Goddess Ascending by Heather Hildenbrand – A Book Review

Posted December 25, 2019 by Booksandblurbs in Fantasy, Reverse Harem, Reviews, YA / 2 Comments

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Goddess Ascending

(Gods and Guardians Series – Book 1)

by Heather Hildenbrand
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Slow Burn, Fantasy YA, RH
Available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited

Down & Dirty

The details may be scant, but the Fantasy story is solid, if just beginning. Free on Kindle Unlimited.

What is it about?

(Blurb from GoodReads)

Promised to the Light. Hunted by the Dark.

Two things happen the night Elidi Brant is attacked. She learns she’s not human, and she is saved by the impressive and, also definitely not human, Kol Valco. Kol tells her something big and world-breaking is after her, but he promises to protect her until she “ascends.”

Elidi doesn’t know what ascending means or how to access the abilities Kol insists she has, but she trusts him. The claws and fur he can sprout at will make her feel safe. However, safety is a fragile thing and the force after her is more powerful than Elidi can imagine.

With the clock on Elidi’s mortality ticking, she must find a way to access her gifts or kill them both in the process.

Thoughts on Goddess Ascending

Alright

This was intriguing, with all the right pieces for an epic story, but it still fell kinda flat for me. There is still so much World building that needs to be explained, though I am probably being impatient. These kinds of books often require the entire series to fully set the stage, yet feels like more should have been imparted in this one, and not because of the ending. I’m like the FMC, eager to know and annoyed that secrets are being kept. Lol!

Pros:

Myths, legends, gods, demons.
The guys are all different and fairly interesting.
I love Grim!
Interesting concept.

Cons:

Too little explanation.
Secrets “for your own good” trope…. ugh.
Fade to black??! Ok… YA… but… pfft
Didn’t really connect to the FMC.

Perspective

First Person, Single POV

Ending Type

Cliffhanger

Rating

YA (PG-13)

Romantic Dynamic

M/F for this book, but it appears it will eventually be MMMMF

Character Age Range

17+

My Final Verdict on Goddess Ascending

Suitable for the YA audience, this has all the elements most look for in a Slow Burn RH Fantasy; danger, romance, adventure and plenty of magic. It lacks a bit in some departments, but still makes an entertaining read. Free on Kindle Unlimited.

Published January 30th, 2019
275 Pages

Please note, this is part of a Reverse Harem Series which features alternative romantic dynamics where the heroine does not have to choose between her love interests in the end.