Jenn's Reviews > The Gods Below

The Gods Below is the first book in a new epic fantasy trilogy by Andrea Stewart. It has multiple narrators, complex characters, and incredible world-building. I mean, absolutely-incredible-5-stars-world-building. I especially enjoyed seeing how these characters slowly begin to unravel their world's secrets and start to question what they've been taught.

We follow 4 different POVs in The Gods Below. These characters are flawed, each of them struggling with something different. While I did like that the characters felt real, they were also incredibly frustrating. I was still rooting for them, but I hope the next 2 books reflect more character growth.

One of the POVs we follow is Hakara, who is separated from her sister and spends the next 10 years trying to find a way back to her. The world, destroyed by humans, has a failing climate that cannot support the remaining survivors. It is said that in an effort to fix this, a human called Tolemne ventured underground to ask a boon from the god, Kluehnn. Kluehnn shattered the world and began to restore the climate in sections. Part of the agreement was that half of humanity would be altered, and the other half consumed. The unaltered sections pay a tithe to Kluehnn in the form of god gems while awaiting their turn at restoration.

This is a very solid start to a trilogy, and I'm really looking forward to seeing where Stewart takes the story. 4.5 stars. There are also cute cats. And a grumpy tough guy who loves them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.