I liked Lia, but her journey of personal agency was hard to read. Hodge’s does a great job with immersive world building, but Lia’s journey is slow. I enjoyed Cruel Beauty, but this was a touch too slow for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc.

This book has a fascinating concept, and the opening? *chef's kiss* And while it started off strong, there was a period where it dragged and became harder to work through. At about the 30% point, it was a struggle. Nonetheless, I pushed through and enjoyed it for what it was. Ultimately, I'm glad I powered through, and I would likely pick up more work by Hodge.

**I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review on Netgalley.**

Lia has been blessed with having the ‘Royal Gift’. Even though she’s witnessed her family die and the people closest to her suffer, she knows she needs to kill Ruven, a sorcerer hellbent on silencing the gods. Killing him will bring the royal family back from his evil enchantment and see things righted, including getting rid of the disease that stole Lia’s family away from her. However, as Lia tries to fulfill her royal duties, including a betrothal to a smiling prince, she starts to realize that things are not as clear as she once knew.
After completing the book, my initial reaction to this book is one of praise. Hodge really has a knack for writing dark characters, showing their inner turmoil, and at the same time making the characters very relatable. However, I need to point out how her personal history is being used in such a beautiful way to showcase religious beliefs and how we can struggle with ideas bigger than ourselves. In terms of characterization, the reader learns that Lia is steadyfast in her belief, but only to a point. Lia has an intense devotion to her gods, but she doesn’t sacrifice herself for those beliefs until it really matters. Lia constantly compares herself to others, mainly because she is so insecure of herself… even when it comes to her devotion to the gods she worships and loves.
I also feel like I need to say that it’s okay for the reader to dislike… and even hate Lia at times. Lia has a lot of growing to do in this story, and Lia finding out her truths are not always comfortable to accept; this is especially true as she turns into a person that even she doesn’t like and has a hard time forgiving. While she may not always make the greatest decisions or give herself the grace to accept her mortality, the reader can see themself by the end of the narrative.
The second part of this is that, while I liked the book because of the connections to religion, belief, and how far we are willing to go for them, I genuinely enjoy reading Hodge’s descriptions and development of the darkness within the book. The world is almost like the ‘Upside Down’ from “Stranger Things,” in that life isn’t what it should be when the gods aren’t around but things aren’t much better when they are. Shadows and treachery abound, death and blackness are prevalent, and there is always something off about how people easily volunteer to sacrifice themselves to the gods. (I particularly loved the description of Lia’s hands, how the gnarled, elongated, black flesh of the fingers fell apart if she didn’t use care. Such great images!)
Seeing how I’m in a school setting with a religious affiliation professionally, I can see this being a text I would recommend to have larger conversations with my students about these themes of belief, consequences, and the moral struggle that comes with one’s beliefs. But if the reader likes a morally challenging story that’s driven with darkness and brooding love, this YA book should be given a try.

This had potential in being a good book to review. Unfortunately, I felt it was too rushed. It needed to be more explored and expand into two books. It would have built the world building much better. Not saying that I hate it, just needed a little more.

Full disclosure, I picked this based on my intense case of cover love and had no real idea what the book was about when I started. This was a very cool as well as super terrifying idea, where you are made into whatever kind of "gift" your gods needed you to be. I liked the concept of the book but I was not super in love with the story in general, and felt like this was a very depressing read full of darkness and hard choices.

What Monstrous Gods was such a cool story. It was complex with such deep, rich worldbuilding that it doesn't feel like it could have all been contained in one stand alone book. The story gave a very complex take on God's and the powers they wield that everyone can really learn from.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I adored Rosamund Hodge’s Cruel Beauty and had high hopes for this one. It just fell flat for me though. Some parts just felt a little too easy and convenient. The almost love triangle almost got me to not finish. I just don’t like that trope but it didn’t go that far.

What Monstrous Gods by Rosamund Hodge is an ambitious tale that delves into dark themes and complex relationships, set in a world where myth and reality intertwine. Hodge's writing is as lyrical and atmospheric as ever, and she weaves a story filled with moral ambiguity and haunting imagery. However, the book struggles with pacing issues, and the intricate plot can be difficult to follow, leading to moments of confusion rather than intrigue. While the characters are intriguing, their development sometimes feels uneven, making it hard to fully connect with their journeys. Despite its flaws, What Monstrous Gods offers enough compelling elements—such as its unique world-building and thought-provoking themes—to make it a worthwhile read for fans of dark fantasy, even if it doesn't fully realize its potential
This review acknowledges both the strengths and weaknesses of the book, providing a balanced critique that fits the 3/5 star rating.

*What Monstrous Gods* by Rosamund Hodge is a darkly enchanting tale that weaves together myth and fantasy with a hauntingly beautiful narrative. Hodge's lyrical prose and intricate world-building create a captivating story where gods and monsters collide, offering a richly immersive and emotionally resonant experience.

I adored this thrilling fairy-tale romantasy that was not only well-written but creative and dynamic! A well told story!

Another book where it needed a couple of more passes from an editor. The writing style is extremely choppy and it feels as if they storyline just isn't plotted out very well. I wish a lot had been different about this and it's definitely a case of a pretty cover doesn't mean the inside is as pretty. This just doesn't match up to what I expect from a YA fantasy book.

I have been a fan of Rosamund Hodge's stories for a while now. I loved CRUEL BEAUTY and CRIMSON BOUND. The premise of WHAT MONSTROUS GODS sounded so compelling that I had to get my hands on it--so, thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books / Balzer + Bray for an e-ARC.

Overall, WHAT MONSTROUS GODS is not one of my favorite stories, but it is such an imaginative and original take on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale--and it's so incredibly well written (as is to be expected with Hodge). Additionally, the implicit criticism of organized religion (specifically Catholicism, it seems), is so interesting. Lia and Ruven are complex characters who are not necessarily likeable, but I like them more for it. From beginning to end, you can't guess how Hodge will weave the tale, but there are definitely times where it feels like the plot could use a little more development because there are some holes. That being said, I do think things come together nicely in the ending, and in a believable way.

Again, this novel wasn't my favorite, but I do look forward to whatever story Hodge decides to tell next!

I like Rosamund Hodge and was excited to see she had a new book released. While this book read quickly and had decent characters, overall I skimmed the last quarter of the book just to see how it finished. I really didn't like the main character's personality, but I do think it was created well. I just didn't empathize with her or agree with all of her choices. In fact, all of the characters' motivations were a bit unclear. Additionally, with my student population being over 50% South Asian, I was a little uncomfortable with the obviously Catholic (not Christian) bent of the storyline.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Arranged Marriage (not to MMC)
✨Monstrous Gods
✨Religious Trauma
✨Loosely Inspired by Sleep Beauty
✨Heretics
✨Sorcerers

This was an ARC through NetGalley.
I also did a hybrid read with the audio.

This story was very unique. The “magic” system was very different. Different gods can give you different gifts if the bless you. The FMC Lia was raised to love the gods and when the time was right she would unalive a heretic sorcerer named Ruven and wake the sleeping royal family. She finds out not all as it seems. After completing her task she becomes haunted by Ruben’s spirit. After spending so much time with Ruven she starts to realize that not all is how she thought it was with the gods.

There were a few twists and turns in this book that brought the story to life. Would definitely recommend to other fantasy readers.

I was so excited for What Monstrous Gods but then I was so sad. I cracked this one open like a watermelon and was ready to devour it only to find it's rotten. The plot has more holes than swiss cheese, I can't figure out how Lia is successful other than using her sexuality (in a manner of speaking) to take out the Big Bad and I just couldn't relate.

This is essentially if you took a "dark" romance and snippets of Sleeping Beauty and hurled them at a wall.

I didn't like this as much as other works by Rosamund Hodge. I thought it was an interesting take on Sleeping Beauty, and I loved the cover, however ultimately the sum of its parts didn't quite work for me.

I struggled with the beginning of this book. I was confused a couple of times. All the politics and theology was a bit much at times. It was still an exciting read. I would recommend it.

This book was okay. Everything was a little slow moving but overall I enjoyed it. I would read more from this author

OMG , this book is amazing. Ok this book is definitely a rollercoaster 🎢, like is slow at first, the whole how easy she kill him had me wondering what was the point of the book, keep in mind I always forget synopsis 🫣, but then this whole journey start and it got me hooked, so much that I have finished the book in one day. Like wow.
Main characters are quite interesting and intriguing. And how their interactions and relationship build was great. Anyway if you want something different and unexpected, give this book a chance I think it will surprise you.
Only spoiler it does have kind of a happy ending. I was satisfied 😅. But in all seriousness it is good .