This is a sequel that did not disappoint!

One thing I really loved and appreciated about this book was the exploration of mental health. Our main character struggles with her mental health throughout the story, and I appreciate that the author didn’t shy away from that. And that it was addressed in a non-judgmental way.

I liked the FMC and MMC’s relationship in this book, though I think it was a bit more dynamic in the first book if I remember correctly (just in terms of how they interacted with each other). I appreciate that the FMC has a lot more on her plate in this story though.

I was kind of bummed that we didn’t get to see more of the gods, as I loved hearing from the lot of them in the first book! But I understand why the author made this choice, and I enjoyed the novel as it was nonetheless. I also appreciated getting to meet more of the favored mortals.

Overall, this is a great conclusion to the Divine Mortals duology!

Thank you so much to Disney Hyperion and NetGalley for letting me read the digital ARC!

I really enjoyed the first book in this duology, Divine Mortals. It was fresh and interesting after a flew of too-similar fantasy plots. But in the second installment, I fear the plot was lost. Or at least it lost me. I was very confused by parts of the novel, and it was a slog to get through. It felt like a series of events that weren’t well-connected, with lots of reveals that came out of nowhere. A bit disjointed and too long. Quite a bummer because of how fast I inhaled the first book. I would still read another book by this author in the future though. And I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for this honest review!

I really really enjoyed this book! The characters were very interesting and I loved the journey that the author took them on. Sometimes I can get bored if the plot is to slow but the author did a great job with the pacing and keeping it interesting. I was able to finish this book in one sitting because I could not put it down! I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!

Wayward Gods is the second (2) installment of the Divine Mortals Series.

This YA novel brings together drama and action to the forefront. The main character was set out to produce and heir, but their own love got in the way. The ever changing world is constantly at odds and power is front and center.

This book was a good pace, time crunching, and filled with lots of detail. I love the way the author explained their relationships throughout the novel.

I recommend you read the first novel, Divine Mortals prior to reading this one.

Can't wait to grab the physical copy come this year.

Thank you to the author for writing a wonderful book and allowing me to read it early for review.

This book was easy to get drawn in even if you haven't read the 1st book most things were easy to figure out. Upper YA-ish.

The main character was in a unique situation as the queen & expected to produce an heir but in love with his best friend and feeling less than powerful in a position of power.

The world is changing and not for the better. Warriors of a kind are gathered. The FMC struggles a lot with her mental health related to her ability to go outside and where she belongs in the world.

The Gods were more afterthoughts in the plot and the ending from the room with the demons onward felt rushed but complete. It was strange because so much focused on the demons and solving this problem and then we were back to the gods which I'm assuming was a bigger part of the first book so it kind of just felt I guess left field but it still made sense.

This book is one of my greatest loves! I will reread this series over and over, because it really gives me a cozy feeling very much UNLIKE the way the word is being used in publishing today. Cosy like reading a Diana Wynn Jones book or how I felt reading spinning silver. I absolutely love diving into a fantasy with depth! But I love it way more when the prose is as alive and the plot and characters are as fun as this. TENS TENS TENS ACROSS THE BOARD

This was a fantastic end to the duology! I loved Divine Mortals, and was so excited to get the sequel. Wayward Gods has higher apocalypse-level stakes and a wider look at the world and characters, as well as more complications to the magic system. Mona's growth over the books is so good, and the care and compassion in the mental health rep in this duology are so, so necessary. I hope this is on everyone's radar this Disability Pride Month, it takes a lot of familiar YA fantasy elements and elevates them into something truly special.

I've just finished devouring this series, and I can honestly say it was a truly enjoyable ride from start to finish!

What immediately stood out and absolutely captivated me was the brilliance of the Female Main Character. She's a breath of fresh air; not your typical perfectly poised or relentlessly driven heroine. Instead, she moves to the beat of her own drum, following an internal rhythm that might seem unconventional but is utterly captivating. She's wonderfully complex, grappling with her own set of personal issues – and they are certainly present and acknowledged within the narrative. Yet, one of her most commendable traits is how she navigates these challenges. While they're part of her journey, they rarely, if ever, truly derail her progress. It’s a powerful message of resilience and self-acceptance, showing that strength isn't about being flawless, but about moving forward despite your imperfections.

Equally compelling is the unique magic system woven into the narrative, particularly as it pertains to our FMC. It's genuinely refreshing to encounter a magical ability that deviates from the standard fantasy tropes. When you think "heroine," this specific brand of magic probably wouldn't spring to mind, and that's precisely what makes it so fascinating. The author masterfully develops this ability, starting from something unconventional and allowing it to flourish. It evolves organically throughout the book, transforming from a quirky skill into a truly potent and versatile weapon in her arsenal. The way she learns to wield it, making it her own, is a testament to her adaptability and growth.

Overall, this series is a standout. It delivers a compelling plot, but it's the distinctive character of the FMC and the innovative magic she wields that truly elevate it to something special. If you're looking for a fantasy series with a protagonist who defies expectations and a magic system that will surprise and delight you, I highly recommend diving into this one. You won't be disappointed!

“Wayward Gods” is an exciting conclusion to this witty duology. Mona deals with many different issues in this follow up novel. Resurrection, sacrifice, demon invasions, and ruling a kingdom keep her on her toes. We do get some witty banter between Mona and Whitman, but not as much as the first book. I enjoyed the book and was satisfied with the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I was so excited to get an ARC of this book after reading read Divine Mortals back in October. Divine Mortals was one of my favorite books of 2024 and it left off on such a massive cliffhanger and Wayward Gods focuses on stopping the Rising Tide, the end of the world. The gods are mostly absent with the exception of Wayvadd. Other favored mortals are introduced, but luckily there's a reminder of the different gods so I didn't have to flip back and forth from the index very many times. Calvin, from the previous book, is brought back as a character. We also get the addition of some new characters, a guard from the palace and some council members. There's also more world-building of other countries and kingdoms outside Opalvale. The semantics with magic, the gods, the Flood, and the nexus get significantly more complicated and I found some of it difficult to follow.

The demons have invaded the mortal world and have surrounded the castle, requiring Mona and the others to use the Flood to travel. Other rules are added. There was more world-building regarding the rules Flood and I thought it was a little inconsistent. It took them a week to travel in one chapter but only seconds in another? Mortals, except for Favored ones, can't travel to or through the Flood unless they're dead or unconscious. The gods can only travel to the mortal world after a complicated week-long ritual and they have to take on human forms. Favored mortals, except for Calvin, will only end up where they left in the mortal world, and can't the windows to the Flood to travel. Some random mortals have the ability to enter the Flood but do not become favored mortals.

Mona and Whitman's relationships remains complicated. I liked their relationship better in the other book because in Wayward Gods, their relationship is more of an are-they, are-they-not sort of thing. I also miss some of the snarky one-liners Mona had for him in the other book as well. Mona's fear of the outdoors remains a present theme and is actually addressed very compassionately. It's nice to see mental health discussed in a non-judgmental way, even when it does require them to change plans.

Wayvadd was one of my favorite characters (I'm biased because I love cats) and I wish there was more of him. Kazzath also returns and I felt like his presence in this story was rather unnecessary. He doesn't particularly do much and I felt like his addition to the story wasn't necessary.

Overall, this book was definitely a thrilling conclusion to the first although I wish there was more books in the series. It was very fast-paced and I consumed it in one sitting but I don't think I'll be re-reading this one as much as the first.