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bentheoverlordsbooks's review
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
So this is a complicated review to write but what I liked I loved and what I didn't, I didnt haha. So firstly what I loved, I loved the first chunk of the book with Axios in Spartan training and his burgeoning romance, I loved his friendship with Haden, Quill and Theon, their bond and banter was a lot of fun and I really loved seeing them throughout the book, and watching them grow. I also loved the scenes with the young King, he was a great character for the page time he had and I really liked that he seemed like a genuinely great leader. I also really liked the ending, it was well foreshadowed throughout, and knowing the history of the time I kinda knew what was coming. I also loved the way stories were used within the text.
So now for my gripes, there is one tiny gripe and one that is much larger. My tiny gripe is I kinda got bored with sex scenes, I just felt there were too many in such a short space of time, and they all felt very samey so I just would tune out and do other things. My much larger gripe and also the reason I will not be reading book 2 (which Ive found out is just this book from his pov) is Eryx. I wanted to love Eryx and he started off annoying but I was hoping he'd grow over the story but man was I wrong. He was such a possessive alpha man that I just couldnt with him. He was also so caught up on the fact his father had a dishonorable death that he himself became this charicature of everything wrong with Spartan culture. He was such a conformist that I just couldnt with him, and no point did he ever begin to question any of his beliefs, even the ones he had from childhood. I also hated how jealous either of them got when other men spoke to the other, but Eryx was specifically bad, because hed almost blame Axios for it, which I just wasnt feeling.
I will read more from Osborn, I really liked her writing and her other characters, so Im hoping that her other books are just one "smol bean" (although Axios can look after himself) and one alpha arse.
So now for my gripes, there is one tiny gripe and one that is much larger. My tiny gripe is I kinda got bored with sex scenes, I just felt there were too many in such a short space of time, and they all felt very samey so I just would tune out and do other things. My much larger gripe and also the reason I will not be reading book 2 (which Ive found out is just this book from his pov) is Eryx. I wanted to love Eryx and he started off annoying but I was hoping he'd grow over the story but man was I wrong. He was such a possessive alpha man that I just couldnt with him. He was also so caught up on the fact his father had a dishonorable death that he himself became this charicature of everything wrong with Spartan culture. He was such a conformist that I just couldnt with him, and no point did he ever begin to question any of his beliefs, even the ones he had from childhood. I also hated how jealous either of them got when other men spoke to the other, but Eryx was specifically bad, because hed almost blame Axios for it, which I just wasnt feeling.
I will read more from Osborn, I really liked her writing and her other characters, so Im hoping that her other books are just one "smol bean" (although Axios can look after himself) and one alpha arse.
readbystace's review
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
katkejt's review
5.0
Axios ♾️ Eryx
….
“You are my heart… Never question where my heart lies…”
.
“Not even death could keep me from you. My soul will forever find yours. In this life and the next.”
….
What possibly could I write here that would do this experience any justice. With blurry eyes, I can’t… the depth and beauty. The words spoken. The bonds. For eternity. This tale doesn’t have a rating. The number doesn’t exist. It’s beyond infinitive. I thought I read a lot of epic love stories but how in the wrong was I… now I know I only read a handful… this is what a true epic love story about soulmates feels like. I’ll be reading Eryx’s book - with honor. By the gods.
I finished last night, crying myself a river but feeling a sort of calmness in my heart at the same time - as they will forever be in the stars. I’ll never look at the sky at night the same ever again.
Until then, my warriors ♾️.
….
Gavin Greenaway, Hans Zimmer, Lisa Gerrard - Now We Are Free
….
“With my eyes transfixed on the fair-haired boy, I found strength within myself I was not aware existed—one that pulled me up and to my feet.” // “Eyes that I knew were green like the grass…” // “But mostly… I see my truest companion.” // “…he is what you will fight for.” // “…his hand lightly traced my bare thigh as the corner of his flawless lips turned up into a smile.” // “Then I will be reborn from the ashes.” // “I would kill any man, go any distance, and burn the whole world down if it meant keeping you safe.” // “I might not have known if I’d die for Sparta, but I knew for certain I’d lay down my life for his.” // “I lost all control and let go, letting the fire coursing through my veins burn and ascend like a phoenix reborn.” // “And we do not abandon our family.” // “I do not fear death because I’m afraid of dying, Ery… I fear it because it would take me from you.” // “I will kill any man and turn the whole world to ash for you, my warrior.” // “My warrior. My lover. My heart.” // “For I belong to another.” // “I shall never forget the way your skin smells in the morning.” // “…I will always find you.” // “No matter what happens… stay with me.” // “Fear can do many things to a man he never thought possible.” // “And oh how the stars shone above us, appearing even brighter than I ever remembered them.” // “I’ll see you in the stars, my warrior…”
….
….
“You are my heart… Never question where my heart lies…”
.
“Not even death could keep me from you. My soul will forever find yours. In this life and the next.”
….
What possibly could I write here that would do this experience any justice. With blurry eyes, I can’t… the depth and beauty. The words spoken. The bonds. For eternity. This tale doesn’t have a rating. The number doesn’t exist. It’s beyond infinitive. I thought I read a lot of epic love stories but how in the wrong was I… now I know I only read a handful… this is what a true epic love story about soulmates feels like. I’ll be reading Eryx’s book - with honor. By the gods.
