I really enjoyed this book as it is a standalone and not a series. However, that epilogue made me want to preorder the next book to hear finnian's story with cassian.

I enjoyed the gothic vibes of this book and that there were several classes of different gods. The book was a bit slow for me up until the last 5 chapters. I don't mind a book that details the lives and getting to know the characters, but I found myself not wanting to keep reading. I am very glad I did though because it wrapped up very nicely!

The Goddess Of by Randi Garner

ALC VERSION (FEBRUARY 2025)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book so much I wanted to check out the ALC version as well. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to get an early copy of this audiobook. The ALC version is just as amazing as the ebook version. Abigail Reno and Benjamin Crow do an excellent job with the narrations and the multiple POVs. They are a perfect fit and exactly how I’d imagine the narration sounding. The Fragile Divine series is one of my favorite series this year. Such an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible. I can’t wait for the release of Even In Death!

Thank you, Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and Randi Garner for the opportunity!

EARC VERSION (January 2025)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A different kind of five star. This is not a cozy read. It is a story of hard reality, an adult fantasy with magic and gods. The truth of real life, of loss, of love, of heartbreak, and of survival. When you want to succumb to darkness, but still have a sliver of hope that things can't remain like they are forever. That you must in the end believe in yourself and always push forward, no matter how bleak it may seem. Randi does an amazing job of making you FEEL for the characters, and every emotion they are experiencing. I definitely had tears throughout this story. It is beautifully written. Please check for your triggers before reading.

**Can I just point out, how gorgeous is this cover?!**

"After numerous decades of practice, she was exceptionally skilled at dissociating. A coping mechanism to avoid her demons and pretend they did not exist."

“Life was cruel. Hopeless. Full of anguish. The bleak heaviness Naia had run from her whole life settled in her bones yet again. It was too much to bear this time."

‘“I don’t want this moment to end, Father,” she murmured. “I feel sad.”
“My darling.” He lightly flicked her nose as they continued to spin around the dance floor. “That is the definition of love.”
“You don't want this moment to end because you love me.” She pursed her lips, thinking on it. “Does love last?” “Love lasts eternally.” Naia shook her head, expression growing serious. “Then why is it painful?” He studied her face, brow creasing, as if he wasn’t sure how to phrase his reply. “Love lasts forever, but people and moments do not.” Naia dropped her gaze shamefully, staring at the back of her own hand resting on her father’s shoulder. “I suppose it makes me weak.”
“I believe it makes you quite the opposite, my darling.”’

This is hands down my favorite book, and the audio version truly brought it to life. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the Goddess Of.

The writing in this book is stunning. I was hooked from the start and couldn’t stop until I finished. Naia’s journey was inspiring, and seeing her growth was so rewarding. Ronin is an incredible MMC, and I absolutely adore him. The ending hit me hard, but in the best way—it took me on an emotional rollercoaster that ultimately left me healed.

An absolutely AMAZING dark fantasy. This is exactly what I think dark fantasy should be: compelling characters, the engaging storyline, the storytelling method of using flashbacks to explain circumstances. A romance which is genuinely incredible and so healthy !!

I found the writing excellent and the narration equally so - the narrator really did a lot to pull you into the moment and capture the feeling of the scene so I would definitely recommend this way of engaging with reading it.

It is medium-paced which allowed for a lot of fleshing out of our main character in particular. I wish some of the side characters had been fleshed out more, but I don't think this took away at all from the primary focus of the story. I will say that there was an air of mystery surrounding one character who I have just seen has his own book as an interconnected story (alongside one of the most mysterious secondary characters also), so I cannot WAIT to read that.

Incredible, will be picking up the next installment ASAP!

<i>I was provided with a complimentary copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily</i>

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐛𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫

“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙮 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Thank you to Dreamscape Media, the author and NetGalley for the ALC of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐟, narrated by Abigail Reno & Benjamin Crow 🎧 I really enjoyed the emotion and variety that the narrators put into this audiobook!

This book was phenomenal! Between the dual timelines (past & present), the amount of characters and the ability to keep the reader hooked from start to finish… is no easy feat, but Randi surpassed all expectations and accomplished it beautifully!

The magic system created within this world is so creative and extensive because of all of the characters who possess it, but it’s written in a way that’s very easy to follow and keep track of.

Naia and Ronin are so sweet together. Their story is heartbreakingly tragic. They face obstacle after obstacle, but through it all, they come out stronger.

Ronin has a hard exterior, but for those closest to him, he would burn the world down or die trying. And as for Naia, she has accepted that her circumstances are her reality. The character growth she goes through and how her past factors in with who she comes out on the other side as, was a favorite aspect of mine in this story.

It’s heartbreaking and tender, emotional and inspiring, and I can’t wait to read more from this world with the upcoming release of 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘐𝘯 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩.

𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙢.

I really enjoyed this book! The pacing of the story was great, with flashbacks that gave the readers more context for events. It is hard to navigate a character that is over 900 years old, but it worked well in this book. I also enjoyed the narrator-- they did a great job navigating the story, reading clearly, and creating characters. I also loved the characters and enjoyed the plot twist at the end over what type of goddess the character ends up being. I hope for a second book!

⭐️⭐️

Where to begin… I just didn’t connect w/ the story, like at all. I felt like it really lacked in a lot of aspects- Which sucks ‘cause I was really looking forward to this book. Even 50% in, nothing really drew me to this 🎧 It sorta was just background noise at the point.
And I think there were 2 narrators- But this wasn’t a duet like I expected. So that was a major let down…

Set in a modern world with gods and goddesses, this story follows Naia, daughter of the High Seas Goddess. Naia does whatever she must to escape her mother's kingdom, including blindly accepting a curse.

While in the Mortal Land, Naia comes up against humans, witches, and ghouls as she tries to outrun her destiny, gain true freedom, and find herself, title and power.

I really enjoyed this romantic fantasy. It had a great dual-timeline narration that helped explain the backstory and intricate details between the characters. Plus, how gorgeous is this cover?

"Grief was a heavy burden without a cure."

I will be reading the second novel in The Fragile Divine series, Even After Death, which comes out March 5, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley for access to this audiobook.

https://www.goodreads.com/revieDays later, I've now finished rereading this stunning book through the audio, and I'm still struggling to find the words to describe how perfect it is.

The premise of the story drew me in right away. Randi Garner intricately weaves the FMC, Naia's, story in dual timelines, following her emotional journey of growing up as a soft but strong goddess in a world of other gods we love, and selfish ones we love to hate. If you're a fan of morally grey characters, you'll find an abundance here.

The Goddess Of is THE PERFECT standalone romantasy. It's balanced well between being character- and plot-driven, has exactly the right amount of world building, PLUS tension-filled romance and found family. The writing itself elicited all the emotions in me - bordering on gothic, but with a modern spin due to the setting.
Note: TGO is the first in a series of interconnected standalones, so you will still finish with characters you're desperate to know more about.

Ultimately, this is a story about how the FMC creates a space for herself in a world where there seemingly is none. Garner doesn't shy away from the dark and gritty details, showing us exactly what Naia goes through to make this happen. However, she also gives us the little beautiful moments to heal along with her.

The Goddess Of gets a HIGH re-readability score from me, as I found a ton of intricate details on my listen that had me tearing up all over again. This tells me exactly how careful the author was at choosing how to tell Naia and Ronin's story, not a single word written without purpose.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape for an advanced copy of the audiobook, so I could jump right back in and read again. The narrator did a fantastic job of portraying Naia with a full range of emotions, as well as choosing unique voices for Ronin and each of the side characters. The epilogue chapter, done from a different POV, was also done well, and I'm very excited to hear more from this narrator in the next book!w/show/6782118910

I had the pleasure of receiving an early copy of the audiobook of "The Goddess Of" by Randi Garner, and I must say, it was a delightful surprise.

The story is a fascinating blend of ancient gods mingling in the modern world. This unique premise sets the stage for a tale full of wonder and intrigue.

The narrative masterfully explores themes of mythology, power dynamics, and the struggle between old and new worlds. The presence of gods in contemporary settings provides a fresh perspective on the fantasy genre.

The central tension between Ronin and Niah is palpable and compelling. Their relationship is nuanced and adds depth to the story, making it easy to become invested in their journey.

Garner’s writing is nothing short of magical. Her world-building is vivid and enchanting, drawing you into the story from the very beginning. The descriptions are so lush and detailed that it feels as though you’re experiencing the world firsthand.

What stood out to me the most was the balance the author achieved between the old and the modern. The narrative kept me on the edge of my seat with its constant tension and unexpected twists. The audiobook experience was especially immersive, making it hard to pause the story even for a moment.

When it was all over, I found myself wanting to start the story all over again. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves mythology, fantasy, and intricate world-building. Highly recommended!

This captivating book offers a thrilling fusion of suspense and breathtaking moments. Evoking comparisons to “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” which was notable for its lyrical prose tied to its otherworldly narrative. With a gradually unfolding plot being enriched with mythological elements, it ends up creating a fairytale ambiance that is dark, yet dreamlike. It weaves together themes of magic, curses, deities, and witches within a deeply emotional and increasingly romantic fantasy. At first glance I was in love with the cover, and after finishing it, I eagerly anticipate the next audiobook; the narration of this one carried a gothic quality that had me completely raptured.

The audiobook narration was wonderful. Abigail Reno did a fantastic job reading all of the different characters. I loved everything about this story. How have I not heard about this book before now?! This story was so intriguing and I loved every bit of the story. I was surprised by all of the twists and turns. I even gasped out loud several times while I was listening to the last half of the book. I cannot wait for book two, Even in Death, which will be released on 3/5/2025. The beginning was slightly confusing but as you learn more about the immortal world, things start to make sense.

This is exactly how I want my fantasy mixed with modern elements. This was so absolutely wonderfully crafted. The world building was as lush as any high fantasy while still pulling in modernization. A cute MMC with a nitro cold brew addiction and magic blood! Chefs kiss
This was a wonderful read from start to finish!

3.75 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to Dreamscape Media & NetGalley for the ALC! 💌

GODS, CURSES & A MORTAL WHO STEALS YOUR HEART?! SIGN ME UP. 😭💖

This book had me hooked from the moment Naia ran from her nightmare of a family and straight into the arms (well, home) of Ronin, our mysterious mortal MMC. The stakes? SKY HIGH. The emotions? ALL OVER THE PLACE. The romance? CHEF'S KISS. 💋✨

Naia is a goddess without power, without a title, and without a place to belong. Her mother treats her like nothing more than a pawn in a divine game, and her only way out is through a curse she doesn’t even understand. And Ronin? Soft, broody, mysterious, and hiding secrets that had me screaming. He’s the kind of MMC who will destroy anyone who dares hurt her, and I ate that up!! 😭🔥

🏹 Fated Mates / Cursed Lovers
🖤 Grumpy & Soft Dynamic
🏹 Gods Among Mortals
🖤 The Heroine With No Power (Or So She Thinks 👀)
🏹 A Deal With A Dark Power
🖤 Slow-Burn, High-Stakes Romance

The urban fantasy world-building was so unique! Imagine gods and witches walking around a modern city, blending magic with the real world in the best way. The writing was lush, poetic, and cinematic. It gave me Greek mythology meets dark fairy tale vibes, but with its own fresh spin.

The narration by Abigail Reno and Benjamin Crow was absolutely incredible. They really brought these characters and the world to life in such a vivid way, adding layers of emotion and tension. Their voices perfectly matched the dark, mysterious tone of the story, making it impossible to stop listening. I couldn’t have imagined a better pair to narrate this fantastical ride.

THE GOOD STUFF:
✔️ NAIA. Babygirl deserved the world. The pain, the trauma, the yearning—I was FEELING IT. 💔
✔️ Ronin. SIR. Protective, devoted, & ready to set the world on fire for her. 🖤🔥
✔️ A curse that keeps you on edge—What did she agree to?! WHO IS RONIN REALLY?!
✔️ A mix of fantasy, romance, horror, and emotional devastation. Yes, please. 😭

THE NOT-SO-GOOD STUFF:
⏳ The pacing jumped around a bit, and some time skips had me a little lost.
🌀 The mythology is fascinating, but I needed more depth on the gods & their rules.

That ENDING. I—I need book 2 RIGHT NOW. 😭 But what has me even more feral?? Finnian & Cassian, the GOD OF DEATH AND CURSES. True MM enemies-to-lovers in a world of gods, magic, witches & curses?? THE ANGST IS GOING TO BE OFF THE CHARTS. 😩🔥

Final verdict: A lush, emotional, and utterly captivating romantasy that blends mythology, heartbreak, and an MMC you’ll absolutely fall for. 💘✨ PICK THIS UP.

An epic story that seems both familiar and new. Feels like Little Mermaid on a Hawaiian island.  This saga is about an 800-year-old goddess and a 28 year-old human (refreshing). I appreciated the incorporation of Polynesian culture, and all the food talk made me crave takiyaki, malasadas, and shave ice. The plot spans hundreds of years, but the pacing is spot on. It features family drama, brutality, misery, hope, and love. The Audiobook reader did a wonderful job of capturing the emotions in the book. 4.5 stars for me!

Rated 4.5 Stars

The Goddess Of was a fantastic story. I loved the worlds, the magic system, the lore and the story in general. It was wild with some edge of your seat, intense action scenes. The stakes were very high but I loved the way the author pulled it off and pulled it all together. There were some slow moments. The narrators did a wonderful job with this title. I loved listening to them and enjoyed the way they brought this story and its characters to life. They made this story an even more delightful experience. I definitely recommend this book.

Do yourself a favor and READ this book!!!

I listened to the audiobook and am OBSESSED! Beautiful story with amazing narrators!! Honestly this romantasy has become one of my all time favorites!!

I highly recommend the audiobook which I usually don’t for romantasy books because the world building is usually hard to comprehend in audio format for me. But this book had world building that was slowly built throughout the book that was so easy to follow!

I love the dual timelines and how the story unfolded beautifully 😍

10/10 recommend reading this!!!♥️

It was absolutely amazing to hear Randi Garner’s story come to life. The narrator did a fantastic job portraying Naia. I cannot even put into words how amazing this audiobook is!! Highly recommend!!

I would give this a 3.75! I feel like there were a few times the book could’ve ended but then it dragged on a bit. The end then all of a sudden seemed rushed. I know there’s going to be a second book but I feel like it still shouldn’t have ended the way it did. Other than that the story was really interesting. The narrator did a great job making it intriguing and alternating voices!


I think if you’re a fan of City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards then this would be a similar pick.

Thank you for the ALC Dreamscape Media and Netgalley 💚

ALC Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
EBook Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The narrators were wonderful- emotional and engaging. I could easily tell the different characters apart (Naia's sister and mother have similar names and it is easy to mix them up as the listener).

Dark, tragic, and fantastic. The world building is done in a wonderfully easy manner. Painting a detailed and intricate power dynamic based society. Including wonders and dangers of this magically empowered world.

Pay attention to the triggers, because this sorry doesn't shy away from the darker edges of selfishness and abuse of power.

This was one heck of a journey. I cried, I laughed, and screamed in frustration. I read the ebook along with the ALC and it was such a great experience.

A beautiful love story and I CANNOT wait to see what happens in the next book.