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The Cycle of Deities
Adair Hanlon believed she was ordinary.
A bookstore clerk in her twenties, living more through the fantasy she found between the pages of her favorite stories than her less-than-exciting reality.
One event is all it takes to shatter that illusion.
A wild chase through the streets of Seattle, led by a mysterious Irishman with a few tricks up his sleeve, leads Adair to a world of magic she never knew existed.
She discovers she is a Creator, destined to change reality as she knows it.
But the Order is always there, watching, waiting for the moment Adair falters so that they can take control...
...and if needed, end her completely.
Adair Hanlon must be protected.
No matter the cost.
A bookstore clerk in her twenties, living more through the fantasy she found between the pages of her favorite stories than her less-than-exciting reality.
One event is all it takes to shatter that illusion.
A wild chase through the streets of Seattle, led by a mysterious Irishman with a few tricks up his sleeve, leads Adair to a world of magic she never knew existed.
She discovers she is a Creator, destined to change reality as she knows it.
But the Order is always there, watching, waiting for the moment Adair falters so that they can take control...
...and if needed, end her completely.
Adair Hanlon must be protected.
No matter the cost.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2026
4 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 30, 2025
This book was what I dream of! The FMC was incredibly relatable. I connected with her within the first few pages! The other main characters were just as compelling and each brought so much personality to the relationships.
I devoured this book because I simply couldn't put it down. It was that good. In fact, I'm flying into town for the book signing! I have to have a signed copy.
This story will have you laughing, crying, biting your nails, and shouting, "Wait.... What just happened?! NO!" It's an emotional roller-coaster in the best way.
I am so happy that I was selected to be an ARC reader but OMG the wait for book 2 is going to kill me.
I devoured this book because I simply couldn't put it down. It was that good. In fact, I'm flying into town for the book signing! I have to have a signed copy.
This story will have you laughing, crying, biting your nails, and shouting, "Wait.... What just happened?! NO!" It's an emotional roller-coaster in the best way.
I am so happy that I was selected to be an ARC reader but OMG the wait for book 2 is going to kill me.
October 27, 2025
This book had me HOOKED! The main character was so relatable and her struggle with anxiety was so well written. The characters were all so good even the ones that made you want to scream and throw things (you’ll find out when you read it). This was a story that I couldn’t put down because I NEEDED to know how it ended and then I got to the end and now I’m impatiently waiting for book 2. Absolutely worth the read.
October 26, 2025
I do not say this lightly when I say this was my favorite book of the year, the FMC Adair is so relatable, I truly felt like I could imagine I was her the entire time lol. This book will have you laughing, clutching your chest with anxiety and also potentially crying, making you want to throw your kindle across the room screaming why isn’t this a finished series!
I am very impatiently awaiting the next book.
I am very impatiently awaiting the next book.
October 28, 2025
A very fun read and so hard to put down. All the characters are so relatable, especially Adair, and it really brings together the concept of a found family. The plot is well thought out and that interesting twist at the end. A MUST read!
November 2, 2025
I had the pleasure of reading this as an ARC. I enjoyed the story, but the twist as the end was so rude! Some tropes you’ll see in this book are:
Chosen One
Mentor & Protegé
Epic quest
Transformation
The characters were very relatable, and I found myself identifying with some of Adair’s anxieties as she is trying to find herself and what her place is in the new world she’s been thrust into. She’s experienced betrayal by those who she thought she could trust most, but still managed to overcome and hold on to some of those relationships. I liked Nadia’s character and how she inserts comic relief into the story line. I didn’t understand why her relationship with Mia was frowned upon but maybe that will get flushed out in book 2.
It seems like this might be a why choose?? There were two love interests, and while there’s definitely a bad boy aspect to Ossian, I am totally rooting for Takashi! The green flags are flying with him and he seems to understand her needs the best. Not to mention he’s just an all around sweet heart.
Overall, I am excited to see how this story develops and like I said in the beginning, the ending was rude and I need to find out what happens next!
Chosen One
Mentor & Protegé
Epic quest
Transformation
The characters were very relatable, and I found myself identifying with some of Adair’s anxieties as she is trying to find herself and what her place is in the new world she’s been thrust into. She’s experienced betrayal by those who she thought she could trust most, but still managed to overcome and hold on to some of those relationships. I liked Nadia’s character and how she inserts comic relief into the story line. I didn’t understand why her relationship with Mia was frowned upon but maybe that will get flushed out in book 2.
It seems like this might be a why choose?? There were two love interests, and while there’s definitely a bad boy aspect to Ossian, I am totally rooting for Takashi! The green flags are flying with him and he seems to understand her needs the best. Not to mention he’s just an all around sweet heart.
Overall, I am excited to see how this story develops and like I said in the beginning, the ending was rude and I need to find out what happens next!
November 11, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It's the right mix of fantasy and real life mixed together into a great story. I was left incredibly intrigued by almost every character. I want to know more about each and every one of them. Looking forward to continuing the series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Adair Hanlon is an anxious introvert with few, but deep personal relationships, a love for books and coziness, and despite being in the USA, a penchant for surrounding herself with people with UK and Irish accents. Essentially an orphan, she’s coped with her world through control and ritual, but in a mind-blowing, life-threatening turn of events, comes to find that she may need to deal with her discomfort of chaos in order to save the people she loves. She discovers unexpected magical powers that she has no idea how to use yet, meanwhile grappling with a tense love triangle between an electrifyingly handsome, powerful man and an alluring, protective, and conscientious genius. Questions about how far is too far to go for a cause are building as innocent lives are being tossed into an ancient battle.
Wolfe isn’t just coming up with a good plot with the first book in this series, but has a beautiful, rich writing style that isn’t pretentious or try-hardy. Reading her work feels natural and compelling. As someone with linguistic interests, I was struck by her grasp of the Irish language and mysticism (from my limited knowledge).
Romantasy was a little bit of an intimidating genre for me; I usually read fantasy books like Brandon Sanderson, Scott Lynch, and Pierce Brown, but when I got this book as an ARC reader and was told it was a romantasy, I assumed that meant I’d have to settle for second-rate world-building overshadowed by romance. Not so.
Yes, there are a couple of lip-biting, spicy scenes to enjoy, but the lavish atmosphere and magical world built by Wolfe are forefront and are what make this book a future bestseller with staying power. Even men who tend to avoid “girl books” will enjoy the fantasy world of this one.
As others have mentioned, there is a cliffhanger end that will have you salivating for the next one, which, if the gods are merciful, will not be far behind.
Wolfe isn’t just coming up with a good plot with the first book in this series, but has a beautiful, rich writing style that isn’t pretentious or try-hardy. Reading her work feels natural and compelling. As someone with linguistic interests, I was struck by her grasp of the Irish language and mysticism (from my limited knowledge).
Romantasy was a little bit of an intimidating genre for me; I usually read fantasy books like Brandon Sanderson, Scott Lynch, and Pierce Brown, but when I got this book as an ARC reader and was told it was a romantasy, I assumed that meant I’d have to settle for second-rate world-building overshadowed by romance. Not so.
Yes, there are a couple of lip-biting, spicy scenes to enjoy, but the lavish atmosphere and magical world built by Wolfe are forefront and are what make this book a future bestseller with staying power. Even men who tend to avoid “girl books” will enjoy the fantasy world of this one.
As others have mentioned, there is a cliffhanger end that will have you salivating for the next one, which, if the gods are merciful, will not be far behind.
November 23, 2025
The Cycle of Deities launches itself with a character-driven blend of magic, vulnerability, and rising tension. The novel’s greatest strength lies in how grounded its heroine feels. Adair, who’s anxieties, second-guessing, and desire for belonging make her immediately sympathetic, and her emotional journey is treated with care. The author weaves her internal battles into the larger conflicts seamlessly, so the character growth never feels overshadowed by the magic or danger.
The book holds a well-constructed balance between the mystical elements against an otherwise familiar modern setting, which keeps the fantasy accessible without losing its sense of wonder. Tension builds steadily and the story uses these relationships to create warmth, conflict, and a slow burn of romantic and interpersonal complexity.
Clearly, as the first entry in a series, the book lays out mysteries and power structures that points toward bigger arcs to come. It wraps up its immediate storyline but certainly leaves enough unresolved to make the next installment feel essential rather than optional.
In short, this is a compelling romantasy for readers who enjoy modern settings infused with magic, complicated loyalties, and a heroine who feels real. It’s emotional without being overwrought, fantastical without losing its human core, and a strong foundation for what looks to be an expansive series.
The book holds a well-constructed balance between the mystical elements against an otherwise familiar modern setting, which keeps the fantasy accessible without losing its sense of wonder. Tension builds steadily and the story uses these relationships to create warmth, conflict, and a slow burn of romantic and interpersonal complexity.
Clearly, as the first entry in a series, the book lays out mysteries and power structures that points toward bigger arcs to come. It wraps up its immediate storyline but certainly leaves enough unresolved to make the next installment feel essential rather than optional.
In short, this is a compelling romantasy for readers who enjoy modern settings infused with magic, complicated loyalties, and a heroine who feels real. It’s emotional without being overwrought, fantastical without losing its human core, and a strong foundation for what looks to be an expansive series.
October 26, 2025
Wow... I did not see this book coming. I was lucky enough to get chosen as an ARC reader for this book, and I have read it twice now... Working on my third read through now. It is fast paced and fun with great plot twists. BOTH of the MMCs were phenomenal, and I honestly can't choose who I love more. Ossian is gruff, morally grey, and hilarious, and Takashi is nerdy, sweet, and SO LOVABLE! I have found new hints and secrets with each read through. From the first chapter, I knew this would be my favorite read of the year... And I have a strong feeling this series will be in my top ten favorite series of all time if the rest of the books are as good as this one. GIVE ME MORE! The banter, the plots twists, the fast pace... This book is EVERYTHING!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this book. The author’s writing was so descriptive that it pulled me into the world. I loved how the fantasy elements blended with modern touches.
This book touched on so many themes like magic, romance, action, spicy-ness, and mental health, and I appreciated how deeply the main character was developed. You really get to see all sides of her, her strength, her struggles, and her growth. This made her feel real and human. That depth is what really stuck with me.
Overall, it was a solid and meaningful read, and I’m excited to see where the series goes next.
This book touched on so many themes like magic, romance, action, spicy-ness, and mental health, and I appreciated how deeply the main character was developed. You really get to see all sides of her, her strength, her struggles, and her growth. This made her feel real and human. That depth is what really stuck with me.
Overall, it was a solid and meaningful read, and I’m excited to see where the series goes next.
October 26, 2025
First time chosen to ARC read a book, and WHAT??? Are they all like the best books ever or did I just hit the jack pot? This book is so good! I will be buying it in every format as soon as they become available, because WHAT?? Best Romantasy of the year hands down. I will be rereading this book over and over while I desperately wait for book 2! The romance, the action, the banter, there wasn't a single character that I didn't want to see more of. More please!!!
December 2, 2025
Cycle of Deities is a refreshing crossworlds/urban fantasy.
The magic system and powers were cool and creative, and the main character especially stood out—her growth, her struggle to find her footing, and the way her mental health challenges were woven into the plot felt authentic and meaningful. It’s rare to see that handled with care in fantasy, and it added depth.
I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more from this world and this author. Especially with that twist at the end!
The magic system and powers were cool and creative, and the main character especially stood out—her growth, her struggle to find her footing, and the way her mental health challenges were woven into the plot felt authentic and meaningful. It’s rare to see that handled with care in fantasy, and it added depth.
I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more from this world and this author. Especially with that twist at the end!
December 8, 2025
A perfectly-paced story with both characters you’ll love and ones you’ll love to hate. Kelsey weaves the magical into the real world with such precision that you’ll be disappointed when you put the book down and realize it’s only in the novel. The story will leave you yearning, in the best way, for then next installment!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my god! This was such a good book! I felt like I was watching a movie during some parts (fantastic writing abilities). I got to feel connected to the characters and would get physically upset when things didn’t go the way I’d hoped for. I NEED to know what happens next! I’m very invested in this story line!
November 6, 2025
I wrote this book and so I am biased.
This series has been 20 years in the making so to actively having been working on it for the last two years and seeing how much you all love it means the world.
This series has been 20 years in the making so to actively having been working on it for the last two years and seeing how much you all love it means the world.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews