came
Disclaimer: I am not actually finished this book yet so I am a tad unqualified to review it.
I am loving this!
It releases tommorow so I feel ought to share my opinions, my full review will come as soon as I finish! (I am half way through now)
my review of book 1 Because the Beasts Came
October 16, 2026
A Gripping, High-Stakes Finale That Delivers!
Picking up immediately after the events of Because the Beasts Came, Because the Gods Left throws you right back into the brutal, freezing world of the Wells of Istri. Madeline James wastes no time pulling you back into the chaos and I was so ready to see how this duology would unfold!
One thing I absolutely loved was how seamlessly the story continued from book one. No awkward time jump, no lengthy recap, just straight back into the action! The bleak winter setting is beautifully written and the atmosphere makes you feel like you're right there in the freezing, unforgiving world alongside the characters.
Iryana's journey was one of my favorite parts of this sequel. Watching her navigate her growing responsibilities while struggling with her volatile magic made her character development feel raw and compelling. I also loved how the side characters and different factions added more depth to the world and its political conflicts.
Let's be honest, I was also here for Iryana and Pyetar! Their relationship continues to deliver that forbidden, high-stakes tension I love.
Overall, Because the Gods Left is a satisfying conclusion to the duology, with immersive writing, strong character journeys and plenty of angst to keep you invested. While the scale of the story makes for a massive journey, I enjoyed getting to see these characters face the consequences of everything that came before.
Picking up immediately after the events of Because the Beasts Came, Because the Gods Left throws you right back into the brutal, freezing world of the Wells of Istri. Madeline James wastes no time pulling you back into the chaos and I was so ready to see how this duology would unfold!
One thing I absolutely loved was how seamlessly the story continued from book one. No awkward time jump, no lengthy recap, just straight back into the action! The bleak winter setting is beautifully written and the atmosphere makes you feel like you're right there in the freezing, unforgiving world alongside the characters.
Iryana's journey was one of my favorite parts of this sequel. Watching her navigate her growing responsibilities while struggling with her volatile magic made her character development feel raw and compelling. I also loved how the side characters and different factions added more depth to the world and its political conflicts.
Let's be honest, I was also here for Iryana and Pyetar! Their relationship continues to deliver that forbidden, high-stakes tension I love.
Overall, Because the Gods Left is a satisfying conclusion to the duology, with immersive writing, strong character journeys and plenty of angst to keep you invested. While the scale of the story makes for a massive journey, I enjoyed getting to see these characters face the consequences of everything that came before.
October 26, 2026
ARC Review for Because the Gods Left by Madeline James:
'She hoped they would. But perhaps hope was all she could do.'
Hope is a central theme. Hope to change the minds of the clan toward the 18th. Hope for the 18th to change past mistakes under Pyetar. Hope to feel like a part of the Kleesold's clan. Hope for her and Pyetar to have a future. For her to live with her warring dual forgings and for her body not to succumb. Hope to survive the wars.
“I don’t know all of you that well. But I know we’re all here because we care deeply for what we do. We are the steel and magic that stands between the monsters and mankind. We are the blades that have protected our families. We are the people who were never given the option of safety. And we all are just the same.”
Iryana's main challenge was believing she was enough. That she deserved more. That she was worthy. A struggle so many know, brought to life in the best ways throughout this story. The processes she and others had to fight through brought life to the journey.
There was never a part of the book that wasn't intense and fully fueled. While there was plenty of fighting, when there wasn't a battle of physicality, there was emotionally and mentally. Everything came together seamlessly, constantly urging you to keep reading. The heart and soul were in the moments between fighting. Those moments that make or break those characters.
Madeline has created a world that you can feel, that encompasses every sense. Her world building is beyond exceptional. The characters breathe life into these worlds, no matter their role. A world, people, creatures and gods that you can see play out like a movie in your mind.
I want to thank the author for allowing me to be an early part of this book's journey and for trusting my opinions of it. I am forever grateful to those who share their creations with us through stories. I can't wait to read anything else Madeline writes. I know it will be fantastical.
'She hoped they would. But perhaps hope was all she could do.'
Hope is a central theme. Hope to change the minds of the clan toward the 18th. Hope for the 18th to change past mistakes under Pyetar. Hope to feel like a part of the Kleesold's clan. Hope for her and Pyetar to have a future. For her to live with her warring dual forgings and for her body not to succumb. Hope to survive the wars.
“I don’t know all of you that well. But I know we’re all here because we care deeply for what we do. We are the steel and magic that stands between the monsters and mankind. We are the blades that have protected our families. We are the people who were never given the option of safety. And we all are just the same.”
Iryana's main challenge was believing she was enough. That she deserved more. That she was worthy. A struggle so many know, brought to life in the best ways throughout this story. The processes she and others had to fight through brought life to the journey.
There was never a part of the book that wasn't intense and fully fueled. While there was plenty of fighting, when there wasn't a battle of physicality, there was emotionally and mentally. Everything came together seamlessly, constantly urging you to keep reading. The heart and soul were in the moments between fighting. Those moments that make or break those characters.
Madeline has created a world that you can feel, that encompasses every sense. Her world building is beyond exceptional. The characters breathe life into these worlds, no matter their role. A world, people, creatures and gods that you can see play out like a movie in your mind.
I want to thank the author for allowing me to be an early part of this book's journey and for trusting my opinions of it. I am forever grateful to those who share their creations with us through stories. I can't wait to read anything else Madeline writes. I know it will be fantastical.
October 23, 2026
✨ Because the Gods Left by Madeline James ✨
4.5 stars
In 2025, I read The Bridge Kingdom and went hunting for romantasy with similar vibes but a little less heaviness. That’s when I stumbled across Because the Beasts Came and immediately added it to my TBR. Magic, romance, and a duology instead of a never-ending series? My romantasy-loving heart was sold!
Because the Gods Left picks up right where book one left off, and I was completely immersed from the start. Iryana’s growing magic and responsibilities felt so real, and I could absolutely relate to her frustration as more and more was placed on her shoulders. She has grit and determination. Madeline James’s beautiful writing and fantastic pacing kept me hooked from beginning to end. And the romance? The slow-burn yearning between Iryana and Pyetar was everything! YA fantasy or not, their relationship had me invested, and the satisfying HEA made this duology even sweeter. It's a mix of the clans coming together or potentially just Iryana saying that she no longer cares and that she is enough.
If you’re looking for a beautifully written fantasy with magic, a swoon worthy slow burn, and a satisfying ending without committing to a long series, add this duology to your TBR! The winter background makes it a perfect mood read as we are heading into the BER months!
My favorite quote:
"We're going to get through this. Because we're brave and we have to. Just like we've gotten through everything else."
Tropes:
✨Forbidden romance
✨Found family
✨Beasts
✨FMC who is a baddie
✨Sisterly bonds
✨Only one treehouse
4.5 stars
In 2025, I read The Bridge Kingdom and went hunting for romantasy with similar vibes but a little less heaviness. That’s when I stumbled across Because the Beasts Came and immediately added it to my TBR. Magic, romance, and a duology instead of a never-ending series? My romantasy-loving heart was sold!
Because the Gods Left picks up right where book one left off, and I was completely immersed from the start. Iryana’s growing magic and responsibilities felt so real, and I could absolutely relate to her frustration as more and more was placed on her shoulders. She has grit and determination. Madeline James’s beautiful writing and fantastic pacing kept me hooked from beginning to end. And the romance? The slow-burn yearning between Iryana and Pyetar was everything! YA fantasy or not, their relationship had me invested, and the satisfying HEA made this duology even sweeter. It's a mix of the clans coming together or potentially just Iryana saying that she no longer cares and that she is enough.
If you’re looking for a beautifully written fantasy with magic, a swoon worthy slow burn, and a satisfying ending without committing to a long series, add this duology to your TBR! The winter background makes it a perfect mood read as we are heading into the BER months!
My favorite quote:
"We're going to get through this. Because we're brave and we have to. Just like we've gotten through everything else."
Tropes:
✨Forbidden romance
✨Found family
✨Beasts
✨FMC who is a baddie
✨Sisterly bonds
✨Only one treehouse
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️
ARC Review
I was so happy to return to this world. 🖤
We got even more worldbuilding this time around, with plenty of danger, conflict and tension, but I especially loved how much the story expanded from book one. The addition of the monsters, gods and politics brought another layer to the world and made everything feel so much bigger. There was genuinely never a dull moment.
Iri was battling so much internally while also being in the middle of a war, trying to guide her clan and somehow unite the Brigade and the other clans against the growing danger. She took so much upon herself while she was already hurting and I really loved seeing that vulnerability alongside her strength. Her internal struggle, especially that feeling of never being enough despite giving absolutely everything she had, was painfully relatable. You can't help but root for her.
And Pyetar. 🥹 I looooved him. Even when he wasn't necessarily at the centre of everything, he was always there beside Iri, supporting her through it all. And the yearning between these two??? Top notch. 🤌🏻
My only slight frustration was the constant tension between the Eighteen and the Kleesold clan. Don't get me wrong, I completely understood why it was there after everything they'd been through and that conflict was important to the story. But there were a few moments where I found myself thinking that surely, by now, at least some of them would've bonded enough to move past a little of that hostility. 😅 At the same time, though, I can't complain too much because that tension also helped keep the story interesting and made their eventual progress feel earned.
It was such a satisfying ending to the duology. It expanded everything I loved about the first book while giving Iri's story the emotional and high stakes conclusion it deserved. 🖤
ARC Review
I was so happy to return to this world. 🖤
We got even more worldbuilding this time around, with plenty of danger, conflict and tension, but I especially loved how much the story expanded from book one. The addition of the monsters, gods and politics brought another layer to the world and made everything feel so much bigger. There was genuinely never a dull moment.
Iri was battling so much internally while also being in the middle of a war, trying to guide her clan and somehow unite the Brigade and the other clans against the growing danger. She took so much upon herself while she was already hurting and I really loved seeing that vulnerability alongside her strength. Her internal struggle, especially that feeling of never being enough despite giving absolutely everything she had, was painfully relatable. You can't help but root for her.
And Pyetar. 🥹 I looooved him. Even when he wasn't necessarily at the centre of everything, he was always there beside Iri, supporting her through it all. And the yearning between these two??? Top notch. 🤌🏻
My only slight frustration was the constant tension between the Eighteen and the Kleesold clan. Don't get me wrong, I completely understood why it was there after everything they'd been through and that conflict was important to the story. But there were a few moments where I found myself thinking that surely, by now, at least some of them would've bonded enough to move past a little of that hostility. 😅 At the same time, though, I can't complain too much because that tension also helped keep the story interesting and made their eventual progress feel earned.
It was such a satisfying ending to the duology. It expanded everything I loved about the first book while giving Iri's story the emotional and high stakes conclusion it deserved. 🖤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this as an ARC and have read both parts of the duology. I offer my own honest opinion and thoughts.
This thrilling end to a high stakes duology perfectly encapsulates the characteristics of redemption, healing, resilience and perseverence.
What do you do when the gods return and tell you that Humanity is collateral damage in their war? Fighting for survival and the protection of all you hold dear. That is what Iryana, Pyetar ans their fellow Istrians face.
From the get go I was hooked and wondered what would happen, I was gripped - and not even the worst bout of COVID could stop me from reading through this. For me, the action was top notch with so much uncertainty and trepidation - one fear-filled moment at a time. The inclusion and development of the relationships and bonds between the clan, the family and the 18th was handled expertly. The expansion from "chosen one" to group effort was refreshing and I am so glad that this was how it was tackled.
Now for the minor niggles (everyone has them right?) 1) Iryana's internal monologue became a little tiresome. I know that that is heartless - the girl is dealing with some TRAUMA and I support her healing journey 100%. But for me PERSONALLY it became just a little bit boring. 2) the resolution of the big bad. No spoilers but there were some exciting moments of build up and LOTRs-esque turn arounds that had me on the edge of my seat. But the ultimate clash was over far sooner than perhaps it seemed like it should be. The big bad was absolutely as big as promised but not nearly as bad and his pet was also a pushover considering (IYKYK).
WHAT I LOVED: Vaneshta, Ladishta, Pepha, Mezhimar, Thabin, Hadima, Misha, Pyetar and Iryana together like the Syberian Power Rangers. Found family is a trope I can absolutely get behind. A first/best friend who is certifiably a badass in their own right? SIGN ME UP.
But you know what makes me even happier? WHEN THEY MAKE A POINT OF THANKING WHOMEVER/WHATEVER HELPS THEM!!! And in this they do so BONUS POINTS for Madeline on that alone 👏👏 authors take note - thank👏 your 👏 helping👏 hands. Dragons, people, magically sentient objects it doesn't matter.
The tensions between the clan and the 18th, the moments of realisation and growth from everyone was done very well as were the moments of high moods and fears for survival. I could FEEL the desperation and exhaustion through the pages.
PERFECT for lovers of fantasy that borders noth romantasy and true high fantasy well. That perfect middle ground of magical-yet-real world building that shows every reader that magical abilities are still possible.
This thrilling end to a high stakes duology perfectly encapsulates the characteristics of redemption, healing, resilience and perseverence.
What do you do when the gods return and tell you that Humanity is collateral damage in their war? Fighting for survival and the protection of all you hold dear. That is what Iryana, Pyetar ans their fellow Istrians face.
From the get go I was hooked and wondered what would happen, I was gripped - and not even the worst bout of COVID could stop me from reading through this. For me, the action was top notch with so much uncertainty and trepidation - one fear-filled moment at a time. The inclusion and development of the relationships and bonds between the clan, the family and the 18th was handled expertly. The expansion from "chosen one" to group effort was refreshing and I am so glad that this was how it was tackled.
Now for the minor niggles (everyone has them right?) 1) Iryana's internal monologue became a little tiresome. I know that that is heartless - the girl is dealing with some TRAUMA and I support her healing journey 100%. But for me PERSONALLY it became just a little bit boring. 2) the resolution of the big bad. No spoilers but there were some exciting moments of build up and LOTRs-esque turn arounds that had me on the edge of my seat. But the ultimate clash was over far sooner than perhaps it seemed like it should be. The big bad was absolutely as big as promised but not nearly as bad and his pet was also a pushover considering (IYKYK).
WHAT I LOVED: Vaneshta, Ladishta, Pepha, Mezhimar, Thabin, Hadima, Misha, Pyetar and Iryana together like the Syberian Power Rangers. Found family is a trope I can absolutely get behind. A first/best friend who is certifiably a badass in their own right? SIGN ME UP.
But you know what makes me even happier? WHEN THEY MAKE A POINT OF THANKING WHOMEVER/WHATEVER HELPS THEM!!! And in this they do so BONUS POINTS for Madeline on that alone 👏👏 authors take note - thank👏 your 👏 helping👏 hands. Dragons, people, magically sentient objects it doesn't matter.
The tensions between the clan and the 18th, the moments of realisation and growth from everyone was done very well as were the moments of high moods and fears for survival. I could FEEL the desperation and exhaustion through the pages.
PERFECT for lovers of fantasy that borders noth romantasy and true high fantasy well. That perfect middle ground of magical-yet-real world building that shows every reader that magical abilities are still possible.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Iryana is my type of FMC. She’s so relatable, especially in her anxiety about stepping up as her clan’s leader and feeling unworthy or not enough. But I did wish she were more assertive with her family, because, honestly, they were pretty toxic. I hated how they treated her when she wanted to work with the 18th. I thought the events of the previous book would’ve changed their minds, but they were too stubborn and too judgmental. When she was with her friends or Pyetar, she was more herself, and that’s the Iryana I loved the most. She was a badass, knew how to laugh, and breathed more freely.
I enjoyed the romance but had mixed feelings about it. Pyetar is just the best. He has questions about where his path leads, but while working it out, he’s still a great leader people seem to respect. He loves Iryana so much that it hurt when they couldn’t be together because of her clan’s feelings toward him. I love how they bring the best out in each other. They're more themselves when they're together, and their personalities shine. They're happier, less stressed, and share cute banter. What I didn't like was I did love their ending, though. It made sense for their characters, and I was happy to see them finally get their happily ever after.
I really liked the conflict with the Gods because it was so different. It was refreshing and a cool twist on the trope.
I loved the last 20% of the story, where she finally broke through the hostility between the two groups who hated each other. She finally accepted that just being herself is enough. I wish it had happened sooner, at least by the 50% mark, because I would’ve liked them working together and giving the couple more time to enjoy their relationship without the fear of being caught. The last 20% gave me what I wanted, but it felt too late.
It was the perfect ending to the story, and I was satisfied with the outcome for the characters. I loved the overall story so much that I finished it in a couple of days. I’m looking forward to more stories from the author.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
I enjoyed the romance but had mixed feelings about it. Pyetar is just the best. He has questions about where his path leads, but while working it out, he’s still a great leader people seem to respect. He loves Iryana so much that it hurt when they couldn’t be together because of her clan’s feelings toward him. I love how they bring the best out in each other. They're more themselves when they're together, and their personalities shine. They're happier, less stressed, and share cute banter. What I didn't like was I did love their ending, though. It made sense for their characters, and I was happy to see them finally get their happily ever after.
I really liked the conflict with the Gods because it was so different. It was refreshing and a cool twist on the trope.
I loved the last 20% of the story, where she finally broke through the hostility between the two groups who hated each other. She finally accepted that just being herself is enough. I wish it had happened sooner, at least by the 50% mark, because I would’ve liked them working together and giving the couple more time to enjoy their relationship without the fear of being caught. The last 20% gave me what I wanted, but it felt too late.
It was the perfect ending to the story, and I was satisfied with the outcome for the characters. I loved the overall story so much that I finished it in a couple of days. I’m looking forward to more stories from the author.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
October 26, 2026
ARC Review for Because the Gods Left by Madeline James:
'She hoped they would. But perhaps hope was all she could do.'
Hope is a central theme. Hope to change the minds of the clan toward the 18th. Hope for the 18th to change past mistakes under Pyetar. Hope to feel like a part of the Kleesold's clan. Hope for her and Pyetar to have a future. For her to live with her warring dual forgings and for her body not to succumb. Hope to survive the wars.
“I don’t know all of you that well. But I know we’re all here because we care deeply for what we do. We are the steel and magic that stands between the monsters and mankind. We are the blades that have protected our families. We are the people who were never given the option of safety. And we all are just the same.”
Iryana's main challenge was believing she was enough. That she deserved more. That she was worthy. A struggle so many know, brought to life in the best ways throughout this story. The processes she and others had to fight through brought life to the journey.
There was never a part of the book that wasn't intense and fully fueled. While there was plenty of fighting, when there wasn't a battle of physicality, there was emotionally and mentally. Everything came together seamlessly, constantly urging you to keep reading. The heart and soul were in the moments between fighting. Those moments that make or break those characters.
Madeline has created a world that you can feel, that encompasses every sense. Her world building is beyond exceptional. The characters breathe life into these worlds, no matter their role. A world, people, creatures and gods that you can see play out like a movie in your mind.
I want to thank the author for allowing me to be an early part of this book's journey and for trusting my opinions of it. I am forever grateful to those who share their creations with us through stories. I can't wait to read anything else Madeline writes. I know it will be fantastical.
'She hoped they would. But perhaps hope was all she could do.'
Hope is a central theme. Hope to change the minds of the clan toward the 18th. Hope for the 18th to change past mistakes under Pyetar. Hope to feel like a part of the Kleesold's clan. Hope for her and Pyetar to have a future. For her to live with her warring dual forgings and for her body not to succumb. Hope to survive the wars.
“I don’t know all of you that well. But I know we’re all here because we care deeply for what we do. We are the steel and magic that stands between the monsters and mankind. We are the blades that have protected our families. We are the people who were never given the option of safety. And we all are just the same.”
Iryana's main challenge was believing she was enough. That she deserved more. That she was worthy. A struggle so many know, brought to life in the best ways throughout this story. The processes she and others had to fight through brought life to the journey.
There was never a part of the book that wasn't intense and fully fueled. While there was plenty of fighting, when there wasn't a battle of physicality, there was emotionally and mentally. Everything came together seamlessly, constantly urging you to keep reading. The heart and soul were in the moments between fighting. Those moments that make or break those characters.
Madeline has created a world that you can feel, that encompasses every sense. Her world building is beyond exceptional. The characters breathe life into these worlds, no matter their role. A world, people, creatures and gods that you can see play out like a movie in your mind.
I want to thank the author for allowing me to be an early part of this book's journey and for trusting my opinions of it. I am forever grateful to those who share their creations with us through stories. I can't wait to read anything else Madeline writes. I know it will be fantastical.
October 16, 2026
I definitely enjoyed this one! After reading Because the Beasts Came, I was excited to get back into Iryana and Pyetar's story. This book picks up with even more danger, difficult decisions, and plenty of emotional tension between these two!
Iryana has already been through so much, from infiltrating the 18th to protect her family to discovering things about herself along the way. Now she's faced with an even bigger challenge as she and Pyetar try to bring their people together while dealing with the growing threats around them. I really liked how determined Iryana was to do what was best for her people, even when it meant putting her own happiness aside.
And Pyetar! I loved the tension between these two throughout the series. They clearly have feelings for each other, but being together isn't that simple. They both have responsibilities, and neither can just walk away from the people depending on them. I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop while they struggled with trust, loyalty, and everything standing in their way.
I also loved that the story wasn't just focused on romance. There were dangerous monsters, action, secrets, and the constant threat of everything they've worked for falling apart. The combination of forbidden romance, emotional healing, and survival definitely kept things interesting!
Overall, I thought this was a great conclusion to the Wells of Istri duology! I really enjoyed Iryana and Pyetar's journey and how their relationship developed through everything they faced.
If you love dark fantasy, strong female characters, forbidden romance, and a slow burn with plenty of angst, I would absolutely recommend this series! Just make sure you read Because the Beasts Came first!
Iryana has already been through so much, from infiltrating the 18th to protect her family to discovering things about herself along the way. Now she's faced with an even bigger challenge as she and Pyetar try to bring their people together while dealing with the growing threats around them. I really liked how determined Iryana was to do what was best for her people, even when it meant putting her own happiness aside.
And Pyetar! I loved the tension between these two throughout the series. They clearly have feelings for each other, but being together isn't that simple. They both have responsibilities, and neither can just walk away from the people depending on them. I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop while they struggled with trust, loyalty, and everything standing in their way.
I also loved that the story wasn't just focused on romance. There were dangerous monsters, action, secrets, and the constant threat of everything they've worked for falling apart. The combination of forbidden romance, emotional healing, and survival definitely kept things interesting!
Overall, I thought this was a great conclusion to the Wells of Istri duology! I really enjoyed Iryana and Pyetar's journey and how their relationship developed through everything they faced.
If you love dark fantasy, strong female characters, forbidden romance, and a slow burn with plenty of angst, I would absolutely recommend this series! Just make sure you read Because the Beasts Came first!
October 29, 2026
This will contain spoilers from the first book
I was given this as an ARC read. It's the 2nd part in the Wells of Istri duology, and I gave the first book 4 stars, so I really wanted to give this second book a similar rating. I was very excited to go back into this world and learn more about the magic system, which I think is so unique and creative, and the family dynamics between the FMC and her family of guardians committed to protecting their lands, which are also really unique. I couldn't wait to find out the mystery behind the beasts that are plaguing the lands, how the effects of her decision to become dual forged would play out, and how the relationship with the MMC would develop. And while all of that does ultimately get resolved, it just happens over a book whose pacing and length kind of sucked the fun out of the experience. I am not an editor nor an author, but I really believe that if this book had been closer to the 350–450 page length, I would have been eating it up and would have given it a higher rating than the first. It has so much going for it: the story is great, the characters and the beasts are interesting and scary, and finally, the built-out world and the magic system are the best I have read in a while.
I was given this as an ARC read. It's the 2nd part in the Wells of Istri duology, and I gave the first book 4 stars, so I really wanted to give this second book a similar rating. I was very excited to go back into this world and learn more about the magic system, which I think is so unique and creative, and the family dynamics between the FMC and her family of guardians committed to protecting their lands, which are also really unique. I couldn't wait to find out the mystery behind the beasts that are plaguing the lands, how the effects of her decision to become dual forged would play out, and how the relationship with the MMC would develop. And while all of that does ultimately get resolved, it just happens over a book whose pacing and length kind of sucked the fun out of the experience. I am not an editor nor an author, but I really believe that if this book had been closer to the 350–450 page length, I would have been eating it up and would have given it a higher rating than the first. It has so much going for it: the story is great, the characters and the beasts are interesting and scary, and finally, the built-out world and the magic system are the best I have read in a while.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a great duology. The FMC, Iryana had so much going from the first to the second book, and I was excited to find out what was going to happen. The whole book was unpredictable and I truly had no idea what was going to happen. Pyetar is there for Iryana, through it all. Is their relationship perfection? No.. is any relationship perfection.. no. The second book just had so much more as far as the growth of the world we are placed in.
This is a duology I will for sure recommend. Thank you Madeline James for giving me the opportunity to read this before it releases!
This is a duology I will for sure recommend. Thank you Madeline James for giving me the opportunity to read this before it releases!
October 28, 2026
Thank you The Nerd Fam and author for the gifted book!
I enjoyed the concept of this duology overall. It had a plot twist I didn’t see coming in this second book.
The magic system was interesting and I liked that each person got to choose which element they forged with.
I always appreciated a forbidden love, that’s one of my favorite tropes! I liked to see every time Iryana and Peyter interacted.
For me, the pacing was incredibly slow. I think each book could have been cut down by 1/4 at least.
I enjoyed the concept of this duology overall. It had a plot twist I didn’t see coming in this second book.
The magic system was interesting and I liked that each person got to choose which element they forged with.
I always appreciated a forbidden love, that’s one of my favorite tropes! I liked to see every time Iryana and Peyter interacted.
For me, the pacing was incredibly slow. I think each book could have been cut down by 1/4 at least.
October 20, 2026
Book two was set up so perfectly and did not disappoint.
The story was fast paced with lots happening throughout. The magic system was thoroughly explored. The Beasts were ramped up and we continued on Iryana's healing journey (which we all know is never liner).
Pyetar is such a patient man. But can I just say that the true love story is between sisters. 💗
I cried so many times.
The story was fast paced with lots happening throughout. The magic system was thoroughly explored. The Beasts were ramped up and we continued on Iryana's healing journey (which we all know is never liner).
Pyetar is such a patient man. But can I just say that the true love story is between sisters. 💗
I cried so many times.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was on a roller-coaster this entire duet and the conclusion did not disappoint!!!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25 ⭐️ low🌶 ARC read
Much like the fist book the plot kept me on my toes and kept taking interesting and unexpected turns. It is more plot and fantasy based with dash of romance. It is a road of finding self value and worth while learning to overcome fears and battles.
Much like the fist book the plot kept me on my toes and kept taking interesting and unexpected turns. It is more plot and fantasy based with dash of romance. It is a road of finding self value and worth while learning to overcome fears and battles.
September 15, 2026
4.5⭐️
I just finished this amazing duology! After inhaling the first book Because the Beasts Came I was so excited to see what came next for the FMC Iryana. The internal turmoil that she faces while still being a complete badass definitely kept me engaged hoping for the resolution I wanted for the FMC after being introduced to the MMC in the first book Peytar 😏. I loved the messaging throughout depicting the internal struggle with believing in yourself and how that ties into the unique magic system in this book. The world building throughout this entire duology was amazing creating an epic romantasy.
Was this book predictable? Absolutely not! I had no idea what would come next for any of the characters it was such a fun ride!
💜Slow burn
💜Yearning
💜 Found Family
Spice 2-3🌶️
I just finished this amazing duology! After inhaling the first book Because the Beasts Came I was so excited to see what came next for the FMC Iryana. The internal turmoil that she faces while still being a complete badass definitely kept me engaged hoping for the resolution I wanted for the FMC after being introduced to the MMC in the first book Peytar 😏. I loved the messaging throughout depicting the internal struggle with believing in yourself and how that ties into the unique magic system in this book. The world building throughout this entire duology was amazing creating an epic romantasy.
Was this book predictable? Absolutely not! I had no idea what would come next for any of the characters it was such a fun ride!
💜Slow burn
💜Yearning
💜 Found Family
Spice 2-3🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
I can’t believe this duology is over. Like… who gave Madeline James permission to just finish it and leave me here with all these feelings? I’m sitting here trying to process the fact that Iryana and Pyetar’s story is DONE and honestly, I’m not accepting it. This book picks up with Iryana carrying way more than one person should have to carry. She’s trying to figure out what kind of leader she wants to be while dealing with her clan, the growing danger around them and everything happening on a much bigger scale. She is strong but she isn’t magically confident just because everyone suddenly expects things from her. She second guesses herself, makes frustrating choices, gets overwhelmed and sometimes I wanted to gently grab her by the shoulders and be like, BABE. PLEASE. YOU ARE ALLOWED TO WANT THINGS TOO.
Then we have Pyetar… The devotion. The patience. The yearning. The way he continues to show up for Iryana even when things between them get complicated had me sitting there like an idiot with a giant grin on my face. Their relationship isn’t perfectly smooth and there were definitely moments when I wanted Iryana to stop pushing him away and communicate like a functioning adult but I actually appreciated that their relationship had messy, painful moments instead of everything perfectly working because they love each other. I also have to talk about Hadima because their relationship remains one of my favorite parts of this world. There’s something so genuine about the way they love and protect each other. Their sisterhood gives the story this emotional little heartbeat underneath all the battles, politics, monsters, gods and general WHY IS EVERYONE TRYING TO KILL THEM chaos.
The world itself also gets SO much bigger here. We get more of the gods, monsters, clans, politics and the consequences of everything that happened before. The larger conflict gave the story a different feeling than the first book.
Now, like always… let me talk about why this wasn’t a full 5 stars for me. There were parts in the middle where I felt the pacing slow down, especially with some of the repeated conflict within the clan. I understood why that tension was there and I could see how it connected to our FMC character growth but there were definitely moments when my inner reader was like, WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS. CAN WE PLEASE MOVE ON NOW? I also wanted Iryana to find her backbone a little sooner in certain situations. Her struggle made sense but I was impatient watching her wrestle with the same doubts when I desperately wanted her to realize what I could already see in her.
But the payoff? Worth it.
The battles were intense, the stakes felt huge and I really appreciated that the story didn’t just stop once the fighting was over. We actually get to see what comes after, the consequences, the rebuilding and the emotional aftermath. That made the ending feel much more complete for me.. now I’m sitting here staring into the void because my main couple is done being my problem.
This was an emotional, messy, sometimes frustrating, beautifully expansive conclusion to their story. I laughed, I stressed, I got annoyed, I swooned and I absolutely had moments where I wanted to personally intervene in clan politics despite having zero qualifications for the job.
Final Thoughts: A big, emotional romantasy finale with complicated characters, sisterhood, yearning, monsters, gods, battles and enough family drama to make me grateful I can close a book and walk away.
Thank you so much to Madeline James for allowing me to read this eARC before its release. It was such a privilege to return to this world and experience Iryana, Pyetar and everyone’s journey through to the end.
📆 This releases October 15, 2026.
Then we have Pyetar… The devotion. The patience. The yearning. The way he continues to show up for Iryana even when things between them get complicated had me sitting there like an idiot with a giant grin on my face. Their relationship isn’t perfectly smooth and there were definitely moments when I wanted Iryana to stop pushing him away and communicate like a functioning adult but I actually appreciated that their relationship had messy, painful moments instead of everything perfectly working because they love each other. I also have to talk about Hadima because their relationship remains one of my favorite parts of this world. There’s something so genuine about the way they love and protect each other. Their sisterhood gives the story this emotional little heartbeat underneath all the battles, politics, monsters, gods and general WHY IS EVERYONE TRYING TO KILL THEM chaos.
The world itself also gets SO much bigger here. We get more of the gods, monsters, clans, politics and the consequences of everything that happened before. The larger conflict gave the story a different feeling than the first book.
Now, like always… let me talk about why this wasn’t a full 5 stars for me. There were parts in the middle where I felt the pacing slow down, especially with some of the repeated conflict within the clan. I understood why that tension was there and I could see how it connected to our FMC character growth but there were definitely moments when my inner reader was like, WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS. CAN WE PLEASE MOVE ON NOW? I also wanted Iryana to find her backbone a little sooner in certain situations. Her struggle made sense but I was impatient watching her wrestle with the same doubts when I desperately wanted her to realize what I could already see in her.
But the payoff? Worth it.
The battles were intense, the stakes felt huge and I really appreciated that the story didn’t just stop once the fighting was over. We actually get to see what comes after, the consequences, the rebuilding and the emotional aftermath. That made the ending feel much more complete for me.. now I’m sitting here staring into the void because my main couple is done being my problem.
This was an emotional, messy, sometimes frustrating, beautifully expansive conclusion to their story. I laughed, I stressed, I got annoyed, I swooned and I absolutely had moments where I wanted to personally intervene in clan politics despite having zero qualifications for the job.
Final Thoughts: A big, emotional romantasy finale with complicated characters, sisterhood, yearning, monsters, gods, battles and enough family drama to make me grateful I can close a book and walk away.
Thank you so much to Madeline James for allowing me to read this eARC before its release. It was such a privilege to return to this world and experience Iryana, Pyetar and everyone’s journey through to the end.
📆 This releases October 15, 2026.
October 24, 2026
Thank you to the author for the gift of this book. My review is left voluntarily.
Book 2 in the Wells of Istri Duology. An epic fantasy forward book with ancient gods battling a war and a unique elemental magic system. Book 1 left off with Iryana as “the Third” and heir to the clan and is double forged in metal and water elements. In this book, she struggles with her dual magic warring inside her and threatening to tear her apart. Meanwhile, she is trying to adjust to her new role as the Third and her self-perception of being worthy or good enough for the position. The Gods have awakened and are preparing for battle, and have unleashed more magical creatures on the land. It’s up to Iryana to convince the different territories, guardians, and the brigades to work together in order to survive the impending battle. There’s so much more at stake in this book.
I love the world that Madeline has created. It’s so rich and immersive. Having recently finished this book, it still lives rent free in my head and I don’t want to leave it. Mainly because I love the found family and the friendships that Iryana developed. The love and support of her friends, her older sister, and eventually her younger sister as well. There’s something so special about the sisterhood and the strengthening of that bond. And of course we’re here for Iryana and Pyetar and Madeline does not disappoint. There’s so much more yearning and tension between those two. I loved how much he loves her and would do anything for her, fight for her. But the slow burn in this book continues despite how it left off in book 1. 2🌶️ with an open door scene, but this is definitely a fantasy forward book with the romance as an aching, forbidden tension that doesn’t overtake the plot.
I enjoyed seeing Iryana’s growth arc and how she grew stronger in her position in the clan, taking on more responsibilities and stepping up in times of crisis. As well as how she helped Pyetar with his past trauma. I liked how unwaveringly supportive Pyetar was despite knowing that her clan would never support her relationship with him as the general of the brigade. He fell first for her and fell hard! And the character growth for her friends and family throughout their journey together just drew me in and made me feel like I’ve been a part of the family too and I am so not ready to leave.
A fantastic read! Highly recommend!
QOTD:
* “Don’t you dare leave me,” Pyetar’s deep voice begged from somewhere close to her ear. “You’re the only thing that makes sense to me in this world. I need you. Don’t leave me.”
* “Don’t make all the effort I’ve put into befriending you go to waste!”
* Mezhimar groaned. “Hatred, the greatest impediment to love.” Iryana just blinked at him in surprise.
* “I don’t know what to do when you stare at me like this.” She watched the flame dance in the reflection of his eyes. “I can think of a few options,” he teased, voice low.
Book 2 in the Wells of Istri Duology. An epic fantasy forward book with ancient gods battling a war and a unique elemental magic system. Book 1 left off with Iryana as “the Third” and heir to the clan and is double forged in metal and water elements. In this book, she struggles with her dual magic warring inside her and threatening to tear her apart. Meanwhile, she is trying to adjust to her new role as the Third and her self-perception of being worthy or good enough for the position. The Gods have awakened and are preparing for battle, and have unleashed more magical creatures on the land. It’s up to Iryana to convince the different territories, guardians, and the brigades to work together in order to survive the impending battle. There’s so much more at stake in this book.
I love the world that Madeline has created. It’s so rich and immersive. Having recently finished this book, it still lives rent free in my head and I don’t want to leave it. Mainly because I love the found family and the friendships that Iryana developed. The love and support of her friends, her older sister, and eventually her younger sister as well. There’s something so special about the sisterhood and the strengthening of that bond. And of course we’re here for Iryana and Pyetar and Madeline does not disappoint. There’s so much more yearning and tension between those two. I loved how much he loves her and would do anything for her, fight for her. But the slow burn in this book continues despite how it left off in book 1. 2🌶️ with an open door scene, but this is definitely a fantasy forward book with the romance as an aching, forbidden tension that doesn’t overtake the plot.
I enjoyed seeing Iryana’s growth arc and how she grew stronger in her position in the clan, taking on more responsibilities and stepping up in times of crisis. As well as how she helped Pyetar with his past trauma. I liked how unwaveringly supportive Pyetar was despite knowing that her clan would never support her relationship with him as the general of the brigade. He fell first for her and fell hard! And the character growth for her friends and family throughout their journey together just drew me in and made me feel like I’ve been a part of the family too and I am so not ready to leave.
A fantastic read! Highly recommend!
QOTD:
* “Don’t you dare leave me,” Pyetar’s deep voice begged from somewhere close to her ear. “You’re the only thing that makes sense to me in this world. I need you. Don’t leave me.”
* “Don’t make all the effort I’ve put into befriending you go to waste!”
* Mezhimar groaned. “Hatred, the greatest impediment to love.” Iryana just blinked at him in surprise.
* “I don’t know what to do when you stare at me like this.” She watched the flame dance in the reflection of his eyes. “I can think of a few options,” he teased, voice low.
October 15, 2026
Because the Gods Left by Madeline James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you so much to Madeline James for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review! After loving Because the Beasts Came, I was so excited to return to this world and discover what was waiting for Iryana next. And what a ride this duology turned out to be!
One thing I really appreciated about this book was how much the world continued to grow. We get even more worldbuilding, with the addition of monsters, gods, and political conflicts that make the stakes feel bigger than ever. The plot kept me guessing from beginning to end, with unexpected twists and turns that I genuinely didn’t see coming. There was never a point where I felt certain of what would happen next, and I loved that! This is a fantasy-forward story with a touch of romance, where the plot takes center stage and keeps you invested in every new development.
At the heart of it all is Iri, who is carrying an almost impossible amount of responsibility. She’s navigating a war, trying to lead her clan, and working to unite the Brigade and the other clans against an increasingly dangerous threat, all while fighting battles of her own internally. I loved seeing the balance between her strength and vulnerability. She’s undeniably a badass, but she’s also hurting, struggling, and questioning whether she’s enough despite giving everything she has. That feeling of constantly pushing yourself while wondering if you’re somehow still falling short hit me harder than I expected. Watching Iri confront those fears and begin to recognize her own worth was one of my favorite parts of her journey.
I also loved the way the story continued to explore the connection between self belief and the unique magic system established in the first book. There’s something so meaningful about the idea that becoming stronger isn’t simply about what you’re capable of doing, but also about how you learn to see yourself. That emotional thread gave Iri’s journey so much depth and made her growth feel genuinely rewarding.
Ultimately, this was such a rewarding conclusion to the duology. Because the Gods Left builds on everything I enjoyed about the first book while raising the stakes and giving Iri’s journey the emotional depth it deserved. Between the unpredictable plot, immersive worldbuilding, intense conflicts, and a heroine learning that she is worthy of more than she believes, this story had me invested until the very end.
If you love fantasy driven romantasy with intricate worldbuilding, high stakes, unexpected twists, and characters who have to fight their own inner battles just as fiercely as their external ones, I highly recommend this duology.
I’m so happy I got to experience this story, and I can’t wait to see what Madeline James writes next! What a fantastic journey from beginning to end.
Thank you so much to Madeline James for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review! After loving Because the Beasts Came, I was so excited to return to this world and discover what was waiting for Iryana next. And what a ride this duology turned out to be!
One thing I really appreciated about this book was how much the world continued to grow. We get even more worldbuilding, with the addition of monsters, gods, and political conflicts that make the stakes feel bigger than ever. The plot kept me guessing from beginning to end, with unexpected twists and turns that I genuinely didn’t see coming. There was never a point where I felt certain of what would happen next, and I loved that! This is a fantasy-forward story with a touch of romance, where the plot takes center stage and keeps you invested in every new development.
At the heart of it all is Iri, who is carrying an almost impossible amount of responsibility. She’s navigating a war, trying to lead her clan, and working to unite the Brigade and the other clans against an increasingly dangerous threat, all while fighting battles of her own internally. I loved seeing the balance between her strength and vulnerability. She’s undeniably a badass, but she’s also hurting, struggling, and questioning whether she’s enough despite giving everything she has. That feeling of constantly pushing yourself while wondering if you’re somehow still falling short hit me harder than I expected. Watching Iri confront those fears and begin to recognize her own worth was one of my favorite parts of her journey.
I also loved the way the story continued to explore the connection between self belief and the unique magic system established in the first book. There’s something so meaningful about the idea that becoming stronger isn’t simply about what you’re capable of doing, but also about how you learn to see yourself. That emotional thread gave Iri’s journey so much depth and made her growth feel genuinely rewarding.
Ultimately, this was such a rewarding conclusion to the duology. Because the Gods Left builds on everything I enjoyed about the first book while raising the stakes and giving Iri’s journey the emotional depth it deserved. Between the unpredictable plot, immersive worldbuilding, intense conflicts, and a heroine learning that she is worthy of more than she believes, this story had me invested until the very end.
If you love fantasy driven romantasy with intricate worldbuilding, high stakes, unexpected twists, and characters who have to fight their own inner battles just as fiercely as their external ones, I highly recommend this duology.
I’m so happy I got to experience this story, and I can’t wait to see what Madeline James writes next! What a fantastic journey from beginning to end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I just finished this duology, and I honestly don’t know what to do with myself now. 😭🖤 It took me 3 days to read Because the Gods Left, and I loved getting to come back to this world after Because the Beasts Came. I was so excited to see what was next for Iri and Pyetar, and I really enjoyed seeing the story expand even more this time around.
The worldbuilding in this duology was SO good. Between the magic, monsters, gods, politics, and all the tension between the clans, there was always something happening. I loved how much bigger everything felt in this book, and I was constantly wondering how everything was going to play out.
Iri really got to me in this one. She’s trying so hard to carry everything on her shoulders, protect the people she loves, and be the person everyone needs her to be. But even with all her strength, she’s still struggling with that feeling of never being enough. And honestly, I think that’s something a lot of us can relate to. Sometimes you can give absolutely everything you have and still feel like you’re falling short, and I loved seeing that side of her.
AND PYETAR. 🥹❤️ I absolutely loved him. The way he stands beside Iri and supports her through everything just made me love him even more. And the yearning between these two?! PLEASE. 😂 Give me all the slow burn and tension because I was eating it up.
My only real frustration was the constant hostility between the clans. 😂 I understood why there was so much tension, but there were definitely moments when I wanted everyone to just sit down and TALK. Like, can we please get it together?! 😂 But I also think that conflict made the progress they eventually made feel that much more satisfying.
One of my favorite things about this story is that underneath all the fantasy, magic, and romance, there’s a message about learning to believe in yourself and realizing that you don’t have to be everything to everyone. Iri carries so much, and watching her navigate all of it made me appreciate her character even more.
This was such a satisfying ending to the duology. I’m happy with how the story came together, but I’m also a little sad that I have to leave these characters behind. 🥹 I always love when a book makes me feel so invested in the characters that I’m not quite ready to move on when it’s over.
Madeline James has definitely earned a spot on my bookshelf, and I’ll absolutely be looking forward to reading more from her!
If you love romantasy, slow burn, yearning, found family, magic, monsters, and a heroine who has to learn that being strong doesn’t mean she never gets to struggle, I definitely recommend giving this duology a chance.
Just make sure you read Because the Beasts Came first! 🖤
5 ⭐️ | Slow burn 💜 | Yearning 💜 | Found family 💜
I just finished this duology, and I honestly don’t know what to do with myself now. 😭🖤 It took me 3 days to read Because the Gods Left, and I loved getting to come back to this world after Because the Beasts Came. I was so excited to see what was next for Iri and Pyetar, and I really enjoyed seeing the story expand even more this time around.
The worldbuilding in this duology was SO good. Between the magic, monsters, gods, politics, and all the tension between the clans, there was always something happening. I loved how much bigger everything felt in this book, and I was constantly wondering how everything was going to play out.
Iri really got to me in this one. She’s trying so hard to carry everything on her shoulders, protect the people she loves, and be the person everyone needs her to be. But even with all her strength, she’s still struggling with that feeling of never being enough. And honestly, I think that’s something a lot of us can relate to. Sometimes you can give absolutely everything you have and still feel like you’re falling short, and I loved seeing that side of her.
AND PYETAR. 🥹❤️ I absolutely loved him. The way he stands beside Iri and supports her through everything just made me love him even more. And the yearning between these two?! PLEASE. 😂 Give me all the slow burn and tension because I was eating it up.
My only real frustration was the constant hostility between the clans. 😂 I understood why there was so much tension, but there were definitely moments when I wanted everyone to just sit down and TALK. Like, can we please get it together?! 😂 But I also think that conflict made the progress they eventually made feel that much more satisfying.
One of my favorite things about this story is that underneath all the fantasy, magic, and romance, there’s a message about learning to believe in yourself and realizing that you don’t have to be everything to everyone. Iri carries so much, and watching her navigate all of it made me appreciate her character even more.
This was such a satisfying ending to the duology. I’m happy with how the story came together, but I’m also a little sad that I have to leave these characters behind. 🥹 I always love when a book makes me feel so invested in the characters that I’m not quite ready to move on when it’s over.
Madeline James has definitely earned a spot on my bookshelf, and I’ll absolutely be looking forward to reading more from her!
If you love romantasy, slow burn, yearning, found family, magic, monsters, and a heroine who has to learn that being strong doesn’t mean she never gets to struggle, I definitely recommend giving this duology a chance.
Just make sure you read Because the Beasts Came first! 🖤
5 ⭐️ | Slow burn 💜 | Yearning 💜 | Found family 💜
October 16, 2026
I knew I wasn't ready to leave Istri when I found myself lying awake thinking about its characters instead of going to sleep. Because the Gods Left gave me everything I hoped for in a sequel, delivering an emotionally powerful conclusion to a story I had become completely invested in.
Picking up only weeks after Because the Beasts Came, Iryana is struggling with the responsibilities of leadership, the consequences of her unusual magic, and the complicated relationships that continue to shape her life. As the threats facing Istri grow increasingly dangerous, she must learn to trust the people around her while confronting the fears and insecurities she's carried for years.
What stood out most to me was the development of the relationships, particularly between Iryana and her sisters. Their experiences growing up in the same family left them with very different wounds, and I appreciated that understanding one another didn't come easily. Their journey toward forgiveness, acceptance, and genuine sisterhood was beautifully handled and became one of the most moving aspects of the book.
The romance also takes on a greater role, bringing both wonderful moments of connection and some genuinely painful ones. I loved that Iryana and Pyetar's relationship continued to develop alongside their individual responsibilities and struggles rather than existing separately from the larger story.
The worldbuilding remains excellent, with long-standing mysteries surrounding the gods, the beasts, and the magic finally coming together. Despite the expanding stakes and increasingly dangerous conflicts, the story never loses sight of its characters. The pacing was consistently engaging, and the emotional scenes were especially powerful because of how carefully James built toward them.
But what made this book exceptional was Iryana's personal journey.
Throughout both books, she has struggled with believing she's inadequate, even when her actions repeatedly prove otherwise. In this conclusion, she begins to recognize that the harshest judgments she carries are no longer coming from the people who first made her feel unworthy. They've become part of how she sees herself.
I particularly loved how this realization connected to the magic system. Iryana's struggle to find peace within herself is both emotionally and physically consequential, and her eventual breakthrough was deeply satisfying. The answer may have been simple in principle, but reaching a place where she could truly accept it was anything but easy.
What began as a story about a young woman trying to prove her worth became one about learning she never needed to earn it in the first place.
Because the Gods Left was immersive, beautifully developed, and deeply moving. I laughed, I worried, I cried, and I finished feeling completely satisfied with where these characters ended up.
Five stars for a conclusion that gave me both the epic fantasy adventure and the emotional resolution I was hoping for. 💜
Picking up only weeks after Because the Beasts Came, Iryana is struggling with the responsibilities of leadership, the consequences of her unusual magic, and the complicated relationships that continue to shape her life. As the threats facing Istri grow increasingly dangerous, she must learn to trust the people around her while confronting the fears and insecurities she's carried for years.
What stood out most to me was the development of the relationships, particularly between Iryana and her sisters. Their experiences growing up in the same family left them with very different wounds, and I appreciated that understanding one another didn't come easily. Their journey toward forgiveness, acceptance, and genuine sisterhood was beautifully handled and became one of the most moving aspects of the book.
