Jessica Balazovich’s Gods Above and Below opens with the ache of routine — a small-town rhythm that feels both comforting and suffocating. For Rian Eberna, every day blends into the next. Her friends are predictable, her relationship uninspired, and her future feels as fixed as the quiet streets she’s always known. But beneath that stillness, something ancient and dangerous stirs — and when it surfaces, it will change everything she believes about herself and her world.
From the very first chapter, Balazovich demonstrates an instinct for pacing and tone. The early pages capture the slow burn of adolescence — the restlessness of waiting for something more — before twisting suddenly into the realm of dark fantasy. The arrival of Gabe, the new boy who seems too confident, too magnetic, and just a little too impossible, cracks open the monotony of Rian’s life. Through him, and through the whispers of the Ascendant Fae and the rips in the earth where demons stir, Balazovich introduces a mythology that feels both fresh and strangely familiar — otherworldly beings walking among the ordinary, saving and deceiving in equal measure.
As the story unfolds, Rian’s journey becomes as much internal as external. When the demons return for the first time in nearly two decades, the chaos that follows forces her to confront who she is beyond fear or expectation. Balazovich’s strength lies in this balance — pairing cinematic battle sequences with moments of deeply personal introspection. Rian is not the chosen one in shining armor; she’s a girl learning what bravery truly means. Her courage emerges not from destiny but from choice, and that distinction gives her story emotional authenticity.
The author’s background in literature and storytelling is evident in her command of voice and rhythm. Her prose moves smoothly between the grounded realism of small-town life and the shimmering uncertainty of the supernatural. The sensory detail — the smell of rain before a storm, the hum of streetlights in the dark, the flicker of firelight when the rips open — brings every scene vividly to life. Balazovich’s world feels tangible, layered with its own history, rituals, and consequences. Even her secondary characters — particularly Catherine, Lucy, and Gabe — carry distinct voices and motivations, adding texture to the larger tapestry.
At its heart, Gods Above and Below is about transformation: the kind that comes not from magic, but from self-realization. Rian’s evolution mirrors the universal experience of growing up — discovering that independence can be both liberating and terrifying. The book’s core message is as empowering as it is timeless: to never accept control from anyone or anything that tries to define you. It’s a lesson wrapped in danger, love, and myth — a call for agency in a world filled with unseen powers.
Balazovich also deserves credit for tackling complex emotional terrain with nuance. The romantic tension between Rian and Gabe never overshadows her growth; instead, it deepens it. Their chemistry feels earned, rooted in curiosity and challenge rather than cliché. Likewise, Catherine and Lucy’s fearlessness brings balance — reminders that strength comes in many forms, from defiance to compassion.
By the time the sirens wail and the sky fractures, readers will find themselves wholly immersed in Rian’s fight — not only against the demons that tear through her world, but against the doubts that have held her back for so long. It’s a rare debut that manages to weave emotional realism and supernatural spectacle this seamlessly.
Gods Above and Below marks the beginning of The Ascendant Fae series, and it’s clear that Balazovich has only begun to explore her world’s potential. With sharp prose, compelling characters, and an undercurrent of quiet defiance, this novel stands as both a thrilling fantasy and an inspiring portrait of self-discovery.
Verdict:
Balazovich delivers a bold, heartfelt debut filled with magic, tension, and the triumph of finding one’s voice. Readers who loved Throne of Glass, The Mortal Instruments, or The Cruel Prince will find the same pulse of danger and romance here — but with a sincerity all its own.
Rating: ★★★★½☆ (4.5 / 5)
We love to read and explore a wide range of genres, including contemporary and historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, nonfiction, and memoirs. If you’d like us to review your book, feel free to reach out—we’d be happy to hear from you!