Her world upended in a disastrous cataclysm, Crystal faces her new world beside her husband. First, though, she has to deal with the dark secret he’s been his other identity, Mars, the God of War. Along the way she also has to deal with threats to her life from his ex-wife, the Goddess of Love, who wants her Mars back. Join Crystal as she fends off Venus while coming to grips with the reality of her own husband's immortality.
I absolutely loved this book! Normally my reading does not venture into books which contain mythology but I made an exception for this novel. The author takes you on a journey with Crystal through the end of the world as we know it and the beginning of a completely new era as she learns what it means to be the wife to the God of War, while raising two teenage daughters, learning to become a mage, and deal with her husband's jealous ex-lover, the goddess of love. I cannot wait to read the follow-up novel! A great work!
Stephen H. King, otherwise known as TOSK, imagines a curiously different Armageddon in this, the first of a series of mythologically post-apocalyptic novels. The confusion of a young woman who learns she just might be married to the God of War is very nicely portrayed, and an intriguingly pagan Rapture introduces a new world of magic, replacing modern technology.
I’m probably more scientific than this book’s intended audience. When the god explains that “Electrons no longer exist,” my mind turns away from fiction to wonder just what the implications would be—surely more than just electricity not working and the earth’s magnetic field getting upset. The concept of “two-thousand year long technology era[s]” and “two-thousand year long magic” is certainly intriguing, though I wonder when the technological advancements of the ancient Greeks took place--and yes, I know they had gods too. I rebel at math being a scientific tool when I view it as art as well, but that’s beside the point. Given the author’s premise, this new world is nicely built on the old, and, after all, “What woman didn’t” want to “believe that her husband was a god?”
It’s nice to find a celiac protagonist (if you know me, you’ll know why), though it's mildly frustrating to see it portrayed as an allergy—satisfying though when it's healed by magic--ah, cakes and pastries and other divine delights--the wondrous scenery and foods of the gods are sumptuously described. Battle scenes sparkle with power and fire and excitement. And myth and magic smile with pleasing touches of historical humor. There are intriguing hints of ethical dilemmas as gods look down on mere mortals, even while one of them’s married to one.
The story’s complete enough in itself though it ends with the clear promise of more. If you love mythology and don’t mind too much about math, this just might be one for you—it's certainly a very different kind of sci-fi romantic adventure.
Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this novel from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Book Title: "Cataclysm: Married To Mars" Author: Stephen H. King Published By: Trestle Press Age Recommended: 18 + Reviewed By: Kitty Bullard Raven Rating: 4
Review: I'm usually not one to read Science Fiction novels though this one had a bit of both Sci-Fi and Fantasy. When the end of the Earth is at hand, a man that is perceived to be normal in fact turns out to be Mars. Married with children he has a perceptive dream of Earth's destruction and decides to save those closest to him, those he deems worthy to take them to a new life, in hopes of rebuilding Earth once the disaster is over.
In this novel we learn more about the Gods and Goddesses of myth and see them as the infamous beings they are.
This book was indeed thrilling and had me enthralled from beginning to end. I can honestly say that Stephen H. King will likely do well in his chosen career path and I hope to see more from him in the near future. He could well be the author to change my mind about the Sci-Fi genre and make me a new fan!