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.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

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.

DNF. I’m really bummed, because I have been waiting for this book for YEARS. Maybe it is me and not the book, that my tastes have changed, so I think readers should try this one for themselves instead of following my lead. 5 stars for the cover though!

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 .

excellent book. was so excited to receive this ARC. it became one of my top favorite reads. cannot wait to read more from this author.

This felt like a bit of a fanfic for me. Wasn’t my taste, I felt that some points were rushed and some dragged.

It starts with a retelling, goes over in politics, and ends with theology.
But it works together. You just have to read through, and then it starts to grow on you.
Loved the characters. They have flaws, but are willing to not only to accept them but also to learn from them.
Like to read more of her books

Occasionally interesting and a quick read but overall a bit underwhelming. I loved the premise of this story - a devout protagonist haunted by (and eventually falling in love with) the heretical sorcerer she killed while undergoing a crisis of faith - but it just left me wanting more.

The beginning of the book had me hooked. I enjoyed Sleeping Beauty-esque curse and Rosamund Hodge's writing style worked well for a YA dark fairy tale story. Lia and Ruven's enemies to allies to eventual lovers dynamic was great and by far my favorite part (even if I did wish it was even more of a slowburn). While there are elements that feel familiar when compared to other YA fantasy stories, the book feels quite unique - I would love to see more YA books tackle theological themes!.

Ultimately I enjoyed how the story wrapped up but the pacing in the middle stalled quite a bit for me. Plot points and Lia's thoughts began to feel repetitive and I feel the story never went as deep as it could have. The side characters all felt very one-note and while there some interesting discussions of faith I just constantly wanted more. I was particularly underwhelmed by the lack of exploration re: Ruven's "heretical" beliefs and the Magisterium. The story gets pretty in-depth with the gods and saints of Lia and the Royal Family's religion but it never delves into the religion of the Magisterium other than there being a few descriptions making it clear it was analogous to Catholicism. I wanted to know more about how the two faith systems interacted/overlapped/contrasted and I wanted to know more about how Ruven's sorcery was connected to his own faith.

If you're looking for a YA fantasy story with a strong emphasis on religion (specifically how one's faith evolves when what you're raised to believe contradicts what you feel is right) this still may be worth picking up - especially if you enjoy a side of enemies to lovers romance. However, it just didn't quite live up to the high expectations I had based on its premise.

There is just no sense of cause and effect or of character development here. We meet Lia as an already fully fledged hero who has no difficulties with carrying out her fated task: to save the royal family of jerks who are not the slightest bit altered by waking up 500 years later and adjust immediately to the return to their as-it-was world.