The Woken Gods

Title:  The Woken Gods
Author:  Gwenda Bond
Genre:  Sci Fi & Fantasy
Publisher:  Angry Robot
Publish Date:  September 3, 2013
Pages:  Kindle edition:  384 pages
ISBN:  9781908844262
Obtained:  Review copy from Netgallery
Synopsis: *obtained from Netgallery*
Five years ago, the gods of ancient mythology awoke around the world.

This morning, Kyra Locke is late for school.

Seventeen-year-old Kyra lives in a transformed Washington, D.C., home to the embassies of divine pantheons and the mysterious Society of the Sun. But when rebellious Kyra encounters two trickster gods on her way back from school, one offering a threat and the other a warning, it turns out her life isn’t what it seems. She escapes with the aid of Osborne “Oz” Spencer, an intriguing Society field operative, only to discover that her scholar father has disappeared with a dangerous relic. The Society needs it, and they don’t care that she knows nothing about her father’s secrets.

Now Kyra must depend on her wits and the suspect help of scary gods, her estranged oracle mother, and, of course, Oz–whose first allegiance is to the Society. She has no choice if she’s going to recover the missing relic and save her father. And if she doesn’t? Well, that may just mean the end of the world as she knows it.

From the author of Blackwood comes a fresh, thrilling urban fantasy that will appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman, Cassandra Clare, and Rick Riordan.


If there is one thing I am a sucker for its mythology. Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Celtic. I’m just a mythology nut so when a book comes along that involves mythology in a modern setting and has a ton of world building I’m pretty happy. This is that kind of book.

This book is set in a world where the gods of all the pantheons have been woken and exist in modern times. In such a world there are obviously big changes which the author does describe. Changes such as the lack of cars in some areas because of the deities are an interesting and thoughtful touch too.

For the plot, the main character Kyra is not having the easiest time.  Her father stole something from society he works with. This society patrols and tries to control the gods as best they can with relics. It’s ongoing battle and Kyra has no idea why her father would do this. So with her friends and a couple of younger society members, Kyra start in on a search for answers. But the answers are not pleasant.

Plainly I enjoyed the book. My only real complaint is while Kyra and her mother are interesting characters everyone else could use a bit more character development. Something that can be addressed in future books if there are to be more I’m sure. And I certainly hope for future books.

A good read with loads of further potential.

RATING: 8 out of 10