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The Gods We Become
Thousands of years after a divine civil war that resulted in the death of every Gods, their half-blood descendants are growing weaker with each generation, and they struggle to fit in in a world dominated by humans. 18-year-old orphan Simon Ashford had spent his whole life thinking he was a nobody, until he discovers he is a Descendant of the God of Alchemy. He's then sent to an Academy where he must learn to control a power he never knew he had.
Once there, he is quickly recruited by an organization called the Knights of Abraxis. The Knights believe an Alchemist is exactly what they need to make the Descendants powerful again. Simon, however, soon realizes that this organization has many dark secrets, starting with their leader, the mysterious Ealzar.
Once there, he is quickly recruited by an organization called the Knights of Abraxis. The Knights believe an Alchemist is exactly what they need to make the Descendants powerful again. Simon, however, soon realizes that this organization has many dark secrets, starting with their leader, the mysterious Ealzar.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 16, 2026
There’s something exciting about opening a new fantasy and feeling that spark of possibility. The Gods We Become had everything that should have worked for me: dark academia, secret societies, magic and descendants of gods
On paper, it sounded brilliant
Sadly, I ended up DNF’ing this at around the halfway mark
The biggest issue was that it never felt like the story actually got going. Every time I thought we were about to gain momentum, the narrative wandered into another explanation, another piece of lore and another scene that seemed more interested in expanding the world than telling a compelling story.
Instead of building intrigue, it left me feeling detached and impatient
The writing made that even harder. It often felt awkward and oddly constructed, almost like I was reading an extended outline rather than a finished novel. There were moments where the prose found its footing, only to stumble again a page later. I kept waiting for it to settle into a confident voice, but it never quite did
The characters didn’t help. Simon never felt like someone driving his own story, and the supporting cast existed more as fixtures in the narrative than as people with distinct personalities or meaningful relationships. Conversations lacked energy, emotional weight and the kind of chemistry that brings a fantasy world to life
Even the magic system, which should have been one of the novel’s greatest strengths, felt murky rather than mysterious. I wasn’t left wanting answers… I was left confused
What makes this especially disappointing is that I can see the imagination behind it. The bones of a fascinating story are here, and there are glimpses of something much stronger beneath the surface. But for me, the execution never matched the ambition. With tighter editing, a clearer narrative voice and a greater focus on character and story over exposition, I think this could have become something truly memorable for me
I hate DNF’ing ARCs because I know how much work goes into writing a novel, but life is too short to keep pushing through a book that isn’t connecting with me
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
On paper, it sounded brilliant
Sadly, I ended up DNF’ing this at around the halfway mark
The biggest issue was that it never felt like the story actually got going. Every time I thought we were about to gain momentum, the narrative wandered into another explanation, another piece of lore and another scene that seemed more interested in expanding the world than telling a compelling story.
Instead of building intrigue, it left me feeling detached and impatient
The writing made that even harder. It often felt awkward and oddly constructed, almost like I was reading an extended outline rather than a finished novel. There were moments where the prose found its footing, only to stumble again a page later. I kept waiting for it to settle into a confident voice, but it never quite did
The characters didn’t help. Simon never felt like someone driving his own story, and the supporting cast existed more as fixtures in the narrative than as people with distinct personalities or meaningful relationships. Conversations lacked energy, emotional weight and the kind of chemistry that brings a fantasy world to life
Even the magic system, which should have been one of the novel’s greatest strengths, felt murky rather than mysterious. I wasn’t left wanting answers… I was left confused
What makes this especially disappointing is that I can see the imagination behind it. The bones of a fascinating story are here, and there are glimpses of something much stronger beneath the surface. But for me, the execution never matched the ambition. With tighter editing, a clearer narrative voice and a greater focus on character and story over exposition, I think this could have become something truly memorable for me
I hate DNF’ing ARCs because I know how much work goes into writing a novel, but life is too short to keep pushing through a book that isn’t connecting with me
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
July 28, 2026
This book, by far, has to be the most unique one I have read, not just as an ARC reader, but in my whole reading experience. That is a compliment! I thought the ideas that are dealt with in this work were finely detailed and richly presented — full of intellectual tension and molded to fit each character the reader meets. You see how decisions result in consequences and alter courses of action. A fine job with character development and setting — as well illustrated as the philosophical ideas presented and discussed.
Note: I was an ARC reader for this book. I received a free copy in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
Note: I was an ARC reader for this book. I received a free copy in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
June 28, 2026
What I loved most about The Gods We Become was the character development. Watching the protagonists grapple with their humanity as they ascend to something greater was incredibly compelling. Morgenstern balances action with internal conflict perfectly, ensuring that despite the 'godly' scale of the plot, the heart of the story remains relatable. A must-read for fans of mythic fantasy who want a story with deep emotional resonance.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews