Plot Summary
Grief, Guilt, and Godhood
The story opens in the aftermath of tragedy: Talin, wracked with guilt and confusion over his brother's death, is comforted by Nari, who herself is struggling to reconcile her faith in Zeal with the pain and chaos around her. Zeal, the god they serve, is no longer a distant, untouchable deity but a being who feels the pain of his followers and is weakened by their lack of faith. The emotional bonds between mortals and god are raw and immediate, and the lines between love, duty, and divinity blur. The group's relationships are tested as they navigate mourning, self-doubt, and the heavy burden of being chosen to save a god who is as flawed and desperate as they are.
Temptation's Reckoning
The Temple of Temptation is in turmoil. High Priest Kinen's increasingly authoritarian rule targets women, stripping them of power and autonomy, and enforcing new bylaws that force priestesses into subservient roles. The temple's structure, once a place of faith and pleasure, is now a battleground for control, with Kinen using tradition and bureaucracy to cement his authority. The priests and priestesses begin to feel the weight of oppression, and the seeds of rebellion are sown as the group realizes that the system is fundamentally broken. The question of whether the gods are worth saving if they allow such suffering becomes central.
Bonds of Love and Power
The core group—Nari, Talin, Ela, Wraythe, and Anver—find strength and solace in each other, their love transcending traditional boundaries. Their polyamorous bond is both a source of healing and a weapon against the isolation imposed by the temple's new rules. Zeal, their god, is not just a distant figure but an intimate presence, sharing in their pain and pleasure. The group's sexual and emotional connections become acts of resistance, affirming their agency and humanity in the face of dehumanizing authority. Their love is radical, a living testament to the power of chosen family and mutual support.
Ambition's Chosen
As the crisis deepens, alliances form across temple lines. Xenia, a priestess of Ambition, is chosen by her god Will, marking the beginning of a new era of faith and cooperation. The group's efforts to save Zeal inspire other gods to reach out to their own Chosen, and the barriers between temples begin to fall. The struggle is no longer just about Temptation but about the survival of all the gods and the restoration of true faith. The emergence of new Chosen signals hope, but also raises the stakes, as the gods' fates are now tied to the courage and conviction of a handful of mortals.
Boycotts and Rebellion
The priests and priestesses, led by figures like Jola and Amerlee, organize boycotts and refuse to comply with Kinen's exploitative demands. The Path of the Body, once the temple's pride, becomes the heart of resistance, with priestesses refusing sessions that violate their consent. Protection, Action, and Obligation join in, each finding their own way to push back. The rebellion is quiet but powerful, built on solidarity and the refusal to be complicit in their own oppression. The temple grinds to a halt, and the true power of the collective is revealed.
The Price of Consent
The cost of rebellion is high. Jola, a leader of the boycotts, is poisoned in an attempt to silence her, and the threat of violence hangs over everyone. The group is forced to confront the reality that standing up for their rights may mean paying with their lives. Zeal, now more present and vulnerable than ever, intervenes to save Jola, but the limits of divine power are clear. The struggle for consent and autonomy is not just a matter of policy but of survival, and the group must decide how much they are willing to risk for freedom.
The System Unravels
Kinen's response to resistance is brutal: priests are exiled, stripped of their lace, and cast out of the only home they've ever known. The Temple of All Gods becomes a sanctuary for the faithful, offering refuge to those who refuse to bow to tyranny. The bonds of the old system—guardian and desire, priest and Path—are tested and often broken, but new connections form in their place. The group's sense of purpose is sharpened by loss, and the lines between faith, love, and duty become ever more complex.
Sanctuary and Exile
As the crisis reaches its peak, Makis, a humble priest of Obligation, is revealed as the new High Priest of All Gods. Marked by all six deities, he embodies the possibility of a new order built on service, humility, and true faith. His rise is a miracle, a sign that the gods have not abandoned their people, and that change is possible. The group finds hope in Makis's leadership, and the possibility of a future where faith is not a tool of oppression but a source of strength and community.
The High Priests Convene
The High Priests and Priestesses of all temples convene to address the crisis in Temptation. Legal arguments, political maneuvering, and divine intervention collide as they struggle to find a solution that honors both the laws of the gods and the needs of the people. The process is slow and fraught with tension, but the willingness to listen, adapt, and learn from past mistakes marks a turning point. The group's testimony is crucial, and the fate of the temple—and the gods themselves—hangs in the balance.
The Path of Becoming
The group's journey is one of becoming: becoming lovers, leaders, guardians, and, ultimately, the architects of a new faith. Each character must confront their own fears, insecurities, and desires, learning to accept themselves and each other. The process is messy and painful, but it is also beautiful, as they discover that true power lies not in domination but in vulnerability, compassion, and the willingness to change. The gods, too, are transformed, learning from their followers and becoming more human in the process.
The Last Stand
The final confrontation is explosive. Kinen, desperate to maintain his power, resorts to violence, pulling a gun on Nari during the graduation displays. The group intervenes, and in the chaos, Ciella is killed and Kinen is stripped of his lace and cast out. Zeal, now fully restored by the faith of his followers, reclaims his temple and purges the non-believers. The cost is high—lives are lost, and the scars of trauma remain—but the victory is real. The old order is broken, and the path is cleared for something new.
Faith Restored, Power Reclaimed
With Kinen gone, Amerlee is elected High Priestess of Temptation, and the temple begins the slow process of healing and rebuilding. The Paths are rebalanced, gender equality is restored, and the lessons of the past are woven into the fabric of the new order. The group's love and loyalty are recognized as central to the temple's future, and the gods themselves are more present and engaged than ever. The promise of a better world is real, but it will require vigilance, courage, and the willingness to keep fighting for what is right.
A New Order Begins
The story ends not with a single victory but with the beginning of a new era. Yamina and Maela's engagement is celebrated, symbolizing the triumph of love over tradition and the possibility of a more inclusive, compassionate society. The group's bonds are stronger than ever, and the temple is once again a place of faith, pleasure, and community. The gods, now fully restored, watch over their people with pride, and the promise of "always" is fulfilled—not as a guarantee of happiness, but as a commitment to keep loving, fighting, and becoming, together.
Always
In the aftermath, the group reflects on all they have lost and gained. The scars of the past remain, but so do the bonds of love and faith that have carried them through. The gods are no longer distant or indifferent, but partners in the ongoing work of building a better world. The story ends with a sense of hope and possibility, as the group—and the temple—embrace the promise of "always": to love, to fight, to believe, and to become, together.
Characters
Nariana (Nari)
Nari is the heart of the story—a woman marked by the gods, chosen to be the bridge between mortals and divinity. Her journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and radical love. She is both vulnerable and fierce, struggling with the weight of expectation and the trauma of abuse, yet refusing to surrender her agency. Her polyamorous relationships are a source of strength, and her willingness to fight for consent, equality, and faith makes her a revolutionary figure. Nari's development is defined by her ability to inspire others, her refusal to accept easy answers, and her commitment to building a better world, even when it means challenging the gods themselves.
Talin
Talin is Nari's primary guardian and lover, a man haunted by grief, guilt, and the legacy of a broken family. His journey is one of learning to accept vulnerability, to mourn without shame, and to find strength in love rather than violence. Talin's relationship with Nari and the group is both a source of healing and a crucible for his insecurities. He is fiercely loyal, willing to kill or die for those he loves, but must learn that true strength lies in trust and openness. His development is marked by the struggle to reconcile duty and desire, and by the realization that he is worthy of love and belonging.
Eladehl (Ela)
Ela is the group's partner and punisher, a man who embraces his darkness and uses it to protect and please those he loves. His journey is one of self-acceptance, learning to balance his sadism with compassion, and to find joy in both giving and receiving love. Ela's flamboyance and confidence mask deep insecurities, and his relationship with Wraythe, Talin, and Nari is a testament to the power of chosen family. He is both a source of comic relief and profound insight, and his willingness to be vulnerable is key to the group's survival.
Wraythe
Wraythe is the group's protector, a man whose size and strength are matched only by his tenderness and loyalty. He struggles with feelings of inadequacy and the fear of being a burden, but finds purpose in loving and being loved by his partners. Wraythe's journey is one of learning to accept his own worth, to be both strong and soft, and to find joy in the simple act of caring for others. His relationship with Ela and Nari is a model of healthy masculinity, and his willingness to sacrifice for those he loves is both his greatest strength and vulnerability.
Anver
Anver is the quiet strength of the group, a man who loves deeply but differently. As an asexual, he struggles to find his place in a world that equates love with sex, but his devotion to Nari, Zeal, and the group is unwavering. Anver's journey is one of becoming—learning to accept his own desires, to claim his role as Zeal's guardian, and to find fulfillment in connection rather than conformity. His presence is grounding, and his willingness to step up when needed is crucial to the group's success.
Zeal
Zeal is not the omnipotent, distant god of myth, but a being shaped by the faith and love of his followers. He is passionate, impulsive, and deeply human in his needs and fears. Zeal's journey is one of learning humility, accepting the limits of his power, and becoming a partner rather than a master. His relationship with Nari and the group is transformative, teaching him the value of consent, vulnerability, and shared power. Zeal's evolution mirrors that of his followers, and his willingness to learn from them is what ultimately saves both god and temple.
Amerlee
Amerlee is the group's mentor and mother figure, a woman of strength, wisdom, and compassion. Her journey is one of stepping into leadership, learning to balance care with authority, and embracing the responsibility of guiding a broken temple to healing. Amerlee's love for Nari and the group is fierce and unconditional, and her willingness to fight for justice makes her a natural leader. Her election as High Priestess is both a triumph and a challenge, as she must navigate the complexities of power without losing her humanity.
Kinen
Kinen is the antagonist, a man whose hunger for power and control leads him to betray everything the temple stands for. His journey is one of descent—once a respected leader, he becomes increasingly paranoid, violent, and isolated. Kinen's refusal to believe in the gods, his manipulation of tradition, and his willingness to harm others for his own gain make him a symbol of the dangers of unchecked authority. His downfall is both tragic and necessary, a warning of what happens when faith is replaced by fear.
Xenia
Xenia is a priestess of Ambition whose awakening to faith and love sparks a new era of cooperation between the temples. Her journey is one of self-discovery, learning to trust in the gods and in herself, and to use her ambition for the greater good. Xenia's relationship with Nari and the group is both romantic and political, and her willingness to step up as Will's Chosen is crucial to the restoration of faith across Calseth.
Makis
Makis is the unexpected hero, a priest of Obligation whose humility, service, and quiet faith make him the perfect candidate to lead all the temples. His journey is one of transformation, as he moves from the margins to the center of power, guided by the gods and his own sense of duty. Makis's leadership is marked by compassion, fairness, and a willingness to listen, and his rise is a testament to the power of service over ambition.
Plot Devices
Polyamory as Resistance
The group's polyamorous relationships are not just personal but political, a direct challenge to the temple's attempts to control bodies and desires. Their love is a form of resistance, a way to reclaim agency and build solidarity in the face of oppression. The intimacy between mortals and god blurs the lines between sacred and profane, making pleasure and faith inseparable.
Consent and Autonomy
Consent is the central battleground, with Kinen's bylaws seeking to strip priestesses of their right to refuse. The group's insistence on autonomy—sexual, emotional, and spiritual—is both a personal and collective struggle. The price of consent is high, and the story does not shy away from the violence and trauma that come with resisting power.
Faith as Power
The gods in this world are not all-powerful; their strength is directly tied to the faith of their followers. As belief wanes, so does their power, making the restoration of faith a matter of survival for both gods and mortals. The story uses this device to explore the reciprocal nature of faith, the dangers of blind obedience, and the possibility of transformation through mutual trust.
Political Intrigue and Legal Maneuvering
The struggle for control of the temple is fought as much in council chambers and legal documents as on the battlefield. The story uses the slow, frustrating process of legal reform to highlight the challenges of real change, the importance of solidarity, and the dangers of complacency. The eventual rise of Makis as High Priest of All Gods is both a miracle and the result of careful, collective action.
Miracles and Divine Intervention
Miracles are not cheap or easy; they come at a cost, and the gods themselves are limited by the faith and actions of their followers. Divine intervention is always tied to human agency, and the story refuses to let the gods off the hook for their own failures. The process of becoming—both for mortals and gods—is ongoing, painful, and necessary.
Foreshadowing and Cyclical Structure
The story is structured around cycles of oppression and resistance, with the past serving as both a warning and a guide. The characters are haunted by the failures of previous generations, but their willingness to learn, adapt, and love makes real change possible. The promise of "always" is both a hope and a challenge, a reminder that the work of building a better world is never done.
Analysis
Auryn Hadley's The Gods We Obey is a sweeping, emotionally charged exploration of faith, power, and the radical potential of love. At its core, the novel is a meditation on the dangers of unchecked authority and the necessity of consent, both personal and collective. By centering a polyamorous, queer, and deeply human cast, Hadley challenges traditional narratives of heroism and divinity, offering instead a vision of community built on vulnerability, mutual support, and the willingness to change. The gods in this world are not distant or perfect, but flawed beings who need their followers as much as they are needed. The story's focus on the slow, often painful work of legal and cultural reform is both realistic and hopeful, refusing easy answers in favor of hard-won progress. In a modern context, the book resonates as a call to resist systems of oppression, to value consent and autonomy, and to believe in the possibility of transformation—both for individuals and for the world. The lesson is clear: faith, love, and justice are not gifts from above, but the result of collective struggle, courage, and the promise to "always" keep becoming, together.
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