In a world where shadows stretch long and secrets dwell in the hearts of men, the fight for freedom and truth is never straightforward. The characters within these pages are driven by fierce determination, haunted by their pasts, and bound by an unbreakable bond forged in the crucible of war. This story unfolds in the treacherous landscape of a realm overshadowed by the iron grip of the Guard—a ruthless faction that thrives on power, betrayal, and the suffering of others.
As we embark on this journey, we delve into the lives of Cassandra, Tyler, Apollo, and Rose, each wrestling with their demons while facing the harsh realities of a world fraught with danger. Their struggles are not just external; they grapple with their identities, their loyalties, and the weight of choices made in the heat of conflict. With every step they take toward liberation, they confront not only the enemy but also the specters of their own pasts—reminders of love lost, friendships broken, and the sacrifices demanded by their quest for justice.
This tale is not merely about heroism or the triumph of good over evil. It is a nuanced exploration of the gray areas that define our lives—the moments of doubt that threaten to unravel our resolve and the connections that inspire us to fight on. The line between ally and adversary blurs, and what was once clear becomes a haunting reflection of choices made under duress. As the characters strive to reclaim their agency, they must navigate the treacherous waters of trust and betrayal, love and loss, all while the specter of the Guard looms ever closer.
With each page, I invite you to join me in witnessing the unfolding of their saga—a story of resilience, sacrifice, and the fierce light of hope that flickers even in the darkest of times. As the winds of fate shift, and the shadows close in, the question remains: How far will they go to protect what they hold dear? The answers lie ahead, woven into the fabric of a world alive with mystery, tension, and the haunting echoes of the past.
Welcome to this journey—a tale that is only just beginning.
Content Warning: This book contains themes of intense violence, explicit language, graphic scenes of torture, and disturbing psychological content. Reader discretion is advised, as the narrative explores dark and unsettling aspects of the human experience that may be triggering or distressing for some audiences.
D.A. Willows enjoys writing retellings of Greek Mythology, dark romance, and many other things. More recently, she has been working on her debut series, Gods Be Damned. D.A. enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs when she isn't writing. She also enjoys fantasizing about many book boyfriends.
Step into the world of my newest addition to the Gods be Damned series, a dark modern-day Greek mythology, where survival is brutal, freedom is a battlefield, and nothing is as it seems. This isn’t just a story—it’s an experience. It will test your heart, twist your expectations, and make you question where your loyalties lie.
At the heart of the tale are Cassandra, Tyler, Apollo, and Rose—four fighters who are scarred by their pasts but refuse to back down. Each of them carries a secret, a pain, and a fire that drives them forward in a world ruled by the iron fist of the Guard. This isn’t about clean-cut heroes or easy victories; it’s about people pushed to their limits, making impossible choices in the name of justice, survival, and the faint hope of a better world.
This book isn’t just about fighting the enemy—it’s about fighting yourself. What would you sacrifice for freedom? What would you risk for love? And how do you hold onto your humanity when the world demands you give it up? These are the questions I Have Risen dares you to answer alongside the characters as they navigate the treacherous waters of trust, betrayal, and redemption.
But let me be clear—this story doesn’t pull its punches. It’s dark. Gritty. Relentless. You’ll encounter raw violence, deep emotional scars, and moments that will leave you breathless. Yet, amid the chaos, there’s hope—a stubborn, fierce hope that refuses to die, no matter how high the odds are stacked against it.
If you’re looking for a story that grabs you by the collar, drags you through a labyrinth of twists and turns, and leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew about heroes and villains—this is it.
The Guard is watching. The stakes are deadly. And the fight for freedom has just begun.
D.A. Willows’ I Have Risen doesn’t just ask you to buckle up—it throws you headfirst into a whirlwind of rebellion, betrayal, and raw human grit. This book is not for the faint of heart (or anyone looking for sunshine and rainbows). Instead, it serves up a dark, twisted feast of pain and perseverance, sprinkled with just enough hope to keep you gasping for breath.
The world of I Have Risen is a brutal symphony conducted by the Guard, a ruthless regime that thrives on oppression and secrets. Enter Cassandra, Tyler, Apollo, and Rose: a ragtag group of broken yet unyielding fighters with enough baggage to sink a ship. These aren’t your clean-cut heroes; they’re messy, deeply flawed, and achingly real. You’ll cringe at their missteps, cheer their victories, and maybe—just maybe—side-eye some of their more morally questionable choices.
The story unfolds like a chess game with shattered pieces. Every move is precarious, every victory comes at a cost, and no one gets away unscathed. Willows masterfully explores the murky gray areas of human nature, where love collides with loss and loyalty is a double-edged sword. The lines between friend and foe blur faster than you can say "plot twist," and trust me, this book has plenty.
What makes I Have Risen a standout is its refusal to sugarcoat the grim realities of its world. The prose cuts like a blade, sharp and unrelenting, dragging you through visceral scenes of torture, soul-crushing despair, and the bittersweet taste of defiance. It’s not pretty, but it’s undeniably powerful.
Oh, and the stakes? They’re astronomical. As the Guard’s grip tightens, every page feels like a countdown to catastrophe. Will our scrappy heroes prevail? Or will the weight of their own demons crush them before they even get a chance to fight back? You’ll just have to keep reading (and probably clutch your heart a few times).
Fair warning: This book is dark. Like, “haunted by nightmares and questionable life choices” dark. But if you’re up for a gritty, gut-punching tale of resilience in the face of unspeakable odds, I Have Risen will keep you on the edge of your seat—and leave you begging for more.
D.A. Willows, take a bow. This story doesn’t just rise; it soars.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.