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The Testament to Broken Gods #0
Heretic: A Prelude to the Testament to Broken Gods
Not yet published
Expected 5 Apr 26 "Reminiscent of Mark Lawrence's Nona Grey and George R.R. Martin's Arya Stark ." - FanFiAddict
A lord. A lady. A priest or even a bishop. At times, a queen.
These are the people Varre has killed.
And next, an emperor.
Years now Varre has served the realm, devoting herself to the common folk who go without justice at the hands of those driven mad by power. Yet these same people fear her. Curse her. Spit at her deeds as if she should not to them be a saint.
Unlike them, her Faith lies in the dark, where the world passes unseen to most and the drivel of blasphemers is seldom heard over the wails of the damned.
Before, a single death unburdened the lives of so many. The emperor’s might condemn untold more. She used to tell herself these deeds were a necessary evil. Life for death. Death for life.
But now, as the mortal realm is to be cast asunder by her own blade, she must decide if a righteous future is worth attaining when there are none left to witness it.
A lord. A lady. A priest or even a bishop. At times, a queen.
These are the people Varre has killed.
And next, an emperor.
Years now Varre has served the realm, devoting herself to the common folk who go without justice at the hands of those driven mad by power. Yet these same people fear her. Curse her. Spit at her deeds as if she should not to them be a saint.
Unlike them, her Faith lies in the dark, where the world passes unseen to most and the drivel of blasphemers is seldom heard over the wails of the damned.
Before, a single death unburdened the lives of so many. The emperor’s might condemn untold more. She used to tell herself these deeds were a necessary evil. Life for death. Death for life.
But now, as the mortal realm is to be cast asunder by her own blade, she must decide if a righteous future is worth attaining when there are none left to witness it.
- GenresFantasy
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 5, 2026
6 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Noah Isaacs
4 books21 followersNoah Isaacs is an American fantasy and science fiction author of the TALES OF AERYM. He currently resides in Tokyo, Japan, where he received an MSc in astrobiology, and pursues a PhD in the same field.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 12, 2026
4.5-5⭐️
A promising prequel novella (~160 pages) for what I imagine is going to be a sweeping fantasy series.
The story flowed really well and immediately hooked me in. In the best way, this story felt much longer than 160 pages, immersing me with plenty of fantasy world building and action. The author has such a way with words, his writing was descriptive and the prose was perfect for the start of an epic fantasy book/series.
The author did a good job of setting up the world and main character(s) in such a short period of time. As I said above it flowed well, the pacing seemed natural for the story being told and I actually liked its faster pace of seeing the climax act itself out in a shorter amount of pages.
I immediately felt a connection/understanding towards Varre (the main character) and I think that is always a challenge in any book, regardless of the page count. But I seriously loved her, she was complex, hardened yet still had an ability to find forgiveness. Varre is a total badass and I totally see the Arya Stark comparison, though at times she gave me slight Gerald vibes too (okay but lowkey she was a fantasy John Wick??). She felt like the fantasy assassin FMC that books are trying to write, but never succeed, she made intelligent decisions and was an actual badass with skills, who knew her shit.
Action scenes can be hit or miss in books but they thrived here! I could feel the suspense and tension in each fight, could follow along with the descriptions and was rooting for Varre the whole time.
This also includes also LGBTQ+ rep (sapphic) but if you’re not looking for anything with romance don’t worry, it’s not the focal point, I actually think it adds to Varre’s character as she truly is more than a murderous assassin.
I will 100% be waiting for when book 1 drops :)
I think the only criticism I could really give was at times it could have used a bit more editing, some sentences not flowing as well or some unnecessary stative verbs. But I mean it’s an ARC so really that didn’t bother me too much.
(idk why i love the cover so much too? maybe reminds me of older fantasy books?)
*ARC courtesy of netgalley*
A promising prequel novella (~160 pages) for what I imagine is going to be a sweeping fantasy series.
The story flowed really well and immediately hooked me in. In the best way, this story felt much longer than 160 pages, immersing me with plenty of fantasy world building and action. The author has such a way with words, his writing was descriptive and the prose was perfect for the start of an epic fantasy book/series.
The author did a good job of setting up the world and main character(s) in such a short period of time. As I said above it flowed well, the pacing seemed natural for the story being told and I actually liked its faster pace of seeing the climax act itself out in a shorter amount of pages.
