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Damaged Gods
When Pie stumbles into a monster’s 2000-year-old curse she has no idea that her life is about to get a bazillion times better. Damaged Gods is a fun, romantic romp through the world of ancient gods and hot monsters where fangs, and horns, and hooves are all part of “the ultimate package”. Now… if only her new monster would put on some pants.
When I answered an ad for a caretaker at Saint Mark’s Sanctuary I thought I’d be dusting chandeliers and polishing floors. I didn’t expect to be tricked into a curse, going in debt to a monster, and being forced to take a self-paced “Let’s Learn Magic” course so I can fix a two-thousand-year-old problem.
And that monster?
Not your ordinary, everyday beast.
He has hooves, and horns, and fur on his legs.
But ya know where he doesn’t have fur?
Yeah. There.
Which is fine.
Except he doesn’t wear pants.
Nothing at Saint Mark’s is exactly what it seems.
The entire inside is magic, the hallways upstairs are nothing but parties from the past, and the super-hot guy who lives in the dungeon?
Yeah.
Not human.
My name is Pie and all I want is to be a normal girl with an average life.
I refuse to get stuck in this curse.
I refuse to learn magic to break it.
And there is no way in hell I will fall in love with a monster.
Famous.
Last.
Words.
When I answered an ad for a caretaker at Saint Mark’s Sanctuary I thought I’d be dusting chandeliers and polishing floors. I didn’t expect to be tricked into a curse, going in debt to a monster, and being forced to take a self-paced “Let’s Learn Magic” course so I can fix a two-thousand-year-old problem.
And that monster?
Not your ordinary, everyday beast.
He has hooves, and horns, and fur on his legs.
But ya know where he doesn’t have fur?
Yeah. There.
Which is fine.
Except he doesn’t wear pants.
Nothing at Saint Mark’s is exactly what it seems.
The entire inside is magic, the hallways upstairs are nothing but parties from the past, and the super-hot guy who lives in the dungeon?
Yeah.
Not human.
My name is Pie and all I want is to be a normal girl with an average life.
I refuse to get stuck in this curse.
I refuse to learn magic to break it.
And there is no way in hell I will fall in love with a monster.
Famous.
Last.
Words.
460 pages, Paperback
First published July 27, 2021
595 people are currently reading
1724 people want to read
About the author
K.C. Cross
14 books268 followersKC Cross is the sci-fi romance pen name of author J.A. Huss.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 349 reviews
December 5, 2021
Now this is how to write a fabulous paranormal romance!!!! J. A. huss has a winner with Damaged Gods: Monsters of saint Marks!!! I couldn't read this fast enough. Between excellent writing and funny as shit dialogue and fabulous characters I was totally captived by the storytelling. And the cover was so fucking beautiful as well. You can't help but love Pell he's a sexy beastie with beautiful yellow eyes and long fabulous horns! I love dudes with horns!!! Such a turn on!!! He's a Satyr chimera who walks around with no clothes with his well endowed junk hanging out much to pie's displeasure. He has been stuck in a curse for over 2,000 years because of old god's wars and has lost hope of breaking it but when pie is tricked into coming to st. Mark's as the new caretaker she too becomes cursed. I'm not saying anymore about the story because its too good not to read! I will say that their are so many awesome characters besides the main two Pell and pie. Theirs Tomas who I simply adore who's a sweet and sexy guy who uses glamour to hide the fact that he's a scary beast as well and then theirs the sexy and dangerous looking Tarq a Minotaur and a favorite of mine,because I dig guys who have that handsome bad boy evil side! He has sleek, jet-black fur. Glossy hooves. Brown skin. Long, silky black hair with long sharp sexy fangs, but he is very intense and not the kind of guy you want to notice you because he gives off the vibe that once you get his attention theirs no going back!!! Lets see horns,fangs and the size of a mountain!!!! That checks about all my fantasy boxes!! Bring it on ! I loved pell and pie's chemistry together! He's a hot head and overbearing and pie just doesn't take any shit from him or anybody else so its a clash of two strong personality's . And the heat factor was hot!!! From the hornjob to the foot rub which were not only steamy but beautifully sensual . Theirs not alot of sex going on but when it happens its the curl your toes kind of sex! Very hot ! JA Huss is a fantastic writer and I always enjoy her books. This isn't what I call a cliff hanger book,its more of a continuing of a story. I can't wait for book 2 Savage Saints coming out in April !!! The cover has been revealed and its amazing!!
Until next time Luv's💕💋
Until next time Luv's💕💋
June 8, 2024
I can’t wait to listen to the rest of this series!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Romance: 💛🖤💜💚❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌎🌍🌏🌎🌍
Character development: 😳☺️🤫😍🥰
The heroine(s): Pie - she never knew her father and was abandoned as a young child by her mother when she wouldn’t admit her best friend Pia (a talking bird that only she could see) wasn’t real. She was institutionalized and diagnosed as a schizophrenic at six years old. Once she learned to lie, she grew up in foster care.
The Hero: Pell - a Saytr Chimera (half man, half satyr). He is the Monster of St. Marks. He is thousands of years old and has been cursed by the old gods who were at war with each other. He is stuck at St. Marks and needs a caretaker (slave) to serve him and help break the curse.
The Story: Pie is on the road and leaves a college halloween party she stopped at along the way, still dressed as a naughty schoolgirl when she sees a bulletin at a gas station for a job as caretaker at St. Marks Sanctuary. Her “imaginary” bird Pia has a bad feeling about it, but Pie insists on applying for the job.
Things I liked:
Grumpy monster hero with a big package
Spunky heroine who doesn’t take any gruff
Ability to write the word “money” on a piece of paper and buy things
Rooms that open to different worlds
Hookah truth or dare
Gods
Monsters
Curse
Magic
The narration was done by Jason Clarke and Hathaway Lee and they do a great job. I have said it before but I love Jason Clarke’s deep sexy voice and Hathaway Lee did a fine job as the plucky young woman who is Pie Vita.
There are a bunch of awesome and whimsical characters in this book. Aside from Pie, Pell and Pia, There is Grant (the former caretaker), Russ Roth (the local sheriff), Thomas (the sexy guy who also lives at the sanctuary), and Tarq (Pell’s best friend, a Minotaur) who is also cursed and trapped at St. Marks.
The story is super steamy, utterly engaging and wonderfully whimsical. There is magic, mystery and a whole lot of fun. I definitely want more of this series. I want tales of all the magical and cursed creatures of St. Marks sanctuary.
Re-read this first book in the series 06/07/2024, it was every bit as good as the first time I read it. I plan to read the entire series this time!!
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Romance: 💛🖤💜💚❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌎🌍🌏🌎🌍
Character development: 😳☺️🤫😍🥰
The heroine(s): Pie - she never knew her father and was abandoned as a young child by her mother when she wouldn’t admit her best friend Pia (a talking bird that only she could see) wasn’t real. She was institutionalized and diagnosed as a schizophrenic at six years old. Once she learned to lie, she grew up in foster care.
The Hero: Pell - a Saytr Chimera (half man, half satyr). He is the Monster of St. Marks. He is thousands of years old and has been cursed by the old gods who were at war with each other. He is stuck at St. Marks and needs a caretaker (slave) to serve him and help break the curse.
The Story: Pie is on the road and leaves a college halloween party she stopped at along the way, still dressed as a naughty schoolgirl when she sees a bulletin at a gas station for a job as caretaker at St. Marks Sanctuary. Her “imaginary” bird Pia has a bad feeling about it, but Pie insists on applying for the job.
Things I liked:
Grumpy monster hero with a big package
Spunky heroine who doesn’t take any gruff
Ability to write the word “money” on a piece of paper and buy things
Rooms that open to different worlds
Hookah truth or dare
Gods
Monsters
Curse
Magic
The narration was done by Jason Clarke and Hathaway Lee and they do a great job. I have said it before but I love Jason Clarke’s deep sexy voice and Hathaway Lee did a fine job as the plucky young woman who is Pie Vita.
There are a bunch of awesome and whimsical characters in this book. Aside from Pie, Pell and Pia, There is Grant (the former caretaker), Russ Roth (the local sheriff), Thomas (the sexy guy who also lives at the sanctuary), and Tarq (Pell’s best friend, a Minotaur) who is also cursed and trapped at St. Marks.
The story is super steamy, utterly engaging and wonderfully whimsical. There is magic, mystery and a whole lot of fun. I definitely want more of this series. I want tales of all the magical and cursed creatures of St. Marks sanctuary.
Re-read this first book in the series 06/07/2024, it was every bit as good as the first time I read it. I plan to read the entire series this time!!
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January 2, 2022
(( 𝟮.𝟳𝟱 ))
♥ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗚𝗢𝗗𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗦… actually really really cool. The fact that Pie Vita (h) stumbles upon a magical ad that happens to send her head first into the mythically cursed world of Saint Mark's Sanctuary was… beyond neat. The monsters she meets at Saint Mark's Sanctuary, Pell (H) and Tomas, were also great editions to the story. You really felt for them, their curse, and you also felt their vague confusion. They didn't really know what was going on, thus this book was kinda a low-key mystery. Overall, DAMAGED GODS had a really intriguing plot//concept that kept me invested until the very end.
✘ 𝗗𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗚𝗢𝗗𝗦 = 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬… and dear lord that shit was painful at certain points. Like, I'm talking half the dialogue was exposition dumps… which is kinda par the course for stories like this, but I've seen it done in non-painful ways.
Basically, the book went something like this ~
Suffice it to say, that shit was annoying and head-meet-desk inducing. I think my main gripe with all the exposition heavy dialogue was the way it kept actual meaningful dialogue from happening. That's when I have a problem with exposition.
✘ 𝗣𝗜𝗘 𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗔 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗘… 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗘? 𝗢𝗞𝗔𝗬? 𝗔 𝗕𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚? 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗩𝗘? Yeahhhh, I'm honestly having trouble classifying my feelings when it comes to Pie and Pell. See, on the one hand, Pie had the potential to be a really cool heroine. She was independent as fuck, had an "imaginary talking bird" as a pet, wasn't afraid to call anyone on their shit, and was a generally likable and nice person. But, and this is a big butt, she defffffinitely meandered into TSTL heroine territory multiple times.
For reference here's how shit went down with Pie, and her whole chaotic existence.
At a certain point it all just got so exhausting. Like, she was living in denial land for wayyyy too long. I'm talking we're at eighty freaking percent and she's still thinking it's all in her head. Thus, that leads her to do some stupid shit. And it's not like she didn't have multiple people telling her what was up, she did. She just choose not to listen. Thus, my tolerance with Pie steadily decreased as the book went on.
On the other hand, there's Pell. Pell was… fine? Idk, there's not much to say about him. He was a horny chimera who'd been cursed for over two thousand years. There was some depth to him, mainly him wanting someone to just - accept him for him. But, he mostly served as an exposition dumping ground. It was mostly through him that the story was told, which again, didn't really allow me to get to know Pell the hero. I mean… he has a big dick… so that's nice.
✘ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗟, 𝗕𝗨𝗨𝗨𝗨𝗧… as it stands it's not really working for me. Personally, I kinda wanted her and Tomas to get together… but that's just me. And honestly, I'm not usually one for shipping characters who the author clearly doesn't intend to be endgame, but in this case, what can I say. I sense a ship. The main thing that's missing in regards to the romance, is, in my opinion, is buildup and chemistry. Personally, I had a hard time believing the PellPie romance because of how fast it happened. One second Pie is trying to date a whole different person, ogling Tomas, and thinking Pell is monstrous. Then, all of a sudden, Pie wants to climb Pell like a tree and romance him? Like… what? I felt like I was missing a few things.
♥ 𝗦𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢, 𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗜𝗧… and yeah… that's it. Tomas can get it, and I'm still pissed that he's not actually the hero. He's just so… complex, dark, and twisty. I don't know, what can I say, I happen to have a thing for cute lovable boy-next-door types that happen to have a hidden dark side. Plus, he's an actual bloodthirsty dragon. How cool is that?
✘ 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗪𝗞𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗠𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡… my dumbass didn't realize DAMAGED GODS was a continuous series, and not an interconnected standalone series. *sigh* I hate when that happens. So, I kinda went into DAMAGED GODS expecting to wrap up Pie and Pell's story in book one, and then I assumed that book two would continue with the plot, but focus on Tomas and a newly introduced love interest. HA. HA. HA. The jokes was on me. Instead, nothing was resolved, more questions were to be had, and PellPie were the leading couple of the next book. fun.
✿ 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡, 𝗗𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗚𝗢𝗗𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗦… fine. It wasn't horrible, it wasn't amazing, but it also wasn't a boring slumber party. It had… potential. There were times when I got very into the story, but there were also times when I honestly couldn't with anything that was happening. Pie was a… passable heroine, same with Pell. Tomas was my favorite character, which… doesn't bode well for me… i have this feeling. Ultimately, I think DAMAGED GODS was bogged down by its exposition heavy dialogue. Thus, I don't think I'll continue on with this series. But, I think if you like monster-love-interests, vague paranormal mysteries, and Greek God shenanigans, then you might like DAMAGED GODS.
𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘀
𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘆 𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗱
𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀…
♥ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗚𝗢𝗗𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗦… actually really really cool. The fact that Pie Vita (h) stumbles upon a magical ad that happens to send her head first into the mythically cursed world of Saint Mark's Sanctuary was… beyond neat. The monsters she meets at Saint Mark's Sanctuary, Pell (H) and Tomas, were also great editions to the story. You really felt for them, their curse, and you also felt their vague confusion. They didn't really know what was going on, thus this book was kinda a low-key mystery. Overall, DAMAGED GODS had a really intriguing plot//concept that kept me invested until the very end.
✘ 𝗗𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗚𝗢𝗗𝗦 = 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬… and dear lord that shit was painful at certain points. Like, I'm talking half the dialogue was exposition dumps… which is kinda par the course for stories like this, but I've seen it done in non-painful ways.
Basically, the book went something like this ~
✧ ᴘɪᴇ ꜱᴛᴜᴍʙʟᴇꜱ ᴜᴘᴏɴ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀ ꜱʜɪᴛ
✦ ꜱʜᴇ ɢᴏᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴇɴɪᴀʟ ʟᴀɴᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴛᴀʏꜱ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴛɪʀᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ.
✧ ʜᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴇʟʟ ꜰɪɢʜᴛ
✦ ᴘᴇʟʟ ᴅʀᴏᴘꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴇxᴘᴏꜱɪᴛɪᴏɴ
✧ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀ ꜱʜɪᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴꜱ
✦ ᴘɪᴇ ɢᴏᴇꜱ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴇɴɪᴀʟ ʟᴀɴᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴘᴇᴇᴋꜱ ʜᴇʀ ʜᴇᴀᴅ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏᴄᴄᴀꜱɪᴏɴᴀʟʟʏ
✧ ᴘᴇʟʟ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘɪᴇ… ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ?
✦ ꜰɪɢʜᴛɪɴɢ ᴇɴꜱᴜᴇꜱ… ᴀʟᴏɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴇxᴘᴏꜱɪᴛɪᴏɴ
✧ ʀɪɴꜱᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇᴘᴇᴀᴛ
Suffice it to say, that shit was annoying and head-meet-desk inducing. I think my main gripe with all the exposition heavy dialogue was the way it kept actual meaningful dialogue from happening. That's when I have a problem with exposition.
✘ 𝗣𝗜𝗘 𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗔 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗘… 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗘? 𝗢𝗞𝗔𝗬? 𝗔 𝗕𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚? 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗩𝗘? Yeahhhh, I'm honestly having trouble classifying my feelings when it comes to Pie and Pell. See, on the one hand, Pie had the potential to be a really cool heroine. She was independent as fuck, had an "imaginary talking bird" as a pet, wasn't afraid to call anyone on their shit, and was a generally likable and nice person. But, and this is a big butt, she defffffinitely meandered into TSTL heroine territory multiple times.
For reference here's how shit went down with Pie, and her whole chaotic existence.
✦ ᴘɪᴇ ꜱᴛᴜᴍʙʟᴇꜱ ᴜᴘᴏɴ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀ ꜱʜɪᴛ
✧ ʜᴀꜱ ᴠɪꜱᴜᴀʟꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄᴏɴꜰɪʀᴍ ꜱʜᴇ'ꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴄʀᴀᴢʏ
✦ ꜱʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛꜱ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ɪɴ "ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀꜱᴇ"
✧ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀꜱᴛ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ꜱʜᴇ ʙᴀᴄᴋᴛʀᴀᴄᴋꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜɪɴᴋꜱ ꜱʜᴇ'ꜱ ᴄʀᴀᴢʏ
✦ ꜱᴀʏꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ꜱᴛᴜᴘɪᴅ ꜱʜɪᴛ
✧ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ꜱᴛᴜᴘɪᴅ ꜱʜɪᴛ
✦ ᴛʀɪᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ꜰʀɪꜱᴋʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴘᴇʟʟ
✧ ʀɪɴꜱᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇᴘᴇᴀᴛ
At a certain point it all just got so exhausting. Like, she was living in denial land for wayyyy too long. I'm talking we're at eighty freaking percent and she's still thinking it's all in her head. Thus, that leads her to do some stupid shit. And it's not like she didn't have multiple people telling her what was up, she did. She just choose not to listen. Thus, my tolerance with Pie steadily decreased as the book went on.
On the other hand, there's Pell. Pell was… fine? Idk, there's not much to say about him. He was a horny chimera who'd been cursed for over two thousand years. There was some depth to him, mainly him wanting someone to just - accept him for him. But, he mostly served as an exposition dumping ground. It was mostly through him that the story was told, which again, didn't really allow me to get to know Pell the hero. I mean… he has a big dick… so that's nice.
✘ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗟, 𝗕𝗨𝗨𝗨𝗨𝗧… as it stands it's not really working for me. Personally, I kinda wanted her and Tomas to get together… but that's just me. And honestly, I'm not usually one for shipping characters who the author clearly doesn't intend to be endgame, but in this case, what can I say. I sense a ship. The main thing that's missing in regards to the romance, is, in my opinion, is buildup and chemistry. Personally, I had a hard time believing the PellPie romance because of how fast it happened. One second Pie is trying to date a whole different person, ogling Tomas, and thinking Pell is monstrous. Then, all of a sudden, Pie wants to climb Pell like a tree and romance him? Like… what? I felt like I was missing a few things.
♥ 𝗦𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢, 𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗜𝗧… and yeah… that's it. Tomas can get it, and I'm still pissed that he's not actually the hero. He's just so… complex, dark, and twisty. I don't know, what can I say, I happen to have a thing for cute lovable boy-next-door types that happen to have a hidden dark side. Plus, he's an actual bloodthirsty dragon. How cool is that?
✘ 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗪𝗞𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗠𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡… my dumbass didn't realize DAMAGED GODS was a continuous series, and not an interconnected standalone series. *sigh* I hate when that happens. So, I kinda went into DAMAGED GODS expecting to wrap up Pie and Pell's story in book one, and then I assumed that book two would continue with the plot, but focus on Tomas and a newly introduced love interest. HA. HA. HA. The jokes was on me. Instead, nothing was resolved, more questions were to be had, and PellPie were the leading couple of the next book. fun.
✿ 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡, 𝗗𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗚𝗢𝗗𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗦… fine. It wasn't horrible, it wasn't amazing, but it also wasn't a boring slumber party. It had… potential. There were times when I got very into the story, but there were also times when I honestly couldn't with anything that was happening. Pie was a… passable heroine, same with Pell. Tomas was my favorite character, which… doesn't bode well for me… i have this feeling. Ultimately, I think DAMAGED GODS was bogged down by its exposition heavy dialogue. Thus, I don't think I'll continue on with this series. But, I think if you like monster-love-interests, vague paranormal mysteries, and Greek God shenanigans, then you might like DAMAGED GODS.
November 2, 2021
3.5 stars
I loved the originality of this. The writing. The plot kept taking turns and I didn't know who Pie is meant to be with. At the end I realised that that's on purpose. So don't come here looking for a one true love mating, this is not RH(reverse harem) either but more like a Sookie Stackhouse thing where the heroine samples the wares (and weres).
Don't mind me, just laughing at my own silliness.. Anywho, back to this book. I think the lack of a definite clear cut romance, RH or otherwise, didn't really work for me. But that's just me.
Pie Vita is a girl in financial trouble. When she sees an ad for caretaker she decides to give it a chance. Free room and board, can't be a bad deal right? Unfortunately for Pie, she stumbles into Saint Mark’s Sanctuary, tricked into freeing the caretaker and taking his place in a two thousand year old curse which she's expected to now break.
What truly annoyed me though was that every single male she encountered didn't give her straight explanations or answers and got her into more trouble because of it. I'm aware it's a plot device but it drives me up the wall. The uniqueness of the setting, the monsters and magic made up for it mostly. It also becomes clear by the end that this is Pie's story and not her romance. I think if I knew this beforehand I'd probably would have had less trouble with all the little things that I didn't gel with.
I had not read a book before where the one of the main characters was a satyr so it made for an interesting change. If you love discovering new paranormal/supernatural reads I'd recommend it for that alone.
I loved the originality of this. The writing. The plot kept taking turns and I didn't know who Pie is meant to be with. At the end I realised that that's on purpose. So don't come here looking for a one true love mating, this is not RH(reverse harem) either but more like a Sookie Stackhouse thing where the heroine samples the wares (and weres).
Don't mind me, just laughing at my own silliness.. Anywho, back to this book. I think the lack of a definite clear cut romance, RH or otherwise, didn't really work for me. But that's just me.
Pie Vita is a girl in financial trouble. When she sees an ad for caretaker she decides to give it a chance. Free room and board, can't be a bad deal right? Unfortunately for Pie, she stumbles into Saint Mark’s Sanctuary, tricked into freeing the caretaker and taking his place in a two thousand year old curse which she's expected to now break.
What truly annoyed me though was that every single male she encountered didn't give her straight explanations or answers and got her into more trouble because of it. I'm aware it's a plot device but it drives me up the wall. The uniqueness of the setting, the monsters and magic made up for it mostly. It also becomes clear by the end that this is Pie's story and not her romance. I think if I knew this beforehand I'd probably would have had less trouble with all the little things that I didn't gel with.
I had not read a book before where the one of the main characters was a satyr so it made for an interesting change. If you love discovering new paranormal/supernatural reads I'd recommend it for that alone.
January 5, 2022
This one was an unusual one and I did enjoy it there were some things that I was still slightly confused about but considering this is the first book in a series maybe there will be more clarity on that going forward. Though this story is still ongoing this doesn’t leave you hanging and I’m happy to wait until the next book releases to continue this tale there is closure here even though this finished open-ended.
So this is the story of Pie Vita and how she answers an ad for a caretaker job at St Mark's Sanctuary. Suddenly she finds herself inhabiting a whole new world one where magic and monsters are real.
Pie is slightly eccentric she’s a bit of a lone wolf and has a talking bird called Pia only she can see told all her life she is insane she’s learned to hide her differences.
This story is told from Pie’s POV and also Pell the so-called monster of St Marks he’s a Satyr Minotaur chimera with horns and hooves and a bit of a bad attitude he’s also Pie’s new boss and it’s his curse she needs to break if she ever wants to leave the Sanctuary for good. There’s also Tomas he’s a hot supernatural with mysterious origins he also plays a big part in this.
I loved how unusual the story was here but for me, the chemistry between Pell and Pie did feel slightly off at times. I didn’t feel that either Pie or Pell totally accepted each other for just who they were. Maybe this will change going forward but I can’t help thinking now with certain things ending the way they did this has been resolved in a way that makes it too easy. Still, this was interesting and unusual it was well written and I’m definitely planning to pick up the next book in the series when it releases next year.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
August 2, 2024
MF Monster Romance
Magical Mythical Creatures
Mysterious Gothic Vibes
Funny Banter
Hornjobs and Lots of Peen Talk
Beastly Med-Burn Spice
Damaged Gods was a funny, fast paced read that’s also very entertaining. Funny, Snarky FMCs can go either way for me – sometimes I love them and sometimes I get super annoyed. This is a book where I loved the FMC. She cracked me up. I mean... Her name is Pie. Pie has a talking bird friend only she can see, named Pia. That’s wild.
In this story, Pie is drifting along life and happens to stop in a small town for a pit stop. Once there, she discovers a mysterious add for caretaker at a local Sanctuary. Once she arrives to check it out, she’s whisked away, immediately, by the over anxious current caretaker and thrust into the job. Quickly she realizes that the job is not what it seems, and oh hey, look – there are monsters. Pell being the one with a 2000 year curse that he expects Pie to break.
This is a wild ride. The house is crazy, like the tardis (bigger on the inside) and with rooms that lead to tangible memories that can be participated with. This is fantastic if you are cursed to be housebound for 2000+ years! There are twists and turns, and mysterious characters. A really fun read with a great cast of characters.
Magical Mythical Creatures
Mysterious Gothic Vibes
Funny Banter
Hornjobs and Lots of Peen Talk
Beastly Med-Burn Spice
Damaged Gods was a funny, fast paced read that’s also very entertaining. Funny, Snarky FMCs can go either way for me – sometimes I love them and sometimes I get super annoyed. This is a book where I loved the FMC. She cracked me up. I mean... Her name is Pie. Pie has a talking bird friend only she can see, named Pia. That’s wild.
In this story, Pie is drifting along life and happens to stop in a small town for a pit stop. Once there, she discovers a mysterious add for caretaker at a local Sanctuary. Once she arrives to check it out, she’s whisked away, immediately, by the over anxious current caretaker and thrust into the job. Quickly she realizes that the job is not what it seems, and oh hey, look – there are monsters. Pell being the one with a 2000 year curse that he expects Pie to break.
This is a wild ride. The house is crazy, like the tardis (bigger on the inside) and with rooms that lead to tangible memories that can be participated with. This is fantastic if you are cursed to be housebound for 2000+ years! There are twists and turns, and mysterious characters. A really fun read with a great cast of characters.
September 12, 2022
I bought this book as a 2-for-1 credit deal on a whim; I’m a sucker for Roman/Greek mythology retellings, and I’m pleased I took a chance on this one. On the one hand, it is very readable—I loved Pie’s perspective immediately. How many women get accused of being “crazy,” when they are just curious or unusual or ambitious? I watched a clip of a pop star accusing journalists of having two separate vocabularies for male & female artists: men “make strategic moves” while women are “calculating”; men “react” while women “overreact.” Anyway: Pie’s power has been stuffed down her whole life, rejected by the world as mental illness.
I absolutely love the device the author uses to get Pie to find the “Damaged Gods” (such a great title!). And yes, there is a bit of eroticism built into the plot, but I think it’s justified. The classical myths are rife with satyrs and nymphs and extremely randy Gods/Goddesses—it’s refreshing to see modern storytellers bring some of that back into the dramas.
I thought the plot was interesting and imaginative. The incorporation of Saturn, Eros, and other woodland entities was satisfying. I am unfamiliar with the author, JA Huss, who wrote this book under a pseudonym because she wanted to break away from her dedicated fans’ expectations (there is a little journal entry included at the end of the book by the author). Without the few romantic interludes (which I felt were passionate but not ridiculous), this book could be more of a YA adventure story of self-discovery.
If you like VE Schwab’s “Addie LaRue” or her Darker Shade of magic series, you should check out this book. This also has the same humor/pace/adventure as Katee Roberts’ “Dark Olympus” series.
File Under: A Satyr, A Crazy Girl, A Bird, and a Dragon Walk into a Bar. . .
I absolutely love the device the author uses to get Pie to find the “Damaged Gods” (such a great title!). And yes, there is a bit of eroticism built into the plot, but I think it’s justified. The classical myths are rife with satyrs and nymphs and extremely randy Gods/Goddesses—it’s refreshing to see modern storytellers bring some of that back into the dramas.
I thought the plot was interesting and imaginative. The incorporation of Saturn, Eros, and other woodland entities was satisfying. I am unfamiliar with the author, JA Huss, who wrote this book under a pseudonym because she wanted to break away from her dedicated fans’ expectations (there is a little journal entry included at the end of the book by the author). Without the few romantic interludes (which I felt were passionate but not ridiculous), this book could be more of a YA adventure story of self-discovery.
If you like VE Schwab’s “Addie LaRue” or her Darker Shade of magic series, you should check out this book. This also has the same humor/pace/adventure as Katee Roberts’ “Dark Olympus” series.
File Under: A Satyr, A Crazy Girl, A Bird, and a Dragon Walk into a Bar. . .
November 28, 2022
Wow that was confusing af. Still wanna know what'll happen next though.
July 12, 2023
"She is the moth, and I am the flame. If she can't come to me. I'll go to her!"
Pel, Thomas, and Pie interesting players of this story. A tangle of lives ignited by magic. Why? Well the answer isn't, "Just because Magic said so!" Where they can't die because of plot armor. Human, female, Monster, Man it doesn't matter. But there will be dragons. Thank goodness for that!
Okay I quit playing. Pie has Peia a bird only she can see. Wants something to call hers. Seeing a flyer for caretaker of Saint Mark's Santuary. Easy peasy! Except she will have to see to the pleasure of Monster's. That fact wasn't disclosed on the listing. You pay for things by writing the word money on a piece of paper. Yet, all your purchases are marked down into a book of debt. Neither did the former caretaker tell Pie any of this.
So Thomas tells her. Then Pel chases her. The local police officer tows away her car. All while learning Magic, to break the monsters curse. A curse started by Saturn, Juno, and the monster maker.
Pel, Thomas, and Pie interesting players of this story. A tangle of lives ignited by magic. Why? Well the answer isn't, "Just because Magic said so!" Where they can't die because of plot armor. Human, female, Monster, Man it doesn't matter. But there will be dragons. Thank goodness for that!
Okay I quit playing. Pie has Peia a bird only she can see. Wants something to call hers. Seeing a flyer for caretaker of Saint Mark's Santuary. Easy peasy! Except she will have to see to the pleasure of Monster's. That fact wasn't disclosed on the listing. You pay for things by writing the word money on a piece of paper. Yet, all your purchases are marked down into a book of debt. Neither did the former caretaker tell Pie any of this.
So Thomas tells her. Then Pel chases her. The local police officer tows away her car. All while learning Magic, to break the monsters curse. A curse started by Saturn, Juno, and the monster maker.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2025
I LOVE this story!!! Full on 5 🌟's +++++++!!!! I have been having so much fun and many awesome experiences delving into more fantasy!! It's such a beautiful genre. This story is nothing short of captivating! I was pulled into the story and its characters right from the start, and it held strong through to the end! Pie is such a wonderful, intricate character. She had me feeling trippy on which reality was actually reality, which was a cool experience! Pell, the monster, is now a favorite character of mine! He's beastly and scary yet beautiful and loving. Saint Mark's Sanctuary, I look forward to reading more about you! This was a fantastic start to this fantasy series! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
April 5, 2023
Well, cheese and fucking rice, that was some kind of story! I swear, no matter what genre Julie decides to write in, she creates a whole world in the pages of her book, and I get lost in it, every single time!
I really have not read a lot of paranormal, unless you count those larger than life vampires from the Black Dagger Brotherhood, and I could kick myself for not branching out more and experiencing what it is like, living in the lands of gods and monsters. I mean, I watch tons of movies about them, so clearly I have been missing out on not reading more about them, too.
Pie and Pell, they are just something. Pie is this girl the world threw away, dismissed as being crazy all because she wouldn't say her talking bird wasn't real. And Pell, this hotter than hell (literally) Satyr Chimera who has been cursed and stuck inside St. Mark's Sanctuary for over two thousand years. Julie is just a master at creating these wholly complex, flawed characters that you immediately fall in love with.
I have to say, I got completely pulled into this world right from the start. I admit I don't know a whole lot about the old gods in mythology, but Julie does an excellent job of creating this world where those gods created a whole lot of magic, and a whole lot of monsters. And Pie, she has to be the caretaker now for for one particularly cranky monster who just wants her to figure out how to end his curse. What ensues was a fantastical, erotic, multi-layered story that held me captive. I was totally invested in this story, and dying to find out if Pie, who was just thrust into this unbelievable world, would rise to the challenge. Or would it all be too much for her, and she would in fact, decide she really was crazy.
I have so many things to say about this book, but really the most important thing is - you should buy it and read it!! I couldn't put it down! I need more!!
As I said in the beginning, Julie really blows me away with her stories, no matter what genre she is writing in. And this story was top notch. I can't wait to read more in the world of St. Mark's.
I really have not read a lot of paranormal, unless you count those larger than life vampires from the Black Dagger Brotherhood, and I could kick myself for not branching out more and experiencing what it is like, living in the lands of gods and monsters. I mean, I watch tons of movies about them, so clearly I have been missing out on not reading more about them, too.
Pie and Pell, they are just something. Pie is this girl the world threw away, dismissed as being crazy all because she wouldn't say her talking bird wasn't real. And Pell, this hotter than hell (literally) Satyr Chimera who has been cursed and stuck inside St. Mark's Sanctuary for over two thousand years. Julie is just a master at creating these wholly complex, flawed characters that you immediately fall in love with.
I have to say, I got completely pulled into this world right from the start. I admit I don't know a whole lot about the old gods in mythology, but Julie does an excellent job of creating this world where those gods created a whole lot of magic, and a whole lot of monsters. And Pie, she has to be the caretaker now for for one particularly cranky monster who just wants her to figure out how to end his curse. What ensues was a fantastical, erotic, multi-layered story that held me captive. I was totally invested in this story, and dying to find out if Pie, who was just thrust into this unbelievable world, would rise to the challenge. Or would it all be too much for her, and she would in fact, decide she really was crazy.
I have so many things to say about this book, but really the most important thing is - you should buy it and read it!! I couldn't put it down! I need more!!
As I said in the beginning, Julie really blows me away with her stories, no matter what genre she is writing in. And this story was top notch. I can't wait to read more in the world of St. Mark's.
July 14, 2021
Damaged Gods by KC Cross
This is gonna be one of my rare reviews where my Rating list won’t match my Rating of the Book ☺️
I Give this book a 4.5/5 Star Rating, Listing as 4.
HEA(?): Yes, but I hope the storyline continues hopefully for another couple or maybe it’ll continue with Pie & Pel? ☺️
Relationship Type: MF, but man..cause of all the monsters I really was craving an RH just for the heck of it😆
I sincerely hope this universe isn’t even close to being over yet, I want to see more creatures! 😃
There are more characters that I would love to get their own books like Tarq as well as Tomas.
Heat: 2.5-3/5,Sexual Tension, but not a lot of heat.
Yes, while I wished there was more cause I’m greedy like that Lol, it didn’t take away from the story. This is a slow-burn and I am a huge fan of slow-burns ☺️
Romance: 3/5
Dark(?): Not to me, no.
Drama: 4/5
Suspense: 3-3.5/5
Pacing: Very Good, Slow-Mid, not rushed at all. Everything that needed to be focused on, got the right amount of spotlight.
This was a very unique and addictive concept, story and storyline and it’s SOOOO Good!! It’s is refreshingly written, and doesn’t have a generic feel to it.
Possibility seems endless with this universe!
Love it!
This is gonna be a favorite and most definitely will be a favored reread.
This is gonna be one of my rare reviews where my Rating list won’t match my Rating of the Book ☺️
I Give this book a 4.5/5 Star Rating, Listing as 4.
HEA(?): Yes, but I hope the storyline continues hopefully for another couple or maybe it’ll continue with Pie & Pel? ☺️
Relationship Type: MF, but man..cause of all the monsters I really was craving an RH just for the heck of it😆
I sincerely hope this universe isn’t even close to being over yet, I want to see more creatures! 😃
There are more characters that I would love to get their own books like Tarq as well as Tomas.
Heat: 2.5-3/5,Sexual Tension, but not a lot of heat.
Yes, while I wished there was more cause I’m greedy like that Lol, it didn’t take away from the story. This is a slow-burn and I am a huge fan of slow-burns ☺️
Romance: 3/5
Dark(?): Not to me, no.
Drama: 4/5
Suspense: 3-3.5/5
Pacing: Very Good, Slow-Mid, not rushed at all. Everything that needed to be focused on, got the right amount of spotlight.
This was a very unique and addictive concept, story and storyline and it’s SOOOO Good!! It’s is refreshingly written, and doesn’t have a generic feel to it.
Possibility seems endless with this universe!
Love it!
This is gonna be a favorite and most definitely will be a favored reread.
August 4, 2021
A horn, a hoof, an eye, a bone. A man, a girl, a place of stone. A tick of time, a last mistake. Keep them safe behind the gate.
Curses suck. Especially curses by old gods who create monsters to fight for them THEN lock them up. This totally gave me Beauty and beast vibes and I loved the addition of Tomas. Pie Vita (yes, Pie is Life) can’t catch a break and Pell has been stuck in a curse for over two thousand years. A modern young girl meets a stuck in his ways monster, what could go wrong? Did I mention he walks around naked?? Because he does!!!!! And it’s hilarious.
This was very different. A bit strange but I love strange so I enjoyed this story very much. It’s book one though, I wished I’d knew that. Now I have to wait until April 2022 for book two, Savage Saints. I can’t wait!!! Well, I have no choice but still. I really can’t wait.
Curses suck. Especially curses by old gods who create monsters to fight for them THEN lock them up. This totally gave me Beauty and beast vibes and I loved the addition of Tomas. Pie Vita (yes, Pie is Life) can’t catch a break and Pell has been stuck in a curse for over two thousand years. A modern young girl meets a stuck in his ways monster, what could go wrong? Did I mention he walks around naked?? Because he does!!!!! And it’s hilarious.
This was very different. A bit strange but I love strange so I enjoyed this story very much. It’s book one though, I wished I’d knew that. Now I have to wait until April 2022 for book two, Savage Saints. I can’t wait!!! Well, I have no choice but still. I really can’t wait.
December 22, 2022
The blurb was funny, sounded like my kind of humor. And yes, it had those funny bits. But this was a way too complicated plot for such simple characters and the humor felt like a cheap way to lighten up the plot with all the mystery of St. Marks and the gods fighting, etc.
I felt no real love connection between Pell and Pie, just lust and convenience since they were stuck together and Pie had no where else to go and what? now she is a chimera monster and wasn't real to bein with?!? What is this shite? And what is Pia really?
I did like Pell though and would have given the story a 2 but the first half was interesting and funny, its the last part that got confusing as hell. Pass for me on continuing the series. Pie/Pia/Pell was just not compelling enough to keep going.
I felt no real love connection between Pell and Pie, just lust and convenience since they were stuck together and Pie had no where else to go and what? now she is a chimera monster and wasn't real to bein with?!? What is this shite? And what is Pia really?
I did like Pell though and would have given the story a 2 but the first half was interesting and funny, its the last part that got confusing as hell. Pass for me on continuing the series. Pie/Pia/Pell was just not compelling enough to keep going.
October 4, 2025
I Have Very Mixed Feelings
3.5 Stars.
On the one hand I loved this.
One the other hand I hated it.
In the middle (which has no hand) I liked it.
It's definitely overly wordy with areas that bog the story down.
It's also VERY intriguing.
It's over complicated in some areas.
Flows smooth and rich in others.
While there is A Lot I love about Pie & Pell AND Tomas, there are also things that drove me nuts throughout the story about them.
There is a couple sex scenes and they are really interesting. Hot and steamy, yes. But also different.
Some questions are answered but we are left with a TON that are not.
This book is close to 500 pages long. So are the next 2 books. It's actually a trilogy about Pie, Pell and St. Marks.
It takes a lot of energy for me to read these so I m not sure I have enough to read the other books.
At this point I doubt it.
My feelings are like this book.
Overly complicated. Overly complex.
Am I curious? Yes. But... IDK.
3.5 Stars.
On the one hand I loved this.
One the other hand I hated it.
In the middle (which has no hand) I liked it.
It's definitely overly wordy with areas that bog the story down.
It's also VERY intriguing.
It's over complicated in some areas.
Flows smooth and rich in others.
While there is A Lot I love about Pie & Pell AND Tomas, there are also things that drove me nuts throughout the story about them.
There is a couple sex scenes and they are really interesting. Hot and steamy, yes. But also different.
Some questions are answered but we are left with a TON that are not.
This book is close to 500 pages long. So are the next 2 books. It's actually a trilogy about Pie, Pell and St. Marks.
It takes a lot of energy for me to read these so I m not sure I have enough to read the other books.
At this point I doubt it.
My feelings are like this book.
Overly complicated. Overly complex.
Am I curious? Yes. But... IDK.
April 27, 2022
My true 5/5 book. As in it knocked me down on ass type of storytelling. How to go in here? Blind. You know you are dealing with monsters and thats it. How it goes in book? Well find it by yourself, im gonna get book 2. Xoxo
September 10, 2021
cliffhanger alert
Pie needs a job. Pie needs a place to live. So when she sees the ad for a caretaker position while stopped at a rural Pennsylvania gas station after a night of Halloween partying, It seems like a dream come true. Unfortunately pie soon discovers that the dream is a bit of a nightmare and that she’s expected to be the slave of this cursed satyr and discover a way to free them both. Yeah…
—
So I missed the slave part in the blurb for this. If I had seen that I would’ve given it a miss. I also missed the part where this book was revealed to be incomplete. Because it definitely leaves you on a cliffhanger. Like seriously had the book ended up page earlier it would’ve been a decent happy for now but it didn’t.
As it stands, I wasn’t much impressed with the story. The story never addressed the severe power differential. And the fact that the heroin was literally considered to be the heroes slave. And the romance just moved both too slowly and too quickly in a very weird way. There wasn’t a steady progression and instead it just took a literal deus ex machina for the heroine the heroine to fall into bed with each other and even like each other.
I didn’t much like either the hero or the heroine. The hero is both too grumpy, too domineering and overbearing, and too full of himself. While the heroin goes out of her way to make bad choices. I felt like I was watching the side characters in a horror movie, you know the ones that get killed off early, As the protagonists.
Honestly the only reason this isn’t getting at one star is because I found the twist near the end sort of interesting. And I liked the character Tomas. But neither Tomas nor the twist are worth continuing with the series. Especially considering the lazy cash grabbing nature of the cliffhanger ending.
Two stars
Pie needs a job. Pie needs a place to live. So when she sees the ad for a caretaker position while stopped at a rural Pennsylvania gas station after a night of Halloween partying, It seems like a dream come true. Unfortunately pie soon discovers that the dream is a bit of a nightmare and that she’s expected to be the slave of this cursed satyr and discover a way to free them both. Yeah…
—
So I missed the slave part in the blurb for this. If I had seen that I would’ve given it a miss. I also missed the part where this book was revealed to be incomplete. Because it definitely leaves you on a cliffhanger. Like seriously had the book ended up page earlier it would’ve been a decent happy for now but it didn’t.
As it stands, I wasn’t much impressed with the story. The story never addressed the severe power differential. And the fact that the heroin was literally considered to be the heroes slave. And the romance just moved both too slowly and too quickly in a very weird way. There wasn’t a steady progression and instead it just took a literal deus ex machina for the heroine the heroine to fall into bed with each other and even like each other.
I didn’t much like either the hero or the heroine. The hero is both too grumpy, too domineering and overbearing, and too full of himself. While the heroin goes out of her way to make bad choices. I felt like I was watching the side characters in a horror movie, you know the ones that get killed off early, As the protagonists.
Honestly the only reason this isn’t getting at one star is because I found the twist near the end sort of interesting. And I liked the character Tomas. But neither Tomas nor the twist are worth continuing with the series. Especially considering the lazy cash grabbing nature of the cliffhanger ending.
Two stars
August 12, 2021
This. Was. Awesome.
You when you open a book and by a few pages in you just know you're going to love it? Well, that was this book for me.
I pretty much adored Pie (fmc) straight away. She is hilarious and cute and fierce and just so damned refreshing. For those who have read Kristy Cunnings two RH series, she is a little like the fmc's in both of them.
The premise of the books is really intriguing and while I've seen some elements of it before, I found all of the world building to be really fresh and unique. I don't want to say too much as discovering it all is one of the joys of this book.
I also really loved Pell and his development and the way his relationship with Pie developed. He was a complex character and I adored him, too.
Seriously, this book has everything. Loveable characters, good romance with some steam, excellent chemistry with the characters, fresh world building, fast paced plot... Just go and read it already! I can't believe the next one isn't out until April!!!
You when you open a book and by a few pages in you just know you're going to love it? Well, that was this book for me.
I pretty much adored Pie (fmc) straight away. She is hilarious and cute and fierce and just so damned refreshing. For those who have read Kristy Cunnings two RH series, she is a little like the fmc's in both of them.
The premise of the books is really intriguing and while I've seen some elements of it before, I found all of the world building to be really fresh and unique. I don't want to say too much as discovering it all is one of the joys of this book.
I also really loved Pell and his development and the way his relationship with Pie developed. He was a complex character and I adored him, too.
Seriously, this book has everything. Loveable characters, good romance with some steam, excellent chemistry with the characters, fresh world building, fast paced plot... Just go and read it already! I can't believe the next one isn't out until April!!!
April 28, 2023
When I started this book, the first chapters had me wondering about Mrs. Huss' writing. It sounded childish and repetitive. It put me off, so I almost DNFed the story, eight then.
The characters, though, intrigued me. The atmosphere, the sanctuary, the different rooms, and the magic propelled me into a vivid and colorful world.
I found myself smiling and gripped by this paranormal tale. It entertained me and I am diving into the second book today. What a fun it was!
“A horn, a hoof, an eye, a bone.” Before I can even think about it, I’m reciting the next line. “A man, a girl, a place of stone.” “A tick of time.” “A last mistake.” “Keep them safe behind the gate.”
The characters, though, intrigued me. The atmosphere, the sanctuary, the different rooms, and the magic propelled me into a vivid and colorful world.
I found myself smiling and gripped by this paranormal tale. It entertained me and I am diving into the second book today. What a fun it was!
“A horn, a hoof, an eye, a bone.” Before I can even think about it, I’m reciting the next line. “A man, a girl, a place of stone.” “A tick of time.” “A last mistake.” “Keep them safe behind the gate.”
October 26, 2021
Pie Vita took us on a ride
This book was different from all the other paranormal books I’ve read. I enjoyed it but I did get confused at times. I applaud the author for taking a risk and doing something new.
Satyr Chimera isn’t the usual “monster” so i was willing to go with it. Something about this plot made me feel like I did when I watched the movie Shrek.
I think i will try book 2 to get a conclusion about Pie’s debt
This book was different from all the other paranormal books I’ve read. I enjoyed it but I did get confused at times. I applaud the author for taking a risk and doing something new.
Satyr Chimera isn’t the usual “monster” so i was willing to go with it. Something about this plot made me feel like I did when I watched the movie Shrek.
I think i will try book 2 to get a conclusion about Pie’s debt
September 21, 2022
I loved this SOOOOO fucking much. You guys... you have to read this.
Merged review:
This one is a reread to get me ready for book 2.
Merged review:
This one is a reread to get me ready for book 2.
May 13, 2025
This was a fun, unserious, and original story! I loved this audio—it’s narrated in dual narration by Hathaway Lee and Jason Clarke, and it was included in Audible Plus! I enjoyed the plot, the characters, the pacing, the world building, and the awesome narration.
July 27, 2021
What a fun twist on the PNR realm. When Pie answers an ad to be a caretaker at Saint Mark’s Sanctuary, never in her wildest dreams did she think that would entail being a monster’s “caretaker/slave” & embroiled in the same curse that he is stuck in. Can this feisty girl hold her own against the sultry satyr chimera Pell? Will Pie actually be able to break the curse imprisoning Pell, Tomas and all the others? This is a fun, sci fi/pnr romance about curses, magic and a half man/half animal with little clothes. A very different story then what I’m used to but enjoyable non the less. If your looking for a different kind of summer read then definitely pick this unique, funny, PNR, mystery romance up. It is on the long side but keeps your interest and I absolutely loved these characters. Can’t wait to see what else comes from this world. Definitely a top read for me. This does end in a cliffhanger so be ready. Told in dual POV
📸 Teaser Collage by Miss Petite Brunette Book Blog
📸 Teaser Collage by Miss Petite Brunette Book Blog
September 22, 2021
A horn, a hoof, an eye, a bone.
A man, a girl, a place of stone.
A tick of time, a last mistake.
Keep them safe behind the gate.
Interesting plot, loved the characters though the FMC was a little irritating at times. When I first picked it up, I thought it was a standalone but it seems its a start of a series. But at least the book ends with HFN, though the story itself is not finished. There are reverse harem vibes, though not clear-cut. I love that I can't tell where the story is going but the next book is only planned for April 2022 😢😢.
From the author's closing statement its sounds like she hasn't decided yet - "If you’re wondering if this is a reverse harem, I’m not sure yet. I don’t know. I like all these characters. "
A man, a girl, a place of stone.
A tick of time, a last mistake.
Keep them safe behind the gate.
Interesting plot, loved the characters though the FMC was a little irritating at times. When I first picked it up, I thought it was a standalone but it seems its a start of a series. But at least the book ends with HFN, though the story itself is not finished. There are reverse harem vibes, though not clear-cut. I love that I can't tell where the story is going but the next book is only planned for April 2022 😢😢.
From the author's closing statement its sounds like she hasn't decided yet - "If you’re wondering if this is a reverse harem, I’m not sure yet. I don’t know. I like all these characters. "
April 8, 2023
This one was really interesting. I have a few regular "go-to" authors who are looking to explore monster romances. SO I was stoked when Julia was writing one. The world building was good. Being that this was more of a slow-burn, the overall story arc was keeping my interest. Quite a bit of unique set of characters. I'm sure the audio of this will be great though! I can't wait to see what the next one is about. Love this cover!
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
February 5, 2023
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS!!!!
Thank you Cindy for the rec!!!
I've always been a big fan of JA Huss so was only delighted wen a friend told me she had a PNR book out 😘😘😘
Not only did I love it but it totally got me out of a 4 week book funk
This book is full of creativity, in the development and character building. The world and mystery she gets you to sink into is so interesting you can't put it down. Each page brings more pieces of the puzzle.
There's hotness
Theres steam
And most definitely FIRE
ENJOY
XOXO
Thank you Cindy for the rec!!!
I've always been a big fan of JA Huss so was only delighted wen a friend told me she had a PNR book out 😘😘😘
Not only did I love it but it totally got me out of a 4 week book funk
This book is full of creativity, in the development and character building. The world and mystery she gets you to sink into is so interesting you can't put it down. Each page brings more pieces of the puzzle.
There's hotness
Theres steam
And most definitely FIRE
ENJOY
XOXO
August 3, 2021
I liked the premise and some of the story, but it was very confusing at times.
August 19, 2021
No idea what I just read honestly. But it was quite interesting.
October 9, 2021
Monster and human/magic/curses/twists
This was a good book about a monster and a human. Pie is drawn to the sanctuary and finds that once’s she’s there she can’t leave. She’s stuck with Tomas and pell (whose a satyr chimera) until she breaks the curse.
Things:
-Monster H
-human h
-good world building
-lots of twists and mystery trying to solve this new place
-some steam but not till about 60 and only twice
-I felt this book was super long
Though it was good I don’t think I will continue this series. It was nice but just isn’t for me.
This was a good book about a monster and a human. Pie is drawn to the sanctuary and finds that once’s she’s there she can’t leave. She’s stuck with Tomas and pell (whose a satyr chimera) until she breaks the curse.
Things:
-Monster H
-human h
-good world building
-lots of twists and mystery trying to solve this new place
-some steam but not till about 60 and only twice
-I felt this book was super long
Though it was good I don’t think I will continue this series. It was nice but just isn’t for me.
March 14, 2022
Oh boy how do I love Jason Clarke as a narrator! He did a fantastic job as this dark, dangerous and lovable monster. I loved the way this was a mystery to the reader and those in the book, no one was certain what was real, magic or nothing at all. It was a great pace, with fabulous characters that you like instantly and bond with their plight. The magic elements were fun and interesting. It was full of steam like her other books, so no disappointment there! It came to a satisfying ending.... until in the epilogue when a bomb is literally dropped in the last line. UGH! Now I want the next book so badly, I hope the wait isn't too long!
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