You know that feeling when you pick up a chunky fantasy novel and realize, about twenty pages in, that you aren't going to be sleeping tonight? That’s the exact experience most people have with the City of Gods and Monsters series by Kayla Edwards. It’s gritty. It’s sprawling. Honestly, it’s a bit of a commitment, but the payoff is massive. If you’ve been hanging around BookTok or bookstagram lately, you’ve probably seen the covers—dark, atmospheric, and promising exactly the kind of "hurt/comfort" tropes that keep the genre alive.
But here’s the thing. Calling it just another "romantasy" is doing it a massive disservice.
While it definitely hits those romantic beats, Edwards has built something much more complex in the city of Angelfall. It’s a place where the divide between the "slayers" and the supernatural "monsters" isn't just a plot point; it’s the entire foundation of a broken, neon-soaked society. You’ve got Loren Calla, a human girl who is essentially a ghost in her own life, and Darien Cassel, the high-misted DarkSlayer who is supposed to hunt her down but ends up being her only protection. It’s a classic setup, sure. But the execution? That’s where things get interesting.
The Angelfall Vibe: Why This Setting Works
Most urban fantasies feel like a slightly glossier version of Chicago or London. Angelfall feels different. It’s a mega-city where the geography actually matters to the plot. You have the hierarchy of the mists—a literal and metaphorical fog that separates the powerful from the prey.
In City of Gods and Monsters, the first book, we’re introduced to the concept of "Mists" and "Essence." This isn't your standard "vampires vs. werewolves" trope. Instead, Edwards leans into a more metaphysical magic system. Slayers use "Misted" abilities, which are basically sensory and physical enhancements that come at a steep psychological cost. It’s dark. It’s visceral.
The world-building isn't just dumped on you in the first chapter. Thank god for that. Instead, you learn about the functional corruption of the city through Loren’s eyes as she realizes her "Discreet" status—basically being a human who can't be tracked by supernatural means—makes her the most valuable commodity on the black market.
Darien Cassel and the Anti-Hero Evolution
Let’s talk about Darien.
If you’re tired of the "shadow daddy" trope that has no substance, Darien Cassel might actually surprise you. He’s the leader of the Seven Devils, a group of bounty hunters who are essentially the city’s most feared mercenaries. In the City of Gods and Monsters series, his character arc is less about being "saved" by a good girl and more about the slow, painful realization that the system he serves is designed to destroy him.
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His relationship with Loren is the core of the series, but it’s the internal chemistry of the Seven Devils that keeps the secondary plotlines moving. You have characters like Mallory and Kouro who provide a necessary counterbalance to Darien’s intensity.
What really sets this series apart is the length. These books are long. Like, 700+ pages long.
A lot of authors would fill that space with fluff. Edwards fills it with "micro-beats"—those small, quiet moments of character development that make the high-stakes action actually feel earned. By the time you get to the sequel, City of Souls and Sinners, the stakes have shifted from "staying alive" to "overthrowing a god-tier conspiracy."
Breaking Down the Magic System
It’s easy to get lost in the jargon of new fantasy worlds, but here’s the breakdown of how the City of Gods and Monsters series handles its power dynamics:
- The Mists: A supernatural energy source that grants Slayers their power. It’s addictive and dangerous.
- DarkSlayers: The elite. They can tap into the mist deeper than anyone else, but it risks their humanity.
- Essence: The literal soul-energy of a person. In Angelfall, you can buy, sell, or steal it.
- The Gods: Not just myths. They are active, terrifying entities that view the city as a chessboard.
Why the Pacing Divides Readers
Honestly, the pacing is a bit of a polarizing topic. Some readers find the first 200 pages of the first book a bit slow. I get it. We’re spent a lot of time in Loren’s head, feeling her fear and her isolation. However, this is a deliberate choice. You have to feel how small she is in a city of monsters for the eventual power shift to mean anything.
By the time City of Ruin and Shadows (the third book) rolls around, the scale has expanded so much that you’ll be glad you have that foundational knowledge of the city’s alleyways and backroom deals.
The "Human" Element in a World of Monsters
Loren Calla is often underestimated by readers because she doesn't start the series as a "badass." She isn't picking up a sword in chapter two and killing demons. She’s terrified. She’s outmatched. She’s a "Discreet" human in a world where humans are basically snacks.
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This makes her growth one of the most rewarding aspects of the City of Gods and Monsters series. Her strength isn't magical—at least not initially. It’s her ability to navigate the politics of the Seven Devils and her refusal to become a victim despite everyone trying to treat her like one.
The series tackles some heavy themes:
- The ethics of bounty hunting and "human" rights.
- The psychological toll of living in a constant state of "fight or flight."
- The blurred lines between a protector and a captor.
It’s gritty. Edwards doesn't shy away from the reality of what a city like Angelfall would do to a person's psyche. The "monsters" aren't always the ones with fangs; often, they’re the ones in the high-rises holding the contracts.
Comparing the Series to the Rest of the Genre
If you like Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas, you’ll find a lot to love here, but City of Gods and Monsters feels a bit more "street level." It’s less about high-fantasy fae politics and more about the urban underworld. Think John Wick meets Shadowhunters, but with a significantly higher spice level and more emotional wreckage.
The fandom often compares Darien to characters like Rhage from Black Dagger Brotherhood or Hunt Athalar, but Darien’s struggle with his "beast" feels more integrated into his daily survival. He’s not just grumpy; he’s functionally broken by the Mist.
Understanding the Release Order and Future
As of now, the series is moving toward a massive climax. Each book has grown significantly in scope.
- City of Gods and Monsters: The introduction. The hunt. The discovery of Loren’s unique status.
- City of Souls and Sinners: The expansion. We see more of the world outside Angelfall and the deeper lore of the gods.
- City of Ruin and Shadows: The escalation. This is where the political threads start to tighten, and the romance reaches its peak intensity.
The fourth book, City of Spirits and Secrets, is one of the most anticipated indie-to-traditional crossovers in the current market. Kayla Edwards has managed to bridge the gap between self-publishing success and mainstream recognition, largely because she treats the "monsters" with more nuance than just being obstacles for the protagonists.
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Real Talk: Is It Worth the Long Read?
Let's be real. If you want a quick, 300-page weekend read, this isn't it. The City of Gods and Monsters series is for the reader who wants to live in a world. It’s for the person who wants to know exactly what the street food smells like in the lower districts and how the air changes when a DarkSlayer enters the room.
The emotional stakes are high because the author takes the time to make you care about the side characters. When someone is in danger, it’s not just a plot device. You feel the weight of it because you’ve spent 1,500 pages with these people.
If you’re diving in, pay attention to the small details in the "vows" and the historical snippets at the beginning of chapters. They aren't just window dressing. Edwards is a master of the "Chekhov’s Gun"—if a legend is mentioned in book one, expect it to show up at your front door in book three.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Read
To truly appreciate what Edwards is doing with the City of Gods and Monsters series, you should go in expecting a slow-burn romance that eventually turns into an inferno. Don't rush the first half of the first book. Let the atmosphere of Angelfall sink in.
- Track the Seven Devils: Keep a mental note (or a physical one) of the members. Their individual backstories become crucial as the series progresses.
- Watch the Mists: The color and behavior of the Mist usually signal what kind of threat is coming. It’s a clever visual cue for the reader.
- Don't ignore the humans: In a world of gods and monsters, the "weak" humans often hold the keys to the kingdom.
The best way to experience this series is to treat it like a TV show with a massive budget. Visualize the neon, the rain, and the shadows. It’s a cinematic experience on paper, and while it might be a daunting "tbr" addition, it’s one that actually lives up to the hype.
Start with the first book, keep a box of tissues nearby for the emotional beats in the sequel, and prepare for a series that manages to be both a brutal action-thriller and a deeply moving character study. The world of Angelfall is waiting, and honestly, it’s one of the best iterations of urban fantasy we've seen in the last decade.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Trigger Warnings: This is a dark series. Before diving in, check the author's website for content warnings, as it handles themes of trauma and violence quite graphically.
- Follow the Indie-to-Trad Transition: If you can find the original self-published covers, they are becoming collector's items since the series was picked up for a wider traditional release.
- Join the Community: The theories surrounding the "Gods" in the title are extensive. Engaging with the Discord or Reddit threads for the series after finishing book two will enhance your appreciation for the foreshadowing you likely missed.