4🌟

Thank you netgalley for this arc!

This took me longer to get into than I was expecting, but once I got into the story I was hooked. The backstory for our FMC is tragic, and the revelation at the end was incredible. The characters really came to life and the world Randi Garner built is beautiful. There were parts of the story where the characters annoyed me, the FMC is an 800 year old goddess, but she acts like shes 18 - a little too naive and innocent for the amount of life and trauma she's lived. I hope in the coming novels in the series our FMC digs into her power, she is a powerful goddess and I want to see that! Overall a lovely refreshing read and an interesting modern, urban take on ancient gods. Definitely recommend!

Even In Death 💕 Randi Garner 🎧

4.5⭐️

Oh Naia, sweet Goddess that you are. Longing for her mother’s love, to be wanted in her family but finding so many lies hidden underneath. I felt so broken for her with what has happened in her past and angry for what she had to endure in the present. Her mother only used Naia for her own sick undoing. But when she finds Ronan, oh how things unfold.

I don’t want to give too much away because you need to do yourself a favor and read this book (or audiobook like I did) and immerse yourself in such a beautiful story that Randi has created. Literally balled my eyes out while driving because the twists at the end had my stomach in knots and I wanted to nothing more than for Naia to be this badass Godess she is and to see herself for what she is (it’s not all sad I promise, happy tears!)

I’m very picky about audiobooks, but I ABSOLUTELY loved this one!!! The narrator did a FANTASTIC job—seriously, perfection.

I had just read the book a week before starting the audiobook, and honestly, the experience was chef’s kiss.

Her mom was as brutal as ever, and my heart broke all over again for her. This story hits.
I’d recommend this to everyone—both on booksta and by word of mouth—because it’s just that good!!!

This was a unique and really interesting story. I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the world and the characters who were all richly complicated.

Had I researched the trigger warnings ahead of time, I might not have chosen this one, as I'm typically not a fan of stories that are quite so heavy. There were several times where I had to pause listening to it as parts were quite upsetting. Despite that fact, I did find myself enjoying the story overall.

Abigail Reno did an exceptional job narrating the story. The voices for each character were distinct and she did a wonderful job conveying the emotions.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

Gods and goddess and mages oh my 🩸

Thank you to @randimgarner for providing me a copy of this to read in preparation for the release of its sequel early next month cuz it finally bumped it up my tbr. I also have @kars.fictionalreality to thank as well for hyping this series! This cover drew me in, cuz how gorgeous, but within a the first few chapters I was hooked.

Naia is the daughter of a sea goddess and the least favourite lol and my god is her family … complicated. You think your family is bad? This family of gods and goddess will blow them out of the waterrrr lol. When the day of her arranged marriage comes up, she decides to run rather then be tied to the god and that place.

After she escapes and washes up on the shores of what I THINK is this worlds version of Japan? Don’t quote me on that but it’s the vibes I got. And this is where she meets Ronan 🥹 sweet and secretly a fricken baddieee, Ronan.

Even though she doesn’t trust anyone, Naia and Ronan travel into the city together to find her brother, Finnian. She hopes that her brother can help her continue to hide from the rest of her crazy family lmao.

Naia really tries to not care about Ronan but it’s futile. The more they are together and help one another, the more their lives intertwine 👀 and I’ll leave it at that because I want you all to read this lol.

and you have timmeee!

Again thank you to @randimgarner for this masterpiece and for @netgalley and @dreamscape_media for the chance to listen to this one as an audio! It was beautifully narrated!

the story wasnt my favorite, but i really enjoyed the narrator on this book. thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this!

<b>AUDIOBOOK VERSION (FEBRUARY 2025)</b>
What an absolute honor to be able to listen to an early copy of this audiobook. This book (and series!) is one of my absolute favorites. Abigail Reno did a beautiful job handling all the different voices, as this was a single narrator but duel POV story. I love the flow of the narration and will cherish the ability to relisten.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity!

