The Deer & The Dragon

What The Vibes Are

What It’s About

The deities you call aren’t always the ones who answer. Marlow needs to believe she’s crazy. The alternative would mean embracing the gift―or curse―shared by her mother, and she can see angels and demons, including a dark and haunting entity who’s been with Marlow her entire life. At least, she believes that’s all he is until a fae from the Nordic pantheon strolls into her life and informs her that she’s been sharing a bed with the Prince of Hell. A Prince who’s now gone missing. Before she knows it, Marlow is deeply entangled in a centuries-old war, stumbling straight into a battleground between mighty beings of myth and legend from powerful pantheons around the world. And who will come out on top may just depend on her and the love she never dared to believe in.

What I thought about it

***Possible Spoilers below

The Deer And The Dragon was pushed onto me by the B&N employees (they got me, what can I say? I’m weak), and it was worth the guilt to please a stranger. 

The book followed Marlow, a twenty-six-year-old sex worker who just wanted to feel passion. Raised super Christian—to the point of abuse—she conjured an imaginary friend who protected her. His name was Caliban, and after an argument, Marlow pushed Caliban away. Even after he seduced her from the shadows… *wipes drool* After she banished him from her sight, it came to light that he was a Prince of Hell, and he’s disappeared. With the help of Silas, an angel, Fauna, a nymph, and Azrames, a demon, Marlow went on a quest to find Caliban and encountered many Gods along the way.

I adored CJ’s use of multiple theologies! While most would take them and try to blend them, Piper CJ ran with the concept that all deities coexist together, forgoing the idea that one theology is superior to the other. I relish a good mythos book! Ugh, I loved it!

Favorite Quotes

“I was Alice, twirling through the looking glass, and the world was mad.”

– Marlow, Chapter 28

Conclusion

I loved this read. It was rich in plot, lore, worldbuilding, sexual exploration/expression, and perfected with witty banter. The only disappointment I had was with the lack of spice. That’s not a huge necessity to me; I just felt that in chapter one, it started out hot and steamy, then fizzed out until the last 80 chapters. We did see some polyamorous and bisexual representation as our FMC and other characters either realized or expressed their sexuality. We love to see this. 

If you haven’t read The Deer And The Dragon, you need to run to Barnes & Noble! They’re selling copies with blue sprayed edges. Already read it? Well, what are you waiting for?! Leave a comment, silly! Can’t wait to hear from you!

♡ G&P