Divine Blessings by K.R Thomson is a wonderful teen exploration of magic, love and emotions with cosy aspects like a witty talking hat, pastries, comedy and adventures that all age ranges would love. 

Thomson used beautifully simple methods of capturing the stories and themes within the book. I do think that because of this it should be marketed as teen and not lower YA, as it is much more fitting to this range.

This is a book I would have needed when 12 year old me was coming to terms with my sexuality. From a YA perspective, the romance and connection felt quite flat. For a younger audience, it would be perfect - subtle, clear and sweet (bittersweet at times).

A lot of the world-building was told to us, rather than us learning through experiences, descriptions and engaging methods. The same goes for the magic system. I also have to note in terms of the magic system and the deities how we were told a huge chunk of information at once and then expected to remember it. This felt a little hard to follow along and created a disconnect. Despite that, the magic system and the concepts of the gods was fun and unique with a secret society, deception and a range of abilities and concepts.

Nsiria and Elara both had intriguing character arcs with well-written development. They were complex in their own ways, so different yet the perfect balance for each other. I do feel as though we got a lot of description about Elara’s physical appearance, such as her beautiful her and how she braids it as well as repeated mention of her dresses, but we got little of this about Nsiria. I understand this showcases the differences between them, but it made it hard to connect to the core of Elara in contrast to the mental and emotional insights we got into Nsiria.

Overall, Divine Blessings was a warm and adventurous read with a strong focus on emotional storytelling. Thomson tells an engaging tale of deities, feelings, overcoming the past and finding the good and the hope when it seems impossible.

'Divine Blessings' is a nice ya fantasy, easily enjoyable for adults.

What had me really invested in the story was the world and the plot. The deities as magical elements were really interesting. Half of the worldbuilding was given nicely, the other half was delivered in a basic way (a teacher). But, once you've been given all the information, you can kind of see where the story is going, making you even more interested. I rather liked the setting of the library ; the descriptions really made it feel real, like the only peaceful place in a bustling city.
Concerning the characters : I didn't feel attached to any of them. I thought there were nice, and acted "correctly" for their age, but nothing more.
About the end : I predicted a couple of plot twists, but a couple others took me by surprise.

In summary, it is a good book, perfect for a summer read.

A rather good debut novel!
I would say it's a YA fantasy read.
Good world building, cute romance aspect, great FMC's.
Really enjoyed!

An intriguing magical world meets adorable queer romance!
I really enjoyed reading this, and while it took me a second to get used to the systems of the world, I eventually got used to the world and understood it more.
My biggest qualm is I didn't really enjoy the writing style a lot. It wasn't bad per se, but there were some sections that were kind of hard to follow and that seemed a little stiff.

If you're looking for a strong hit of nostalgia, id really recommend picking up this book.
It is a gripping story, i found the different gods and the blessings they bestow unique / interesting. The characters are very lovable and quirky - Elara and Nisira are the sweetest but i will say that the side characters do not disappoint either. Plot wise, i think it is a really strong idea and will be keeping my eye out for book 2!

I really enjoyed this book, although the fact that it took so long for what I will say is the main conflict of the novel to be resolved was somewhat disheartening. I knew that since it was a YA book, there would be a pretty happy ending though so that was what kept me going. I think that Nsiria and Elara, our two MCs have had some good growth over the course of this book and definitely have some ways to go. While I felt like the story dragged in a couple of places and I was very confused after a certain chapter (10), it cleared up a couple of chapters later. Overall, it was a good time and I enjoyed the book and cannot wait for the next one.

One of the things that I did not like but also made it more realistic was the foreshadowing and Nsiria’s realizations about things way after the reader realizes them. There is/should be a learning curve with any new ability and so while I would have liked for her to realize the mayor’s identity or potential blessing sooner, it also would have completely changed the plot for her to have that knowledge any sooner than she did. It is much more realistic this way which is why even if it was a little irksome waiting for her to figure it out, I did actually like that element of the story the more that I think about it.

I will be posting a review on Goodreads in the next couple of days.

I expected big things from this but honestly this read was kind of lacking.

Nsiria is a homeless girl in the middle of a big city who gets powers bestowed upon her by a powerful deity. When something happens to her best friend/love interest she falls into despair and gets swept up by a different, vengeful deity. Chaos ensues.

