Synopsis:
Obedience keeps the Beast asleep.
In the People’s Kingdom, obedience means safety from the horrors of the Beast – a vicious dragon ensnared in magical slumber. But how can Torver obey when his very existence is illegal?
Inexplicably devoid of the magic that blesses everyone else in the Kingdom, Torver can’t get his papers – and will hang for it, if caught. Cornered, Torver lives in the shadow of his only friend, Bassen, whose powerful death magic makes survival a daily struggle.
But when the pair save the life of a genderless fae, a fugitive from across the forbidden border wall who brings a dire warning, their hard-won safety is shattered. Thrust into the midst of an oncoming war that only they can prevent, the unlikely trio must travel the length of the Kingdom to slay the terrible Beast of legend, robbing their invaders of their greatest weapon.
But along the way, as they uncover deadly secrets and shattering truths, Torver is forced to confront not only his growing feelings for their fae defector companion, but also the beasts inside himself.
Because in the People’s Kingdom, obedience is a heavy, deadly thing.
And the price may just be too high.
Review:
The world in this story is ruled by strict laws that are meant to bring order and fairness. The rules are clear, and breaking them leads to punishment. On paper, this may sound fair, but in real life it feels very different. People are not given a choice, and everything is done in the name of equality – or at least that is what we are told.
When we first meet the main characters, they make an unusual pair, but they respect each other. They have found a way to survive while staying hidden, even though this becomes more dangerous over time. One day, they are attacked and meet a fae- someone who should be their enemy. This fae offers help and warns them about an upcoming attack. From that moment on, they have no choice but to trust each other. Together, they must come up with a plan to stop the attack while making sure they are not discovered.
I enjoyed the beginning of the book more than the ending. Getting to know the characters, watching them interact, and seeing their trust slowly grow were my favourite parts. While the story promised a lot of action, it did not fully deliver for me. The pacing felt uneven, which made me lose focus at times. It did improve again towards the end, but I would have preferred a better balance throughout.
The romance was interesting, though calling someone “it” felt strange to me.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I didn’t completely fall in love with it.
🌙 Recension: No Gods No Kings by Demetria Paxton
📚 Genre: Fantasy, LGBT, Romance
📅 Release Date: April 20, 2026
📗 available in various formats – included in Kindle Unlimited
📱 Read as: Kindle
💸 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
🗣️ Language: English
📆 Pages: 374
⭐️ 3.5/5
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