3,5
This was fun and easy fantasy.
Easily read and digested as ya should be, although it was sometimes a tad too melodramatic for my tastes.
But I enjoyed it :)

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher Harper Collins/Magpie for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

TW: religion, body horror, torture, death, violence, plague

I raced through this book, finding it to be the kind of dark YA with strong world-building and morally grey characters that I love. Five hundred years ago, Runakhia was shattered and the gods vanished when the heretic sorcerer Ruven trapped the royal family in an eternal sleep behind an impenetrable briar of thorns. In the years since a plague has run rampant through the kingdom, leaving hundreds orphaned. Lia has spent years raised by a convent of nuns dedicated to the worship of the goddess of healing, she’s incredibly devoted and because she was born with one golden eye, she is destined to climb the briar and kill Ruven to bring the royals- and the gods- back. However, seven failed before her and the world around them now has little love for the old ways. Lia succeeds in killing Ruven despite making a connection with him, but is disturbed to discover that she can no longer become a nun: she is forced to marry into the royal family and forge a bond with an uncaring god or be executed. Things worsen even further when the ghost of Ruven begins haunting her. Sent out alongside Prince Araunn, her future husband, Lia discovers that the gods she’s worshipped all her life was in fact cruel and violent, especially after her beloved goddess refuses to forge a bond with her over her murder of Ruven. Driven to extreme measures Lia swears herself to the goddess of death and turns to sorcery, aided by Ruven’s ghost, in order to save her own life. As things grow more tense and the gods return, Lia is forced to choose between her faith- and the kind man chosen for her- and what’s right, even if it is from the man she killed.

I loved this book and found myself swept away by it from the first page. The world building and religion is so detailed and powerfully written while all of the characters- especially the nuns- are morally grey. Lia is a wonderful main character, fiercely devoted but forced into an enormous crisis of faith when her goddess rejects her for killing Ruven. Her experiences impact almost every aspect of her life and as she gradually realises how cruel and unkind the gods they follow are, Lia’s character really develops as she’s forced to turn to sorcery to fake the miracles required of her even if that means depending on Ruven. This is a brutal world and one that I would have loved to spend more time in, especially because I loved these characters- Ruven is such a fun “villain” and I adored his scenes with Lia as they clashed over religion and morality. This book won’t be for everyone, it’s less about romance and more about putting personal belief aside for the greater good, which is probably why the ratings are low. I really enjoyed it and I’m definitely going to read more by this author.

There's potential and it's well written but I found it quite slow and more romance than fantasy. Entertaining but not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This book, while the prose is beautiful, is not for me. It did give me a microscopic detailed look at how a devout person is and it's truly admirable. I, for one, will probably never feel attached to any god and I know I could never be on the same page as Lia. I do know real-life people like her exist. Her character is well-written, and she lives a lot in her head.

I like books that go on adventures and there's action and twists and what-nots. There's very little of that in this book. I also did not like the instalove.

I really enjoyed this book a lot.
Again a think I love is imperfect characters, characters that make mistakes. Not the perfect heroes.
I loved the romance and how it was written and developed.
The idea that we don't completely know who are the bad guys, which side to be on.
Pretty sure this is a standalone but I'd love to read more from this world :).

What Monstrous Gods has an insane amount of potential but ultimately was disappointing. I loved the exploration of theology but the whole plot was so messy and confusing. It seemed like more editing was needed as the story was not focused and nothing made sense and if it did, it was boring.

The whole character exploration was good but not enough to follow along with the plot. The first half was good with Lia set into motion of killing Ruven but after 50%, the plot lost track of where it was going. The romance was okay, but needed to be developed further.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

So while I realised quite early on that this book was not going to be for me, I was still interested enough to keep reading on and find out how it turned out.

I did read the synopsis but I went in thinking this would be more about the Gods and the mortals, but it ended up being more about religion and faith. That's fine as I'm sure many people can relate but as someone who isn't religious, I wasn't the target audience.

The main protagonist is Lia, who is morally grey, but I've finished the book thinking that Ruven possibly should have been the protagonist because he is the more interesting character to me. Being honest, I always felt like my attention to the story was coasting along until he would pop up again.

There really wasn't much romance and it felt like it was a little forced unfortunately.

These are just purely my opinions and I wanted to love the book, but maybe I just went in with my expectations too high.

3⭐

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the advance reader copy.

I went into this with little to no expectations as I hadn’t read anything by this author before and I still feel a little disappointed.

The romances are forced and rushed so when they’re spoken about in the story it feels weird.
The characters are one dimensional and also of a weird indeterminable age.

Add in a lot of catholic rhetoric and yes there is an expectation of religion in the book based on the title and blurb but the characters relationships with religion was confusing.

Overall, I think if you want to read a theology book dressed as a fantasy then this is for you.

Ever read a book you wished you never laid your eyes on? Yeah, this was it for me.

Truth to be told, I did come into the novel knowing both the author controversies and their rather problematic stances on certain aspects, as well as that the religious aspect will play a big role in the plot. I was not, however, prepared for just how mind numbingly bad the book is. There's a significant disconnect between what this book promises and what it actually delivers.

It’s just… hard for me to put into words how frustrating and badly written I found this book without methodically slandering every aspect of it. Overall, this is one of those 'I wish you did not exist' books that I will work really hard to forget. If I could give this book lower than 1 star, I would.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

Thank you for the eARC, NetGalley and HarperCollins.
I really liked Cruel Beauty and Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge, so I was looking forward to What Monstrous Gods.

I wish I'd liked it more, but it wasn't my cup of tea, sadly. Part of it is probably due to how much it focused on religion and belief. There were some interesting points on that, but there were just too many discussions between the main characters about their religions, and how one is better than the other.

The plot didn't really hold my attention, and I don't feel we got to know the characters enough, or that they had enough reason to fall in love.

It reminded me a bit (a lot?) of Wicked Saints by Emily Duncan. I think readers who liked that and maybe The Wolf and the Woodsman (more in terms of vibes and focus on religion) will also enjoy What Monstrous Gods.

Overall, I didn't think it was bad, it just wasn't for me - 2.5 stars.

Wow. The description of the book does not do it justice. It’s technically all an accurate plot description but really, this is the story of a girl who wrestles with her faith as she learns more about the gods she was raised to worship. The conversations between Lia and Ruven are incredibly deep for a fantasy romance.

Rosamund Hodge weaves a captivating tale of gods, duty, and betrayal in "What Monstrous Gods," a spellbinding fantasy that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Centuries ago, the heretic sorcerer Ruven cast a deadly briar around Runakhia's palace, plunging the royal family into an enchanted slumber and silencing the kingdom's gods. Lia, born with a miraculous gift, holds the destiny to kill Ruven and awaken the royals from their sleep. However, her task is far from over.
After successfully waking the royals, Lia is faced with a new duty—to marry into the royal family and forge a pact with a god, or face certain death. But the challenges don't end there. Ruven's spirit continues to haunt her, adding to the turmoil of her mission.

As Lia and Prince Araunn, her betrothed, embark on a pilgrimage to awaken the gods, they discover that the ancient deities are far more dangerous than they ever imagined. In a world where old and new guards clash, Lia finds herself torn between her beliefs and what she knows is right. The stakes are high, and the choices she makes will determine the fate of not just the kingdom, but also her own life.
Throughout their journey, Lia and Araunn find themselves drawn to each other in unexpected ways. Lia must confront the ultimate dilemma choosing between duty and love, between the prince she is bound to by obligation and the secrets of her own past. Rosamund Hodge crafts a richly detailed world filled with intricate politics, ancient powers, and characters who grapple with the weight of their destinies. "What Monstrous Gods" is a gripping fantasy that delves deep into themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between good and evil.

I really enjoyed this one.

It is a dark YA fantasy novel about a girl fated to save the royal family, who have been put under a slumber for 500 years, by murdering the sorcerer who set the spell. But what she isn’t expecting is the sorcerer to be frozen in time too - and he’s not too much older than her and is as much a pawn as she is. This is within the first couple of chapters of the book - what she doesn’t expect is his ghost to haunt her and what happens after she has become a hero?

The world building in this is great, it’s very detailed and it makes sense. This was billed to me as almost romantasy, while I’d say you could remove 95 percent of the romance element and still have a really good fantasy novel. It almost felt like an afterthought and I felt the main characters relationship to the gods, the royal family and her own powers was much more interesting.

I would love another book set in this world - it is a stand-alone and I felt the story arc was completed so well that a second book would almost ruin it, but a second book following a couple of the secondary characters or the sorcerers origin story would be interested.

4/5 this is one of the better YA books I’ve read this year so far.

’Seven girls they had sent, and none ever returned.
The eighth girl is me.’

Promise me gods in a fairytale inspired world and I’m naturally going to be eager to pick a book up. What fantasy fan can resist a novel that shows it most mystical and mighty beings interacting with the world? And I’m always entranced by the prospect of fairytale inspired narratives; particularly ones that appear to promise very different takes on the original tales. As you can probably figure out for yourself from this book’s blurb ’What Monstrous Gods’ only takes loose inspiration from the tale of Sleeping Beauty, namely it’s sleeping curse, and gives it a completely different focus in the form of some very devastating gods.

As soon as I read the descriptions of the various gods of Runakhia and the afflictions that their individual saints each suffered I was hooked on this book. There’s something deeply compelling and horrifying about tales such as this one and the bond between mortals and the gods was crafted wonderfully. The viewpoints of both – and how a 500 year absence had shaped it – was portrayed beautifully and Lia’s perspective was a fascinating one to follow in as you got to see how her past and the present shaped and changed her feelings towards the divine.

The world is one that I thoroughly enjoyed exploring and would happily revisit again, particularly for the aforementioned gods, saints and the history surrounding them (surely I’m not alone in longing for a companion similar to ’The Lives Of Saint’ given some of the horrors and miracles that are referenced here?). There were other elements within the setting that intrigued me too though such as the religious divides, devastating plague and political manoeuvring. Let’s be honest though, the central drama of this book revolves around two things – the gods and romance.

Thankfully I can say that I quite enjoyed the romantic elements on the whole. There was the type of taunting and teasing that never fails to reel me in and the unique nature of the pairing made it an intriguing one to watch unravel. Personally I do wish that certain shifts in feelings had been given a little bit more page time however. Similarly I do feel that certain major events could have benefited from the same thing. There wasn’t any drama that I found truly out of place, I just feel that with a bit more time spent on certain sections the impact could have hit me harder, making this more of a five star read.

On the whole I certainly recommend ’What Monstrous Gods’ though and can see it appealing to many young adult fantasy fans. The godly involvement – which given the title will surely intrigue most readers – is fascinating to discover and the struggles of Lia concerning her faith are believably managed too. Admittedly there was one occasion when I felt that the gods could have been more impactful but on the whole they were gloriously well depicted. So if the title and premise intrigues you I’d certainly recommend checking this out. Personally I’m even more eager to read more of Rosamund Hodge’s previous novels now.

Well... every character in this book was infuriating. Lia is a naive girl - all the way through with "I love the Gods" saying it over and over again - yes, we get it and you're an idiot. The royal family were awful, as were the Gods. Not one likeable character. Its a great story but I didn't get the most out of it before I kept rolling my eyes are these frustratingly unrelatable characters.

I've read the Little Red Riding Hood retelling by this author and absolutely loved it. I also own the Beauty and the Beast retelling, but for some reason I still haven't read that one. I hope to change that soon. However, when I saw this book on Amazon and Netgalley I knew I had to have it. Gods, enemies to lovers, royalty. What's not to like? I was even happier when Magpie granted me a review copy through Netgalley a few days before the book was officially released! I started reading right away.

The beginning of this book was awesome. It immediately grabbed me and I immediately felt a connection with the heroine of the story. However, then I was surprised that the first part of the story went so incredibly fast! All of a sudden the book took a different turn from what I was expecting and I needed a little time to feel comfortable with that new direction. Although, the book and I never became the dream match I had hoped we would be.

I can't really pinpoint why though. The writing style is lovely. The book was easy to read and I flew through it. I also really loved all the characters in this story. They were all clearly different, layered, complicated and therefore interesting. Some characters showed their colors a little easier than others, but it was worth waiting to get to know them all. I also loved the Gods, the world building and all the politics.

So, why isn't this my new favorite book ever? I think for some reason the combination of all those elements felt a little chaotic. There was romance, but for some reason it felt like that romance never deepens. The world building is wonderful and yet it feels like it was maybe a little too brilliant for this specific story and book. Just like there were so many amazing characters that it was almost a pity that a lot of those characters had not enough pagetime.

I still loved this book and enjoyed reading it. I had just expected a little bit more which is now clouding my initial judgment.

"A Feather So Black" by Lyra Selene weaves a captivating tale set in a kingdom where magic has faded and intrigue thrives. The story follows Fia, a rare changeling with fae blood, raised by the queen and trained as a spy. Tasked with a mission to rescue the true princess, Eala, from the clutches of the dark fae lord Irian, Fia embarks on a journey fraught with danger and emotional turmoil.

The plot unfolds with layers of suspense and mystery as Fia navigates the enchanted forests of the Folk, where danger lurks behind every shadow. Alongside her is Prince Rogan, her childhood friend and Eala's betrothed, adding a complex dynamic to their quest. As Fia grapples with her feelings for both Rogan and the enigmatic Irian, she begins to question the true nature of her mission and her own identity.

Selene's writing style is rich with vivid imagery, painting a fantastical world brimming with magic and peril. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations and secrets. Fia emerges as a compelling protagonist, torn between loyalty to her queen and the stirrings of her heart.

However, while the story captivates with its intricate plot and vibrant characters, there are moments where the pacing falters, and certain plot points feel rushed. Additionally, some aspects of the world-building could have been further explored to enhance the reader's immersion in the fantastical realm of Tír na nÓg.

Overall, "A Feather So Black" delivers a mesmerizing blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure. It's a tale of love and sacrifice, where the boundaries between good and evil blur, leaving readers questioning the true nature of heroism. As Fia grapples with her destiny and the secrets of her past, she learns that the greatest battles are often fought within oneself.

"What Monstrous Gods" is a ya fantasy novel written by Rosamund Hodge and loosely inspired by the "Sleeping Beauty" fairy tale. A book about which I had very high expectations, but which unfortunately left me lukewarm.

I loved the dark fairy tale atmosphere that hovers between the pages, as well as the bewitching and evocative prose. The kingdom of Runakhia, inspired by Victorian England, fascinated me with its political, social and religious tensions. In particular, religion takes a central role in the book, in a land divided between faiths and beliefs deeply different from each other. The idea of the royal family, awakened after 500 years of magical sleep, is fascinating, as is the presence of gods and saints who, infused with divine power, are destined to die painfully. In short, a dark world building, full of potential, that unfortunately seemed poorly developed and nebulous to me.

The story proceeds hastily and chaotically, between plot holes and convenient situations, with numerous time jumps and scenes taken for granted. Seriously, at some moments I got the feeling that pieces were missing! 

Lia, protagonist with her only first person pov, convinced me by analysis and development. Born with a miraculous gift, survived a plague that wiped out her entire family, Lia is destined to awaken the royals and kill Ruven, the sorcerer responsible for their magical sleep and the silence of the gods. However, when her success leads to unexpected developments, Lia begins to falter. Unlike her, the rest of the secondary characters, including Ruven, seemed extremely shallow to me. A shame, especially for Ruven! I mean we are talking about a dead boy, killed by Lia, whose spirit begins to haunt her! Basically the recipe for the perfect enemies to lovers, with a lot of angst attached! 

All in all, "What Monstrous Gods" is a novel with a fantastic premise that, unfortunately, did not convince me in its development.

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lia has the Royal Gift, so she has been raised to kill the evil Ruben, a sorcerer who trapped the royal family in a deep sleep 500 years ago. She succeeds in killing him and is welcomed by the royals - but that is only the start of her trials.

This book is phenomenal. I loved the world building, seeing Lia develop, learning more about the Gods. Was totally gripped from start to finish, and I suspect this will become a book that I reread whenever I want a solid, beautifully written fantasy!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

For a book that has a lot of details about the gods, it is an incredibly easy and quick read. The world building is surprisingly easy and doesn't feel heavy, which is refreshing for a story that includes so much information about numerous gods.

I did find Lia to be a bit whiny sometimes and there's a lot of angst that she works through, but her character was interesting if a little annoying. She's a very naive character and this gets frustrating at points as you want her to learn but she's quite slow on the uptake, which means the reader has a much better idea of the peril she's in than she does.

I think the story may have benefited from dual POVs, as I wanted to know more about what drive Ruven to cast the spell and see more of the changes that he went through from his perspective. Not giving this insight meant that his character was quite weak and never really developed.

I wanted to get more into the politics of the story to fully understand the difference between the royal family and the modern world. This didn't really happen as the story follows Lia who is on the outside of all of this and we only gain understanding as she does.

While I enjoyed the book, I was expecting more. It was a much lighter read than I was anticipating though and while the end was inevitable, it was also sweet.

This book is entirely YA so a couple of kisses and a touch of romance with angst thrown in. It's a fun and easy read.