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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.
hindessm's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. The worldbuilding is outstanding - deftly weaving myths, historical and cultural references. It is done so well it is seems effortless though I am sure it took some obsessive dedication to researching and writing. (I particularly liked the musical references.) I loved the characters too - though a few died sooner than I would have liked!
readswithstella's review against another edition
4.0
An urban fantasy that keeps you on your toes!
Paternus: Rise of the Gods is definitely a book that keeps you hooked and you can definitely see how much research was put into this. As a mythology fan, I enjoyed picking out the deities mentioned in the book! The action scenes were well written and the words riveting.
My only issue with the book that has stopped me from giving this full marks was because I struggled to like the young main characters, particularly Fi. She's just a culmination of all the YA heroines we've all read about before, utterly cliché. But it also might be a testament to how long ago I've outgrown the YA genre. And the cheesy love story between the young protagonists is too over and done with already. Definitely not my cup of tea.
Thankfully, the other characters weren't as insufferable and I'm curious enough to want to know what happens to them in the next book, so I'm definitely picking the next one up!
Paternus: Rise of the Gods is definitely a book that keeps you hooked and you can definitely see how much research was put into this. As a mythology fan, I enjoyed picking out the deities mentioned in the book! The action scenes were well written and the words riveting.
My only issue with the book that has stopped me from giving this full marks was because I struggled to like the young main characters, particularly Fi. She's just a culmination of all the YA heroines we've all read about before, utterly cliché. But it also might be a testament to how long ago I've outgrown the YA genre. And the cheesy love story between the young protagonists is too over and done with already. Definitely not my cup of tea.
Thankfully, the other characters weren't as insufferable and I'm curious enough to want to know what happens to them in the next book, so I'm definitely picking the next one up!
zahrae's review against another edition
4.0
3.75
I think if you are well-versed in Greek, Indian , Norse myths and Arthurian legends you will love this book and not be confused as I was during the first part of the book , I do not know a lot about Indian and Norse myths .
However , I very much enjoyed this book , and would recommend it to anyone wanting to read about all myths .
I think if you are well-versed in Greek, Indian , Norse myths and Arthurian legends you will love this book and not be confused as I was during the first part of the book , I do not know a lot about Indian and Norse myths .
However , I very much enjoyed this book , and would recommend it to anyone wanting to read about all myths .
erdicooper's review against another edition
5.0
I feel like I should write a review on this one to parse through my reaction to it. Maybe! If not though, a mini version: This book is really great in general, and if you're, like me, tired of books that seem like they started with a genre and built from there, definitely check out paternus!! Seriously cannot understate the freedom in which Ashton tells this story
omitreob's review
4.5
Loved this one. Read it on my phone so could quickly google all names from myths i was not familiar with while reading. Great book very hard to put down.
darklocus's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
optimalbook's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
While I found it to be an overall enjoyable read, the slow beginning coupled with the unique writing style and large PoV cast made it a bit of a challenge at points. I will be reading Book 2 and am looking forward to exploring the world more.
kroedel's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic premise! If you like mythology pick this book up. Cant wait to read the next two.