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The Gods are Bastards #1
What Fresh Hell
Evil is rising. The world is rent by strife. The gods have turned away from us. In times past, heroes of sword and sorcery have always risen to turn back the tide of darkness… But what will become of us all, now that swords are obsolete, sorcery is industrialized, and heroism itself is considered a relic of the past?
The times are changing…
Incorporating elements of a Western, a Victorian romance, hints of steampunk and inspiration from the early novels of H. Rider Haggard and Arthur Conan Doyle, all set in a world of classic sword and sorcery, The Gods are Bastards is a genre-blending fantasy epic.
Set in a familiar high-fantasy universe of wizards, dragons and elves, the action takes place roughly fifteen hundred years after the medieval stasis in which most high fantasy is set, during an era much like Earth’s Industrial Revolution. Mass production of enchanted goods has revolutionized all aspects of life, energy weapons have made blades and armor all but obsolete, and the world is connected and illuminated by magical analogues of trains, telegraphs and electric lights. With progress has come social and political upheaval: the scattered feudal kingdoms of yore have been consolidated into a now-precarious Empire, the clerics of various gods have organized themselves into a mighty Universal Church, and the first stirrings of modern education and an Enlightenment ethos have taken root in a young University. On the other hand, dragons are nearly extinct, elves have been herded onto reservations, and the days when a person could make a living as a wandering adventurer are long since over.
It’s a new world, and the people of the Empire must learn to live in it, or fall to ancient threats they have tried to forget…
The times are changing…
Incorporating elements of a Western, a Victorian romance, hints of steampunk and inspiration from the early novels of H. Rider Haggard and Arthur Conan Doyle, all set in a world of classic sword and sorcery, The Gods are Bastards is a genre-blending fantasy epic.
Set in a familiar high-fantasy universe of wizards, dragons and elves, the action takes place roughly fifteen hundred years after the medieval stasis in which most high fantasy is set, during an era much like Earth’s Industrial Revolution. Mass production of enchanted goods has revolutionized all aspects of life, energy weapons have made blades and armor all but obsolete, and the world is connected and illuminated by magical analogues of trains, telegraphs and electric lights. With progress has come social and political upheaval: the scattered feudal kingdoms of yore have been consolidated into a now-precarious Empire, the clerics of various gods have organized themselves into a mighty Universal Church, and the first stirrings of modern education and an Enlightenment ethos have taken root in a young University. On the other hand, dragons are nearly extinct, elves have been herded onto reservations, and the days when a person could make a living as a wandering adventurer are long since over.
It’s a new world, and the people of the Empire must learn to live in it, or fall to ancient threats they have tried to forget…
384 pages, ebook
First published November 6, 2019
52 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 21, 2020
I wish I had known that this entire series is available for free on the author's website BEFORE I had spent money on it.
It had a strong start. Well written, solid world-building, an intriguing mystery. Deaths by demonic possession? Hell yeah, I'll read that. One girl surviving the possession and walking around with a demon in her head? Sign me up.
Unfortunately, the demonic possessions are barely mentioned beyond the opening chapter. Except for a few specific scenes, this book isn't about demonic possession at all, it is about a much bigger, overarching plot. So big that it's difficult to grasp the story by only reading the first book.
That was my biggest disappointment with this book. It doesn't have much plot of its own, but instead reads like an introduction to a series. Which, of course, it is, but it should also feel satisfying to read on its own. Which it doesn't. There's no rising action or climax to draw you forward, it's mostly just a flat line. (Which is part of the reason why it took me two months to finish.)
My second gripe is that the book introduces so many character perspectives that I couldn't separate the main characters from the side characters. Trissiny seemed like the main character at first, but then she never does anything to move the book forward, and she remains oblivious as the book happens around her.
Maybe this is all a result of it being a webseries first. Which circles back to my first comment: I wish I'd known that this is a free webseries. Before I read it, would have been great. And not at the literal last line in the book.
The cover is really pretty though.
It had a strong start. Well written, solid world-building, an intriguing mystery. Deaths by demonic possession? Hell yeah, I'll read that. One girl surviving the possession and walking around with a demon in her head? Sign me up.
Unfortunately, the demonic possessions are barely mentioned beyond the opening chapter. Except for a few specific scenes, this book isn't about demonic possession at all, it is about a much bigger, overarching plot. So big that it's difficult to grasp the story by only reading the first book.
That was my biggest disappointment with this book. It doesn't have much plot of its own, but instead reads like an introduction to a series. Which, of course, it is, but it should also feel satisfying to read on its own. Which it doesn't. There's no rising action or climax to draw you forward, it's mostly just a flat line. (Which is part of the reason why it took me two months to finish.)
My second gripe is that the book introduces so many character perspectives that I couldn't separate the main characters from the side characters. Trissiny seemed like the main character at first, but then she never does anything to move the book forward, and she remains oblivious as the book happens around her.
Maybe this is all a result of it being a webseries first. Which circles back to my first comment: I wish I'd known that this is a free webseries. Before I read it, would have been great. And not at the literal last line in the book.
The cover is really pretty though.
December 24, 2022
Not worth the coin even at 0.99
What starts as an intriguing mystery with a fantasy Indiana Jones prologue pulls a bait and switch for a generic fantasy academy story. The main protagonist for this book is a prime example of Lawful-Stupid Paladin stereotypes.
Beyond the stereotypical protagonist are the blatant ripping of others work, the cardinal example being our primary setting the "Unseen University", that isn't a bid to Pratchett it's plagiarism.
The final issue of note is the page-long diatribes of exposition, put in through stereotypical voting lectures.
Overall I have to say I regret buying it and advise you to avoid it like the plague.
What starts as an intriguing mystery with a fantasy Indiana Jones prologue pulls a bait and switch for a generic fantasy academy story. The main protagonist for this book is a prime example of Lawful-Stupid Paladin stereotypes.
Beyond the stereotypical protagonist are the blatant ripping of others work, the cardinal example being our primary setting the "Unseen University", that isn't a bid to Pratchett it's plagiarism.
The final issue of note is the page-long diatribes of exposition, put in through stereotypical voting lectures.
Overall I have to say I regret buying it and advise you to avoid it like the plague.
April 30, 2021
Since finishing this book, I've done little besides sleep, eat, and read all of the sequels on the author's website.
If the description sounds even remotely interesting, stop reading the reviews and just start reading the book.
If the description sounds even remotely interesting, stop reading the reviews and just start reading the book.
February 6, 2021
Quick and easy read with some actual laugh out loud moments. I genuinely enjoyed this. I didn't realise it was a web serial, so I'm looking forward to reading some more.
August 22, 2020
Very Good
A very well done - post medieval - magical world. This is a what happens when technology catches up to magic book. In my opinion the best part of the book was the several POV’s. All we’re interesting although I most liked the POV of a young priest who moonlights as a gangster. I liked the fact that even the big bad seemed to have a good side which made me root for her. All of this made the read feel very contemporary. Can’t wait for the next book to drop.
Cover: 5/5
Narration: N/A
Favorite Line: N/A
A very well done - post medieval - magical world. This is a what happens when technology catches up to magic book. In my opinion the best part of the book was the several POV’s. All we’re interesting although I most liked the POV of a young priest who moonlights as a gangster. I liked the fact that even the big bad seemed to have a good side which made me root for her. All of this made the read feel very contemporary. Can’t wait for the next book to drop.
Cover: 5/5
Narration: N/A
Favorite Line: N/A
November 10, 2019
Just as awesome the second time
This is a ebook version of the first book of a awesome web serial , the setting is a artful combination of weird west and traditional fantasy, and the characters and story is captivating, finished the book the day I bought it, highly recommend giving it a try
This is a ebook version of the first book of a awesome web serial , the setting is a artful combination of weird west and traditional fantasy, and the characters and story is captivating, finished the book the day I bought it, highly recommend giving it a try
September 29, 2020
Fun blend of Wild West and Fantasy
Where the God's are very much in the Olympian mold, Nightmarish powerful but with very mortal limits. Setting is of Magic being industrialized into a Strange blend of Magical Empire with frontiers of wild west.
Where the God's are very much in the Olympian mold, Nightmarish powerful but with very mortal limits. Setting is of Magic being industrialized into a Strange blend of Magical Empire with frontiers of wild west.
August 23, 2020
Great series
Great series. Great relatable characters with room to grow. The only thing I dislike was that ended too soon. I hope the other books get published as well.
Great series. Great relatable characters with room to grow. The only thing I dislike was that ended too soon. I hope the other books get published as well.
September 14, 2020
Get Ready
Game of Thrones crossed with Harry Potter. There's never a dull moment with this series. I can't wait for more!!
Game of Thrones crossed with Harry Potter. There's never a dull moment with this series. I can't wait for more!!
August 19, 2025
I Read the webserial so this will review more than just book 1 but no spoilers.
An important curve to pay attention in most fantasy is how the richness of the world evolves over the course of the story. At the start it grows in richness and detail quickly but often times that trend reverses as the MC moves on from the richly detailed initial area and the wider world which had been hinted at so often, turns out to be a cardboard cutout. One day there's 1000 people in the adventuring guild of varying ranks and the next, the only way the guild can possible solve an important problem is throwing the low ranked, untested MC at it.
In contrast, the gods are bastards starts as a magic school story with hints of a wider world and continuously introduces relevant players and organizations that are moving and shaking and affecting the world. I've read up to book 10 and things keep getting more and more interesting without dilluting the richness of the initial characters and setting.
The characters are cool, the dialogue is good though can be a bit preachy at times. The magic system(s) are fun and interesting. The world is awesome and feels like something that needs multiple books to explore.
Awesome story, i'm waiting for more to be published so i can binge it all at some point in the future.
The Gods are Bastards kind of does the opposite, starting out with the large scale scope and then zooming in on a magic school style tale that slowly expands back to the original scope. Either due to the initial wider focus or perhaps better planning/worldbuilding, all those external organizations and populations slowly become relevant and fill out more and more of the world.
An important curve to pay attention in most fantasy is how the richness of the world evolves over the course of the story. At the start it grows in richness and detail quickly but often times that trend reverses as the MC moves on from the richly detailed initial area and the wider world which had been hinted at so often, turns out to be a cardboard cutout. One day there's 1000 people in the adventuring guild of varying ranks and the next, the only way the guild can possible solve an important problem is throwing the low ranked, untested MC at it.
In contrast, the gods are bastards starts as a magic school story with hints of a wider world and continuously introduces relevant players and organizations that are moving and shaking and affecting the world. I've read up to book 10 and things keep getting more and more interesting without dilluting the richness of the initial characters and setting.
The characters are cool, the dialogue is good though can be a bit preachy at times. The magic system(s) are fun and interesting. The world is awesome and feels like something that needs multiple books to explore.
Awesome story, i'm waiting for more to be published so i can binge it all at some point in the future.
The Gods are Bastards kind of does the opposite, starting out with the large scale scope and then zooming in on a magic school style tale that slowly expands back to the original scope. Either due to the initial wider focus or perhaps better planning/worldbuilding, all those external organizations and populations slowly become relevant and fill out more and more of the world.
February 17, 2024
I ended up reading this on his own website, I'm currently in book 11 so the reviews for book 1-10 will be the same.
I think this series is pretty decent, otherwise I wouldn't already be on book 11. I actually think the story is very well made and almost all the characters are good/interesting and fun to follow, most storylines are interesting.
My biggest problem and why I'm giving it 4 stars is that it just jumps too much between characters. Every single time a storyline drags me in and has all my attention it switches to a totally different (group of) character(s) and I get pulled a bit out of the story. This doesn't just happen once, this happens virtually every chapter change and it's very jarring. I think either the chapters need to be a lot longer or the storylines need to be solved further before switching completely unrelated characters.
I will keep reading it because the story is good, but for me it could've been amazing/great if this didn't happen while reading.
I think this series is pretty decent, otherwise I wouldn't already be on book 11. I actually think the story is very well made and almost all the characters are good/interesting and fun to follow, most storylines are interesting.
My biggest problem and why I'm giving it 4 stars is that it just jumps too much between characters. Every single time a storyline drags me in and has all my attention it switches to a totally different (group of) character(s) and I get pulled a bit out of the story. This doesn't just happen once, this happens virtually every chapter change and it's very jarring. I think either the chapters need to be a lot longer or the storylines need to be solved further before switching completely unrelated characters.
I will keep reading it because the story is good, but for me it could've been amazing/great if this didn't happen while reading.
July 11, 2020
I liked the book.
It has a diverse set of characters.
An interesting story and cool hints at what to come.
The paladins as mortal respresants of the gods and for once really active gods that meddle with the powerless humans.
With a empire at stakes and school lead by a powerful being everything is really impactful.
I liked the writing and the world building and I'm looking forward for more.
My only nitpick is the kind of sudden ending probably due to the webnovel origins.
One turn off for me is the neverending charactere of webnovels, as I do not have so much time.
It has a diverse set of characters.
An interesting story and cool hints at what to come.
The paladins as mortal respresants of the gods and for once really active gods that meddle with the powerless humans.
With a empire at stakes and school lead by a powerful being everything is really impactful.
I liked the writing and the world building and I'm looking forward for more.
My only nitpick is the kind of sudden ending probably due to the webnovel origins.
One turn off for me is the neverending charactere of webnovels, as I do not have so much time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2026
Very enjoyable reading
Went in unprepared for such a well written story. Both the world and the characters were fully developed and seemed consistent with the storyline. Multiple gods and students were weaved into a tight, consistent story. Looking forward to next book.
Went in unprepared for such a well written story. Both the world and the characters were fully developed and seemed consistent with the storyline. Multiple gods and students were weaved into a tight, consistent story. Looking forward to next book.
September 16, 2020
6.5/10
April 18, 2021
Can’t believe this author hasn’t been picked up by a traditional publishing company. Realistic and distinct characters, interesting story, etc.
didn-t-like-it
November 20, 2025Note to self: not for me.
May 13, 2023
In my opinion, this webnovel isn't particularly special, but it was entertaining enough while commuting to my internship company.
December 27, 2025
In retrospect, this first book is a lot slower than I remember it to be. Basically the story is just 'let's get to know these guys and their major flaws' before them finally starting on an adventure in the next book. There's also quite a lot of background, lore, etc. about the world, but some things I could find crucial (like the Circles of Interaction) aren't mentioned yet. A lot of world and character building, but I hope it's enough for most people to continue reading, since the story just gets better and better!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews