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Those Old Gods: Short Stories – A Humorous Urban Fantasy of Gods, Death, and Divine Bureaucracy
Those Old Short Stories – A Humorous Urban Fantasy of Gods, Death, and Divine Bureaucracy
The gods didn’t retire. They unionised.
Meet Juno seer-class, divine-adjacent, and one decision away from a disciplinary on any given Tuesday. Welcome to the Company, an oh-so-British bureaucracy that files incident reports on eldritch hazards, negotiates with divine egos, and keeps the magic-adjacent digital paperwork.
Across darkly funny tales, Juno stumbles
a concept that shouldn’t exist (and knows exactly how to embarrass you),
a petty feud with Death over a sandwich (it escalates),
a “shortcut” through the wrong plane in a Company car (do not whisper to the dashboard), and
a surprise “parenting day” with Nature herself (flowers are spying now; please act normal)
Sharp, deadpan, and a little feral, this collection blends urban fantasy, mythic fallout, and office satire. Perfect for fans of Good Omens, Rivers of London, and “what if The Umbrella Academy had to fill out risk assessments.”
British wit, queer vibes, eldritch admin, found-family edges, a haunted vending machine, and one very tired HR (sorry — Divine Resources).
Coming Those Old Gods - JUNO, where the chaos grows teeth and the paperwork bites back. (Yes, I’ll be narrating that one too. You’re welcome, or I’m sorry. We’ll find out together.) Preview of Chapter One Included.
Content Mild language, peril/horror imagery, gallows humour, off-page intimacy mentions, queer themes, found-family dynamics, no graphic violence or explicit sex.
The gods didn’t retire. They unionised.
Meet Juno seer-class, divine-adjacent, and one decision away from a disciplinary on any given Tuesday. Welcome to the Company, an oh-so-British bureaucracy that files incident reports on eldritch hazards, negotiates with divine egos, and keeps the magic-adjacent digital paperwork.
Across darkly funny tales, Juno stumbles
a concept that shouldn’t exist (and knows exactly how to embarrass you),
a petty feud with Death over a sandwich (it escalates),
a “shortcut” through the wrong plane in a Company car (do not whisper to the dashboard), and
a surprise “parenting day” with Nature herself (flowers are spying now; please act normal)
Sharp, deadpan, and a little feral, this collection blends urban fantasy, mythic fallout, and office satire. Perfect for fans of Good Omens, Rivers of London, and “what if The Umbrella Academy had to fill out risk assessments.”
British wit, queer vibes, eldritch admin, found-family edges, a haunted vending machine, and one very tired HR (sorry — Divine Resources).
Coming Those Old Gods - JUNO, where the chaos grows teeth and the paperwork bites back. (Yes, I’ll be narrating that one too. You’re welcome, or I’m sorry. We’ll find out together.) Preview of Chapter One Included.
Content Mild language, peril/horror imagery, gallows humour, off-page intimacy mentions, queer themes, found-family dynamics, no graphic violence or explicit sex.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2025
10 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 11, 2026
Taking this book on face value I would have been expecting a collection of short stories, now that it’s been explained to me further I still was a little lost
The writing is inconsistent and totally disjointed , I’ve not read a book quite written like this before. Maybe because it’s not my usual genre. So I’d be unfair to say much else a part from,
I it’s put me off urban fantasy for sure
Was this a bit over ambitious for the writer
I notice a lot of her friends, including herself has written 5star reviews but once this goes out into the big wide world and not her close community of fellow friends, then she will have to get used too “proper feedback”, I never DNF a book but this was very close to it and I’m known as an honest reviewer and this is my honest review and I tried very hard not to be too critical.
But it’s one of those books I wish I never spent any time on.
The writing is inconsistent and totally disjointed , I’ve not read a book quite written like this before. Maybe because it’s not my usual genre. So I’d be unfair to say much else a part from,
I it’s put me off urban fantasy for sure
Was this a bit over ambitious for the writer
I notice a lot of her friends, including herself has written 5star reviews but once this goes out into the big wide world and not her close community of fellow friends, then she will have to get used too “proper feedback”, I never DNF a book but this was very close to it and I’m known as an honest reviewer and this is my honest review and I tried very hard not to be too critical.
But it’s one of those books I wish I never spent any time on.
October 29, 2025
This was a strong start to the Those Old Gods anthology series, each story was everything that I was wanting and thought the mythology was so well done. I enjoyed the use of the British wit in each story and thought it was such a fun read that I wanted to read more in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 6, 2025
Ever wonder what happened to the Gods of old? They unionized, and they run the Company filled with bureaucracy, magic, and so much paperwork. The rules are in place, but every so often you have someone employed who likes testing those boundaries, or has new rules written because of them. Meet Juno Verdant, a seer-class, divine-adjacent, and always ready to go on social media. In NJ Leaver's Those Old Gods Short Stories Volume 1, we see how there is no ordinary day when Juno comes into work and see how much chaos follows.
Honestly, I haven't laughed so much during a story in a long time. It was refreshing. The concept for the story is perfect for fans of Good Omens, or if you ever thought about The Umbrella Academy, but make them work in an office. I love the concept that the Gods unionized and formed a company filled with bureaucracy in the United Kingdom.
Each short story stands out on its own. Juno accidentally created a concept that shouldn't exist because she winked at it. Now, it's going around each floor causing everyone to live their most embarrassing moment. A petty feud with Death himself over a sandwich, which reminds me of a Friends episode with someone eating Ross's Thanksgiving leftover sandwich. Whispering to the Company car to find a shortcut and end up in the wrong plane. Even creating a cat cult at work. It's never a full day with Juno. The sharp, witty, deadpan banter between the characters is great. The fact that Juno has consistent visits with Divine Resources (their version of Human Resources) and higher level Tier Gods is funny. With every new incident, you would think Juno would've been fired, yet she still comes back. I also loved that the Company has their own version of social media, and while one would be cognizant of what they post, here comes Juno not caring and posting whatever they want. If anything, I'm sure all the interns are getting a kick out of reading her stuff.
While these short stories are focusing on the funnier stories of Juno, it does allude that something will happen to her later in the story, and I can't wait to read it and find out what happens. If anything, she'll bring everyone down with her and her sense of humor.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from NJ Leaver for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My intentions are to write feedback that reflects my genuine thoughts and is written with the book’s genre and target audience in mind. I aim to review fairly and respectfully, focusing on the story’s purpose.
Honestly, I haven't laughed so much during a story in a long time. It was refreshing. The concept for the story is perfect for fans of Good Omens, or if you ever thought about The Umbrella Academy, but make them work in an office. I love the concept that the Gods unionized and formed a company filled with bureaucracy in the United Kingdom.
Each short story stands out on its own. Juno accidentally created a concept that shouldn't exist because she winked at it. Now, it's going around each floor causing everyone to live their most embarrassing moment. A petty feud with Death himself over a sandwich, which reminds me of a Friends episode with someone eating Ross's Thanksgiving leftover sandwich. Whispering to the Company car to find a shortcut and end up in the wrong plane. Even creating a cat cult at work. It's never a full day with Juno. The sharp, witty, deadpan banter between the characters is great. The fact that Juno has consistent visits with Divine Resources (their version of Human Resources) and higher level Tier Gods is funny. With every new incident, you would think Juno would've been fired, yet she still comes back. I also loved that the Company has their own version of social media, and while one would be cognizant of what they post, here comes Juno not caring and posting whatever they want. If anything, I'm sure all the interns are getting a kick out of reading her stuff.
While these short stories are focusing on the funnier stories of Juno, it does allude that something will happen to her later in the story, and I can't wait to read it and find out what happens. If anything, she'll bring everyone down with her and her sense of humor.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from NJ Leaver for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My intentions are to write feedback that reflects my genuine thoughts and is written with the book’s genre and target audience in mind. I aim to review fairly and respectfully, focusing on the story’s purpose.
October 29, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The supernatural elements gods, seers, Death and Nature herself, are imaginative and beautifully realised. The humour is sharp and consistent throughout, yet beneath the comedy lies real emotional depth.
Despite being a collection of short stories, the gradual development of affection for Juno, is handled with great care. By the end, the emotional moments land perfectly, giving the stories surprising impact later in the collection.
The modern setting, blending divine and supernatural myth with social media and the absurdities of corporate life shows a hilarious yet insightful parody of the modern world. (We all know a Juno at work and secretly love her, and if you don’t. It’s you.)
It’s been a while since I’ve read a short story collection and it isn’t my usual choice but I found this to be a clever, funny, and unexpectedly moving read that left me eager for a full length novel set in Juno’s divine world.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Despite being a collection of short stories, the gradual development of affection for Juno, is handled with great care. By the end, the emotional moments land perfectly, giving the stories surprising impact later in the collection.
The modern setting, blending divine and supernatural myth with social media and the absurdities of corporate life shows a hilarious yet insightful parody of the modern world. (We all know a Juno at work and secretly love her, and if you don’t. It’s you.)
It’s been a while since I’ve read a short story collection and it isn’t my usual choice but I found this to be a clever, funny, and unexpectedly moving read that left me eager for a full length novel set in Juno’s divine world.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 18, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What a wonderful surprise bundle this book turned out to be. Those Old Gods is a sharp, witty collection of short stories that had me laughing internally for quite a while after I finished reading. N.J. Leaver has created something both familiar and entirely fresh, a world where ancient deities clock in for office hours and paperwork is the true cosmic constant.
The humour throughout is gloriously dry and dripping with sarcasm, instantly reminding me of Terry Pratchett. Each story follows Juno, a divine-adjacent seer trying (and often failing) to navigate the endless bureaucracy of The Company, which manages everything from eldritch hazards to divine egos. Every misadventure, from feuding with Death over a sandwich to surviving an ill-advised road trip through the wrong plane of existence, had me grinning at the sheer absurdity of it all.
Juno’s voice is wonderfully weary yet full of heart, and the supporting cast of exasperated colleagues and supernatural supervisors only makes the chaos more delightful. By the end, I was genuinely sad there wasn’t more to read.
This is a quirky, funny, deadpan gem of a book, and I already know I’ll be re-reading it soon. If you enjoy dry humour, cosmic mishaps, and a touch of bureaucratic madness, Those Old Gods is absolutely for you.
What a wonderful surprise bundle this book turned out to be. Those Old Gods is a sharp, witty collection of short stories that had me laughing internally for quite a while after I finished reading. N.J. Leaver has created something both familiar and entirely fresh, a world where ancient deities clock in for office hours and paperwork is the true cosmic constant.
The humour throughout is gloriously dry and dripping with sarcasm, instantly reminding me of Terry Pratchett. Each story follows Juno, a divine-adjacent seer trying (and often failing) to navigate the endless bureaucracy of The Company, which manages everything from eldritch hazards to divine egos. Every misadventure, from feuding with Death over a sandwich to surviving an ill-advised road trip through the wrong plane of existence, had me grinning at the sheer absurdity of it all.
Juno’s voice is wonderfully weary yet full of heart, and the supporting cast of exasperated colleagues and supernatural supervisors only makes the chaos more delightful. By the end, I was genuinely sad there wasn’t more to read.
This is a quirky, funny, deadpan gem of a book, and I already know I’ll be re-reading it soon. If you enjoy dry humour, cosmic mishaps, and a touch of bureaucratic madness, Those Old Gods is absolutely for you.
November 29, 2025
So I'm going to be telling everyone I know to read this anthology for the forseeable future.
I was approached by the author to see if I would be interested in reading this anthology, and after reading the blurb, I was SOLD.
Imagine if the Gods had to deal with the stuffy, form filled bureaucracy of a Vogon office. That's a good start to prepare you for following Juno Verdant, a seer-class for the Company, around on her shenanigans.
From accidentally winking at a concept and bringing chaos to the Company office to being tangentially responsible for the formation of a culy that worships a Latin speaking cat who was very recently made "not dead". That's just a taste. Every story stands solidly on their own, each wild and funny. I can't rememebr the last time a book has made me laugh quite so many times.
I was approached by the author to see if I would be interested in reading this anthology, and after reading the blurb, I was SOLD.
Imagine if the Gods had to deal with the stuffy, form filled bureaucracy of a Vogon office. That's a good start to prepare you for following Juno Verdant, a seer-class for the Company, around on her shenanigans.
From accidentally winking at a concept and bringing chaos to the Company office to being tangentially responsible for the formation of a culy that worships a Latin speaking cat who was very recently made "not dead". That's just a taste. Every story stands solidly on their own, each wild and funny. I can't rememebr the last time a book has made me laugh quite so many times.
January 28, 2026
I’m told I can review my own book! The narrator had something to say…
Filed under: “Things That Shouldn’t Work but Somehow Do”
Those Old Gods is a collection of short stories chronicling the Company’s ongoing battle with bureaucracy, divine interference, and one woman’s vendetta against the concept of professionalism. The author manages to turn divine chaos into biting wit and exasperated charm.
Expect gods with Divine Resources problems, agents with poor impulse control, and a cat with delusions of grandeur (and possibly a minor cult following). It’s equal parts myth, madness, and paperwork.
Five stars issued not because it’s perfect, but because, statistically it should have imploded several times and didn’t.
Filed under: “Things That Shouldn’t Work but Somehow Do”
Those Old Gods is a collection of short stories chronicling the Company’s ongoing battle with bureaucracy, divine interference, and one woman’s vendetta against the concept of professionalism. The author manages to turn divine chaos into biting wit and exasperated charm.
Expect gods with Divine Resources problems, agents with poor impulse control, and a cat with delusions of grandeur (and possibly a minor cult following). It’s equal parts myth, madness, and paperwork.
Five stars issued not because it’s perfect, but because, statistically it should have imploded several times and didn’t.
January 25, 2026
Unfortunately this is a DNF for me i just can’t get into it and can’t understand what is happening very difficult for me but im sure other people will love it
December 11, 2025
Hilarious! Full of dry humour, dripping with sarcasm and wrapped in British wit! An urban fantasy with ‘The Office’ and ‘Human Resources (Big Mouth spin off)’ vibes but with Gods, divine beings, and a chaotic mess of a FMC who is the pure embodiment of ‘f*ck it why not’.
From Gods of Cheese and poking Death because he stole your sandwich, to an unintended ‘divine cat’ cult and a bunch of paperwork, there is so much to love in this collection of short stories following Juno and the growing list of black marks on her divine resources records.
Plot summary:
Well, more of an overarching summary as it’s a collection of happenings.
Juno Verdant is a mess. A ‘seer’ class ‘divine adjacent’ mess who treats rules and regulations as mere suggestions. Lesbian points for hooking up (off page, not a spicy tale) with her ‘Seer Support’, and chaos points for bringing a ‘class II Concept’ (kind of like the Shame Wizard from ‘Big Mouth’) into existence by returning a wink, oh and accidentally facilitating a cult following for her reanimated cat.
Things I loved:
- Juno’s complete lack of impulse control and love for rocking the boat
- Ash, God of Death
- Cassiel’s definite Captain Holt vibes from ‘Brooklyn 99’
- Messed up ‘parenting’
- Flirting with company vehicles
- The sheer range of things, divine beings, ‘concepts’, destabilising aura’s and just ‘what on earth is going on’ but in the best possible way 🤣
- Hashtag SummonDaddyCassiel
Overall, a hilarious collection of tragic, chaotic stories following Juno and her infinite paperwork producing shenanigans. A very easy read, my face hurts from smiling at the mayhem.
From Gods of Cheese and poking Death because he stole your sandwich, to an unintended ‘divine cat’ cult and a bunch of paperwork, there is so much to love in this collection of short stories following Juno and the growing list of black marks on her divine resources records.
Plot summary:
Well, more of an overarching summary as it’s a collection of happenings.
Juno Verdant is a mess. A ‘seer’ class ‘divine adjacent’ mess who treats rules and regulations as mere suggestions. Lesbian points for hooking up (off page, not a spicy tale) with her ‘Seer Support’, and chaos points for bringing a ‘class II Concept’ (kind of like the Shame Wizard from ‘Big Mouth’) into existence by returning a wink, oh and accidentally facilitating a cult following for her reanimated cat.
Things I loved:
- Juno’s complete lack of impulse control and love for rocking the boat
- Ash, God of Death
- Cassiel’s definite Captain Holt vibes from ‘Brooklyn 99’
- Messed up ‘parenting’
- Flirting with company vehicles
- The sheer range of things, divine beings, ‘concepts’, destabilising aura’s and just ‘what on earth is going on’ but in the best possible way 🤣
- Hashtag SummonDaddyCassiel
Overall, a hilarious collection of tragic, chaotic stories following Juno and her infinite paperwork producing shenanigans. A very easy read, my face hurts from smiling at the mayhem.
October 22, 2025
Actual rating: 4.5
This collection of short stories goes straight into my list of "I don't really know what I've ready, but I loved it and kinda need more". Also, this would make a great TV show.
The whole idea of god's and divine entities and semi-divine ones as a company is intriguing and the main group of characters is well-assorted and delightful - even those who are a pain. Juno, the protagonist, is one of the wittiest characters I've read in a while, and she made me laugh every other page, at least.
While I love being thrown in the middle of things, I just wished there were a bit more explanation of how this chaotic and funny world works, although you get enough of it to enjoy Juno's messy and funny life at The Company.
The writing style is definitely a strong aspect, because the author's amazing with words and syntax, which she uses in a way that's perfect for a witty book such as this one.
I'm grateful to the author, the publisher and BookSirens for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC and I'll absolutely read the novel!
This collection of short stories goes straight into my list of "I don't really know what I've ready, but I loved it and kinda need more". Also, this would make a great TV show.
The whole idea of god's and divine entities and semi-divine ones as a company is intriguing and the main group of characters is well-assorted and delightful - even those who are a pain. Juno, the protagonist, is one of the wittiest characters I've read in a while, and she made me laugh every other page, at least.
While I love being thrown in the middle of things, I just wished there were a bit more explanation of how this chaotic and funny world works, although you get enough of it to enjoy Juno's messy and funny life at The Company.
The writing style is definitely a strong aspect, because the author's amazing with words and syntax, which she uses in a way that's perfect for a witty book such as this one.
I'm grateful to the author, the publisher and BookSirens for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC and I'll absolutely read the novel!
February 21, 2026
This is a brilliant collection of short stories. Juno is hilarious and I laughed out loud multiple times while reading. I can’t wait for the full Those Old Gods: Juno book to come out. It’s completely mad and I love the concept.
It’s about what happens if the gods had to deal with bureaucracy in modern life. Phones, guns, paperwork, it’s all there. The characters are fantastic and I especially loved that Death prefers to be called Ash. The little chats through Realm R are just so funny.
If you enjoy the humour of Good Omens, the book or TV show, you’ll get this. There’s a bureaucratic twist on fantasy with underlying themes of queerness and the divine. Juno is a seer, which adds another fun layer.
The stories are short and quick to read, giving a great introduction to the characters and the world. N.J. Lever’s writing style is brilliant, sharp, absurd, and genuinely funny. I listened to the audiobook alongside reading, and the narrator was excellent. Apologies for not catching her name, but her performance was perfect.
There are genuinely hilarious moments, like when Juno pokes Death and everyone freaks out, or her interactions with her cat, Stephanie. It’s absurd, funny, and surprisingly heartwarming in places.
At under 170 pages, it’s a short, sharp, and utterly enjoyable read. I loved every character, the relationships, and the humour. The cover art is fantastic as well. I cannot wait to dive into Those Old Gods: Juno and the rest of the series. I highly recommend it. It’s fresh, funny, and wonderfully mad.
It’s about what happens if the gods had to deal with bureaucracy in modern life. Phones, guns, paperwork, it’s all there. The characters are fantastic and I especially loved that Death prefers to be called Ash. The little chats through Realm R are just so funny.
If you enjoy the humour of Good Omens, the book or TV show, you’ll get this. There’s a bureaucratic twist on fantasy with underlying themes of queerness and the divine. Juno is a seer, which adds another fun layer.
The stories are short and quick to read, giving a great introduction to the characters and the world. N.J. Lever’s writing style is brilliant, sharp, absurd, and genuinely funny. I listened to the audiobook alongside reading, and the narrator was excellent. Apologies for not catching her name, but her performance was perfect.
There are genuinely hilarious moments, like when Juno pokes Death and everyone freaks out, or her interactions with her cat, Stephanie. It’s absurd, funny, and surprisingly heartwarming in places.
At under 170 pages, it’s a short, sharp, and utterly enjoyable read. I loved every character, the relationships, and the humour. The cover art is fantastic as well. I cannot wait to dive into Those Old Gods: Juno and the rest of the series. I highly recommend it. It’s fresh, funny, and wonderfully mad.
January 24, 2026
This book of short stories is sharp, witty, and such a fun read. Juno is such a chaos character full of sassy one liners, makes questionable choices, no impulse control, but always has an answer for her mishaps and that works like a dream. Cassiel ahhh Cassiel and Aderyn are like the authority figures you should be scared of but with Junos attitude its like nah, it is all good they love me, I can get away with it, what's the worst that can happen. Ash, (death) is hilarious, the way he is written I could imagine him sculking around, listening for gossip and ways to provoke people. The sandwich story had me howling with laughter. This is a great start to what will be a full Novel, and a fantastic way to get you invested in the characters, the world, the CAT!! we love Stephanie she is a diva!!
Looking forward greatly to the Novel.
Looking forward greatly to the Novel.
February 11, 2026
I was hooked by the style of writing even the bit where the narrator mentions the author. The main character Juno is so funny and gets into a lot of trouble. Oh but I found it a complicated world(could just be me my tired brain) . I loved the descriptions I found myself highlighting all the funniest ones.
The first story was a fun read and I had to continue. It's such an interesting world I don't think I read enough funny books and this was unique.
Juno is becoming one of my favourite characters, although she is really immature and attention seeking, she is entertaining and likeable. In one story I was starting to understand why she might act the way she does: she just wants attention, I think. Really enjoyed this story I'm looking forward to the novel when it's out. I'm already hooked on this style and the characters.
The first story was a fun read and I had to continue. It's such an interesting world I don't think I read enough funny books and this was unique.
Juno is becoming one of my favourite characters, although she is really immature and attention seeking, she is entertaining and likeable. In one story I was starting to understand why she might act the way she does: she just wants attention, I think. Really enjoyed this story I'm looking forward to the novel when it's out. I'm already hooked on this style and the characters.
January 2, 2026
This is definitely not a genre that I would normally pick up, but this was really a very good read.
I found the short stories entertaining and I really love Juno and all the mischief she gets up to. I also love Death and think he is a great addition to the story.
I love NJ’s writing style and I think it is easy to follow and captures the reader and sucks into the story.
I will definitely want to read more Juno’s adventures in the upcoming book
I found the short stories entertaining and I really love Juno and all the mischief she gets up to. I also love Death and think he is a great addition to the story.
I love NJ’s writing style and I think it is easy to follow and captures the reader and sucks into the story.
I will definitely want to read more Juno’s adventures in the upcoming book
January 17, 2026
funny and unusual
I love Juno and the antics actually got into not realising at first that it was a bunch of short stories and thought it was a bit disjointed but when I realised what it was I started to enjoy it more. Not one of my usual reads but I’m deciding to try new things this year. Was really funny and I loved her attitude and now she had the answer for everything a lovely short read.
I love Juno and the antics actually got into not realising at first that it was a bunch of short stories and thought it was a bit disjointed but when I realised what it was I started to enjoy it more. Not one of my usual reads but I’m deciding to try new things this year. Was really funny and I loved her attitude and now she had the answer for everything a lovely short read.
February 12, 2026
Read this for the author prior to it becoming an arc edition and found it laugh out loud funny. Juno is a human wrecking ball who's decisions come in two flavours - bad and super bad. Her interactions with Death are my favourite part of the book. Remember its a taster of a much bigger story so if you are having problems understanding the concept of a short story anthology written in this style then think of it as a prologue. And learn to review
November 11, 2025
This was a really nice short story collection, I like how they work on their own, but also how they're connecting with each other!!!
They're all very fast paced, with a very strong energy, and I really liked each of the stories on their own, I really liked the weird supernatural aspect of it all but also all fitting into the weird secret agency vibes - it's just so much fun!!! And the fantastical side of things were unique on their own way!!!
I think the part that worked less for me was the interludes with the chat messages... they weren't needed, and to be honest the chat names weren't that easy to follow...
But truly overall a really enjoyable and fun read!!! The magical short stories were really interesting to read!!!
I received an advance review copy for free through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
They're all very fast paced, with a very strong energy, and I really liked each of the stories on their own, I really liked the weird supernatural aspect of it all but also all fitting into the weird secret agency vibes - it's just so much fun!!! And the fantastical side of things were unique on their own way!!!
I think the part that worked less for me was the interludes with the chat messages... they weren't needed, and to be honest the chat names weren't that easy to follow...
But truly overall a really enjoyable and fun read!!! The magical short stories were really interesting to read!!!
I received an advance review copy for free through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 6, 2026
4.5 stars
Juno is the semi-human equivalent of a ginger cat: a double helping of chaos with zero brain cells. She is shockingly bad at her job. Everyone at work enables her bad behaviour. Over the course of the book, we come to understand some of the trauma that’s shaped her into this walking whirlwind.
Juno is the semi-human equivalent of a ginger cat: a double helping of chaos with zero brain cells. She is shockingly bad at her job. Everyone at work enables her bad behaviour. Over the course of the book, we come to understand some of the trauma that’s shaped her into this walking whirlwind.
January 7, 2026
I absolutely adored this book!! NJs writing had me hooked from the start - I loved the world building, the banter, pacing and got transported to a fabulous bureaucracy of magic and chaos!! Cannot wait to read more!
January 15, 2026
Those Old Gods
This serves as a primer for the forthcoming book. We’re introduced to several characters and the main protagonist Juno Verdant. It gives an insight into what might be expected in the way of mayhem, madness and chaos.
This serves as a primer for the forthcoming book. We’re introduced to several characters and the main protagonist Juno Verdant. It gives an insight into what might be expected in the way of mayhem, madness and chaos.
November 27, 2025
Great and funny. This short -interconectet-storys were great!! Definitely going to read the full book when published
January 31, 2026
I wasn't sure what to expect based on the synopsis and I'm still a little confused, but I had a great time reading this.
We are dropped into the craziness that is Juno's life without much information and learn very quickly that she is the type of person who is always looking for trouble. Each short story is a different crazy situation where Juno is very much at fault and everyone around her is a breath away from completely losing it.
The author is excellent at really building the chaotic energy. I both want to be friends with Juno and also dont want her to even know I exist because it would put me at risk of otherworldly shenanigans. My only negative about this book is that I needed more information. What is an ascension? What is divine vs divine adjacent? What are all these protocols and why are they in place? I needed some world building to understand what was going on and why.
Thank you to BookSirens and N.J. Leaver for the free eARC.
We are dropped into the craziness that is Juno's life without much information and learn very quickly that she is the type of person who is always looking for trouble. Each short story is a different crazy situation where Juno is very much at fault and everyone around her is a breath away from completely losing it.
The author is excellent at really building the chaotic energy. I both want to be friends with Juno and also dont want her to even know I exist because it would put me at risk of otherworldly shenanigans. My only negative about this book is that I needed more information. What is an ascension? What is divine vs divine adjacent? What are all these protocols and why are they in place? I needed some world building to understand what was going on and why.
Thank you to BookSirens and N.J. Leaver for the free eARC.
January 3, 2026
This had me grinning all the way through. Its pure chaos in the best way and how I imagine my life would be if I was a divine adjacent seer. The sarcasm, the nods to the author, the tiktok parallels and references, the mischief and inability to ignore intrusive thoughts ... it was all *chefs kiss*
What a joy
What a joy
January 22, 2026
It was funny clever and I liked the way the stores were all part of the same universe.
February 13, 2026
I loved reading those old gods by N.J Leaver. It is totally different to anything o have read before, the writing style is quirky and fun. The FMC is relatable and a bit accident prone/ troublesome. Her boss Cassiel is a great counter balance and he cat Stephanie was as unexpected contender for main character energy.
As a series of short stories I loved it and I cannot wait to read more by this very talented author
As a series of short stories I loved it and I cannot wait to read more by this very talented author
October 28, 2025
What a gem of a book… I couldn’t get enough of the stories!
Those Old Gods is an extremely witty, clever, and wonderful collection of short stories centred around Juno, a Seer (and divine-adjacent by blood-link) as she navigates life, Divine Resources, and complicated family dynamics.
Each story has heart and is ingeniously curated with a deadpan sense of humour, well-timed pacing and a memorable ensemble of secondary characters. The author even manages to make Ash/Tier 1 Entity/Death quite relatable! Not to mention Stephanie, a Latin-speaking cat with an opinion. This story had me laughing out loud whilst sipping coffee on a Sunday morning! I could go on, but I don’t want to give out any spoilers.
The office banter is hilarious, as are the consequences of Juno’s endeavours as she deals with the odd accidental summoning, and the trail of her impulsive and misjudged actions. I wanted her to succeed in the stunts she pulled!
It was a brilliant and delightful read, filled with humour and sarcasm, as the author occasionally broke the fourth wall. It was a blend of Omens, Severance, and Loki (mini-series) and I can’t wait to read more as the author shared the first chapter of her upcoming novel.
Congratulations to N.J. Leaver on her debut. I had a free advance reader copy and I’m happily leaving this review.
Those Old Gods is an extremely witty, clever, and wonderful collection of short stories centred around Juno, a Seer (and divine-adjacent by blood-link) as she navigates life, Divine Resources, and complicated family dynamics.
Each story has heart and is ingeniously curated with a deadpan sense of humour, well-timed pacing and a memorable ensemble of secondary characters. The author even manages to make Ash/Tier 1 Entity/Death quite relatable! Not to mention Stephanie, a Latin-speaking cat with an opinion. This story had me laughing out loud whilst sipping coffee on a Sunday morning! I could go on, but I don’t want to give out any spoilers.
The office banter is hilarious, as are the consequences of Juno’s endeavours as she deals with the odd accidental summoning, and the trail of her impulsive and misjudged actions. I wanted her to succeed in the stunts she pulled!
It was a brilliant and delightful read, filled with humour and sarcasm, as the author occasionally broke the fourth wall. It was a blend of Omens, Severance, and Loki (mini-series) and I can’t wait to read more as the author shared the first chapter of her upcoming novel.
Congratulations to N.J. Leaver on her debut. I had a free advance reader copy and I’m happily leaving this review.
November 12, 2025
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Thanks to BookSirens and N. J. Leaver for providing me with a free advance review e-copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The old gods, including Death, who prefers to go by Ash, can be found in an office block in Swindon working for The Company. This collection of stories follows Juno Verdant, a Seer Agent with a rather chaotic habit of having “things” happen around her that make her supervisors shudder and reach for forms to be filed with Divine Resources.
What I liked:
This was a fun read, the concept was well developed, and the cast of quirky characters were gorgeous. The use of humorous similes and metaphors as part of the narrative were employed to great effect and helped set the tone of the stories; it was deeply reminiscent of Terry Pratchett’s irreverent style.
What didn’t work for me:
Just a slight complaint really; I wasn’t particularly keen on the way the author inserted herself into the stories occasionally. I think I would have preferred if she had just put “I” instead of “the author”.
Final thoughts:
A wonderfully witty collection of stories set against the bureaucracy of the divine realm.
Who would enjoy this:
Fans of humorous urban fantasy.
Thanks to BookSirens and N. J. Leaver for providing me with a free advance review e-copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The old gods, including Death, who prefers to go by Ash, can be found in an office block in Swindon working for The Company. This collection of stories follows Juno Verdant, a Seer Agent with a rather chaotic habit of having “things” happen around her that make her supervisors shudder and reach for forms to be filed with Divine Resources.
What I liked:
This was a fun read, the concept was well developed, and the cast of quirky characters were gorgeous. The use of humorous similes and metaphors as part of the narrative were employed to great effect and helped set the tone of the stories; it was deeply reminiscent of Terry Pratchett’s irreverent style.
What didn’t work for me:
Just a slight complaint really; I wasn’t particularly keen on the way the author inserted herself into the stories occasionally. I think I would have preferred if she had just put “I” instead of “the author”.
Final thoughts:
A wonderfully witty collection of stories set against the bureaucracy of the divine realm.
Who would enjoy this:
Fans of humorous urban fantasy.
December 30, 2025
What a fun blend of mythology, paranormal bureaucracy, and snarky fourth-wall breaking meta humor! Enjoyed the self-aware silliness. Like a TV show, each short story felt like a vignette for a longer narrative that spirals as it goes. I liked that each story followed that familiar pattern of "Juno toys with fate, and everyone pays for it" with enough variety that it didn't feel stale. Bit of heart sneaked in there too, so characters have subtle nuances between them.
It's thanks to the tone of the narrator that the glue between the stories didn't feel too jarring. They didn't identify who they were (aside from not being the author), but perhaps that will be made clearer in the longer narrative that is planned for this world. Can't wait to read it, whenever that day will be.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It's thanks to the tone of the narrator that the glue between the stories didn't feel too jarring. They didn't identify who they were (aside from not being the author), but perhaps that will be made clearer in the longer narrative that is planned for this world. Can't wait to read it, whenever that day will be.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 28, 2026
Those Old Gods is a haunting and atmospheric collection that blends myth, darkness, and human frailty with striking precision. Each short story feels rich and unsettling, drawing readers into worlds where ancient forces still whisper and nothing is ever quite safe. N.J. Leaver’s writing is sharp, immersive, and memorable—perfect for readers who love eerie, thought-provoking tales that linger long after the final story ends.
February 2, 2026
Those Old Gods is an unconventional but completely enjoyable short story book. I liked every part of it and couldn't let it down. N.J. Leaver is an exceptional writer who can make you laugh and cry simultaneously. There are so many great characters. I loved Juno and her journey and I really related to how awful her mother Alice is. Death was another favourite character of mine.
I totally recommend this book, it is a definite must read.
I totally recommend this book, it is a definite must read.
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