4.5 ⭐️

If this is a debut then my mind was 🤯

This truly gave me everything I love in a book all wrapped into one package. Magic, dark academia setting, romance, and family drama. Loved the FMC of this story more than I have of any book in a while. And that romance tension was just 😮‍💨 can’t wait for the next one!!

We Who Have No Gods is a breath of fresh air. As someone who reads a lot, I find that many fantasy novels follow a formula when it comes to their female main characters—and, personally, I’m not a fan of that mold. But Victoria (aka Vic), the FMC in this book, is wonderfully different. And I’m so thankful for that.

At 25, Vic has already been through her share of hardships, and it shows in her maturity. She feels incredibly human—flawed, real, and relatable—and the story does an excellent job of reflecting that through both her actions and her moments of hesitation.

One of my favorite things about this book—aside from the story itself—is the world-building. From the hauntingly detailed environment to Castle Avalon, from the layered history and intricate magic system to the terrifying monsters… chef’s kiss.

Speaking of the monsters: the Orcans. Wow. The descriptions alone are chilling, but the author takes it a step further by including a few black-and-white sketches that are just as creepy. There were several scenes where I was literally on the edge of my seat, biting my nails. The writing is so vivid and intense I didn’t even want to turn my light off!

I love this book. The story, the characters, the slow burn and yearning, the magic, the monsters—everything. Love, love, love.

✨Shout out to the author and Netgalley for approving my request to be an Advanced Reader for this book!!

#WeWhoHaveNoGods
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Book releases January 27, 2026

We Who Have No Gods by Liza Anderson is a captivating debut that immerses readers in a gothic dark academia fantasy world, where magic, secrets, and simmering chemistry intertwine. Set against the backdrop of the mysterious Avalon Castle, the novel follows Vic Wood, a human woman who finds herself entangled in a realm of witches and ancient orders.

The narrative unfolds as Vic's ordinary life is upended when her younger brother, Henry, is accepted into the Acheron Order—a secret society of witches tasked with maintaining the balance between life and death. Unlike Henry, Vic lacks magical abilities, yet she accompanies him to Avalon Castle, determined to protect him. There, she faces challenges not only from the Order's enigmatic leader, Xan, but also from the dark forces threatening to unravel the very fabric of reality.

Anderson's writing is rich and atmospheric, drawing readers into a world filled with war-bent rivals, guarded secrets, and a palpable tension between Vic and Xan. The character development is nuanced, with Vic's internal struggles and growth adding depth to the story. The themes of power, identity, and belonging are explored with sensitivity and insight.

However, the novel is not without its flaws. At times, the pacing can be uneven, with certain sections feeling drawn out while others rush through pivotal moments. Additionally, some readers may find the complex magical system and the intricacies of the Acheron Order challenging to fully grasp.

Despite these minor drawbacks, We Who Have No Gods is a promising start to what could be an enthralling series. Anderson has crafted a world that is both enchanting and perilous, populated by characters whose journeys are as compelling as the mysteries they seek to unravel.

Rating: 4.25/5

This book had a dark and brooding vibe that kept me interested the whole way. I liked that even though Vic was the main character, she didn’t have the stereotypical hero arc. She is strong and capable and doesn’t let the less than warm welcome she receives stop her from protecting her brother.

We Who Have No Gods is a moody, thrilling dive into a gothic dark academia world where witches wage secret wars and power is everything. From the first few pages, I was pulled into Vic Wood’s gritty, grounded reality and then swept into the eerie, high-stakes realm of Avalon Castle, where secrets linger in the walls and danger feels constant.

Vic is a compelling protagonist—not magical, not chosen, but fiercely determined. Her drive to protect her younger brother, Henry, adds a strong emotional core that balances out the magic and mystery. I loved how the book explores sibling bonds, resentment, and loyalty in a world where those connections are often overshadowed by supernatural drama.

The atmosphere is rich and spooky, perfect for fans of gothic fantasy and dark academia. Avalon Castle feels alive, and the tension between Vic and Xan, the brooding Sentinel, simmers deliciously throughout the book. Their dynamic is full of sharp dialogue and slow-burn chemistry that never overwhelms the plot but adds just the right touch of heat.

I gave it 4 stars because while the world-building is imaginative and the plot engaging, it occasionally felt a little dense—there were moments I wished for a bit more clarity or a slower reveal of certain magical systems and backstory. But the intrigue, character relationships, and dark twists more than made up for it.

If you're into fantasy stories with a strong, stubborn lead, secret societies, magical politics, and a brooding love interest who’s more than he seems, We Who Have No Gods will absolutely deliver. A promising start to a world I hope we see more of!

**Thank you NetGalley for this ARC**

This book had me hooked from the start. I really enjoyed We Have No Gods! The writing style pulled me in right away—it’s sharp and atmospheric without feeling overly heavy. There’s a quiet intensity to the prose that fits the world so well. I appreciated the moral ambiguity throughout. No one is entirely right or wrong, and that complexity gave the story an edge. That said, there were times I found myself wanting just a little more—more world building, more context, more grounding in the stakes.

Xan is peak broody and morally grey, and I loved every second of it. He had that simmering, conflicted energy that made him instantly compelling. Victoria (Vic) could be stubborn to the point of frustration at times, but I also understood where she was coming from, even when I wanted to shake her a little. She felt real, flaws and all. The slow burn was definitely BURNING and I can’t wait for that to develop more.

The secret society fighting monsters gave me some Legendborn series vibes. There was a lot of aspects that reminded me of that series and I think it’s also why I enjoyed it so much. It also kinda reminded me of Supernatural for some reason 🤣

The ending was good and felt satisfying but still left room for more, which I appreciate. My one wish? I would’ve loved a deeper look into the dynamic between Henry and Victoria. There was a lot there emotionally, and I just wanted to sit with it longer.

Overall, this was a strong start to what I hope becomes a strong series. Definitely worth checking out if you like myth-inspired fantasy with secrets, shadows, and just the right amount of angst.

4.5/5. Rounding up for the enjoyability and vibes.


Thank you Random House and Netgalley for this ARC.

I devoured this book! After recovering from a reading slog, I went into this book without much thought, and was quickly enamored by the writing, the story, and the FMC.

Heavy spoilers below:

Things I Liked:

-the writing style and voice of the author feel mature, intriguing, and spooky. The descriptions of the beasts and cthe reativity of it all feel raw and real.

-I adored Vic and her fire and passion. She’s spunky, with a reason to be. She can fight and talk, and she THINKS. She’s smart and moody, and tough to a fault.

-MMC “Xan” has great potential. He feels a bit bland this far but it might just be because we haven’t had the chance to get his backstory. He’s hot and I like the character direction though! Every chance of emotional intimacy, Vic withdraws. This flaw of hers is very prevalent throughout the story. But with monsters and witches on the hunt for you all of a sudden, it’s a desirable trait to keep pushing on.

-uhhhm, magical hot sex where the room gets destroyed because of crazy magical power and confusing impulses because of said magic? 🙂‍↕️🫡
What a great microtrope.

-gruesome monsters + uniqueness of deaths and magic

What’s confusing and needs more thought:

-The magic system, and in addition, the “Evil guy”.

I liked the levels, and the types of magic present. It could have been more clear the difference between Made and Born Witches.

Considering the whole war is starting over this issue, the Made and Born debacle feels uncooked and unimportant? Until we realize the evil guy’s whole schtick is to kill all Mades, while he himself is Made? Wait, and Born also?

He also hates humans but is connected to one willingly? What’s the deal with Meredith, Max, and Aren and why do I care??? This is not like a Snape situation. Not much was uncovered here. Meredith seemed like not that great of a person/mom.

-Henry pissed me off, I did NOT like him and was not that shocked at the ending. It felt goofy villainous to me, with Aren’s POV explaining the situation. It made me scratch my head a bit considering the confusing Made v Born aspect. Why don’t they just kill humans to see if they could be “Made”? That would have been a crazier and believable Evil Plan.


We Who Have No Gods will be published Jan 2026! I’m excited for more in the series, and to hear what others think!

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House for the ARC! This story offered many enjoyable elements that kept me turning the pages.

I was particularly captivated by the magic system, which felt fresh and intriguing. The author skillfully laid the groundwork, and I'm genuinely excited to delve deeper into its intricacies in the next installment. The slow-burn romance was another highlight, developing at a satisfying pace that added a delightful layer to the narrative. Xan proved to be a compelling male main character, and I found myself rooting for him throughout.

Vic's resilience and determination were truly admirable. Her unwavering resolve in the face of adversity made her a protagonist easy to cheer for. The plot twist at the end was a genuine shocker – completely unexpected and well executed. It left me eagerly anticipating its repercussions in future books within the series.

I would highly recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a well-crafted fantasy with a compelling magic system and a delightful touch of suspense. I can't wait to see what comes next!

Thank you, NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Liz Anderson, for the ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I plan to share this review on Goodreads within this month, and on my blog closer to the novel's publication month.

Final verdict: 3.5/5 stars

I have a lot of thoughts and opinions on this book, as there were many aspects that I profoundly enjoyed, and many more that simply fell short for me. I will say that none of my issues with the story had anything to do with Anderson’s prose. This is the sort of writing that’s easy to read in a way that absorbs you into the story. I was hooked from the opening sentence and onwards. You will have some issues putting this book down, but if you can bring yourself to, you will have no problem picking it back up and being immersed again. Anderson’s prose is vivid, engaging, and fresh, and I will very much be keeping an eye for anything they write in the future.
THE THINGS I LIKED:

--The Main Character

Vic is one of those main characters that you think you’re going to get annoyed by easily—and often you find yourself on the verge—but you can never really bring yourself to get annoyed because they are interesting enough that you can semi-understand their reaction to things. I found myself this way throughout the whole book. Oftentimes, I couldn’t really get behind some of Vic’s actions and her reactions to the world around her, but she simply resonated with me a lot more than I thought she would. You can’t bring yourself to dislike Vic even when she’s being difficult because you can understand where she’s coming from if you were in her shoes. It’s precisely this reason that other characters interacting with her didn’t resonate with me. I enjoy how strong Vic is, both emotionally and physically. She’s well aware of her limitations and knows when she will lose a fight without being upset about it. However, she’s still emotionally available to herself and those around her. It was quite refreshing to have a main character who is tough and isn’t upset that they have feelings like a normal person. I don’t want to say much so as not to spoil her character, but I think she’s a well-written protagonist.

--The Magic System:

I think the introduction to this world of witches should be experienced without spoilers, but this is one of the more interesting interpretations of witches that I’ve seen in a long while. I immensely enjoyed their conception and how they work in regard to the world around them, and even how they see human beings. It’s very much a reversal of what normally goes on in stories regarding witches, and I found that refreshing.

THE THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

--Henry
I’m sorry, but for a story that’s supposed to be about two siblings, he felt so detached from this story, his situation, and his relationship with Vic that I couldn’t bring myself to care about him. Additionally, whenever he was in a scene, I found myself irritated with his naivety and, quite honestly, brattishness. I hated the way he was towards Vic. When your older sister has sacrificed most of her childhood, teens, and early adult years to take care of you, and you brush off her concern and blindly trust people who you aren’t sure won’t harm you…I just…no. This is only scratching the iceberg of why I don’t like Henry, and honestly felt the story would have been stronger without his presence. Vic was simply the more interesting character of the two.

--The Pacing

The pacing of the story did not land correctly for me. The first part of the story was gripping; I wanted to learn more about the world and the characters. I felt that Part I ended a bit too abruptly and awkwardly, and this gave me the feeling that we would have some pacing issues after the fact. I was right. Part II was a slog to get through. There was either too much meandering in things that I felt didn’t matter to the story, or not enough time spent on the interesting things. I think there was simply too much going on in this section as Anderson tried to work in what the plot of the story was going to be about. The latter half of the story did pick up, but I couldn’t get behind how this book flowed.

--The Lack of World-building

I’ve never read anything that, at once, made you feel like there were tons of world-building, and yet there was none at all. I felt that we didn’t really spend enough time getting to know the deeper intricacies of this world. Despite the concept being interesting, the overall thing simply felt…bland. This is a shame because a lot is going on in this world that’s interesting, if we simply spend a bit more time in it.

--The Romance Subplot

I will say that I very much enjoyed the back-and-forth pull of Xan and Vic. They have a visible chemistry that works well on the page. However, I couldn’t help but feel that the romance was a bit awkwardly placed. They weren’t together enough in the book for me to believe that they liked each other so deeply. I suppose the best way to say it is that the romance didn’t feel earned, and that turned me off from it.

Overall, I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy reading this story because I did. I simply wish that things flowed a little better within it. I did enjoy most of the cast, and like I said, the prose is nice to read, but I think the plot, worldbuilding, and romance could use a little work to really shine! I still highly recommend giving this book a go if you like witches and dark academia!

Thank you again, NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Liz Anderson, for the ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I had a great time reading ‘We Who Have No Gods’ by Liza Anderson. I would describe this story as ‘Ninth House’ meets Harry Potter with a touch of ‘The Witcher’. I sped through this book and would recommend it to others!

This story is a gothic, witchy, dark academia tale with an interesting magic system. I love that the main character is a strong and capable woman, although I would describe her as unhinged, impulsive, and overconfident at times. We follow her on an adventure as she learns to live in a magic-filled world. She struggles to find her place in this new hierarchy, while others tell her, loudly and aggressively, that she does not belong.

I enjoyed the quirky side characters, but I found that the relationships with the main character’s love interest and secondary characters seem to form and change relatively quickly. In future books, I would love to see more development of interpersonal relationships. Also, the plot felt quite predictable, whether that was by intention or by accident. I was not surprised by any turn of events and the plot twists were not very “twisty”.

For future installments, I would love more explanation about how the magic system works. There is so much potential! The description of the ‘Universal Language’, visibility of magic, and the permeability of the veil could be more at the forefront of the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I will be picking up the next book in the series when it is released. Thank you to the author, Random House, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

We Who Have No Gods is a quiet, introspective novel that explores belief, identity, and the cost of survival in a world stripped of divine certainty. Liza Anderson’s prose is lyrical and deliberate, with a strong sense of atmosphere and an underlying emotional weight that lingers throughout.

The central character, Vic is flawed, reflective, and shaped by a history of disillusionment. Her journey feels internal as much as external, and Anderson gives her space to struggle, question, and change without forcing resolution. The relationships she forms are subtle but meaningful, often marked by tension, mistrust, or quiet solidarity. Some of the supporting cast are less developed, but the few who stand out particularly those who challenge the protagonist’s worldview leave a lasting impresion.

Recommended for readers who appreciate character-driven speculative fiction with a philosophical bent and a quiet emotional undertow.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballentine for the ARC.


We Who Have No Gods is out Jan. 27, 2026

I loved this book. My favorite books to read are the dark academia type vibes. I loved that this book was about witches and not fae. It was fast paced, mysterious, and just a great time. I loved how close she is with her brother and just wants the best for him. The story has everything you would want in a fantasy.

Amazing story. The idea of Vic having to protect her brother Henry felt similar to the start of Quicksilver but I enjoyed the added layer of Henry going to the Archeron Order to train and study instead of the FMC sacrificing herself for her brother. The dark academia setting was really well fleshed out and I had a hard time putting this book down – definitely lost sleep over reading this book but it was worth it! I highly recommend you pick up this book for the romantasy, dark academic vibes. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

We Who Have No Gods by Liz Anderson is a captivating fantasy novel with a touch of slow-burn romance and dark academia vibes. The book follows Vic, a human who cares for her brother, Henry, after their mother’s mysterious murder. Vic's world is turned upside down when Henry is recruited to The Acheron Order, a group of witches that protect the world from the dead. To protect him, Vic joins Henry at the academy, where her mother’s past isn’t the only thing that haunts her. "We Who Have No Gods" is exceptionally well-written, with outstanding and detailed world-building. The characters are interesting and complex, and the plot is so intriguing that I got completely lost in it. It’s everything I want in a fantasy novel, and you can tell the author put so much time and love into this story. I will definitely be buying a copy when it comes out and I can’t wait to see if the next book in the series is as good as this one!

‘We Who Have No Gods’ blurs the edges between dystopian fantasy and dark academia romance with its tale of good versus evil, unique world building, gothic-inspired war school, tension-filled yearning, and commentary on the tainted influence of power.

Vic has had a singular focus since she was sixteen and her mother disappeared: Keep Henry, her younger brother, safe. He’s special, but there are men who want to harm him, or so she was told. So Vic has been moving them around, keeping Henry safe, and herself as forgettable as possible ever since. When Henry, however, is given the chance to train with the Archeron Order, the secret society of witches who guard the world of the living from the world of the dead, he accepts. He wants to follow in his mother’s footsteps, even if Vic believes these to be the very men her mother warned them about. Vic decides to join him regardless of the fact that she is not a witch and, technically, not invited. After all, protecting the person you love most in the world isn’t something you simply stop doing.

As Vic navigates this new world at Avalon Castle filled with magic lessons, grotesque creatures, enemies, allies, and one infuriating head sentinel, she finds that she’s become intertwined in a power struggle that began before she was even born. A power struggle that will challenge her priorities, her protective abilities, and her understanding of her past and her future.

Part of the appeal of ‘We Who Have No Gods’ is how it blends referential elements from popular current and past romantic fantasies within an entirely different and unique world. You’ve got the tortured desire found in ‘Twilight’ with the sisterly love that drives ‘Hunger Games’ and a setting reminiscent of ‘Fourth Wing.’ And yet the world that Anderson introduces us to sets it apart. We’re presented with witches as something different than what one imagines. These witches are protecting humans from creatures that are as unique as they are grotesque within a magic system that complicates who should and shouldn’t be allowed to participate.

For fantasy readers who love a romance subplot, Anderson provides a satisfying portrayal of the tortured desire and yearning between two individuals who each have their reasons for fighting their attraction toward one another.

With Vic, Anderson has created a robust main character who is complicated and, yet, makes sense. Vic was required to become an adult, a parent, and a protector at the age of 16. Less than a decade later, she’s faced with the possibility of losing her sole purpose in life, and we, as readers, get to be privy to how that plays out in her choices and actions. Combine that with her impulsiveness and hubris, and Vic is a compelling, feisty catalyst for the story and fun to read.

The world that Anderson creates in ‘We Who Have No Gods’ needed the robust treatment that she gave her main character. The foundation for a strong, unique fantasy world is there. The details are not. Anderson relies on quotes at the top of chapters from historical texts within the world to do a lot of the work of world-building. It’s effective in creating understanding but less so in transporting readers into the world in as compelling a way as she’s able to do with her characters. This feels like a missed opportunity to capitalize on a compelling foundation.

For readers who were compelled to pick up ‘Silver Elite’ recently, ‘We Who Have No Gods’ deserves a place on their bookshelf. They’ll find its blend of the fantasy, dystopian, and romance genres to be exactly what they want in their next read.

An interesting first installment of magic and witches, I enjoyed the play between revealing and keeping hidden the backstory of Meredith.
I think once the series gains momentum it will likely be much more compelling, but I enjoyed the first volume enough to recommend it.
I think better characterization/motivation of the characters would have made it 5* for me. The players are interesting, but only have 2-3 motivations or characteristics at most. Again, I think the series will likely improve on this as it goes.

Apparently I am into reading books with monsters lately, a fun deviation from fae that have dominated the last decade or so.

However, I couldn’t get into this book too much beyond enjoying the monster lore.

Set it a castle she doesn’t belong in, the FMC follows her brother as he joins the magical order their mother used to belong to and maybe figure out what happened to her along the way. If she isn’t attacked first.

This read a little young to me and I found the FMC annoying with her better than everyone fighting skills and desperate need to protect her younger brother even though she was the only one who was ever in danger, and being reminded of those things at every opportunity.

However, the spooky school vibes were fun and if you like an epigraph they are aplenty in this book. They were a little long but I do always enjoy history and bonus information.

Over all this may not have been for me but I can see it doing well with others.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book! We Who Have No Gods follows Vic and her brother Henry after running from the Order for their whole lives after their mother mysteriously disappears. Once the Order tracks them down and convinces them to live alongside fellow witches, Vic quickly learns how she does not belong, since she has no magic, unlike her brother. I really enjoyed this book! I think it was very similar to Fourth Wing in the excerpts at the beginning of each chapter, and also similar to Harry Potter in the magic system and the antagonist of the story. I think a bit more development into the magic system would have helped to better explain certain aspects of the story, but overall, the pacing was quick and enjoyable. 3.8 stars!

The introduction was quite intriguing and got me hooked right away. However, there was a lull in-between the first few chapters and the moment Vic meets Xan.
In the first few chapters, it felt like everything was an Americanized, older, and darker version of Harry Potter. There were a lot of parallels (going to classes in a castle, Mades being like Muggles, an antagonistic Snape-like teacher in the form of Nathaniel and an ally, Dumbledore-like teacher in the form of Max), but I could also see that the author tried to avoid the pitfalls that Harry Potter had despite the similarities, this book could not simply be chalked up as a copycat of the aforementioned work.
I liked how detailed the fight scenes were, and you could see that the author really did her research (or maybe had experience with it?), although after the first few sparring sessions, the physicality of the fight scenes kind of dwindles. The magic system is also quite unique, relying on the concept of a "Universal Language" that comes naturally to Born witches, while it is not yet fully understood how Made witches are able to control the magic from the veil and we're also kind of finding out about it throughout Vic's journey.
I also liked the tidbits before each chapter coming from source materials about the history of the Order of Acheron, and the use of different mythological creatures from around the world as Orcans (e.g., the manananggal, the wendigo, the strix), while some monsters were original.
I know this is the first book in a series, so I'm quite excited to read more about Vic's journey, especially now that Henry has taken Aren's side with the Brotherhood.

This book is incredible! It has so much of what I love about fantasy books - a great plot, a self-battling FMC, and a non-toxic rivals-to-lovers romantic backstory with just the right amount of tension.

The story feels at once both familiar and distinctly unique, and I was surprised to find myself left guessing what would happen next at every turn. The FMC is relatable and I loved that she wasn't totally "useless" even at the beginning, as she came in already knowing how to fight.

The scary monsters, the struggle of not belonging, the family lore and drama, and the slow-burn romance are just some of the reasons why this story will live on in my memory for a while to come!