The romance also takes on a greater role, bringing both wonderful moments of connection and some genuinely painful ones. I loved that Iryana and Pyetar's relationship continued to develop alongside their individual responsibilities and struggles rather than existing separately from the larger story.
The worldbuilding remains excellent, with long-standing mysteries surrounding the gods, the beasts, and the magic finally coming together. Despite the expanding stakes and increasingly dangerous conflicts, the story never loses sight of its characters. The pacing was consistently engaging, and the emotional scenes were especially powerful because of how carefully James built toward them.
But what made this book exceptional was Iryana's personal journey.
Throughout both books, she has struggled with believing she's inadequate, even when her actions repeatedly prove otherwise. In this conclusion, she begins to recognize that the harshest judgments she carries are no longer coming from the people who first made her feel unworthy. They've become part of how she sees herself.
I particularly loved how this realization connected to the magic system. Iryana's struggle to find peace within herself is both emotionally and physically consequential, and her eventual breakthrough was deeply satisfying. The answer may have been simple in principle, but reaching a place where she could truly accept it was anything but easy.
What began as a story about a young woman trying to prove her worth became one about learning she never needed to earn it in the first place.
Because the Gods Left was immersive, beautifully developed, and deeply moving. I laughed, I worried, I cried, and I finished feeling completely satisfied with where these characters ended up.
Five stars for a conclusion that gave me both the epic fantasy adventure and the emotional resolution I was hoping for. 💜
October 13, 2026
Thank you to the author, Madeline James, for the ARC of this book!
Because the Beasts came was one of my first ARCs ever, and I have been waiting impatiently for the completion to this duology ever since. And it did not disappoint!!
Because the Gods Left is quite the journey! Iryana’s evolution through so many aspects of life in one book is incredibly compelling. She has to navigate being the heir to her clan leader, her relationship with Pyetar and rebuilding her relationships with her sisters, and these don’t always mesh well.
Iryana’s past trauma is explored in depth, and you can see how it colors every aspect of her life. She has to grow as a person and a leader with this history and it prevents her from becoming who she is meant to be.
Being the leader of her clan means she has to make incredibly difficult decisions, often putting her own wants and needs aside for the sake of her people. This weighs heavily on her relationship with Pyetar, especially given the complicated history and deep-rooted distrust between her clan and his brigade. The yearning between these two, despite everything standing in their way, was so beautifully written. You could feel how desperately they wanted to be together, but neither could simply walk away from their responsibilities. I absolutely loved that their relationship wasn't easy, because it made every stolen moment and bit of tenderness between them that much more meaningful.
She is also trying to repair her relationships with her sisters, who are each carrying their own trauma from their shared past. Rebuilding those bonds after so much pain and damage is anything but easy, and I really appreciated that their healing wasn't portrayed as something that could happen overnight. There is so much hurt and resentment between them, but also so much love. I loved watching them slowly find their way back to one another, even when that meant confronting some incredibly painful truths. I love that the complicated feelings for abusive parents was explored in such a respectful way.
And all this is happening while a war between Gods is looming. She has to figure out all these issues, and keep everyone she cares about safe, the clan, the brigade and everyone in Istri. There are more beasts, new dangers and gut wrenching betrayals. Every time I thought things might finally settle down, something else happened that had me questioning how the hell they were going to make it through. The tension and uncertainty kept me completely invested, and I just HAD to know what was going to happen next!
I very happily purchased a copy of this as a shelf trophy and I cannot wait to see where this author goes next!
Because the Beasts came was one of my first ARCs ever, and I have been waiting impatiently for the completion to this duology ever since. And it did not disappoint!!
Because the Gods Left is quite the journey! Iryana’s evolution through so many aspects of life in one book is incredibly compelling. She has to navigate being the heir to her clan leader, her relationship with Pyetar and rebuilding her relationships with her sisters, and these don’t always mesh well.
Iryana’s past trauma is explored in depth, and you can see how it colors every aspect of her life. She has to grow as a person and a leader with this history and it prevents her from becoming who she is meant to be.
Being the leader of her clan means she has to make incredibly difficult decisions, often putting her own wants and needs aside for the sake of her people. This weighs heavily on her relationship with Pyetar, especially given the complicated history and deep-rooted distrust between her clan and his brigade. The yearning between these two, despite everything standing in their way, was so beautifully written. You could feel how desperately they wanted to be together, but neither could simply walk away from their responsibilities. I absolutely loved that their relationship wasn't easy, because it made every stolen moment and bit of tenderness between them that much more meaningful.
She is also trying to repair her relationships with her sisters, who are each carrying their own trauma from their shared past. Rebuilding those bonds after so much pain and damage is anything but easy, and I really appreciated that their healing wasn't portrayed as something that could happen overnight. There is so much hurt and resentment between them, but also so much love. I loved watching them slowly find their way back to one another, even when that meant confronting some incredibly painful truths. I love that the complicated feelings for abusive parents was explored in such a respectful way.
And all this is happening while a war between Gods is looming. She has to figure out all these issues, and keep everyone she cares about safe, the clan, the brigade and everyone in Istri. There are more beasts, new dangers and gut wrenching betrayals. Every time I thought things might finally settle down, something else happened that had me questioning how the hell they were going to make it through. The tension and uncertainty kept me completely invested, and I just HAD to know what was going to happen next!
I very happily purchased a copy of this as a shelf trophy and I cannot wait to see where this author goes next!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a great follow-up to Because the Beasts Came and a satisfying conclusion to this epic romantasy duology.
I did not love it quite as much as the first book, but it came very close. I was completely in love with the first half of this book. But then somewhere around the middle it started to drag a little. Some scenes started to feel slightly repetitive and I was getting frustrated with the lack of progress in some areas. I think I was supposed to be frustrated... Iryana and Pyetar certainly were! But I just wanted to throttle Iryana's family. Not all of them, her sisters were great. But some of the cousins just tested my patience to the extreme. And I wasn't always too happy with Iryana's reactions to her clan's demands and how she treated Pyetar as a result. It made their relationship feel a little unbalanced and one-sided during parts of the book.
The entire theme of the book is how Iryana struggles with her new position in her Guardian clan and with worrying if she's good enough to lead them. But I just wanted her to be more assertive in her leadership style sooner... even if that would've been skipping ahead on her character journey. So while I understand what was going on with her and why she acted the way she did, I didn't always like it. I loved when Iryana finally blew up at all of them for being so bigoted, that was a great scene! I just would've wanted that to happen a little sooner.
The plot for this was not at all what I expected and such an interesting surprise. It put our main characters more towards the sidelines of the big, world-changing conflict, making them into supporting players in that conflict. It was interesting and refreshing to read this sort of story from the point of view of the "little guys" just trying to survive among the consequences of someone else's big fight. The final showdown sequence was awesome! And I really loved the ending. I'm so happy with how everyone ended up - even if I did think some of that felt a little rushed, especially in contrast to the dragging progress earlier.
All in all, I would definitely recommend this if you like romantasy and don't shy away from big tomes - these books aren't slim. But that makes room for plenty of time for world-building and for the characters to have complex relationships outside of the main romance, while still having plenty of room to give to that romance too.
Thank you to the author and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for providing a review copy via NetGalley. This review reflects my honest opinion.
I did not love it quite as much as the first book, but it came very close. I was completely in love with the first half of this book. But then somewhere around the middle it started to drag a little. Some scenes started to feel slightly repetitive and I was getting frustrated with the lack of progress in some areas. I think I was supposed to be frustrated... Iryana and Pyetar certainly were! But I just wanted to throttle Iryana's family. Not all of them, her sisters were great. But some of the cousins just tested my patience to the extreme. And I wasn't always too happy with Iryana's reactions to her clan's demands and how she treated Pyetar as a result. It made their relationship feel a little unbalanced and one-sided during parts of the book.
The entire theme of the book is how Iryana struggles with her new position in her Guardian clan and with worrying if she's good enough to lead them. But I just wanted her to be more assertive in her leadership style sooner... even if that would've been skipping ahead on her character journey. So while I understand what was going on with her and why she acted the way she did, I didn't always like it. I loved when Iryana finally blew up at all of them for being so bigoted, that was a great scene! I just would've wanted that to happen a little sooner.
The plot for this was not at all what I expected and such an interesting surprise. It put our main characters more towards the sidelines of the big, world-changing conflict, making them into supporting players in that conflict. It was interesting and refreshing to read this sort of story from the point of view of the "little guys" just trying to survive among the consequences of someone else's big fight. The final showdown sequence was awesome! And I really loved the ending. I'm so happy with how everyone ended up - even if I did think some of that felt a little rushed, especially in contrast to the dragging progress earlier.
All in all, I would definitely recommend this if you like romantasy and don't shy away from big tomes - these books aren't slim. But that makes room for plenty of time for world-building and for the characters to have complex relationships outside of the main romance, while still having plenty of room to give to that romance too.
Thank you to the author and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for providing a review copy via NetGalley. This review reflects my honest opinion.
October 12, 2026
Thank you to Madeline James, Spellbound Worlds and Netgalley for the gifted eArc. All opinions are my own.
What a gorgeous conclusion to the Wells of Istri duology! This is an elevated high-fantasy world, and I loved the lore expansion we got in Because the Gods Left. The writing is descriptive and lyrical while staying grounded in a gritty reality. The writing style is also very immersive, RIP sleep schedule because I had to know what was coming next! I'm sad to be leaving this world, but what a satisfactory ending.
The characters are probably my favourite part of this series. I have so much love for our girl Iri, she's such a complex and relatable FMC. Of course she's a badass fighter, and of course she's one of the strongest magic wielders. Would she be the FMC if she wasn't the best? But her struggles with anxiety and crippling self-doubt make her a more well-rounded FMC, and it's genuinely so easy to root for her. I loved her healing journey in Because the Gods Left, her arc was a delight to read. Our MMC Pyetar had a lot more of his character growth in book 1, so by book 2 he's a more settled character. He's basically perfect (especially for Iri) and you know what? We love him for it. I do wish he had more of a book 2 arc, but why mess with perfection. And what can I say about our cast of side characters? I absolutely loved getting to see the relationship between Iri and her sisters grown as they find their way back to each other. At the end of Because the Beasts Came I wasn't sure I would be able to forgive the family, but Because the Gods Left made me fully fall in love with them.
The romance is a more significant focus than in book 1, and I'm so glad we got a slow burn for Iryana and Pyetar. By the time we get to book 2 their romance feels earned and more developed, and every scene with them is equal parts heartbreaking and swoon worthy. The fantasy is still very prominent, so fantasy fans don't fear the world-building is swallowed up by spicy scenes. This is such a perfect duology for fantasy romance fans who want intricate lore, complex characters, and a journey that invites emotional introspection.
What a gorgeous conclusion to the Wells of Istri duology! This is an elevated high-fantasy world, and I loved the lore expansion we got in Because the Gods Left. The writing is descriptive and lyrical while staying grounded in a gritty reality. The writing style is also very immersive, RIP sleep schedule because I had to know what was coming next! I'm sad to be leaving this world, but what a satisfactory ending.
The characters are probably my favourite part of this series. I have so much love for our girl Iri, she's such a complex and relatable FMC. Of course she's a badass fighter, and of course she's one of the strongest magic wielders. Would she be the FMC if she wasn't the best? But her struggles with anxiety and crippling self-doubt make her a more well-rounded FMC, and it's genuinely so easy to root for her. I loved her healing journey in Because the Gods Left, her arc was a delight to read. Our MMC Pyetar had a lot more of his character growth in book 1, so by book 2 he's a more settled character. He's basically perfect (especially for Iri) and you know what? We love him for it. I do wish he had more of a book 2 arc, but why mess with perfection. And what can I say about our cast of side characters? I absolutely loved getting to see the relationship between Iri and her sisters grown as they find their way back to each other. At the end of Because the Beasts Came I wasn't sure I would be able to forgive the family, but Because the Gods Left made me fully fall in love with them.
The romance is a more significant focus than in book 1, and I'm so glad we got a slow burn for Iryana and Pyetar. By the time we get to book 2 their romance feels earned and more developed, and every scene with them is equal parts heartbreaking and swoon worthy. The fantasy is still very prominent, so fantasy fans don't fear the world-building is swallowed up by spicy scenes. This is such a perfect duology for fantasy romance fans who want intricate lore, complex characters, and a journey that invites emotional introspection.
September 19, 2026
First and foremost I’m honoured that the author shared an ARC of this book with me !!
“Sisters were meant to be close; they were supposed to know each other’s hearts.”
“We stay together now … We stand together”
“Even standing before the gods didn’t fill me with the same urge to worship as being here with you”
Wow. Just … wow!! I wish I could say all that is going through my mind right now … but I can’t find the right words. This book was everything I would have wanted in the sequel of Because the Beasts Came and then some !! There’s a part of me that dreaded coming into this because I knew, once it was over, it was over for real and forever. There’s nothing in this book I didn’t love. Starting from the action, the slow decent into power and more responsibility that Iryana has to come to terms with. The complicated (sometimes spicy and sweet) relationship she has with Pyetar. The utter devotion he has for her. The crushing reality of their position. The hopelessness of their fights against impossible enemies. But most of all, the sisterhood. The relationship between Iryana and her sisters was what originally drew me in the first time and … the author didn’t disappoint. There was something so real and so pure and so devastating about the way those three girls loved each other that, once again I found myself loving them so much! And the plot twists and the incredibly turns of events that seemed to be set against their happiness and peace! It was engaging, entertaining, thrilling and constantly exciting. I couldn’t help but turn another page and read more. I had to force myself to stop. And when it got to the end, I think it’s safe to say I was not ready to say my goodbyes !! But, reading this was the best experience of my life!!
“You’re the only thing that makes sense to me in this world”
“Bravery isn’t about not being afraid … it’s about doing what you have to do, anyway”
“It was so unfair that being held by him felt so good, yet she was bent allowed to have him”
“Sisters were meant to be close; they were supposed to know each other’s hearts.”
“We stay together now … We stand together”
“Even standing before the gods didn’t fill me with the same urge to worship as being here with you”
Wow. Just … wow!! I wish I could say all that is going through my mind right now … but I can’t find the right words. This book was everything I would have wanted in the sequel of Because the Beasts Came and then some !! There’s a part of me that dreaded coming into this because I knew, once it was over, it was over for real and forever. There’s nothing in this book I didn’t love. Starting from the action, the slow decent into power and more responsibility that Iryana has to come to terms with. The complicated (sometimes spicy and sweet) relationship she has with Pyetar. The utter devotion he has for her. The crushing reality of their position. The hopelessness of their fights against impossible enemies. But most of all, the sisterhood. The relationship between Iryana and her sisters was what originally drew me in the first time and … the author didn’t disappoint. There was something so real and so pure and so devastating about the way those three girls loved each other that, once again I found myself loving them so much! And the plot twists and the incredibly turns of events that seemed to be set against their happiness and peace! It was engaging, entertaining, thrilling and constantly exciting. I couldn’t help but turn another page and read more. I had to force myself to stop. And when it got to the end, I think it’s safe to say I was not ready to say my goodbyes !! But, reading this was the best experience of my life!!
“You’re the only thing that makes sense to me in this world”
“Bravery isn’t about not being afraid … it’s about doing what you have to do, anyway”
“It was so unfair that being held by him felt so good, yet she was bent allowed to have him”
October 14, 2026
I received an advance reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Because The Gods Left continues to build on the incredible world Madeline James created in Because The Beasts Came. The world-building is intricate, the characters are complex, and the story is filled with mystery, political tension, and difficult choices.
My biggest struggle with this book was the pacing. The first 40% felt fairly slow, with repetitive details and conversations that made it difficult to stay engaged. However, once things started unfolding, I was hooked! The revelations, unexpected developments, and rising stakes brought the story to life, and I found myself eager to keep reading.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is Iryana’s character development. Her growth is gradual, and that’s what makes it feel so genuine. She doesn’t suddenly become fearless or confident. She continues to struggle with anxiety, self-doubt, and the fear of disappointing those around her, but slowly finds the courage to stand up for herself and what she believes in. As someone who has experienced trauma and anxiety, I found her journey incredibly relatable. Her strength doesn’t come from overcoming every fear, but from learning to move forward despite them. Watching her grow into herself has been one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
I also loved the complicated relationships, the ongoing tension between the Dovakii and the 18th, and the way the larger mysteries gradually began to connect. The final portion of the book was especially gripping, with emotional moments, difficult choices, and developments that made it nearly impossible to put down.
Although the pacing of the first half was a challenge for me, the ending made the journey worthwhile. The payoff was incredibly satisfying, especially after becoming so invested in these characters and their growth. By the final pages, I was reminded of exactly why I fell in love with this world in the first place.
Because The Gods Left continues to build on the incredible world Madeline James created in Because The Beasts Came. The world-building is intricate, the characters are complex, and the story is filled with mystery, political tension, and difficult choices.
My biggest struggle with this book was the pacing. The first 40% felt fairly slow, with repetitive details and conversations that made it difficult to stay engaged. However, once things started unfolding, I was hooked! The revelations, unexpected developments, and rising stakes brought the story to life, and I found myself eager to keep reading.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is Iryana’s character development. Her growth is gradual, and that’s what makes it feel so genuine. She doesn’t suddenly become fearless or confident. She continues to struggle with anxiety, self-doubt, and the fear of disappointing those around her, but slowly finds the courage to stand up for herself and what she believes in. As someone who has experienced trauma and anxiety, I found her journey incredibly relatable. Her strength doesn’t come from overcoming every fear, but from learning to move forward despite them. Watching her grow into herself has been one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
I also loved the complicated relationships, the ongoing tension between the Dovakii and the 18th, and the way the larger mysteries gradually began to connect. The final portion of the book was especially gripping, with emotional moments, difficult choices, and developments that made it nearly impossible to put down.
Although the pacing of the first half was a challenge for me, the ending made the journey worthwhile. The payoff was incredibly satisfying, especially after becoming so invested in these characters and their growth. By the final pages, I was reminded of exactly why I fell in love with this world in the first place.
October 23, 2026
This was a beautiful and well written conclusion to The Wells of Istri duology!
Because the Gods left picks up where book 1 ended and we see Iryana back at home with her family and finally taking her place as Third, while Pyetar remains at the fort taking up the position of General of the 18th. Though they defeated Kovak there is still a lot of unrest and distrust that surrounds them. Add in increasing numbers of Dakii and having to choose between duty or desire they are really in the thick of it.
The writing and worldbuilding in this story pull’s you in and keeps you there, I can honestly say I couldn’t guess what was going to happen next and was constantly surprised. It was full of action but also tender moments that made the eyes water. This duology is so well thought out that the most minor of details were counted for, and by the time you reach the end, every question you’ve had throughout the story was answered. I hope there will be some novellas or stories of the side characters because I’m so not ready to leave this world.
My favourite thing about these books though is the way that Madeline writes about mental health. Iryana the FMC struggles with anxiety and the progress that she makes in this final story is breathtaking, every time she panics or the nervous habits she has, they are all very real and relatable. I also loved the way she developed and learnt from her mistakes as time went on.
Pyetar the MMC came into his own in this book, he was such a pillar of strength for Iryana and was always willing to just be there for her as much as she would let him. That doesn’t take away from the fact that he is completely swoon worthy and a badass when it came to killing the Dakii and protecting his and Iryana’s people. They are total opposites in some ways, but they work so well together and are an unstoppable force.
Overall, I recommend giving this duology a read especially if you want to dive into a world that is new and emotionally raw.
I look forward to reading more of Madeline’s Writing, it’s a joy to read even if there is a tear or two.
