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The Abandoned Gods #1
The Keepers
Featuring a full ensemble cast, immersive character performances, and cinematic storytelling, this audiobook edition brings the world of the Abandoned Gods vividly to life
Narrated by June deBorahae, Keeley Darling, James Cassidy, Edward Black, Benjamin Sands, and Troy Duran
She wakes bound on the back of a horse.
The gods are gone.
And the world is no longer gentle.
Tsunala is carried through a land that no longer remembers mercy—guarded by monsters, watched by a half-breed who should be her enemy, and pulled toward truths she is not ready to name. Power lingers beneath her skin, unclaimed and dangerous.
As desire stirs where fear should live, something ancient begins to breathe again. The gods, long silent, are waking—not as legends, but as beings who can bleed, ache, and love.
This is a story about what happens when divinity remembers its humanity.
And what it means to belong to a world that no longer believes in you.
For listeners drawn to dark romantasy rooted in character, devotion, and emotional intensity, The Keepers is the beginning of The Abandoned Gods series.
Narrated by June deBorahae, Keeley Darling, James Cassidy, Edward Black, Benjamin Sands, and Troy Duran
She wakes bound on the back of a horse.
The gods are gone.
And the world is no longer gentle.
Tsunala is carried through a land that no longer remembers mercy—guarded by monsters, watched by a half-breed who should be her enemy, and pulled toward truths she is not ready to name. Power lingers beneath her skin, unclaimed and dangerous.
As desire stirs where fear should live, something ancient begins to breathe again. The gods, long silent, are waking—not as legends, but as beings who can bleed, ache, and love.
This is a story about what happens when divinity remembers its humanity.
And what it means to belong to a world that no longer believes in you.
For listeners drawn to dark romantasy rooted in character, devotion, and emotional intensity, The Keepers is the beginning of The Abandoned Gods series.
Audible Audio
Published July 1, 2026
About the author
Alys Mackay
2 books15 followersAlys Mackay is a Melbourne-based fantasy author writing character-driven fantasy romance where magic, power, and devotion collide.
Her stories centre strong heroines, morally complex characters, slow-burn tension, and bonds forged through trial rather than fate.
Her series, The Abandoned Gods, explores forgotten gods, dangerous magic, loyalty, sacrifice, and the choices that can reshape entire realms.
Her stories centre strong heroines, morally complex characters, slow-burn tension, and bonds forged through trial rather than fate.
Her series, The Abandoned Gods, explores forgotten gods, dangerous magic, loyalty, sacrifice, and the choices that can reshape entire realms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 4, 2026
I’ve loved reading this story!
The author has created a strong story, an amazing world building and intriguing characters!!
I’ll definitely look out for the next installment!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The author has created a strong story, an amazing world building and intriguing characters!!
I’ll definitely look out for the next installment!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 29, 2026
🎧Audio ALC Review🎧
Multicast Duet style narration by June deBorahae, James Cassidy, Troy Duran, Edward Black, Keeley Darling and Benjamin Sands
I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy romance multi-cast audio. Romantasy is normally not my wheelhouse but I had a good feeling about this one and the multiple narrators. It does end in a cliffhanger and I, assume resolves in book 2. We open up with Tsunala, having no memory, bound and thrown over a horse with a trader and a handful of Ogres as her travelling companions. She quickly realizes she’s going to be sold into the slave trade as a virgin. What follows is a journey to find out where and who she is. The Keepers is an epic tale with humans, fairies, gods and angels and other mythical beings. On her journey of discovery Tsunala makes friends, fights beasts and falls in love, all the while still trying to piece together who she is and how she fits into this world.
Alys Mackay writes a digestible tale, that allows the reader to ease into the greater mythical world. One reason I use the term digestible is that, for me, understanding fantasy through the written word is much harder for my brain as I’m a very visual person. Since Tsunala has amnesia, we are discovering the world through her eyes and ears at the same pace as her which eased me into the greater story. There are places in the book I felt the author could have added more to the story and other places where I felt it was overkill. I did feel confused as to when Tsunala’s memories started to come back and how much. I could tell Mackay probably wanted to leave things a mystery as long as she could as to have these moments of “holy crap” when we find out what’s really going on with the Gods. Yet, to me, she glossed over a key point when Tsunala started to remember, not giving more detail so as the rest of the book unfolds, certain things got confusing. Overall, I really enjoyed this audio and will definitely be reading/listening to book 2.
The multicast narration is fantastic. It truly immersed me in this new world, bringing the humans, fairies and gods to life with distinct voices that made each character feel unique and authentic. June deBorahae and James Cassidy narrate the main characters with Troy Duran, Edward Black, Keeley Darling and Benjamin Sands as a wonderful supporting cast. The entire book is from Tsunala’s POV and deBorahae’s performance captures the audience from the beginning and Cassidy’s rich deep voice is perfect for the dark fae.
Multicast Duet style narration by June deBorahae, James Cassidy, Troy Duran, Edward Black, Keeley Darling and Benjamin Sands
I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy romance multi-cast audio. Romantasy is normally not my wheelhouse but I had a good feeling about this one and the multiple narrators. It does end in a cliffhanger and I, assume resolves in book 2. We open up with Tsunala, having no memory, bound and thrown over a horse with a trader and a handful of Ogres as her travelling companions. She quickly realizes she’s going to be sold into the slave trade as a virgin. What follows is a journey to find out where and who she is. The Keepers is an epic tale with humans, fairies, gods and angels and other mythical beings. On her journey of discovery Tsunala makes friends, fights beasts and falls in love, all the while still trying to piece together who she is and how she fits into this world.
Alys Mackay writes a digestible tale, that allows the reader to ease into the greater mythical world. One reason I use the term digestible is that, for me, understanding fantasy through the written word is much harder for my brain as I’m a very visual person. Since Tsunala has amnesia, we are discovering the world through her eyes and ears at the same pace as her which eased me into the greater story. There are places in the book I felt the author could have added more to the story and other places where I felt it was overkill. I did feel confused as to when Tsunala’s memories started to come back and how much. I could tell Mackay probably wanted to leave things a mystery as long as she could as to have these moments of “holy crap” when we find out what’s really going on with the Gods. Yet, to me, she glossed over a key point when Tsunala started to remember, not giving more detail so as the rest of the book unfolds, certain things got confusing. Overall, I really enjoyed this audio and will definitely be reading/listening to book 2.
The multicast narration is fantastic. It truly immersed me in this new world, bringing the humans, fairies and gods to life with distinct voices that made each character feel unique and authentic. June deBorahae and James Cassidy narrate the main characters with Troy Duran, Edward Black, Keeley Darling and Benjamin Sands as a wonderful supporting cast. The entire book is from Tsunala’s POV and deBorahae’s performance captures the audience from the beginning and Cassidy’s rich deep voice is perfect for the dark fae.
August 7, 2026
Great narration and cast. I went into this one blind, only having read the short snippet on NetGalley and seeing it had a full cast from Blue Nose Audio. That peaked my interest.
The story dives straight into a world where the FMC basically has a sort of amnesia and doesn't know who she is, where she is, who anyone is, etc so it felt easier to follow along with since the reader also doesn't know what's going on. I felt connected to the story in that sense.
That being said, I was confused for a good portion of the book trying to figure out who our MMC was. I did enjoy the different relationships our FMC is able to forge with people. She's someone people can't help but fall in love with. And when it's all revealed, it's understandable why. I would continue this series.
thanks to NetGalley for the ALC to review.
The story dives straight into a world where the FMC basically has a sort of amnesia and doesn't know who she is, where she is, who anyone is, etc so it felt easier to follow along with since the reader also doesn't know what's going on. I felt connected to the story in that sense.
That being said, I was confused for a good portion of the book trying to figure out who our MMC was. I did enjoy the different relationships our FMC is able to forge with people. She's someone people can't help but fall in love with. And when it's all revealed, it's understandable why. I would continue this series.
thanks to NetGalley for the ALC to review.
August 1, 2026
My first book for Aussie August is finished and this was bloody fantastic. The audio was HECTIC with 6 fantastic narrators and the voices? Ugh, yes. Especially the narrator for Aridanos 😮💨 thank you so much, Alys, for providing me with an early copy of it to listen to!
The world building in The Keepers is so unique. Alys’ writing is ethereal and incredibly descriptive. Just listening to the book had me closing my eyes and visualising everything. It was like a whole movie! I’ve never read a book like it.
There certainly were some ACOTAR vibes but it was light, helping the book maintain its originality.
I cannot wait for book two. I want to see more of Tsunala’s journey. She was such an amazing character and listening to her narrated gave her so much more of a personality that already shined through on the pages! Watching her come into her power and discover more of her strength as the story continued was amazing.
I already miss Aridanos too… love that man. He’s such a beautiful, sexy creature with a huge personality. He’s certainly not afraid to laugh or soften when needed. It’s refreshing to see an MMC open up more willingly and not be so broody all the time!
I need book two yesterday.
