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The Gods are Bastards #1
What Fresh Hell
It was a world of sword and sorcery... But that was a thousand years ago.
In the Empire of Tiraas, an age of fantastic adventures is grinding to a halt. The gods have all but ceased calling paladins, new Rail networks connect far-flung cities, and heroic exploits are being replaced by bureaucracy and mass production. Dungeons, once sources of peril, loot, and thrilling tales, are now emptied or sealed off. The dwarven kingdoms are in decline, the mysterious elves have been pushed back into isolated forests, and dragons are rarely seen. Adventurers, once the backbone of human power, are considered relics of the past. Even the Demon Queen and her vile minions have gone strangely quiet...or so the world believes.
A few holdouts of a more heroic age continue to gather at the University in Last Rock, a lone school still teaching its students to fulfill grand destinies. This year, two new paladins are among them, rekindling hope that the gods have not abandoned the world after all. Unfortunately, the newest crop of would-be adventurers quickly prove to be more of a threat to each other than to any demonic invaders. In a peaceful modern world, after all, most don't expect to be called on for any heroics.
In the Imperial capital, however, a plot against the throne shows that the Demon Queen hasn't given up on her ambitions, but learned to adapt to the new age of machines and laws. The Empire, the Universal Church, and the followers of the quiet gods scramble to face a threat they've forgotten how to meet, while next generation of heroes squabble among themselves with no idea what's coming.
Evil is returning to the world, and no one is ready.
In the Empire of Tiraas, an age of fantastic adventures is grinding to a halt. The gods have all but ceased calling paladins, new Rail networks connect far-flung cities, and heroic exploits are being replaced by bureaucracy and mass production. Dungeons, once sources of peril, loot, and thrilling tales, are now emptied or sealed off. The dwarven kingdoms are in decline, the mysterious elves have been pushed back into isolated forests, and dragons are rarely seen. Adventurers, once the backbone of human power, are considered relics of the past. Even the Demon Queen and her vile minions have gone strangely quiet...or so the world believes.
A few holdouts of a more heroic age continue to gather at the University in Last Rock, a lone school still teaching its students to fulfill grand destinies. This year, two new paladins are among them, rekindling hope that the gods have not abandoned the world after all. Unfortunately, the newest crop of would-be adventurers quickly prove to be more of a threat to each other than to any demonic invaders. In a peaceful modern world, after all, most don't expect to be called on for any heroics.
In the Imperial capital, however, a plot against the throne shows that the Demon Queen hasn't given up on her ambitions, but learned to adapt to the new age of machines and laws. The Empire, the Universal Church, and the followers of the quiet gods scramble to face a threat they've forgotten how to meet, while next generation of heroes squabble among themselves with no idea what's coming.
Evil is returning to the world, and no one is ready.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 11, 2019
A big sprawling webfiction ensemble piece, best read over a long weekend. (Update: Several long weekends.)
The Gods Are Bastards takes place in a swords-and-sorcery world as it goes from epic fantasy to Western, complete with gunslingers and dangerous trains. There are more than twenty different protagonists; they all speak in distinct voices and hold very different philosophies. Every character, protagonist or not, might surprise you if you let your guard down and start to make assumptions.
On a narrative level, there’s a lot of focus on the interactions between a group of friends, giving an emotional core to a story that spans thousands of years and dozens of cities. We see the machinations of demigods alongside the personal problems of college students, and it all fits together nicely. No one scale overwhelms the others.
The book isn’t over yet, but it’s still worth starting now (since it’s about 400 chapters long, and it’s only going to get longer). There are a few chapters I’ve saved to reread as perfect examples of how to capture a certain emotion, or how to write a fight scene, and I think you’ll find those chapters (or others!) worth the journey.
The Gods Are Bastards takes place in a swords-and-sorcery world as it goes from epic fantasy to Western, complete with gunslingers and dangerous trains. There are more than twenty different protagonists; they all speak in distinct voices and hold very different philosophies. Every character, protagonist or not, might surprise you if you let your guard down and start to make assumptions.
On a narrative level, there’s a lot of focus on the interactions between a group of friends, giving an emotional core to a story that spans thousands of years and dozens of cities. We see the machinations of demigods alongside the personal problems of college students, and it all fits together nicely. No one scale overwhelms the others.
The book isn’t over yet, but it’s still worth starting now (since it’s about 400 chapters long, and it’s only going to get longer). There are a few chapters I’ve saved to reread as perfect examples of how to capture a certain emotion, or how to write a fight scene, and I think you’ll find those chapters (or others!) worth the journey.
April 2, 2020
I've sat with TGAB for several hours now and... wow. I've been comparing it to the Wheel of Time series simply because there isn't much that rivals TGAB for length or worldbuilding and, uh, TGAB wins on every front.
The thing that impresses me is that over more than five years and three million words, the story is hanging together *incredibly* well. Plot threads simply don't get dropped. Setups have payoffs, plot twists are foreshadowed, and Webb never uses two characters when one can do the job. Normally when I read something this long, I have the niggling feeling in the back of my head that the author can't or won't finish what they started. TGAB though? In all three million words (thus far) Webb has left me with no doubt that the story will wrap up in a satisfying and conclusive way.
The thing that impresses me is that over more than five years and three million words, the story is hanging together *incredibly* well. Plot threads simply don't get dropped. Setups have payoffs, plot twists are foreshadowed, and Webb never uses two characters when one can do the job. Normally when I read something this long, I have the niggling feeling in the back of my head that the author can't or won't finish what they started. TGAB though? In all three million words (thus far) Webb has left me with no doubt that the story will wrap up in a satisfying and conclusive way.
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.
June 27, 2018
This is free to read web fiction that's better than the last several books I've paid money for. Great characters, rich world, great story, and lots of funny moments amidst the drama.
August 29, 2023
Note that this is only a review of volume one (books 1-4)
So, this is a web serial set in a world that very much feels like a D&D setting a couple generations after it broke out of medieval stasis – there’s dragons and demigods and thousand year old retired elven adventurers who are all laws unto themselves, and then there’s also a continent spanning hegemonic empire that’s invented magical railways and telegraphs and industrial revolutions. The story specifically follows the freshman class of the Unseen University, a remote institution run by one of the two or three most powerful (former) adventurers alive, educating and connecting the future global elite. The freshman class – including a demigod, the only two paladins in the world, an amnesiac archdemon, and a pirate crown princess – are the protagonists for the better part of the story, bonding and going to classes and sent on absurd field expeditions and generally becoming an incredibly high-powered adventuring party. Each book also has one or two subplots following characters only very tenuously connected to them out in the wider world, more often than not centred around wither Bishop Darling of the Universal Church (former high priest of the god of thieves) or Principia Lockes, conwoman and second most annoying elf alive. I will put my cards on the table now and say these plots are what makes the thing worth reading.
The students are – okay, they start off just, bad, but they do improve over the course of the first few books in terms of how grating they are to read (Book 1 is very heavy on the college soap opera). But they do all have the fundamental issue that, where the other plots largely feel like people embedded in a world with agenda to pursue and complex circumstances to navigate, they all feel like high fantasy superheroes being led along a breadcrumb trail in a world devoid of real threats or meaningful ties outside the university and the occasional specific patron. Or put another way, it is not at all subtle that they are the Protagonists or Reality, which instantly makes me dislike them and want them to fail. But going by what makes popular web fiction I’m fairly sure that instinct is mostly just a me thing.
Special shoutout to Tris, the crusading paladin of the group. As of book one she’s a repressed sheltered army brat who has a whole list of species and religions she thinks should be killed on sight and several historical genocides she wholeheartedly endorses. She has a real arc over the volume, but a big part of it is less challenging the fundamental logic of that than just slowly removing lines from her kill on sight list (but nowhere near all of them). I am not entirely sure how self-aware the book is about this.
The remainder of the book, and by far the better part, is mostly dedicated to sideplots centring Bishop Darling’s byzantine intrigues within the universal church, the politics of the empire’s capital city, and his high forays into high risk tutoring and foster-parenting, and Principia Locke, thieves guild resident underachiever, town ne’erdowell and second most obnoxious elf alive. These two characters are objectively the best, and also they’re allowed to be at genuine risk and thrown into tasks where fucking up is a real possibility and the ultimate resolution is very unclear. The best plot of the entire volume is easily Darling and 3 other bishops being deputized as a black ops force by the (arch)pope and sent to illegally poke around a small town, and they’re all the most insufferable people you’ve ever met stuck sharing an airbnb.
The story plays a lot with western tropes and aesthetics transposed onto he magitech high fantasy setting – the ‘Golden Sea’ is an infinite, impossible to navigate expanse in the centre of the continent, home to nomadic plains elf bands and centaur herds, and the imperial frontier has now pushed right up to its edge, full of things like saloons and sheriffs and marshals and magical trains and gun wand-fights and ten gallon hates. This is very fun, but the moving of the reference period from vaguely medieval Europe to the late 19th century USA makes things certain subtext that’s already unfortunate in standard fantasy downright painful – centaurs, clearly and obviously playing the role the savage indian raiders in some mid-century western, are portrayed as a universally evil culture whose main salient trait is that they will literally rape any prisoners to death, and are stated to have been righteous and heroically ethnically cleansed everywhere but this barbaric frontier. It’s, uh, not great.
Now, I came to this serial as someone who has wasted untold days and hours becoming immersed in D&D, like, Lore, which meant that I was incredibly well prepared because there are so many D&D easter eggs in this I think it might technically be a fanwork like Order of the Stick or something. There’s a Drizzt joke that made me audible groan, and more broadly the entire setting is just very incredibly clearly “D&D 3.5 campaign setting plus 50 years and an industrial revolution’. “Adventurers” were a coherent social class, ‘dungeons’ are a thing, there are profoundly uncomfortable attitudes towards ‘monstrous’ races that live in them, the whole shebang. I mostly found this charming, but it’s a thin line, and I can very easily imagine it being utterly insufferable.
Anyway, this is theoretically a complete volume, but it’s also books one-four of, like, seventeen. In the grand tradition of web serials everywhere, it’s three times longer than it really needs to be, and absolutely littered with plot seeds and foreshadowing which might either pay off in five hundred thousand words or never be mentioned again. I’m honestly not particularly sure how well the volume holds up as a coherent work, separate from everything that comes after – Principia got a complete and well done character arc, but that’s about the only part of it I’d say really works here.
As the first fifth or so of a longer work it did get me to keep going onto book five with barely a breath in between though, so on balance I’d say it works.
So, this is a web serial set in a world that very much feels like a D&D setting a couple generations after it broke out of medieval stasis – there’s dragons and demigods and thousand year old retired elven adventurers who are all laws unto themselves, and then there’s also a continent spanning hegemonic empire that’s invented magical railways and telegraphs and industrial revolutions. The story specifically follows the freshman class of the Unseen University, a remote institution run by one of the two or three most powerful (former) adventurers alive, educating and connecting the future global elite. The freshman class – including a demigod, the only two paladins in the world, an amnesiac archdemon, and a pirate crown princess – are the protagonists for the better part of the story, bonding and going to classes and sent on absurd field expeditions and generally becoming an incredibly high-powered adventuring party. Each book also has one or two subplots following characters only very tenuously connected to them out in the wider world, more often than not centred around wither Bishop Darling of the Universal Church (former high priest of the god of thieves) or Principia Lockes, conwoman and second most annoying elf alive. I will put my cards on the table now and say these plots are what makes the thing worth reading.
The students are – okay, they start off just, bad, but they do improve over the course of the first few books in terms of how grating they are to read (Book 1 is very heavy on the college soap opera). But they do all have the fundamental issue that, where the other plots largely feel like people embedded in a world with agenda to pursue and complex circumstances to navigate, they all feel like high fantasy superheroes being led along a breadcrumb trail in a world devoid of real threats or meaningful ties outside the university and the occasional specific patron. Or put another way, it is not at all subtle that they are the Protagonists or Reality, which instantly makes me dislike them and want them to fail. But going by what makes popular web fiction I’m fairly sure that instinct is mostly just a me thing.
Special shoutout to Tris, the crusading paladin of the group. As of book one she’s a repressed sheltered army brat who has a whole list of species and religions she thinks should be killed on sight and several historical genocides she wholeheartedly endorses. She has a real arc over the volume, but a big part of it is less challenging the fundamental logic of that than just slowly removing lines from her kill on sight list (but nowhere near all of them). I am not entirely sure how self-aware the book is about this.
The remainder of the book, and by far the better part, is mostly dedicated to sideplots centring Bishop Darling’s byzantine intrigues within the universal church, the politics of the empire’s capital city, and his high forays into high risk tutoring and foster-parenting, and Principia Locke, thieves guild resident underachiever, town ne’erdowell and second most obnoxious elf alive. These two characters are objectively the best, and also they’re allowed to be at genuine risk and thrown into tasks where fucking up is a real possibility and the ultimate resolution is very unclear. The best plot of the entire volume is easily Darling and 3 other bishops being deputized as a black ops force by the (arch)pope and sent to illegally poke around a small town, and they’re all the most insufferable people you’ve ever met stuck sharing an airbnb.
The story plays a lot with western tropes and aesthetics transposed onto he magitech high fantasy setting – the ‘Golden Sea’ is an infinite, impossible to navigate expanse in the centre of the continent, home to nomadic plains elf bands and centaur herds, and the imperial frontier has now pushed right up to its edge, full of things like saloons and sheriffs and marshals and magical trains and gun wand-fights and ten gallon hates. This is very fun, but the moving of the reference period from vaguely medieval Europe to the late 19th century USA makes things certain subtext that’s already unfortunate in standard fantasy downright painful – centaurs, clearly and obviously playing the role the savage indian raiders in some mid-century western, are portrayed as a universally evil culture whose main salient trait is that they will literally rape any prisoners to death, and are stated to have been righteous and heroically ethnically cleansed everywhere but this barbaric frontier. It’s, uh, not great.
Now, I came to this serial as someone who has wasted untold days and hours becoming immersed in D&D, like, Lore, which meant that I was incredibly well prepared because there are so many D&D easter eggs in this I think it might technically be a fanwork like Order of the Stick or something. There’s a Drizzt joke that made me audible groan, and more broadly the entire setting is just very incredibly clearly “D&D 3.5 campaign setting plus 50 years and an industrial revolution’. “Adventurers” were a coherent social class, ‘dungeons’ are a thing, there are profoundly uncomfortable attitudes towards ‘monstrous’ races that live in them, the whole shebang. I mostly found this charming, but it’s a thin line, and I can very easily imagine it being utterly insufferable.
Anyway, this is theoretically a complete volume, but it’s also books one-four of, like, seventeen. In the grand tradition of web serials everywhere, it’s three times longer than it really needs to be, and absolutely littered with plot seeds and foreshadowing which might either pay off in five hundred thousand words or never be mentioned again. I’m honestly not particularly sure how well the volume holds up as a coherent work, separate from everything that comes after – Principia got a complete and well done character arc, but that’s about the only part of it I’d say really works here.
As the first fifth or so of a longer work it did get me to keep going onto book five with barely a breath in between though, so on balance I’d say it works.
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.
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.
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!!
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 27, 2025
“Magic meets muskets, divine politics meets dryad sass, and every chapter brings a new obsession.”
If I had to sum up The Gods Are Bastards in one word, it would be: addictive. I picked it up expecting something cool and quirky—a web serial with a fun title and some unique flair. What I got was a sweeping epic so rich in world-building, character, and momentum that I found myself staying up far too late, night after night, saying, “Just one more chapter…”
Spoiler: it’s never just one more.
A World Where Magic Evolves — and So Does Society
Let’s talk about the setting first, because honestly, it’s genius. This isn’t your typical medieval fantasy realm. The world of The Gods Are Bastards is going through a magical industrial revolution—think enchanted railways, arcane streetlamps, magical guns, and universities studying theology like it's physics. It’s like Tolkien meets Tesla meets Terry Pratchett.
And the best part? The world isn’t just a pretty backdrop—it’s alive. It’s changing. And you can feel those changes rumble through the story like the thrum of a lightning rail.
A Cast You’ll Never Forget
There are a lot of characters. That might sound intimidating, but trust me—it works. Every single character feels distinct and memorable. Whether it’s:
Principia Locke, the sarcastic ex-thief turned soldier with a mysterious past and razor-sharp wit,
Trissiny Avelea, the stoic, duty-bound paladin learning to think for herself,
Gabriel Arquin, the half-demon former street kid turned divine wildcard,
Or Ephanie, Juniper, Shaeine, Toby, and the rest of the freshman team—you will not forget these names.
They grow. They argue. They screw up. They change. They fall in love, make terrible choices, do the right thing at the wrong time, and wrong things for the right reasons. They feel real.
The emotional depth is stunning—especially as these seemingly disparate characters begin to converge, clash, and bond in ways you don’t see coming.
Dialogue That Snaps and Sparks
One of D. D. Webb’s biggest strengths is dialogue. Characters don’t just speak—they banter, they challenge, they reveal. The conversations are often sharp, hilarious, heartbreaking, or even philosophical. You get political intrigue one moment, a deeply vulnerable confession the next, and a smart-aleck dryad joke two pages later. It’s beautifully balanced.
Themes That Hit Hard
Despite the humor and high-octane action, this story isn’t afraid to tackle big, bold questions:
What happens when gods stop answering prayers?
Can good people work within a corrupt system—or are they better off tearing it down?
How do you reconcile your identity with your destiny?
You’ll find yourself laughing in one scene and seriously reflecting in the next. And that’s what makes this story stand out: it’s fun and thoughtful.
Why You Should Read It
If you're tired of fantasy that sticks to the same old tropes, if you love ensemble casts where everyone matters, if you want a story where divine power has consequences and no one is safe from change—then The Gods Are Bastards is the perfect book (well, web serial) for you.
It’s long. It’s sprawling. It’s complex. And it’s absolutely worth every second you spend in its world.
Final Thoughts
I went into this expecting a good read. I came out with a new favorite.
The Gods Are Bastards is bold, clever, emotional, and endlessly entertaining. It’s not just a book—it’s a journey through a world where magic burns bright, gods are fallible, and even the most unlikely people can change everything.
Do yourself a favor: dive in. And don’t be surprised when you realize you’ve just binge-read 1,000 pages without blinking.
If I had to sum up The Gods Are Bastards in one word, it would be: addictive. I picked it up expecting something cool and quirky—a web serial with a fun title and some unique flair. What I got was a sweeping epic so rich in world-building, character, and momentum that I found myself staying up far too late, night after night, saying, “Just one more chapter…”
Spoiler: it’s never just one more.
A World Where Magic Evolves — and So Does Society
Let’s talk about the setting first, because honestly, it’s genius. This isn’t your typical medieval fantasy realm. The world of The Gods Are Bastards is going through a magical industrial revolution—think enchanted railways, arcane streetlamps, magical guns, and universities studying theology like it's physics. It’s like Tolkien meets Tesla meets Terry Pratchett.
And the best part? The world isn’t just a pretty backdrop—it’s alive. It’s changing. And you can feel those changes rumble through the story like the thrum of a lightning rail.
A Cast You’ll Never Forget
There are a lot of characters. That might sound intimidating, but trust me—it works. Every single character feels distinct and memorable. Whether it’s:
Principia Locke, the sarcastic ex-thief turned soldier with a mysterious past and razor-sharp wit,
Trissiny Avelea, the stoic, duty-bound paladin learning to think for herself,
Gabriel Arquin, the half-demon former street kid turned divine wildcard,
Or Ephanie, Juniper, Shaeine, Toby, and the rest of the freshman team—you will not forget these names.
They grow. They argue. They screw up. They change. They fall in love, make terrible choices, do the right thing at the wrong time, and wrong things for the right reasons. They feel real.
The emotional depth is stunning—especially as these seemingly disparate characters begin to converge, clash, and bond in ways you don’t see coming.
Dialogue That Snaps and Sparks
One of D. D. Webb’s biggest strengths is dialogue. Characters don’t just speak—they banter, they challenge, they reveal. The conversations are often sharp, hilarious, heartbreaking, or even philosophical. You get political intrigue one moment, a deeply vulnerable confession the next, and a smart-aleck dryad joke two pages later. It’s beautifully balanced.
Themes That Hit Hard
Despite the humor and high-octane action, this story isn’t afraid to tackle big, bold questions:
What happens when gods stop answering prayers?
Can good people work within a corrupt system—or are they better off tearing it down?
How do you reconcile your identity with your destiny?
You’ll find yourself laughing in one scene and seriously reflecting in the next. And that’s what makes this story stand out: it’s fun and thoughtful.
Why You Should Read It
If you're tired of fantasy that sticks to the same old tropes, if you love ensemble casts where everyone matters, if you want a story where divine power has consequences and no one is safe from change—then The Gods Are Bastards is the perfect book (well, web serial) for you.
It’s long. It’s sprawling. It’s complex. And it’s absolutely worth every second you spend in its world.
Final Thoughts
I went into this expecting a good read. I came out with a new favorite.
The Gods Are Bastards is bold, clever, emotional, and endlessly entertaining. It’s not just a book—it’s a journey through a world where magic burns bright, gods are fallible, and even the most unlikely people can change everything.
Do yourself a favor: dive in. And don’t be surprised when you realize you’ve just binge-read 1,000 pages without blinking.
October 25, 2025
The Gods Are Bastards is a genre-blending coming-of-age fantasy adventure that feels like a classic tale and contemporary story all at once! What makes it so unique is that it’s part fantasy, part western, and part magical school—all balanced in a character-driven narrative in a slow-burn intricate plot.
The story follows a group of students at a magical university in the Empire of Tiraas—a world where gods meddle in politics and magic is industrialized. Each student comes from a very different background—a pirate princess, a dryad, a dark-elf priestess, and more—and together they’re thrown into a web of secrets, political schemes, and moral dilemmas that go far beyond the classroom. As the empire faces unrest and the gods’ grip begins to slip, the group learns whether to trust each other long enough to survive what’s coming!
The ragtag group of misfits is the real heart of the story. Ruda Punaji is a bold, brash protagonist with a lot of sharp humor that will have readers laughing throughout. Teal Falconer is a much more serious, grounded character who’s always trying to do right even when “right” isn’t the best option to survive! Other crew members include Shaeine, the drow diplomat, who has a good sense of duty and empathy, and Juniper, the dryad, who brings a lot of warmth and heart to the story! The group starts out like a team of rivaling (ragtag) misfits at the magical academy, but as the story unfolds, it evolves into something resembling family. The book has so many intriguing side characters, including Antonio “Bishop” Darling, a charming, morally grey spymaster, and Elilial, the power-hungry Queen of Demons! Relationships and alliances in the story are constantly shifting, which makes this story exciting and unpredictable!
The pacing is deliberately slow-burn, as it’s a character-driven story. The author takes time to develop each thread of the story before tying it into the larger overall storyline of political drama. The mid-section drags a bit, but there’s a lot of character development, and every subplot that is introduced eventually comes together later on—so readers will need to be patient to see the value of everything. The second half has better pacing and higher stakes and a few unexpected reveals. The ending has a lot of emotional intensity and gives readers a sense that a dramatic shift in the world is coming and character arcs are satisfying—but it also leaves a lot of questions unanswered. It feels like this book is only one chapter of a larger saga of storytelling—and hopefully a sequel will follow!
This book is perfect for readers who love character-driven fantasy with witty humor, rich worldbuilding, and a pronounced “found family” trope. But anyone who loves stories with magical schools, political intrigue, and morally gray characters should give this one high consideration!
NARRATOR PERFORMANCE (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫)
The audiobook is an immersive, entertaining listen narrated by nonbinary queer narrator E. A. Castillo, whose theatrical experience is evident throughout this audiobook. Castillo does an impressive job handling the massive cast of characters, giving each character their own distinct voices, personalities, and emotional energy. Castile portrays protagonist Ruda with a confident, witty voice that makes the character come vividly to life and practically burst out of the speakers! In contrast, Castillo gives Shaeine a calm, grounded-sounding voice that counterbalances Ruda’s overwhelming presence. Castillo does a great job with pacing the narration, matching the author’s writing—steady pacing during dialogue-heavy scenes and picking up the pace for action or emotional scenes. Overall, it’s an engaging, dynamic performance that elevates the story, makes the wonderful cast of characters come alive, and brings out the book’s sharp writing and humor—making it an excellent format for reading this book!
The story follows a group of students at a magical university in the Empire of Tiraas—a world where gods meddle in politics and magic is industrialized. Each student comes from a very different background—a pirate princess, a dryad, a dark-elf priestess, and more—and together they’re thrown into a web of secrets, political schemes, and moral dilemmas that go far beyond the classroom. As the empire faces unrest and the gods’ grip begins to slip, the group learns whether to trust each other long enough to survive what’s coming!
The ragtag group of misfits is the real heart of the story. Ruda Punaji is a bold, brash protagonist with a lot of sharp humor that will have readers laughing throughout. Teal Falconer is a much more serious, grounded character who’s always trying to do right even when “right” isn’t the best option to survive! Other crew members include Shaeine, the drow diplomat, who has a good sense of duty and empathy, and Juniper, the dryad, who brings a lot of warmth and heart to the story! The group starts out like a team of rivaling (ragtag) misfits at the magical academy, but as the story unfolds, it evolves into something resembling family. The book has so many intriguing side characters, including Antonio “Bishop” Darling, a charming, morally grey spymaster, and Elilial, the power-hungry Queen of Demons! Relationships and alliances in the story are constantly shifting, which makes this story exciting and unpredictable!
The pacing is deliberately slow-burn, as it’s a character-driven story. The author takes time to develop each thread of the story before tying it into the larger overall storyline of political drama. The mid-section drags a bit, but there’s a lot of character development, and every subplot that is introduced eventually comes together later on—so readers will need to be patient to see the value of everything. The second half has better pacing and higher stakes and a few unexpected reveals. The ending has a lot of emotional intensity and gives readers a sense that a dramatic shift in the world is coming and character arcs are satisfying—but it also leaves a lot of questions unanswered. It feels like this book is only one chapter of a larger saga of storytelling—and hopefully a sequel will follow!
This book is perfect for readers who love character-driven fantasy with witty humor, rich worldbuilding, and a pronounced “found family” trope. But anyone who loves stories with magical schools, political intrigue, and morally gray characters should give this one high consideration!
NARRATOR PERFORMANCE (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫)
The audiobook is an immersive, entertaining listen narrated by nonbinary queer narrator E. A. Castillo, whose theatrical experience is evident throughout this audiobook. Castillo does an impressive job handling the massive cast of characters, giving each character their own distinct voices, personalities, and emotional energy. Castile portrays protagonist Ruda with a confident, witty voice that makes the character come vividly to life and practically burst out of the speakers! In contrast, Castillo gives Shaeine a calm, grounded-sounding voice that counterbalances Ruda’s overwhelming presence. Castillo does a great job with pacing the narration, matching the author’s writing—steady pacing during dialogue-heavy scenes and picking up the pace for action or emotional scenes. Overall, it’s an engaging, dynamic performance that elevates the story, makes the wonderful cast of characters come alive, and brings out the book’s sharp writing and humor—making it an excellent format for reading this book!
November 1, 2018
I've been loving everything about this book so far. It has amazing world building that is rich, complicated, and extremely interesting. Half of my excitement in reading this is the expectation of getting to learn new secrets about the world and its history. The characters are also extremely diverse and all interesting and compelling in completely different ways. Even the villains are multilayered and somewhat sympathetic. Likewise some of the good guys are so complicated it's hard to be sure if they really are good guys. The story incorporates just about every genre you can think of including fantasy, sci-fi, western, Greek style epic, and mystery. So far each "book" has had a slightly different flavor and different characters rotate in and out along with the standard core of the class of 1182, but all have been excellent so far. The story has been excellent in every way I can think of and I am always waiting on tenter hooks for the next chapter to release.
April 28, 2026
This was a entertaining read and a neat spin on a fantasy world. I loved the characters, the world was intriguing and seemed to be well thought out.
The only reason I am not giving this 4 stars is I didn't feel like there was a story that completed in this book. It was all set up for elements that I can only assume would be tied up in book 02 or further on down the line. A risk you take with any book series, but I feel each book in the series should have it's own story and I didn't see that here.
Still I am likely to read book 02 as I did love the world, the tone of the writing, and the characters.
The only reason I am not giving this 4 stars is I didn't feel like there was a story that completed in this book. It was all set up for elements that I can only assume would be tied up in book 02 or further on down the line. A risk you take with any book series, but I feel each book in the series should have it's own story and I didn't see that here.
Still I am likely to read book 02 as I did love the world, the tone of the writing, and the characters.
January 24, 2025
Truly one of the best stories I've read. Webb manages to hop into the mind of every character seamlessly, showing us the way they think and feel in a convincing and real way that I've never seen another author do. Besides that, the world is so fantastically rich, between the cults, the techno-wizardry, the sheer scope of the world building... It's just incredible, especially considering this was all written basically in his free time for hardly any money. I'm eagerly awaiting the big finale (and I desperately want to hear more from Athan'Khar!!!).
January 14, 2024
Talvern, an age old female elf with blue hair, glasses, and also apparently has an irresistible sexy teacher look opened a school for magic on a hill. She recruits only the best of talents Hogwarts style and abides by no kingdom's rules, and even the gods have to take a step back in this fantasy land.
The writing is superb, professional to a teeth, and smooth as silk. But the storytelling is foggy, like everything is in 3rd person like a dream, and there's no main character.
The writing is superb, professional to a teeth, and smooth as silk. But the storytelling is foggy, like everything is in 3rd person like a dream, and there's no main character.
November 29, 2018
It's great and its free. Word of warning the start isn't necessarily the best, but once it gets off its feet its well worth it.
December 2, 2025
waste of time
December 22, 2025
I'm not the target audience
May 7, 2026
I don't think this book was aimed at me but it was very and very well written and made me smile the characters were fun but for a young reader
October 17, 2025
This book has all the earmarks of a great story which didn't fully make it onto the page. This flaw dramatically improves as the story progresses, but the beginning is a struggle.
First, it suffers from poor marketing. It is marketed as a western, but has almost none of the markers for a story of that type. The book is actually a magical academy story in the vein of Harry Potter, and takes place almost exclusively in a school, but that central theme is mentioned only in passing in the blurb (I strongly encourage the publishing company to fix that).
Second, the introduction of the cast is confusing. All of the teachers exclusively refer to the students by last names, but those last names are only dropped in passing. Even Trissiny, the main character doesn't mention her last name until page 23, in the middle of a paragraph, when it really should have been included with her first name in the first sentence (and in the blurb which doesn't mention Trissiny at all). Imagine reading Harry Potter and not knowing who Mr Potter, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley were. Now repeat the process for an entire classroom.
Third, a few of the important revelations are more than a bit late. Just like the problem with last names, I didn't realize that it was important that the character in the prologue was a professor. It is a detail which is also mentioned only in passing. Likewise, Trissany is a paladin attending the school on the orders of her deity. As the main character, we spend a fair amount of time in Trissany's head, but the actual content of her orders and more importantly her opinion about these orders -- questions I had in the first chapter -- isn't revealed until the 3/4 point of the book, and not by Trissany herself.
I delayed writing this review because the book is much better than my complaints. I eventually learned everyone's names and could actually enjoy what I was reading. The questions bugging me in the first few chapters were answered later than I liked, but got there. I'm glad I finished the book instead of putting it down partially completed. I'm also fairly certain, now that the rough parts are out of the way, that I'll have a better opinion of book 2.
First, it suffers from poor marketing. It is marketed as a western, but has almost none of the markers for a story of that type. The book is actually a magical academy story in the vein of Harry Potter, and takes place almost exclusively in a school, but that central theme is mentioned only in passing in the blurb (I strongly encourage the publishing company to fix that).
Second, the introduction of the cast is confusing. All of the teachers exclusively refer to the students by last names, but those last names are only dropped in passing. Even Trissiny, the main character doesn't mention her last name until page 23, in the middle of a paragraph, when it really should have been included with her first name in the first sentence (and in the blurb which doesn't mention Trissiny at all). Imagine reading Harry Potter and not knowing who Mr Potter, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley were. Now repeat the process for an entire classroom.
