Katherine
Overall, I thought this book was outstanding. It’s a weird one! It’s confusing at times, hard to grasp, but it’s one of those stories where you can sit with what is going on and really think about how everything is connected within the book and how the book is establishing connections between itself and society. It delivers a powerful message while weaving a web of intrigue that pulls you into this world. I very much want to dive into the rest of the series.
Don’t trust the synopsis for this book. It undermines itself by describing it in such a plain way and going in with that expectation will leave you extremely confused. While those events do happen, the synopsis sets it up as a more typical urban fantasy/horror novel, and it is ANYTHING but a typical novel. Structurally, the series is meant to be read as a trilogy. Nothing in it will be standalone. So, adjust your expectations for that going in. The author has a post explaining more that I’d recommend reading first: https://cadwellturnbull.com/2021/09/30/a-sort-of-guide-to-reading-no-gods-no-monsters/
This book focuses on a LOT of different characters in this intricate web of connections. I found myself taking notes and looking forward to seeing how everyone fits together within the story. The overall narrative isn’t concerned so much with the individual- rather, it is about the community as a whole. Each character introduced has a different personality and background- none of them blended together for me despite how many there are. I LOVED how each storyline came together, but it is hard to follow because of the structure. It’s a very unique storytelling style.
The seeds of plot are sparse throughout the whole book. Small actions by certain characters will pay off much later. Information that seems tangential will come up again and be vital. The plot itself is mostly in the beginning and end of the book. The middle has a “lull” of a lot of setup (absolutely enthralling to me), but I can easily see someone getting bored during it. I enjoyed the vibes of the book so much that I found each chapter engaging.
This book also doesn’t hold back on delivering some brutal, real lines that will have you thinking. There are multiple passages that, even if you haven’t experienced something similar to the character, the insight given is so raw and powerful you will find yourself looking inward at yourself and outward at your society. I highlighted many passages that I found very insightful and loved how they were delivered. Because of this, it is a very timely read in 2026.
Overall, I thought this book was outstanding. It’s a weird one! It’s confusing at times, hard to grasp, but it’s one of those stories where you can sit with what is going on and really think about how everything is connected within the book and how the book is establishing connections between itself and society. It delivers a powerful message while weaving a web of intrigue that pulls you into this world. I very much want to dive into the rest of the series.
Don’t trust the synopsis for this book. It undermines itself by describing it in such a plain way and going in with that expectation will leave you extremely confused. While those events do happen, the synopsis sets it up as a more typical urban fantasy/horror novel, and it is ANYTHING but a typical novel. Structurally, the series is meant to be read as a trilogy. Nothing in it will be standalone. So, adjust your expectations for that going in. The author has a post explaining more that I’d recommend reading first: https://cadwellturnbull.com/2021/09/30/a-sort-of-guide-to-reading-no-gods-no-monsters/
This book focuses on a LOT of different characters in this intricate web of connections. I found myself taking notes and looking forward to seeing how everyone fits together within the story. The overall narrative isn’t concerned so much with the individual- rather, it is about the community as a whole. Each character introduced has a different personality and background- none of them blended together for me despite how many there are. I LOVED how each storyline came together, but it is hard to follow because of the structure. It’s a very unique storytelling style.
The seeds of plot are sparse throughout the whole book. Small actions by certain characters will pay off much later. Information that seems tangential will come up again and be vital. The plot itself is mostly in the beginning and end of the book. The middle has a “lull” of a lot of setup (absolutely enthralling to me), but I can easily see someone getting bored during it. I enjoyed the vibes of the book so much that I found each chapter engaging.
This book also doesn’t hold back on delivering some brutal, real lines that will have you thinking. There are multiple passages that, even if you haven’t experienced something similar to the character, the insight given is so raw and powerful you will find yourself looking inward at yourself and outward at your society. I highlighted many passages that I found very insightful and loved how they were delivered. Because of this, it is a very timely read in 2026.