The world building in The Keepers is so unique. Alys’ writing is ethereal and incredibly descriptive. Just listening to the book had me closing my eyes and visualising everything. It was like a whole movie! I’ve never read a book like it.
There certainly were some ACOTAR vibes but it was light, helping the book maintain its originality.
I cannot wait for book two. I want to see more of Tsunala’s journey. She was such an amazing character and listening to her narrated gave her so much more of a personality that already shined through on the pages! Watching her come into her power and discover more of her strength as the story continued was amazing.
I already miss Aridanos too… love that man. He’s such a beautiful, sexy creature with a huge personality. He’s certainly not afraid to laugh or soften when needed. It’s refreshing to see an MMC open up more willingly and not be so broody all the time!
I need book two yesterday.
August 8, 2026
Audio production is 🔥🔥🔥
Full cast with very talented narrators performed in duet.
The cover is giving cozy, fantasy but that is not what this ended up being. Check your triggers. The opening scene is somewhat jarring.
The story starts with our FMC waking up bound to a horse with zero memory. Right away I was super intrigued by where this would go and the different scenes held all of my attention whether how weird they were and there are some WEIRD scenes in this book.
I’m torn between how I feel about this book because other than getting the overall gist of the story I’m still pretty confused as to what is going on with the characters. We keep getting new ones introduced and maybe it was me or maybe it was the book but things started to feel muddled. Not sure if I would carry on to the second book or not but this is definitely worth checking out because it is an entertaining experience.
Full cast with very talented narrators performed in duet.
The cover is giving cozy, fantasy but that is not what this ended up being. Check your triggers. The opening scene is somewhat jarring.
The story starts with our FMC waking up bound to a horse with zero memory. Right away I was super intrigued by where this would go and the different scenes held all of my attention whether how weird they were and there are some WEIRD scenes in this book.
I’m torn between how I feel about this book because other than getting the overall gist of the story I’m still pretty confused as to what is going on with the characters. We keep getting new ones introduced and maybe it was me or maybe it was the book but things started to feel muddled. Not sure if I would carry on to the second book or not but this is definitely worth checking out because it is an entertaining experience.
August 5, 2026
This was an interesting story with lots of world building and good character development. It pulled me in quickly and kept my attention with the monsters, the magic and the mystery of the fallen Gods. Tsunala was strong and resilient as she remembered and stepped into who she was, becoming quite powerful. And the form she could change into just made her even more badass. And Mr tall, dark and broody surrounded by shadows…. I need more! 🥵🫠
I cannot wait to see where this series goes from here. Loved this one!
The duet multicast narration was so good! June deBorahae, Keeley Darling, James Cassidy, Edward Black, Benjamin Sands and Troy Duran delivered with their skills as voice actors capturing the characters personalities and their emotions and bringing this story to life. Their voices all complemented each other and fit the characters perfectly. 👏
Story 4 ⭐️’s
Narration 5 ⭐️’s
Spice 2.5 🌶️’s
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC!
I cannot wait to see where this series goes from here. Loved this one!
The duet multicast narration was so good! June deBorahae, Keeley Darling, James Cassidy, Edward Black, Benjamin Sands and Troy Duran delivered with their skills as voice actors capturing the characters personalities and their emotions and bringing this story to life. Their voices all complemented each other and fit the characters perfectly. 👏
Story 4 ⭐️’s
Narration 5 ⭐️’s
Spice 2.5 🌶️’s
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an Arc of this book from the author and am happy to give honest feedback.
What I liked about this book-
*As soon as the story starts you are in the thick of it, wanting to know who she is and how she is going to get out of this dire situation.
*The thought process of the MFC is really interesting, intelligent and funny. She shows so much reflection and character development during the book.
*The MMC has amazing chemistry with the MFC. He has shadow daddy vibes and has a good heart.
*The world is fascinating. I was excited to find out what had already happened and what will happen next.
*The front cover!
What I would have liked-
*A slower burn, I like it suuuper slow 😅
*Nala to take longer to figure out who she was
I'm so grateful for the opportunity to read this book and if you're into romantasy then I recommend you give it a read 😊
What I liked about this book-
*As soon as the story starts you are in the thick of it, wanting to know who she is and how she is going to get out of this dire situation.
*The thought process of the MFC is really interesting, intelligent and funny. She shows so much reflection and character development during the book.
*The MMC has amazing chemistry with the MFC. He has shadow daddy vibes and has a good heart.
*The world is fascinating. I was excited to find out what had already happened and what will happen next.
*The front cover!
What I would have liked-
*A slower burn, I like it suuuper slow 😅
*Nala to take longer to figure out who she was
I'm so grateful for the opportunity to read this book and if you're into romantasy then I recommend you give it a read 😊
August 8, 2026
Multicast Duet Narration with an absolute A list of voice actors.
June DeBorahae = Tsunala & Atropos
Keeley Darling = Frieda, Hazel, Penia, Clotho, Lachesis, Primita (and any remaining female roles)
James Cassidy = Aridanos
Troy Duran = Ankou
Edward Black = Mereh, Ogres, Alarik, Relfyn, Seimda, Slave Clerk, smaller incidental male roles
Benjamin Sands = Kitor, Coeus, Beladon, Harren, Miloe, and smaller secondary male roles
This is a sweeping fantasy romance that will fill your mind and heart with images you will never forget. You have an amazing mix of magic and mythology, along with human and non-human characters.
Tsunala wakes tied up on the back of a horse with no memory of who she is or where she is from. From Kitor who finds her to Relfyn, to Coeus, to Aridanos, Tsunala is swept up in a fight to end the slave trade, a push to bring back the gods of their land, and some heartbreaking moments that will leave you crying.
Thank you Alys Mackay and the Duet Narration Audiobook Club for the ALC. I can't wait for book 2!
June DeBorahae = Tsunala & Atropos
Keeley Darling = Frieda, Hazel, Penia, Clotho, Lachesis, Primita (and any remaining female roles)
James Cassidy = Aridanos
Troy Duran = Ankou
Edward Black = Mereh, Ogres, Alarik, Relfyn, Seimda, Slave Clerk, smaller incidental male roles
Benjamin Sands = Kitor, Coeus, Beladon, Harren, Miloe, and smaller secondary male roles
This is a sweeping fantasy romance that will fill your mind and heart with images you will never forget. You have an amazing mix of magic and mythology, along with human and non-human characters.
Tsunala wakes tied up on the back of a horse with no memory of who she is or where she is from. From Kitor who finds her to Relfyn, to Coeus, to Aridanos, Tsunala is swept up in a fight to end the slave trade, a push to bring back the gods of their land, and some heartbreaking moments that will leave you crying.
Thank you Alys Mackay and the Duet Narration Audiobook Club for the ALC. I can't wait for book 2!
August 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the early audiobook!
This one completely snuck up on me in the best way. I hit play expecting a good dark romantasy, and before I knew it I was making excuses to keep listening "just one more chapter."
The worldbuilding is rich without feeling overwhelming, and I loved slowly uncovering the mysteries alongside the characters. The mix of abandoned gods, ancient magic, morally gray characters, found family, and slow-burn tension had me hooked from the start. There were so many moments where I thought I knew where the story was headed... and then it took a turn I didn't see coming.
Can we also talk about this audiobook?! The full cast absolutely understood the assignment. Every narrator brought so much personality and emotion to their characters that it felt more like listening to a fantasy TV show than an audiobook. The performances made the emotional moments hit even harder, and I was completely immersed the entire time.
Fair warning: this is Book 1, and by the time I reached the end I immediately wanted Book 2. I need answers, I need more of these characters, and I need them yesterday.
If you love character-driven dark fantasy with gods, magic, slow-burn romance, high stakes, and an audiobook cast that absolutely delivers, I definitely recommend giving The Keepers a listen.
This one completely snuck up on me in the best way. I hit play expecting a good dark romantasy, and before I knew it I was making excuses to keep listening "just one more chapter."
The worldbuilding is rich without feeling overwhelming, and I loved slowly uncovering the mysteries alongside the characters. The mix of abandoned gods, ancient magic, morally gray characters, found family, and slow-burn tension had me hooked from the start. There were so many moments where I thought I knew where the story was headed... and then it took a turn I didn't see coming.
Can we also talk about this audiobook?! The full cast absolutely understood the assignment. Every narrator brought so much personality and emotion to their characters that it felt more like listening to a fantasy TV show than an audiobook. The performances made the emotional moments hit even harder, and I was completely immersed the entire time.
Fair warning: this is Book 1, and by the time I reached the end I immediately wanted Book 2. I need answers, I need more of these characters, and I need them yesterday.
If you love character-driven dark fantasy with gods, magic, slow-burn romance, high stakes, and an audiobook cast that absolutely delivers, I definitely recommend giving The Keepers a listen.
Review of advance copy
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
~~~~~~~~~~~
This was pretty good for a debut. I did find the writing itself a little bit weak but I have faith Alys will improve with time. Her story was well thought out and interesting. Memory loss stories are always relatable because both the reader and narrator have no idea what's going on.
The pacing could have used some work (the beginning portion was good but then it started to drag a but until about the 70% mark).
The FMC and MMC had great chemistry from the jump but I do wish the burn was slower. I would have also rather her 1st relationship in the book had stayed strictly platonic.
Overall, room for improvement but the plot is strong enough that I'll keep my eye out for book #2!
~~~~~~~~~~~
This was pretty good for a debut. I did find the writing itself a little bit weak but I have faith Alys will improve with time. Her story was well thought out and interesting. Memory loss stories are always relatable because both the reader and narrator have no idea what's going on.
The pacing could have used some work (the beginning portion was good but then it started to drag a but until about the 70% mark).
The FMC and MMC had great chemistry from the jump but I do wish the burn was slower. I would have also rather her 1st relationship in the book had stayed strictly platonic.
Overall, room for improvement but the plot is strong enough that I'll keep my eye out for book #2!
August 12, 2026
✨ALC Review✨ - 3 ⭐️
Ughhh, I love James Cassidy’s voice. 😩 And I am VERY thankful this was narrated in duet style because I got to hear him say all those sexy things directly into my ears. 🥵
Unfortunately, I had a pretty mixed experience with this one.
The first 10–15% was really interesting and immediately made me want to keep going. Then the next 40% or so slowed down quite a bit. Whenever I put the book down, I didn’t really feel a strong urge to pick it back up, and for a large portion of the middle, I was honestly pretty bored. Things did become more intriguing toward the last 20% or so, especially as she and Aridinos started getting closer, and that was easily my favorite part of the book. It made me interested enough to see what happens next, although not exactly on the edge of my seat.
I think the fantasy aspect was probably my biggest disappointment. The concept is really interesting, but the fantasy itself never felt strong enough to stand completely on its own. The romance ended up being what kept me invested. And a fantasy world that is also somehow very modern was… odd. 😂 What do you mean she’s wearing leggings?
Some of the modern language really took me out of the story too. Words like “vibe” and “side hustle” felt so out of place in a fantasy setting. And why Aridinos saying “arsehole” when literally no one is Scottish and no one even has an accent at all?
The romance was also a bit of a mess for me.
At one point, I was worried we were heading straight into instalove. There’s a sex scene between her and another character after they’ve known each other for about two days, and then we’re getting talk of forever immediately afterward. THEY LOVE EACH OTHER?? IT’S BEEN TWO DAYS! 😭
Thankfully, once I realized that character wasn’t actually the MMC, I was a little less concerned. But honestly, the book still has so many different romantic and sexual relationships that I spent a lot of time wondering who exactly was supposed to be the main love interest.
Then we get to Aridinos, and I actually really liked their chemistry. I just wish the author had let it develop more slowly. For so much of the book, I was waiting for him to come back and for something to happen, and then they finally started flirting and suddenly I was interested again… only for them to hook up five seconds later.
Give me the slow burn!! Let me suffer!! 😂
They had the potential for some really delicious tension, and I think the romance would have been so much more satisfying if we’d gotten more time watching that attraction build before they acted on it. Especially considering how detailed their eventual scene was, the speed at which they got there made it feel a little out of place.
And then there’s Cal… how many lovers does this woman have?? At some point I genuinely started wondering whether there was actually going to be a primary love interest or whether the romance was just going to be a series of flings with different people. It made it difficult for me to fully classify this as a romance.
I also have questions about Encal calling her his “lover” when they’ve never slept together, especially considering the other ways their relationships are described. And I’m sorry, but Encal calling her both his lover AND his mother was just… weird.
On the other hand, I absolutely loved the way Encal interacted with Aridinos.
“I need to make one thing super clear, soon to be best friend.”
And:
“Eyes back here princess, you don’t need mother’s confirmation that I am all for the dick.”
HAHAHAHAHA. He is ridiculous.
One thing I did really appreciate, though, was having an ancient immortal woman as a central character. Fantasy so often gives us an 18-year-old FMC paired with a 2,000-year-old god/fae, so it was refreshing to have the gender roles flipped for once.
Overall, I think this had a really interesting premise and some genuinely intriguing ideas, but the execution didn’t completely work for me. The middle was too slow, the fantasy world never felt fully developed enough to carry the story on its own, and the romance was so rushed and complicated that I never really knew where I was supposed to be emotionally invested.
The last 20% was definitely the strongest part and did make me curious enough to see what happens next. I just wish the rest of the book had held my attention the way those final chapters did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for letting me listen to this one early.
Ughhh, I love James Cassidy’s voice. 😩 And I am VERY thankful this was narrated in duet style because I got to hear him say all those sexy things directly into my ears. 🥵
Unfortunately, I had a pretty mixed experience with this one.
The first 10–15% was really interesting and immediately made me want to keep going. Then the next 40% or so slowed down quite a bit. Whenever I put the book down, I didn’t really feel a strong urge to pick it back up, and for a large portion of the middle, I was honestly pretty bored. Things did become more intriguing toward the last 20% or so, especially as she and Aridinos started getting closer, and that was easily my favorite part of the book. It made me interested enough to see what happens next, although not exactly on the edge of my seat.
I think the fantasy aspect was probably my biggest disappointment. The concept is really interesting, but the fantasy itself never felt strong enough to stand completely on its own. The romance ended up being what kept me invested. And a fantasy world that is also somehow very modern was… odd. 😂 What do you mean she’s wearing leggings?
Some of the modern language really took me out of the story too. Words like “vibe” and “side hustle” felt so out of place in a fantasy setting. And why Aridinos saying “arsehole” when literally no one is Scottish and no one even has an accent at all?
The romance was also a bit of a mess for me.
At one point, I was worried we were heading straight into instalove. There’s a sex scene between her and another character after they’ve known each other for about two days, and then we’re getting talk of forever immediately afterward. THEY LOVE EACH OTHER?? IT’S BEEN TWO DAYS! 😭
Thankfully, once I realized that character wasn’t actually the MMC, I was a little less concerned. But honestly, the book still has so many different romantic and sexual relationships that I spent a lot of time wondering who exactly was supposed to be the main love interest.
Then we get to Aridinos, and I actually really liked their chemistry. I just wish the author had let it develop more slowly. For so much of the book, I was waiting for him to come back and for something to happen, and then they finally started flirting and suddenly I was interested again… only for them to hook up five seconds later.
Give me the slow burn!! Let me suffer!! 😂
They had the potential for some really delicious tension, and I think the romance would have been so much more satisfying if we’d gotten more time watching that attraction build before they acted on it. Especially considering how detailed their eventual scene was, the speed at which they got there made it feel a little out of place.
And then there’s Cal… how many lovers does this woman have?? At some point I genuinely started wondering whether there was actually going to be a primary love interest or whether the romance was just going to be a series of flings with different people. It made it difficult for me to fully classify this as a romance.
I also have questions about Encal calling her his “lover” when they’ve never slept together, especially considering the other ways their relationships are described. And I’m sorry, but Encal calling her both his lover AND his mother was just… weird.
On the other hand, I absolutely loved the way Encal interacted with Aridinos.
“I need to make one thing super clear, soon to be best friend.”
And:
“Eyes back here princess, you don’t need mother’s confirmation that I am all for the dick.”
HAHAHAHAHA. He is ridiculous.
One thing I did really appreciate, though, was having an ancient immortal woman as a central character. Fantasy so often gives us an 18-year-old FMC paired with a 2,000-year-old god/fae, so it was refreshing to have the gender roles flipped for once.
Overall, I think this had a really interesting premise and some genuinely intriguing ideas, but the execution didn’t completely work for me. The middle was too slow, the fantasy world never felt fully developed enough to carry the story on its own, and the romance was so rushed and complicated that I never really knew where I was supposed to be emotionally invested.
The last 20% was definitely the strongest part and did make me curious enough to see what happens next. I just wish the rest of the book had held my attention the way those final chapters did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for letting me listen to this one early.
August 3, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ overall
The Keepers opens with vivid imagery and a writing style that almost feels dreamlike. When we meet Tsunala, she’s strapped to a horse and being held captive by men she’s never met. In fact, she remembers very little about herself or her surroundings beyond her own name. Destined to be sold into slavery, her journey quickly becomes something much bigger than she ever imagined.
There were several aspects of this story that I genuinely enjoyed, and I think it lays the groundwork for a much bigger world. There are plenty of threads introduced that hint at deeper worldbuilding, expanding relationships, and character growth in future books, which left me curious to see where the series goes next.
One aspect that genuinely stood out to me was the idea that there are stones and crystals that allow souls to drift into them, before eventually being carried into the afterlife. I found both the imagery and the concept itself incredibly unique, and it was easily one of the most memorable pieces of worldbuilding in the novel.
Where I struggled was with the language choices and parts of Tsunala’s inner dialogue. At times, modern-day phrasing felt dropped into the story, pulling me out of what I assumed was a very different world. That was then contrasted with more archaic terms like maidenhood and using namesake in place of birthday, creating an inconsistency I never fully adjusted to. By the end of the novel, I still wasn’t entirely sure what kind of setting the story occupied, and that made it difficult for me to stay fully immersed.
As for the characters, I see a lot of potential for growth in future books. Nala especially made a strong first impression. She came across as self-aware, introspective, and emotionally intelligent despite the impossible situation she found herself in. As the story progressed, though, I found myself connecting with her less and less. It almost felt as though, as her memories returned, she lost some of the qualities that had initially drawn me to her.
Rather than discussing the individual male characters in detail and risking spoilers, I’ll simply say there are several who show a lot of promise, and I suspect we’ll get much more from them in future installments. One new side character introduced later in the book was an absolute delight, and I enjoyed every scene he was in. Our presumed MMC was solid overall, but during some of the story’s more emotional moments, I felt like we lost a little of the personality that had made him so swoon-worthy earlier on.
The romance landed for me in some moments while feeling a little underdeveloped in others. There were definitely scenes I highlighted because they were sweet, well timed, and genuinely made me smile, but as a whole, the romance felt more middle-of-the-road than memorable.
Audiobook only: The narrators were phenomenal. Their performances brought so much personality and emotion to the story that they genuinely elevated my overall experience. In all honesty, I don’t think I would have connected with this book nearly as much with just print. The narration kept me engaged through sections I struggled with, and I’d happily listen to these narrators again in future books. If you’re deciding between formats, I would absolutely recommend the audiobook.
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for providing me with advanced ebook and audiobook copies in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Keepers opens with vivid imagery and a writing style that almost feels dreamlike. When we meet Tsunala, she’s strapped to a horse and being held captive by men she’s never met. In fact, she remembers very little about herself or her surroundings beyond her own name. Destined to be sold into slavery, her journey quickly becomes something much bigger than she ever imagined.
There were several aspects of this story that I genuinely enjoyed, and I think it lays the groundwork for a much bigger world. There are plenty of threads introduced that hint at deeper worldbuilding, expanding relationships, and character growth in future books, which left me curious to see where the series goes next.
One aspect that genuinely stood out to me was the idea that there are stones and crystals that allow souls to drift into them, before eventually being carried into the afterlife. I found both the imagery and the concept itself incredibly unique, and it was easily one of the most memorable pieces of worldbuilding in the novel.
Where I struggled was with the language choices and parts of Tsunala’s inner dialogue. At times, modern-day phrasing felt dropped into the story, pulling me out of what I assumed was a very different world. That was then contrasted with more archaic terms like maidenhood and using namesake in place of birthday, creating an inconsistency I never fully adjusted to. By the end of the novel, I still wasn’t entirely sure what kind of setting the story occupied, and that made it difficult for me to stay fully immersed.
As for the characters, I see a lot of potential for growth in future books. Nala especially made a strong first impression. She came across as self-aware, introspective, and emotionally intelligent despite the impossible situation she found herself in. As the story progressed, though, I found myself connecting with her less and less. It almost felt as though, as her memories returned, she lost some of the qualities that had initially drawn me to her.
Rather than discussing the individual male characters in detail and risking spoilers, I’ll simply say there are several who show a lot of promise, and I suspect we’ll get much more from them in future installments. One new side character introduced later in the book was an absolute delight, and I enjoyed every scene he was in. Our presumed MMC was solid overall, but during some of the story’s more emotional moments, I felt like we lost a little of the personality that had made him so swoon-worthy earlier on.
The romance landed for me in some moments while feeling a little underdeveloped in others. There were definitely scenes I highlighted because they were sweet, well timed, and genuinely made me smile, but as a whole, the romance felt more middle-of-the-road than memorable.
Audiobook only: The narrators were phenomenal. Their performances brought so much personality and emotion to the story that they genuinely elevated my overall experience. In all honesty, I don’t think I would have connected with this book nearly as much with just print. The narration kept me engaged through sections I struggled with, and I’d happily listen to these narrators again in future books. If you’re deciding between formats, I would absolutely recommend the audiobook.
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for providing me with advanced ebook and audiobook copies in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 8, 2026
I listened 🎧 and also read whenever I needed to just sit and read 📖 this story.
🚨This is the best audio book I've listened to in my brief audiobook listening period.
I find sometimes audiobooks do not hold my attention. (Quicksilver & ACOTAR 😶🌫️🫣) BUT this was not the case this time.
AUDIOBOOK INFO:
The Keepers, the first book in The Abandoned Gods series by Alys Mackay.
The audiobook features a true multicast narrative produced by the incredible team at Blue Nose Audio. Having a whole lineup of distinct voice actors consistently playing their specific characters completely changes the experience!
Huge credit goes to the full cast of narrators:
🎧 June deBorahae
🎧 Keeley Darling
🎧 James Cassidy
🎧 Edward Black
🎧 Benjamin Sands
🎧 Troy Duran
The opening was incredibly intense!
🌌 Immersive, Layered World-Building (With a Twist!)
From the very first line—"She wakes bound on the back of a horse"—you are thrown into a world that no longer remembers mercy. The world-building here doesn't rely on massive information dumps. Instead, Alys Mackay masterfully lulls the reader into a specific reality, only to slowly shift the ground beneath your feet. Every single encounter Tsunala has acts like a chisel, peeling away another layer of her shrouded past and lost history.
👕However, the world-building did throw me a bit of a curveball:
At the start, the clothing feels traditionally gritty and fantasy-esque—like when Kitor gives her a jacket and a shirt, while the Old Fae at the market are described in classic robes. But once Tsunala gets to the Fae estate, she ends up wearing T-shirts and leggings. For me, T-shirts felt a bit too modern and created a jarring contrast against the mythical realm vibe. I usually expect tunics, shifts, or more era-appropriate garments in a setting like this, so it was definitely an unexpected stylistic choice.
⚖️ Tsunala vs. The Typical Romantasy Heroine
What completely won me over, though, is Tsunala’s character consistency. In a lot of popular dark romantasy books—for instance, Quicksilver—we often see a tough, fierce heroine who instantly changes once she enters the Fae realm, switching constantly between whiny hate and sudden desire for the male lead.
Tsunala is a breath of fresh air. Even while bound on a horse and surrounded by immediate danger, she stays entirely constant in herself. Instead of panicking or obsessing over romance, she focuses on gaining knowledge about her situation. She reacts with a realistic, raw vulnerability born from her blank slate of memories, relying on pure survival instincts.
As the book develops, Tsunala continues to explore her feelings in a way that feels completely earned.
She was honest about her emotions once she started to piece together her identity while navigating the psychological tension of her captivity creates an emotional intensity that kept me completely hooked.
⏳ A Slow, Rewarding Slow-Burn
The sexual dynamic builds beautifully after she has spent time learning a bit about herself and her surroundings, but she does have her doubts and regrets.
If you’re looking for a highly immersive escape with deep, logical character growth, I highly recommend checking out this book or audio production.✨
🚨This is the best audio book I've listened to in my brief audiobook listening period.
I find sometimes audiobooks do not hold my attention. (Quicksilver & ACOTAR 😶🌫️🫣) BUT this was not the case this time.
AUDIOBOOK INFO:
The Keepers, the first book in The Abandoned Gods series by Alys Mackay.
The audiobook features a true multicast narrative produced by the incredible team at Blue Nose Audio. Having a whole lineup of distinct voice actors consistently playing their specific characters completely changes the experience!
Huge credit goes to the full cast of narrators:
🎧 June deBorahae
🎧 Keeley Darling
🎧 James Cassidy
🎧 Edward Black
🎧 Benjamin Sands
🎧 Troy Duran
The opening was incredibly intense!
🌌 Immersive, Layered World-Building (With a Twist!)
From the very first line—"She wakes bound on the back of a horse"—you are thrown into a world that no longer remembers mercy. The world-building here doesn't rely on massive information dumps. Instead, Alys Mackay masterfully lulls the reader into a specific reality, only to slowly shift the ground beneath your feet. Every single encounter Tsunala has acts like a chisel, peeling away another layer of her shrouded past and lost history.
👕However, the world-building did throw me a bit of a curveball:
At the start, the clothing feels traditionally gritty and fantasy-esque—like when Kitor gives her a jacket and a shirt, while the Old Fae at the market are described in classic robes. But once Tsunala gets to the Fae estate, she ends up wearing T-shirts and leggings. For me, T-shirts felt a bit too modern and created a jarring contrast against the mythical realm vibe. I usually expect tunics, shifts, or more era-appropriate garments in a setting like this, so it was definitely an unexpected stylistic choice.
⚖️ Tsunala vs. The Typical Romantasy Heroine
What completely won me over, though, is Tsunala’s character consistency. In a lot of popular dark romantasy books—for instance, Quicksilver—we often see a tough, fierce heroine who instantly changes once she enters the Fae realm, switching constantly between whiny hate and sudden desire for the male lead.
Tsunala is a breath of fresh air. Even while bound on a horse and surrounded by immediate danger, she stays entirely constant in herself. Instead of panicking or obsessing over romance, she focuses on gaining knowledge about her situation. She reacts with a realistic, raw vulnerability born from her blank slate of memories, relying on pure survival instincts.
As the book develops, Tsunala continues to explore her feelings in a way that feels completely earned.
