Shortlisted for the Storytel Awards in YA, 2025

Reader reviews:

"Gods of Rot and Ruin is the author’s debut, and what a debut it is – oh, how much I enjoyed this book! From the very first page, I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading. The cover is also incredibly tempting, which is always a plus. I found the writing to be magical and enchanting, and I was eager to keep reading throughout."

"The plot was so captivating, and all the characters were so interesting. I just wanted to read more about them. I’m so excited for the next books in the series to be released – I want more!"

"Gods of Rot and Ruin offered an enthralling read, and I highly recommend it!"

"I love the references to Norse mythology with the World Tree connecting several worlds. In many other books, traveling between worlds feels like a huge deal, but here it’s so accessible, and it’s so cool."

"Wow, just wow! Linnéa Engman has written a dark fantasy romance where outstanding characters and fantastic settings are intertwined with a thrilling plot. The characters are all well thought out, unique, and deep. The reader really gets to know the characters and their quirks on a deep level, while also leaving room for their development in future books. Engman has clearly put a lot of time and energy into every detail of the book. Magical outfits, a fascinating world, secret missions, slow burn romance, and best of all, enemies to lovers, give this book that extra something that few debuts manage to achieve."

"A strong debut about finding yourself and realising your own worth. In a world ruled by treacherous gods, it takes extra courage to defy them. Gods of Rot and Ruin is a fantasy where strong emotions mix with fast-paced action. Bonds of friendship and loyalty are tested as the reader follows Idunn, the mistress of a god. Idunn is easy to relate to, and it’s wonderful to see her character development throughout the story. Gods of Rot and Ruin surprised me, and I liked it. The heat in the book is a big plus. Engman is a promising young author, and I’m excited to read more from her!"

"An exciting and interesting concept with references to Norse mythology and the World Tree that connects several worlds. It makes it feel more accessible compared to other books where traveling between worlds is often a big deal. The darker tone throughout the book isn’t entirely my thing, but it was still incredibly exciting to read and captivating as a story! I loved seeing the family bond and how the sisters protect each other – that was lovely. Overall, I would definitely recommend it. Great world-building, an eventful plot, and well-crafted characters."