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“This is what you've always wanted.” The Prince’s voice was smoother than velvet sheets gliding over tangled bodies. “You've dreamt about this moment since the day of her betrayal.”
“No,” I breathed. “This isn’t what I want—”
The Prince’s mouth turned into a frown. He gripped my face so hard that my lips were pushed out, and pain nipped at my jaw. “You dare lie to me?” His voice was all hushed promises of pain and fury. “I have seen your secrets, Valissa. Tasted them in your blood. I have seen what you try so pathetically to lock away, but you can’t hide your true self from me.”
Total authority dripped from his fierce gaze.
“I am your God.”


Valissa’s death toll is on the rise.
One—before she was stolen away to the cruel Prince Poison. Seven—under the Prince’s malicious watch.
The worst part? Valissa just doesn’t care anymore, not about the lives of those she doesn’t know when her own life is falling apart all around her.

Ava’s not speaking to her. Jasper pushes her in training to the point of exhaustion. And though Valissa does everything he wants, the Prince grows distant.
Valissa finds the closest thing to a friend in the mysteriously dark stranger who haunts her in the stardust palace. Damianos; a God or aniel she most definitely knows better than to trust.
In the Land of Gods, is it really ‘better the devil you know’? And what about when the devil you don’t know is just so damn intoxicating?

What’s worse than being the prisoner of a God?
Abandoning all hopes of freedom.





Gods and Monsters will be six books that are novella-length.
1. Prince Poison
2. Captive
3. Phantom
4. Syfoner
5. Gods
6. Monsters

181 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2019

316 people are currently reading
595 people want to read

About the author

Klarissa King

14 books126 followers
When not writing, Klarissa can be found in bed poring over a great new release, or reluctantly walking her demanding dogs who pretty much run the house.

She is not-so-secretly the writer, Isla Jones. Isla uses the pen-name Klarissa for fantasy and writing, while using Isla Jones for her darker, grittier horror works.

To contact Klarissa King, find her here: https://www.facebook.com/Klarissa-Kin...

For Isla Jones' author page, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Isla-Jones/e/B...

Keep an eye out for giveaways and freebies, which Isla/Klarissa is fond of!

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
Profile Image for Amara.
598 reviews68 followers
April 12, 2020
...

Now that I have read all 6 books which are all very short, I can review finally.

This is a story of a girl who believed herself a monster and had a special power she had to hide. After accidentally using her power on a guy who was only in her village for a night, she is taken away from everything she's ever known, along with her one and only friend.

The story continues as she meets Prince Poison who is an actual god after is taken to a palace where she encounters other gods.

This is an inventive and lavish tale of gods and their cruelties. It's interwoven with characters that are mostly pawns to the gods, but Valissa is more than she seems.

While others try and force her to do what they want or try to keep her in the dark, she learns how and why she's the way she is.

It's a wonderful little series with books that can be read in an hour or so each on KU.
Profile Image for Amara.
598 reviews68 followers
April 12, 2020
...

Now that I have read all 6 books which are all very short, I can review finally.

This is a story of a girl who believed herself a monster and had a special power she had to hide. After accidentally using her power on a guy who was only in her village for a night, she is taken away from everything she's ever known, along with her one and only friend.

The story continues as she meets Prince Poison who is an actual god after is taken to a palace where she encounters other gods.

This is an inventive and lavish tale of gods and their cruelties. It's interwoven with characters that are mostly pawns to the gods, but Valissa is more than she seems.

While others try and force her to do what they want or try to keep her in the dark, she learns how and why she's the way she is.

It's a wonderful little series with books that can be read in an hour or so each on KU.
Profile Image for Ellie Marie.
552 reviews21 followers
January 30, 2022
Girl boss in the end but high key this series was a load of fucking shit

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Amara.
598 reviews68 followers
April 9, 2020
...

Now that I have read all 6 books which are all very short, I can review finally.

This is a story of a girl who believed herself a monster and had a special power she had to hide. After accidentally using her power on a guy who was only in her village for a night, she is taken away from everything she's ever known, along with her one and only friend.

The story continues as she meets Prince Poison who is an actual god after is taken to a palace where she encounters other gods.

This is an inventive and lavish tale of gods and their cruelties. It's interwoven with characters that are mostly pawns to the gods, but Valissa is more than she seems.

While others try and force her to do what they want or try to keep her in the dark, she learns how and why she's the way she is.

It's a wonderful little series with books that can be read in an hour or so each on KU.
Profile Image for Amara.
598 reviews68 followers
April 25, 2020
...

Now that I have read all 6 books which are all very short, I can review finally.

This is a story of a girl who believed herself a monster and had a special power she had to hide. After accidentally using her power on a guy who was only in her village for a night, she is taken away from everything she's ever known, along with her one and only friend.

The story continues as she meets Prince Poison who is an actual god after is taken to a palace where she encounters other gods.

This is an inventive and lavish tale of gods and their cruelties. It's interwoven with characters that are mostly pawns to the gods, but Valissa is more than she seems.

While others try and force her to do what they want or try to keep her in the dark, she learns how and why she's the way she is.

It's a wonderful little series with books that can be read in an hour or so each on KU.
Profile Image for Erin.
203 reviews3 followers
April 22, 2021
I was able to read all six within a 24 hour period so if you’re looking for a quick dark fantasy read this fits the bill. Overall, it did not reach the potential I thought the series could have. By the time I got to book 6, I was pretty annoyed with the constant flip flopping of “love” interest. I ended up not caring at all who she would end up with. I couldn’t connect much with Valissa as a character either. There was just so much more that could’ve been developed to make these characters and plot more interesting. It’s still a solid read that’s worth checking out if you like this genre.
Profile Image for Raven_Blake (dreamy addictions).
779 reviews224 followers
November 22, 2019
For More Book reviews Check out my Blog: dreamyaddictions

*eARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Captive is the second book in the Gods and Monsters series. I’ve picked this up as soon as I’m finished with the first book and it didn’t disappoint me. This book continues after Lissa was captured and interrogated by the Prince Poison. There’s some surprising twists in this book and we also have a brief intro about the other gods.

After getting captured, Lissa was trained under the Prince Poison to control her power which is stealing power from the other gods. Lissa was always careful about not getting her secret out but her power might be the only thing that can keep her safe. She’s an abomination and she doesn’t want the Prince to know about the monster that is fighting inside her. While training with her ruthless god, Lissa tries not to get attracted to her captor whose simple touch can kill her.

Lissa is a flawed character and we get to see another side of her. She totally took me by surprise with her fight with one of the servant of the gods who was jealous of her. It was a bloody fight and I liked it. She cares for her friend Ava who was captured along with her. Even though they often have conflicts between them, they do care about each other. I loved Prince Poison. He is a complex character with a hot and cold personality. You wouldn’t want to mess with him. Lissa and Prince have a complicated relationship. There’s currently no romance between them but there’s some hint of sexual tension. I’ll look forward to know how it progresses further in the next book. The second romantic relationship was pretty easy to guess. I saw that coming from the start. We’re also introduced to a new mysterious character who has a special interest on Lissa.

The plot was gripping from the start. We’re still in a introductionary part so I think the real story begins in the next book. I’m very much curious about Lissa’s real identity and I want to know more about the monstrous side of her. As usual, this book was written in Lissa’s POV but I wish we also had Prince’s POV. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that we finally get the real name of Prince Poison. The world was fascinating. There are different types of gods but not all of them are good some of them were creepy.

Overall, I enjoyed this book! It was really a good sequel to Prince Poison. I’m glad it was longer than the first book. The story was very much entertaining and now I can’t wait to read the third book Phantom.
Profile Image for Rachel Osborne.
1,094 reviews19 followers
November 14, 2019
Wow! What a beautiful conclusion to the series. It had you guessing and surprising you with every turn. I liked that the premise of the story had depth and flow, as well as a different ending than you suspect. The transformation from vilas to God is complete and we get to see valissa become into her own. Beautifully written and I adored the image of the gods and how this book ended. Perfect ending to this dark fantasy that will have you wanting to reread over and over! Amazing!
1,863 reviews6 followers
November 10, 2019
Klarissa King is truly a very talented author. This book was really well written and had a very unique plot. I loved how the story played out and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ellie Marie.
552 reviews21 followers
January 29, 2022
I don’t know why I’m still reading this series

⭐️
Profile Image for Amara.
598 reviews68 followers
April 9, 2020
...

Now that I have read all 6 books which are all very short, I can review finally.

This is a story of a girl who believed herself a monster and had a special power she had to hide. After accidentally using her power on a guy who was only in her village for a night, she is taken away from everything she's ever known, along with her one and only friend.

The story continues as she meets Prince Poison who is an actual god after is taken to a palace where she encounters other gods.

This is an inventive and lavish tale of gods and their cruelties. It's interwoven with characters that are mostly pawns to the gods, but Valissa is more than she seems.

While others try and force her to do what they want or try to keep her in the dark, she learns how and why she's the way she is.

It's a wonderful little series with books that can be read in an hour or so each on KU.
Profile Image for OldBird.
1,850 reviews
November 25, 2019
Honestly, I wasn't sure this could end well. How can a dark romance have an ending as satisfying as a traditional Happily Ever After? But take these three episodes and you get just that; the perfect twisted ending this series deserves.

Valissa's character growth is amazing. Don't get me wrong, she's not your average leading lady - you know, spiky and snarky but with a heart of gold. She really doesn't. How is it possible to both be repelled by her and yet root for her? Because the world she inhabits is full of horrors, and if she weren't such a dark shade of grey the tone of the story would be far too disturbing. Torn as she is between the God Prince Poison and the mysterious Damianos who both have ulterior motives, it's about a woman finding strength in the face of those who want to use, manipulate and change her... even if it's probably not the sort you should want to emulate.

The writing style has that hint of madness running through Valissa's narration that tips you off on the way things are going inside her head. The flickering embers of her friendship with Ava and her animosity towards Jasper and Adrik are handled in much the same way.

That said, I couldn't predict which way the plot would go and at times I was shocked by events. There's so much tension towards the end, not knowing who would do what. There's some steam and gore (not at the same time), but nothing excessive and all perfectly in context rather than just because.

If you've ever wanted a series where you really care for the bad guys rather than sparkly heroes and swooning damsels, this is so wrong it's right.

-I received a free copy of this ebook from the author. This does not affect my review-
Profile Image for Bo0kSLoth.
1,617 reviews51 followers
January 20, 2020
Just gets better and better

By this time, if your reading this review, you are fully committed to this series. I commend you on your wise choice. I too was lured in by the dark promises of gods and monsters. I want disappointed. In fact, I have found myself quickly devouring these books in just over an hour. At this point, that a good and bad thing. A good thing because the are fecking awesome with characters that draw you into their world. It's also bad because it means that there is soon going to be an end to some great world-building and a goodbye to some enjoyable characters. Alas, I must part so I can continue with my journey.
Profile Image for Kathy Mayer.
861 reviews9 followers
January 3, 2020
Never saw the twists coming, great ending. I was really rooting for the other Prince though. Valissa offers her aniels the opportunity to become mortals again & be free. She does right by Ava & will never have to see her again. No longer friends & no longer Valissas' headache. I never thought she was a very good friend from the start. I am glad that Valissa' mind is finally whole. In the end it sounds like she will get everything she wants. Valissa kills her fathers' murderer and then absorbs his powers. Making her ever stronger. Now maybe the other Gods will accept her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Bo0kSLoth.
1,617 reviews51 followers
January 20, 2020
Bitter end

What a bit of a surprise ending? I knew it was going to be a toss up as to which God was truly wicked in the end. I loved how the author stayed true to Lissa's character throughout the entire storyline. She was a character that fought to hold on to her humanity and control her inner Monster, only to constantly get hurt by those she tried to "love" (or what she understood as love). But in the end, she wasn't human and was able to let go of the guilt others placed on her and just love to the best of her ability
Profile Image for Cat The Curious.
126 reviews61 followers
August 10, 2021
I'm convinced Quinn Blackbird can not write a bad book. I'm obsessed with all her books. This is not my favorite and it still a 4 star in my book.
Profile Image for Tink Magoo is bad at reviews.
1,291 reviews251 followers
February 13, 2023

Loved it - book 6 especially.

I do find with this author that things can get passed over to quickly with big scenes, but everything is so easy to read and with the last book especially the character development was great. I wanted more
Profile Image for aqsa.
674 reviews135 followers
September 26, 2021
dragged a bit in the mid but that was FUN. i really love Valissa lmao she does not gaf 😭❤️ the phantom dude is hot but not as fun as prince poison
Profile Image for pining.deciduous .
77 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2025
I'm starting to think I have a new favorite author. I love how this author always writes in first person. It draws me in a lot more than any other. I devoured this book And it's prequal in 3 days.
Profile Image for OldBird.
1,850 reviews
October 31, 2019
A longer, twistier second act of Goods and Monsters makes for a curious read. There's something deliciously gothic about the setting and the central darkness of the characters.

While I didn't get a great understanding what Lissa was feeling towards various potential "romance" partners (if they can really be called that - she's more into the physical than the emotional), I loved exploring her murky nature. She's surrounded by dark gods and their blind followers, but she's got more than enough grime on her soul to survive their games. Provided they don't accidentally-on-purpose will her dead on a whim.

It's all about identity. What is Lissa? Who is Jasper, ? And who is the mysterious Damianos who can evoke such wild feelings? Inklings all round, but no certainties.

It's rare to find a protagonist who is, in theory, so unlikable that you shouldn't care for her. There's something deeply disturbing about Valissa's "Monster" self. How much is linked to the supernatural? How does her ability relate to the Gods and their mythology? What does Prince Poison want her for? Her power, or... something more?

Oh, the lore. Did I mention the lore? Some physical descriptions might feel a little sparse, but the world is rich in backstory and strange quirks. It's both original and disturbing. I can't wait to find out more.

-I received a free ARC of this ebook from the author. This does not affect my review-

Profile Image for OldBird.
1,850 reviews
November 1, 2019
"Dark romance" can mean many things, but this... maybe it should be Dark Triad Romance. Your usual love (or even the Stockholm Syndrome kind) doesn't factor into the equation when two dark personalities collide. There's certainly a heavy dose of Machiavellian and psychopathic behaviours, but it's never just good or evil stuff. These dark characters can show surprising nuance.

There's something raw and brutal about the Prince's interactions with Lissa. Their wants and needs and power-plays... It can be nerve-jangling stuff. How Lissa's changed in her time with the gods is evident too. Just how much she's embraced the darkness, even if she's not totally lost to it. I'm still not sure about Damianos - what is his connection to Lissa if not full-on chemistry? We do get more from Jasper and the other gods though, which adds to the scene setting immensely.

We also get some answers, which only throws up more questions. The rivalry between gods, the twisted pasts of their servants... Just what is the endgame here? It's bigger than a dark god looking for a little distraction, that's for sure. Creepily compelling gothic stuff.

-I received a free ARC of this ebook from the author. This does not affect my review-
4,392 reviews57 followers
June 24, 2020
I love an unexpected twist and this delivers. Valissa has changed with her growth of powers and has become a god in truth, her emotional detachment has grown to match the other gods, perhaps exceed it.

But I wonder if betrayals and hurt aren't hiding some ability to feel. Why was she so fractured by her brother's death that she kept on pretending he was still alive if she didn't have deep feelings? Why does she refuse to speak to her best friend at the end, no matter how much she pleads and continues to write letters? It hints there may be something there in spite of her detachment persona. Oh, I believe she isn't as attached as she once was, but there maybe untapped emotions there...And maybe that will be addressed in the spin-off series coming soon.

Great series. A volatile and deep transformation of a woman when she experiences unimaginable fear and danger as she grows into god-like powers.
Profile Image for Donna Till.
231 reviews2 followers
November 2, 2019
Phantom is book 3 in the Gods and Monsters series and this series just keeps getting better.
Under Prince Poisons watch Valissa is changing, her ablilites are improving and growing and she is becoming a different person. The relationship between her and Prince Poison is constantly changing and then there is her relationship with Damianos. Lies and secrets are being revealed and Valissa is left wondering who she can really trust.
As with the previous two books I was drawn in from the very beginning until the very end and was left wanting more. The are so many twists and turns that you just cant put the book down. I love Valissa and Prince Poison as well as their relationship and find myself curious about Damianos. This book ends in a cliff hanger like the previous two books. I cant wait to read Syfoner!!!!
Profile Image for Rachel Osborne.
1,094 reviews19 followers
October 29, 2019
In this instalment we get to see more of the Prince and the type of character he is. I loved the aspect of romance added and really enjoyed the development we see in valissa. The mystery of what and who she is comes into play in a big way in this book. You'll have questions that you'll be want all the answers to and you'll be trying to work everything out yourself through out the entire book. This book has a dark undertone that you'll love and klarissa has written each scene with beautiful clarity. What a world to get lost into. If you're looking for a book about gods that's different from your typical stereotypes, this is definitely the book for you. Unique and enthralling from start to finish.
Profile Image for Rachel Osborne.
1,094 reviews19 followers
November 14, 2019
Although this part of the series was shorter than the others, it definitely pushed the story towards an exciting and beautiful ending that will have you needing the finale. I loved that valissa grew into a strong heroine in this book and we were able to see her become who she's meant to be. I loved the flow of the story and the banter among all the characters. The sense of adventure in this book has you wanting to stand right with valissa during her travels. I adored valissa in this book, and we got to learn more about what being a God means in the world. After you read this, you'll be instantly looking for the last book!
5 reviews
November 22, 2020
New favorite....

Well that does it...Quinn...you're now my favorite author. This series is soooooo great. I COULD NOT put it down. Of all your books (that I've read so far) this series is my favorite. You know how you search and search for the ONE author who really "speaks" to you......well, my search is over. I need no other....haha This series is so wonderfully descriptive and written with so much passion.....I could picture EVERYTHING you were saying. You brought life to every character so beautifully. I'm sad that it had to end but every story has to. Thank you for your beautiful words. ❤️
Profile Image for Rachel Osborne.
1,094 reviews19 followers
November 14, 2019
The last 3 books in the series was the most intense and I devoured these. We get to see who characters really are and who they will become. The story reaches a big crescendo before giving the series the ending it deserves. Klarissa has ended the series beautifully, showing the beauty in a different take on the gods. The books in this boxset got more intense and will drawn you into the story from the first page. Magnificent series and a must read.
Profile Image for Kathy Mayer.
861 reviews9 followers
January 3, 2020
Valissa is in the dungeons when the story starts. Barely getting fed, it's a long way from the glamorous lifestyle she was living before. No visitors, just the ramblings of another prisoner. Finally Prince Poison pays her a visit. He decides to let her out. There are obviously new restrictions on her. Once out she starts plotting a way out of her plus prison. Read the adventure to see what happens.
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