Because the Gods left picks up where book 1 ended and we see Iryana back at home with her family and finally taking her place as Third, while Pyetar remains at the fort taking up the position of General of the 18th. Though they defeated Kovak there is still a lot of unrest and distrust that surrounds them. Add in increasing numbers of Dakii and having to choose between duty or desire they are really in the thick of it.
The writing and worldbuilding in this story pull’s you in and keeps you there, I can honestly say I couldn’t guess what was going to happen next and was constantly surprised. It was full of action but also tender moments that made the eyes water. This duology is so well thought out that the most minor of details were counted for, and by the time you reach the end, every question you’ve had throughout the story was answered. I hope there will be some novellas or stories of the side characters because I’m so not ready to leave this world.
My favourite thing about these books though is the way that Madeline writes about mental health. Iryana the FMC struggles with anxiety and the progress that she makes in this final story is breathtaking, every time she panics or the nervous habits she has, they are all very real and relatable. I also loved the way she developed and learnt from her mistakes as time went on.
Pyetar the MMC came into his own in this book, he was such a pillar of strength for Iryana and was always willing to just be there for her as much as she would let him. That doesn’t take away from the fact that he is completely swoon worthy and a badass when it came to killing the Dakii and protecting his and Iryana’s people. They are total opposites in some ways, but they work so well together and are an unstoppable force.
Overall, I recommend giving this duology a read especially if you want to dive into a world that is new and emotionally raw.
I look forward to reading more of Madeline’s Writing, it’s a joy to read even if there is a tear or two.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advanced Reader Copy Review! 💜
I would like to begin with another warm thank you to the author, Madeline James for providing an advance copy of Book 2 “Because The Gods Left” in the “Wells of Istri” duology!
I loved Book 1 “Because The Beasts Came” beyond words, and this also did not disappoint! Especially as the final book of a duology! Picking right back up in the fray of the action, I couldn’t put it down. In this book, we got to see the continued fight for survival amongst the Kleesold Guardian Clan and the 18th Brigade. On separated sides, Iryana and Pyetar continue to have to choose their duty over each other, in fierce dedication to their respective people. The longing of these two is palpable and it was amazing to see Iryana’s ongoing healing journey that allows her to feel worthy. Pyetar never gave up on her and I love that for them!
Something I looked forward to after the first book was learning more about the magic system of their world, and I got what I hoped for in this one!! The wells, the different elements, and what powers reinforce the magic that is there was fabulous. Learning more about side characters and what they were capable of led to me be even more invested in them. Misha and Iryana’s reconnection warmed my heart.
As things intensified with the official introduction of the Gods, I was so hyped!! Jaw dropped at the reveals! I think Mhakiza is my favorite! The visuals that were described across the book felt so immersive too.
Favorite quotes:
“Even standing before the gods didn’t fill me with the same urge to worship as being here with you.”
“You’re the sun that wakes me each morning. You’re the moon that comforts me at night. You’re the lights dancing across the black sky of my darkest moments.”
“Can I fight for you, Pyetar Horval?”
Again, thank you to the author for the advanced copy! I’m so grateful!
I would like to begin with another warm thank you to the author, Madeline James for providing an advance copy of Book 2 “Because The Gods Left” in the “Wells of Istri” duology!
I loved Book 1 “Because The Beasts Came” beyond words, and this also did not disappoint! Especially as the final book of a duology! Picking right back up in the fray of the action, I couldn’t put it down. In this book, we got to see the continued fight for survival amongst the Kleesold Guardian Clan and the 18th Brigade. On separated sides, Iryana and Pyetar continue to have to choose their duty over each other, in fierce dedication to their respective people. The longing of these two is palpable and it was amazing to see Iryana’s ongoing healing journey that allows her to feel worthy. Pyetar never gave up on her and I love that for them!
Something I looked forward to after the first book was learning more about the magic system of their world, and I got what I hoped for in this one!! The wells, the different elements, and what powers reinforce the magic that is there was fabulous. Learning more about side characters and what they were capable of led to me be even more invested in them. Misha and Iryana’s reconnection warmed my heart.
As things intensified with the official introduction of the Gods, I was so hyped!! Jaw dropped at the reveals! I think Mhakiza is my favorite! The visuals that were described across the book felt so immersive too.
Favorite quotes:
“Even standing before the gods didn’t fill me with the same urge to worship as being here with you.”
“You’re the sun that wakes me each morning. You’re the moon that comforts me at night. You’re the lights dancing across the black sky of my darkest moments.”
“Can I fight for you, Pyetar Horval?”
Again, thank you to the author for the advanced copy! I’m so grateful!
October 16, 2026
Because The Gods Left by Madeline James is a beautiful conclusion to the Wells of Istri duology. It tackles trauma, mental health, and unbreakable bonds with breathtaking honesty. I have so many feelings about this book, and this entire series as it comes to a close.
I want to start with a heartfelt acknowledgment of how mental health is portrayed. Irianna is so broken, traumatised, anxious, and constantly struggling to feel connected or “enough.” It is such a raw, honest look at the heavy weight of carrying a burden where, even when it’s shared, you can still feel completely alone. Watching Iri learn to grow through her trauma rather than letting it destroy her was deeply moving. While Iri’s helpless mindset frustrated me at times, Peyter was there to keep her grounded. I loved his portrayal… vulnerable, yet steadfastly stoic and deeply loyal.
Iri’s friends in the 18th are the absolute best crew… the exact kind of people you’d want beside you if the world were ending! And while her actual family was frustrating with their deep-seated fear and hatred, watching those dynamics shift brought so much depth to the story.
The Dakii are utterly brutal, and the fighting scenes are so intense! Misha’s character growth was incredible to witness, Hadi was amazing, and as for Vani, Lidi, and their boon... well, that was one rule I was exceptionally happy to see changed for the Istrins! I cried at a particular death, but I absolute revelled in those final battle scenes. Every single character felt believable, human, and deeply likeable in their own unique ways.
I felt like I truly understood these characters by the end, and finishing this duology was such a fulfilling experience. A massive thank you to Madeline James for gifting me a copy of this book. This review is entirely my own personal, honest opinion after reading and loving this journey.
I want to start with a heartfelt acknowledgment of how mental health is portrayed. Irianna is so broken, traumatised, anxious, and constantly struggling to feel connected or “enough.” It is such a raw, honest look at the heavy weight of carrying a burden where, even when it’s shared, you can still feel completely alone. Watching Iri learn to grow through her trauma rather than letting it destroy her was deeply moving. While Iri’s helpless mindset frustrated me at times, Peyter was there to keep her grounded. I loved his portrayal… vulnerable, yet steadfastly stoic and deeply loyal.
Iri’s friends in the 18th are the absolute best crew… the exact kind of people you’d want beside you if the world were ending! And while her actual family was frustrating with their deep-seated fear and hatred, watching those dynamics shift brought so much depth to the story.
The Dakii are utterly brutal, and the fighting scenes are so intense! Misha’s character growth was incredible to witness, Hadi was amazing, and as for Vani, Lidi, and their boon... well, that was one rule I was exceptionally happy to see changed for the Istrins! I cried at a particular death, but I absolute revelled in those final battle scenes. Every single character felt believable, human, and deeply likeable in their own unique ways.
I felt like I truly understood these characters by the end, and finishing this duology was such a fulfilling experience. A massive thank you to Madeline James for gifting me a copy of this book. This review is entirely my own personal, honest opinion after reading and loving this journey.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My heart truly intertwined with Iri throughout this two-book masterpiece. I have never connected with a character so much.
Now, I am not a bada** third of a clan, superior soldier, or multi-forged warrior, but I related to the weight placed on this one girl—just a girl—forced to be so much more.
I read this book in less than 48 hours; I loved it so much and honestly wish there were more. I feel like the author did their job and it is complete, but I just want more.
A piece of me will forever live in the highlands, in the story of Iri with my fellow readers' hearts and new family.
Thank you for this duology, a wonderful story about unfathomable hardships that you can still relate to, and the unending courage and duty that bound her to her loved ones; as a woman and a mother, I relate.
To the feelings of never being enough that resonate in so many of us, this magnificent story covers so many of our day-to-day feelings and came at just the right time to help heal my own in ways.
I received this as an ARC in hopes that I would leave my honest opinion, but I am so thankful to have been blessed by this story and recommend everyone read it and purchase a copy!
I never understood trigger warnings in books until this one. I always equated the feelings stirred up by books as a sign they were good, but this one truly reached inside of me and changed my perspective in a deeper, more meaningful way; with characters you can relate to in an uncertain world that asks too much of you while you feel like you are not enough, let them show you how it is done in *Because the Gods Left*
Make sure you read book one * Because The Beast Came* now so you're ready on release day!
I'll be adding author Madeline James to my book shelf.
Now, I am not a bada** third of a clan, superior soldier, or multi-forged warrior, but I related to the weight placed on this one girl—just a girl—forced to be so much more.
I read this book in less than 48 hours; I loved it so much and honestly wish there were more. I feel like the author did their job and it is complete, but I just want more.
A piece of me will forever live in the highlands, in the story of Iri with my fellow readers' hearts and new family.
Thank you for this duology, a wonderful story about unfathomable hardships that you can still relate to, and the unending courage and duty that bound her to her loved ones; as a woman and a mother, I relate.
To the feelings of never being enough that resonate in so many of us, this magnificent story covers so many of our day-to-day feelings and came at just the right time to help heal my own in ways.
I received this as an ARC in hopes that I would leave my honest opinion, but I am so thankful to have been blessed by this story and recommend everyone read it and purchase a copy!
I never understood trigger warnings in books until this one. I always equated the feelings stirred up by books as a sign they were good, but this one truly reached inside of me and changed my perspective in a deeper, more meaningful way; with characters you can relate to in an uncertain world that asks too much of you while you feel like you are not enough, let them show you how it is done in *Because the Gods Left*
Make sure you read book one * Because The Beast Came* now so you're ready on release day!
I'll be adding author Madeline James to my book shelf.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews