Diary of a Deity - The Burning

by Loryn Moore

Crescent City meets Spark of the Everflame in this heart-stopping, romantasy adventure debut—packed with powerful magic, brutal action, forbidden love, and twists you'll never see coming.

She's destined to become the most powerful deity ever to exist...and she has no idea.
Her magic could be the key to saving them all— or the spark that sets the realms on fire.

Kidnapped by the enemy heirForbidden slow-burn romanceForced proximity/Fake datingHidden power & prophecyMorally gray MMCDestiny VS choiceBrutal magic & betrayal
My name is Bekka and my life used to be simple. Sure, I was a goddess and a princess, but I had that figured out. Or at least I did until I came into my powers, and Arrick, the dangerously sexy heir of my family’s greatest enemy, kidnapped me.

Things got complicated after that—Arrick’s home realm of Moldize faced imminent destruction and my newfound powers were destined to save them.

But how could I trust them?

Exiled from the peaceful Twelve Realms over 900 years ago, Moldize was filled with malevolent deities and villainous men. Forced into this brutal world, I felt conflicted. On the one hand, I wanted to stand against my family’s enemy, but on the other, I felt drawn to my destiny like a moth to a flame.

I needed to decide my next move quickly because time was running out.

My powerful grandfather was searching for me, and I knew that once he caught up with the gods who kidnapped me, there would be no stopping his thirst for vengeance.

That left me with a crucial Could I save them all before he found me?

And even more Did I want to?

See why readers love Diary of a Deity

I read it in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. The storyline was amazing… ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Reviewer

I couldn’t put the book down. The characters are relatable. The MC Bekka I loved her immediately. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Reviewer

I love love love this book. I went through so many emotions. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Reviewer

I loved every minute of this book. Loryn Moore drew me in and kept me ready to see what came next. Go check this out I definitely recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Reviewer

I could not turn the pages fast enough to find out WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. Amazing Read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Reviewer

Very few books have caught my attention within the first few pages. This book tops the list. All of the characters were amazingly well written. The plot was captivating. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Reviewer

I absolutely could not put this book down. The plot was so interesting and the characters were amazing. Bekka was so much fun! I loved the world building! The author is such an amazing and talented story teller. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Reviewer

I was so impressed with this debut novel and I love the character development. I can’t wait to start the next book! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Reviewer

This book surpassed all my expectations and sent me on a thrilling adventure throughout the whole story! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Reviewer

I found myself reading late into the night because I just had to know what was going to happen next. The ending had me in shock and I am so glad I had the second book on deck. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Reviewer

The Burning was immediate action and never dull! I loved every minute of it! So well written and flowed so easily. I cannot wait to start book 2! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Reviewer

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2021

About the author

I write stories where power awakens, danger lurks close to the heart, and love is never the easy choice. My fantasy romances blend magic, mystery, and forbidden desire, pulling readers into hidden worlds where destiny is tested and passion can change everything.

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea that secret worlds exist just beneath the surface of our own, waiting to be discovered. I love exploring morally complex characters, high-stakes choices, and romances shaped as much by consequence as by fate. For me, the most compelling love stories are the ones forged under pressure, where desire and danger collide.

I live in North Florida with my husband and our two young sons. When I’m not writing, my husband and I are usually knee-deep in DIY projects, tending our backyard garden, or living our best beach bum life. The ordinary moments of my life: my family, creativity, and quiet reflection are often where my most beautiful and magical stories begin.

Reviews

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decent debut this book offered an interesting start to the planned trilogy. With a writing style that screamed Cassandra Clare and Stephanie Meyer, it falls perfectly into what you would expect from the YA Fantasy genre. Not a fan of the genre myself I took a chance on this author as the premise itself sounded incredibly interesting, and it lived up to that initial intrigue throughout. There are many questions left unanswered, which I'll omit to avoid spoilers, therefore I am looking forward to Loryn Moore's next book.

[Nicki Permanently exhausted pigeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

So exciting and very very interesting!!!! It's very addictive to read, I love God and demi gods such a great mix.

[ChristinaReads5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

very fun read!

I read this book in a day. It was a combination of fantasy and sci fun and I absolutely loved it!

Our MC Bekka has just gained her powers and is thrown into a world about to die. After learning that she is “She who was sent” she must find it in her to try to learn her new powers and help save a planet. Her chemistry with Arrick is great and there are some super cute moments between them.

I genuinely loved this story. Typically I shy away from a lot of sci fi because the science doesn’t always make sense to me or it just gets too technical and the story drastically slows down because of it. There were a few times in The Burning that got pretty sci fi but it wasn’t too bad and I was able to follow the logic of the “science”.

This was a very fun read and it is one that I read on Kindle and now will buy to own a physical copy to tab and reread again.

Loryn Moore did an outstanding job with her debut novel and I cannot wait until book 2!

[Anthea Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The characters were brilliantly developed. All of them, not just the main two.

Bekka was very easy to like. She was strong and logical. I liked that she didn’t automatically agree to help Arrick just because he was a pretty male and he asked her to.

Arrick was one of those characters who you grow to love, but once you do, he’s forever. He initially gave me Hawke (FBAA) vibes because I thought he was going to betray Bekka. This tends to be a common theme in recent books. It was such a wonderful surprise when he remained true throughout this book.

The ending was heart breaking! It left me desperate for the sequel.

The pacing in this book was well done, with regular excitement, leading to an ultimate main event that had me on the edge of my seat.

Would definitely recommend!

[Vanessa Nunes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book this was! I read it in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. The storyline was amazing—a mix of fantasy (involving deities) and sci-fi (set in an apocalypse). Because of the sci-fi aspect, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it so much, but it was so well-written that it captivated me quickly. A beautiful tale of enemies-to-lovers in an apocalyptic world. Speaking of the world-building, it was fantastic—not to mention the funny comments from the characters, which added a nice touch of humor amidst the seriousness of the situation. All in all, a great read!

Quotes:

“My last thought as we left behind every person I’d ever loved was, “Holy crap, I’m naked!”

“Rebekkah, calm down.”
Apparently, he had never met a female before because those two words were like gasoline and a match for any goddess who was as upset as I was at this current juncture. I exploded.”

[Capucine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loryn was kind enough to send me her first two books. I went into it knowing nothing from her universe and I was greatly amazed by the story and the plotting. In some YA books, the world building feels weak and confusing. But in this one everything made sense and was correctly explained. The human planet felt really real and the characters are really deep and amazing. I loved all of them. I am immediately reading the second book I already miss our main characters.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an exciting, on the edge of your seat novel! I couldn't stop turning the pages to see more of Arrick, the world, and everything else in between. Oh and need I mention there will be more to come because it's the debut to a series? Definitely worth reading!

[Shelf.indulgence__ · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are into YA Fantasy I’d recommend this book.

There were times I couldn’t put the book down. The characters are relatable. The MC Bekka I loved her immediately. There is some romance but not over the top cheesy. Intense action moments too. I loved this fantasy world.
I’m excited the second book is coming out soon because I need more of these characters!

[Amberly Henning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the fact that this isn't clearly fantasy, but but has a mix of sci-fi in there as well. It's a good start to what I expect will be a very expansive multiverse!

[Smarzbar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world building felt unique, in a sea of retellings about gods and goddesses this stood out. It mixed fantasy and Sci fi elements perfectly. There were a couple of times that I was on the edge of being lost amongst the science but the MC Bekka reins it back nicely with a whoa this is too much or summarises it in layman's terms.
The pacing was really well done with the plot flowing from intrigue to action to witty banter nicely throughout.
The characters were developed fairly well, I'm interested to hear more about Bekka's family and their motives but I'm assuming well see more of that in book two. I did question why no one in Moldize spoke about the specifics of the prophecy to Bekka once she found out about it but we can see why it wasn't.
I loved the Bekka didn't immediately fall for Arrick and thus help him just because he's roguishly handsome.
I did read the blurb for book two so unfortunately the ending was spoilt for me however the way it happened wasn't what I had anticipated so it was still a great finish. So I'm jumping into book 2 immediately!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diary of a Diety: The Burning is an exciting and well thought-out debut novel with a whole lot of action. I’d categorize it as New Adult and it has a conversational voice that makes it easy to read and relate to. It’s a different magic system and fantasy world from anything I’ve read before, which is very cool.

My one complaint is really just a personal reading preference. I’m a short chapter kind of gal and could have used more clear breaks, whether they be full-on new chapters, or simply mid-chapter breaks. But again, that’s just what I prefer.

If you enjoy NA fantasy adventure with a little romance, this book is definitely worth a look :)

[Crystal Hine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love this book. I went through so many emotions. I had tears in my eyes at 2 points in the book. I was mad a few times. And so so happy with the relationship that Arrick and Bekka have. The story was drawn out and written with a lot of detail. I felt like I was on the journey with them. I need more of Arrick and Bekka. They are great. Loryn Moore you did an amazing job and I can't wait... no neeeeed to read the next one. The end had me wanting more.The epilogue had me confused. Who are they? . Again great job..❤❤❤❤❤

[Michele Varner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this debut! Not what I usually read, but I totally got into it from the very first chapter. I did feel a little overwhelmed in the beginning because so many characters were introduced in such a short time. LOVED the relationship between the 2 main characters and looking forward to seeing what happens in the sequel!! 💗

[Leigha Lennon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loryn Moore's Diary of a Deity - The Burning is an enthralling addition to her fantasy series, blending high-stakes adventure with complex moral dilemmas. This novel continues the tale of Bekka, a goddess and princess, whose relatively simple life is upended when she is kidnapped by Arrick, the heir to her family’s greatest enemies. As Bekka comes into her formidable powers, she finds herself in the heart of Moldize, a realm teeming with danger and decreed enemies of her own people.

Moore deftly explores the theme of destiny versus choice through Bekka’s internal conflicts. Thrust into a world that is both cruel and facing imminent destruction, Bekka grapples with her burgeoning powers, which may be the only hope for Moldize. Her journey is fraught with challenges that test her convictions and force her to confront what it truly means to be powerful.

The character development in The Burning is a standout. Bekka's evolution from a controlled princess to a powerful deity with agency is compelling and well-executed. Her interactions with Arrick add depth to her character, showcasing her ability to empathize with her captor, hinting at a classic case of Stockholm syndrome but with a nuanced portrayal that transcends simple categorization.

Moldize is depicted with rich detail, its menacing atmosphere and morally ambiguous residents enhancing the narrative's tension. Moore successfully creates a setting that is both a physical and ethical labyrinth, where every corner turned offers both danger and a deeper understanding of the realm’s complexities.

The narrative excels in pacing and suspense, keeping readers on edge with twists that are both surprising and thoughtfully placed. Bekka's struggle with her dual desires—to fight against or save Moldize—is a gripping narrative thread that explores the broader implications of power and heritage.

However, the novel occasionally struggles with a balance between action and Bekka’s reflective monologues. While these insights are crucial for understanding her motivations, they sometimes stall the momentum of the plot. Despite this, Moore’s storytelling remains robust, and the philosophical questions raised add significant depth to the fantasy elements.

The climax of the book skillfully sets the stage for future conflicts, leaving readers eager for the next installment. Bekka’s final decisions underscore her growth and set her on a path that promises even more complex challenges ahead.

Overall, Diary of a Deity - The Burning earns a solid four stars for its intricate plot, dynamic characters, and the ethical quandaries it presents. Loryn Moore has crafted a series that is not only about gods and power but also about the choices that define us. This novel is highly recommended for readers who enjoy fantasy that challenges both its characters and its audience with scenarios that are as morally complex as they are fantastical.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Must-Listen: An Intense and Immersive Journey to a Dying World
​The Burning: A Diary of a Deity by Loryn Moore is an absolute must-listen and an impressive start to this planned trilogy. A major highlight of the experience was the narrator, Michelle Price, who excelled beyond doubt; her performance brought a depth and life to the characters that made the story truly immersive. While the writing style calls to mind the addictive quality of YA giants like Cassandra Clare and Stephenie Meyer, Moore carves out a unique space for herself with a premise that is genuinely intriguing. As someone who typically shies away from the genre—often finding the "science" in sci-fi too technical or the world-building too thin—I was pleasantly surprised by how logical and well-explained this world felt.
​The story follows our main character, Bekka, who has just discovered her powers and been named "She Who Was Sent" in a world on the brink of death. Watching her navigate these new abilities while attempting to save a planet was captivating, and her chemistry with Arrick provided some truly great, sweet moments. Loryn Moore did an outstanding job with this debut, creating a human planet that feels incredibly real and deep. The emotional stakes are high throughout, but the final ten minutes of the audiobook hit me especially hard; Bekka’s thoughts and feelings were so raw that they stayed with me long after the recording ended.
​This world is so incredibly vivid that I’m already planning to buy a physical copy just to revisit my favorite scenes. That ending left me absolutely breathless and reeling for answers; I am still sitting with the weight of that final moment and desperate to know what happens next.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of Gods and Goddesses, waring tribes, other worlds and love. Becca has just come into her powers and has been kidnapped by a God from a different realm. His world is dieing and he needs her help. Together, they travel to the mortal realm so she can see what and who she is saving.
This book was very good and I read it quickly. It is part of a trilogy.
Pros- All the characters are super likeable. Becca, although she hasnt seen tribe conflict or fighting, jumps in to save the mortals of Arricks planet. She is a strong and independent girl who at many different times instead of slinking back into shadow thrusts her self foward to save Arricks people. Arrick, instead of being evil as Becca has been told her whole life, is loving towards his family and his people and will do anything to save their lives.
Cons- The story goes back and forth between Becca and Arricks worlds coexsisting on different realms and then being from different solar systems. At one point they travel through a spelled portal to reach the mortal world but when they wish to return, they have to travel through space. It got confusing on how to imagine the backdrop. Also, the main characters were never described. When I read, I like to imagine the characters in my head but because of lack of physical descriptions, I couldnt do that.
I have the second book and can't wait to see how the story continues!

[Dana McKee NOLA504NERDS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first experience with Loryn Moore, and I was thoroughly impressed. This was a very addicting listen. Loryn has created an exciting and unique world full of deities, goddesses, demigods, and more. I’m not into the YA genre like I used to be, but this one was intriguing with its combination of YA, fantasy, and sci-fi. The story is beautifully written and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-developed and interesting. Bekka is such an electrifying character and easily likable. I love the banter between the MCs and other characters. I especially love the relationship between Bekka and Arrick. I enjoyed watching her grow as she earned her powers. Fans of Cassandra Clare would especially love this book. Thank you to the author for gifting me this engaging audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Michelle Price was perfectly cast for this role. She’s one of my all-time favorite narrators. Her tone, pitch, and pace are always outstanding. Her characterizations are exemplary. She embodies each character and flawlessly depicts them with their own uniqueness. She brought the story and its characters to life, and easily kept me captivated. I highly recommend the audiobook version of The Burning.

5 Edge-Of-Your-Seat Stars!
NOLA504Nerds blog

[Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blessed with an ARC of the audiobook. Michelle Price did an amazing job narrating this intense story!
Bekka was a deity who had yet to develop any powers. When they unexpectedly develop at her sister's wedding, she doesn't have time to react before she is kidnapped. Turns out she's the goddess prophesied to save an outlier world.
This is a story of the build-up to whether or not she can save the planet and it's people.
Most of the story takes place on the mortal realm instead of the godly realm. Which, given the circumstances, is slightly nerve wracking and does push the main objective to the back burner, though it is never forgotten.
I fell in love with the characters. Bekka experiences so much growth through the course of this novel, that I'm impressed. Then you have Arrick, Declan, and Caden who are fantastic, caring men.
My only real complaint is that the epilogue was more like a Marvel end credits scene-a set up for what comes next, instead of giving us emotional closure for this story arc.

[Jennifer R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was just getting done reading ACTOR and was having a hard time finding something to read that would draw me in and read the first chapters of many books but I was not having any luck. I went on booktok to see about some research on more options and came across Loryn Moore and saw her books they intrigued me right from the prologue I was not able to stop reading I wanted to keep going the character building has sucked me into their world and got attached to the characters. It has been a journey of worrying,happiness ,sadness,a lot of emotions I got to experience in one book quotes that I got a chuckle from. My mouth has dropped from surprises and heart beating and suspense keep pulling me in more. So much joy in reading book one. I'm really looking forward to reading more I'm currently reading Book 2 The Rising. I'm looking forward to many more of Loryn's books such a great gift for her to share. Thank you!

[Marylovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Review of *The Burning* (Diary of a Deity Series, Book 1) by Loryn Moore**

This first installment in a three-part series is a strong start, with vivid world-building and compelling characters. Bekka, a deity living a comfortable life among the peaceful Twelve Realms, finds her world upended when she’s captured by Arrick from the rival realm of Moldize—a people who have been enemies of the Twelve Realms for the past 900 years.

Arrick’s desperation drives the story: he needs Bekka’s help to save his realm from total destruction by their dying sun. What follows is an engaging journey filled with tension, growth, and emotion.

The novel is well-written, weaving together themes of family, challenging long-held beliefs, redemption, and love. It’s an excellent choice for readers who enjoy romantic fantasy with rich lore and heartfelt character arcs.

I’m looking forward to the next books in the series.

*Thanks to BookSprout and the author for the ARC.*

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story. There rooting of the story was intriguing and the relationship of the fmc and the mmc flowed. The world building as a fantasy was a bit rocky. I understand this was the authors first book so it makes sense. I felt like the world building was like a big info dump but as cliffs notes so I didn’t fully understand this new world that she created. There are immortals that are gods and they each have a power that relates to a pillar kind of like different parts of the government? The mortal world which the majority of the story took place was kind of like MadMax. There was just a lot that was not fully understood and I am not sure if they were important to the story’s flow.

Again though, the development of the two characters was great! This author really draws you into the characters and their growth.

I do want to read the next book.

[Cassi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me in the best way. Dark, emotional, and layered, it pulled me in quickly and didn’t let go. The concept of a deity telling their story through pain, power, and transformation felt raw and intimate, almost like you were reading something you weren’t meant to see.

What stood out most for me was the emotional weight behind the story. This isn’t just about gods and destruction—it’s about identity, loss, rage, and becoming something new when everything familiar burns away. The writing has a moody, almost poetic quality that fits the tone perfectly, and the darker themes are handled with intention rather than shock value.

It’s not a light read, but if you enjoy dark fantasy with depth, introspection, and morally complex characters, this is absolutely worth picking up. I’m very curious to see where the story goes next.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first book in Loryn Moore's Diary of a Deity is everything that a series starter should be. It has strong character and world-building without being so descriptive that the story gets lost in it.

[This next part contains spoilers]

I loved the progression of Bekka and Arrick's relationship. Still, considering that for her entire life, Bekka was taught that the people of Moldize (both deity and human) are evil and cruel, I felt her mental shift came a bit too easily. I also thought the stakes regarding Gabriel (Bekka's grandfather) did not feel high enough and the final conflict with him felt a bit flat. For these reasons, I gave it only four stars.

I must note that I listened to this on audiobook and thought the performance was magnificent.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Help! I am in a serious book hangover!

I have woken up after finishing this late last night, I'm not ok! I have a million questions and I am now feeling in a slump. The cliffhanger at the end of this book has broken me. I can't wait for book 3!

I liked the dual POVs in this story of both Bekka and her twin Remi, it helped to keep us in the know. So we were always dealt a piece of the action. I think if we had just had Bekka's POV then it would have been a lot slower. So I really appreciated the dual POV. It was also nice to get to know Remi and Thayne. I can't wait to see what book 3 holds for everyone. Especially Bekka and Arrick. I am completely broken by the ending and hope everything comes right.

[Katherine Netzband · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ill prefix my review by saying I picked up this book in preparation for an ARC of the 3rd book in this series.

I enjoyed the idea of the story, the possibilities of multiverse each run by a panel of Gods specializing in their own unique powers was a somewhat new concept to me - I don’t often go for this concept style when choosing a read.

It is definitely an “enemy to lovers” plot that was short on the enemies, but I guess when you’re trying to save an exiled planets people who can be mad for long.

Bekka and Arrick are an enjoyable storyline to follow and I look forward to seeing them develop in the coming books.

The way that Bekka receives her powers in full in the end is a real tear jerker. And I didn’t fully see it coming until it happened.

Excited to start book 2!

[Linda Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting world and concept! Super different from anything I’ve read in quite a while for sure.
The whole concept of melding science and godly magic/powers isn’t new, but the way the world here is set up was unique and strangely wonderful.
The writing (grammar and what not) was a bit odd at points, but maybe it was just more the choice of words more than anything.
Bekka’s development and the relationship with Arrick was somewhat predictable in my opinion, but I definitely liked how the author wove in other characters and used then to support the whole of the story. Already have the next book qued up and look forward to seeing where the story goes💙

[Reading_with_AAron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Bekka she is a goddess without powers or so she thinks until she gets kidnapped at her twin sister’s wedding! With? Meet our bad boy Arrick he is a sworn enemy and just happens to be the one who kidnapped her. Now Bekka has to decide if she will help him save his entire world and she alone has the fate of every mortal on his planet in her hands. What’s a goddess to do?

This is a sci-fi/fantasy mix with great world building, fun chemistry, a few emotional moments and a few twists! I loved every minute of this book and I don’t normally read sci-if at all. Loryn Moore drew me in and kept me ready to see what came next. Go check this out I definitely recommend!

[Katey Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I went into this book opened minded as I’m not super big on sci-fi type books. What I came away with it was OMG! AMAZING! The battle scenes were written very well and even the science aspect was easy to understand. I love reading about gods and this did not disappoint. The building of relationships with the MC and other characters was superbly written. You begin to understand the love and care for each character and understand their inner battles. I am so glad I have the second book as the way the ending was left I am very excited to dive right in.

[RaeHaw23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right from the start this book caught my attention. I really enjoyed the overall plot. It was not completely what I expected but in such a good way. The ending! Ah, so glad I got this after the second book has been released because what a cliff hanger!

The only reason I did not do a full five stars is because the beginning did introduce a ton of characters right out of the gate that started to confuse me a tad. I had to keep looking back to make sure I was following correctly. Other than that I was interested and glad that there was always something interesting happening at each chapter.

I am excited to see how Bekka will take on the role of her grandfather and what trouble awaits her. I am also interested to see how Arrick and her relationship will work out.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in book like with this series when I first read it. I was blessed with the audiobook recently. The way I got to experience the story in a different way was so exciting to me. Loryn has a way of telling a full story with likable characters and a cool, different world. I love the ease and confidence of Arrik and the curiosity and determination of Bekka. And the sidelines characters (the twins!!) are some of my favorite! The narration was so well done! I flew through the audio! Immediately, I again was caught up in a story I already knew.