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Corvus and the Broken God
Not yet published
Expected 29 Sep 26One wrong turn changed everything.
On her way to pitch the project to finally launch her career, Freya Rook, an aspiring architect, alone on a deserted mountain road—trespasses onto land claimed by an ancient being, triggering events that transform life as she knows it.
Once known as Camazotz, the formidable Mayan god of death, he's withdrawn from the world and the expectations of his kind. Cast out for questioning divine rules and refusing to fall in line, Camazotz spent years in isolation, watching humanity from the shadows and avoiding the pantheon that abandoned him. Freya should be terrified.
Instead, Camazotz sees something in her no one else ever has—fierce independence, courage against impossible odds, and a refusal to accept the limits placed on her. In him she finds someone achingly, inexplicably familiar. But the cost of joining him will be high. Dangerous. Deadly, even.
Bound by forces she doesn't understand, Freya and Camazotz are pulled into a world of ancient magic, hidden gods, and supernatural politics. As their connection deepens, so does the danger. Old enemies stir. Forgotten powers awaken. And crossing paths with a fallen god comes with consequences that reach far beyond one woman's life.
With her life—and heart—no longer entirely her own, Freya must decide whether she's willing to step into a reality where myths are real, gods are flawed, and love may be the most dangerous risk of all.
On her way to pitch the project to finally launch her career, Freya Rook, an aspiring architect, alone on a deserted mountain road—trespasses onto land claimed by an ancient being, triggering events that transform life as she knows it.
Once known as Camazotz, the formidable Mayan god of death, he's withdrawn from the world and the expectations of his kind. Cast out for questioning divine rules and refusing to fall in line, Camazotz spent years in isolation, watching humanity from the shadows and avoiding the pantheon that abandoned him. Freya should be terrified.
Instead, Camazotz sees something in her no one else ever has—fierce independence, courage against impossible odds, and a refusal to accept the limits placed on her. In him she finds someone achingly, inexplicably familiar. But the cost of joining him will be high. Dangerous. Deadly, even.
Bound by forces she doesn't understand, Freya and Camazotz are pulled into a world of ancient magic, hidden gods, and supernatural politics. As their connection deepens, so does the danger. Old enemies stir. Forgotten powers awaken. And crossing paths with a fallen god comes with consequences that reach far beyond one woman's life.
With her life—and heart—no longer entirely her own, Freya must decide whether she's willing to step into a reality where myths are real, gods are flawed, and love may be the most dangerous risk of all.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 3, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you to Andrea McNair and Nooks and Fable Media for the opportunity to read Corvus and the Broken God
A Beauty and the Beast re-telling.
Freya finds herself lost in the mountains of Tennessee and comes across land belonging to an ancient being who spent years in isolation. Camazotz transforms her into a crow for trespassing his land.
Freya and Camazotz are thrown into ancient magic and politics. Both are misunderstood by others but in each other they truly see each other for who they are.
Freya is strong, persistent, independent and tests the limits regardless of the costs. Camazotz is dangerous but he has a soft spot for her, he needs control of situations, he is learning to love again and trust again.
As Freya and Camazotz get closer, Freya finds herself having to face ancient beings, master skills of shifting and come to terms with her new reality.
The chemistry between them is an instant pull, a sense of familiarity even after they just met. The banter between them is hilarious, it’s sarcastic and easy- when they’re free and flying together in the sky and during serious situations to lighten the mood, they feel safe with each other.
‘My question, dear Corvus, is, do you mind waiting fifty years before we go see the world?’
‘Are you asking me to share your self-imposed prison term with you?’
‘I was going for something more romantic.’
‘Don’t hurt yourself’
Thank you to Andrea McNair and Nooks and Fable Media for the opportunity to read Corvus and the Broken God
A Beauty and the Beast re-telling.
Freya finds herself lost in the mountains of Tennessee and comes across land belonging to an ancient being who spent years in isolation. Camazotz transforms her into a crow for trespassing his land.
Freya and Camazotz are thrown into ancient magic and politics. Both are misunderstood by others but in each other they truly see each other for who they are.
Freya is strong, persistent, independent and tests the limits regardless of the costs. Camazotz is dangerous but he has a soft spot for her, he needs control of situations, he is learning to love again and trust again.
As Freya and Camazotz get closer, Freya finds herself having to face ancient beings, master skills of shifting and come to terms with her new reality.
The chemistry between them is an instant pull, a sense of familiarity even after they just met. The banter between them is hilarious, it’s sarcastic and easy- when they’re free and flying together in the sky and during serious situations to lighten the mood, they feel safe with each other.
‘My question, dear Corvus, is, do you mind waiting fifty years before we go see the world?’
‘Are you asking me to share your self-imposed prison term with you?’
‘I was going for something more romantic.’
‘Don’t hurt yourself’
Review of advance copy
I was sent an advance review copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.
Corvus and the Broken God is one of the most unique books I've picked up in a long time. A Beauty and the Beast retelling blended with Mayan mythology isn't something you come across every day, and I genuinely admire the ambition behind this story. It's clear an enormous amount of research has gone into not only the mythology but also the crows and other wildlife featured throughout the book. I honestly don't think I've ever read anything quite like it, and originality is something I will always appreciate.
That said, I should probably have DNF'd this. Not because it's a bad book, but because it became increasingly obvious as I read that this simply wasn't the book I thought I was picking up, nor was it the book for me. So please take this review with a pinch of salt. My experience is largely a reflection of my personal tastes and expectations rather than the quality of the writing itself.
One thing I can absolutely applaud is how well thought out the story feels. This is clearly a carefully crafted debut with a lot of attention paid to the world, mythology, and the concepts at its core.
Unfortunately, the writing style never quite clicked with me. That's entirely subjective, of course. Writing styles are one of the most personal aspects of reading. What works brilliantly for one reader may completely miss another, and in this case, it just didn't work for me. I never felt hooked or implored to read further and it was a struggle for me to finish this.
The humour was another aspect that didn't land. Though, to be fair, I'm autistic and my sense of humour doesn't always line up with everyone else's, so I'm willing to accept that this is very much a "me" issue rather than a fault of the book. But to me personally, it felt very on the nose and quite juvenile.
I also found myself struggling to become invested in the story itself. There were several moments where I felt like explanations arrived later than I wanted them to, which made it difficult for me to fully settle into the narrative and understand what was happening.
And I will admit, I was absolutely not expecting our FMC to get turned into a crow. Maybe that was clearly stated in the blurb and my brain simply skipped over it. Entirely possible. But when it happened, I sat there blinking at the page wondering how we'd ended up here, and how it happened in the first/ second chapter with no prior context.
The biggest issue, ultimately, is that I spent most of the book waiting for it to become something different than what it was. That's not a fair expectation to place on a story, and it's why I recognise that my rating is more reflective of my personal reading experience than the book's objective merits.
I also didn't realise going in that this was published by Owl City Press. In hindsight, had I known that beforehand, I may not have picked it up at all, simply because I've struggled vibing with several of their other titles.
Overall, this is clearly a thoughtful, original, and well-researched debut that will absolutely find its audience. Unfortunately, I wasn't that audience.
