BLOG TOUR + REVIEW: Of Gods and Monsters by Zavi James
STEAM: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Zavi James. Zavi. James.
Remember the name because it will become a household one soon.
This book -- the promise of this series -- is so epic that I would not be surprised if this book (and series) becomes a bestseller. And the hangover is real - this has to be the best and the worst book hangover, and I would go through it again for this book.
The book opens with scientists from varying practices being thrilled and anxious about the official start of the Elysian Liaison Initiative (ELI). Elysian Gods are set to arrive for mortals to study them, and most are cooperating, except for one. Grayson, the God of Chaos and Destruction, wants nothing to do with ELI and does not hesitate to show his displeasure through loud tantrums. Quentin, a biology research prodigy, is in Grayson's team and receives much of his vitriol. As angry as the Chaos God is, he and Quen find themselves mysteriously pulled to each other.
The world-building in this book is phenomenal. The first book in a series carries the burden of introducing the world to readers and can sometimes be subject to overexplaining, but Zavi James weaves key details seamlessly into the story that I never felt bogged down with too much information.
The characters from the Gods to the researchers are intriguing and play their roles to perfection. The Elysian Gods own similar characteristics as their Greek counterparts but show a more vulnerable side to their immortality. They feel love, grief, loneliness, making them more relatable to readers.
Grayson is a delicious anti-hero; he is an alpha who goes head-to-head with his brother, the leader of the Elysian Gods, for what he believes in. He is fierce but gentle, flirtatious but caring. His dirty mouth and thoughts put mortal book boyfriends to shame.
Quentin is a beautiful soul. She is intelligent, has a quick wit, and effortlessly endears herself to anyone who crosses paths with her. It is no wonder that the reinforced walls around the broody God's heart crumble to pieces around her.
Their chemistry is just marvelously written. We feel the sexual tension in our bones even when they are at each other's throats. And the climax at which point they finally give into the inevitable -- the wait is so worth it. The dirty talk, the small spicy details, the deep connection leave a fantastic thirst that I would gladly experience over and over again.
This book does end in a cliffhanger, but if Book Two is anything like Book One, I will become immortal myself and wait forever.
** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. **
TW: violence, death, emotional abuse, and genocide.
ABOUT THE BOOK
“I don’t think getting to know me that intimately is part of the job description,” I whispered in her ear, amused by the salacious thoughts. Who’d have guessed the stiff in the lab coat would have such a dirty mind? “Let me make this clear. I would never touch a filthy mortal like you in such a way.”
Dr Quentin Scott doesn’t believe in the Gods. Forsaken at every turn of her life, she refuses to kneel before them and beg for scraps. But when she is recruited to the E.L.I project, Quen is forced to come face to face with the Gods she detests.
Grayson, God of Chaos, never wanted to be part of the project. He would happily spend his days in Upper Elysia, watching the madness he created unfold amongst the mortals, but he’s outnumbered. When he’s paired with a disrespectful nonbeliever, Gray’s temper leads his every action. And then he senses the chaos that lies beneath the pretty façade, and he vows to break her.
As Grayson and Quentin lock horns over the smallest things, something sparks between them. But a spark can become a raging inferno in the blink of an eye and the damage done may be irreparable. When secrets emerge that could shift the balance of powers in Elysia, decisions must be made and there’s no such thing as an easy choice.
The Gods have come to play, but it’s a dangerous game. Who can you trust?
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MEET ZAVI JAMES
Zavi James spends most of her time rushing around a laboratory and trying to make people believe she has her life in order. After a near death experience, she decided to flex her fingers and take a stab at writing as that had always been her childhood dream. Now, she splits her time between experiments and fictional worlds and enjoys getting people to swoon and cry over her creations.
When she’s not writing and working, Zav can be found traveling across the world in a bid to find inspiration and unleashing her chaos on social media.
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