One of my top reads of this year. At 40% I could not get enough and knew this was going to be a 5⭐️ read and it did not disappoint. The world building was fantastic without being overly complicated.

Kava, a kingdom where magic once thrived in its people and land, mysteriously disappears overnight. For those who still have some of it remaining, it is considered a curse and is an immediate death sentence by the Crown.

Elysia, the FMC is secretly one of those who are “cursed” but is also openly seeing the Prince, Topp, whose father will not tolerate any inkling of magic in his kingdom. She lives in constant fear of hiding her curse while maintaining court life to ensure her survival.

The relationship btwn Elysia and Topp was a roller coaster of emotions. I hated him, then loved him, and then also wanted to chuck my kindle at him. I loved seeing their relationship play out and I can’t wait to see where this goes with the twisty end.

The other characters were also great and the author, Caitlyn weaves their personalities and plots with the overall story so well. Please give us more of Gage in the next one!

Amazing fantasy read that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. Cannot wait for the second!

✨Undead Gods✨

So much plotting and scheming and political intrigue! These characters are vipers! Morally grey! Fierce! And delightful. It’s like a new adult cruel prince/wicked king deviance and Elysia is like Jude, but maybe more unhinged. At least definitely has less self preservation. Ha!

In UG, we enter a kingdom where several years ago magic was suddenly stripped from their people. Now only occasional people harbor the “curse” of magic and those are all publicly executed unless kept secret. Elysia is one of those secrets. But secrets are also how she thrives and earns her living. Hiding in plain site, Elysia works for her father, collecting ways to bring others down within the Crown and court. But when her magic shifts, she finds herself in a race to figure out how to stop it, how to stay alive, and how to keep her secrets from those around her- especially her cunning boyfriend, the prince- before he truths are laid bare.

This story is full and descriptive. It is plot driven with a touch of romance. Everyone is morally grey. The setting describes almost Victorian but feels modern. Elysia and her crew (if you can call them that) are straight cut throat. I’m not sure there’s a soft edge here and I loved it.

About 85% the intrigue triples. I was clutching the kindle, seeming more answers and time with these new revelations and theories, and the ending has me aching for what transpires on the other side of that cliffhanger.

Tropes you may find are morally grey FMC, court intrigue, romance subplot, a raccoon, lovers to enemies, you know what- everyone is morally grey, all the scheming, low spice, strong women, lots of secret keeping, touch her and die, and knife to the throat.

I’m so thankful to get to be an arc reader for this gifted arc. I’m so curious for what happens next!

In Undead Gods, Caitlyn Battelle spins a captivating tale set in the decaying realm of Kava, where magic is both coveted and condemned. Elysia Parker, a royal with a hidden magical gift, finds her secret increasingly difficult to maintain, especially as her forbidden romance with Crown Prince Topp Blatz intensifies and the mysteries of Kava unravel.

Battelle’s world-building is rich and immersive, blending intricate details with a dark, atmospheric setting. The story strikes a great balance between vivid descriptions, engaging dialogue, and Elysia’s internal struggles. Although I’m eager for more clarity on how Elysia’s magic works, the enigma adds to the book’s allure.

The secondary characters, particularly the banter between Gage and Maya, are a highlight. Gage’s chemistry with Elysia occasionally feels more charged than her romance with Topp, and Adrian adds an extra layer of intrigue.

Despite a slow start, Undead Gods is a compelling introduction to the series, and I’m looking forward to seeing where Battelle leads us next!

“Some choices were irredeemable, not even time able to soften the damage or pain.”

“Undead Gods,” by Caitlyn Battelle

I absolutely loved this book so much! All the characters, even the side characters, were so good. I loved how Elysia and Topp interacted, so much bickering and so many secrets. The romance kept me glued to the book hoping for a resolution and the suspense with it killed me. The fantasy story plot was unique and interesting, and it was super easy to picture all of it. Elysia is one of my favorite FMC I’ve read, she is independent and strong but desperately wants to be loved and fit in. This book is definitely one of my top faves for September and this year. I cannot wait for book two!!!! 5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

“It’s a lonely life, putting your love into the wrong hands.”

“Sometimes the truth was more powerful than any lie.”

That ending has almost made writing this review impossible lol. In short, 𝗦𝗢 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗.

