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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
I seem to be in the minority here, judging by the reviews on goodreads and the gushing on facebook, but I merely liked it. It was well written and, as far as I can tell, very well researched. I liked the characters, including the supporting ones, so why only 3 stars? Well, I never felt the relationship was balanced. Eryx was just too perfect and Axios was, well, not. In everything that the two did, Axios was always second best to Eryx. It felt like the relationship between a dog and his master, or, given the context, a slave loving his benevolent master. If only Axios had beaten Eryx once, while wrestling, or when pushing Eryx in the water first, anything to balance out the relationship but this never happened.
It also bothered me that Eryx tried so hard to overcome the spectre of his father's cowardice because that was what Spartans hated most. Then when he fled the battlefield (yes, to save Axios) he was promoted, so much for hating cowards (and yes, I realise he fought very bravely before that, but still. So, all in all an enjoyable read but in my opinion nothing 'epic'.
It also bothered me that Eryx tried so hard to overcome the spectre of his father's cowardice because that was what Spartans hated most. Then when he fled the battlefield (yes, to save Axios) he was promoted, so much for hating cowards (and yes, I realise he fought very bravely before that, but still. So, all in all an enjoyable read but in my opinion nothing 'epic'.
BOOK HANGOVER !!!!!
It is very rare that an author can establish such a profound/genuine relationship between two main characters. Rarer for M/M romance. If I ever had any doubt that True Love existed, all gone.
It does exist. Axios and Eryx were two bodies - one soul. They were one the most realest characters I have read over the years. The love they had even God bow down. I know. I know. I sound a little dramatic, but when you read it you will realize how true that sentence is. I cried, a feel good for these two.
If a books ever leaves you feeling it's essence even after weeks, then you have not read a book, but have lived an entire lifetime of that story. I don't even have words to describe their love, strength, dedication, innocence and souls.
This book is golden. Yeah- Nothing gold ever stays, but mark my words, when you read this, it will always stay gold. Thank you to Jaclyn Osborn, for giving us Axios and Eryx, my world would have been incomplete without em, like they were without each other.
It is very rare that an author can establish such a profound/genuine relationship between two main characters. Rarer for M/M romance. If I ever had any doubt that True Love existed, all gone.
It does exist. Axios and Eryx were two bodies - one soul. They were one the most realest characters I have read over the years. The love they had even God bow down. I know. I know. I sound a little dramatic, but when you read it you will realize how true that sentence is. I cried, a feel good for these two.
If a books ever leaves you feeling it's essence even after weeks, then you have not read a book, but have lived an entire lifetime of that story. I don't even have words to describe their love, strength, dedication, innocence and souls.
This book is golden. Yeah- Nothing gold ever stays, but mark my words, when you read this, it will always stay gold. Thank you to Jaclyn Osborn, for giving us Axios and Eryx, my world would have been incomplete without em, like they were without each other.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
I knew I was going to cry from the beginning. It's a spicier/more free version of Song of Achilles.
2.5 Stars
I really wanted to like [b:Axios: A Spartan Tale|40880948|Axios A Spartan Tale|Jaclyn Osborn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532082311l/40880948._SX50_.jpg|57192633] more than I did. It had so much potential; a great setting, interesting time period, swoon worthy MCs, and even a great audio narrator. However, despite its strengths I found myself struggling to stay interested as the novel went on. It was a touch on the long side, and spanned a long period of time, which in itself was fine, but all of the historical references and explanations really weighed down the pacing. I can certainly appreciate the author's dedication to historical accuracy, and would have liked a few tidbits here and there, but I felt it was just too much. The info was often very dry and not really all that necessary to move the plot along. Even the battle scenes, which are full of action by definition, felt more like a textbook explanation than a fantasy depiction. It's such a shame since I loved both Axios and Eryx. Their connection was so profoundly intense and really kept me invested until the very end. I had really hoped this book lived up to the high praise it received, but sadly for me it fell short.
I really wanted to like [b:Axios: A Spartan Tale|40880948|Axios A Spartan Tale|Jaclyn Osborn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532082311l/40880948._SX50_.jpg|57192633] more than I did. It had so much potential; a great setting, interesting time period, swoon worthy MCs, and even a great audio narrator. However, despite its strengths I found myself struggling to stay interested as the novel went on. It was a touch on the long side, and spanned a long period of time, which in itself was fine, but all of the historical references and explanations really weighed down the pacing. I can certainly appreciate the author's dedication to historical accuracy, and would have liked a few tidbits here and there, but I felt it was just too much. The info was often very dry and not really all that necessary to move the plot along. Even the battle scenes, which are full of action by definition, felt more like a textbook explanation than a fantasy depiction. It's such a shame since I loved both Axios and Eryx. Their connection was so profoundly intense and really kept me invested until the very end. I had really hoped this book lived up to the high praise it received, but sadly for me it fell short.
Damn this had such a sad ending! Beautifully written. I can't say more. Still nursing my emotional wounds.
Hmm. I had some issues with this book.
Part of it just dragged by and then there would huge jumps in time. The characters and their development were completely predictable right up to the ending, which despite only having a couple of options for resolution, was still disappointing. I have to say the best part of the book was the time I spent doing background reading on the Spartan kingship, particular battles and Greek hegemony. Kudos for bringing that into a story but just wished there had been more connection to the novel itself rather than feeling like I was back in college reading a history assignment some professor was trying really hard to make interesting. I'm definitely going to read other works by the other to see if this exercise (which she sort of admits to, and I can totally respect) is a one-off or the detached sort of writing is her style.
Part of it just dragged by and then there would huge jumps in time. The characters and their development were completely predictable right up to the ending, which despite only having a couple of options for resolution, was still disappointing. I have to say the best part of the book was the time I spent doing background reading on the Spartan kingship, particular battles and Greek hegemony. Kudos for bringing that into a story but just wished there had been more connection to the novel itself rather than feeling like I was back in college reading a history assignment some professor was trying really hard to make interesting. I'm definitely going to read other works by the other to see if this exercise (which she sort of admits to, and I can totally respect) is a one-off or the detached sort of writing is her style.
this is only going to end in tragedy, and while usually I would be all over that, right now it's making me way too sad.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The love they had for each other I hope I experience in my lifetime
"Mientras haya aliento en mis pulmones, te amaré. Sólo a ti. Y aun cuando deje este mundo, seguiré perteneciendo a ti, porque mi alma siempre buscará la tuya. Tanto en esta vida como en la siguiente."