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When Fear Danced With Courage
Lean into Fear, and find Courage.
Emilia wanted to go home. She wanted to return to her mundane life on Earth where days were predictable, and the only threat was spilling tea or baking upon her dresses. She wished to leave the beauty and chaos of Elysia behind, as well as the fire building beneath her skin.
But Fate was never simple, weaving the story of her ancestors into her blood so intricately that Emilia couldn't ignore their voices.
With unexplainable power pulsing through her body, Emilia sees no other choice but to visit the Witch in the Elysian mountains. A territory foreign and governed by one of the last remaining Witch covens. What should have been a simple mission turns into Emilia questioning everything about herself, facing the hidden rage in her heart while falling for the same man everybody else warned her about.
Anger called to him, longed to take every last bit of his identity until nobody recognised him.
It was meant to be a simple mission. A way of earning back his best friend's trust and relationship. A journey for him to finally grieve the loss of a first love without the expectations of keeping it together for the sake of the reapers.
Osiris no longer knew how to experience life without anger guiding him. Without it influencing his every action and thought. Only, the two conditions of his mission made that thought process far more difficult than he liked. keep Emilia Lexington safe at all costs, and he was forbidden from sleeping with her.
It wouldn't have been that much of an issue if the woman he was sworn to protect didn’t see right through his defences. But can he keep his promises all while finding himself helpless against losing his heart to her?
Emilia wanted to go home. She wanted to return to her mundane life on Earth where days were predictable, and the only threat was spilling tea or baking upon her dresses. She wished to leave the beauty and chaos of Elysia behind, as well as the fire building beneath her skin.
But Fate was never simple, weaving the story of her ancestors into her blood so intricately that Emilia couldn't ignore their voices.
With unexplainable power pulsing through her body, Emilia sees no other choice but to visit the Witch in the Elysian mountains. A territory foreign and governed by one of the last remaining Witch covens. What should have been a simple mission turns into Emilia questioning everything about herself, facing the hidden rage in her heart while falling for the same man everybody else warned her about.
Anger called to him, longed to take every last bit of his identity until nobody recognised him.
It was meant to be a simple mission. A way of earning back his best friend's trust and relationship. A journey for him to finally grieve the loss of a first love without the expectations of keeping it together for the sake of the reapers.
Osiris no longer knew how to experience life without anger guiding him. Without it influencing his every action and thought. Only, the two conditions of his mission made that thought process far more difficult than he liked. keep Emilia Lexington safe at all costs, and he was forbidden from sleeping with her.
It wouldn't have been that much of an issue if the woman he was sworn to protect didn’t see right through his defences. But can he keep his promises all while finding himself helpless against losing his heart to her?
524 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2025
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 23, 2025
This was utterly captivating from start to finish!! Zoey’s writing has created this fantastic universe that has me so connected and interested in what’s coming for them next.
The push and pull between Osiris and Emilia was beautiful and real. She brought out his softer side and he gave her a place to call home.
This dealt with heavy topics of grief and death, and I’m sure we’ll see more of it by the end, but the cast of returning characters from book one made it so much easier to handle.
Zoey continues to be the amazing writer she is and made the return to Elysia all the more exciting
The push and pull between Osiris and Emilia was beautiful and real. She brought out his softer side and he gave her a place to call home.
This dealt with heavy topics of grief and death, and I’m sure we’ll see more of it by the end, but the cast of returning characters from book one made it so much easier to handle.
Zoey continues to be the amazing writer she is and made the return to Elysia all the more exciting
June 9, 2025
This is by far one of my fave books to ever, ever exist. Alpha and Arc read
This book is for the girls. The girls who have been silenced, who have been taught to fear and to keep quiet, to never be their true selves. The girls who became a statistic when when they had their choices ripped away from them.
When I first read Emilia's story, I cried. A lot. I saw myself in areas of her that I shied away from because I didn't want to associate that part of my life with who I am today.
Emilia doesn't shy away from who she is and in-between crying my eyes out and falling more in love with Osiris, her story helped me A LOT in embracing all parts of my story.
Osiris loves her wholly, he takes and accepts her as she is and it speaks to what all we women need to know- you deserve to be loved in a way that is whole, unjudging, full and ever lasting.
This book has my whole heart and Zoey has captured feminine rage to absolute perfection. Ya'll are in for a treat when this book hits your shelf ✨️
This book is for the girls. The girls who have been silenced, who have been taught to fear and to keep quiet, to never be their true selves. The girls who became a statistic when when they had their choices ripped away from them.
When I first read Emilia's story, I cried. A lot. I saw myself in areas of her that I shied away from because I didn't want to associate that part of my life with who I am today.
Emilia doesn't shy away from who she is and in-between crying my eyes out and falling more in love with Osiris, her story helped me A LOT in embracing all parts of my story.
Osiris loves her wholly, he takes and accepts her as she is and it speaks to what all we women need to know- you deserve to be loved in a way that is whole, unjudging, full and ever lasting.
This book has my whole heart and Zoey has captured feminine rage to absolute perfection. Ya'll are in for a treat when this book hits your shelf ✨️
May 19, 2025
What a pleasure to dive back into Elysia! I loved getting to reconnect with characters from book one (When Death Called Life Home) and learning more about Em and Osiris in this one, especially to watch them heal from their pasts and grow from their experiences. Although there is death, grief, and likely more to come, I enjoyed how this book ended and am happy for Em and the decisions that she made! Osiris was brooding as ever but we do get a glimpse into his softer side and of course there are plenty of animal companions!
June 14, 2025
I am so privaledged to be part of Zoey's Alpha team but regardless I love this series and this book with my entire being.
This is book two in Zoeys When Deities Awaken series and lets just say book one captured my heart but book two has my entire soul.
This book is for all of us who have made ourselves small to please someone else, and for everyone who has hidden the broken parts of themselves out of fear and shame.
This book is emotional and raw, full of pain, trauma and feminine rage but also a beautiful forged family, loyalty and profound connections. No shortage of dark humour and hilarious banter, action and twists to keep you gripped.
Zoey writes in a way that speaks to my soul, eloquent and thought provoking and inspiring.
A beautiful redemption arc, wonderful complex character development and a journey of healing through love and acceptance
I'll leave you with one of my favourite quotes
"I am not afraid of broken things, because as you have taught me, they are far more beautiful than something unmarred"
This is book two in Zoeys When Deities Awaken series and lets just say book one captured my heart but book two has my entire soul.
This book is for all of us who have made ourselves small to please someone else, and for everyone who has hidden the broken parts of themselves out of fear and shame.
This book is emotional and raw, full of pain, trauma and feminine rage but also a beautiful forged family, loyalty and profound connections. No shortage of dark humour and hilarious banter, action and twists to keep you gripped.
Zoey writes in a way that speaks to my soul, eloquent and thought provoking and inspiring.
A beautiful redemption arc, wonderful complex character development and a journey of healing through love and acceptance
I'll leave you with one of my favourite quotes
"I am not afraid of broken things, because as you have taught me, they are far more beautiful than something unmarred"
June 16, 2025
Diving head first, back into the world of Elysia. The story of Emilia is one full of grief and heartbreak. A story of empowerment for those of us who live in quiet fear by hiding parts of ourselves.
Emilia brings forth a hearty chunk of feminine rage, lead by continual personal development. She embraces all of herself and doesn’t shy away from who she is. Zoey has written a truely empowering character in her 💗
Osiris as a character riddled with hidden complexities. His tough exterior walls get broken down and we as readers are given the chance to understand him on a deeper level. He wholeheartedly accepts Emilia for who she is, and together they become each other’s security blankets, their safe spaces. Their story is beautiful and real, I’m so glad I was able to go on their journey alongside them 🤍
Emilia brings forth a hearty chunk of feminine rage, lead by continual personal development. She embraces all of herself and doesn’t shy away from who she is. Zoey has written a truely empowering character in her 💗
Osiris as a character riddled with hidden complexities. His tough exterior walls get broken down and we as readers are given the chance to understand him on a deeper level. He wholeheartedly accepts Emilia for who she is, and together they become each other’s security blankets, their safe spaces. Their story is beautiful and real, I’m so glad I was able to go on their journey alongside them 🤍
May 18, 2025
When Deities Awaken Book Two
☠️ War times
🧙🏻♀️ Forbidden romance
☠️ PTSD/mental health rep
🧙🏻♀️ One bed
☠️ Found family
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
ELYSIA I HAVE MISSED YOU!!!!! Zoey knows how to write beautiful, interwoven worlds and WFDWC is no exception.
Emilia is ready to go home to Earth she keeps telling herself. Something is brimming under the surface. And surely it'll settle back 'home'. Right?
Osiris is seeking redemption and a chance at repairing friendships with the only chosen family he has left. He is tired of living with the grief and rage that has driven him these past few years. One simple journey, there and back... right?
Except nothing is what it seems, and what has been awoken will not be going back to sleep, in more ways than one.
Devastatingly and beautifully written... I would try to compare Zoey's novels to something else but they're truly masterpieces of their own. I started out as an Osiris hater in book 2, ten toes down, didn't believe there was a redemption arc possible. I could not have been more wrong. Zoey's writing is so beautiful and shows so much depth to emotions, ceremonies, family, friendship, loss, growth, and grief in both novels but this story has been my favorite.
If you haven't read When Death Called Life Home, you are truly missing out. And this was somehow an even more beautiful follow up.
Glossary? Check.
Pronunciation guide? Check.
Content warnings? Check. Zoey takes care of everything 🙏
I can't wait to get a physical copy!!!!
When Fear Danced With Courage releases June 13th!
Thank you Zoey J. Briar for my advanced reader copy!!!!!! Thank you! This is my honest and unbiased review.
☠️ War times
🧙🏻♀️ Forbidden romance
☠️ PTSD/mental health rep
🧙🏻♀️ One bed
☠️ Found family
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
ELYSIA I HAVE MISSED YOU!!!!! Zoey knows how to write beautiful, interwoven worlds and WFDWC is no exception.
Emilia is ready to go home to Earth she keeps telling herself. Something is brimming under the surface. And surely it'll settle back 'home'. Right?
Osiris is seeking redemption and a chance at repairing friendships with the only chosen family he has left. He is tired of living with the grief and rage that has driven him these past few years. One simple journey, there and back... right?
Except nothing is what it seems, and what has been awoken will not be going back to sleep, in more ways than one.
Devastatingly and beautifully written... I would try to compare Zoey's novels to something else but they're truly masterpieces of their own. I started out as an Osiris hater in book 2, ten toes down, didn't believe there was a redemption arc possible. I could not have been more wrong. Zoey's writing is so beautiful and shows so much depth to emotions, ceremonies, family, friendship, loss, growth, and grief in both novels but this story has been my favorite.
If you haven't read When Death Called Life Home, you are truly missing out. And this was somehow an even more beautiful follow up.
Glossary? Check.
Pronunciation guide? Check.
Content warnings? Check. Zoey takes care of everything 🙏
I can't wait to get a physical copy!!!!
When Fear Danced With Courage releases June 13th!
Thank you Zoey J. Briar for my advanced reader copy!!!!!! Thank you! This is my honest and unbiased review.
May 9, 2025
The mental health rep in this book is perfection. Honestly, I love everything about this book, When Fear Danced with Courage is the second book in this series, the first one being When Death Called Life Home. You have witches, elysians, forest nymphs and guardians/familiars. The MMC, Osiris, is a broody, angry and grief ridden man. The FMC, Emilia, is also severly indepent and full of anger. She doesn’t know who she really is and learns of her heritage when finding the witch coven. These two fall hard for eachother and I am here for it! I love this book and this author SO much!
June 12, 2025
Infinity stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I was very lucky enough to be part of Zoey’s Alpha readers, so I read this back in February, and OMFG this book lives rent free in my mind. Although I was very nervous when I was going into this one because I was not a big Osiris fan after book one BUT Zoey gave this man such a redemption arc that I couldn’t hate him anymore.
There was so much pain with both of these characters and watching them slowly heal and open up about the pain and trauma they have dealt with was beautiful and also heartbreaking at the same time.
I was eagerly waiting for Emilia’s story since book one because I really loved her as a character and knew that I would love her even more when I got her perspective.
This book made me cry both sad tears but also happy tears. The beautiful descriptions and writing also brought tears to my eyes throughout. It’s breathtaking.
I relate to many of these characters and found my own little slivers of healing alongside those characters.
Also, WTF Zoey. You know what I’m talking about. I still can’t believe you did that to us. IYKYK.
But please, if you haven’t read this series yet. Please join us in Elysia.
I was very lucky enough to be part of Zoey’s Alpha readers, so I read this back in February, and OMFG this book lives rent free in my mind. Although I was very nervous when I was going into this one because I was not a big Osiris fan after book one BUT Zoey gave this man such a redemption arc that I couldn’t hate him anymore.
There was so much pain with both of these characters and watching them slowly heal and open up about the pain and trauma they have dealt with was beautiful and also heartbreaking at the same time.
I was eagerly waiting for Emilia’s story since book one because I really loved her as a character and knew that I would love her even more when I got her perspective.
This book made me cry both sad tears but also happy tears. The beautiful descriptions and writing also brought tears to my eyes throughout. It’s breathtaking.
I relate to many of these characters and found my own little slivers of healing alongside those characters.
Also, WTF Zoey. You know what I’m talking about. I still can’t believe you did that to us. IYKYK.
But please, if you haven’t read this series yet. Please join us in Elysia.
July 22, 2025
Zoey did it again! I have no idea what addictive substance was used when writing these books but yet again I was transported to a world filled with magic, destiny, trauma, grief and healing.
I appreciate that these books normalize women embracing their strength and power, their sexuality and sensuality and the men and peeps (IYKYK) surrounding them provide the safe space to support this and simultaneously lift them up.
I cannot wait to see how the rest of the series unfolds with these characters and the challenges that still lie ahead.
If you've read the first and loved it dove on into this next installment, especially if any of the following speaks to your heart.
⚔️ War times
✨ Found Family
⚔️ Forced proximity
✨ Forbidden
⚔️ Witches
✨ Magic
⚔️ Feminine rage
✨ Touch her/him and 💀
⚔️ Grief and healing
I appreciate that these books normalize women embracing their strength and power, their sexuality and sensuality and the men and peeps (IYKYK) surrounding them provide the safe space to support this and simultaneously lift them up.
I cannot wait to see how the rest of the series unfolds with these characters and the challenges that still lie ahead.
If you've read the first and loved it dove on into this next installment, especially if any of the following speaks to your heart.
⚔️ War times
✨ Found Family
⚔️ Forced proximity
✨ Forbidden
⚔️ Witches
✨ Magic
⚔️ Feminine rage
✨ Touch her/him and 💀
⚔️ Grief and healing
June 24, 2025
If you've never read Zoey’s books, you're truly missing out! Book one, When Death Called Life Home, was amazing, and this one was just as great, if not better.
In WFDWC, you dive back into Elysia, but this time, into what happens with Osiris and Emilia. These two characters are hands down my favorite! Their stories are filled with heartbreak and grief as they overcome their pasts to be the best version of themselves.
Did I cry during this book? Yes. But I also laughed and cheered as these characters found themselves, together.
And don't worry—this one isn't just about these characters' stories; it also continues the epic story from book one. With Zoey’s amazing ability to write enchanting stories and captivating characters, you'll fall in love with this series just like I have.
In WFDWC, you dive back into Elysia, but this time, into what happens with Osiris and Emilia. These two characters are hands down my favorite! Their stories are filled with heartbreak and grief as they overcome their pasts to be the best version of themselves.
Did I cry during this book? Yes. But I also laughed and cheered as these characters found themselves, together.
And don't worry—this one isn't just about these characters' stories; it also continues the epic story from book one. With Zoey’s amazing ability to write enchanting stories and captivating characters, you'll fall in love with this series just like I have.
May 19, 2025
I am lucky enough to be a part of Zoeys Alpha team, and when my eyes were given the feast that is When Fear Danced With Courage I’m going to be completely honest- I was dubious because I had a hate boner for Osiris the size of Elysia itself 😂 No one wanted that man to win my heart less than me.
But I admit defeat.
Slowly, with layers and complexity and quiet pain, Osiris wore me down. He’s a character that makes you work to understand him, and in the end, that’s what made it worth it. He’s not perfect, but he’s real. And now, even I can say he deserves the love he’s always had from other readers 🫣
Emilia, she had my heart right from When Death Called Life Home. I knew I was going to love her story, and I really did. Zoey wrote her so well, giving us so much of her inner workings, trauma, trust building and personal conflict. Her relationship with her mother’s memory wrecked me. That grief, that wound, it was written so deeply and so truthfully, I felt it in my bones. And I still do, and that’s why I can’t go back yet.
The world of Elysia is somewhere I absolutely love to go, it’s rich in life and lore, and the animal guardians and their bonds with their counterparts is being expanded on continually through the series.
I shed a lot of tears in this book. It picked me up and took me for a ride so beautiful and heart breaking, yet also so soul mending.
Also.
Zoey.
What the actual fuck?!
You know what I’m talking about. I’ll be emotionally unstable over that scene for the next ten years. I’ll have gray hair and still be yelling at you.
I can’t even make this an unhinged review like most of mine are, because it just feel so much love towards this series, the author, and the world.
I’ll be reading my ARC copy soon, and there will be a full review up for that too- to reflect the changes I find in there, what’s grown, what hurts a little different- that I’ve yet to read, but my heart isn’t ready 😩
If you haven’t set foot in Elysia yet, please do. Let it bring you home, where you can find a little bit of yourself in at least one of the characters 🤍
But I admit defeat.
Slowly, with layers and complexity and quiet pain, Osiris wore me down. He’s a character that makes you work to understand him, and in the end, that’s what made it worth it. He’s not perfect, but he’s real. And now, even I can say he deserves the love he’s always had from other readers 🫣
Emilia, she had my heart right from When Death Called Life Home. I knew I was going to love her story, and I really did. Zoey wrote her so well, giving us so much of her inner workings, trauma, trust building and personal conflict. Her relationship with her mother’s memory wrecked me. That grief, that wound, it was written so deeply and so truthfully, I felt it in my bones. And I still do, and that’s why I can’t go back yet.
The world of Elysia is somewhere I absolutely love to go, it’s rich in life and lore, and the animal guardians and their bonds with their counterparts is being expanded on continually through the series.
I shed a lot of tears in this book. It picked me up and took me for a ride so beautiful and heart breaking, yet also so soul mending.
Also.
Zoey.
What the actual fuck?!
You know what I’m talking about. I’ll be emotionally unstable over that scene for the next ten years. I’ll have gray hair and still be yelling at you.
I can’t even make this an unhinged review like most of mine are, because it just feel so much love towards this series, the author, and the world.
I’ll be reading my ARC copy soon, and there will be a full review up for that too- to reflect the changes I find in there, what’s grown, what hurts a little different- that I’ve yet to read, but my heart isn’t ready 😩
If you haven’t set foot in Elysia yet, please do. Let it bring you home, where you can find a little bit of yourself in at least one of the characters 🤍
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews