Randi Garner has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her writing is amazing and the narrators did such a wonderful job bringing her story to life. It was a beautiful, amazing story about separation and the only eternal thing in life, love. The way this book broke my heart and then pieced it back together. Finnian and Cassian's relationship was absolutely everything and watching it develop throughout the book was breathtaking. I don't even have the words to describe how obsessed I am with these characters and this world. I love a gut wrenching book, a book that makes me FEEL, and Even in Death delivered!! Definitely a book I'd recommend to everyone, and if you decide to listen to the audiobook you won't regret it..

The way I loved Cassian and Phinny so much !!! Seriously an auto buy author!!

I was obsessed with the goddess just as much as as even in death

The plot twist was amazing and I didn’t expect it one bit

Thank you so much for the opportunity

Title: Even in Death
Where I Read: ALC provided by @netgalley @dreamscape_media and @randimgarner
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The RayView: ✨✨✨✨✨
The HeatRay: 💥
How It Be Spicin’?: 🌶️🌶️
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TW: Schmurder. Self-unaliving.
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Bargaining his life for his sister, Finnian is imprisoned within the Land of the Dead. Doomed to suffer through extreme torture, he’s determined to outwit the lands ruler, Cassian, in order to right the wrongs he’s committed. He finds that his past is far more complicated than he remembered. Chaos is unavoidable and only one thing is certain - death.
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The way I say FERAL is an understatement. I was absolutely feral to finally read book two. Finnian and Cassian make me swoon. I hope the epilogue alludes to a book three because I’m not ready to give up this world and the characters yet. The way Randi Garner writes is so eloquent and paced so naturally I always devour up the whole thing far too fast. The narrators - Benjamin Crow, Will Watt, and Shane East - knocked the audiobook out of the park. This series is hands down one of my all time faves.

This book was stunning. I genuinely don’t know how Randi Garner does it, but The Fragile Divine series is heartbreakingly beautiful—in all the best ways. It’s emotional, lyrical, and criminally underrated.

Even in Death is a gorgeous LGBTQ+ love story, overflowing with yearning, tension, and that kind of aching, soul-deep connection that stays with you long after the final page. Ugh. My heart.

Please, please read this series. You won’t regret it.

Both books in The Fragile Divine are now available as audiobooks!
Thank you, thank you @dreamscape_media!

Both are outstanding representations of books that I deeply loved as is, so for me to say that the audiobooks are WORTH is huuugggee. These are incredible, epic, multi-century stories that redefine the 'slow-burn, emotional, dark romantasy' in profound, deeply human, ways.

You will fall madly in love with these characters.
You will want to create a shrine to them... like I have... on your bookshelf.
These books will raise your bar on romantasy and dark fantasy.

And while each book is technically its own standalone within the greater story, they are interconnected in very meaningful ways and still must be read in order. I can't say much without spoilers, but their interconnectivity is wickedly clever.

This audiobook exceeded all of my expectations for a series that I was naturally inclined to be VERY picky about. 10/10

Even in Death was a beautiful continuation of The Fragile Divine. I can't seem to get enough of this world and loved the development of Finnians and Cassians characters. The world of Gods and Goddesses is a brutal one, and this story wrenched my heart again and again. I loved the authors use of the dual timeline to enrich the story and reached a whole new level of appreciation for the depth of the characters because of it.

I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the first, simply because the plot and the timeline didn't seem quite as smooth. The way that Finnian planned out the future and laid out the groundwork for his actions in The Goddess Of seemed a bit far-fetched to me. I have gone over his thought process over and over in my mind and don't see how he could have predicted everything that would happen so perfectly. I also noticed that Even in Death was written in third person, which I don't care for as much as first person. If The Goddess Of was written in third person, it was done so well that I didn't even notice.

Even with stating that this book wasn’t my favorite of the two, it needs to be said that it was incredibly well written and touched parts of me that not many books do. The whole story was gut wrenching and thought provoking, showcasing the best and worst of humanity. The ending absolutely broke my heart but rebuilt it in the most beautiful way. Cassian and Finnian will always hold a special place for me and I am so happy that Randi saw fit to bless us with their story.

The narrators that performed the audio for Even in Death were both incredible and perfectly captured the essence of Cassian and Finnian. Their voices and inflections really made me feel like I was experiencing everything as the characters did.

If you thought the first book was good, this one was even better. I did a slight immersive read with the ebook and this audiobook and it took it to the next level. The narrators brought this book to life and made you feel every piece even more. This book is about Finnian and Cassian and the history they share. It takes you on a journey through the beginning of how and why they met, the situation he puts himself into to protect his sister and how a love story comes to life. I could feel the heartache, the yearning, the grief and love that took place all through out this book. If you enjoy stories about gods, curses, losing and saving family, love lost, love found, lgbtqia+ representation and self growth, you will love this book. You will be in all of your feelings!

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook arc, as much as I wanted to like the book I just could not get into the story. I ended up DNF’ing at 46% while the story was well written it just wasn’t for me.

🌶️

Randi Garner has done it again. Made me feel all the feels and made me remember why I fell in love with her characters and the world she has created.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the ALC.

You do need to read book one The Goddess Of and if you haven't yet, why are you reading this?!?! Go fall in love with Naia first. Even in Death covers multiple PoVs and points in time to paint this bigger picture of what was going on behind the scenes and setting up for Naia's story while focusing on the beautiful and heart-wrenching love story of Finnian and Cassian. In true Randi style she is going to rip out your heart and then heal it back up again. That epilogue, goddamn what a way to leave a woman hanging! If you loved TGo you will love EiD. More worldbuilding, higher stakes, moments you have been waiting for since TGo and realizing not all villains are built the same.

We were treated to the talents of 3 narrators those being Benjamin Crow, Will Watt, and Shane East. All 3 were amazing and perfect fits for their roles. I love it when I can hear the emotions in the voices before they're read and that is how I felt the whole time listening to EiD. Immersion was perfect and I was sad to be finished with this one.

💀Necromancer MMC
⚰️God of Death and Curses MMC
💀Dual PoV
⚰️Multi Points in Time
💀Self-Sacrifice
⚰️Yearning
💀Found Family
⚰️Cute Pet Names

Audiobook update: the narrators are fantastic!! This book is even better as an audiobook. Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

This book has destroyed me 😭. Cassian and Finnian’s journey is not at all what I was expecting. It was even more beautiful, heartbreaking, and healing. Death, loss, and grief is explored in such a vulnerable and raw manner. We fear loosing those we love, view death as the enemy. But even in death, those who love you will remain by your side.

Thank you to Randi Garner and Dreamscape Media for the ALC. I loved listening to the audiobook. I enjoyed listening to the narrators and how they embodied the characters through their voices. Sometimes I would read along while listening and it helped me visualize the story more, which made listening/reading even more enjoyable. Finnian and Cassian's story was heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. I really enjoy the authors writing and can't wait for book 3.

I'm 20% in and I'm already so obsessed, I went out and purchased a signed copy of book 1 and will not be wasting a second when this book becomes available. The dual POV/timelines, the characters and world-building are phenomenal and I'm LOVING this on my drive to work/on my walks. If I wasn't an audio book girlie before, this book has made me one, and a fan of Randi Garner!! The tension, the mystery, the TENSION between these two characters is already so good at 20%, and it's only going to get better?? (this is something I feel in my gut; I only ever serve my brain the best of the best) -- this book is hitting everything I look for in a story! I plan to make a post about this book when I am fully finished, but I already know this is going to be a 5-star read, thus my review being given now!

Book Review: Even in Death by Randi Garner
Rating: ★★★★.5 (4.5 stars)
Thank you to the author and publisher for the advance listening copy of Even in Death! I was eager to return to this world after book one, and Randi Garner did not disappoint.

Right from the start, I was impressed by the audiobook production. Both narrators absolutely nailed the characters, capturing their emotions, personalities, and tension with precision. Their voices brought Finnian and Cassian to life in a way that elevated the already compelling prose.

Having rated the first book 3.25 stars, I was hopeful but cautious going into the sequel. I enjoyed Goddess Of quite a bit until the pregnancy trope dropped unexpectedly, which personally isn’t a favorite of mine—though I acknowledge it made sense for Naia’s arc and the overall story. Still, Even in Death not only held my attention, it gripped me from start to finish and earned a much stronger rating from me.

Cassian and Finnian’s dynamic is the heart of this book. Their enemies-to-lovers journey is deliciously slow-burn, laced with layers of yearning, pain, and conflicting duty. The tension between them is palpable—every line of dialogue charged with unspoken emotion. And when the yearning finally bubbles over? It hurts. In the best, most emotionally satisfying way.

Finnian, especially, is such a rich, emotionally complex character. His rebellious nature carries a surprising tenderness, and watching him try (and fail) to guard his heart was both endearing and devastating. He deserves to be loved, fiercely and wholly, and that truth pulses through every scene he shares with Cassian. The line, “I loathe you, I long for you” just about gutted me.

Cassian, on the other hand, has his own heartbreak to bear—particularly in his decision to torture Finnian instead of Naia. The intimacy between them in those scenes is excruciating. There’s such a sense of longing buried beneath their every interaction, and Garner lets us stew in it masterfully.

The writing style is one of the book’s strongest aspects. Garner does a phenomenal job allowing us to believe Finnian’s version of events until the truth is finally revealed. We discover the world as Finnian does, feeling the same confusion, betrayal, and heartbreak alongside him. The climax, when it hits, is both devastating and breathtaking. And the resolution? Utterly satisfying.

I also really loved the expansion of the afterlife universe in this installment. It’s rich, strange, and full of potential. The subtle hints at a third book were exciting, and I can’t help but wonder if the triplets might get their own story in the future—fingers crossed!

All in all, Even in Death is a gorgeously painful, emotionally charged, and deeply romantic tale. The yearning, the tension, the chemistry—it’s all so well done. I’m biased, of course—I tend to rate LGBTQIA+ stories more generously—but this book absolutely earns its 4.5 stars.

I’m still not okay, and I don’t want to be.

First off, thank you 1000% to Dreamscape media for this ALC. I was absolutely excited about this because this was my favorite read of the year so far!

Thoughts:

WOW. I do not listen to audiobooks primarily because I have an audio processing disorder so a lot of times I get confused when listening to things as opposed to reading them (which is why it took me a little longer to finish) – HOWEVER, this audiobook with its set of narrators really felt like I was experiencing Finnian and Cassian's story rather than just listening to it. The narrators really were perfect for this book and I sobbed my little heart out over and over again listening to all the parts of the story that they brought to life. Immaculate. Wonderful. Heart wrenching, devastating and beautiful.

A million stars to them and this book. Wow. Forever recommend!

I feel torn about this one. On the one hand, I did enjoy some aspects of this, the world building expended even more in this sequel, the plot was quite enthralling and I was genuinely into this story. Now on the other hand, the romance was just--bleh. It's pretty dark, okay, whatever, cool, but where was the chemistry? Where was the tension? If you're gonna give me something I can't necessarily justify, at least give me chemistry, like pleeeeaaase! I enjoyed this duology although this second book was a big letdown from what I expected after finishing book 1. 2.75 stars

The way this audio brought the story to life was amazing!

I loved The Goddess Of, so I leapt at this sequel in the Fragile Divine series. We don't waste any time getting back to the heartbreak. I liked starting out with snippets of the past. I had no idea how much of a history there was between Finnian and Cassian and the game of cat and mouse they had going on. I enjoyed learning the depth of their relationship and getting answers to some of the questions that I had from the first book about the history of these gods. I also liked discovering that there was a bigger meaning to everything that happened in the first book. While the things I thought were important still were, there was also so much more to it all.

The pacing was a bit slower for the first part of the story, but drastically picks up towards the end. It's definitely emotionally driven and multiple big events had me choked up. The way these two long for and sacrifice for each other is so good!

If you loved the first book, I think you are going to want this piece of the story!

I would also be so down for a Solaris book if requests are considered.👀

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Prepare to be utterly consumed! "Even in Death" by Randi Garner is a phenomenal second installment in the Fragile Divine series that takes everything you loved about the first book and cranks it up to eleven. Imprisoned in the Land of the Dead, Finnian's journey is a gripping blend of high stakes, intricate mythology, and intensely raw emotion.
Garner's writing is absolutely captivating, weaving a dark and enchanting world where the lines between life and death, right and wrong, blur beautifully. The tension between Finnian and... well, you know if you've read the first book 😉... is palpable, and the rekindling of old feelings amidst the chaos is both heart-wrenching and utterly addictive.
This book delivers on ALL the promises: a richly imagined mythology-inspired world with urban settings, authentic mental health representation, moments of genuine horror, and emotions that will gut you in the best possible way. The plot twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat, and the stakes feel impossibly high.
"Even in Death" is a masterclass in dark fantasy romance. It's a powerful and unforgettable read that solidifies the Fragile Divine series as a must-read. Trust me, you NEED this book in your life! Just remember to read the series in order! 🔥💀🖤

500 stars!

I didn't know of Randi Garner until I stumbled upon the Goddess Of ALC on NetGalley - and thankfully was approved because that book was amazing. But I knew then, that Even in Death would hit much, much harder for me.
And it did.

This book reached a spot that only the truly, beautifully tragic stories can. The love I have for it and especially for the characters is so deep it's hard to believe they're fictional.
Finnian and Cassian have taken my breath away.
They are such intricately carved characters, with all the depth and contrast I expect from beings as old as them.
The love they felt was so intense, it could make me believe soulmates exist in real life too. And the pain? The pain swallowed me and made me ache for these men.

Once again, the writing was immaculate and the way Randi Garner told their story by alternating between present and past was perfect. None of it was new or never-seen-before - not in the tropes nor in the approach and plotting. Yet, between the breathtakingly tragic and the classically romantic, it felt so intense, like the kind of mythology that's been around for a very long time. As if I could go to the library right now and learn more about these gods. (Oh I wish I could...)

The narration was fantastic. Will Watt was the perfect narrator choice in my opinion. I couldn't think of any other who could have done a better job at perfectly capturing all the longing and pain and devastation.

Now, I cannot wait for book 3, especially since my number one favourite narrator got a little teaser in this one.

ALC VERSION (April 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. The narrators do an excellent job with the narrations and the multiple POVs. They are a perfect fit for this book. The Fragile Divine series is one of my favorite series. Such an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible. I can’t wait for the next installment!

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

EARC VERSION (February 2025)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is Book 2 of The Fragile Divine.

Randi has done it again 🤯🙌. Put me on an emotional roller coaster feeling things at a level I didn't think I was capable of feeling. This is the story of Cassian and Finnian told in a dual timeline. A story of loss, love, heartbreak, survival, high emotions, trauma, feelings of self loathing, perseverance, healing, and self discovery. After the end of Book 1 I couldn't wait to read Finnian's story, and if he would get his redemption. You’ll have to read to find out 😉. This is such a beautiful story, and it is dark, and raw, and gives a side of Gods we don't get to read about often. The graphic reality of how dark it can really be.

Randi is such a talented author and storyteller. The characters are relatable and I am invested in every single one. It's like I was with them every step of the way and felt what they felt and saw what they saw.

I read this slow so I could take in every detail, because I didn't want it to end. I am excited to see what's next.

Thank you so much to the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I'm so grateful for the opportunity.

I realize it’s pretty hard to beat my love of Naia and Ronin in book 1, but it was fun listening to this interconnected standalone with Finnian and Cassian and still getting glimpses into some of my previously beloved characters!

This book is labeled as more of a dark romantasy - which I think is mostly due to the violent torture scenes in the beginning of the book.

Otherwise we follow the interwoven story of two gods who are true enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers throughout their history, fighting for their love. It did get a little confusing jumping from past to present. I really love Finnian and the hearing disability rep was lovely because you rarely see that.

The audiobook was well done - sometimes it can be hard for me with two male POVs because they sound too similar but these narrators definitely stood apart!

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!