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polarbearedie's review against another edition
5.0
My favourite books since reading the silmarillion. Thank you
lady_mel's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book!
I've been fascinated by Mythology and Ancient History since childhood, and this book has elements of both.
If you enjoy reading about gods and monsters, or are just looking for an enjoyable read, you can't go wrong with this one.
I hope that there will be a sequel.
I've been fascinated by Mythology and Ancient History since childhood, and this book has elements of both.
If you enjoy reading about gods and monsters, or are just looking for an enjoyable read, you can't go wrong with this one.
I hope that there will be a sequel.
paull9115's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Interesting if not overly descriptive Gods and superhero end of the world story. Definitely will consider reading more of this author but really feels like a very geeky homage to all things Fantasy in a way that probably needed more editing to concentrate the readers attention. 4/5
tgannon's review against another edition
4.0
Urban Fantasy can be quite tricky to accomplish well in the age of surveillance when it is nearly impossible to hide any action. Can anything truly be secret in the age of the great Orwellian Eye? Dyrk Ashton tackles this question head-on with pizzaz, wonder, creativity, and a depth of research that becomes downright impressive. Set comfortably within the Hero’s Journey narrative framework, Ashton is not afraid to flip preconceptions about fantasy, mythology, and theology. Crescendoing the narrative stakes to a dizzying height, the reader is left thinking that if something magical really is hiding out in the great wide world, it is best that it stays hidden. Some secrets are meant to be kept.
songwind's review against another edition
4.0
This book promised a lot of plot points I tend to enjoy - secret histories, real beings inspiring myth, music - and it delivers.
Four separate viewpoints push the tale forward from different perspectives. Two of them converge by the end of the book, while the other two are still on their own.
The format of the book can be a bit challenging. It's written in the present tense, and uses an omniscient third person narrator. This causes a bit of confusion here and there as the center of the action jumps between characters in a scene. Not enough to cause real problems, but I did have to go back and reread paragraphs a few times.
All in all, a fun book with likable characters and hate-able villains. I'll be reading the second one sooner rather than later.
Four separate viewpoints push the tale forward from different perspectives. Two of them converge by the end of the book, while the other two are still on their own.
The format of the book can be a bit challenging. It's written in the present tense, and uses an omniscient third person narrator. This causes a bit of confusion here and there as the center of the action jumps between characters in a scene. Not enough to cause real problems, but I did have to go back and reread paragraphs a few times.
All in all, a fun book with likable characters and hate-able villains. I'll be reading the second one sooner rather than later.
aftashok's review against another edition
4.0
where the similarities to American Gods are quite warranted and to be expected, Paternus is more of the summer blockbuster theatrical, where American Gods is the slow-burning TV episodic. there's space for the both of them to exist, and I love them both. will be anxiously awaiting the next edition of Paternus.
otakureads's review against another edition
2.0
While I normally don't write 3 star reviews but I do want readers who have different tastes than me to still find this book-
What I loved-
The integration of different mythologies which I loved rather than just focusing on one ( yes there is also Hindu Mythology and as far as I can tell it was accurate bcoz some of this things were stories which I had heard from my grandfather so I loved that )
What I didnt like
1- Characters yeah cant even explain idk why I thought it would be adult but there are YA
2- Plot was okayish
I am not sure I will be continuing with the series because I dont care much about the character and plot didnt make men curious enough these are the only 2 reasons I continue a series.
I am happy that the series has story so far section so even if I dont right away I will have a reminder.
What I loved-
The integration of different mythologies which I loved rather than just focusing on one ( yes there is also Hindu Mythology and as far as I can tell it was accurate bcoz some of this things were stories which I had heard from my grandfather so I loved that )
What I didnt like
1- Characters yeah cant even explain idk why I thought it would be adult but there are YA
2- Plot was okayish
I am not sure I will be continuing with the series because I dont care much about the character and plot didnt make men curious enough these are the only 2 reasons I continue a series.
I am happy that the series has story so far section so even if I dont right away I will have a reminder.
sicutumbra's review against another edition
4.0
All of the gods, demons, heroes, and villains are real, and they're at war. Dyrk Ashton deftly weaves multiple mythologies together into an innovative and epic series. Highly recommended. Fans of the Dresden Files, American Gods, and other such series should check this out. You won't be disappointed.
dreamweavermirar's review against another edition
5.0
I happened to be going through Mark Lawrence's self published book contest nominees from the last few years to see if any caught my eye, and since both mythology and immortals are some of my favorite things in fantasy (my penchant for those topics may have swayed my rating up a star), I went to check out Paternus. Turns out, I'd actually bought the book a year or two ago- how nice for me!