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
<b>KINDLE VERSION (JUNE 2024)</b>

5/5⭐️
2/5🌶️

Naia is the firstborn to the High Goddess of the Sea and the High God of Nature. Unloved by her mother yet doted upon by her father, Naia’s upbringing is marred by torturous interactions with her younger siblings, pocketed by brief reprieves of peace with her father. Promised to the High God of Fire on her 800th birthday, Naia risks a bargain with the High God of Death and Curses in order to free herself from her imprisonment under the sea with her mother.

Upon her escape, she meets Ronin, who promises to help her find her estranged brother, while providing her safety and an entrance into the modern-day world. Naia is soon suspicious of Ronin… how he lives his life, coupled with his denouncement for all deities, has Naia on edge that her identity will be revealed. The threat of Naia’s family and scorned fiancé attempting to drag her back home continue to plague both Naia and Ronin. Will they be able to trust each other enough to fight together for Naia’s freedom?

WOW. JUST, WOW! I was completely and utterly enamored with this story, and was completely hooked the minute I started. The creativity behind the magic of the world Garner builds had its hooks latched into me from the drop. I absolutely loved our FMC Naia, and grew to be completely besotted with our MMC Ronin. The ending had me crying — it was so beautiful and touching.

I recommend this book to lovers of deities, the potential of magic in modern day and those eager to find love in a hopeless place.

Tropes in this story:
✨Goddesses & gods
✨Dual timeline
✨Magic in modern day / urban fantasy vibes
✨Fated mates / star-crossed lovers
✨Touch him AND touch her & perish

The Goddess Of is the first installment of the Fragile Divine series. I cannot wait to continue reading!!

🌶️🌶️
A wonderful and interesting take on the lesser talked about sides of divinity and immortality. Dark, beautiful, romantic and gory. This story exceeded expectations set by the blurb. I loved the inclusion of different cultures, cooking, food and polytheism. Great banter, emotional twists and top-tier world building await you as you journey with Naia through the whole range of emotions and life with the modern mortals. It's hard to not adore the main and supporting characters. They're all well-fleshed out, interesting and unique, even the vile villains. The small details were everything in this book. If mythology meets urban fantasy interests you, then you cannot sleep on this book, especially with book two coming out very soon in March 2025.

🌊Goddess among mortals
🍧Witches
🌊Arranged Marriage
🍧Curses
🌊Prophecy
🍧She's never seen modern technology
🌊He washes her hair
🍧Steamy romance

Abigail Reno was a fantastic narrator and I really appreciated her proper pronunciation of Japanese food and clothing. She was a joy to listen to and really helped with my immersion. Benjamin Crow was a great surprise and I really hope he is in the audiobook for book two. His voice really fits his character and I would enjoy hearing more of him.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC.

✨𝒜𝐿𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
🎧:The Goddess Of (The Fragile Divine Book 1)
🎙️: Abigail Reno, Benjamin Crow

“𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴.”

Despite being a goddess, Naia never exhibited powers and was ostracized by her family. Desperate to escape her painful past and the bleak future planned for her, she bargains with the High God of Death and Curses without knowing the terms of the curse. Soon, the time comes for her end to be fulfilled.

Tropes:
✨ Star-Crossed Lovers
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Found Family
❤️‍🩹 Hurt/Comfort
💗 Mental Health Rep
💫 Magic & curses
👥 Older MCs
🚫 Touch her & 💀
🌶️: Mild - Moderate

The Goddess Of was one of my favorite 2024 reads and this audiobook brought this story and characters to life beautifully. Abigail embodies Naia’s vulnerabilities, insecurities, and courage and Ronin’s adoration, tenderness, and fierceness with how he protects Naia.

The depiction of the dark themes, levity, and romance is sublime. The Goddess Of weaves an emotional and wistful tale of grief, sacrifice, and the power of love.

Thank you Randi, Dreamscape media, and Netgalley for the ALC opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.

First off, I absolutely loved this book! From the very first page, I was completely hooked. This was, easily, a five star read for me. Also the cover is absolutely breathtaking.

Second, why aren’t more people talking about it? Seriously, this story deserves all the hype! The writing was stunning—lyrical, immersive, and packed

Naia and Ronin completely stole my heart. They were raw, complex, and so deeply lovable that I found myself utterly invested in their story. They had such a beautiful, invisible string, kind of love story— their initial friendship—and their growth into more was so beautifully executed. If you loved the dynamic between Max and Tisaanah in Daughter of No Worlds, you’re in for a treat with Naia and Ronin.

This book deserves way more attention, and I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know. If you’re looking for your next great read, here you go!

(Also so excited for book two, coming out on March 5th—which just so happens to be my birthday!)

Wow! I picked this up due to a few friends' recommendations, and wow! I had a feeling I'd enjoy it, but I absolutely loved it! It's beautiful and tragic all at once. I binged this baby in 2 days... and now I can't wait for book two! I have a feeling I'll love Finnian and Cassian's story even more!

Loved the narrators! They did a wonderful job bringing emotion to this book.

Thank you NetGalley, Randi Garner, and Dreamscape Media for the Audio ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

I think this was a very beautifully written dark tale. The characters have so much depth--I mean this for both the main and side characters. The plot brought something new to a pantheon retelling which for me is always exciting! The language used is descriptive and gorgeous without being over the top.

I know this is a story with heavy subject material, but I think it was handled quite well, and I'm glad that everything that happened the characters was essentially to the story. Everything felt like it had a purpose, nothing felt like it was just supposed to shocking or have dark elements for the sake of being edgy. Every dark AND light moment showed all the facets of Naia's journey and what she had endured and grown from--and really that extended to the other characters as well. I actually really want to see how the sequel plays out.

So why is this a 4 not a 5? Well really it's a 4.5 for me. There were moments that dragged a little and I went into this blind and I should have looked up some of the tropes and CWs. That being said it would be CRIMINAL to knock it down just because there were certain elements that didn't gel with me. There is so much I enjoyed, and I am so appreciative of the author for subverting the "born sexy yesterday" trope.

Naia could have very easily been *the definition* of the trope, but instead she's got agency! She takes charge, she has goals, and she acts like the adult she is! I love that! When she does have moments of naiveté it's understandable! (No, I'm not talking about the her and sweets thing, like let the woman have her one vice she deserves it!!!) But Naia, not knowing modern slang or colloquialisms, social norms, technology etc makes sense! All of her knowledge is from ~800 years ago and she does a hell of a good job for getting up to speed. Man this was just so cool, and I HAVE to praise the VAs narrating especially Abigail Reno.

I absolutely loved this audio. I read the book but there is just something about people bringing it to life that make it so much more enjoyable!

This was a really refreshing fantasy about gods, goddesses, witches and warlocks. The setting of this felt so unique and interesting. The Japanese culture/influence was so enjoyable and again, felt different than our typical fantasy setting.

Our fmc Naia has had such an unjust life - we're talking like 800 years of hardships and heartbreak - all because she's a goddess with no title. She has this sweet naivety while also being determined and stubborn. Even the times she reacts kind of meanly towards others I felt a level of sympathy for her, because she's been treated so badly she doesn't have any trust for people.
But enter our mmc Ronin.. the way he down bad for Naia from day one had me kicking my feet. A badass in his own right but then turns into this sweet little man for Naia, like making sure she gets to eat all the sweet treats her heart could desire makes me melt!

There is some really tough subject matter involved here so I would suggest to check TW's because it does get pretty dark.

Amazing narration by Abigail Reno! She got the emotions and characters down perfectly.

Thank you Dreamscape media and Netgalley for the chance to listen to this early!

Listen, if a story is able to get me to tear up, it’s automatically five stars from me.
I loved all the characters in this book. The FMC, Naia, is one of those characters where they have struggled so much throughout their lifetime and you just want to see them happy.
She’s strong, levelheaded, and would do anything for the ones she loves. The MMC, Ronin, is a somewhat morally grey character that is so sweet, protective, and has had his own struggles he’s had to work through. The romance was well developed and absolutely felt genuine.
The plot is well thought out with flashbacks into the past that make sense and are well placed. I also really liked the settings between the lands of the gods and the mortal lands.
I tend to lean towards sticking to reading fantasy books rather than listening due to the complexity of the plots, however I felt this was still easy to follow along with as an audiobook while still maintaining a decently complex storyline.
I think the narrator, Abigail Reno, also did a great job with narrating and expressing the emotions of the characters.