Third, a few of the important revelations are more than a bit late. Just like the problem with last names, I didn't realize that it was important that the character in the prologue was a professor. It is a detail which is also mentioned only in passing. Likewise, Trissany is a paladin attending the school on the orders of her deity. As the main character, we spend a fair amount of time in Trissany's head, but the actual content of her orders and more importantly her opinion about these orders -- questions I had in the first chapter -- isn't revealed until the 3/4 point of the book, and not by Trissany herself.
I delayed writing this review because the book is much better than my complaints. I eventually learned everyone's names and could actually enjoy what I was reading. The questions bugging me in the first few chapters were answered later than I liked, but got there. I'm glad I finished the book instead of putting it down partially completed. I'm also fairly certain, now that the rough parts are out of the way, that I'll have a better opinion of book 2.
August 27, 2025
A different type of fantasy than I typically consume, but super interesting!
We start the story a few years before the main portion, in a small town where someone has spontaneously combusted. While investigating, we get a magical visitor saying that this isn't the only instance of this happening, and there's one survivor...
There is so much happening in this story, and I loved when all the pieces start sliding into place on where it all connects. We have our band of misfits at school, trying to get along but there are some strong prejudices against certain species and individuals. The story also switches to our emperor and his favorite concubine, who is more than she appears to him. Once revealed, she also drops some news that may make it impossible for his guards to take her out. And then we also see a bishop of the church, visiting several townsfolk including a brothel, where he gets a lot of information. Now is he going to share that information with his superiors, or someone else? Something tells me he's also more than he appears... I want to know what happens next!!
One favorite quote (turns out remembering those favorite quotes is harder when it’s an audiobook!):
“Raise your hand, we are not baboons.”
The narration done by E. A. Castillo was absolutely superb! With all the voices and accents, I definitely forgot at times that this is being narrated by one person! They are able to bring such a wide range of emotions to each of these characters, differing emotions within the same conversation! They are simply lovely to listen to.
If you love a high fantasy western with magic, adventure, schemes, and a little intrigue, definitely check out The Gods Are Bastards!
I received an advanced listener copy for free. This review contains my honest opinion and is being left voluntarily.
We start the story a few years before the main portion, in a small town where someone has spontaneously combusted. While investigating, we get a magical visitor saying that this isn't the only instance of this happening, and there's one survivor...
There is so much happening in this story, and I loved when all the pieces start sliding into place on where it all connects. We have our band of misfits at school, trying to get along but there are some strong prejudices against certain species and individuals. The story also switches to our emperor and his favorite concubine, who is more than she appears to him. Once revealed, she also drops some news that may make it impossible for his guards to take her out. And then we also see a bishop of the church, visiting several townsfolk including a brothel, where he gets a lot of information. Now is he going to share that information with his superiors, or someone else? Something tells me he's also more than he appears... I want to know what happens next!!
One favorite quote (turns out remembering those favorite quotes is harder when it’s an audiobook!):
“Raise your hand, we are not baboons.”
The narration done by E. A. Castillo was absolutely superb! With all the voices and accents, I definitely forgot at times that this is being narrated by one person! They are able to bring such a wide range of emotions to each of these characters, differing emotions within the same conversation! They are simply lovely to listen to.
If you love a high fantasy western with magic, adventure, schemes, and a little intrigue, definitely check out The Gods Are Bastards!
I received an advanced listener copy for free. This review contains my honest opinion and is being left voluntarily.
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.
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!
September 4, 2025
The Gods Are Bastards is a really detailed High Fantasy story. There are all sorts of technologies that are allowed by magic including a bullet train that goes even faster than you imagine. This gave it a feel almost more steampunk than Western, although it is set in a small desert town with a sheriff.
There are several intertwined stories happening in this world from the heights of the Imperial Palace to the slums where the Thieves Guild rules. The center of this story is the University, where a freshman class of exceptional young people have gathered. These students are all deemed too dangerous to be left to their own devices. They include fairies, pirates, paladins and more. The University is lead by a mad-woman who is reportedly over three thousand years old, whose motivations are shrouded in mystery.
I've always admired this author's ability to create fleshed out characters who have flaws to go along with their strengths. Everyone has their own motivations and it leads to allies and enemies. Great story.
There are several intertwined stories happening in this world from the heights of the Imperial Palace to the slums where the Thieves Guild rules. The center of this story is the University, where a freshman class of exceptional young people have gathered. These students are all deemed too dangerous to be left to their own devices. They include fairies, pirates, paladins and more. The University is lead by a mad-woman who is reportedly over three thousand years old, whose motivations are shrouded in mystery.
I've always admired this author's ability to create fleshed out characters who have flaws to go along with their strengths. Everyone has their own motivations and it leads to allies and enemies. Great story.
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.
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