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Athanor: "The Legend of the Thunder Eagle" A mythological fantasy adventure blending history and legend in an epic historical odyssey
A lost love. A betrayed god. A mythological odyssey to reclaim the stolen soul of a world…
★★★★★ "A descriptively stunning and philosophically compelling read that I highly recommend to fans of mythological fiction." — Readers’ Favorite
652 BC.
In the land of the Arverni, Gaul, a divine crime has shattered the balance of the world. The Thunder Eagle, sacred protector of mankind, has been kidnapped by mysterious strangers. The realms of mortals and gods tremble at the consequences.
Athanor, proud Celtic warrior and guardian of the sacred mountains, has failed his sacred duty. In a single tragic night, he lost everything: his honor, his purpose... and the woman he loved. But the soul never forgets—and some bonds transcend even death.
Who are these strangers who dared challenge the gods themselves?
Driven by vengeance, haunted by ghosts of his past, Athanor embarks on a perilous quest—across the misty forests of Gaul, through the shimmering shores of ancient Greece, across the arid steppes of Cimmeria, and into the windswept plains of Scythia. Along this epic journey, Athanor will confront gods, legendary creatures, and his own deepest truths.
What he discovers could reshape the fate of both gods and men.
How far will one hero go to reclaim all that was lost?
★★★★★ "A descriptively stunning and philosophically compelling read that I highly recommend to fans of mythological fiction." — Readers’ Favorite
652 BC.
In the land of the Arverni, Gaul, a divine crime has shattered the balance of the world. The Thunder Eagle, sacred protector of mankind, has been kidnapped by mysterious strangers. The realms of mortals and gods tremble at the consequences.
Athanor, proud Celtic warrior and guardian of the sacred mountains, has failed his sacred duty. In a single tragic night, he lost everything: his honor, his purpose... and the woman he loved. But the soul never forgets—and some bonds transcend even death.
Who are these strangers who dared challenge the gods themselves?
Driven by vengeance, haunted by ghosts of his past, Athanor embarks on a perilous quest—across the misty forests of Gaul, through the shimmering shores of ancient Greece, across the arid steppes of Cimmeria, and into the windswept plains of Scythia. Along this epic journey, Athanor will confront gods, legendary creatures, and his own deepest truths.
What he discovers could reshape the fate of both gods and men.
How far will one hero go to reclaim all that was lost?
399 pages, Paperback
Published April 16, 2025
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Thierry Joubert
3 books4 followersThierry Joubert, an author with a passion for Antiquity and its myths, transports you to worlds where the marvelous and the human meet. His novels revisit the 7th century BC, depicting the Celts, Scythians, Cimmerians and Greeks through a mystical prism.
His tales combine mythology and adventure, plunging readers into initiatory quests combining bravery, loyalty and destiny. Inspired by ancient civilizations, Thierry creates worlds where gods, men and nature interact intimately.
Nature plays a central role, guiding the heroes and shaping their trials. Mythical creatures and natural forces weave together the destinies of peoples, underscoring the sacred bond between man and nature.
🔗 Follow Thierry Joubert on:
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His tales combine mythology and adventure, plunging readers into initiatory quests combining bravery, loyalty and destiny. Inspired by ancient civilizations, Thierry creates worlds where gods, men and nature interact intimately.
Nature plays a central role, guiding the heroes and shaping their trials. Mythical creatures and natural forces weave together the destinies of peoples, underscoring the sacred bond between man and nature.
🔗 Follow Thierry Joubert on:
Instagram |
YouTube |
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 10, 2025
Interesting Read
Loved the detail and the world the character are awesome. I would define recommend this book for people who like mythology.
Loved the detail and the world the character are awesome. I would define recommend this book for people who like mythology.
December 5, 2025
Athanor is one of those rare novels that feels both ancient and timeless a story that rises from the mists of forgotten worlds and speaks directly to something primal within us. Set in 652 BC, at a time when gods still walked the edges of human fate, the book plunges readers into an immersive mythological landscape shaped by sacred mountains, lost peoples, and long-buried forces awakening beneath the earth.