I immediately felt a connection/understanding towards Varre (the main character) and I think that is always a challenge in any book, regardless of the page count. But I seriously loved her, she was complex, hardened yet still had an ability to find forgiveness. Varre is a total badass and I totally see the Arya Stark comparison, though at times she gave me slight Gerald vibes too (okay but lowkey she was a fantasy John Wick??). She felt like the fantasy assassin FMC that books are trying to write, but never succeed, she made intelligent decisions and was an actual badass with skills, who knew her shit.
Action scenes can be hit or miss in books but they thrived here! I could feel the suspense and tension in each fight, could follow along with the descriptions and was rooting for Varre the whole time.
This also includes also LGBTQ+ rep (sapphic) but if you’re not looking for anything with romance don’t worry, it’s not the focal point, I actually think it adds to Varre’s character as she truly is more than a murderous assassin.
I will 100% be waiting for when book 1 drops :)
I think the only criticism I could really give was at times it could have used a bit more editing, some sentences not flowing as well or some unnecessary stative verbs. But I mean it’s an ARC so really that didn’t bother me too much.
(idk why i love the cover so much too? maybe reminds me of older fantasy books?)
*ARC courtesy of netgalley*
Did not finish
March 18, 2026I enjoyed reading "The Tales of Aerym" duology; I'm glad to see the author trying new things.
However, "Heretic" does things with its characters and worldbuilding that did bother me a lot. The narrative especially felt distant and cold, far from the warmer tones that made "Memories of Tomorrow" so memorable to me. From what I took from the synopsis, it seems to be precisely what the story is aiming for; which is why I won't be finishing it.
Regardless, I thank the author for the ARC.
However, "Heretic" does things with its characters and worldbuilding that did bother me a lot. The narrative especially felt distant and cold, far from the warmer tones that made "Memories of Tomorrow" so memorable to me. From what I took from the synopsis, it seems to be precisely what the story is aiming for; which is why I won't be finishing it.
Regardless, I thank the author for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This novella offers a rather intriguing approach to classic fantasy. It blends religion, political tension, and moral dilemmas into a dark and unforgiving world where belief seems to influence nearly everything. It’s the kind of setting that feels rich with history and hidden depth, and Noah Isaacs clearly has a vivid imagination when it comes to building worlds.
One of the strongest elements here is the atmosphere. The world feels harsh and often brutal, shaped by faith, power, and conflict. The story follows Varre, a protagonist who is far from perfect. She’s tough, damaged by her past, yet still carries a hint of humanity beneath the armour. Seeing glimpses of her earlier life helps to add some emotional depth, suggesting there might still be hope for her despite everything she has been through.
The world-building is ambitious and detailed, filled with religious ideas, political tensions, and even touches of firearms within a traditional fantasy setting. It’s a combination that gives the story its own identity. At times, though, the amount of information can feel overwhelming. There are many terms, locations, and references introduced quickly, and I occasionally found myself struggling to keep track of what was most important to the story.
Because of that, it sometimes felt like the narrative focus was a bit lost among all the details. While the setting is clearly well thought out, a little more clarity around the main stakes and conflicts would have helped me stay more connected to the plot. I also felt that some smaller details could perhaps have been trimmed in favour of expanding on the core elements of the story.
Varre’s personal storyline is interesting, but the ending leaves quite a few questions unanswered, especially regarding her past. The prelude, in particular, felt like it ended rather abruptly, which made the conclusion feel slightly incomplete.
That said, the foundations of the world and characters are very promising. Knowing the author’s work, it feels like this setting could truly shine in a longer format where there’s more space to explore the ideas and give the story room to breathe. I’d definitely be curious to see where the series goes next.
Verdict: A dark and thoughtful fantasy novella with strong world-building and an intriguing protagonist, though the dense details and slightly unclear stakes made it harder to fully connect with the story. Still, it shows a lot of potential for future instalments.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review. I truly appreciate the opportunity to read this book ahead of release.
One of the strongest elements here is the atmosphere. The world feels harsh and often brutal, shaped by faith, power, and conflict. The story follows Varre, a protagonist who is far from perfect. She’s tough, damaged by her past, yet still carries a hint of humanity beneath the armour. Seeing glimpses of her earlier life helps to add some emotional depth, suggesting there might still be hope for her despite everything she has been through.
The world-building is ambitious and detailed, filled with religious ideas, political tensions, and even touches of firearms within a traditional fantasy setting. It’s a combination that gives the story its own identity. At times, though, the amount of information can feel overwhelming. There are many terms, locations, and references introduced quickly, and I occasionally found myself struggling to keep track of what was most important to the story.
Because of that, it sometimes felt like the narrative focus was a bit lost among all the details. While the setting is clearly well thought out, a little more clarity around the main stakes and conflicts would have helped me stay more connected to the plot. I also felt that some smaller details could perhaps have been trimmed in favour of expanding on the core elements of the story.
Varre’s personal storyline is interesting, but the ending leaves quite a few questions unanswered, especially regarding her past. The prelude, in particular, felt like it ended rather abruptly, which made the conclusion feel slightly incomplete.
That said, the foundations of the world and characters are very promising. Knowing the author’s work, it feels like this setting could truly shine in a longer format where there’s more space to explore the ideas and give the story room to breathe. I’d definitely be curious to see where the series goes next.
Verdict: A dark and thoughtful fantasy novella with strong world-building and an intriguing protagonist, though the dense details and slightly unclear stakes made it harder to fully connect with the story. Still, it shows a lot of potential for future instalments.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review. I truly appreciate the opportunity to read this book ahead of release.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, I will say thank you to Netgalley for this arc!
I really enjoyed this prelude, I thought it was a great way to ease into this extremely complex world.
Here are some of my main notes I wanted to give:
-The glossary NEEDS to go in the front. I was SO lost with a lot of terms and didn't realise there was a glossary in the back. User error perhaps, but your book should be formatted to help your reader.
-On that point, the world building could have been fleshed out a bit more. I felt a little thrown into the deep end and was a little unsure of exactly what was going on. Reminder: you know the world, your reader does not. Explain it to them as if it's their first time encountering it, because it is.
-The romance between Varre and Esobel felt a bit rushed. I didn't even realise Esobel was important to Varre, especially considering they barely have any non-sexual intimacy. It felt more as though being introduced to a fling who suddenly ran away with Varre.
-I felt there were a lot of places, locations, details and such mentioned that could have been omitted. I hope this makes sense and isn't contradicitng to wanting world bulding. I appreciate all the details noted but sometimes it's better to focus on giving attention to what is there, rather than detailing what is minor/barely mentioned.
-My biggest note of this whole prelude: it starts with a really interesting prolouge and then... doesn't resolve it? I was waiting the whole of Varre's story for some resolution from her childhood. Ignore me if this comes in later books, but I did want more of that, even just a mention.
Things I loved:
-I Varre's character arc. It's very well done and I can feel her emotions and internal struggles with her decisions.
- I particularly liked the Waterwell storyline, a clever idea and great plot device!
- The writing is superb, everything is clearly stated and the overall storyline is intruiging and clear.
-I really like the way religious themes are used in this, I thought it was a beautiful blend of fantasy and faith.
-This was a great prelude and I can't wait for book 1!
I really enjoyed this prelude, I thought it was a great way to ease into this extremely complex world.
Here are some of my main notes I wanted to give:
-The glossary NEEDS to go in the front. I was SO lost with a lot of terms and didn't realise there was a glossary in the back. User error perhaps, but your book should be formatted to help your reader.
-On that point, the world building could have been fleshed out a bit more. I felt a little thrown into the deep end and was a little unsure of exactly what was going on. Reminder: you know the world, your reader does not. Explain it to them as if it's their first time encountering it, because it is.
-The romance between Varre and Esobel felt a bit rushed. I didn't even realise Esobel was important to Varre, especially considering they barely have any non-sexual intimacy. It felt more as though being introduced to a fling who suddenly ran away with Varre.
-I felt there were a lot of places, locations, details and such mentioned that could have been omitted. I hope this makes sense and isn't contradicitng to wanting world bulding. I appreciate all the details noted but sometimes it's better to focus on giving attention to what is there, rather than detailing what is minor/barely mentioned.
-My biggest note of this whole prelude: it starts with a really interesting prolouge and then... doesn't resolve it? I was waiting the whole of Varre's story for some resolution from her childhood. Ignore me if this comes in later books, but I did want more of that, even just a mention.
Things I loved:
-I Varre's character arc. It's very well done and I can feel her emotions and internal struggles with her decisions.
- I particularly liked the Waterwell storyline, a clever idea and great plot device!
- The writing is superb, everything is clearly stated and the overall storyline is intruiging and clear.
-I really like the way religious themes are used in this, I thought it was a beautiful blend of fantasy and faith.
-This was a great prelude and I can't wait for book 1!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Heretic: A Prelude to the Testament to Broken Gods is a hectic novella about an assassin finding her faith, and not necessarily faith as in Capital F 'Faith' despite the heavily religious world she inhabits.
Varre is the Shadow of Rellor, a famed assassin who has killed more people than she can count, but her latest target is the loftiest of all: an emperor. For years, she's been one thing and one thing only, a weapon that must remain sharp, but her edge is in threat of being dulled by a nun, a slave boy, and a baby tiger. The job pits her against herself, against her beliefs, and whether she completes the task, she will be forever changed.
In such a small number of pages, Isaacs creates one hell of a world, one I cannot wait to see expanded in a full series. A really cool concept of fresh water and deities is the basis of this world and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this in action, it gives a real-life consequence everyone must live with. Getting rations of drinking water, with the mysterious Wellheart contraption was just awesome, hope this continues to play a big part in the series to come.
Varre as the central protagonist is your Arya Stark level of badass but she also possesses a lot of grit and tragic history. She's fierce and loyal to certain people. I really enjoyed her romance with Esobel, the nun who constantly challenges her to find her faith. Again, not Capital F 'Faith' but someone more moral.
The action is pretty action-y, the plot tight. There were a few places that the prose could have explained things a bit better and where some deus ex magicka came into play, but that never spoiled any enjoyment from this story.
A quick read, can't wait to see what the rest of the series brings!
*Thank you to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Varre is the Shadow of Rellor, a famed assassin who has killed more people than she can count, but her latest target is the loftiest of all: an emperor. For years, she's been one thing and one thing only, a weapon that must remain sharp, but her edge is in threat of being dulled by a nun, a slave boy, and a baby tiger. The job pits her against herself, against her beliefs, and whether she completes the task, she will be forever changed.
In such a small number of pages, Isaacs creates one hell of a world, one I cannot wait to see expanded in a full series. A really cool concept of fresh water and deities is the basis of this world and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this in action, it gives a real-life consequence everyone must live with. Getting rations of drinking water, with the mysterious Wellheart contraption was just awesome, hope this continues to play a big part in the series to come.
Varre as the central protagonist is your Arya Stark level of badass but she also possesses a lot of grit and tragic history. She's fierce and loyal to certain people. I really enjoyed her romance with Esobel, the nun who constantly challenges her to find her faith. Again, not Capital F 'Faith' but someone more moral.
The action is pretty action-y, the plot tight. There were a few places that the prose could have explained things a bit better and where some deus ex magicka came into play, but that never spoiled any enjoyment from this story.
A quick read, can't wait to see what the rest of the series brings!
*Thank you to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, I must acknowledge this book cover! It is stunning, with a "classic" fantasy feel, and beautiful colors and artwork. It seems like the same fantasy authors get recommended over and over again (thanks to social media, I think), so supporting indie authors is very important. I am glad to have found Noah Isaacs!
I can tell the author dedicated considerable time to his worldbuilding, themes and writing style. He used my favorite writing style in the fantasy genre: descriptive (but not pretentious) language and a slightly archaic tone. A "name-it-and-drop-it" technique was also used, planting seeds of information that may not have had an immediate explanation but eventually resolved and made me think, "OH! Now, that makes sense..." As a massive A Song of Ice and Fire fan, I definitely felt this story took inspiration from Arya Stark and the Many-Faced God. That was so much fun for me to read! Even some of the setting's descriptions reminded me of Braavos, or even Dorne!
Considering this is an ARC, I am curious to see what edits are made in the final copy. There are places where the writing could be structured better to read more cohesively. The book isn't very long, so if this series continues, there is room left for development. Overall, I can tell the author put a lot of time, thought and effort into this story. I will definitely be following for more books in the series!
I can tell the author dedicated considerable time to his worldbuilding, themes and writing style. He used my favorite writing style in the fantasy genre: descriptive (but not pretentious) language and a slightly archaic tone. A "name-it-and-drop-it" technique was also used, planting seeds of information that may not have had an immediate explanation but eventually resolved and made me think, "OH! Now, that makes sense..." As a massive A Song of Ice and Fire fan, I definitely felt this story took inspiration from Arya Stark and the Many-Faced God. That was so much fun for me to read! Even some of the setting's descriptions reminded me of Braavos, or even Dorne!
Considering this is an ARC, I am curious to see what edits are made in the final copy. There are places where the writing could be structured better to read more cohesively. The book isn't very long, so if this series continues, there is room left for development. Overall, I can tell the author put a lot of time, thought and effort into this story. I will definitely be following for more books in the series!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, NetGally, for the arc
This navella definitely showed some potential. My rating is 3.5 Stars, mainly due to my own personal views of the religious aspects of the world. I felt that the characters were among the standout best things that kept this rating so high for me.
Characters first. I loved Mark Lawrence's Book of the Ancester, and this felt right in line with those characters. I feel that the book sets them up for more stories to come, but if you are looking for a complete story arc, you might feel a need for more. My only issue I could think of is the unclear stakes Varre faces. It was hard to feel fully connected to the character with the short length.
Now I won't bash the book too hard, but I feel like religion is handled poorly in a lot of fantasy, and I feel the same way here. It is hard for me to see how people follow a religion that does the things that they do in this book. But I digress. I feel the world was well set up, and I would be interested in reading more about it in the future.
Heretic, by Noah Isaacs, would definitely get my recommendation.
This navella definitely showed some potential. My rating is 3.5 Stars, mainly due to my own personal views of the religious aspects of the world. I felt that the characters were among the standout best things that kept this rating so high for me.
Characters first. I loved Mark Lawrence's Book of the Ancester, and this felt right in line with those characters. I feel that the book sets them up for more stories to come, but if you are looking for a complete story arc, you might feel a need for more. My only issue I could think of is the unclear stakes Varre faces. It was hard to feel fully connected to the character with the short length.
Now I won't bash the book too hard, but I feel like religion is handled poorly in a lot of fantasy, and I feel the same way here. It is hard for me to see how people follow a religion that does the things that they do in this book. But I digress. I feel the world was well set up, and I would be interested in reading more about it in the future.
Heretic, by Noah Isaacs, would definitely get my recommendation.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC recieved for free.
I was having a really bad reading month, but I didn't expect to get an ARC for this, and when it cam through I decided to see if this would break my slump.
Spoiler: It did, I read this in a day! I am a sucker for fantasy centred around an assasian type character and this filled that holw nicely.
This is, as it says, a prelude to the upcoming Broken Gods, and you definitely get the feeling divinity is broken in some way in this setting. The world is dark and unforgiving, and belief colours pretty much everything thats seems to be happening, much of it rather gruesome.
Our FMC is a wonderfully broken badass, and it helps we get a view of them from their early days,but despite being broken their is still some room in their heart, which helps show both a chink in the aromour of the charcater, as well as a promise perhaps for better days ahead. Add in the fact that the mission they are sent on has a really interesting little twist to it as well which I really liked.
I am not going to say more,
I was having a really bad reading month, but I didn't expect to get an ARC for this, and when it cam through I decided to see if this would break my slump.
Spoiler: It did, I read this in a day! I am a sucker for fantasy centred around an assasian type character and this filled that holw nicely.
This is, as it says, a prelude to the upcoming Broken Gods, and you definitely get the feeling divinity is broken in some way in this setting. The world is dark and unforgiving, and belief colours pretty much everything thats seems to be happening, much of it rather gruesome.
Our FMC is a wonderfully broken badass, and it helps we get a view of them from their early days,but despite being broken their is still some room in their heart, which helps show both a chink in the aromour of the charcater, as well as a promise perhaps for better days ahead. Add in the fact that the mission they are sent on has a really interesting little twist to it as well which I really liked.
I am not going to say more,
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks netgalley for the arc!
Heretic is a very interesting take on a fantasy tale. It brings together in depth religion, moral quandaries, and political intrigue. Isaacs paints a vivid world and characters. I unfortunately struggled to connect to the story. I caught my attention slipping past sentences as I was unsure what was important to the story and what was detail. I also felt unclear in the stakes of the conflict. The character work was wonderful and the world building was intricate and expansive, but some of the plot and story telling energy was lost in those positive elements.
I am intrigued to see what comes next in the series. There is a solid classic fantasy world with unique hints at magic and religion as well as adding firearms. I’m hoping following volumes sharpen the story focus because that would make it a 5 star read for me.
Heretic is a very interesting take on a fantasy tale. It brings together in depth religion, moral quandaries, and political intrigue. Isaacs paints a vivid world and characters. I unfortunately struggled to connect to the story. I caught my attention slipping past sentences as I was unsure what was important to the story and what was detail. I also felt unclear in the stakes of the conflict. The character work was wonderful and the world building was intricate and expansive, but some of the plot and story telling energy was lost in those positive elements.
I am intrigued to see what comes next in the series. There is a solid classic fantasy world with unique hints at magic and religion as well as adding firearms. I’m hoping following volumes sharpen the story focus because that would make it a 5 star read for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Gritty, provocative, and thought provoking, Heretic drew me in. There's a satisfying discomfort in this story as we follow our antihero assassin. The religious and political tensions paired with the unreliable perspectives we navigate them with makes for a thrilling experience. Isaacs perfectly balances the brutality of Varre's chosen path with the heart and desperation within her. The world whispered its secrets as we traveled through it, rather than revealing its full self, and I'm left longing for its next installment. A brilliant nailbiter you can't help but turn the pages for.
CW:
CW:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a nice little prequel. It does the job of what every starting novella should do. It gets you initially hooked on the world and the characters without telling you too much. For what worldbuilding was included, it got me interested in what could be explored in the first main novel of the series and beyond.
After reading the author's note and hearing what he has planned for the rest of the series, it has me alot more excited to continue on. The glossary was a nice addition aswell
Thank you to NetGalley, Indie Press and Noah Isaacs for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review
After reading the author's note and hearing what he has planned for the rest of the series, it has me alot more excited to continue on. The glossary was a nice addition aswell
Thank you to NetGalley, Indie Press and Noah Isaacs for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
And he has done it again! With another delightful new series, where you can feel and see how much time and passion he has put into this new world. Where you will fall right into his comfortable writing style, which you are familiar with if you have read The Tales of Aerym
The characters are just as exceptional as they always are, and I can't get enough of them. This time you will find that he has crafted an awesome female assassin character.
As a novella it has done its job incredible and makes me curious for more of the story of this world. With this being the 4th book I read from Noah I can safely say that this is gonna be an auto buy author.
And he has done it again! With another delightful new series, where you can feel and see how much time and passion he has put into this new world. Where you will fall right into his comfortable writing style, which you are familiar with if you have read The Tales of Aerym
The characters are just as exceptional as they always are, and I can't get enough of them. This time you will find that he has crafted an awesome female assassin character.
As a novella it has done its job incredible and makes me curious for more of the story of this world. With this being the 4th book I read from Noah I can safely say that this is gonna be an auto buy author.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First of all, I really want to thank the author and NetGalley for providing an ARC. I loved this book. The world-building was great. Since it’s not a long book, I was a bit suspicious at the beginning about whether the world-building and character introductions would be done successfully, but they were handled very well. It was fast-paced, so you never get bored or feel like putting it down. As someone who has a hard time focusing, I finished it in one sitting. I will definitely be following up with the upcoming books in this series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a compelling read. The world-building is rich without being overwhelming, gritty and grounded, with the use of gunpowder giving it a sharp, dangerous edge. There’s also just the faintest hint of magic woven through the story, which adds intrigue without taking over.
Varres really worked as the MC. She’s deadly, yes, but also layered and complex, and I loved watching her navigate shifting loyalties and her own internal struggles.
This was a short read but it leaves me wanting more. Looking forward to explore more of the Mortal Realm in future books.
Varres really worked as the MC. She’s deadly, yes, but also layered and complex, and I loved watching her navigate shifting loyalties and her own internal struggles.
This was a short read but it leaves me wanting more. Looking forward to explore more of the Mortal Realm in future books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A brief prequel to The Testament to broken Gods.
There was enough world building to provide context and intrigue without overshadowing our anti hero, Varre’s, story. Though her mission ends in this book there are still many questions about her life and history left unanswered, along with a world in turmoil to be explored.
It had a very classic, fantasy feel and has definitely left me wanting more.
[I received an ARC from NetGalley.]
There was enough world building to provide context and intrigue without overshadowing our anti hero, Varre’s, story. Though her mission ends in this book there are still many questions about her life and history left unanswered, along with a world in turmoil to be explored.
It had a very classic, fantasy feel and has definitely left me wanting more.
[I received an ARC from NetGalley.]
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for this Arc.
4.5 (rounded to 5 for GoodReads)
I loved this book from start to finish, the writing style, being fast paced and the impact it makes for me wanting the next book in the series immediately. Noah has put a lot of imputing to produce a fantastic world building book.
Will be definitely reading the next book to this series and his other works.
4.5 (rounded to 5 for GoodReads)
I loved this book from start to finish, the writing style, being fast paced and the impact it makes for me wanting the next book in the series immediately. Noah has put a lot of imputing to produce a fantastic world building book.
Will be definitely reading the next book to this series and his other works.
February 24, 2026
This was an interesting novella. I’m very curious to read more since I have a lot of questions about the world. I liked Varre as a main character and I’d like to know her complete backstory.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a gifted copy of the eARC
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a gifted copy of the eARC
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