Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an eARC of this wonderful novel! Release date: Jan 27, 2026
Review: posted to NetGalley, will be posted to Instagram and GoodReads Jan 3, 2026 to better align with release date (links provided below to both profiles, reviews to come later).

We Who Have No Gods is Liza Anderson’s first novel, but you would NOT know that from reading it! It started a little slow, which I sometimes don’t prefer…BUT, this gave me plenty of time to get to know our MC! Victoria (Vic) is a classic older sibling; strong willed, forgets her own needs, dotes on her younger brother, thinks she knows best, thinks she’s invincible. She and Henry (her magic-abilitied brother) fall into the Acheron Order, a historic society of uptight witches who believe they hold the balance between the living and the monsters of the realm of death. The author paints a vivid picture of the traditions, rules, and roles the Order holds to, and how Vic’s entrance (as a non-magical human) really shakes things up. We also meet Xan, the chief Sentinel; cold, powerful, and frustratingly composed.

Things I loved:
- Our MCs (Vic and Xan) are true adults- both in their late 20s/early 30s- no kiddie stories here!
- The feelings in the story progress naturally- no random “I love you” declarations, no surprise weddings, etc. They’re believable!
- Vic is so relatable!!! I love a MC who isn’t painfully clueless, who has thoughts, who sees her own bad habits, knows her own thoughts. She is so refreshing.
- Xan’s backstory! I’m so happy to know his motivations. We don’t see his perspective, but we do get a taste of why he is how he is, which helps with the layering of the story SO MUCH.
- The ACTION! It was exciting, it was dangerous. Just enough violence and gore for the genre, and to keep me worried for the characters’ safety, without seeming impossible.
- The rules/world build! I cannot compliment the author ENOUGH! For a first book especially, this was incredible. The magic makes sense, the society uses principles from our world, the characters live enough by the rules/break enough rules to seem realistic, and I absolutely adore when author’s add little historical facts/documents. At the beginning of each chapter, we get some history/learn some more about the Order or the world, which really put me in the scene and gave me info to go off of when reading. Super super fun and helpful!

No book is perfect, so I did have some issues. What I didn’t love:
- The actual scene setting; some chase scenes/action scenes were a little overdone or quick moving. I lost track of where we were going or who was there a couple of times, and the fast pace sometimes didn’t track with the story.
- The lumen factor didn’t really seem to fit. It’s mentioned briefly in a historical quote we get, but otherwise we don’t really hear about it until the very end. It didn’t seem like all that important of a detail (but this could’ve been intentional, and Vic is non-magical and couldn’t see it?)
- Henry is a little bit of a weak character. I think this might be intentional/play in a role in what I think (& hope) will be come a series??? But I think it might’ve hindered this book.
- My biggest qualm is Xan’s size descriptions. I’m not a fan of “big huge man/tiny woman” tropes- Vic isn’t described as not too small, but Xan is described as a giant MULTIPLE times in the story, and upon meeting him. I think it’s cheesy, but that’s really just a personal preference, and it isn’t a theme that carries too strongly or overshadows his story.

Truly, bravo to Liza for her first book! WWHNG has heart, action, growth, surprises, danger, romance, friendship, risk- the making of a great fantasy book. I would definitely pick up the second of the series or anything else the author puts out!

Ever since their mother disappeared eight years ago, Vic Wood has had two primary goals in her life – to provide for her younger brother Henry and to protect him against people Meredith Wood said would be coming for him, intent on doing him harm. But when it seems that day is upon them, Vic and Henry are warned to flee, by a faction of the very group Meredith had warned them against.

Because Henry, like his mother, has witchcraft in his blood. And it is time for him to commence his training to control and wield this powerful heritage, though in doing so, he is stepping square into the middle of an escalating conflict between two powerful arcane groups.

Liza Anderson, in her debut novel, has taken this apparent opening to the classic Hero’s Journey of fantasy and turned it on its ear. Because the hero here is not the orphaned boy, unaware of his heritage until he must rise to his destiny. The protagonist throughout is Vic, his tough-as-nails sibling, apparently bereft of any occult powers, whose obsession with protecting Henry leads her to wheedle her way into residence at Avalon Castle, deep in the forests of northern New York. There, a venerable group of witches known as the Acheron Order, educate and guide youngsters born to the blood. (This training ground for young witches, by the way, definitely ain’t yo mama’s Hogwarts.)

Anderson keeps coming up with original and intriguing notions about the nature of 21st century witchcraft, from a truly fresh take on the nature of witch’s familiars to physical tools designed to enhance and expand the powers of individual practitioners. She cranks up the drama by pitting the Acheron Order not only against the forces of chaos (including some of the most frightening monsters ever put on paper), but also against a rival group of witches known as The Brotherhood, which may or may not be in league with the monsters Vic finds herself battling.

Imagined excerpts from the journals of past Acheron masters head each chapter, providing a clever and succinct way to drop expository information into the kettle without slowing down the boil.

And boil it does, as Vic meets one challenge after another in her battle to stay at Avalon to protect Henry, who has definitely faded into the background of the action at this point. His character is probably the least skillfully developed of the cast, which robs the revelations in the final chapter of some of their punch. And the author comes perilously close to slipping into Romance Mode, with Vic’s instant attraction to the buff and brooding Xan, Chief Sentinel of the Order, charged with the physical training of the students and generally keeping Vic out of trouble.

Overall, however, this is a fast-moving and often violent foray, with a gore factor and sexual undertone that probably kicks it out of YA territory. It should find an appreciative audience in fans of Rebecca Yarros and LJ Andrews.

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An ARC of this book was provided for review via NetGalley.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine books for this ARC!

4.75-5 stars! A new favorite for me and I'll definitely be buying a physical copy! This book is fantasy that teeters on horror, so definitely check trigger warnings. I really wish this book came out in October instead of January because the spooky vibes are immaculate.

Trigger warnings:
Explicit: Blood, Gore, Body Horror, War, Violence, Death of a parent, Fire/fire injury, Torture, Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Classism, Cursing

The plot of this book is extremely unique. This isn't just a magic school for magical people. These are every day people who happen to be able to do magic, sort of like Purebloods, Muggles, and Halfbloods in the Harry Potter universe but with more magical classism/racism. These people are regular adults who go to college, have jobs, families, etc. But also hunt monsters.

Imagine: Supernatural (CW) but with more swearing. Victoria Wood's mom hunts literal monsters until one day "Mom's been on a hunting trip and hasn't come back". Vic (the Dean of the story) has to take her brother Henry (the Sam of the story) to magic school after a mysterious visitor threatens them. I will mention that there are a lot of 3-4 letter names in this story. There, she is an outsider because she can't do magic (SPN S2 anyone?). But Vic can fight, and it just so happens Xan needs help teaching his Sentinels hand to hand combat.

The worldbuilding in this story is crazy good. It's got blurbs at the beginning of each chapter that serves as historical background to the chapter (some of which are long and admittedly, I skimmed). The way you can identify who is a witch by the shine in their eyes, how non magical people can't see certain things because of it. The way the antagonists are entwined with the protagonists. I need book two immediately!!

Wow!!! This was such an incredible read from beginning to end!
We follow Victoria Wood, who possesses no known magic to her name, as she tries to raise and care for her magically inclined brother, Henry, after their mother's passing, all while hiding from the people their mother warned were after Henry for his abilities.

They end up at Avalon Castle, navigating through the intricate webs of a secret society of witches warring amongst themselves in the ultimate power struggle, while Vic is forced to grapple for her place somewhere among them in order to remain close to her brother-or risk losing him.

When Vic meets Xan and they instantly clash, you just know their tension was going to build slowly and deliciously. And it does! Overall, I'd give it only maybe one 🌶️, but that only sets it up for future peppers to be added.

Although the ending was a little predictable to me, I felt the build-up to it was spectacular and kept me eagerly engaged, so I really didn't care about the fact that I already suspected it in my mind.

Without giving away any spoilers:
This book starts off a little slow, but if you give it chance to build and unfurl, you'll see that it was beautifully crafted to carry you through Victoria's struggle to find her place in a tumultuous world she's only just discovered, teetering on the precipice of an all-out war, while fighting to stay alive against forces who would sooner see her dead than accepted.
The excerpts at the beginning of each chapter give you relevant insights into The Elders' historical documentation of the laws and ideology of the society, along with useful references to various Orcan demons.

You get magic, you get action, you get blood and gore, you get anguish and fear and raw human emotion. You get a relatable FMC and a MMC with touch her and die vibes. What more could you want?

This book definitely gives gothic fantasy dark academia vibes and I'm totally here for it.

I really enjoyed the world that we had in here. While it reminded me of many of my favorite books it also provided something new and fresh. I found the writing to be quick passed yet so beautiful which is sometimes lacking in the books I’ve been reading lately. I would personally recommend this to anyone who has been in a romantacy drout

Bold, haunting, and quietly devastating—in the best way.

This book got me. We Who Have No Gods is one of those stories that sinks its teeth in slowly, then refuses to let go. It’s layered and complex, with themes that feel deeply personal yet universally resonant—faith, identity, survival, and the price of truth.

Liza Anderson’s writing is raw but lyrical, and the world she’s built feels heavy with history and emotion. The characters are messy, flawed, and beautifully real. No easy answers, no clean lines—just pain, power, and resilience wrapped in sharp prose.

It’s not a light read, but it is a powerful one. It made me think. It made me feel. And by the final page, I was wrecked in the best way.

5/5 – Poignant, unflinching, unforgettable. This one will stay with me.


*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

This book had an intriguing premise—an ordinary young woman navigating a hidden world of magic while protecting her younger brother—but unfortunately, it didn’t deliver for me.

The pacing felt sluggish, and I struggled to stay engaged throughout. While there are high-stakes moments and glimpses of interesting magical lore, the execution lacked the emotional depth and narrative tension I was hoping for. The main character’s dedication and strength were admirable, but her journey felt more like a series of events than a meaningful arc.

The romance element, which I expected to be a strong subplot, felt underdeveloped and at times forced. It didn’t contribute much to the emotional weight of the story, making it hard to invest in the relationship or its role in the plot.

There are hints of a rich world and larger conflicts at play, but they never fully take shape, leaving the story feeling incomplete. I think readers looking for a romance-forward fantasy or a deeply immersive magical world may come away feeling a bit underwhelmed.

While this one didn’t work for me, I appreciate the themes of sacrifice, identity, and loyalty it tried to explore.

OMFG!

this was scary and thrilling and suspenseful and I could barely put this book down. If I wasn’t a working woman I would have devoured it within a day, lol. I absolutely LOVED this. The descriptions were so incredible I wanted to gag at times, and I had to be careful reading at night, (I’m a coward, ok?). But the suspense and the story and the characters were all incredible. I loved the main protagonist and her protective nature, it felt real. I thought this story was really well developed and I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one. *thank you to net galley and author for the arc :)*

This is a fantastic book!

Vic lives an isolated life with her gifted younger brother, Henry. They live in fear of the “bad men” who want to take Henry away, but where? And who are these men their late mother cautioned them about? Even though Vic isn’t blessed with Henry’s abilities, she has assumed the role as protector and become a force of her own.

This book made me sit up and pay attention from the first page. Vic is bold and intuitive, and it doesn’t take a 200 page slog through boring flashbacks and recurring dreams to get a feel for who she really is.

Perhaps this is my inner ten year old speaking, but I love scary monsters, and this book is brimming with them. The more gruesome, the better! They’re particularly unique and nasty in this story, and I wish they were real so I could see one. Preferably through binoculars. And with the handsome Xav by my side in case they get snippy.

Speaking of Xav- I loved that the romance was grounded in reality and didn’t get all melodramatic and cheesy. There could have been more of it, though.

My main quibble is that the first hundred pages (except the very beginning) are a bit drawn out. I found myself thinking (in the whiny voice of a back seated child), “Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?”

Overall though, this is a fantastic book with a fantastic ending. I want more now please 🙏🏻

I would have enjoyed this book with the right expectations. Unfortunately, the marketing felt deceptive. This is not dark academia, unless you're talking the “college” in “war college.” This is more of an urban fantasy romantasy; think Fourth Wing meets Shadowhunters. The main characters are even named Vic and Xan (Violet and Xaden, anyone?). And yes, there is shadow magic, squads, and numerous training montages. I even noted the “tangle of tongues and teeth” phrase that’s become a romantasy staple. And yet, given that, the romance isn’t the main thrust of the book – which, in my opinion, leads to the book not quite knowing what it wants to be. For example, the majority of the fantasy worldbuilding comes to us via epithets at the start of each chapter. Having to stop and read these slowed the pacing and suspense. I wish this deeper info on how the magic system worked and what the “orcans” were had been incorporated into the main story line, perhaps with more classroom scenes. Then, this book would feel somewhat more like a dark academia.

"We Who Have No Gods" by Liza Anderson is an excellent gothic dark academia fantasy, chock-full of secret societies, witches, monsters, and one brave woman. I love dark academia books—add gothic vibes, and I’m sold!

The book follows Victoria (Vic) and Henry Woods, two siblings on the run. After their mother died under mysterious circumstances, they tried to stay under the radar, moving from place to place. But the past catches up with them when a representative of the Acheron Order—a secret society of witches tasked with keeping the dead at bay—appears at Vic’s work and then at their home, ordering Henry to join the Order’s academy. It turns out Henry inherited their mother’s magical abilities, while Vic did not, which marked him as the Order’s newest recruit.

Determined to keep him safe, Vic accompanies Henry to Avalon Castle, located in the isolated woods of upstate New York. Despite lacking powers of her own—and the fact that humans aren’t welcome there—she insists on staying. Max, one of the elders, invites her to remain, but the others aren’t as welcoming. Xan, the head Sentinel—imposing, ruthless, and powerful—is in charge of protecting Avalon and wants her gone. And he isn’t the only one. As Vic makes both enemies and allies and uncovers secrets about her mother and the Order, she becomes caught between two opposing factions and the war that is coming. She must hunt or be hunted in a world that sees humans as expendable.

Although Henry is the one with powers, the focus is on Vic. Written in third person, we follow her struggles and journey of self-discovery. She’s a skilled warrior—brave, less trusting than her brother, and fiercely determined. She is impulsive, and more than once I wanted to yell at her to stop. Furthermore, she’s stubborn—sometimes too much for her own good. She has a fear of intimacy and no lasting relationships. More than anything, she’ll do whatever it takes to protect Henry, whether he likes it or not. (And he doesn’t.) While I liked her, I didn’t like her brother—he came across as spoiled, ungrateful, and irritating.

The pacing is excellent—tight, engaging, and fast-moving without feeling rushed. I flew through the pages. The novel thoughtfully explores humanity, betrayal, duty, self-discovery, hypocrisy, and the emotional dynamics between characters—especially the chemistry between Vic and Xan. While the main characters are well-developed, some of the side characters have their own distinct personalities, making them stand out. The villains are thoroughly detestable and add a dark edge that heightens the stakes throughout the story.

The dark, gritty atmosphere and the lore surrounding monsters and witches were fascinating. There’s a hint of romance, but it’s not the focus. The spotlight is on world-building and action. I loved the illustrations at the chapter headings, and the way each chapter began with a brief history of the Order, the Orcans (monsters), or the magic. The writing flows beautifully. The combination of narrative style and rich information made this a very gripping read.

The author took familiar tropes and created something new and refreshing. The story never lacks intrigue and maintains a fast pace throughout. The book ends on a cliffhanger, and I can’t wait for the sequel. Content-wise, it includes some graphic violence and one or two sex scenes, so it’s not suitable for young readers. I loved the book and recommend it to fans of academic fantasy who are looking for something fresh—and don’t mind a bit of violence. Full stars!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book because Vic reminded me of myself because I've always felt the need to protect the people I love even at a detriment to myself.

This book is Harry Potter for people who grew up wanting more from Harry Potter, and who are tired of the same old “Chosen One” tropes infecting stories. This is a sexy, moody, and atmospheric read that I struggled to put down!

There were so many things I loved about this and it is yet another ARC I enjoyed where it kills me knowing I still have to wait forever for the next book in the series because it was just that good. The drop of information given at the head of each chapter surrounding either history of the order or biology of the monsters (Orcans) is amazing. It really helped build the world to a whole new level. I loved the dark gothic feel and actually got scary vibes at a couple points. The romance wasn’t central but still had an appropriate placement within the story of Vic, the FMC’s journey of self discovery. Mostly it was just different and lately that seems hard to find and it’s been nice to come across a few here and there that show some true imagination. Definitely keeping an eye out for more from this author.

4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brutal, Brilliant, and Unapologetically Different

Every once in a while, a book comes along that feels like a jolt to the system..
We Who Have No Gods is that book. Liz Anderson’s debut doesn’t just enter the fantasy scene, it boldly claws its way in, and makes you pay attention.

This is not your typical romantasy or magical school tale. In fact, this book wants absolutely nothing to do with tropes like that. What Anderson has written, instead is an atmospheric look into power, grief, and legacy, centered around a human girl who has no business being in a world that wants her gone!!

Victoria Wood is a protective older sister who’s followed her brother Henry to Avalon Castle, home of the Acheron Order, a place where magic is everything and humans are very much not welcome.
The Order isn’t some whimsical school filled with teenage drama; this is a secretive, dangerous institution where tradition is sacred and outsiders are threats. Vic, stubborn and observant, is both of those.

Yes, there’s a romantic element, but it’s background noise to the main event. No swooning, no love triangles.
I wanted a little more development there, but I can see that Anderson’s focus was on building a brutal world first and she absolutely nails it.

This book reminded me of what I want modern fantasy to be: unpredictable, unvarnished, and deeply human. If The Atlas Six and The Broken Earth Trilogy had a dark, feral cousin, this would it.


That you to Ballantine for giving me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

**spoiler alert** This review is based on an advanced copy provided through NetGalley.

Magic school + hidden society + tight composition and a thrilling story - this was a fun read!

Two of my favorite themes in sci-fi/paranormal combined with the romantic tension of romantasy had me hooked from the start but what really did the trick was the carefully constructed world-building.

Really enjoyed this and looking forward to recommending more broadly, especially to fans of romantasy and magic.

** very light spoilers below**

We start with Vic (Victoria) and her brother on the run but trying to live a normal life when the magic school comes calling. I initially didn’t buy why she would’ve been allowed to go with him but appreciated the reasoning as the story played out. Xan is one of the male main characters and while X names are a little played out by now, at least there’s a backstory for it (still would’ve preferred otherwise). We are introduced to other characters who, while not really given any background, we do get the sense of personality and what’s drawing them all together. Spicy scenes are present, of course, and with the well written romantic tension, the reader deserves it! Really only a single (less)

There’s no denying that We Who Have No Gods knows how to set a scene. From the first chapter, it wraps you in shadowy halls, cryptic institutions, and the kind of haunted elegance that fans of gothic fantasy crave. The setting (especially the foreboding Avalon Castle!) is rich with atmosphere, and the story wastes no time pulling the reader into its secrets.

At the heart of the novel is Vic, whose fierce loyalty and outsider perspective make her an easy character to root for. Her interactions with Xan are charged and engaging, adding an undercurrent of romantic tension without overwhelming the plot. (I did grow tired of the number of times Xan's attractive features were mentioned, however.) The worldbuilding, particularly the concept of the Acheron Order and its arcane practices, is intriguing and full of potential.

Yet for all its strengths in tone and momentum, the novel doesn’t quite reach the emotional or thematic depth it seems to be reaching for. The inner workings of the Order felt more hinted at than fully realized, and Vic’s personal journey, and especially her experience navigating a world where she lacks power, felt somewhat rushed. Some of the character relationships, while promising, could also have been explored with more nuance.

All in all, this is a stylish and entertaining read that delivers on mood and mystery. Those drawn to secret societies, gothic settings, and slow-burning tension will likely find it an enjoyable escape, even if it leaves a few questions hanging in the shadows.

Witches, monsters, and a warrior woman.
The Order VS The Brotherhood.
This story follows Vic and Max, siblings, who finally get caught by what they’ve been running from for years. The Order recruits Max back to the castle to become his training as a witch just like he mother.. Vic sticks around to keep protecting Max and find out the truth about their mothers past. But at what cost?

This book was the perfect pace in my mind, not too many details that make you want to skim pages to just get back into the caption. There was one spicy scene but it was minimal; thank goodness because that’s what a lot of fantasy is packed with now. The author really knew how to make you fall in love with characters. She also hooks you in enough to make you want the next book. The book had a great ending that’s making me want to read the next already!
This book gave off Harry Potter meets Stranger Things meet Elektra vibes. That’s the best way I could explain it!

Atmospheric and gripping, but left me wanting more depth
We Who Have No Gods delivers a gorgeously moody setting and a fast-paced story that blends gothic vibes, dark academia, and simmering romantic tension. Vic is a compelling protagonist—fierce, loyal, and determined to protect her brother even when thrown into a world she doesn't belong to. The dynamic between her and Xan crackles with intensity, and the Order's magic system and eerie Avalon Castle were deliciously eerie.

That said, I wish the book had dug deeper into some aspects, especially the lore of the Acheron Order and Vic’s emotional journey as a powerless outsider. Some character arcs and relationships felt like they could’ve used more development, especially given the high stakes. Still, it’s an engaging and atmospheric read that fans of dark academia and gothic fantasy will enjoy.