She was honest about her emotions once she started to piece together her identity while navigating the psychological tension of her captivity creates an emotional intensity that kept me completely hooked.
⏳ A Slow, Rewarding Slow-Burn
The sexual dynamic builds beautifully after she has spent time learning a bit about herself and her surroundings, but she does have her doubts and regrets.
If you’re looking for a highly immersive escape with deep, logical character growth, I highly recommend checking out this book or audio production.✨
July 24, 2026
THE KEEPERS
By: Alys Mackay
The Abandoned Gods Series
Book 1
DUET-STYLE MULTI-CAST NARRATION AUDIOBOOK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Star Rating
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 5/5 Audiobook Rating
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5 Spice Rating
(Spice Rating Guide Below)
MY THOUGHTS:
I am so thankful I decided to listen to this audiobook! I thoroughly enjoyed the experience! Not sure how in the world this book is the author’s debut novel, but here we are!
This is an epic dark fantasy romance at its finest! There are magical beings, there is magic, there is evil, there are sleeping gods, there is mystery & suspense, there is a quest or two, there is immense heartbreak, there is amazing world & character building, the characters are loveable & can be comical and intense, and then there is that cliffhanger!
This book checks all the boxes!! There were times I felt it was moving a little slow, but since I was just doing life while listening to the audiobook it was fine! I will definitely read the rest of the series as it comes out!
FAVORITE QUOTE(S):
“Ugh, if there was one thing that could push the remaining ounce of arousal lingering from the dream away, it was going to be ogres.”
“Yes, I enjoy the sweetness and innocence of lovemaking, but I much prefer the delicious f***ing that this sort of energy we have between us called for. The hussy in me was demanding to come out.”
TROPES:
MF
Morally Grey Characters
Gods and Ancient Powers
Powerful heroine
Found family
Forbidden power
Betrayal and loyalty
Fate vs free will
Epic Quest
Open Door Explicit Spice
GENRE, POV, PAGE COUNT:
Dark Fantasy Romance
Single POV in 1st Person
478 Pages
AUDIOBOOK STYLE, NARRATORS, TIME LENGTH & REVIEW:
MULTI-CAST Narration
NARRATOR(S):
June deBorahae
Troy Duran
Keeley Darling
James Cassidy
Edward Black
Benjamin Sands
14 Hours & 31 Minutes Long
Audiobooks are magnificent. They have a way of immersing the reader further into the story and taking it to a whole new level. These narrators do an impeccable job of narrating their parts in this book. They do it flawlessly, with emotion, with passion, and they are just phenomenal!
SPICE LEVEL RATING GUIDE
🌶️ Glimpses and Kisses
🌶️🌶️Closed Door
🌶️🌶️🌶️Open Door
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Open Door Explicit
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Explicit and Plentiful
I have teenage daughters. I am more interested in these spice descriptions than rating the explicit content only.
NOTE:
Check those trigger warnings if needed.
THANK YOU’S:
Thank you to AUTHOR ALYS MACKAY and the DUET NARRATION AUDIOBOOK CLUB for this amazing audiobook! I loved listening to it, look forward to the next book in this series and look forward to reading future books by this author! Thank you!
Happy Reading! ♥☻
By: Alys Mackay
The Abandoned Gods Series
Book 1
DUET-STYLE MULTI-CAST NARRATION AUDIOBOOK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Star Rating
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 5/5 Audiobook Rating
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5 Spice Rating
(Spice Rating Guide Below)
MY THOUGHTS:
I am so thankful I decided to listen to this audiobook! I thoroughly enjoyed the experience! Not sure how in the world this book is the author’s debut novel, but here we are!
This is an epic dark fantasy romance at its finest! There are magical beings, there is magic, there is evil, there are sleeping gods, there is mystery & suspense, there is a quest or two, there is immense heartbreak, there is amazing world & character building, the characters are loveable & can be comical and intense, and then there is that cliffhanger!
This book checks all the boxes!! There were times I felt it was moving a little slow, but since I was just doing life while listening to the audiobook it was fine! I will definitely read the rest of the series as it comes out!
FAVORITE QUOTE(S):
“Ugh, if there was one thing that could push the remaining ounce of arousal lingering from the dream away, it was going to be ogres.”
“Yes, I enjoy the sweetness and innocence of lovemaking, but I much prefer the delicious f***ing that this sort of energy we have between us called for. The hussy in me was demanding to come out.”
TROPES:
MF
Morally Grey Characters
Gods and Ancient Powers
Powerful heroine
Found family
Forbidden power
Betrayal and loyalty
Fate vs free will
Epic Quest
Open Door Explicit Spice
GENRE, POV, PAGE COUNT:
Dark Fantasy Romance
Single POV in 1st Person
478 Pages
AUDIOBOOK STYLE, NARRATORS, TIME LENGTH & REVIEW:
MULTI-CAST Narration
NARRATOR(S):
June deBorahae
Troy Duran
Keeley Darling
James Cassidy
Edward Black
Benjamin Sands
14 Hours & 31 Minutes Long
Audiobooks are magnificent. They have a way of immersing the reader further into the story and taking it to a whole new level. These narrators do an impeccable job of narrating their parts in this book. They do it flawlessly, with emotion, with passion, and they are just phenomenal!
SPICE LEVEL RATING GUIDE
🌶️ Glimpses and Kisses
🌶️🌶️Closed Door
🌶️🌶️🌶️Open Door
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Open Door Explicit
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Explicit and Plentiful
I have teenage daughters. I am more interested in these spice descriptions than rating the explicit content only.
NOTE:
Check those trigger warnings if needed.
THANK YOU’S:
Thank you to AUTHOR ALYS MACKAY and the DUET NARRATION AUDIOBOOK CLUB for this amazing audiobook! I loved listening to it, look forward to the next book in this series and look forward to reading future books by this author! Thank you!
Happy Reading! ♥☻
August 7, 2026
I’m giving this 3, 4 for audio and 2 for the story..
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co‑op for the opportunity to listen to this audio ARC.
Okay, let me start by saying I do truly love the authors brain. The entire concept of this book was actually pretty great. The worldbuilding ideas and plot had so much potential and I can absolutely respect a debut author trying for something heavy and big. And hey, I’m sure this will absolutely hit for some readers.
And I have to praise the narrators, because they are the reason I kept going. They delivered the material flawlessly. I’m genuinely grateful for how much they brought to the table. If it wasn’t for them, I’m not sure I would have made it past chapter 2.
Now let’s talk about the execution… I just felt removed from the story... like I was not actually in it. And the way certain parts connected.. or didn’t.. made it hard for me to stay invested. And the love interest part of the plot fell flat for me, I felt nothing.
I was also pulled out of the story way too many times because of use of modern language… One minute it’s “maidenhood” and “nameday” and the next minute it’s “jacket”, “big dick energy”, and “skank”… also, if the FMC is supposed to be *redacted*, why does she sound like she’s in high school? Her internal "fuck yes, I'm cool".... Naahhhh you're really not with that internal monologue. By the end, I was more frustrated than satisfied.
Overall, this had a really strong premise but the storytelling didn’t do it for me. But if you’re an audiobook listener who loves a good full duet performance, the narrators make this worth trying.. you never know, this may be a story you love. Reading is subjective afterall.
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co‑op for the opportunity to listen to this audio ARC.
Okay, let me start by saying I do truly love the authors brain. The entire concept of this book was actually pretty great. The worldbuilding ideas and plot had so much potential and I can absolutely respect a debut author trying for something heavy and big. And hey, I’m sure this will absolutely hit for some readers.
And I have to praise the narrators, because they are the reason I kept going. They delivered the material flawlessly. I’m genuinely grateful for how much they brought to the table. If it wasn’t for them, I’m not sure I would have made it past chapter 2.
Now let’s talk about the execution… I just felt removed from the story... like I was not actually in it. And the way certain parts connected.. or didn’t.. made it hard for me to stay invested. And the love interest part of the plot fell flat for me, I felt nothing.
I was also pulled out of the story way too many times because of use of modern language… One minute it’s “maidenhood” and “nameday” and the next minute it’s “jacket”, “big dick energy”, and “skank”… also, if the FMC is supposed to be *redacted*, why does she sound like she’s in high school? Her internal "fuck yes, I'm cool".... Naahhhh you're really not with that internal monologue. By the end, I was more frustrated than satisfied.
Overall, this had a really strong premise but the storytelling didn’t do it for me. But if you’re an audiobook listener who loves a good full duet performance, the narrators make this worth trying.. you never know, this may be a story you love. Reading is subjective afterall.
August 13, 2026
The Keepers had a premise that really caught my attention, and I genuinely wanted to love it. There is an intriguing world here, with gods who have disappeared, dangerous creatures, hidden power and plenty of potential for the story to grow into something much bigger.
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the actual reading experience. The world-building was probably my favourite aspect, and I could see the foundations being laid for future books. There is plenty of room for the characters and their relationships to develop, and Nala was easily my favourite character. I was interested enough in her to want to know where her story might go.
My biggest issue was the prose and editing. There were frequent grammatical errors, typos and punctuation issues, along with a lot of repetition. I also found the writing quite heavy-handed at times, explaining and repeating details rather than allowing the reader to make their own connections. It made the story feel less immersive for me and, unfortunately, became increasingly difficult to overlook.
I also struggled with the way the spice was written, as it didn't quite work for me and felt at odds with the rest of the story.
There is definitely an interesting story hiding in here, and I can see the potential for this series to develop into something much stronger as the world and characters are given more space to grow. Sadly, though, I found the execution difficult enough that I would probably have DNFed this one if I hadn't been reading it as an ARC.
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy fantasy romance with gods, monsters, hidden powers and a series that is still establishing its world.
Content warnings: Sexual content, violence, captivity, threats, death.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the actual reading experience. The world-building was probably my favourite aspect, and I could see the foundations being laid for future books. There is plenty of room for the characters and their relationships to develop, and Nala was easily my favourite character. I was interested enough in her to want to know where her story might go.
My biggest issue was the prose and editing. There were frequent grammatical errors, typos and punctuation issues, along with a lot of repetition. I also found the writing quite heavy-handed at times, explaining and repeating details rather than allowing the reader to make their own connections. It made the story feel less immersive for me and, unfortunately, became increasingly difficult to overlook.
I also struggled with the way the spice was written, as it didn't quite work for me and felt at odds with the rest of the story.
There is definitely an interesting story hiding in here, and I can see the potential for this series to develop into something much stronger as the world and characters are given more space to grow. Sadly, though, I found the execution difficult enough that I would probably have DNFed this one if I hadn't been reading it as an ARC.
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy fantasy romance with gods, monsters, hidden powers and a series that is still establishing its world.
Content warnings: Sexual content, violence, captivity, threats, death.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 15, 2026
I listened to the audiobook of The Keepers. The narration was excellent! 10/10, no notes! I really enjoyed the full ensemble cast. The voice acting was phenomenal.
As for the content I rate it 4/5 stars.
Pros:
This book has an interesting plot and is a fresh take on Gods/Goddesses. I felt that the storyline flowed well and very rarely dragged on needlessly. The author has a beautiful writing style and is very descriptive.
I really like that we get into the action right from the start.
I found the MFC to be very likable. She has a great sense of humor and a positive attitude considering the situation she finds herself in.
I enjoyed the characters that were introduced in the second half of the book and can’t wait for the second book to be released to see where the story takes them and to be introduced to even more characters!
Cons:
Some of the dialogue seems too “modern” for the setting. Although I don’t mind it I know it can take some readers out of the story.
The character development of the MFC was very strong, but was a bit lacking with other seemingly important characters. The MMC didn’t show much personality (other than being dark and broody), so I’m hoping for more out of him with the next book. We also get introduced to a lot of characters early on who seem important to the plot, but then aren’t mentioned again nor is the gift that represents these characters ever mentioned again.
I felt that some of the major events in the story ended abruptly and the story moved on too quickly and somethings that were presented as major plot points were just glazed over for resolution.
Lastly, and this isn’t necessarily a con, but this book is not a slow burn romance. Things get hot and heavy quickly, however the author does address the reason why later in the book as we find out more about the MFC.
***
I received an ALC of this audiobook via NetGalley.
As for the content I rate it 4/5 stars.
Pros:
This book has an interesting plot and is a fresh take on Gods/Goddesses. I felt that the storyline flowed well and very rarely dragged on needlessly. The author has a beautiful writing style and is very descriptive.
I really like that we get into the action right from the start.
I found the MFC to be very likable. She has a great sense of humor and a positive attitude considering the situation she finds herself in.
I enjoyed the characters that were introduced in the second half of the book and can’t wait for the second book to be released to see where the story takes them and to be introduced to even more characters!
Cons:
Some of the dialogue seems too “modern” for the setting. Although I don’t mind it I know it can take some readers out of the story.
The character development of the MFC was very strong, but was a bit lacking with other seemingly important characters. The MMC didn’t show much personality (other than being dark and broody), so I’m hoping for more out of him with the next book. We also get introduced to a lot of characters early on who seem important to the plot, but then aren’t mentioned again nor is the gift that represents these characters ever mentioned again.
I felt that some of the major events in the story ended abruptly and the story moved on too quickly and somethings that were presented as major plot points were just glazed over for resolution.
Lastly, and this isn’t necessarily a con, but this book is not a slow burn romance. Things get hot and heavy quickly, however the author does address the reason why later in the book as we find out more about the MFC.
***
I received an ALC of this audiobook via NetGalley.
August 7, 2026
Thank you to Victory Editing Co-Op and NetGalley for the ALC of The Keepers
Tsunala awakens on a horse with no recollection of her past or how she got there, taken by a man and two monsters. Following a sexual attack from one of the monsters, she learns she is being sold into slavery. Throughout the ordeal, her powers begin to stir, and gods are awakening.
The multicast duet style audio production really shines here! The narrator’s were phenomenal and the whole cast worked together so well to create such a high quality audiobook. The character voices, accents, and emotion were absolutely fantastic and so well suited to the characters. Honestly such a fantastic audio production.
I think this book will appeal to readers who enjoy a fast paced fast read. I found things moving faster than my preference and I struggled to connect with the characters - a lot of the things needed to happen to lay the groundwork for the story to take off, you just take off running. The FMC’s decisions, reactions, and inner monologue didn’t resonate with me, her and feelings and trust in characters she just met didn’t feel earned to me. The speech patterns took me out of the story at times; sometimes modern, sometimes olden, and sometimes just unusual phrasing to me. There’s an interesting plot and I think the second half started to get into it a bit more, and there’s potential for future books, but I think it’s more for fans of fast paced reads. There’s def depth to the world building and lore and I think there’s lots of room for growth and development. If it appeals to you, I’d definitely recommend the audio version!
Tsunala awakens on a horse with no recollection of her past or how she got there, taken by a man and two monsters. Following a sexual attack from one of the monsters, she learns she is being sold into slavery. Throughout the ordeal, her powers begin to stir, and gods are awakening.
The multicast duet style audio production really shines here! The narrator’s were phenomenal and the whole cast worked together so well to create such a high quality audiobook. The character voices, accents, and emotion were absolutely fantastic and so well suited to the characters. Honestly such a fantastic audio production.
I think this book will appeal to readers who enjoy a fast paced fast read. I found things moving faster than my preference and I struggled to connect with the characters - a lot of the things needed to happen to lay the groundwork for the story to take off, you just take off running. The FMC’s decisions, reactions, and inner monologue didn’t resonate with me, her and feelings and trust in characters she just met didn’t feel earned to me. The speech patterns took me out of the story at times; sometimes modern, sometimes olden, and sometimes just unusual phrasing to me. There’s an interesting plot and I think the second half started to get into it a bit more, and there’s potential for future books, but I think it’s more for fans of fast paced reads. There’s def depth to the world building and lore and I think there’s lots of room for growth and development. If it appeals to you, I’d definitely recommend the audio version!
August 13, 2026
The Keepers by @alys_mackay_writes
Duet Multicast Narration by: @duran.troy, @junedeborahae, @jamescassidyromance, @lovekeeleydarling, @edwardblacknarration, and @benjaminsandsreads
Stars: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
The Keepers is an amazing blend of unique world building, and intruiging magic system, and some truly fantastic characters. I had such a fun time reading this book. We start off with our main character Tsunala, who wakes up on the back of a horse with no memories of who she is or where she comes from. While this might paralyze most people, she still doesn't lose her fire or will to live. She has such an amazing personality and I just loved witnessing the journey she went on in book one.
I feel like the plot is very consistently paced and doesn't get dragged down by the worldbuilding--instead it enhances the story!
Our narrators did an absolutely phenomenal job breathing life into this already amazing world! Some of these narrators I'm familiar with, while others I'm listening to for the first time, and I think they complement each other perfectly!! I will definitely be listening to other books these people have narrated.
Thank you so so much to Alys Makay and @duetnarrationaudiobookclub for a listener copy of this book!!
Duet Multicast Narration by: @duran.troy, @junedeborahae, @jamescassidyromance, @lovekeeleydarling, @edwardblacknarration, and @benjaminsandsreads
Stars: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
The Keepers is an amazing blend of unique world building, and intruiging magic system, and some truly fantastic characters. I had such a fun time reading this book. We start off with our main character Tsunala, who wakes up on the back of a horse with no memories of who she is or where she comes from. While this might paralyze most people, she still doesn't lose her fire or will to live. She has such an amazing personality and I just loved witnessing the journey she went on in book one.
I feel like the plot is very consistently paced and doesn't get dragged down by the worldbuilding--instead it enhances the story!
Our narrators did an absolutely phenomenal job breathing life into this already amazing world! Some of these narrators I'm familiar with, while others I'm listening to for the first time, and I think they complement each other perfectly!! I will definitely be listening to other books these people have narrated.
Thank you so so much to Alys Makay and @duetnarrationaudiobookclub for a listener copy of this book!!
July 10, 2026
ALC Review:
Multi Cast Duet Narration by June deBorahae, Keeley Darling, James Cassidy, Edward Black, Benjamin Sands, and Troy Duran
Tropes:
Dark Fantasy Romance
Morally Grey Characters
Gods and Ancient Powers
Powerful FMC
Found family
Forbidden power
Betrayal and loyalty
Fate vs free will
Epic Quest
Waking up bound on a horse, Tsunala is forced through a merciless landscape guarded by monsters and a mysterious half-breed captive. As her own unclaimed power stirs, ancient, forgotten gods begin to wake—feeling, aching, and loving like mortals.
I was completely sucked into this world! The world-building was incredible, and the narrative twists and turns kept me hooked. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel because the writing is just that incredible. The audiobook cast provides a top-tier performance that is highly engaging and vivid, leaving me absolutely blown away by the story.
Huge thank you to Ear Candy Promotions and the author Alys Mackay for this ALC, and congrats to this author for an amazing debut!
Multi Cast Duet Narration by June deBorahae, Keeley Darling, James Cassidy, Edward Black, Benjamin Sands, and Troy Duran
Tropes:
Dark Fantasy Romance
Morally Grey Characters
Gods and Ancient Powers
Powerful FMC
Found family
Forbidden power
Betrayal and loyalty
Fate vs free will
Epic Quest
Waking up bound on a horse, Tsunala is forced through a merciless landscape guarded by monsters and a mysterious half-breed captive. As her own unclaimed power stirs, ancient, forgotten gods begin to wake—feeling, aching, and loving like mortals.
I was completely sucked into this world! The world-building was incredible, and the narrative twists and turns kept me hooked. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel because the writing is just that incredible. The audiobook cast provides a top-tier performance that is highly engaging and vivid, leaving me absolutely blown away by the story.
Huge thank you to Ear Candy Promotions and the author Alys Mackay for this ALC, and congrats to this author for an amazing debut!
August 8, 2026
The opening of this book immediately caught my attention. I was invested in Tsunala, discovering her true identity and power. The world felt unique and descriptive. Sadly, my enjoyment declined from there.
The first issue that I ran into was the poor relationship building. It seemed that the MC developed attachments to other characters very quickly. She developed an attachment to her captor, a fellow slave, and to another individual within a span of about 5 days. As the story continues, and conflict happens, I did not feel the emotional punch that the author wanted these scenes to have. We are told that the MC is sad about what she's experiencing because she "loved" the other characters so much. I didn't feel this as a reader because the relationship development was so rushed and poor. It was strange. Later, it's revealed why the relationships were built so quickly, but the reasoning felt weak. The main love interest is another shadow daddy...sigh.
The third issue was poor character development.Tsunala's memories started to return at a rapid pace. Seriously, the author wrote something along the lines of "I don't know how, but I just remembered" or something to that affect several times throughout the book. This took all of the intrigue out of the opening of the story and from the reader walking along the MC in discovery. Before the end of the book, we know exactly who she is.
I do think that this author was ambitious with her debut, and she clearly wants to tell an epic fantasy story.
The first issue that I ran into was the poor relationship building. It seemed that the MC developed attachments to other characters very quickly. She developed an attachment to her captor, a fellow slave, and to another individual within a span of about 5 days. As the story continues, and conflict happens, I did not feel the emotional punch that the author wanted these scenes to have. We are told that the MC is sad about what she's experiencing because she "loved" the other characters so much. I didn't feel this as a reader because the relationship development was so rushed and poor. It was strange. Later, it's revealed why the relationships were built so quickly, but the reasoning felt weak. The main love interest is another shadow daddy...sigh.
The third issue was poor character development.Tsunala's memories started to return at a rapid pace. Seriously, the author wrote something along the lines of "I don't know how, but I just remembered" or something to that affect several times throughout the book. This took all of the intrigue out of the opening of the story and from the reader walking along the MC in discovery. Before the end of the book, we know exactly who she is.
I do think that this author was ambitious with her debut, and she clearly wants to tell an epic fantasy story.
August 9, 2026
I’m not a big Romantasy fan, but when I read the description for this one on NetGalley, I’ll admit I was intrigued. And it did not disappoint!
I really liked discovering this world alongside the FMC, especially since she wakes up with no memory of who she is or what’s happening. It makes the reveals feel much more engaging because we’re just as clueless as she is.
The author also does a great job laying the groundwork for who we should be interested in and, perhaps more importantly, who we should be wary of. 👀 I’m saying absolutely nothing more because spoilers, but I was definitely paying attention.
One thing I really appreciated about this Romantasy is that the narration isn’t flowery or overly poetic. The language feels natural and modern, even though we’re dealing with ogres, faeries, and an entirely different world. It’s fantasy without feeling pretentious, and I really enjoyed that.
I’m SO curious about where this series is going. Some pretty major things happen in this book that I honestly expected to be saved for the very end of the series, or at least the next book. But if the author is willing to go there this early, I can only imagine what she has planned for the rest of the story. Needless to say, I’ll be finding out.
Thank you, NetGalley and Victory Editing, for the ALC!
I really liked discovering this world alongside the FMC, especially since she wakes up with no memory of who she is or what’s happening. It makes the reveals feel much more engaging because we’re just as clueless as she is.
The author also does a great job laying the groundwork for who we should be interested in and, perhaps more importantly, who we should be wary of. 👀 I’m saying absolutely nothing more because spoilers, but I was definitely paying attention.
One thing I really appreciated about this Romantasy is that the narration isn’t flowery or overly poetic. The language feels natural and modern, even though we’re dealing with ogres, faeries, and an entirely different world. It’s fantasy without feeling pretentious, and I really enjoyed that.
I’m SO curious about where this series is going. Some pretty major things happen in this book that I honestly expected to be saved for the very end of the series, or at least the next book. But if the author is willing to go there this early, I can only imagine what she has planned for the rest of the story. Needless to say, I’ll be finding out.
Thank you, NetGalley and Victory Editing, for the ALC!
July 20, 2026
Thank you to Alys Mackay for gifting me a physical copy of this book, as well as access to the audiobook through her newsletter.
For a debut novel, The Keepers is an impressive start to what promises to be an exciting romantasy series. Blending ancient gods, morally grey characters, powerful magic and a mystery-filled world, it kept me intrigued from beginning to end.
The story opens with Tsunala waking up bound to the back of a horse with no memory of how she got there or even who she is beyond her name.
I loved uncovering the world alongside her, with each revelation raising new questions and making me even more invested in her journey.
One of my favourite parts of the experience was listening to the duet multi-cast audiobook while following along in my physical copy. It made the characters feel even more alive and added another layer of immersion to an already engaging story.
The chemistry between the main characters was another highlight. I really enjoyed their dynamic, although I personally would have loved the romance to be an even slower burn. Even so, I was invested in their relationship and I am excited to see where the story goes next.
With themes of abandoned gods, found family, loyalty, betrayal and the battle between fate and free will, The Keepers lays a strong foundation for what's to come. I'm definitely looking forward to picking up the next instalment and seeing where Tsunala's story leads in the future.
For a debut novel, The Keepers is an impressive start to what promises to be an exciting romantasy series. Blending ancient gods, morally grey characters, powerful magic and a mystery-filled world, it kept me intrigued from beginning to end.
The story opens with Tsunala waking up bound to the back of a horse with no memory of how she got there or even who she is beyond her name.
I loved uncovering the world alongside her, with each revelation raising new questions and making me even more invested in her journey.
One of my favourite parts of the experience was listening to the duet multi-cast audiobook while following along in my physical copy. It made the characters feel even more alive and added another layer of immersion to an already engaging story.
The chemistry between the main characters was another highlight. I really enjoyed their dynamic, although I personally would have loved the romance to be an even slower burn. Even so, I was invested in their relationship and I am excited to see where the story goes next.
With themes of abandoned gods, found family, loyalty, betrayal and the battle between fate and free will, The Keepers lays a strong foundation for what's to come. I'm definitely looking forward to picking up the next instalment and seeing where Tsunala's story leads in the future.
August 15, 2026
OMG!! I am so invested in this new series. Tsunala wakes captured and is soon sold into slavery. Once free life isn't a piece of cake either. She is caught up in slave rebellions, and schemes to bring back false gods. The worst part, through it all Tsunala doesn't have any memories of before she awoke on the back of a horse.
This book was beautifully written! The world building was excellent, the magical system complex but easy to understand at the same time. Tsunala was a lovable character, who loves to give love to others lol. This book is packed with action, love, and adventure. The male characters are complex and all so very different from each other in personality which I love. I don't want a carbon copy. You have your goofball, your shadow daddy, and your sunshine. Each plays an important role. If you love books like Fourth Wing or Throne of Glass I think you will really enjoy this book.
This book was beautifully written! The world building was excellent, the magical system complex but easy to understand at the same time. Tsunala was a lovable character, who loves to give love to others lol. This book is packed with action, love, and adventure. The male characters are complex and all so very different from each other in personality which I love. I don't want a carbon copy. You have your goofball, your shadow daddy, and your sunshine. Each plays an important role. If you love books like Fourth Wing or Throne of Glass I think you will really enjoy this book.
Did Not Finish
August 6, 2026My bad. Not the authors. This was just too much to remember and keep up with for me at present. This is probably a nicely spun multilayered piece of fantasy pop lit mixing genres and tropes to any post-millennials delight since it’s littered with retro fantasy lore, LOTR-shit and LARP:ish knowledge I didn’t care to keep up with.
I want to escape and be entertained when listening to an audio book, not take notes on lineage, titles or keep a record of the various forms of elven glamours, ranks of dwarf heraldry or if both ogres and orcs can chew through boulders. So yeah, I’m out. DNF.
Oh and the language is just a teensy bit jumbled. One minute it’s ”Fuck, shit, clit, all cool and casual” the next it’s ”flouncy pompous über-nerd lingo and regency-doushery
I want to escape and be entertained when listening to an audio book, not take notes on lineage, titles or keep a record of the various forms of elven glamours, ranks of dwarf heraldry or if both ogres and orcs can chew through boulders. So yeah, I’m out. DNF.
Oh and the language is just a teensy bit jumbled. One minute it’s ”Fuck, shit, clit, all cool and casual” the next it’s ”flouncy pompous über-nerd lingo and regency-doushery
August 13, 2026
✨AUDIOBOOK REVIEW✨
What an incredible debut novel by Alys Mackay!! I can't wait to read more books by her. 😍
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time while listening to the audiobook. The story was so interesting and kept me hooked from start to finish. I did not want to pause my audiobook or go to sleep. I'm honestly sad that it is over and now I have to wait impatiently for book 2 haha
The world building and the characters got me addicted to the story and I'm so excited for the next book in the series so I can find out what happens next. The chemistry between the FMC and MMC was scorching hot and I couldn't get enough of their relationship. I have a feeling we will meet so many new characters in the next book with how the story goes and I can't wait to see where it takes us.
🎧 The audiobook is performed in multi cast duet narration by June deBorahae, Keeley Darling, James Cassidy, Edward Black, Benjamin Sands and Troy Duran. June is absolutely phenomenal and she narrates like 80% of the book since it is single POV and the other narrators are there for the dialogue of the different characters throughout the book. It truly makes it into an incredible and immersive listening experience with the dialogue and each characters coming to life on audio with their own narrator. They were all amazing with their performances and I didn't want the book to finish.
The MMC is narrated by James Cassidy who is my favorite male narrator and the perfect voice for this role. Their chemistry was perfection and June deBorahae is such a talented narrator that she keeps you engaged/entertained throughout the whole book.
I highly recommend you read this book with your ears if you can because it is 100% worth it. I will definitely continue this series on audio!
Rating: 5⭐
Spice: 3🌶️
Audiobook: 5🎧
Audiobook Format: Multi Cast Duet Narration
TROPES
🔥 Dark Romantasy
🔥 MF Romance
🔥 Morally Grey Characters
🔥 Gods & Ancient Powers
🔥 Powerful FMC
🔥 Forbidden Power
🔥 Found Family
🔥 Betrayal & Loyalty
🔥 Fate vs Free Will
🔥 Epic Quest
🔥 Open Door Explicit Spice
🔥 Ends on a cliffhanger
🔥 Single POV in 1st Person
Thank you to Ear Candy Promos and Alys Mackay for the advanced copy of the audiobook. All my bookish opinions are my own.
What an incredible debut novel by Alys Mackay!! I can't wait to read more books by her. 😍
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time while listening to the audiobook. The story was so interesting and kept me hooked from start to finish. I did not want to pause my audiobook or go to sleep. I'm honestly sad that it is over and now I have to wait impatiently for book 2 haha
The world building and the characters got me addicted to the story and I'm so excited for the next book in the series so I can find out what happens next. The chemistry between the FMC and MMC was scorching hot and I couldn't get enough of their relationship. I have a feeling we will meet so many new characters in the next book with how the story goes and I can't wait to see where it takes us.
🎧 The audiobook is performed in multi cast duet narration by June deBorahae, Keeley Darling, James Cassidy, Edward Black, Benjamin Sands and Troy Duran. June is absolutely phenomenal and she narrates like 80% of the book since it is single POV and the other narrators are there for the dialogue of the different characters throughout the book. It truly makes it into an incredible and immersive listening experience with the dialogue and each characters coming to life on audio with their own narrator. They were all amazing with their performances and I didn't want the book to finish.
The MMC is narrated by James Cassidy who is my favorite male narrator and the perfect voice for this role. Their chemistry was perfection and June deBorahae is such a talented narrator that she keeps you engaged/entertained throughout the whole book.
I highly recommend you read this book with your ears if you can because it is 100% worth it. I will definitely continue this series on audio!
Rating: 5⭐
Spice: 3🌶️
Audiobook: 5🎧
Audiobook Format: Multi Cast Duet Narration
TROPES
🔥 Dark Romantasy
🔥 MF Romance
🔥 Morally Grey Characters
🔥 Gods & Ancient Powers
🔥 Powerful FMC
🔥 Forbidden Power
🔥 Found Family
🔥 Betrayal & Loyalty
🔥 Fate vs Free Will
🔥 Epic Quest
🔥 Open Door Explicit Spice
🔥 Ends on a cliffhanger
🔥 Single POV in 1st Person
Thank you to Ear Candy Promos and Alys Mackay for the advanced copy of the audiobook. All my bookish opinions are my own.
August 3, 2026
The Keepers by Alys MacKay is an immersive world of gods, angels, and slaves. This was an audiobook performed by a full cast, June DeBorahae, Keeley Darling, Troy Duran, Edward Black, James Cassidy, and Benjamin Sands. The acting was on point. Lots of strong emotions were needed and did not disappoint.
This story grabs you from the first page as Tsunala wakes up tied up on the back of a horse. Tsunala is a kind hearted being trying to remember who she is and how she belongs and her journey to figure that out. This is a fantastic dark romantasy with great character driven plotting. This is the 1st book in the Abandoned Gods series.
I will definitely be continuing this series.
This story grabs you from the first page as Tsunala wakes up tied up on the back of a horse. Tsunala is a kind hearted being trying to remember who she is and how she belongs and her journey to figure that out. This is a fantastic dark romantasy with great character driven plotting. This is the 1st book in the Abandoned Gods series.
I will definitely be continuing this series.
August 15, 2026
This romantic fantasy story had it all: lost memories, found and reclaimed power, smart strong fmc, many complex intriguing characters she encounters, monster, and gods. It does end on a cliffy and I cant wait for the next book to find out what happens.
I hadn't listened to a fantasy book for a while and this was the perfect one to bring me back into worlds with magic, romance, and kingdoms in need of saving.
The audiobook was amazing to listen to with the all-star Multicast Duet Narration by an amazing lineup: June deBorahae, Troy Duran, Keeley Darling, James Cassidy, Edward Black, and Benjamin Sands.
Thank you for letting me listen Alys Mackay and DANBC.
I hadn't listened to a fantasy book for a while and this was the perfect one to bring me back into worlds with magic, romance, and kingdoms in need of saving.
The audiobook was amazing to listen to with the all-star Multicast Duet Narration by an amazing lineup: June deBorahae, Troy Duran, Keeley Darling, James Cassidy, Edward Black, and Benjamin Sands.
Thank you for letting me listen Alys Mackay and DANBC.
August 16, 2026
The Keepers uses multicast narration, and it's done really well. The premise itself is interesting, with the story kicking off as our FMC has zero memory. Even with a full cast to help distinguish the characters, I still found myself a little confused about what exactly was going on. Since this is book one, I'm guessing things will sort themselves out as the series continues, but the first book itself felt pretty muddled. It's got me wondering whether I'll pick up the next one, though I think I probably will.
Overall 3.75/5
Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ALC.
Overall 3.75/5
Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ALC.
July 29, 2026
✩°｡⋆⸜ 🖤🎧✮ Audiobook Review! ✩°｡⋆⸜ 🖤🎧✮
This is the first book in The Abandoned Gods series, a dark fantasy romance. The characters are well developed, intriguing, and memorable. The world building is vividly imaginative, complex, and fascinating. It's a beautifully written dark fantasy romance with an immersive atmosphere. This audiobook is brilliantly brought to life by a full-cast narration featuring June deBorahae, Keeley Darling, James Cassidy, Edward Black, Benjamin Sands, and Troy Duran. I'm looking forward to listening to the next in the series. #EarCandyPromos
This is the first book in The Abandoned Gods series, a dark fantasy romance. The characters are well developed, intriguing, and memorable. The world building is vividly imaginative, complex, and fascinating. It's a beautifully written dark fantasy romance with an immersive atmosphere. This audiobook is brilliantly brought to life by a full-cast narration featuring June deBorahae, Keeley Darling, James Cassidy, Edward Black, Benjamin Sands, and Troy Duran. I'm looking forward to listening to the next in the series. #EarCandyPromos
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