Elysia is perfectly fleshed out as our main character, and her internal battles are undeniably relatable in the way that Battelle crafts them. On that note, the writing in this book is genuinely so, so beautiful. For example: (I have 96 individual highlights, even with actively trying to stop myself)

”The feeling of his fingers, his nails pulled her from the glacial, immoveable depths of fear holding her body captive and plunged her back into the flames of wrath. And with that, several things happened all at once. The most important of which was Elysia Parker exploding through her porcelain mask. Shards and fragments of the doll she had been flew like shrapnel through the air. Composure broken, she found a vicious, vengeance-bent version of herself waiting to emerge. The Crown-welded collar and leash lay demolished, brittle pieces scattered on the floor.”

These metaphors are as exquisite as the validated feminine rage that soon drips from these pages. I can’t adequately express how much I loved the balance that Battelle achieved between violent rage and internal conflict within Elysia Parker. A brilliant and easily adored fmc.

”A reverie of rage.”

The love interest in this story is extremely unique in that they already have an established relationship from page 1, and then…things happen. As they do lmao but most likely 𝗻𝗼𝘁 in the way that you’d expect. Which is why I’m 110% recommending this book to anyone who’s even remotely interested:
𝙔𝙤𝙪'𝙡𝙡 𝙇𝙊𝙑𝙀 𝙞𝙩 ♥︎

I literally cannot wait to get my hands on book 2!

Book Review: Undead Gods by Caitlyn Battelle

I’d like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Undead Gods, and I have to say, this book captivated me from the very first page. Set in the intriguing world of Kava, where magic has become a dangerous secret, I found myself drawn into Elysia Parker’s tumultuous life.

Elysia is a fascinating protagonist—cursed and hiding her magic while navigating the treacherous royal court. Her fear of discovery is palpable, and the stakes couldn't be higher as she finds herself in love with a prince who could condemn her to death. I was on the edge of my seat, wondering how she would maneuver through the complexities of her heart and her curse.

The writing is lush and immersive, perfectly capturing the dark, moody atmosphere of Kava. Battelle has a way with words that painted vivid scenes in my mind, from the underground tunnels to the allure of pleasure houses. The world-building is intricate and compelling, creating a backdrop that enhances the tension of the narrative.

I also loved the Hades and Persephone inspiration woven throughout the story. It added a rich layer to Elysia's journey as she navigates love, betrayal, and self-discovery. The themes of sacrifice and truth resonate deeply, making Elysia’s quest not just about survival, but about finding her place in a world that feels unforgiving.

While I found the pacing a bit uneven in spots, the twists and turns kept me engaged, and I was constantly surprised by where the plot led. The character dynamics are complex, and the supporting cast adds depth to Elysia’s story, making every encounter significant.

Overall, Undead Gods is a dark fantasy that expertly blends romance and danger. If you’re a fan of intricate world-building and strong character arcs, this book is a must-read. I can’t wait for the next installment to see where Elysia’s journey takes her!

In Kava, magic has disappeared and any trace remnants are outlawed, punishable by death. Cursed with the remains of some magic, Elysia Parker lives in fear every day that her secret will be revealed. Elysia believes her salvation lies in the crown prince. In love with Topp Blatz and hopeful that his love will protect her from her curse, Elysia's very existence is precarious. When her magic suddenly changes, Elysia is forced to search for an answer before her secret reveals itself.

"The fates do have their jokes, don't they?"

Immediate thought upon finishing this was that to the lovely Caitlyn Battelle, I need the next book IMMEDIATELY. RIGHT NOW. (Spectacular, give me fourteen of them.) Undead Gods was MAGNIFICENT. It gave serious Throne of Glass vibes in the best possible way. I read A LOT of romantasy and I've read most of the currently popular romantasy books out there and I firmly believe that Undead Gods will have a VERY big moment.

The beginning took a little bit of time to get into but this didn't surprise me because world building in unique fantasy environments can take some time and I wasn't upset about it either. One of my favourite aspects of Undead Gods was how vivid the storytelling was, I really felt like I was in Relclave and I could picture every aspect of it. I love love love intense world-building personally, so I really enjoyed how in-depth the descriptions were. Once the scene was set, this was an incredible, intricate story with an amazing cast of characters. I loved the found-family aspect of this and I hope that is built on more in a subsequent book. I L O V E Elysia, Lina, and Topp (I can't tell if I'm supposed to though?????)

THE END. Like the last 80 pages? I'm a) STUNNED and b) distraught that I don't immediately have the answers that I want. I LOVED the circle on Elysia's new magic, that aspect was just unbelievable, I didn't expect that to happen the way it did.

All of this is to say if you like:
- fantasy with plenty of world-building
- found family
- strong women
- forbidden magic
- lovers to enemies to questions???
- secrets and mysteries

You will LOVE Undead Gods by Caitlyn Battelle and you should absolutely pick it up!

"To the women whose names are never known, who fix the mistakes of men."

Thank you to Caitlyn Battelle, Twelfth House Publishing, and NetGalley for this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

UNDEAD GODS - CAITLYN BATTELLE

I hadn't read much dark fantasy before reading Undead Gods, but I loved this book so much and it's made me want to read more in this sub-genre. Here's a synopsis:

Elysia Parker lives each day in fear it will be her last. The magic the gods carelessly gifted mortals disappeared years ago, and Elysia is all too familiar with what happens when someone is found to be harboring magic in her land. Death. Cursed but hiding in plain sight within Kava’s royal court, Elysia has her eyes on the crown and its prince. But an unexpected change in her magic throws her carefully laid plans into chaos.

If you love books that have a strong vibe, you'll love Undead Gods. This book has an atmosphere, where you can almost physically feel the gloomy, lamplit and ash-flecked surroundings as you follow Elysia's story.

While the novel doesn't only show Elysia's point of view, it feels like we, as the readers, don't have access to all the information at play. And that makes sense. The Kava Court runs on fear and secrets, and this applies to us too, where we're never entirely sure what Elysia or other characters are planning to do next. This makes for an intense but exciting read, right up until that ending.

Feisty and practical, Elysia reminded me a lot of Celaena from the Throne of Glass series. So, naturally, I'm a fan of Elysia, as well as all the other major and minor characters. In fact, I liked all of these characters so much, I wanted more time with them. No spoiler on what it is, but there's also a super-cute animal sidekick, which I wish was introduced a lot earlier in the book!

By the time I got to the ending, my jaw genuinely dropped and I quickly reached out to Caitlyn, who confirmed that there's a book two in the works. Expect a major cliffhanger!

All in all, this is an excellent start to a new dark fantasy series, and I can't wait to get my hands on book two. Thank you to Caitlyn Battelle, NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC.

Release date: 1 October 2024

Review score: 4/5

TW: violence, s*xual content, death, drug use, s*xual assault

For complete transparency - I did not finish this book.
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing outwardly 'bad' about this book but it just wasn't for me and I found myself struggling to want to pick it back up and keep going. The premise is excellent, the writing is good. But the story itself is slow, and some of the chapters are excessively long. I also didn't feel myself making a connection with the main character, or any of the others.
I would go back to this and try again at some stage, but for now I'm not continuing. I feel like upon finishing, I'd give a 3/3.5 star rating.

This might be my favorite read this year. The vibe, the characters, it just hit in a way I REALLY need a book to hit for me.

The world was fascinating to me. While there are many stories with gods and magic, the spin on this was so unique, it had me engrossed IMMEDIATELY. The abilities are unique, and I loved learning about new ones.

From the first sentence of this, I couldn't stop reading. Until I finished it, I stayed up until 3am three nights in a row 🫣

I love Elysia. Morally grey, wants to survive. She is selfish in a beautiful and understandable way. Her life has been spent under the control of her father, and she is a grown woman in this story, wanting to stop living in fear. There were many many times I teared up solely because her desire to be safe, to be able to trust someone, and especially her relationship with her father (all the girls with daddy issues know 🫶🏼) Usually it takes a big emotional event to happen to make me cry while reading, but I cried multiple times reading this because of how attached I grew to the characters.

Now, Topp... oh man. I can't say much. So many spoilers if I do. BUT I LOVE HIM OKAY AND I KNOW MAYBE I SHOULDN'T BUT I DO

I devoured this book and loved all the characters. They had their own personalities, goals, lives. They all felt perfectly fleshed out. And the WORLD 🤌🏼 It was easy to understand but also fascinating. I am so so excited to learn more and dive back in whenever book two comes. It'll be worth the wait, but I will be rereading book one while I wait 😂🫣

Set in Kava, a land that is essentially dying after its magic has been taken by the Undead Gods. Anyone found still possessing or suspected of using magic is sentenced to death.

Elysia Parker, our FMC and a member of the Crown, has been secretly living with the power of magic. As she grows older, her magic evolves, making it harder to keep her secret. This leads her to uncover the truth about Kava’s magic and the Undead Gods.

Elysia is already in love with the one person who could sentence her to death—Crown Prince Topp Blatz. This relationship becomes increasingly complicated as hiding her magic from Topp becomes nearly impossible. Meanwhile, Topp has his own motives to discover what happened to Kava.

The world-building was easy to follow yet detailed, giving off gothic, steampunk vibes. I felt there was a perfect balance of description, dialogue, and inner thoughts. I did wish for a bit more detail about Elysia’s magic so I could fully understand it, but I understand that it adds to the mystery—this is only book one, after all, so hopefully there’s more explanation in book two.

The side characters were great, especially the banter between them. I want more of Gage and Maya in book two! And… was it just me, or did anyone else feel some weird tension between Elysia and Gage? At times, I thought there was more chemistry between the two of them than with Topp.

Also—Adrian? Hello, I’m here for it.

Although this did take me a little while to get into it, it was an enjoyable read and I will definitely continue the series.

Thank you NetGalley, Caitlyn Battelle and Twelfth House Publishing for an eARC in exchange for a honest review.

Elysia is a woman trying to survive in a realm where her magic is forbidden and her love, the Crown Prince, could kill her if he knew of it.

I loved the characters in this book, they were funny and calm and emotional and complex. The plot lines kept me pulled in and hoping my guesses were wrong.

I don’t want to spoil anything - but ahhhh! 😱

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Undead Gods

Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an ARC copy of this book, and thank you netgalley!

This book was magnificent, twisty, suspenseful and so funny!

Elysia is constantly looking over her shoulder, second guessing everybody and worrying when her last day will be. When her magic changes and catches her by surprise she is thrown into a journey of chais, death and disaster. Making her way to the one place no one dares go, the death realm, will she be able to face the Undead Gods?

Eeek, I loved this book SO MUCH. It was nothing like I thought it would be in the best way. With the Hades and Persephone element, it was always going to be good, but there are aspects of this book that are insanely well done.

Elysia, the FMC, she is a determined badass, with the such a great sense of humour, but still with her own problems and doubts lurking.

The world building in this book was amazing. I was getting gothic, wonderland-y world vibes, very in depth and detailed!

Throughout there is a steady pace set, and every chapter makes you want to read the next! The ending…oh I just can’t wait for the next book!

This is due to be released 1st October 🫶🏻

My review has also been posted on instagram and goodreads.

I was hooked on this book, and now have to wait for the next one to find out what happens. It's always hard to pass up on a Hades x Persephone retelling, and this book should definitely be included on the must read list for those that love them. The world the author built was amazing, I loved our characters, especially Elysia. This book had everything a girl could want in a romantasy. It was truely an enjoyable read and I couldn't consume this book fast enough. I really want to see how her story continues, especially after that cliffhanger!!

This was boring to me. I couldn't tell you what was happening and I would start zoning out while reading. It felt confusing in the beginning and the plot didn't really clear up for me.

First off, thank you Caitlyn and NetGalley for allowing me to immerse myself in this amazing ARC! The world building was top notch and I LOVED the FMC, Elysia - she was the perfect dark and badass bitch you want on your team.

I loved the magic in this world and why am I obsessed with a particular god? 😅 I need more of him ASAP! Then, the ending just has me begging for more.

I definitely recommend this read to all my fantasy lovers out there! 🫶🏼

Firstly, thank you so much to the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to review Undead Gods.

I battled with this one for a little while, if I'm honest. The premise was very interesting, and I applaud the concept. However, I couldn't get past the first couple chapters because the inner monologue was too much for me. I hope to come back to the book, but I just couldn't get through it. There was some contradiction between our main character's thoughts and actions that was frustrating and hard for me to look past. I found it difficult to connect with the main character and the love interest. The world-building was really good, so that was a strong point and a main reason I will attempt to finish at a later date.

First of all, thank you Caitlyn for giving me the opportunity to read Undead Gods as a ARC! This book is probably the best indie book I’ve ever read and I’m so glad I found Caitlyn on Threads and that she chose me to read this book before it was released. I was so insanely impressed with the world building and depth of the characters explored in this first book of the series. The grungy, dark, soot-filled world of Kava was so different to anything I’ve read before, and I really enjoyed the “Industrial Revolution/steampunk/ victorian gothic” vibes it was giving off.

The beginning did take some time to get into (as most world building tends to do) but once I made it out the other side, the story unfolded in a way that had me gripping the sides of my kindle, unable to stop reading. I fell into the most intense “love/hate” relationship with this band of characters than I ever have in any other book, especially with Elysia Parker, the most morally grey woman I’ve ever read about. The “stabby, sassy assassin” FMC has been a trope that I usually find redundant, however Caitlyn made Elysia feel fresh, relatable and honestly hilarious at times. But most of all, Elysia made extremely questionable choices, usually for her own selfish gain and at the expense of those around her. She was the very definition of someone you love to hate and hate to love. And the MMC, Topp Blatz, was no exception. Topp had me wanting to throw my kindle across the room during multiple points in the book, but also made me want to jump through the screen and give him the biggest hug. I cannot stress enough how grey these characters are! The relationship between these two is an absolute rollercoaster and I have no idea how it’s going to go forward into future books; especially after that twisty ending!

