Priestess

Gods of Tintar, Book 1

By: Kara Reynolds

Narrated by: Olivia Thompson

Edie Finch was living a content life working in the city-state of Eccleston, ten winters estranged from her husband.

When the savage land of Tintar invades, she and other women, taking refuge in a chapel, pretend to be sacred priestesses to avoid their certain deaths, fooling an elite group of Tintarian warriors into taking them captive.

This is a standalone fantasy with romance and self-discovery about a thirty-eight-year-old working-class woman who is not a chosen one, princess, or warrior. She, using grace and wit, will navigate an invasion and abduction by an enemy army, be dragged halfway across her continent, form a circle of strength with her fellow captives, learn she has a practical sort of magic, be made to marry one of her captors, and uncover ancient mysteries that will save her world.

©2024 Kara Reynolds (P)2025 Podium Audio

Tissue box needed!

I enjoyed this so much. I cried, I laughed and I giggled this was so good. Sometimes our eyes can only see a narrow path but in reality there are other ways that would take us to the same outcome. I loved the book, thank you I needed a good cry. The last few chapters were … well tissue box worthy.

Such a delightful story

Love how full and complex this world and characters are. This was one of my favorite books from last year so it was wonderful to get to listen to the audiobook.

Wonderfully written and excellent performance

My new favorite book! This is absolutely worth listening to and a beautiful love story. Though fantasy, the main characters felt so relatable and real. The simplicity of the story ends up being a strength. It’s not a book I would read again, but will stay with me. And excellent performance from the narrator!

Exceptional writing combined with Phenomenal Narration

This book was a breath of fresh air. I feel like so many books are saturating the market right now and following a similar formula and writing style and I'm not completely against it because it's a genre I love and filled with my favorite tropes so it's like eating ice cream every day. But Priestess offers us a new level decadence it's rich in prose and gives you that feeling of the classics. I highly recommend the audiobook as Olivia Thompson gives an absolute stunning performance. She had me entranced to the point that I was up multiple nights until 3 or 4 in the morning because I just couldn't find a place to stop listening.
I'm not sure if it's my own religious background that draws me to books based on religious trauma but definitely felt connected to Edie. I loved that she was an older FMC and that she was flawed and also so self aware. I love how much womanhood is explored though the many female character experiences written into the story and various female friendships and also how important those are in our lives. The found family aspect of this book is truly a beautiful story within itself.
In terms of romance this was a solid slow burn. One of my favorite things is when the MMC is basically completely closed off and broody to everyone but the FMC and that is exactly what we have here. I loved his directness now he wasn't going to play games he just lived his life loved his woman. If I'm honest though the one character that stole my heart was Thatcher and I cannot wait to read Illuminator so I can be reunited with him Helena.

The story is beautiful and the audio perfection.

Words can’t express how beautiful I thought this story. I cried so many times while reading it, and I feel like it read like the classics we studied in high school and college. This book scratched an itch that I didn’t even know I needed scratched. It feels so fresh but also so familiar.

A beautiful story of sisterhood and being a woman. Of found family and survival. Kara’s writing is so beautiful. I’ve highlighted so many passages that I know will stay with me. What an Incredibly moving piece if literature.

The audio was incredible. Olivia Thompson was the perfect narrator for Edie’s story. Excellent production and sound quality.