God Touched

Ironwood #2

by Alessa Thorn

"I want to start by saying none of this was my fault."

Imogen Ironwood owes the God of the Dead two life debts…and Arawan isn't the kind of god to let a debt go uncollected.

'God Touched' is book two of the new spin-off series in the best-selling 'Fae Universe,' featuring everyone's favorite supernatural hunting family, the Ironwoods. This series is perfect for fans of K.F Breene, Laura Thalassa, CN Crawford, and anyone who loves hot fae princes, kick-ass ladies with sass for days, and Celtic myth!

Trouble and death have followed Imogen Ironwood her entire life. As a hunter, she's used to both, but screwing with a death god is probably the biggest mistake she's ever made.

It wasn't like she asked him to restore her to the land of the living (twice), Imogen only wanted Arawan to help them find Hafgan, Morrigan's escaped general and Arawan's oldest enemy. She just didn't expect Arawan to be hunting her as well.

Imogen knows the world needs Arawan's help to defeat Hafgan and that working with him is their only option. There's only one small problem…Arawan is the personification of all of Imogen's unhealthy obsessions—death, sex, and violence. And falling in love with a god is always going to end in blood and tears.

Please note, 'God Touched' is an adult paranormal romance that contains graphic violence, swearing, and sex scenes.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fae, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Audiobook, Fantasy Romance

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2022

About the author

Alessa Thorn believes that all monsters and villains deserve their happy endings. She prefers her clothes black, eyeliner winged and books full of hot romance. She thinks heroes are boring, so her first series 'The Court of the Underworld' centers around dark gods, monsters and villains from her favorite Greek Myths.

Reviews

[Cass (wonderlandandwhisky) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Fucking hell, there's two of them now," Killian said and laughed.

I fell in love with Imogen when she was first introduced so you can only imagine how excited I’ve been for her story and I just have one thing to say - IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!

Not only do I love Imogen with my whole being but putting a death daddy as the MMC?!! That may be the perfect confirmation. This book nailed (pun intended) the perfect combination.

We also get a lot more of the Fae princes and their mates than we did in Trash and Treaure and again, I’m fully here for this.

As always, Alessa can take a stand-alone and make it completely consume you - mind, body and soul.

The action, adventure, spice, banter…. On freaking point.

My only reservation is that I’m a freak and read it WAY TOO FAST. However, I take comfort in the fact that this will forever and always be a comfort read for me.

If you haven’t read the Fae universe yet, I highly encourage you to do so. And then onto Ironwood because these women… these women are everything you are missing in your life (plus some hot as hell Fae and gods. What more could we ask for?)

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

"That's because your soul is like mine. This is who we really are when all the masks are stripped back. We were born to slaughter our enemies. Fucking in the middle of a battlefield is our truest selves. This is why death always feels so good to you. It is because we are the same beast inside," Arawan said in her ear. "We are death." 😈⚔️

That’s it. That’s my review.

Listened to the new audiobook for a reread, and although I don’t relate to Imogen as much as the other Ironwoods… I adore her humor and this entire story! Because I’m a sucker for a great death god, and love this found family!!!!

So excited to reread Layla & Arne’s story next! More Elves and Norse myth please 🥰

[Marie Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I KNEW SHE WOULD BE MY FAVORITE ! goshhh she is my new role model ! IMOGEN is a queen ! Sassy, badass, sexy and just freackin AWESOME ! and what about Arawan ! holy hell he was hot !! I love this series ! I can wait for Lay Lay's book !!

[Kateryna]

This is fine? I don’t know if this author is for me. The books I’ve read are like easy reads but I can’t get myself invested in the characters. While there are high stakes around every page, I can’t bring myself to believe in the stakes. The world building is fun and expanding in ways that I like but also don’t quite understand as it’s convoluted.

[Paula Izquierdo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Too much smut and too little plot.

[kim_is_bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hum miss Alessa!!!!! Excuse me!!!! How could you write something so perfect?? I need more!!!! Huh I loved this story so much! I will forever try to channel my inner Imogen from now on and will settle for nothing less than my own Arawan! Their relationship and banter is everything and as usual, the smut is pure gold! And the plot was absolutely amazing!!!! And the winks to Norse mythology??? I can’t wait for the next book!!!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Spice: 4/5 🔥

Favorite quote: "You might not feel it now, but I'm going to burrow so deeply inside of you that you're never going to be able to scratch me out of your skin. No matter how hard you try. No matter how far you run. It will always be my voice you hear whispering to you in the darkness…"

I've had a busy last couple weeks, but I'm finally getting around to reviewing the perfection that is God Touched. Hands down this is my favorite book by Alessa to date (and that's saying something because I have read and loved them all).

When you give me a death god and a sassy heroine, I am always a happy camper. I've read so many at this point it's insane, but I never get tired of it. However, God Touched just hit different for me. This is 100% a new comfort read because I loved it so much. I am bewildered by how quickly this book became one of my new favorites.

I love the dynamic between Arawan and Imogen. There is a playfulness between them that he does not have with anyone else. Imogen is unapologetically herself at all times and I believe that is why I fell in love with her from the moment she was introduced in the other books. She's a quick-witted curvaceous heroine that I cannot get enough of and neither can Death Daddy Arawan. I love that he relishes in her bloodthirsty behavior and secretly enjoys the way she pushes his buttons. The spice between these two was *chef's kiss*. Honestly, I'm not sure how much more I can say to express my obsession with these two. I feel like this review is a little chaotic, but I'm gonna roll with it. If you couldn't tell from all my rambling words, I highly recommend this book and series. 🖤

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, yes about everything in this book!!!

I cannot get enough of this world.

Imogen and Arawan are seriously amazing. I could not wait for this book after the whole blips in the pervious one.

But seriously, their chemistry was IN-FREAKIN-SANE!!! I mean seriously off the charts. I loved how Imogen just didn’t back down from him. It’s line “oh you’re the god of the dead, cool story buuuttttt tough” 😂

Gen is seriously such a b.a.m.f. I mean everything she does she’s goes all the way. She does what she wants, when she wants, how she wants.

And Arawan, oh sweet fates that man, well god. He is just so perfect. He’s like huh you’re interesting, not sure why but let’s see what this is about. And then it’s like oh crap you def are a crazy person that I can’t get enough of.

I loved that he calls Gen his Flower and Darling. It’s like she’s such a hardcore Ironwood that’s tough on the outside, but man does he see who she is. He sees who she it at the core. The person that she really hides well from every single person. But he sees her and Gen sees him. Seems so simple but man are they both complex characters.

I highly recommend this book!! I do recommend that you start at the beginning of the The Wrath of the Fae series (1st Kiss of the Blood Prince). It just brings everything together.

This is such a great book. Alessa Thorn never disappoints. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!! ❤️❤️❤️

[Chantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was suuuch a fun book. I loved Imogen, snarky & a badass. A really fun god of the dead book. (My fav)

[Kelsey Hohneke · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Yaagyanika · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started the Ironwood Series I knew Imogen's book would be one of my favorites!
"Do you want to pee on him?" I laughed out loud so effing hard 😭😭

[Chrissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After seeing Arawan in the ending of 𝑊𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑁𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 I was 𝘪𝘮patiently waiting & hoping we'd see more of him & Imogen...so you can't even imagine the shriek I let out when this released!

❝"𝑆𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑖𝑟. 𝐼𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑒, '𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒, 𝐼𝑚𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑛 𝐼𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑤𝑜𝑜𝑑,'" 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑦 𝑣𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒. 𝑆ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑦, "𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑒𝑥𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒?"❞

❝𝐴𝑟𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑛 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘, 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑤. "𝐵𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛'𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢? 𝐼 𝑑𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝐼 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢." "𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑓 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑥𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒, 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛'𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟…𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡."❞ - I feel like this entire interaction is a perfect representation of Imogen & Arawan.

I don't want to get too long-winded in this review, because I 𝘤𝘢𝘯 (& 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭) go into 𝘏𝘌𝘈𝘝𝘠 if you asked or gave me a chance to! I will say though that Imogen really is the kind of woman who I 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 I could be! Also, at this point I think I've just accepted that I have a death-God kink, so Arawan is absolutely 🥵

H͟e͟r͟e͟'s͟ a͟ c͟o͟u͟p͟l͟e͟ o͟f͟ m͟y͟ f͟a͟v͟ t͟h͟i͟n͟g͟s͟ f͟r͟o͟m͟ t͟h͟i͟s͟ b͟o͟o͟k͟:
✬ Seeing more of the Fae Princes & their mates
✬ Some incredible magic & more amazing fight scenes than I could count!
✬ A FMC who's a total badass & more than capable of being her own hero
✬ Arawan. That's all I need to say. 🥵😍
✬ Insight into more fae politics & war councils
✬ That 𝘗𝘓𝘖𝘛 𝘛𝘞𝘐𝘚𝘛 at the end?!
✬ Also, that 𝘌𝘗𝘐𝘓𝘖𝘎𝘜𝘌!

I'm completely invested in this entire universe & I keep thinking I couldn't possibly love these characters more than I already do, but Alessa proves me wrong with every new book! To say I'm excited for 𝐸𝑙𝑓 𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑡 to release would be an understatement!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 - as if I even need to mention that at this point!

[Littlebookishbirdie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You existed and were perfection. You were seared into my brain the night I fight saw you, and until I figure out why, I can't let you go."

Imogen has been dodging death for years. Now she is literally doing so. Arawan, the god of death, has his eyes set on her. But as much as she wants to keep running, they need to work together to help save the world.
_______________________________

Yes. This was my jam. I fucking loved it.

Arawan is the god of death. He is intimidating, dark, and mysterious. He is violent when necessary but he always felt like he was cool, calm, and collected. So I was disappointed that he was instantly in love with Imogen. If you've read the other books, you do see the first few interactions between these two. Imogen comes close to dying twice and both times he saved her. They also met when Morrigan calls upon him. But they don't spend actual time together, nothing besides some snappy remarks to one another.

So I do know their romance was set up two books ago. I just expected the god of death to play hard to get. I didn't picture him falling first. I still enjoyed all of their interactions and I will say I can admire a book that doesn't have the dude being a jerk the entire time. But it just didn't feel like it fit his personality.

But besides that, this book was fabulous. I loved all of their hot scenes, Imogen is hilarious and sexy. Arawan keeps up just fine with her. They are both strong characters, they fight beside one another. The ending also has its own little twist. I do love when the ending or plot isn't perfectly predictable.

I really can't wait for the next one. I've read this entire series and though, no one has beaten the first one with Kian, I do think Arawan is my next favorite. He was fabulous.

This series is also great for readers who don't want to deal with triggers. It does have violence and smut but there isn't any hardcore triggers. The characters tend to find themselves on the good side by the end of things.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4 Stars

"Hello, darling."

Man, Arawan was such a fantastic hero. The god of the dead falling in love...sign me the hell up asap.

I don't have too much to say on this one. I was surprised Imogen didn't annoy me more tbh. She is exactly the type of female character that can ruin an entire book for me if done incorrectly and there were a few times when Imogen's quirks or issues did have me rolling my eyes or grinding me teeth in frustration but ultimately I did like her. She was pretty hilarious at times when the author wasn't trying too hard to make her so quirky.

Arawan was really what made this story so interesting to me. Especially his interactions with Imogen. I loved their time together and thankfully they were together pretty much the entire book. I loved the progression between them and how he was the only one that truly understood her and her obsession with death and the after life. They truly felt like soulmates tbh.

Overall a fascinating read and one I might reread in the future.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I lovedddd Arawan but Imogen was a little too….I don’t know caricature-esque for my liking? I liked their dynamic, but I wanted more of him - his love and shock of the family dynamic, having *those* feelings for the first time in centuries, etc. I would’ve liked a little more of his development.

I love a badass FMC, and the Ironwood sisters certainly are. But Imogen’s ferocity/violence/bloodlust/brattyness almost became 1D? It’s hard to explain, but it just felt kind of off.

Overall, I enjoyed this and plan to continue the series with Layla and Arne next. It’s fun, fast romantasy and gets the job done 😂

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Imogen. She is my favorite Ironwood sister. 💜

[Laurene Allibert · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If we are looking for Vili, why don't we ask his son?" "His son? We didn't know he had one,". Now, that's a way to introduce the next volume, can't wait 🧚‍♀️

TOMES :
1 = Kian + Élise (Prince de Sang)
2 = Bayn + Freya (Prince de l'Hiver)
3 = Killian + Bronnagh (Prince de la Nuit)
4 = Charlotte + Reeve (Magiciens)
5 = Imogen + Arawan (God of Death)

FAES :
- Kian : Prince de sang, il gouverne sur l'Angleterre.
- Elise : Humaine puis immortelle. Compagne de Kian. Bibliothécaire, elle adore les livres.
- Bayn : Prince de l'Hiver et petit frère de Kian. Il gouverne sur l'Écosse.
- Freya : Humaine puis immortelle. Cousine d'Elise et compagne de Bayn. Viking et antiquaire. Elle possède la magie de la glace.
- Killian : Frère ainé de Kian et prince de la nuit, il vole grâce a ses ailes. Compagnon de Bron Ironwood. Il règne sur l'Irlande.
- Hedera : Gouvernante de Kian.

HUMAINS:
- Chrissy : Amie d'Elise

IRONWOOD :
- Kenna Ironwood : Matriarche de la famille Ironwood
- David : Mari de Kenna et père des soeurs Ironwood sauf de Bronnagh.
- Bronagh Ironwood : Humaine puis immortelle, elle possède des ailes.Compagne de Killian et ainé des sœurs Ironwood. C'est une chasseuse.
- Imogen Ironwood : Soeur de Bronagh. 2ème soeur. Semble avoir une affinité avec Arawan, elle mourra a la fin du tome 5 et deviendra immortelle.
- Charlotte Ironwood : Soeur de Bronagh, elle a une aptitude pour la magie. 3ème sœur.
- Layla Ironwood : Soeur de Bronnagh. 4ème soeur
- Moira Ironwood : Soeur de Bronagh, la plus petite.
- Ciara Ironwood : Cousine des soeurs Ironwood. Soeur de Lachlan
- Lachlan Ironwood : Cousin des Ironwood et frère de Ciara.

GREATDRAKES :
- Reeve Greatdrakes : Magicien, ressent son lien d'âme soeur avec Charlotte depuis des années dû à ma malédiction du dragon. C'est le benjamin des Greatdrakes.
- Cosimo Greatdrakes : Père de Reeve, spécialisé dans le glamour et la persuasion.
- Val Greatdrakes : Frère ainé de Reeve, prodige en magie.
- Apollo Greatdrakes : Deuxieme frère de Reeve. Alchimiste.
- Basset Greatdrakes : 3eme frère de Reeve. Utilise la télépathie, la télékinésie et psychometrie.

ELFE :
- Arne Steelsinger : Vit en Norvège, il est le fils de Vili et d'Alruna. C'est le prince des elfes de lumière.
- Alruna : Reine des elfes de lumière.

LOUPS :
- Torsten : Úlfhéðnar, loup métamorphe. Vit en Norvège.

DIEUX :
- Arawan : Dieux galois de la mort, gouverne sur Annwn.
- Morrigan : Déesse de la guerre (IRLANDE). Elle a été battu par Bron.
- Hafgan : General de Morrigan, il sera vaincu par Arawan et Imogen.

HORDE (Alliés de Morrigan) :
- Aneirin : General de Morrigan, immortel, Barde et magicien. Vaincu par Charlotte.
- Vili : General de Morrigan, c'est un elfe noir. Son arme est Tyrfing. Il est le frère d'Odin.

[Maryse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alessa Thorn is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and God Touched certainly didn't disappoint.
The 3 princes are sexy and hot but I'm sorry to say that they need to get out of the way for Arawan, god of the dead. Well, maybe Killian can stay.
Arawan is the perfect MC. He's strong and sexy, protective and a little arrogant. He's used to getting his way but is so intrigued by Imogen's no nonsense strength. He never once belittles her power and prowess on the battle field. And the biggest turn on of all, he doesn't do anything without her consent. I LOVE these men and how they respect women and their choices. I know that dub con is exciting for many people to read in romance novels but there's nothing sexier then when a man asks his woman's permission first before doing anything with her.
Not that Imogen would accept anything less. This is a kick-ass woman who is completely comfortable in herself and her power. She is the perfect combination of sass, fun times and seriousness and she has such a soft heart for her man.

All of these books are such fun rides and all the characters are amazing. I can't wait to continue with this series.
I would recommend reading about the 3 princes first and reading this series of the Ironwoods in order.

[Soph · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑩𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒅, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏.

Wow if this isn’t the most accurate quote I don’t know what is!

God Touched

🪓Spoiler Free Review🪓

Well hello daddy death! Arawan is something else!

So this is by far my favourite book in both the Ironwood and Fae Prince series. Alessa really knows how to do enemies to lovers she never disappoints.

The plot was awesome and that twist, oooft, I almost thew my iPad!

Found family is *chefs kiss* and the Imogen was the perfect FMC. Badass, axe wielding, boisterous Imogen made this book. Her story and character development was awesome. She started and as strong independent rebel and she ended the same, just with something extra.

It’s not often a FMC starts off this confident and reckless and it was awesome to be following her. The spice though, again Alessa knows her shït and knows how to write these scenes. There’s always a great balance in these books of plot to spice, honestly cannot fault the author.

Arawan was everything you could ever want from daddy death and all imma say is wingspan 👀

🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿/5
🗡🗡🗡🗡/5
🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
🎭🎭/5
😈😈😈😈😈/5

[Valentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

My world is just a little more complete after finally having read this book.

I’ve been the biggest Imowan shipper since that one line of dialogue in Wings of the Night Prince & finally getting their book was almost overwhelming 💀

BUT IT WAS EVERYTHING MY SOUL NEEDED.

Imogen is basically my idealized self. She’s who I want to be if I gave less of a fuck. I just loved how she fought her attraction to Arawan knowing he was going to change her irrevocably (you’re thinking bout Twilight now, aren’t you 🤣).

& Arawan, my gorgeous goth daddy god, spearing my heart with your shameless flirting & poetic musings.

It’s crazy to me how Alessa has slowly unpacked this underlying storyline across 3+ books YET HIT US WITH ONE OF THE BIGGEST PLOT TWISTS OF THE SERIES WITH THAT ENDING.

Where do we go from here?? Who all are we going to meet in the next book?? My mind is like a damn ping pong match.

I’m loving the direction this series is taking & getting to see more of the other realms. I just can’t get over the dynamic Alessa created between Imogen & Arawan being two very dominating & head strong characters yet finding a way to meld them together into the perfect puzzle piece.

I leave you with a quote from Arawan that has taken up permanent residence in my brain (from Trash & Treasure):

“She was like some feral flower, with bright petals
and hidden sharp thorns. The kind of dangerous flower that lured its prey in, and delightfully killed it with her seductive poison.

One glance from her a year ago had been enough to
draw him from his dark realm and back into the human one, all for a chance to touch her bright petals and die on her thorns.”

[Stephanie Simons · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say, the Ironwood series has probably made up the best books of this series so far. While the plot is still predictable, new elements are introduced, and in this book, they technically aren't mates. Sure, they were "made" for one another, with her near death experiences, but there isn't some big reveal about them being mates while one keeps it a secret. I like that. I really didn't like how the other books revealed it in the last 20 minutes, there was an argument, then things were perfect again.

This book was overall enjoyable, but I will admit that the final battle scene went far too quickly. There wasn't a huge struggle or near death experiences (Imogen doesn't count because she was immediately okay). I'm not really surprised that the battle scenes go quickly at this point- it's happened in every book. But it's not too big of a deal, and doesn't impact the book too much.

Overall, a good read. It seems the next book hasn't really been "hyped" up as much as the previous books (with the way things were set out at the end) so I'm curious to see how it goes.

[Jenn]

3.5/5

I'm a big fan of Alessa Thorn. I have read almost every book she has released. (I have to finish the Gods of Duat trilogy and read Thoth and Anubis)

So when she surprise dropped this book (I <3 the Fae Universe books) I stopped my other current read and picked this up.

And, honestly, I think its my least favorite Alessa Thorn book.

The spice was everything, but their love story and the plot seemed especially easy in this book. Any chance at conflict was immediately resolved. The twist was too predictable.

And Arawan, aka Daddy Death, became a lovesick teenager and we didn't get to see how badass he and Imogen are. (Maybe they are so badass they just kill everything too quickly?)

I am also going to take some of the blame, maybe I wasn't in the right headspace for an Alessa Thorn book, but I was so excited to see it drop that I read it anyway.

Next time I want a potato chip book, I'll try this one again and see if it is just me.

[YT · Rating 2 out of 5]

✨[[ BOOK INFO ]] ✨----------------------
--<< 1.5 stars rounded up >>-----------------
There were times that Arawan, when reading from his perspective, seemed like a nice guy but then seemed to do a complete 180. I had trouble liking Imogen as a character and by the end of the book I just couldn't like any of them and was glad the book was over.

However, if you like morally grey characters, then you might like this book.

pages: 253
chapters: 35 (excluding prologue and epilogue)
main shelves: fantasy romance, fated mates, forced proximity, alpha-male, royalty, f/m romance, morally grey characters


👤POV(s): multiple= Imogen, Arawan
📜Ending: HFN (Happy for now)
📚Series? Yes. Has the sort of cliffhanger with unanswered questions.

Each book has its own romance, protagonists and main antagonist that belong to an overarching plot, but Imogen and Arawan get their HEA and will appear in the next book as part of the main cast or mentioned. The last chapter and epilogue is used to set-up the next book featuring Layla and Arne.

NOTE: read as a part of the digital boxset.

-----------------------------------------
[[ CONTENT WARNINGS ]]

+ blood/gore
+ graphic violence
+ death and murder
+ sexually explicit scenes (masturbation, pain-play, Dominant/submissive dynamic)
+ kidnapping
+ swears/cursing
+ brief slut-shaming
+ torture and execution
+ drug use (alcohol, etc)

[[ Q’s ]]

Q: Love triangle? no, though jealousy is used as a plot device

Q: virgin trope? no

Q: Character death? (of those in main cast) none of the main cast 'die' though one of the protagonists Imogen does 'die' but is brought back to life immediately afterwards by the other protagonist Arawan and is used as device to continue the romance

Q: Betrayals? one of Arawan's court Owain does betray him for Hafgan, the antagonist of this book. Though he is the immediate suspect and is executed very quickly after being revealed
-----------------------------------------
[[ COMMENTS ]]

This was my least favourite book in this series so far.

📓 Never been really interested in the morally grey characters stories. eg.
- Instead of asking, Arawan knocks Imogen out, kidnaps her, straps her to a chair (unable to move) to 'interrogate' her
- Holding a weapon and murdering people is associated with not being a coward. And taking joy in murdering and torturing people is glorified.
- Arawan is very much a dictator, scaring and threatening other people and acting erratic to keep people unbalanced and unsure.

📓 Romance moves very quickly (admitting Imogen likes Arawan at chapter 14)

📓 A lot of comparing Imogen with other women and looking down on them. Why does every romance seem to include the main female protagonist fighting with another girl? Often one who is described as 'skimpy.' And why are people who are quiet, shy or introverted described as 'demure' and always looked down on?

📓 Imogen calls Arawan... 'Death Daddy' to 'lighten the mood' at times...

📓 There are a few scenes where one protagonist threatens and coerces the other protagonist into confessing love for them...And those two people are the characters in the main romance.
Eg. chapter 25, where Arawan holds a knife to Imogen's throat, threatening and coercing her into saying 'I love you.' Keep in mind at this time, Imogen was also drunk.

📓 The book continually mentions Imogen getting a 'high' from drowning when she was young and 'chasing' that 'high' ever since. This is just brushed off as another sign she 'belongs' with Awaran, the god of Death and I just wasn't comfortable with that representation. TW: She had also intentionally killed herself (Ironwood book 1) to speak with Arawan by slitting her wrists...

📓 Aisling (prominently mentioned in the Fae universe books 1-3), the human sorceress who, centuries ago, literally made it so the fae princes would have human mates to break their curses, is still dead but given a corporeal form on Arawan's land.

She's there for a few scenes then seems to fade into the background only to pop up again. Felt like she was just added in at the last minute and her appearance very anticlimactic. No sparks, no mystical and powerful magic, no wariness, eerie vibes, curling mists and vague messages. Nothing.

Like someone suddenly thought 'maybe I should summon her' then poof she appears then asking her 'do you want to be my court sorcerer?' and her answering 'yeah sure'. That is literally what happened.

📓 Defeating the main antagonist is kind of pushed aside. Battle scenes with the horde seemed to serve more in progressing the romance than the actual plot. Basically just using those scenes to further push that both characters are (what you could say) anti-heroes. Except they take joy in the violence. Which is supposed to be romantic like 'I finally have someone who is like me and understands me' but missed the mark for me.

Then defeating the actual antagonist Hafgan , who was glorified as one of the most powerful people out there, came down to a sudden one-on-one fight near the end of the book. Where was the epic magic? Where were the antagonist's horde army that was emphasised so much in the book?

-----------------------------------------
[[ CONCLUSION ]]

I've got the boxset and the premise of the next book featuring Layla and Arne seems to be interesting so I will continue with the series.

[Ayala · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trouble and death have followed Imogen Ironwood her entire life. As a hunter, she's used to both, but screwing with a death god is probably the biggest mistake she's ever made.

It wasn't like she asked him to restore her to the land of the living (twice), Imogen only wanted Arawan to help them find Hafgan, Morrigan's escaped general and Arawan's oldest enemy. She just didn't expect Arawan to be hunting her as well.

Imogen knows the world needs Arawan's help to defeat Hafgan and that working with him is their only option. There's only one small problem…Arawan is the personification of all of Imogen's unhealthy obsessions—death, sex, and violence. And falling in love with a god is always going to end in blood and tears.

Eh. But I read it.

[The Lusty Literarians · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing from Start to Finish!

God Touched might be my favorite Thorn book yet! Which is saying a lot because I absolutely love her books. I laughed repeatedly while reading this. I also sat on the edge of my seat in anxiety riddled stress too. When I say this book has everything, I really mean it. Stop sleeping on this series and read it today!

[Leeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes another one of Alessa Thorn's books that I have read in a day. All 5 books (although this is labeled 6 on good reads, it's actually book 5 in the whole series because book 4 is really books 1-3 combined. This is the second book in the spin-off series with the Ironwood sisters). In a previous book, Imogen is spotted by the god of death. So this book's twist is the MMC is a god instead of fae. I liked where this book went with the plot. Like Charlotte, Imogen is also helping to eliminate the threats to the humans and the world by stopping all the chaos that Morrigan and her minions have started. Plus all those nasty creatures.....

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book. This author always writes a good book. However, the female MC was very smart mouth and rough around the edges. I don’t usually like my female lcharacters so hard and rough. However, the author still worked with it and I understand why she wrote the characters that way. Because of the kind of work they had to do, then I understand why she wrote them that way. All the characters worked really well together. Never a dull moment. I would like to read more of her books. Less detailed sex scenes. I’m not one who wants a lot of details. Her books can stand alone with out a lot of detailed sex scenes. That’s just my opinion.

[Flávia Diniz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romantasia picante! 🌶️🌶️🌶️
E o deus dos mortos Arawan (Annwn, seu reino, na mitologia gaélica, seria como o paraíso dos Cristãos) apaixonou primeiro! Adoro quando o cara apaixona primeiro!
Esse é o segundo livro da série Ironwood, Imogen é a segunda filha Ironwood.
Eles se viram a primeira vez na guerra contra Morigan, e ele imediatamente ficou encantado. Ela quase morreu na infância e sempre achou já tinha passado seu tempo na Terra, que estava vivendo em tempo roubado. Porque seu lugar sempre foi ao lado da Morte.
Ele salvou ela algumas vezes e ela salva ele no fim.
Muito bom o livro, como toda a série!

[Cindy Senn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites in the whole series

This is a great series. Alessa Thorn is great at writing mythology-based romances. From Hades and his court to the Egyptian Gods in the " Gods of the Duat," each book is well-written and takes you on a journey. The worlds she creates are so well-rounded and plausible one never doubts their existence. In this series, it's Fae, Elves, Were Folk, Primordial Gods, and a family of fighting humans ( sisters) able to fight alongside the paranormals against the evil out to destroy the world. I have yet to find a book Ms. Thorn has written that I have not enjoyed immensely.

[Katt Faëhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imogen is my spirit animal. I swear. Well oky just a lot more sexual lol.

I absolutely love Imogen. She is hilarious and i fully believe we would've been best friends.

And let's not even begin with the Hod of the dead. Whew. Now that is a hot monster daddy right there.

They were perfect foreach other. And it was so sweet how accepting she was of every part of him.

I just need to say this again. IMOGEN IS AWESOME. There. Now i feel better. But i mean come onnnn. Have you seen that girl fight? Amazing. And when she rage killed that monster after it hurt the wolf? A M A Z I N G. She is just the best. And the absolute glee she feels before getting the chance to f*ck shit up. Hilarious.