It also turns out that Paternus is a darn good book; quite well written, despite a somewhat uneven use of flowery language- it's not used all the time, so it's a little jarring when it pops up, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
If you're a fan of slightly twisted mythology, with plenty of action, do check this out. I'm definitely looking forward to the second book!
It also turns out that Paternus is a darn good book; quite well written, despite a somewhat uneven use of flowery language- it's not used all the time, so it's a little jarring when it pops up, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
If you're a fan of slightly twisted mythology, with plenty of action, do check this out. I'm definitely looking forward to the second book!
bethtabler's review against another edition
5.0
Paternus: Rise of the Gods is an Exciting dark urban fantasy that brings you along on a wild mythological ride.
The Paternus series is one I have been hearing a lot about for years. Literally years. Usually, what I am hearing is in the form of gushing and squeeing. "Did you read Paternus? No. OMG you really have to!" Plus, the covers are gorgeous and done by cover artist John Anthony Di Giovanni. They are the kind of covers you want to display in your library and possibly have a print framed in there. Having finished the first book, all I can say to myself, "Why the hell did I wait so long?"
"A wielder of words is a wielder of power."
The blurb sums up the overall feeling of the first book perfectly, "American Gods meets The Avengers, and Supernatural meets The Lord of the Rings, Paternus combines myths from around the world in a modern story of action and intrigue that is "urban fantasy on the surface, but so much more at its core!" It is a story about myths of legend from cultures throughout the world connected through time and all relating to one individual, The Pater.
"I seem to remember someone very close to me, and wise, or so I thought, once telling me—" "—anything is possible."
The book starts a bit slowly, it lays solid foundations for the upcoming story, so I didn't mind the slower pacing. The main protagonists of the story are two older teenagers, Fi and Zeke. Fi and Zeke are in a relationship, and there is come "will they or won't they" back and forth. Typical stuff that one deals with at that age. Fiona was orphaned at a young age by a plane crash that killed her mother, and as she never knew her father, she now lives with her proper British uncle Edgar his weirdly huge dog Mol. Edgar raised Fiona from a young child, and Fiona looks to him as her father.
Fiona works as an intern at a local are hospital. She has been paying particular attention to an older man named Peter, whom she is drawn to to help. She has a particularly positive effect on him as he is responsive to her but otherwise vegetative. While Zeke is visiting the hospital, it is "attacked by strange and frightening men." Fiona Patterson and Zeke Prisco work to save Peter from myths legend. They turn to Fiona's uncle Edgar for help, and that is where the story gets utterly wild.
"It was twenty-thousand years ago. The last Great Ice covered much of the planet, and the final battle of the Second Magnificent Holocaust raged. She'd sided with Father, of course – she was always Deva, his sister, Devi to the core. Her Truename was Artio, but at the time she was known by the humans as the Vanir giantess Jörd. When Bödvar saw her she was armored in a massive breastplate, with great golden wings on her helmet, spattered with gore – but beautiful."
First and foremost, I need to compliment Dyrk Ashton for the sheer magnitude of research he put into creating this story. Many mythological figures from all countries and timeframes play parts in Zeke and Fiona's quest. Some figures, so long-lived, their legends bisect multiple cultures, and contextually, it works perfectly in the story. Ashton lays a solid foundation for all of these characters. As a reader, I went from "Huh?" to "Oh, how cool. Who is going to play a part next?" As for what happens next, and who is a god or legend is spoiler territory. But it gets pretty exciting.
Worldbuilding-wise, there are quite a few information dumps. We have a lot to learn about these characters and their history and connections. It is all-important and valuable information. Usually, I shy away from pages of backstory, but in Paternus, it worked. We need that information as readers. Ashton had me googling with glee.
The narrative starts a little young, as Fiona and Zeke are younger characters. But don't let that fool you; this is not a YA novel. Paternus: Rise of the Gods is a very adult and often brutal story. There is violence, torture, and fighting that could rival any action movie. Climax-wise, Paternus: Rise of the Gods does not have much of a mini-arc. Instead, it is a huge vibrant story that spans three books and close to 2000 pages. But, the ending of Paternus: Rise of the Gods is satisfying and intensely fun to read and gets you ready to jump into book 2.
Paternus: Rise of the Gods is one of the most unique Urban Fantasy stories I have ever read, and I have read quite a few. The series has a solid place in my top ten favorite series of all time. Even with a slow start, this is still a solid five-star read for me. Screw American Gods, Paternus: Rise of the Gods is my mythological urban fantasy of choice.
The Paternus series is one I have been hearing a lot about for years. Literally years. Usually, what I am hearing is in the form of gushing and squeeing. "Did you read Paternus? No. OMG you really have to!" Plus, the covers are gorgeous and done by cover artist John Anthony Di Giovanni. They are the kind of covers you want to display in your library and possibly have a print framed in there. Having finished the first book, all I can say to myself, "Why the hell did I wait so long?"
"A wielder of words is a wielder of power."
The blurb sums up the overall feeling of the first book perfectly, "American Gods meets The Avengers, and Supernatural meets The Lord of the Rings, Paternus combines myths from around the world in a modern story of action and intrigue that is "urban fantasy on the surface, but so much more at its core!" It is a story about myths of legend from cultures throughout the world connected through time and all relating to one individual, The Pater.
"I seem to remember someone very close to me, and wise, or so I thought, once telling me—" "—anything is possible."
The book starts a bit slowly, it lays solid foundations for the upcoming story, so I didn't mind the slower pacing. The main protagonists of the story are two older teenagers, Fi and Zeke. Fi and Zeke are in a relationship, and there is come "will they or won't they" back and forth. Typical stuff that one deals with at that age. Fiona was orphaned at a young age by a plane crash that killed her mother, and as she never knew her father, she now lives with her proper British uncle Edgar his weirdly huge dog Mol. Edgar raised Fiona from a young child, and Fiona looks to him as her father.
Fiona works as an intern at a local are hospital. She has been paying particular attention to an older man named Peter, whom she is drawn to to help. She has a particularly positive effect on him as he is responsive to her but otherwise vegetative. While Zeke is visiting the hospital, it is "attacked by strange and frightening men." Fiona Patterson and Zeke Prisco work to save Peter from myths legend. They turn to Fiona's uncle Edgar for help, and that is where the story gets utterly wild.
"It was twenty-thousand years ago. The last Great Ice covered much of the planet, and the final battle of the Second Magnificent Holocaust raged. She'd sided with Father, of course – she was always Deva, his sister, Devi to the core. Her Truename was Artio, but at the time she was known by the humans as the Vanir giantess Jörd. When Bödvar saw her she was armored in a massive breastplate, with great golden wings on her helmet, spattered with gore – but beautiful."
First and foremost, I need to compliment Dyrk Ashton for the sheer magnitude of research he put into creating this story. Many mythological figures from all countries and timeframes play parts in Zeke and Fiona's quest. Some figures, so long-lived, their legends bisect multiple cultures, and contextually, it works perfectly in the story. Ashton lays a solid foundation for all of these characters. As a reader, I went from "Huh?" to "Oh, how cool. Who is going to play a part next?" As for what happens next, and who is a god or legend is spoiler territory. But it gets pretty exciting.
Worldbuilding-wise, there are quite a few information dumps. We have a lot to learn about these characters and their history and connections. It is all-important and valuable information. Usually, I shy away from pages of backstory, but in Paternus, it worked. We need that information as readers. Ashton had me googling with glee.
The narrative starts a little young, as Fiona and Zeke are younger characters. But don't let that fool you; this is not a YA novel. Paternus: Rise of the Gods is a very adult and often brutal story. There is violence, torture, and fighting that could rival any action movie. Climax-wise, Paternus: Rise of the Gods does not have much of a mini-arc. Instead, it is a huge vibrant story that spans three books and close to 2000 pages. But, the ending of Paternus: Rise of the Gods is satisfying and intensely fun to read and gets you ready to jump into book 2.
Paternus: Rise of the Gods is one of the most unique Urban Fantasy stories I have ever read, and I have read quite a few. The series has a solid place in my top ten favorite series of all time. Even with a slow start, this is still a solid five-star read for me. Screw American Gods, Paternus: Rise of the Gods is my mythological urban fantasy of choice.