I finished last night, crying myself a river but feeling a sort of calmness in my heart at the same time - as they will forever be in the stars. I’ll never look at the sky at night the same ever again.
Until then, my warriors ♾️.
….
Gavin Greenaway, Hans Zimmer, Lisa Gerrard - Now We Are Free
….
“With my eyes transfixed on the fair-haired boy, I found strength within myself I was not aware existed—one that pulled me up and to my feet.” // “Eyes that I knew were green like the grass…” // “But mostly… I see my truest companion.” // “…he is what you will fight for.” // “…his hand lightly traced my bare thigh as the corner of his flawless lips turned up into a smile.” // “Then I will be reborn from the ashes.” // “I would kill any man, go any distance, and burn the whole world down if it meant keeping you safe.” // “I might not have known if I’d die for Sparta, but I knew for certain I’d lay down my life for his.” // “I lost all control and let go, letting the fire coursing through my veins burn and ascend like a phoenix reborn.” // “And we do not abandon our family.” // “I do not fear death because I’m afraid of dying, Ery… I fear it because it would take me from you.” // “I will kill any man and turn the whole world to ash for you, my warrior.” // “My warrior. My lover. My heart.” // “For I belong to another.” // “I shall never forget the way your skin smells in the morning.” // “…I will always find you.” // “No matter what happens… stay with me.” // “Fear can do many things to a man he never thought possible.” // “And oh how the stars shone above us, appearing even brighter than I ever remembered them.” // “I’ll see you in the stars, my warrior…”
….
holreadsmm's review against another edition
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? No
5.0
camilaqbaez's review against another edition
4.0
Even though I knew this book has a sad ending I wasn’t prepare for that. My heart is completely broken
alexisisreading's review
5.0
…gaslit myself into thinking this was going to have a happy ending so you can imagine how I felt when I finished this. This was basically Song of Achilles so if you’re not in the mood for a decades long love story and tender sweet moments all to end with a finale so unbelievably heartbreaking…do not read this!!!
I enjoyed this book a lot because I love pain. Axios and Eryx grew up together and fell in love and despite being told exactly how their lives should be lived, decided that a future without the other was not a future they wanted to have.
“You are my heart,” he said unexpectedly. The amount of care in his voice settled over my chest like a warm cloak. “I do not easily confess emotions in the way you do, but know I feel the same. The words I once spoke to you hold true: I will kill any man and turn the whole world to ash for you, my warrior. I fear neither battle nor death, but I fear the day you are not by my side. Never question where my heart lies, because it is forever yours. In this life and the next.”
There were so many sweet lines in this book, I wish I could share all of them but I fear that would make this review way too long.
“When you are near, it’s as if my soul reaches out to touch yours,” he spoke, moving his fingers along my jaw and staring at me with a look that made my stomach flutter. “To reconnect with a missing piece. And when we part, I leave that piece with you.”
Undecided if I’m going to read the next book, I heard it’s basically just Eryx’ POV without anything really new to the story. I also don’t know if I wanna relive the pain just yet but stay tuned because who knows!!
I enjoyed this book a lot because I love pain. Axios and Eryx grew up together and fell in love and despite being told exactly how their lives should be lived, decided that a future without the other was not a future they wanted to have.
“You are my heart,” he said unexpectedly. The amount of care in his voice settled over my chest like a warm cloak. “I do not easily confess emotions in the way you do, but know I feel the same. The words I once spoke to you hold true: I will kill any man and turn the whole world to ash for you, my warrior. I fear neither battle nor death, but I fear the day you are not by my side. Never question where my heart lies, because it is forever yours. In this life and the next.”
There were so many sweet lines in this book, I wish I could share all of them but I fear that would make this review way too long.
“When you are near, it’s as if my soul reaches out to touch yours,” he spoke, moving his fingers along my jaw and staring at me with a look that made my stomach flutter. “To reconnect with a missing piece. And when we part, I leave that piece with you.”
Undecided if I’m going to read the next book, I heard it’s basically just Eryx’ POV without anything really new to the story. I also don’t know if I wanna relive the pain just yet but stay tuned because who knows!!
teresab78's review
5.0
I couldn’t give it less than 5 stars
I hate this book!, or rather the ending. The book itself was magnificent. I loved the history and the love. I loved Axios and Eryx and wanted so much for a happy ending for them. I loved the band of brothers and Axios’ sister.
The characters were real; flawed and yet perfect. The battles were visceral. I could see this play out as a movie.
If you want a traditional happy ending, this is not for you. It is definitely bittersweet. I, for one, hate bitter sweet and cried sooo much, but the rest of the book was worth it.
ETA listening to this on audio was amazing. I highly recommend!
I hate this book!, or rather the ending. The book itself was magnificent. I loved the history and the love. I loved Axios and Eryx and wanted so much for a happy ending for them. I loved the band of brothers and Axios’ sister.
The characters were real; flawed and yet perfect. The battles were visceral. I could see this play out as a movie.
If you want a traditional happy ending, this is not for you. It is definitely bittersweet. I, for one, hate bitter sweet and cried sooo much, but the rest of the book was worth it.
ETA listening to this on audio was amazing. I highly recommend!