The Deer and the Dragon

No Other Gods, Book 1

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The Deer and the Dragon

By: Piper CJ

Narrated by: Luna Rey

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About this listen

Hazbin Hotel meets Crescent City in this new fantasy romance series from USA Today bestseller Piper CJ.

"How does a human girl lose the Prince of Hell?"

Marlow needs to believe she's crazy. The alternative would mean embracing the gift—or curse—shared by her mother and grandmother: 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.

Contains mature themes.

Fantasy

Royalty

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Sure! Here’s Welcome, dear readers, to the whimsical world of *The Deer and the Dragon*, where your imaginary boyfriend is hotter than your real-life dates, your mental health issues are only slightly less chaotic than a three-ring circus, and ancient mythological beings drop by for tea like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

#### **Plot: The Real vs. the Really Real?**

Meet Marlow, a woman who’s got it all: a booming writing career, a luxury apartment with views that make Instagram jealous, and... oh yeah, a phantom lover named Caliban who may or may not be a figment of her overactive imagination. Forget about bad Tinder dates—Marlow's stuck with a guy who doesn’t even exist outside of her mind. And honestly, he’s setting some unrealistically high standards. (Note to self: stop trying to summon fictional characters into reality.)

The plot kicks off with Marlow’s struggle to juggle her real life, which is already complicated enough with past jobs that required NDA levels of discretion, and her nightly rendezvous with Caliban, who might be a demon, a guardian, or just her imagination having a good time. Meanwhile, ancient gods, spirits, and other supernatural beings pop in to remind her that her life is anything but ordinary. Spoiler: If you’re hoping for an easy explanation of what’s real and what’s not, you’re in for a ride that’s wilder than a drunk centaur at a toga party.

#### **Characters: The Supernatural Soap Opera**

Marlow: Our protagonist is like that friend who constantly texts you about her crazy dreams, except in Marlow’s case, the dream boyfriend actually shows up and makes everything super awkward. She’s relatable in her struggle to find love, balance her sanity, and deal with the annoying reality that men in real life chew with their mouths open. Marlow’s journey is a mix of self-discovery and, let’s face it, wondering why her imaginary lover is more considerate than the guy who just ghosted her after two dates.

Caliban: Imagine Loki, Hades, and Mr. Darcy had a love child who grew up in the shadows and only showed up when you’re about to sleep. That’s Caliban. He’s mysterious, alluring, and comes with a side of existential crisis. Perfect boyfriend material, if only he wasn’t, you know, maybe a hallucination.

Fauna: The kind of friend who’d be great on a camping trip because she’s literally one with nature. Fauna is the embodiment of “can’t sit still” energy, always ready to drag Marlow out of her comfort zone, whether it’s to an enchanted forest or just to remind her that taking life advice from a figment of your imagination might not be the best idea.

Az: Think of him as the supernatural bad boy with a heart of... well, we’re not sure. Coal? Lava? Something hot and dangerous. He’s got the whole “brooding guy with horns” vibe down pat, and honestly, it’s no wonder Marlow’s reality is a bit skewed when her fantasy life includes guys like Az.

#### **Themes: Reality Is Overrated**

This book is basically what happens when you mix a self-help book about mental health with a fantasy epic, throw in a dash of romance, and stir until it’s slightly confusing but also strangely compelling. *The Deer and the Dragon* explores the blurred lines between reality and fantasy, but more importantly, it makes you wonder: if your imaginary boyfriend is this cool, should you even bother with real people?

The novel also touches on the glamorous yet terrifying life of someone who’s super successful but also super lonely. It’s like watching a character from *Sex and the City* get dropped into *Game of Thrones* with a splash of *The Twilight Zone*.

#### **Writing Style: Lyrical With a Side of “Wait, What?”**

Piper CJ’s writing is like a beautifully decorated cake with a few layers of confusion thrown in for good measure. The prose is elegant, the dialogue sharp, and the pacing is just fast enough to keep you flipping pages while occasionally pausing to say, “Did that really just happen?”

The book’s got more twists than a bag of pretzels, and while you might not always be sure what’s going on, you’ll definitely be entertained. The author’s use of vivid imagery will make you feel like you’re right there in Marlow’s world—whether it’s the real one or the imaginary one is up for debate.

#### **Final Thoughts: Where’s My Imaginary Boyfriend?**

*The Deer and the Dragon* is a delightful romp through the mind of a woman whose life is anything but boring. If you’ve ever wished your imaginary friends were real, or at least as hot as Caliban, this book is for you. It’s got everything: romance, fantasy, mythology, and the kind of existential dilemmas that make you question why you ever settled for normalcy.

Just remember, after reading this, your standards for reality might be a bit skewed. But hey, who needs reality when your imagination is this wild?

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I hope this humorous review brings a smile to your face!

Imaginary Boyfriends, Mythical Mayhem, and Why Real Life is Overrated: A Hilarious Dive into The Deer and the Dragon!