The writing style was not my favourite, it was very clunky? I dunno it just didn’t flow very well. The dialogue seemed a bit off - quite detached and awkward. It kind of read a bit like a kids book to be honest.

I did like the idea of the characters and the story in itself was good but the writing wasn’t really pulling me in.
I also enjoyed the way the magic system was set up and the deities themselves, as well as the sapphic representation -more books need this!

Thank you Relaxed Scribe LLC and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC early.

This story truly hooked me from the start. The characters were so engaging, and the way the plot developed kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down!

Title: Divine blessings
Author: K. R. Thompson
Genre: Sci-fi, Fantasy, Teens, YA, LGBTQ+
Release Date: 27 of May of 2025
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Thank you to Relaxed Scribe LLC and NetGalley for the ARC.
Debut author K. R. Thompson delivers a powerful fantasy full of forbidden love, divine intervention, and the cost of vengeance in this new up and coming fantasy sci-fi book.
When noble-born Nsiria is exiled for a forbidden kiss, she finds unexpected solace with Elara in a sanctuary for the city’s outcasts. But as Nsiria gains magical powers from a god of wisdom, love, grief, and fury collide—threatening to unravel her destiny and shake the divine realm itself.
Divine blessings by K. R Thompson was a very unique book. From its articulate and clean writing helping us understand the world to its special and distinctive plot that grasped your attention right away. I loved how the author was able to cooperate themes of LGBTQ without straying too far from the main plot. This book gave a perfect introduction to what im sure would be an amazing start to a fantasy, sci-fi series.
Although this book was unique and alluring i did feel it fall short for me as i noticed myself getting a bit bored in some parts of the book. In addition, i wish that we got to see more of some characters and seen them develop throughout the book.
In conclusion, I truly believe this is for fans of fantasy who want a fresh look into a new world. With strong LGBTQ+ representation, a compelling main character, and rich worldbuilding, Divine Blessings brings something meaningful and magical to the genre. Will definitely keep an eye out for the next book in the series!

I absolutely loved this book “Divine Blessings” by K.R Thompson.
I adored the relationship between Nsiara and Elara, both friendship and more..
Adored the shift within their newfound abilities, fantastic fantasy book!
A complete page turner.
Can’t wait for more from this author.
5 🌟
- Anna J Grant

Just finished my ARC of Devine Blessings by K.R. Thompson, courtesy of NetGalley, and wow—what a gem of a middle grade read!

This story shines with heartfelt LGBTQ+ representation and an unexpected twist that had me flipping back pages like wait, what just happened?! The magic system took me a little while to settle into, but once the pieces fell into place, it all clicked beautifully. The world is rich, the characters are lovable, and the mystery at its core totally caught me off guard—in the best way.

If you're into magical adventures with emotional depth and queer joy, definitely keep an eye out for this one!

‧₊˚✧2.5 ✧˚₊‧
Somehow, I had high expectations for this book, and, sadly, they weren't met. But before I jump into that, I'll give you a short description of the story itself.

Nsiria gets thrown in a hard life away from her home after a forbidden kiss. There, she finds the alluring and upbeat Elara, who she befriends and starts living together with. The story picks up when Nsiria gets blessed, but the blessing gets quickly overshadowed by despair.

What did I like? Because it wasn't all bad ofcourse.
- I love the the unique names that get used in this book.
- Some characters, like Neymar, did grab my attention.
- The deities are original and refreshing.
- I definitely didn't see the villain coming, not going to lie.
- I do love how Nsiria in the beginning just wants to learn how to read and write.

What caused my rating to be what it is now?
- You kinda get thrown into the story, and this made me a little confused. I needed a bit more guidance in the beginning, as there were a lot of terms that didn't totally and immediately made sense and weren't really explained soon enough. I guess this also a personal preference, though.
- The fact that Nsiria was told to keep a secret, but decided to immediately yap to Elara.
- We, the readers, don’t have photographic memories, so a little guide with the gods would be welcome.
- I really wanted to love this story more, but I just couldn't get into it. I can't put my finger on what irks me exactly, but it made reading this harder for me.
- The deaths don’t feel impactful as a result of not being able to get into it, but I also feel like the author moved over the deaths quite quickly. So that made it that I didn't really feel deep feelings of loss when a character died.

All in all I do think this story has a lot of potential. It might have been the wrong book at the wrong time for me personally, but that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable at all. I hope this book will find the readers that do get hooked on the story and the characters.

Of course I cannot forget to thank Netgalley, Relaxed Scribe LLC and K. R. Thompson for the ARC of this book. Even though I might not have enjoyed the book as intended, I am curious for the next part, as that might grip me more in the future.

As requested, I will also say that this review will be posted on Goodreads as well as StoryGraph, you can find the links with this review. I will also make a post on TikTok at the end of April, where I will highlight all the ARCs I have read that month and the rating I gave them. I will link my TikTok account as well.

Divine Blessings- K.R Thompson. (ARC)

Received this as a digital ARC, and it has been life changing.

Forbidden love. Divine powers. A vengeance that could tear the world apart. Nsiria had always felt different, wishing she could learn to read instead of becoming her father’s perfect little noblewoman. After a forbidden kiss, Nsiria finds herself alone exiled by her father to a foreign city.

Main characters: Nsiria, a brown eyed 16-year-old girl, who is TALL! (I absolutely hate the annoying short MFC archetype, so thanks so much for making a tall girl Thompson!

Elara, Nsiria’s friend. She's bright and warm hearted, but she stills mourns the loss of her mother. It’s just her and Nsiria, two best friends, but how she feels could ruin their friendship.

Setting: This enthralling tale begins in a huge and beautiful library, where Nsiria is locating a mysterious book, and she scandalously avoids checking it out, just tosses it out the bathroom window to Elara! Shame.

We are then taken to Nsiria’s home- a tent, with a ten-by-ten feet perimeter, which is ‘quite the upgrade from their old one’, according to my tall girl bestie.

Nsiria returns to the library, just to get away, but she is told, by Pallasia, that she is going to become a scholar, and to return to the library at eight chimes. When she returns to the tent, Elara is shocked by her friend becoming employed, she is also struck by surprise when she finds that Nsiria’s book is worth five silvers.

Conclusion~

A stunning LGBTQIA+ Ya fantasy with a romantic sublot, Divine Blessings by K R Thompson is truly a divine blessing!

~Really well paced.

~Smart plot.

~Flawless description.

~Likeable characters.

~Unforeseeable plot twists that left me reeling.

Quotes~~

“I’m sure in life, this was the bookiest book that ever did book.”

“You’d like her, Ma. She's really smart and so sweet. Normally she is pretty quiet and reserved, but there are these moments when she gets passionate about something and her dark brown eyes light up and she starts talking a mile a minute. I love it when she does that. Sometimes she laughs at my jokes too.”

“Mythical skin.”

Amazing storyline and writing. I was captivated by the main characters and how everything was unfolding

I absolutely loved this story.....so many feelings and a rollercoaster of emotions, I cannot wait to read more in the series, Nsiria and Elara relationship was wonderful and it was lovely to see it grow and develop. The storyline had me hooked and the twists in the story are unexpected.

This was an amazing read! I loved the worldbuilding and the magic. I was completely invested the whole time! The characters felt so relatable and I really enjoyed reading about them.

5 star read!
Loved everything about this book, the plot & the characters. Would love to read more from this author in the future

First thank you to K.R. Thompson and the team for the acr book.
I absolutely loved this book and the way the story has so many twists and turns. I love the way Nsiria and Elara have connected over their traumas and learn to live with each other. The magic and divine world that has been created pulls ypu in wanting to know more and how everything works. I can't wait for the next adventure for Nsiria and Elara.

Divine Blessings by K.R. Tompson is a great story! I loved everything about this book. I rated it 5 stars because I couldn't put it down for a second.

Divine Blessings by K.R. Thompson is an exhilarating read that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story is a true page-turner, with a plot that unfolds at a fast pace and keeps you on the edge of your seat. What really stood out to me were the characters, particularly Nsiria and Elara. Their personalities and experiences felt so relatable, and I found myself easily connecting with them throughout the story.

However, the ending felt a bit rushed, which left me with mixed feelings. After such a compelling buildup, the conclusion seemed to drop off suddenly, leaving some loose ends that could have been better tied together.

I would definitely recommend Divine Blessings to readers who enjoy thrilling, character-driven stories. It's a fast-paced read with a lot of heart.