Side note: I’ve probably already said this a thousand times, but I’m absolutely obsessed with this cover. Honestly it’s probably my favorite and I can’t wait to get it on my bookshelf.


SOMEWHAT OF A SPOILER BUT ALSO A HEADS UP:
There is a pregnancy trope. However, it wasn’t one that felt unnecessary. In my opinion it made sense to the plot and was really well written.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to receive an ALC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts an opinions are my own.

Audiobook release date: February 25, 2025

"In the end, it was all Naia ever wanted. 𝑨 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆. "

It's so nice to have such a great book offered in audio! The narrators did an amazing job with this story!

Goddess Naia was born powerless and without title. Her cruel mother's only use for her is to marry her off in her 800th year in order to break a curse that keeps her bound under the sea. In a last-ditch effort to escape her arranged marriage, Naia confronts Cassian, the High God of Death and Curses. She agrees to accept an unknown curse that can be enacted at any time in exchange for him breaking the one keeping her bound to her mother. Once freed, she escapes to the mortal lands where she meets Ronin. He helps her to find her brother so that they can figure a way out of the mess she is in. However, her fate and connection to Ronin is much more complicated than it seems.

First of all, the title is brilliant and the cover is stunning. The tale inside definitely lives up to it.
There is such a big story packed into this book and it took me a minute to get my bearings, but it was so worth it! We get to explore the past and present, Gods and mortals, mythology, and modern society in contrast with the world of the Gods. The Gods and goddesses are brought to life in such a unique way. I was fascinated with the tales of their history, the magic system and how they come to power, their abilities, and their utter ruthlessness.

My heart broke so many times and it especially aches for Naia and all that she goes through. Her freedom and anything she loves is always taken from her. In the face of so much cruelty, she remains such a strong and selfless person that honestly just wants the simplest things in life and goodness, she deserves them.

There were so many intricacies to this book and I loved the way everything was woven together. The key pieces revealed throughout were continuously surprising to me. For all the questions I had, none of the answers were anything I had imagined. I do still have lots of questions and want to know so much more, so I NEED the next one!

What a brutal, yet beautiful book.

Oh I enjoyed this!

The Goddess Of took me by surprise. From the first moment I felt drawn in - the character intros, the world building, the way the author set the plot premise, it was all so very smoothly and captivating.

I’m sure the writing style plays a big part in this too. Randi Garner writes with beautiful eloquence and definition and creates images so vivid I had several moments where I was surprised how much I had immersed into the fictional world without noticing it.

The story reads like a tragic tale with hope for love and, above all, freedom. The courage to claim it and the costs that are paid for love. The way Randi Garner wrote scenes of beauty and love with the same clarity and impact of those of loss and pain struck me in this book. Especially the latter almost had a nonchalance to them - in those that is, certainly not in how they made me feel.

As for the characters, I loved Naia from the beginning. Which surprised me cause often, characters with similar stories and mentalities as she had in most of the book often annoy me. But somehow, from the very first moment I rooted for her.

The MMC is perfect and I love him so much! That’s all I’m going to say cause I want to keep this spoiler free.

The side characters were intense in the best way, most of them with a lot of contour. Every character had a role, a purpose in this story. One character in particular peaked my curiosity from the very first moment and I can’t wait to learn more about his story in book 2, since he’ll be an MMC in that one.

I listened to the audiobook and am glad I did. The narration matches the writing perfectly and Abigail Reno was the perfect choice for Naia in my opinion!

Thank you to Dreamscape Media, NetGalley and Randi Garner for an ALC of this book!

What do I have to say about this book? Not only is the cover gorgeous, the but story contained within the pages is even more beautiful. I laughed, I giggled, I raged and I cried.

The writing is poignant and captivating, and it is evident the author has poured her heart and soul into it. Naia’s character development and learning who she is outside of what the trauma has shaped her into is the driving force behind the story. Her resilience in the face of such pain and torture is awe inspiring. But seeing one person after another fail to protect and love her is enraging. Until she meets Ronin.

Ronin has his own difficult past he’s fought hard to overcome and his unwavering love for Naia had me swooning. The slow burn is so good and there are so many little moments that show the love blooming between them. Touch her and 💀 energy is high in this one.

The story takes place in various distinctly different settings and the world building is immersive across all of them. The underwater kingdom, the island, the witchy city all so unique in their atmosphere. The food on the island had me so hungry 🤣. And the witchy coffee shop in Hollow City was so cute! The story started giving witchy mafia vibes once we get to the city and I was absolutely loving it.

The found family is so heartwarming because Naia always wanted that love and support from her own family but never got it. Akane was just adorable and I loved Yuki, Avi, and Theon. There are characters that need to suffer so much more. But I was happy to see Naia and Ronin’s story wrap up beautifully the way it did.

The narrators did a fantastic job conveying the emotions of the story. They had me engaged throughout the whole book!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5
Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5
Duration: 16 hrs 50 mins
Narrated by Abigail Reno; Benjamin Crow
Audiobook Pub. Date: 02.25.25

“Darkness and all; she wanted every part of him.”

🌸 Romantasy
🌿 Urban Fantasy
🌸 Touch Her & Die
🌿 Meddling Gods
🌸 Star Crossed Lovers
🌿 Found family
🌸 Mental Health Rep
🌿 Older MCs
🌸 Dual Timelines
🌿 Cliffhanger

"Happiness was a mirage, and perhaps it was better for it to remain that way. Basking in its rays of light would only make the darkness that much colder"

The Goddess Of by Randi Garner is the first book in the interconnected standalone series, The Fragile Divine series. It was everything I didn’t know I needed! I loved the world building and character development. The take on Gods and Goddesses with a Greek Mythology vibe, was chefs kiss. This was beautifully written and truly will be an immersive experience for any reader that picks it up.

Naia, our female FMC, daughter of the High Sea Goddess, is a goddess that is born without a title. She was able to overcome and persevere throughout the book. Her mother may or may not have a hidden agenda. However, you’re going to have to read to see how Naia’s story plays out.

There’s twists and turns. The ending was definitely not something I saw coming! I truly cannot wait for the second book to come out on 03.05.25!

I had the pleasure of experiencing the audiobook for this one. The narrator’s were able to take this above and beyond. I think they did a great job with the pacing and record. Highly recommend listening to it!

Thank you netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the pleasure of listing to the ALC.

A Goddess Of was an absolutely phenomenal read—without question, a five-star book. If I could give it six stars, I absolutely would. This was, hands down, some of the best writing I’ve experienced in this genre.

Randi Garner crafted a breathtaking world, immersing me in a deeply evocative story that felt both vivid and devastating. Naia’s journey was beautifully tragic, full of twists that had me sobbing, catching my breath—only to be shattered again. The layers of story and history intertwined masterfully, and each connection revealed left me in awe.

Naia was such a refreshing FMC, and Ronin was an unexpected but entirely captivating MMC—I ate up every moment. The blend of goddesses, gods, and witches was seamlessly done, never feeling overplayed but instead woven in with effortless finesse.

This book was everything. I received this as an audiobook and loved the narrators, I felt they added to the overall vibe of the book so well!

Thank you so much to Randi Garner, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for this ALC!

📌 A couple of my favorite quotes:
- "..how Ronin's soul ceaselessly wandered the world to find her own. Ronin, Kaleo--no matter his name, he was her other half, beneath his skin, flesh and bones, he was hers as much as she was his." 🥰
- "You are the only goddess I worship, Naia." 🔥
- Ronin's presence was warm, like being beneath the sun after centuries of being drenched in a cold rain and Naia wished to remain warm." 👏🏽👌🏽✨