While I can appreciate what the author was trying to achieve, the writing style, humour, pacing, and story itself never fully clicked for me, making this a 2 star read. But if you're looking for something genuinely different, with mythology, wildlife, and concepts you won't find in every fantasy release, this may work far better for you than it did for me!
Corvus and the Broken God is one of the most unique books I've picked up in a long time. A Beauty and the Beast retelling blended with Mayan mythology isn't something you come across every day, and I genuinely admire the ambition behind this story. It's clear an enormous amount of research has gone into not only the mythology but also the crows and other wildlife featured throughout the book. I honestly don't think I've ever read anything quite like it, and originality is something I will always appreciate.
That said, I should probably have DNF'd this. Not because it's a bad book, but because it became increasingly obvious as I read that this simply wasn't the book I thought I was picking up, nor was it the book for me. So please take this review with a pinch of salt. My experience is largely a reflection of my personal tastes and expectations rather than the quality of the writing itself.
One thing I can absolutely applaud is how well thought out the story feels. This is clearly a carefully crafted debut with a lot of attention paid to the world, mythology, and the concepts at its core.
Unfortunately, the writing style never quite clicked with me. That's entirely subjective, of course. Writing styles are one of the most personal aspects of reading. What works brilliantly for one reader may completely miss another, and in this case, it just didn't work for me. I never felt hooked or implored to read further and it was a struggle for me to finish this.
The humour was another aspect that didn't land. Though, to be fair, I'm autistic and my sense of humour doesn't always line up with everyone else's, so I'm willing to accept that this is very much a "me" issue rather than a fault of the book. But to me personally, it felt very on the nose and quite juvenile.
I also found myself struggling to become invested in the story itself. There were several moments where I felt like explanations arrived later than I wanted them to, which made it difficult for me to fully settle into the narrative and understand what was happening.
And I will admit, I was absolutely not expecting our FMC to get turned into a crow. Maybe that was clearly stated in the blurb and my brain simply skipped over it. Entirely possible. But when it happened, I sat there blinking at the page wondering how we'd ended up here, and how it happened in the first/ second chapter with no prior context.
The biggest issue, ultimately, is that I spent most of the book waiting for it to become something different than what it was. That's not a fair expectation to place on a story, and it's why I recognise that my rating is more reflective of my personal reading experience than the book's objective merits.
I also didn't realise going in that this was published by Owl City Press. In hindsight, had I known that beforehand, I may not have picked it up at all, simply because I've struggled vibing with several of their other titles.
Overall, this is clearly a thoughtful, original, and well-researched debut that will absolutely find its audience. Unfortunately, I wasn't that audience.
While I can appreciate what the author was trying to achieve, the writing style, humour, pacing, and story itself never fully clicked for me, making this a 2 star read. But if you're looking for something genuinely different, with mythology, wildlife, and concepts you won't find in every fantasy release, this may work far better for you than it did for me!
September 1, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really loved this book at first it was slow burn and then it picked up I really loved the character development and the world building of this book and can’t wait to read more from this author if given the chance.
I really loved this book at first it was slow burn and then it picked up I really loved the character development and the world building of this book and can’t wait to read more from this author if given the chance.
Did Not Finish
September 10, 2026𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧
⚠️SPOILERS AHEAD
DNF at 20%
𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵.
I applied for this ARC because the Beauty and the Beast retelling, blurb and tropes genuinely made me think this would be a book for me. I was really excited to be accepted, and I'm grateful I got the opportunity to (partly) read this debut.
Unfortunately, it just wasn't working for me.
My first disconnect was Freya being turned into a crow. There isn't much introduction before this happens, and I felt thrown into the story without really getting to know the characters or the world first. From there, I also found the story moved very quickly through some pretty major events, with Freya seeming to accept them almost immediately.
That became my biggest struggle: I found it difficult to connect with the characters' reactions to what was happening. When Freya explains her situation to Camazotz, he accepts it almost immediately and makes arrangements for her to leave. Then she discovers that her appearance has changed; fewer freckles, smoother skin, thinner, and it barely seems to register.
Also… why? Why does becoming 'prettier' need to be part of this transformation? I'm genuinely curious whether there is more to this that I didn't get to because I stopped reading.
The conversation with her best friend was probably where I realised this wasn't going to be for me. Freya tells Mindy everything that's happened, including being transformed into a crow by a god, and Mindy's response is incredibly calm. When Freya asks what she should do, she's essentially told to bring a picture of how she's supposed to look and ask him to change her back.
I'm happy to suspend disbelief when it comes to gods, magic and transformations. What I struggled with was understanding the characters' emotional responses to everything unfolding around them.
At 20%, I found myself more confused than intrigued, and unfortunately I wasn't connecting with the story enough to continue.
I'm grateful I got the chance to read an early copy, and I sincerely wish Andrea all the best with her debut. I hope it finds the readers who connect with it in ways I couldn't. 🖤
⚠️SPOILERS AHEAD
DNF at 20%
𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵.
I applied for this ARC because the Beauty and the Beast retelling, blurb and tropes genuinely made me think this would be a book for me. I was really excited to be accepted, and I'm grateful I got the opportunity to (partly) read this debut.
Unfortunately, it just wasn't working for me.
My first disconnect was Freya being turned into a crow. There isn't much introduction before this happens, and I felt thrown into the story without really getting to know the characters or the world first. From there, I also found the story moved very quickly through some pretty major events, with Freya seeming to accept them almost immediately.
That became my biggest struggle: I found it difficult to connect with the characters' reactions to what was happening. When Freya explains her situation to Camazotz, he accepts it almost immediately and makes arrangements for her to leave. Then she discovers that her appearance has changed; fewer freckles, smoother skin, thinner, and it barely seems to register.
Also… why? Why does becoming 'prettier' need to be part of this transformation? I'm genuinely curious whether there is more to this that I didn't get to because I stopped reading.
The conversation with her best friend was probably where I realised this wasn't going to be for me. Freya tells Mindy everything that's happened, including being transformed into a crow by a god, and Mindy's response is incredibly calm. When Freya asks what she should do, she's essentially told to bring a picture of how she's supposed to look and ask him to change her back.
I'm happy to suspend disbelief when it comes to gods, magic and transformations. What I struggled with was understanding the characters' emotional responses to everything unfolding around them.
At 20%, I found myself more confused than intrigued, and unfortunately I wasn't connecting with the story enough to continue.
I'm grateful I got the chance to read an early copy, and I sincerely wish Andrea all the best with her debut. I hope it finds the readers who connect with it in ways I couldn't. 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
The book I didn't know I needed.
I received an advanced copy of Corvus and the Broken God, and sometimes a book finds you at exactly the right time in your life. This was definitely that book for me.
I went into it expecting to enjoy the fantasy, romance and humor (which I absolutely did!) What I was not expecting was to see so much of myself in Freya. She has spent so much of her life measuring her worth through other people. She overthinks, doubts herself and wants to make everyone happy. She has worked so hard to build a life she thinks she wants, yet along the way has lost sight of who SHE is. That really hit home for me.
What started as a wonderfully strange story of a woman stranded on a mountain gradually becomes something far more meaningful. Freya is forced to let go of the identity she has carefully constructed and begins to discover who she is when she is not living for everyone else's approval. I loved seeing her recognize her own strength and begin to trust herself. She learns she can love others without losing herself in them.
Freya's relationship with her Monster made her journey even more interesting. He can see how powerful she is before she can. He does not need her to become smaller for him. As she discovers what she is capable of, their relationship grows with her.
The mythology and fantasy in this book are imaginative, the romance is fun and there were so many moments that made me laugh. Underneath all of that is a story about self-worth, freedom and discovering your own power. And apparently, that was exactly the story I needed right now! Watching Freya begin living for herself instead of constantly seeking approval made me realize how much I want that journey for myself.
That is probably the greatest compliment I can give a book. It made me think of my own life differently. Freya realizes that she gets to decide who she becomes. I hope I can learn a little of that from her.
Funny, strange, romantic, imaginative, and incredibly personal for me, Corvus and the Broken God turned out to be much more than the fantasy romance I thought I was picking up. Sometimes you read a book at exactly the right moment. This was mine.
I received an advanced copy of Corvus and the Broken God, and sometimes a book finds you at exactly the right time in your life. This was definitely that book for me.
I went into it expecting to enjoy the fantasy, romance and humor (which I absolutely did!) What I was not expecting was to see so much of myself in Freya. She has spent so much of her life measuring her worth through other people. She overthinks, doubts herself and wants to make everyone happy. She has worked so hard to build a life she thinks she wants, yet along the way has lost sight of who SHE is. That really hit home for me.
What started as a wonderfully strange story of a woman stranded on a mountain gradually becomes something far more meaningful. Freya is forced to let go of the identity she has carefully constructed and begins to discover who she is when she is not living for everyone else's approval. I loved seeing her recognize her own strength and begin to trust herself. She learns she can love others without losing herself in them.
Freya's relationship with her Monster made her journey even more interesting. He can see how powerful she is before she can. He does not need her to become smaller for him. As she discovers what she is capable of, their relationship grows with her.
The mythology and fantasy in this book are imaginative, the romance is fun and there were so many moments that made me laugh. Underneath all of that is a story about self-worth, freedom and discovering your own power. And apparently, that was exactly the story I needed right now! Watching Freya begin living for herself instead of constantly seeking approval made me realize how much I want that journey for myself.
That is probably the greatest compliment I can give a book. It made me think of my own life differently. Freya realizes that she gets to decide who she becomes. I hope I can learn a little of that from her.
Funny, strange, romantic, imaginative, and incredibly personal for me, Corvus and the Broken God turned out to be much more than the fantasy romance I thought I was picking up. Sometimes you read a book at exactly the right moment. This was mine.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Andrea McNair for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Corvus and the Broken God.
I went into this book as someone who primarily reads thrillers and mysteries, so fantasy romance is not my usual genre. That makes it all the more impressive that this story completely won me over.
The characters were incredibly likable, and their interactions were witty, humorous, and genuinely endearing. I especially loved watching the relationship evolve from something that initially felt almost like predator and prey into a heartfelt romance. The chemistry between the characters felt natural, and the emotional development kept me invested from beginning to end.
One of the things that stood out most was the humor. My partner and I have a tradition of reading a book aloud together, and Corvus and the Broken God became our shared read. Every evening one of us would ask, “Corvus?” before picking up where we left off. My partner is a very stoic man, and I honestly don’t think I’ve ever heard him laugh so much while listening to a novel. Camazotz was an absolute standout character, and the dynamic between him and Freya was a delight.
The morphing element was also handled exceptionally well. It never felt awkward or over-the-top, which can be a difficult balance to achieve in fantasy. Instead, it blended seamlessly into the story and worldbuilding.
The highest compliment I can give this book is that I was always eager to pick it back up. Despite not being my typical genre, I found myself fully invested in the characters and excited to see what would happen next. By the time I reached the end, I was already looking forward to the next installment.
If you’re looking for a fantasy romance filled with humor, heart, memorable characters, and an engaging slow-burn relationship, I highly recommend Corvus and the Broken God.
— Katya Noris
I went into this book as someone who primarily reads thrillers and mysteries, so fantasy romance is not my usual genre. That makes it all the more impressive that this story completely won me over.
The characters were incredibly likable, and their interactions were witty, humorous, and genuinely endearing. I especially loved watching the relationship evolve from something that initially felt almost like predator and prey into a heartfelt romance. The chemistry between the characters felt natural, and the emotional development kept me invested from beginning to end.
One of the things that stood out most was the humor. My partner and I have a tradition of reading a book aloud together, and Corvus and the Broken God became our shared read. Every evening one of us would ask, “Corvus?” before picking up where we left off. My partner is a very stoic man, and I honestly don’t think I’ve ever heard him laugh so much while listening to a novel. Camazotz was an absolute standout character, and the dynamic between him and Freya was a delight.
The morphing element was also handled exceptionally well. It never felt awkward or over-the-top, which can be a difficult balance to achieve in fantasy. Instead, it blended seamlessly into the story and worldbuilding.
The highest compliment I can give this book is that I was always eager to pick it back up. Despite not being my typical genre, I found myself fully invested in the characters and excited to see what would happen next. By the time I reached the end, I was already looking forward to the next installment.
If you’re looking for a fantasy romance filled with humor, heart, memorable characters, and an engaging slow-burn relationship, I highly recommend Corvus and the Broken God.
— Katya Noris
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this as an ARC and I rate it 3.5 STARS. This book and story has so much potential and I hope that this continues to develop and grow as the series continues.
TL:DR: This book brings together great inspiration (Mayan mythology) with modern twists and the WHAT IF question - what if the gods still walked among us. If you like fast-paced then it doesn't get faster than this. With an accessible writing style and simplicity it brings a story to life.
WHAT I LIKED:
This book brings together so many little wishes that we have all had growing up and makes them reality - the ability to fly/have wings, to change into animals and experience the world through their eyes, the ability to change your appearance to one you like but also to find someone who resonates with you. These are all things we've secretly wanted for most of our lives (and some of us still hope for wings!)
The sentences are short and sweet, which makes it beyond easy to read and to understand with language that is not overly complex or flowery. This makes it accessible to a wider audience and also reduces the fatigue that can come with more intricate stories.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
The pacing in this book makes it really hard to feel truly invested in the storyline. Things move so fast and aren't really expanded on until the later parts of the book (if at all) and this can be confusing, feeling contradictory. Characters, events and moments are commented on and moved on from with little to no fanfare. I'd like to see more explanations and descriptions, more moments between characters where they have a good discussion - creating depth.
TL:DR: This book brings together great inspiration (Mayan mythology) with modern twists and the WHAT IF question - what if the gods still walked among us. If you like fast-paced then it doesn't get faster than this. With an accessible writing style and simplicity it brings a story to life.
WHAT I LIKED:
This book brings together so many little wishes that we have all had growing up and makes them reality - the ability to fly/have wings, to change into animals and experience the world through their eyes, the ability to change your appearance to one you like but also to find someone who resonates with you. These are all things we've secretly wanted for most of our lives (and some of us still hope for wings!)
The sentences are short and sweet, which makes it beyond easy to read and to understand with language that is not overly complex or flowery. This makes it accessible to a wider audience and also reduces the fatigue that can come with more intricate stories.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
The pacing in this book makes it really hard to feel truly invested in the storyline. Things move so fast and aren't really expanded on until the later parts of the book (if at all) and this can be confusing, feeling contradictory. Characters, events and moments are commented on and moved on from with little to no fanfare. I'd like to see more explanations and descriptions, more moments between characters where they have a good discussion - creating depth.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC honest review.
I’ll start with the most important thing: at least this felt original.
I’ve been craving fantasy that doesn’t feel like another version of something I’ve already read, and Corvus and the Broken God definitely gave me something different. Mayan mythology, reluctant gods, modern-day fantasy, shapeshifting and a romance that feels a little Beauty and the Beast-ish at times. There’s a LOT going on here, but it certainly isn’t boring.
What really worked for me was the mythology. We get so much European-inspired fantasy that exploring Mayan mythology immediately made the world feel fresher. I also really enjoyed the humour and banter. Camazotz and Freye have a fun dynamic, and their relationship evolves from something strange and almost predator/prey into an actual romance.
The pacing is FAST. Sometimes maybe a little too fast for me. There were moments where I wanted the story to slow down, explain more and give certain characters or events a little more space to breathe. Especially because the world itself has enough interesting ideas that I genuinely wanted to know more about them.
And knowing this is the beginning of a longer series makes some of that easier to understand. There are clearly bigger things being built in the background, and plenty about this world and its gods still left to explore.
Was every element completely my thing? No.
Did I appreciate reading something that actually felt different?
Absolutely.
And lately, originality alone is becoming a VERY good way to keep me reading. 😂
IG: @thesoftcurse
I’ll start with the most important thing: at least this felt original.
I’ve been craving fantasy that doesn’t feel like another version of something I’ve already read, and Corvus and the Broken God definitely gave me something different. Mayan mythology, reluctant gods, modern-day fantasy, shapeshifting and a romance that feels a little Beauty and the Beast-ish at times. There’s a LOT going on here, but it certainly isn’t boring.
What really worked for me was the mythology. We get so much European-inspired fantasy that exploring Mayan mythology immediately made the world feel fresher. I also really enjoyed the humour and banter. Camazotz and Freye have a fun dynamic, and their relationship evolves from something strange and almost predator/prey into an actual romance.
The pacing is FAST. Sometimes maybe a little too fast for me. There were moments where I wanted the story to slow down, explain more and give certain characters or events a little more space to breathe. Especially because the world itself has enough interesting ideas that I genuinely wanted to know more about them.
And knowing this is the beginning of a longer series makes some of that easier to understand. There are clearly bigger things being built in the background, and plenty about this world and its gods still left to explore.
Was every element completely my thing? No.
Did I appreciate reading something that actually felt different?
Absolutely.
And lately, originality alone is becoming a VERY good way to keep me reading. 😂
IG: @thesoftcurse
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book! I have never really read anything like it. Most of the fantasy I’ve read has explored more European myths and this one delved into the ancient Mayan world and present day Yucatán. It was fascinating to explore in such detail a place so underrepresented in fantasy stories.
Besides the setting, which occupies about half of the book—the other half takes place in the mountains of Tennessee, the premise and magic systems really grabbed me throughout. Freya is transformed into a crow in the beginning, and the author describes in detail the way her new bird eyes see the world, so different from human sight. It’s those kinds of details that shone throughout the book, details that lesser writers would have glossed over.
The characters, too, were endearing and unique. I loved learning more about the two main characters as well as the antagonists. At the end of the novel, I was excited about the cliff hanger because presumably it means a sequel!
Overall, it was an enjoyable read with snarky banter, interesting scenery, and a fascinating mythological system that I can’t wait to learn more about in the sequel. The pacing kept me interested and engaged from page one through the end, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in romance, fantasy, or urban fantasy or even if you’re just looking for a unique and entertaining story!
I loved this book! I have never really read anything like it. Most of the fantasy I’ve read has explored more European myths and this one delved into the ancient Mayan world and present day Yucatán. It was fascinating to explore in such detail a place so underrepresented in fantasy stories.
Besides the setting, which occupies about half of the book—the other half takes place in the mountains of Tennessee, the premise and magic systems really grabbed me throughout. Freya is transformed into a crow in the beginning, and the author describes in detail the way her new bird eyes see the world, so different from human sight. It’s those kinds of details that shone throughout the book, details that lesser writers would have glossed over.
The characters, too, were endearing and unique. I loved learning more about the two main characters as well as the antagonists. At the end of the novel, I was excited about the cliff hanger because presumably it means a sequel!
Overall, it was an enjoyable read with snarky banter, interesting scenery, and a fascinating mythological system that I can’t wait to learn more about in the sequel. The pacing kept me interested and engaged from page one through the end, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in romance, fantasy, or urban fantasy or even if you’re just looking for a unique and entertaining story!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an advanced copy of this book, and I absolutely devoured it. As someone who is fairly new to the romantasy genre, I wasn’t sure what to expect—but when I found myself still reading at 2 a.m., unable to put it down, I knew I had discovered a new favorite.
For a debut novel, this book is remarkably accomplished. The narrative arc is compelling and perfectly paced, leaving me completely invested in the story. The characters are richly developed, with motivations and relationships that feel authentic and emotionally engaging.
The author’s research and attention to detail are especially impressive. From the diverse birds and animals woven throughout the story to the vivid descriptions of the Yucatán, every setting feels alive and immersive. I’ve never visited the region, yet by the final page I felt as though I had traveled there myself.
What truly sets this book apart is the writing. The prose is vibrant, cinematic, and evocative, creating scenes so vivid that they played like a movie in my mind. (I’m sure this book will be optioned for a movie quickly!) The blend of fantasy, romance, adventure, and atmosphere kept me captivated from beginning to end.
This is a terrific debut novel that will appeal to both longtime romantasy fans and readers, like me, who are just discovering the genre. I’m already counting down the days until Book 2.
For a debut novel, this book is remarkably accomplished. The narrative arc is compelling and perfectly paced, leaving me completely invested in the story. The characters are richly developed, with motivations and relationships that feel authentic and emotionally engaging.
The author’s research and attention to detail are especially impressive. From the diverse birds and animals woven throughout the story to the vivid descriptions of the Yucatán, every setting feels alive and immersive. I’ve never visited the region, yet by the final page I felt as though I had traveled there myself.
What truly sets this book apart is the writing. The prose is vibrant, cinematic, and evocative, creating scenes so vivid that they played like a movie in my mind. (I’m sure this book will be optioned for a movie quickly!) The blend of fantasy, romance, adventure, and atmosphere kept me captivated from beginning to end.
This is a terrific debut novel that will appeal to both longtime romantasy fans and readers, like me, who are just discovering the genre. I’m already counting down the days until Book 2.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an ARC, and I’d like to thank Andrea McNair for giving me the opportunity to read it.
This story is an urban fantasy with strong Beauty and the Beast retelling elements, blended with Mesoamerican mythology that gives the world a fresh, distinctive flavour. It also features a delightful grumpy x sarcastic sunshine dynamic, and part of the fun is never quite knowing which of the two main characters is meant to be which, because they both slip into those roles in different moments.
The plot begins when the FMC gets lost on a deserted road and accidentally stumbles onto the monster’s property. From that moment, her life is completely upended, and she’s forced to adapt to a strange new reality she never expected.
As the story unfolds, a larger plot to trap the monster comes to light. He knows the danger is coming, but it’s the FMC who must piece together how to save both him and herself from the enemy’s plans. Her strength in this fight comes from an unexpected place: the way her former employer and friend treated her. She draws on those experiences, turning them into a source of resilience and strategy.
At its heart, this book is about believing in yourself, refusing to let others define your limits, and discovering what you’re capable of when you trust your own potential.
This story is an urban fantasy with strong Beauty and the Beast retelling elements, blended with Mesoamerican mythology that gives the world a fresh, distinctive flavour. It also features a delightful grumpy x sarcastic sunshine dynamic, and part of the fun is never quite knowing which of the two main characters is meant to be which, because they both slip into those roles in different moments.
The plot begins when the FMC gets lost on a deserted road and accidentally stumbles onto the monster’s property. From that moment, her life is completely upended, and she’s forced to adapt to a strange new reality she never expected.
As the story unfolds, a larger plot to trap the monster comes to light. He knows the danger is coming, but it’s the FMC who must piece together how to save both him and herself from the enemy’s plans. Her strength in this fight comes from an unexpected place: the way her former employer and friend treated her. She draws on those experiences, turning them into a source of resilience and strategy.
At its heart, this book is about believing in yourself, refusing to let others define your limits, and discovering what you’re capable of when you trust your own potential.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Thanks to Andrea McNair for the opportunity to read this ARC for Corvus and The Broken God.
Freye, an architect, is headed to an important presentation that could change her career. She becomes lost in the mountains, but finds her way to a castle on top of the mountain. After abandoning her car in search of help, she comes upon an unknown creature. Something happens and when she wakes up, she is no longer human, but a crow. This totally threw me off. Like what the heck just happened?
She quickly has to figure out how to stay alive as a crow. !! Finally, she meets the monster, Camazotz, who did this to her. The story then unfolds into an unusual beauty and the beast tale as they get to know each other, alone on the mountain.
Will Freye stay with him once she learns who or what he is? Or will the danger he brings cause her to run back home to her architect job?
This is a very original story with creative use of Mayan mythology and some romance and fantasy.
I think it is well written and amazing book. It is not my typical genre and yet it had me enthralled in the fantasy/romantic story of Freye and the mountain monster. This could get me to read more Romantasy going forward.
I read this in two days so it kept me very engaged, I didn’t want to put my kindle down.
Tropes:
Grumpy x Sarcastic Wise Ass
She Saves Him
Found Family
Slow Burn
Reluctant Gods
Sharp Humor
High Stakes
Freye, an architect, is headed to an important presentation that could change her career. She becomes lost in the mountains, but finds her way to a castle on top of the mountain. After abandoning her car in search of help, she comes upon an unknown creature. Something happens and when she wakes up, she is no longer human, but a crow. This totally threw me off. Like what the heck just happened?
She quickly has to figure out how to stay alive as a crow. !! Finally, she meets the monster, Camazotz, who did this to her. The story then unfolds into an unusual beauty and the beast tale as they get to know each other, alone on the mountain.
Will Freye stay with him once she learns who or what he is? Or will the danger he brings cause her to run back home to her architect job?
This is a very original story with creative use of Mayan mythology and some romance and fantasy.
I think it is well written and amazing book. It is not my typical genre and yet it had me enthralled in the fantasy/romantic story of Freye and the mountain monster. This could get me to read more Romantasy going forward.
I read this in two days so it kept me very engaged, I didn’t want to put my kindle down.
Tropes:
Grumpy x Sarcastic Wise Ass
She Saves Him
Found Family
Slow Burn
Reluctant Gods
Sharp Humor
High Stakes
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Andrea and Books & Bloom PR for this ARC!
3 ⭐️
This book was unlike a lot of books I've read, for a few different reasons.
The good:
It started off feeling very Beauty and the Beast so I was immediately intrigued. And then it shifted and encompassed a bunch of different fairytales/myths/lore. I feel like I learned a little bit about a bunch of stories while I read this book.
Freya is just like fighting for her life for a good chunk of this book, whether physically or metaphorically. She's pretty stubborn and stronger than she thinks.
The setting really resonated with me. I've never been to Tennessee but I love being up in the mountains surrounded by trees.
The storyline started off slow and steady, which I don't mind, and then picked up quick and got chaotic. I live for chaos 🤣
The not as good:
The spice was just NOT doing it for me. I feel like it should've been left out entirely and been written as a regular fantasy book because any mention of physical intimacy was incredibly cringy.
The ending felt rushed. I won't go into details about this for obvious reasons, but it just didn't feel like the flow was there for the ending. I'm also not sure if there's enough to go on to write a sequel or not, but it felt like the author wanted to leave it open as a possibility at least and I just... I don't know.
Overall the book was pretty decent but not something I'm rushing to convince people to read.
3 ⭐️
This book was unlike a lot of books I've read, for a few different reasons.
The good:
It started off feeling very Beauty and the Beast so I was immediately intrigued. And then it shifted and encompassed a bunch of different fairytales/myths/lore. I feel like I learned a little bit about a bunch of stories while I read this book.
Freya is just like fighting for her life for a good chunk of this book, whether physically or metaphorically. She's pretty stubborn and stronger than she thinks.
The setting really resonated with me. I've never been to Tennessee but I love being up in the mountains surrounded by trees.
The storyline started off slow and steady, which I don't mind, and then picked up quick and got chaotic. I live for chaos 🤣
The not as good:
The spice was just NOT doing it for me. I feel like it should've been left out entirely and been written as a regular fantasy book because any mention of physical intimacy was incredibly cringy.
The ending felt rushed. I won't go into details about this for obvious reasons, but it just didn't feel like the flow was there for the ending. I'm also not sure if there's enough to go on to write a sequel or not, but it felt like the author wanted to leave it open as a possibility at least and I just... I don't know.
Overall the book was pretty decent but not something I'm rushing to convince people to read.
Review of advance copy
ARC READER REVIEW
I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader for Corvus and the Broken God and I’m going to try my best not to spoil anything! I love fantasy books, and honestly, if you looked at my bookshelves, fantasy is probably one of the genres I read the most. So I was looking forward to starting this book. The first couple of chapters, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure how I was feeling about it yet. But I decided to keep reading, and as I got further into the story, I started to love it. The plot was so different from the books I usually read, and I think that was one of the things that kept me so entertained.
I really liked the characters too. I loved the banter between them because it added some lighter moments to the story and helped balance everything out
I think. I was also happy with how the ending went. I don’t want to say too much about it because I definitely don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who wants to read it when it comes out, but I liked where everything ended up. Overall, I could tell how much thought went into this book and the story. The world-building and character-building. It ended up being a book that I enjoyed a lot more the further I got into it, and I’m really glad I continued reading it. If you enjoy fantasy, romance with adventure in it then I would recommend this.
I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader for Corvus and the Broken God and I’m going to try my best not to spoil anything! I love fantasy books, and honestly, if you looked at my bookshelves, fantasy is probably one of the genres I read the most. So I was looking forward to starting this book. The first couple of chapters, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure how I was feeling about it yet. But I decided to keep reading, and as I got further into the story, I started to love it. The plot was so different from the books I usually read, and I think that was one of the things that kept me so entertained.
I really liked the characters too. I loved the banter between them because it added some lighter moments to the story and helped balance everything out
I think. I was also happy with how the ending went. I don’t want to say too much about it because I definitely don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who wants to read it when it comes out, but I liked where everything ended up. Overall, I could tell how much thought went into this book and the story. The world-building and character-building. It ended up being a book that I enjoyed a lot more the further I got into it, and I’m really glad I continued reading it. If you enjoy fantasy, romance with adventure in it then I would recommend this.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advanced copy of this book. Take a journey with me …
When I received the copy, I thought when am I going to read it? How would I get through the 300 + pages (I read A LOT for work so reading a book of this length for leisure seemed like a heavy lift).
BUT I started.
After chapter 1, I didn’t know if I could/would finish it. Browse my “Read” list. No fantasies included. Aside from Octavia Butler, I don’t recall the last time I read anything remotely close to fantasy or fiction.
Three to four days later … “Corvus” had become a bedtime ritual for me and I had to FORCE myself to stop reading.
Fast forward to the last few chapters and I was SADDENED that the book would be ending soon.
Andrea does a DELIGHTFUL job of interweaving beautiful scenery alongside explicit descriptions overlaid with love, chaos, wonder, nature and vengeance ALL while inserting just enough humor to help the reader stay afloat. My imagination was on OVERLOAD!
I could not get enough of “Corvus …”
For all the fantasy readers, this book is likely a given. An easy choice. But for all the others - like me - you will not be disappointed! Give it a read! You’ll be left longing for MORE!
When I received the copy, I thought when am I going to read it? How would I get through the 300 + pages (I read A LOT for work so reading a book of this length for leisure seemed like a heavy lift).
BUT I started.
After chapter 1, I didn’t know if I could/would finish it. Browse my “Read” list. No fantasies included. Aside from Octavia Butler, I don’t recall the last time I read anything remotely close to fantasy or fiction.
Three to four days later … “Corvus” had become a bedtime ritual for me and I had to FORCE myself to stop reading.
Fast forward to the last few chapters and I was SADDENED that the book would be ending soon.
Andrea does a DELIGHTFUL job of interweaving beautiful scenery alongside explicit descriptions overlaid with love, chaos, wonder, nature and vengeance ALL while inserting just enough humor to help the reader stay afloat. My imagination was on OVERLOAD!
I could not get enough of “Corvus …”
For all the fantasy readers, this book is likely a given. An easy choice. But for all the others - like me - you will not be disappointed! Give it a read! You’ll be left longing for MORE!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book, and I’m so happy I had the chance to read it.
From the very beginning, the atmosphere pulled me in: strange, mysterious, and full of tension. I loved how the story kept shifting just when I thought I understood where it was going. There were so many unexpected turns, and that made the book very easy to keep reading.
One of my favorite things was the contrast between the modern world and the ancient, supernatural elements. It gave the story a unique feeling. I loved the use of crows, the mythology, and the way the world slowly opened up piece by piece.
The chemistry between the characters was addictive, and I liked how the emotional tension, humor, danger, and mystery worked together. Some scenes were intense, some were funny, and some made me want to pause and think about what was happening beneath the surface.
I’m even more curious knowing this is only the first book in a longer series, because there are clearly many secrets and hidden pieces still waiting to be revealed.
Overall, this was an atmospheric, mysterious, and very engaging read, and I’m excited to see where the series goes next.
From the very beginning, the atmosphere pulled me in: strange, mysterious, and full of tension. I loved how the story kept shifting just when I thought I understood where it was going. There were so many unexpected turns, and that made the book very easy to keep reading.
One of my favorite things was the contrast between the modern world and the ancient, supernatural elements. It gave the story a unique feeling. I loved the use of crows, the mythology, and the way the world slowly opened up piece by piece.
The chemistry between the characters was addictive, and I liked how the emotional tension, humor, danger, and mystery worked together. Some scenes were intense, some were funny, and some made me want to pause and think about what was happening beneath the surface.
I’m even more curious knowing this is only the first book in a longer series, because there are clearly many secrets and hidden pieces still waiting to be revealed.
Overall, this was an atmospheric, mysterious, and very engaging read, and I’m excited to see where the series goes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you, Andrea McNair for the eARC in return for an honest review.
4.75⭐️ 1🌶️
Tropes to expect -
🐦⬛Beauty and the beast retelling
🐦⬛She saves him
🐦⬛Grumpy x Sarcastic Wise-ass
🐦⬛Found Family
🐦⬛Shape shifting
🐦⬛Slow burn
I went into this book, unsure of what to expect. It surprised me in all the right ways. A beautifully written fantasy romance.
Its set in a modern-day world with supernatural elements and ancient gods. The atmosphere is chilling and mysterious as you first enter into the world, but as it continues, the development is lush and descriptive, making you feel like you are there.
The relationship that built between Corvus and Camazotz, was natural and not forced, full of tension, banter, danger and mystery. It just worked perfectly.
Overall, I could not put this book down from start to finish, it had its hooks in me.
"You did. But no man has ever accomplished something he believed to be impossible. You couldn't have changed yourself back any more than you could have transformed me into a crow."
Sit down Corvus. You are not more or less loveable than any single other person on this planet."
4.75⭐️ 1🌶️
Tropes to expect -
🐦⬛Beauty and the beast retelling
🐦⬛She saves him
🐦⬛Grumpy x Sarcastic Wise-ass
🐦⬛Found Family
🐦⬛Shape shifting
🐦⬛Slow burn
I went into this book, unsure of what to expect. It surprised me in all the right ways. A beautifully written fantasy romance.
Its set in a modern-day world with supernatural elements and ancient gods. The atmosphere is chilling and mysterious as you first enter into the world, but as it continues, the development is lush and descriptive, making you feel like you are there.
The relationship that built between Corvus and Camazotz, was natural and not forced, full of tension, banter, danger and mystery. It just worked perfectly.
Overall, I could not put this book down from start to finish, it had its hooks in me.
"You did. But no man has ever accomplished something he believed to be impossible. You couldn't have changed yourself back any more than you could have transformed me into a crow."
Sit down Corvus. You are not more or less loveable than any single other person on this planet."
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'd like to thank Andrea McNair for giving me an ARC for her upcoming release of Corvus and the Broken God.
You had me at formidable Mayan god of death. 😈
📚: Freya takes a wrong turn on a deserted mountain road and ends up trespassing on land claimed by Camazotz — a ancient Mayan god of death who's spent years hiding from the world. Freya & Camazotz are pulled into a world of chaos and danger, bound by forces they cannot explain. Old enemies stir and forgotten powers awaken.
This is perfect for those who want:
✨ Ancient Gods
🖤 Moody, gothic fantasy
📓 Grimm fairytale retelling
☠️ A reluctant/formidable MMC
🫑 Light spice, slow-burn romance
⚔️ Supernatural politics + danger
🐦⬛ Shape Shifting
✨ Ancient magic & forgotten powers
🏰 Beautiful Architecture
I enjoyed this read, it was weird and wonderful and I appreciated the architectural descriptions. I've never read anything like this before. The shape shifting was very interesting. The only thing I was craving more of was the spice and connection between Freya and Camazotz... Though this book left a really good opening for that in book 2!! 😏
You had me at formidable Mayan god of death. 😈
📚: Freya takes a wrong turn on a deserted mountain road and ends up trespassing on land claimed by Camazotz — a ancient Mayan god of death who's spent years hiding from the world. Freya & Camazotz are pulled into a world of chaos and danger, bound by forces they cannot explain. Old enemies stir and forgotten powers awaken.
This is perfect for those who want:
✨ Ancient Gods
🖤 Moody, gothic fantasy
📓 Grimm fairytale retelling
☠️ A reluctant/formidable MMC
🫑 Light spice, slow-burn romance
⚔️ Supernatural politics + danger
🐦⬛ Shape Shifting
✨ Ancient magic & forgotten powers
🏰 Beautiful Architecture
I enjoyed this read, it was weird and wonderful and I appreciated the architectural descriptions. I've never read anything like this before. The shape shifting was very interesting. The only thing I was craving more of was the spice and connection between Freya and Camazotz... Though this book left a really good opening for that in book 2!! 😏
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
When I started reading this book I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but as the story progressed I started to enjoy it. I really liked the concept of this story as the Mayan gods are not something you usually read about in a fantasy book. I also liked how this story was 1st person POV & that it was set in different locations.
Freya's journey starts on the mountain, but I've no idea where it will end. The scene settings are vivid & the writing flows well. Freya's character goes through a lot of development in this book & her relationship with Camazotz has that beauty & the beast retelling feeling, but I couldn't help thinking of Maui from Disney's Moana at times.
I found it hard to believe the acceptance from Freya & her friend Mindy regarding what had happened to her, I think possibly because it was set in our world rather than somewhere totally made up. But that didn't stop it being a good read, I just wasn't able to be invested & emotionally engaged with the characters.
When I started reading this book I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but as the story progressed I started to enjoy it. I really liked the concept of this story as the Mayan gods are not something you usually read about in a fantasy book. I also liked how this story was 1st person POV & that it was set in different locations.
Freya's journey starts on the mountain, but I've no idea where it will end. The scene settings are vivid & the writing flows well. Freya's character goes through a lot of development in this book & her relationship with Camazotz has that beauty & the beast retelling feeling, but I couldn't help thinking of Maui from Disney's Moana at times.
I found it hard to believe the acceptance from Freya & her friend Mindy regarding what had happened to her, I think possibly because it was set in our world rather than somewhere totally made up. But that didn't stop it being a good read, I just wasn't able to be invested & emotionally engaged with the characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was asked to read an ARC of this book, and when I asked what it was about, I was told: the FMC takes a wrong turn on the way to an important meeting, crosses an ancient god, and wakes up as a crow. I immediately said, “I need to read that.” And wow—am I glad I did.
Andrea McNair delivers a Beauty‑and‑the‑Beast retelling with a twist: a Mayan god and a spitfire architect who becomes a force to be reckoned with.
The banter between Camazotz (aka Benjamin) and Freya is sharp, funny, and addictive. It’s a slow burn, but there’s just enough spice to keep things deliciously tense. And that phone call at the end? I was on the edge of my seat. I need book two, because I have to know what happens when the caller arrives at the mountain hideaway.
Favorite passage: “Your form took on the characteristics most like you… Crows are highly intelligent animals, gregarious, caring, innovative, and best of all, they can fly.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Andrea McNair delivers a Beauty‑and‑the‑Beast retelling with a twist: a Mayan god and a spitfire architect who becomes a force to be reckoned with.
The banter between Camazotz (aka Benjamin) and Freya is sharp, funny, and addictive. It’s a slow burn, but there’s just enough spice to keep things deliciously tense. And that phone call at the end? I was on the edge of my seat. I need book two, because I have to know what happens when the caller arrives at the mountain hideaway.
Favorite passage: “Your form took on the characteristics most like you… Crows are highly intelligent animals, gregarious, caring, innovative, and best of all, they can fly.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“One Wrong Turn Changed Everything”
After making a wrong turn, Freya finds herself in a world changing predicament while on the way to an important architecture pitch for work.
Suddenly she's got a different perspective on life, literally, because she stumbled across a demi-god who turns her into a crow. She’s pulled into this mythological and magical world she never knew existed - now she’s not sure she can live without it.
With new insight comes new dangers. Can these two rise to the occasion to save what they’ve found together or are there other plans in store?
Thank you to Andrew for a gifted copy of this book! This is a unique retelling of Beauty & The Beast mixed with Mayan mythology. The story continued to captivate with its creative take, mystery and suspense until the very end.. or is it?
Beauty & The Beast retelling
Found Family
She Saves Him
Slow-Burn Romance
Magic
Urban Fantasy
After making a wrong turn, Freya finds herself in a world changing predicament while on the way to an important architecture pitch for work.
Suddenly she's got a different perspective on life, literally, because she stumbled across a demi-god who turns her into a crow. She’s pulled into this mythological and magical world she never knew existed - now she’s not sure she can live without it.
With new insight comes new dangers. Can these two rise to the occasion to save what they’ve found together or are there other plans in store?
Thank you to Andrew for a gifted copy of this book! This is a unique retelling of Beauty & The Beast mixed with Mayan mythology. The story continued to captivate with its creative take, mystery and suspense until the very end.. or is it?
Beauty & The Beast retelling
Found Family
She Saves Him
Slow-Burn Romance
Magic
Urban Fantasy
Review of advance copy received from Author
The plot was engaging from the start, and the world-building was rich and detailed, it’s clear that this is a carefully researched and crafted debut novel. Freya is an intensely likeable and relatable character, a large portion of the book is her inner monologue - the journey of self discovery she goes on, from not feeling likeable or good enough to finding her courage and sense of self is one that will hit home to many of us.
The relationship between her and Camazotz grows organically, and never feels forced. Andrea’s beautiful writing leaves you spellbound with their back and forth exchanges, and when we get to the heart of the action you are truly invested in her characters.
Wonderfully written and more unique than anything I have read in a while, this book winds its way further into my heart the more I think about it. Assume from the ending there will be a sequel - can’t wait!
Read as an ARC, all opinions expressed are my own and given voluntarily.
The relationship between her and Camazotz grows organically, and never feels forced. Andrea’s beautiful writing leaves you spellbound with their back and forth exchanges, and when we get to the heart of the action you are truly invested in her characters.
Wonderfully written and more unique than anything I have read in a while, this book winds its way further into my heart the more I think about it. Assume from the ending there will be a sequel - can’t wait!
Read as an ARC, all opinions expressed are my own and given voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would love to read more! The magic in this book is wild and delves a lot into Maya mythology. It’s like every person/creature? has their own manifestation of magic, and I enjoyed the descriptions of how they used their power. It really highlighted to me how little I know about the mythologies of Central and South America, and I’m definitely going to look for more. So much of what I’ve read has been influenced by European mythologies.
I love anything with a Beauty and the Beast theme, but I really enjoyed the ways this story strays from the original BatB order of events. It was earthy and funny, and it had a few twists that caught me. I think this is a debut which I find impressive!! Many thanks to Andrea McNair for providing me a copy for review! I want to read more please 😁
I love anything with a Beauty and the Beast theme, but I really enjoyed the ways this story strays from the original BatB order of events. It was earthy and funny, and it had a few twists that caught me. I think this is a debut which I find impressive!! Many thanks to Andrea McNair for providing me a copy for review! I want to read more please 😁
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC! 🖤
Corvus and the Broken God pulled me in right away and didn't let go. This story was adventurous, witty, and had me so invested in Corvus and her fallen god. The slow-burn romance was perfectly done and gave me major beauty and the beast vibes, and I was giggling throughout the whole book. I couldn't put it down.
This book is a reminder that destiny is never straightforward and that even broken gods can steal your heart. It had its moments and the humor mixed with the high stakes was just perfect. I can't wait for more!
Tropes:
🖤 Slow-Burn Romance
🥀 Beauty And The Beast Vibes
⚔️ High-Stakes Adventure
💫 Sharp Banter & Found Destiny
If you love fantasy with slow-burn romance, reluctant gods, and sharp humor, I definitely recommend picking up Corvus and the Broken God. 📖
Corvus and the Broken God pulled me in right away and didn't let go. This story was adventurous, witty, and had me so invested in Corvus and her fallen god. The slow-burn romance was perfectly done and gave me major beauty and the beast vibes, and I was giggling throughout the whole book. I couldn't put it down.
This book is a reminder that destiny is never straightforward and that even broken gods can steal your heart. It had its moments and the humor mixed with the high stakes was just perfect. I can't wait for more!
Tropes:
🖤 Slow-Burn Romance
🥀 Beauty And The Beast Vibes
⚔️ High-Stakes Adventure
💫 Sharp Banter & Found Destiny
If you love fantasy with slow-burn romance, reluctant gods, and sharp humor, I definitely recommend picking up Corvus and the Broken God. 📖
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed Corvus And The Broken God! This book surprised and delighted me. It had all the elements that I enjoy in a story - fantasy, mystery, intrigue, humor and romance. It held my attention and kept me wanting to know what the next turn held.
All the components of Corvus And The Broken God are maginative, creative and interesting, but the romance is the glue that holds it all together for me. It was so pleasant getting to know the characters and travel along with them as their relationship grew throughout story. I also loved the fact that Andrea's characters are imperfect - which gives them plenty of room to make mistakes and then grow from those mistakes.
Overall Corvus And The Broken God was a fun, captivating read and a joyous adventure. I don't say this often, but I can't wait to see where the story goes next.
All the components of Corvus And The Broken God are maginative, creative and interesting, but the romance is the glue that holds it all together for me. It was so pleasant getting to know the characters and travel along with them as their relationship grew throughout story. I also loved the fact that Andrea's characters are imperfect - which gives them plenty of room to make mistakes and then grow from those mistakes.
Overall Corvus And The Broken God was a fun, captivating read and a joyous adventure. I don't say this often, but I can't wait to see where the story goes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have started to read more and more Romantasy, and I am so glad I picked up this book to read! I received the ARC, and when I first saw it listed as a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I ran to sign up. This is a story retelling I pick up whenever I can, and it never disappoints.
I loved the world building, as sometimes with fantasy I find it too long and slow, however this book is a shorter read, so I didn't feel like it was too slow at all.
One wrong move by Freya throws her into the world of the outcasted Mayan god, Comazotz, where they must work together. As they grow closer, the danger grows and Freya is forced to learn more about ancient magic and supernatural politics.
I loved their storyline and getting to see their relationship grow. I am so glad I signed up to read this book and so grateful I got sent this new slow burn Romantasy!
I loved the world building, as sometimes with fantasy I find it too long and slow, however this book is a shorter read, so I didn't feel like it was too slow at all.
One wrong move by Freya throws her into the world of the outcasted Mayan god, Comazotz, where they must work together. As they grow closer, the danger grows and Freya is forced to learn more about ancient magic and supernatural politics.
I loved their storyline and getting to see their relationship grow. I am so glad I signed up to read this book and so grateful I got sent this new slow burn Romantasy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ancient lore in modern times. Andrea McNair writes us a magical tale that entwined ancient beings with the modern age. What can you do when you fall in love with a whole different species. Are soulmates something that is real and can not be deterred? Leaving us with a cliff hanger afterwards which leaves us wanting for more. Questioning us to the fact would we risk everything we fear to save the one we love. Loved it and can't wait for what happens next. If you like fantasy with equal magic and realism you will enjoy this novel. I would love to give more details but the spoilers would ruin the surprise that Andrea has buried in the pages. Definitely for more mature readers. Praise for Andrea for weaving us an intriguing tale of magic, love, and sacrifice.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Captivated by Corvus is an understatement. I don’t read fiction, but this book may have changed that for me.
I’ve spent nights on the porch completely lost in the brilliant world Andrea creates. The detail is phenomenal, and the way she blends our current world with this fictional one is so seamless that, somehow, it all feels possible. My brain felt massaged.
At some point, I realized I had to stop trying to anticipate what would happen next and just go with the book’s flow — surrendering to the story, the world, and these characters. There’s something incredibly satisfying about a book that makes you stop trying to figure it out and simply lets your imagination take over.
I loved it. Can’t WAIT for the next one!
I’ve spent nights on the porch completely lost in the brilliant world Andrea creates. The detail is phenomenal, and the way she blends our current world with this fictional one is so seamless that, somehow, it all feels possible. My brain felt massaged.
At some point, I realized I had to stop trying to anticipate what would happen next and just go with the book’s flow — surrendering to the story, the world, and these characters. There’s something incredibly satisfying about a book that makes you stop trying to figure it out and simply lets your imagination take over.
I loved it. Can’t WAIT for the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
When I first started Corvus and the Broken God I had no idea what to expect and almost wondered if it would be too weird for me. But I was pleasantly surprised. I was completely surprised by the turn it took and enjoyed seeing how it unfolded. I loved the slow burn romance. There’s only a little spice for those who don’t like too much spice. I want to see more from their romance! It was a fun journey to watch and try to imagine. I enjoyed living vicariously through Corvus and I love how different this book was. I loved seeing the internal journey that Corvus goes through from start to finish. I haven’t read anything like it and I can’t wait to read book two. I definitely think there’s still some mysteries left to unfold.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance copy from the author. This was a wonderful read from beginning to end. The character development was excellent, making it easy to connect with and care about the characters. The story was funny, engaging, and filled with vivid descriptions that brought each scene to life. The plot was entertaining and kept me interested throughout the book. I especially loved the slow and believable romance that developed between Corvus and Camazotz. Their relationship felt natural and really was so charming. I loved their banter! Overall, an enjoyable and memorable book that I would highly recommend. I am looking forward to reading the next installment!
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