THE ISLES OF THE GODS

When gods go to war, the world lies barren in their wake.

Selly is a saltblood, with a storm in her heart and secrets to hide; Leander is a prince, more powerful than he cares to acknowledge and desperate to run from his duties, no matter the cost. Keegan is a scholar who would rather study history than be part of it. Jude is a boxer, swinging futilely at a cruel world; Laskia feels wronged by life and will go to any lengths to get what she feels she deserves. In the background of their lives, sibling gods lurk as threats, one bound in sleep, the other a patient, distant sentinel. When war brews between nations, the gods hold the fate of the world in their hands. Kaufman’s worldbuilding is richly detailed, immersing readers in the twists and turns of a well-paced plot. Her characters are not heroes but ordinary people battling extraordinary circumstances: tired, bruised, dirty, and sympathetic. The emotional impact of each setback and triumph is elevated by the care shown for the ordinary people caught on opposite sides. The cliffhanger ending will leave readers eager to spend more time in this world. This fantasy features characters who are diverse in physical appearance; race holds no significance. There is also LGBTQ+ representation.

A thrilling series opener.