Hades

Blades of Bronze #3

by Mark Knowles

The Age of Heroes is dead.

Decades after the voyage of the fabled Argo , the last remaining Argonauts are scattered to the corners of the Greek world. The last vestiges of once-mighty kingdoms are crumbling or already lie in ruins and the enemy is nearly at the gates. The gods have abandoned Greece. The Sea People are coming...

If the Age of Heroes has truly passed, never to be reborn, then great men will fade and pass into legend. Only one man can channel the spirit of the Argonauts and inspire and renew the heroism of old... and it may yet be too late. Will the old world crumble and burn... or will a new hero rise to victory?

Reviews for the Blades of Bronze series

'A bold and thrilling voyage that plunges you deep into the world of ancient myth. Knowles's storytelling captured my imagination from the very first page. Wonderfully atmospheric.' Daisy Dunn
'What a spectacular triumph! Knowles has taken a reassuringly familiar legend and elevated it into a new, realistic and engrossing story.' Sam Taw
'A deeply researched historical epic, so brilliantly brought to life I could taste the salt air on my tongue.' Adam Lofthouse

Genres: Mythology, Greek Mythology, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Retellings

496 pages, Paperback

Published April 16, 2024

About the author

I've loved ancient history ever since I sat down with my folks when I was a little boy and watched my first Ray Harryhausen movie. I read degrees in Classics and Management Studies at Downing College, Cambridge, and emerged not really having a clue about what to do for a wage. After various jobs and a decade working as a frontline officer and supervisor within the Metropolitan Police Service, I changed careers to run a Classics Dept at a school in Harrogate. I am a big fan of experimental archaeology and rowed on the reconstructed Ancient Athenian trireme ‘Olympias’ during her last sea trials in Greece in 1994. I hope somebody builds something similar in the next few years before I'm too decrepit to pull an oar!

The Night Watchmen (vigiles) represent an under-researched element of ancient Roman society that really fascinates me. We know so little about them from archaeological and literary evidence, and yet they were such a common, perhaps even comforting, sight for citizens going about their daily (and nightly) business. I hope that 'The Consul's Daughter' gives readers a flavour of what life might have been like for the forgotten multitudes as well as providing an entertaining story...

You can follow me on:
Twitter: @mark77knowles
Facebook: @mark77knowles
Website: markknowles.info

Reviews

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've not read the first two books in this series and can tell you that you really don't need to but you (like me) might wish to after reading Hades.

The book tells the story of Xandros, the much maligned son of Euneus (a son of Jason). His father generally dismisses him and following an attack on their neighbours, the Moudrians and a personal affront against Ekhinos (son of the Moudrian king) Xandros sets out to gather the Argonauts together to save his island and others from the marauding Sea People (Persians). Throughout his travels Xandros finds his courage and on his return he sets about galvanising the island into battle readiness.

The story is a good one and you don't need to know much about Greek myth to follow it easily. The only part I found a little dull was the actual fighting which, whilst probably historically accurate, was pretty repetitive. But if you like a fight scene or two then you'll love it.

I thought the characters were believable and sympathetically drawn. Even the ageing Argonauts were wonderful. Such a great plot twist to involve them in the lives of possible progeny.

The story itself was easy to follow and not packed with useless detail (great in a history book, not that exciting in fiction). All in all I'd definitely go back and read the first two books, Argo and Jason.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Aria & Ares for the advance review copy.

[johnny ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

it is clear that mark knowles has done an immense amount of research.

however, i did not connect with this novel at all. i didn't connect with any of the characters, not even a little bit. i felt the pacing was slow and numb. this just wasn't the retelling for me. even though the pacing is slow, the story is longwinded. it's a daunting read, but doesn't carry any real heart.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Azthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Hades" is an enchanting voyage into the realm of mythology, a literary gem that captivated my imagination from start to finish. Mark Knowles, the author, demonstrates a masterful ability to interweave mythological themes, historical context, and a gripping narrative, creating a reading experience that keeps the audience thoroughly engrossed.

The book's most outstanding feature is the author's capacity to introduce readers to the intricate tapestry of history and myth. Knowles's storytelling not only informs but also immerses the reader in the fascinating world of ancient legends. The manner in which he breathes life into these timeless tales is nothing short of extraordinary.

Knowles's writing style is nothing short of elegant and evocative, which effortlessly transports readers into the universe of gods, heroes, and legendary creatures. It beautifully captures the essence of the myths and conveys the awe-inspiring nature of these age-old stories.

In summary, "Hades" seamlessly blends mythology, history, and captivating storytelling into a literary masterpiece. The book's mythological themes, the author's skill in introducing readers to history and myth, and the exquisite writing style are all elements that make it a must-read for anyone who appreciates the timeless allure of mythology. Mark Knowles has achieved something truly remarkable with this book, making it a compelling addition to the world of mythological literature.

[bee 🍉 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love books that are linked with mythology, particularly Greek mythology. There’s just something about it that scratches an itch in my brain, I can’t explain it.

You can tell by reading this book that the author put a lot of love and research into this. I feel like though I know a lot about mythology already, I learnt a lot just from reading.

Hades brought all the great elements that you would want when reading something like this.

This was slow-paced and action-driven which I personally don’t usually enjoy but I think this was done extremely well!

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sofie Haller · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author must have done a lot of research in order to give the story the true feel of the epics of old. Though I normally enjoy Greek mythology retellings or stories based on myth, the writing style as a whole fell flat and I did not enjoy the journey as much as others may have.

2.5⭐️

The characters in 'Hades' were very well written and relatable with their own struggles. I just didn't connect with any of the characters or want to know more after finishing the story.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC to review!

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll admit I didn't realize this was part of a series when I started reading...but I didn't feel that I was missing out! Knowles does a fantastic job bringing the end of the Age of Heroes to life in a sprawling Greek tragedy. Having a small background in the Classics, I followed along as Xandros, a grandson to Jason of the Argonauts, sets off on a voyage to save his island home of Lemnos from the Sea Peoples invading the Archipelagos. We are treated to characters of Old -- the remaining living crew members of the Argonauts, including famed bard Orpheus.

Knowles adds dimension and character to the grizzled band of Argonauts as they offer their services to Xandros and the island of Lemnos, a place where they left more than just a final impression during their famed voyage while introducing us to new characters who encounter those they have only heard in legend.

A deeply atmospheric and immersive tale, with many feelings of dread. You'll certainly like this if you like Greek history and mythology.

Thank you to Netgalley, Mark Knowles and Aria & Aries for an advanced copy of this book. This one was published in early November...either catch the beginning of the series if you want to know more, or read as a standalone.

[Esrin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly DNF
I gave it about 75 pages and then I had to give up. Greek mythology, yet it was confusing. The writing style was difficult too, with long sentences.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating continuation of the Argonauts after they came back with the Golden Fleece. I will admit that I mistakenly thought this book was 1). Focused on Orpheus (in a way, it was), 2). Was focused on Hades the god, and/or 3). Wasn’t part of a trilogy. That’s my bad, but in the end, I still had a rather good time reading it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The book focuses on numerous POVs, but the most prominent of the bunch are Xandos (the grandson of Jason) and Orpheus. Xandos is a prince who desperately wants to impress his father, but finds that nothing works. When raiders threaten his island home of Lemnos, he goes out on a Telemachus-like journey to track down the Argonauts to help defend the island. He was an interesting character to pick for a coming-of-age tale in the time when heroes are gone and Greece on the brink of its Dark Age. I felt like his relationship with his father reflects what Odysseus and Telemachus could’ve had if the former hadn’t gone to Troy. But his rather sheltered life really did provide a good setup for a coming-of-age tale that thrusts this poor boy into adulthood. All the while, Orpheus, I thought, was a good narrator for the tale, but I do wish we had gotten a bit more of him in the first place. 🎶

Despite its wonderful homage to the classic epics with its writing and narrative style, I did feel like the amount of extra POVs and the switching of them in the middle of paragraphs at times felt a bit odd and abrupt, leaving me confused as to who the reader was following in the moment. 😕

All in all though, I did have a good time reading it and will definitely be interested in picking up the first two in the trilogy in the future (also because my favorite sorceress, Medea, shows up). ❤️

Big thank you goes to Head of Zeus and NetGalley do accepting my request in exchange for an honest review, and the author for crafting a fascinating epic-like tale! 🏹

Publication date: UK is already out! US, April 16!

Overall: 3.75/5 ⭐️

[Veerle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah Orpheus. Probably one of my favourite characters in Greek mythology. He tells the story of the old argonauts and Iason's grandson Xandros. Decades after the Argonaut adventure the Greek world is being threatened by the Sea People and they just don't know what to do.

Xandros, a good-for-nothing according to his father Euneus, is trying to navigate his way through a highly complicated world and society and hopes to bring back together the Argonauts one last time.

The author possesses a huge knowledge of Greek mythology and weaves a lot of threads together in this story. Sometimes the pacing was abit too slow for me, but I did enjoy the story a lot.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[el ✯ ࣪ ˖ · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.25) perhaps it’s because I haven’t read the other books in the series, or perhaps it really was as boring as I thought. It had a promising start, being narrated by Orpheus, and containing elements of Medea, which is one of my favorite plays. I appreciate the amount of research Knowles has put into this book, a feat not to be dismissed, and I loved the little snippets of myth. However, I didn’t really connect to any of the characters or the plot, and with the pacing being so slow I found myself skimming a lot of it just to get to any exciting part.

[Kirsten]

DNF :(

I had to DNF this unfortunately... Yes, the author knows a lot about greek mythology, and the blurp made me so excited, but they way it was written really did not keep me interested. It was difficult to understand what way this story was going. After the first 50 pages I had to decide that this is not for me.

[Kristen Purcell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Head of Zeus for an ARC of this book!

DNF, 20% of the way finished. I really wanted to love this book as I tend to love Greek mythology retellings. However, the writing was extremely dense and I couldn’t get interested in any of the characters or story lines. I applaud the author for the amount of research done to write this book, but it just wasn’t for me.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have to preface this review by saying that I feel that Mark Knowles did a really excellent job emulating the tone and structure of a lot of classical epics. I also have to applaud him for his take on the sea people which is so different from any other myth retellings coming out right now. His use of history is wonderful and he has clearly put a lot of work into this book. All that being said, this book also has all of the main problems in classic epics. The roll of women in this book is almost nonexistent and those who do appear fall into the three classic tropes of priestess, mom or lover. There is a lot of jumping around, small characters introduced for little to no plot relevance, and strange time jumps. I think this book definitely has its audience, I am just not it.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Netgalley and the author for an ARC to review.

I do not like not finishing a book. There is only one other book I did not finish, yet this book is to be added to that list.

I have similar feedback to those who have provided reviews before me. The story is well thought out but it is confusing upon having no context of the other books. There are so many characters - and while I appreciate the glossary/guide of those mainly mentioned, it still was very dizzying to have to scroll back and forth. And even doing so did not provide much context. I think this book would absolutely benefit from having a more fleshed out glossary of key players so that the book can stand a chance on its own.

I'm saddened because you can feel the author's passion, and I feel that early reviwers really would have benefited from having access to earlier books.

I am distraught in providing a lower rating, but it was a struggle for me to get through the parts I did read. I will not attempt to re-read this book, as I felt frustrated and lost trying to keep up.

I think this book will be great for those who appreciated Mark's earlier works, Argo and Jason. Early reviewers who have read those both seem to have favorable reviews. I would urge prospective readers to take my review into consideration, but to put importance on reviews from others who have read the entire series.

[Jordan Charlesworth AKA Book Brilliance Xo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review 📚
Hades by Mark Knowles - 4.5/5 ⭐

I will always swear by a greek mythology book and Mark really brought Hades to life. I previously read Argo and Jason by Mark and loved both just as much as I now love Hades. Nothing beats a greek mythology book. Mark has a serious amount of knowledge about this topic and never fails to mess it up.

Some will see this book as confusing and strong. But that's what I love about it the most. Mark doesn't dull it down and he goes above and beyond with Hades. There are names and places throughout that you need to remember for it to make sense. It's a strong retelling and I thoroughly enjoy it.

I love the multiple POVs, it always makes a book more interesting to have an insight into everyone else's thoughts rather than just an assumption. The whole thing is definitely based more around action than the characters but again, that makes it so much more interesting.

Mark truly impressed me once again with the 3rd book being equally as good as the other 2. All are memorable and all are beautifully done with a true knowledge behind it. The writing is phenomenal and it's definitely worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria and Aries for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

[Sevi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's not often that I come across a book about Greek Mythology that is this well researched and also enjoyable - Mark Knowles's Hades is definitely one of the better mythological books I've read in a while, especially in the quality of the writing - every line, every page was an utter delight. And while I had no problem reading this third installment in the series without having read the first two, I would recommend reading the first two books before opening this one, especially if you're not familiar with the story of Jason and the Argonauts - I myself will definitely be reading Argo and Jason as soon as I can get my hands on them.

[Starfire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of Greeks mythology and action packed storylines.

Xandros is trying to reunite the Argonauts and help defeat the sea people from invading.

I gave this book 2 out of 5 stars. I did not enjoy reading this book. It was very long and it kept jumping into different perspectives. I could not keep track with what was going on. I did not understand what was happening until the very end. I usually like Greek mythology, but this was not something I liked. I gave it two stars instead of one because it was not horrible. If you can actually follow along without getting bored or not understanding, then this might be good for you. Although, I still would not recommend this book to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Mely · Rating 1 out of 5]

With a strong beginning, Mark Knowles sets the poetic tone of the book from the prologue narrated by Orpheus, a greek hero. Throughout the chapters, the narration follows Meleager, Jason, Hypsipyle, Huliat, Xandros and many others. The book is divided into several parts which connect various characters, all relating to bring back the age of heroes, taking inspiration from the myths of heroism by the Argonauts.

The author’s storytelling is remarkable, it does justice to the lyrical narrations of yore, the writing style is exquisite as a retelling. A long book that, in spite of its length, keeps the same writing style while narrating the demise of ancient heroes. However, if a reader is not well-versed into greek mythology then, this is not a good book to begin with, for the plot intertwines different points of view involving less-known stories.

Stunning cover for a unique type of book. As a greek retelling it’s tremendously well-researched, furthermore the characters have a deep background and a great range of personalities that makes them distinctive. Nevertheless, it’s due to the same vast amount of points of view that the enjoyment of the book fades away after not finishing entire legends, being confused with so many names and having extremely slow-paced chapters. Sometimes, a few parts even feel useless as they add nothing to the actual plot. As for the romantic subplot, it’s horrifying.

Furthermore, Hades isn't a central character in the book; rather, he serves as a means to an end, being his realm of death. Additionally, the book lacks a strong grip to keep the reader engaged, and the uneven flow makes it increasingly dull as the story unfolds. It's unfortunate that this retelling falls short in terms of both enjoyment and plot narration.

I’m grateful with NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity of letting me read this before its publication.


Actual rating: 1.25*

[Orla · Rating 1 out of 5]

***Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review***

Hades is the third in a series. This is important - I didn't realise this before I read it and maybe that would have deterred me. However, I don't know if reading the prior books would have changed my opinion an awful lot.

This novel is told in a way that emulates classic epic tales like Homer's Odyssey. It is centered around Xandros, grandson of the well-known hero Jason, who goes in search of his grandfather and the rest of the Argonauts to help protect his village from bandits.

Unfortunately, this style was simply not for me. It was written in a very convoluted way, with distant narration, multiple POVs, numerous characters (often with very similar names) and far too much information about the mundane, with too little about the deeper aspects. It's slow-paced despite having plenty of action scenes. I didn't connect with any of the characters and was interested in very few scenes. The only relationship that mildly piqued my interest was the central love story.

The Argonauts were lingered over laboriously. I understand now, given that the first couple of books likely centered around them, but it detracted from this story and plot. Often, the parts that were focused on were unimportant to the plot and the things that would normally draw me in were glossed over. I also wasn't a fan of Orpheus and his detached means of narrating.

The ancient saga elements that this novel will likely alienate a lot of readers, myself included. However, it is certainly one that would have a niche readership who are crazy about it. If classical retellings in epic style are your interest, please do pick it up. If it's not, I do not recommend you read it.

[Gus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read Argo and Jason, I was disappointed by Hades. The title has nothing to do with what the novel is about. I expected this ambitious book to be a continuation of the Jason story, after his return from the Golden Fleece quest, but the story makes only glancing references to what happened to Jason and Medea after the quest. Instead it focuses on Xandros, Jason and Hypsipyle’s grandson, and is narrated in part by Orpheus. (The novel does provide a interesting follow-up narrative on what happened to Hypsipyle, the queen of Lemnos, the island inhabited by women, where the argonauts almost lost their way in their journey to Colchis). Xandros rallies surviving argonauts to defend his native Lemnos from the marauding Sea Peoples, who historically are thought to be responsible for the late Bronze Age collapse of Greek civilization. Even the Myrmidons join the effort, arriving on scene seemingly out of nowhere, since Xandros did not make any effort to recruit them. The champion of the Sea Peoples is the giant Huliat, who turns out to be the biblical Goliath. Despite the profusion of characters with difficult names (a cast of characters is provided), the novel itself was entertaining. However, I did not think it was a logical third book in the Argo trilogy. I would have preferred the third book to be the conclusion of the Jason and Medea saga, and this one to be an independent separate story.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Mark Knowles book I have read and I must say I really enjoyed it. It is also the first Greek mythology book from a male author I have read. Over the past two years I have read over 10 different retellings, all female writers and predominately from a females perspective (Circe, Medusa's sisters etc) and this is where I found the book to be different. It is definitely more action based and less character driven, but once I had got my head round this, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and feel like I learnt a lot!

The book is about power, will, strength, bravery and of course it wouldn't be a true Greek myth without the usual savagery, action, brutishness and of course a teeny tiny little bit of love mixed in.

Jason and Medea are old enemies and I loved exploring the story telling of their history.

I liked that it was told from various points of view including Orpheus the famous great bard.

I feel like I got to know Xandros and wanted to carry on reading to find out if he is successful in his voyage to reunite the Argonauts - the originals on board the famous Argo - his Grandad Jason included.

Mark is very knowledgeable and yes there is a lot going on with the names and places, having a previous knowledge of a lot of the myths definitely helped me here. I will be looking out for more from this author.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hades (ARC)
Mark Knowles
2⭐️

Pub Date: 3/5/2024

I so love Greek myth books that it pains me to rate one this low. This is the 3rd one in the series and although I didn't read the first 2, it's completely okay to read this if you know (or google) the tale of the hero Jason. And basically there's a summary of this sung by Orpheus at the last part of the book itself. But this particular book is the continuation of his line, with focus of telling the story of his grandson.

There are too many characters. I will say, I appreciate how the intermingling of myths/stories are in here. But some people are, in my opinion, not very relevant and I can do without. There's a character list but having to go back and forth was not enjoyable. If the characters were whittled down to the essentials, and the focus of the book is not very wide, I might have enjoyed this better.

I will say, the amount of research and details in this book is outstanding. So if you're into details, I think this is a good book for you. And it's realistic. There's not a lot of interference from the gods. But the plot was mundane and scattered. Basically just the day to day lives of these people with a little bit of action here and there. It's very easy to get mixed up and be confused while reading this intermittently. I advice reading this in ONE sitting as to not get lost. And maybe not in tandem with other books. If you're going to read this, give it your full attention.

There are definitely good points in this book. If you like realistic and detailed Greek myths, pick this one up. But I unfortunately did not resonate/connect with this at all. I basically skimmed the whole book and even then, it took me a whole week to read it.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Book 3 of Mark Knowles' Blades of Bronze saga, we come upon the Argonauts many decades after their legendary voyage, at a time when their glory days seem well behind them. Now, they are scattered across the land, a shadow of their former selves.

But they are not the only ones facing this situation. It is said that the Age of Heroes is over, and that dark times lie ahead. Amidst this landscape of doom, gloom and crumbling kingdoms, will any saviour come forth to show that there is yet time for another hero's journey and a hope of redemption?

Knowles' love for and knowledge of mythology shine through in his storytelling. The writing style was not always to my taste, but there is no doubting his mastery over his subject. I think most people who are interested in the Greek myths will find something here to enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review

[Bella Toric · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who loves Hades and Persephone, the story, the retellings, and everything to do with them it was no brainer that I was going to jump on a chance to read this book.

And while I did enjoy Mark's story of Hades and how he crafted this book, I found that this was a book I had trouble connecting with a as a reader. This is a very thoroughly researched book and it shows (both a good thing and a bad thing). The content is often overwhelming to the reader because there's so much love and research attached to it.

This is definitely a book that was really interesting but just fell slightly flat for me! Overall, if you're interested in a very gripping and detailed retelling of Hades, this may be the book for you!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Adam Lofthouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, Mark Knowles has done it again!

I do love a bit of Ancient Greece. There is a beauty to the myths, a certain seductiveness to these tales of Gods and monsters that have passed from generation to generation down the ages. With all three of these books, I think Mark has really nailed it. There's an authentic feel, believable characters and sprawling plots that suck a reader in.

In this book you have a bit of everything. Aging Argonauts donning their armour for one last battle, Persians rearing ready for war in the east. And in the midst of it all, a few brilliantly realised characters trying to chart a path through the maelstrom.

It's not a fast paced book, but I loved it for that. You are drawn in to this ancient world, you can feel it, smell it. History and myth combine to really bring the story to life, in a way I think only this author could. Highly recommend!

[Maddie Grigg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have studied Greek mythology at postgraduate level and love to read retellings of the ancient myths. However, I didn't finish the book, giving up after about 10 per cent of the way in. It starts really slowly, with multiple, short points of view, and I found it very difficult to get inside the heads of the characters or feel engaged in the action. I have not read the previous books in the series, or anything by Mark Knowles. Maybe if I had, I would have been into the story straight from the start. The depth of knowledge and research is there but, for me, it lacks the spark of, say, Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes or Ithaca by Claire North., which are brimming with wit, imagination and lightness of touch. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy of this novel.

[Tori Nerpel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't aware that this book was the third in the series when I requested it (I probably wouldn't have requested it if I had known) but that didn't stop me from at least starting the book. As an admirer of Greek Mythology and a particular lover of Hades, (I was a Percy Jackson kid what can I say) I was super eager to read this story. Overall I enjoyed it, although I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read the two books before this one. It is super obvious that Mark Knowles knows what he's talking about when it comes to the stories of greek mythology.

Now that I've read this one I can say for a fact that I will be going back to read the other two books in this series, if not just a little bit out of order...

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC

[Isobel Morrice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know what happened with this book. I was so excited for it to be released, after thoroughly enjoying the first two instalments, but this felt like a different series altogether. Most of the book amounted to nothing, some characters were introduced only to be forgotten a chapter later, and the ending all came together more by chance than by any efforts made by Xandros. ‘Red’ was bizarre and confusing until revealed, then never to be spoken of again, and ‘the gift’ seemed like little more than an afterthought. And, let’s face it, making the book ‘Hades’ was an extremely tenuous stretch.

Such a shame because the first so in the series were great! Sad to see the trilogy end like this.

[Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first I've read by this author. Now, while I liked his writing style and the story was interesting. I feel it kept dragging on and on in some of the scenes. Nevertheless, I love that this author had so much knowledge about Greek mythology and incorporated his research into this book. The book is action-packed and slow-paced. If you love fast-paced books, this is not the book for you. However, if you love books that take their time and are filled with action scenes, this is the book for you. Personally, I would have loved a faster pace with this book.

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a slight obsession with greek mythology ever since I was a child so I was very much looking forward to this book.

It's clear from the first page that the author is also a big lover of Greek mythology and has spent alot of time researching for this book. Unfortunately for me, the book just didn't hit the right spot. It felt a bit long-winded and the pacing was too slow for me. I also struggled to connect to the characters so overall I was a bit bored.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!