Flame and Sparrow Duology Series by S.M. Gaither

On the eve of her twentieth birthday, Karys woke to the sight of a divine creature dying outside her home.Two weeks later, her sister disappeared, leaving nothing but a trail of blood in her wake.Convinced the gods were responsible for the disappearance, Karys has spent the past five years plotting her revenge with the help of a cutthroat band of likeminded elven rebels... moreOn the eve of her twentieth birthday, Karys woke to the sight of a divine creature dying outside her home.Two weeks later, her sister disappeared, leaving nothing but a trail of blood in her wake.Convinced the gods were responsible for the disappearance, Karys has spent the past five years plotting her revenge with the help of a cutthroat band of likeminded elven rebels. So when Dravyn—one of her world’s most powerful deities—descends upon her kingdom in search of humans worthy of serving him, Karys knows what she must do. Earning a place at the god’s side will allow her to find out what truly happened to her sister…and then destroy the gods from the inside out for what they did.Thrown into the dazzling but deadly world of the divine courts, she must navigate complicated politics, strange magic, and dangerous trials to prove herself worthy of standing among the gods.Among the most dangerous of these trials is Dravyn himself.Karys knows better than to trust the enigmatic God of Fire. The flames of passion that stir between them are only divine trickery. And yet, the more she learns about him, the hotter the forbidden sparks burn. The more she begins to question all she thought she knew about the world of gods and mortals and everything in-between.And the more she risks betraying her own secrets, which may be the most dangerous thing of all.This is a romantic epic fantasy with some adult language and spicy content. Though it’s set in the same universe as the Shadows and Crowns series—in the distant past—it can be read and completely enjoyed without reading any previous books in this world. Book two will end with a HEA, but beware the cliffhanger at the end of this first book! less

From the Ashes, a Goddess Must Rise… After proving herself through a series of harrowing trials, Karys has found a home among the gods, alongside the Marr of Fire. Her new divine family and magic have allowed her to ascend from the rebellious, dangerous life she once led. Yet the ghosts of past mistakes and betrayals linger. Her once sworn enemy, Dravyn, understands the pain of lingering ghosts better than most... moreFrom the Ashes, a Goddess Must Rise… After proving herself through a series of harrowing trials, Karys has found a home among the gods, alongside the Marr of Fire. Her new divine family and magic have allowed her to ascend from the rebellious, dangerous life she once led. Yet the ghosts of past mistakes and betrayals linger. Her once sworn enemy, Dravyn, understands the pain of lingering ghosts better than most. Haunted by the memories of the family he lost—and by the lives he took in retribution—the God of Fire now has one plan: Protecting the ones he has left at whatever the cost. But the shadow of war is spreading across the realms. A war that will force both Karys and Dravyn to confront past demons. And when those demons collide, the resulting fires might burn everything to ash… Forcing something new to rise if they want any hope of a future. less