The main side characters in this book were also just so good. Beatriz and the Doorman were such a fun addition to the story, I loved Jessa and Rollie, and Lina was adorable! The banter and dialogue between all the characters was hilarious to read sometimes, and the conversations felt natural and enjoyable (not cringey).

The best part of this whole book, however, has to be the fact that at no point did I ever successfully predict how events were going to unfold. This is something I have not experienced in a very long time. It felt like constant whiplash going through this book, in the best way possible. I had no idea who to trust, who to root for, or what to expect next. I honestly can’t remember the last time a book has completely shaken me up like this. It was so refreshing to read a book that wasn’t only filled with predictable plot lines and popular trope “checklists” being ticked off. It was such a twisty, engaging and unique story! An absolute whirlwind of a book!

Overall, this is a 4.5/5 read for me and I will be recommending this to all my bookish romantasy friends as soon as it is released. Thank you so much again, Caitlyn, for trusting me with a copy of your story! I can’t wait for the next one!

Undead Gods by Caitlyn Parker brings readers into the dangerous world of Kava, where magic is outlawed, and those who harbor it face death. We follow Elysia Parker, as she walks the perilous line between hiding her magical curse and navigating her romantic entanglement with the prince of Kava. Inspired by the myth of Hades and Persephone, the novel plunges into a world of steampunk, magic, rebellion, and a love that might destroy everything.

The magic-fueled political intrigue and Elysia's personal stakes are intriguing and hooks the reader right from the start. Elysia attempting to hide her magic while also having romantic entanglement with the prince who might be the one to sentence her to death should she be caught feels like a dangerous line to toe. The first few chapters were gripping, quickly drawing me into the world of Kava, where death seems to lurk in every corner. The tension between Elysia and Topp, the prince, crackled with forbidden allure, making the stakes feel even higher.

The world-building was exceptional. Kava, with its gaslamp, steampunk, and romantic atmosphere, was intricately detailed without being overwhelming. Parker managed to craft a world that felt both gritty and magical, full of shadowy back alleys, underground tunnels, and political conspiracies. The scenes in the death realm, though brief, were some of my favorites, and I wished we had explored more of this haunting dimension.

The writing style, while immersive at times, felt uneven in parts. While some passages were rich with atmosphere and tension, others felt overly simplistic or lacking in depth. There were moments where I wished for more lyrical prose or deeper introspection, especially in the relationship between Elysia and Topp.

Pros:

World-building: Kava is a richly imagined world with steampunk elements, a corrupt royal court, and a fascinating death realm. This pulls you into an alternate victorian era, reading the book feels as if you are walking the streets of Kava yourself, you can almost feel death and danger lurk at every corner and retreat into the shadows as draw closer.

Morally complex characters: Elysia, though not always likable, is nuanced and strong, with a compelling backstory and internal struggle. Elysia is a well thoughtout and multi dimentional character, her actions are not always likable but it is an important aspect of writing characters with depth, where the authors are not afraid to give their protagoninst traits that are not always positive.

Plot twists: The story keeps you guessing, with several unexpected reveals that elevate the tension. The twists are well executed and thoughtout. The author has planned the story well so all the twists make sense..

Cons:

Romance: While central to the plot, the romance between Elysia and Topp could have used more depth and emotional nuance. Their push and pull sometimes feel one dimentional and lacks depth despite the fantastic world building.

Conclusion

Undead Gods is a dark and compelling fantasy that excels in world-building and atmosphere. While I didn’t always connect with the characters or writing style, the plot kept me turning pages, and the rich, dangerous world of Kava left a lasting impression. Fans of steampunk fantasy, morally grey protagonists, and romantic tension will likely enjoy Elysia’s treacherous journey. I’ll be eagerly waiting to see what’s in store in the sequel, especially as the myst

Thank you so much to Caitlyn Battelle and NetGalley for letting me preview this book!

I enjoyed the read. I do think the story building was clunky and slow. I love the characters personalities! I can’t wait to read the next book. The first book for sure has a good set up for the next book. I think the ending was fantastic. I am sad that it did take so long to get to where the book was going though, even more sad that I have to wait to read what’s going to happen next. Definitely recommend this book.