Athanor, the guardian of a forbidden sanctuary in the mountains of Alisanos, is a character as wounded as he is compelling. When strangers desecrate the holy site and steal the Thunder Eagle a divine creature revered by the gods his life shatters in a single night. Honor, love, purpose… everything is torn from him, pushing him into a relentless pursuit that becomes both a physical odyssey and a spiritual descent. His quest for vengeance is gripping, but what makes this novel unforgettable is how it explores the shadows gnawing at his soul, especially as an ancient malevolent power tightens its grip on him.
The worldbuilding is superb: vast Scythian steppes, sacred forests, forgotten temples, and mythic visions that feel as though they’ve been carried through centuries of oral tradition. The writing is vivid, lyrical, and often haunting a poetic style that perfectly suits a tale rooted in ancient belief and cosmic struggle. Every chapter feels steeped in myth, mystery, and the raw beauty of a world where the divine and the mortal coexist uneasily.
What truly stands out is the emotional journey. Athanor is not a perfect hero; he is flawed, broken, and searching for meaning. His pain, resilience, and struggle for redemption make the story deeply human despite its mythological scale. The book becomes, in many ways, an initiatory journey — one that pushes the reader to reflect on wounds, purpose, transformation, and the cost of carrying one’s destiny.
The praise from early readers is well deserved:
• Epic battles and breathtaking scenery
• A wounded, complex hero you root for even when he falters
• A mythological odyssey written in rich, poetic language
• A transformative, emotional reading experience
Athanor is a masterpiece for lovers of mythological fiction, ancient worlds, heroic quests, and stories that carry both fire and soul. It is a powerful beginning to The Whispers of Smérix, a saga that promises even more mysteries, revelations, and destinies intertwined with the voices of forgotten gods.
Athanor, the guardian of a forbidden sanctuary in the mountains of Alisanos, is a character as wounded as he is compelling. When strangers desecrate the holy site and steal the Thunder Eagle a divine creature revered by the gods his life shatters in a single night. Honor, love, purpose… everything is torn from him, pushing him into a relentless pursuit that becomes both a physical odyssey and a spiritual descent. His quest for vengeance is gripping, but what makes this novel unforgettable is how it explores the shadows gnawing at his soul, especially as an ancient malevolent power tightens its grip on him.
The worldbuilding is superb: vast Scythian steppes, sacred forests, forgotten temples, and mythic visions that feel as though they’ve been carried through centuries of oral tradition. The writing is vivid, lyrical, and often haunting a poetic style that perfectly suits a tale rooted in ancient belief and cosmic struggle. Every chapter feels steeped in myth, mystery, and the raw beauty of a world where the divine and the mortal coexist uneasily.
What truly stands out is the emotional journey. Athanor is not a perfect hero; he is flawed, broken, and searching for meaning. His pain, resilience, and struggle for redemption make the story deeply human despite its mythological scale. The book becomes, in many ways, an initiatory journey — one that pushes the reader to reflect on wounds, purpose, transformation, and the cost of carrying one’s destiny.
The praise from early readers is well deserved:
• Epic battles and breathtaking scenery
• A wounded, complex hero you root for even when he falters
• A mythological odyssey written in rich, poetic language
• A transformative, emotional reading experience
Athanor is a masterpiece for lovers of mythological fiction, ancient worlds, heroic quests, and stories that carry both fire and soul. It is a powerful beginning to The Whispers of Smérix, a saga that promises even more mysteries, revelations, and destinies intertwined with the voices of forgotten gods.
July 13, 2025
This book takes you on a journey through time and across continents. The way the narrator speaks to the reader, like they were there both back when the story is set, and still here in the present day, presents an interesting juxtaposition that I enjoyed. The weaving in of mythology with fantasy adventure and interesting characters kept me swept up in the story, and I was reluctant to set it down to deal with real life. Although it isn’t a short book, the pages really do fly by once you start reading, so make sure you set aside at least a few hours before you start if you enjoy myths, legends, and historical fantasy as much as I do!
January 18, 2026
The Legend of the Thunder Eagle is told by Smerix, an old shaman, and leans hard into dense description and mythic exposition. Greek mythology is woven into fictional wars between Celts, Cimmerians, and Scythians. This isn’t my preferred style of storytelling, but the author clearly knows the material and commits fully to the world and its lore. Readers who enjoy heavy mythological detail and a slower, more atmospheric pace will get the most out of it.
September 4, 2025
Athanor is an epic blend of myth, history, and legend that swept me into a world both haunting and beautiful. The emotional depth of Athanor’s quest for redemption, paired with the mystery of the Thunder Eagle, made the story impossible to put down. Fans of mythological fantasy and historical odysseys will find this an unforgettable adventure.
November 21, 2025
Thierry Joubert signe avec Athanor : La légende de l’Oiseau-Tonnerre une épopée captivante et élégamment construite. Dès l’ouverture, le lecteur est plongé dans des terres arvernes en crise, où la disparition de l’Oiseau-Tonnerre entraîne Athanor dans une quête aussi périlleuse qu’introspective. Héros meurtri, Athanor offre au récit une profondeur émotionnelle rare.
L’auteur excelle dans l’art de mêler mythologie, aventure et réflexion. Les tensions entre cultures grecques et celtes, les affrontements contre créatures et divinités, ainsi que la présence de Smérix, chaman aussi mystérieux que sage, enrichissent considérablement le récit.
La plume de Thierry Joubert se distingue par sa précision et sa sensibilité, alternant moments d’intensité, poésie et touches d’humour.
En somme, Athanor : La légende de l’Oiseau-Tonnerre est un roman immersif et inspirant, que je recommande vivement à tous les lecteurs amateurs de mythologie revisitée et de grandes aventures humaines.
L’auteur excelle dans l’art de mêler mythologie, aventure et réflexion. Les tensions entre cultures grecques et celtes, les affrontements contre créatures et divinités, ainsi que la présence de Smérix, chaman aussi mystérieux que sage, enrichissent considérablement le récit.
La plume de Thierry Joubert se distingue par sa précision et sa sensibilité, alternant moments d’intensité, poésie et touches d’humour.
En somme, Athanor : La légende de l’Oiseau-Tonnerre est un roman immersif et inspirant, que je recommande vivement à tous les lecteurs amateurs de mythologie revisitée et de grandes aventures humaines.
January 13, 2025
"Athanor : La légende de l’Oiseau-Tonnerre" de Thierry Joubert, c’est un peu comme un road trip à travers la mythologie, version 652 avant J.-C., sans GPS et avec des dieux capricieux comme copilotes. On embarque direct dans un univers où la mythologie grecque et celtique font un mélange explosif, façon cocktail Molotov légendaire. Et autant vous prévenir : c’est du lourd, du poétique et parfois du franchement terrifiant (mention spéciale aux forêts hantées où les arbres te jugent probablement en silence).
Dès les premières pages, j’ai été happée par cet univers riche et dense. Imaginez : les terres arvernes de Gaule sont en plein chaos parce que l’Oiseau-Tonnerre, ce gardien mythique et star incontestée de la météo locale, a disparu. Et là, débarque Athanor, le héros du titre. Attention, on parle ici d’un gars qui coche toutes les cases du héros torturé : dévasté par le deuil, rongé par la douleur, et avec une barbe probablement aussi sauvage que son cœur brisé. Athanor se lance dans une quête désespérée pour retrouver l’Oiseau-Tonnerre et, accessoirement, sauver le monde.
Mais ce n’est pas qu’une quête classique du genre "Va récupérer l’objet magique et sauve tout le monde". Non, ici, c’est une vraie introspection avec bonus de bagarres épiques et discussions philosophiques sur le sens de la vie. Athanor doit affronter des créatures mythiques, des hommes encore plus effrayants (coucou les politiciens corrompus d’antan), et parfois même les dieux eux-mêmes, qui, spoiler, ne sont pas les plus sympas du lot. Sérieusement, entre les dieux grecs qui jouent avec la vie des mortels comme moi avec des cookies et les esprits celtes pas franchement commodes, Athanor a de quoi se demander si tout ça en vaut vraiment la peine.
Et parlons-en, de ce choc des cultures entre les Grecs et les Celtes. C’est comme regarder un dîner de famille où deux générations s’affrontent : les Grecs, avec leur goût pour les débats philosophiques, et les Celtes, plus branchés sur les forêts sacrées et les chamans mystiques. Thierry Joubert s’amuse à nous montrer leurs différences, mais aussi leurs points communs (spoiler : ils aiment tous beaucoup se compliquer la vie).
Ce qui m’a le plus marquée, ce sont les personnages. Athanor, bien sûr, ce héros avec un penchant pour les décisions discutables et les moments de vulnérabilité qui te font dire "Mais pourquoi je m’attache à toi alors que je sais que tu vas souffrir ?". Et Smérix, le chaman, c’est un peu l’ancêtre spirituel de Gandalf, mais en plus mystérieux et sans le "Vous ne passerez pas !" Smérix est la boussole morale de l’histoire, le gars qui te guide tout en te laissant bien te débrouiller avec tes propres erreurs, parce que "c’est comme ça qu’on apprend, mon petit".
L’histoire de l’Oiseau-Tonnerre est ancrée dans la mythologie, mais elle résonne aussi avec des problématiques modernes. Protéger la nature ? Trouver du sens dans un monde chaotique ? Autant dire que c’est du sérieux, même si Thierry Joubert glisse tout ça dans un écrin de légendes et d’épopées qui nous rappellent que les grands questionnements humains sont intemporels.
Enfin, la plume de l’auteur est une merveille. Poétique quand il faut, percutante quand c’est nécessaire. Il sait exactement où appuyer pour que tu passes du rire aux larmes en deux pages. Certains passages m’ont bouleversée, d’autres m’ont tenue en haleine, et quelques-uns m’ont fait sourire, parce qu’il faut bien que les dieux aient un sens de l’humour, même cruel.
En résumé, "Athanor : La légende de l’Oiseau-Tonnerre", c’est une aventure épique qui a tout pour plaire : des paysages somptueux, des bastons mythologiques, des dieux insupportables, et un héros qu’on adore soutenir (et engueuler). Une œuvre magistrale que je recommande à tous ceux qui veulent plonger dans un récit captivant, poétique et un brin décoiffant.
Dès les premières pages, j’ai été happée par cet univers riche et dense. Imaginez : les terres arvernes de Gaule sont en plein chaos parce que l’Oiseau-Tonnerre, ce gardien mythique et star incontestée de la météo locale, a disparu. Et là, débarque Athanor, le héros du titre. Attention, on parle ici d’un gars qui coche toutes les cases du héros torturé : dévasté par le deuil, rongé par la douleur, et avec une barbe probablement aussi sauvage que son cœur brisé. Athanor se lance dans une quête désespérée pour retrouver l’Oiseau-Tonnerre et, accessoirement, sauver le monde.
Mais ce n’est pas qu’une quête classique du genre "Va récupérer l’objet magique et sauve tout le monde". Non, ici, c’est une vraie introspection avec bonus de bagarres épiques et discussions philosophiques sur le sens de la vie. Athanor doit affronter des créatures mythiques, des hommes encore plus effrayants (coucou les politiciens corrompus d’antan), et parfois même les dieux eux-mêmes, qui, spoiler, ne sont pas les plus sympas du lot. Sérieusement, entre les dieux grecs qui jouent avec la vie des mortels comme moi avec des cookies et les esprits celtes pas franchement commodes, Athanor a de quoi se demander si tout ça en vaut vraiment la peine.
Et parlons-en, de ce choc des cultures entre les Grecs et les Celtes. C’est comme regarder un dîner de famille où deux générations s’affrontent : les Grecs, avec leur goût pour les débats philosophiques, et les Celtes, plus branchés sur les forêts sacrées et les chamans mystiques. Thierry Joubert s’amuse à nous montrer leurs différences, mais aussi leurs points communs (spoiler : ils aiment tous beaucoup se compliquer la vie).
Ce qui m’a le plus marquée, ce sont les personnages. Athanor, bien sûr, ce héros avec un penchant pour les décisions discutables et les moments de vulnérabilité qui te font dire "Mais pourquoi je m’attache à toi alors que je sais que tu vas souffrir ?". Et Smérix, le chaman, c’est un peu l’ancêtre spirituel de Gandalf, mais en plus mystérieux et sans le "Vous ne passerez pas !" Smérix est la boussole morale de l’histoire, le gars qui te guide tout en te laissant bien te débrouiller avec tes propres erreurs, parce que "c’est comme ça qu’on apprend, mon petit".
L’histoire de l’Oiseau-Tonnerre est ancrée dans la mythologie, mais elle résonne aussi avec des problématiques modernes. Protéger la nature ? Trouver du sens dans un monde chaotique ? Autant dire que c’est du sérieux, même si Thierry Joubert glisse tout ça dans un écrin de légendes et d’épopées qui nous rappellent que les grands questionnements humains sont intemporels.
Enfin, la plume de l’auteur est une merveille. Poétique quand il faut, percutante quand c’est nécessaire. Il sait exactement où appuyer pour que tu passes du rire aux larmes en deux pages. Certains passages m’ont bouleversée, d’autres m’ont tenue en haleine, et quelques-uns m’ont fait sourire, parce qu’il faut bien que les dieux aient un sens de l’humour, même cruel.
En résumé, "Athanor : La légende de l’Oiseau-Tonnerre", c’est une aventure épique qui a tout pour plaire : des paysages somptueux, des bastons mythologiques, des dieux insupportables, et un héros qu’on adore soutenir (et engueuler). Une œuvre magistrale que je recommande à tous ceux qui veulent plonger dans un récit captivant, poétique et un brin décoiffant.
April 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — **Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite**
"This review is republished with permission from Readers' Favorite. Source: https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Athanor: The Legend of the Thunder Eagle by Thierry Joubert is a mythological odyssey set in 652 BC. We find ourselves in a mix of history, fantasy, and existential introspection in this powerful saga. When the sacred Thunder Eagle, divine protector of humankind, is kidnapped, Athanor, who is its failed guardian, embarks on a harrowing quest across ancient Gaul, Greece, and beyond. Haunted by guilt and the ghost of lost love, Athanor seeks to restore cosmic balance and reclaim his honor. Along the way, he confronts gods, monsters, and moral ambiguity, all while unraveling the truth behind the crime that could reshape the world. With poetic language, vivid settings, and a deeply human core, this is a story of vengeance, redemption, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
Author Thierry Joubert infuses an authentic sense of mythology into his writing style that makes for a sweeping, poetic blend of ancient history and high fantasy, evoking the epics of classical times. The descriptions and the mood created in the prose are second to none. This immersive and emotionally rich style draws readers into every battlefield and heartbreak with intimate psychological and emotional details from Athanor’s mind. He’s a hero who’s easy to root for but harder to get to know, and his deep emotional pain and journey of redemption keep readers intrigued and wanting to know him better with every challenge he faces. The challenges are numerous in an exciting plot, where the complex, introspective hero's journey takes a lot of fantastic twists and surprising but satisfying turns. Overall, Athanor: The Legend of the Thunder Eagle is a descriptively stunning and philosophically compelling read that I highly recommend to fans of mythological fiction.
"This review is republished with permission from Readers' Favorite. Source: https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Athanor: The Legend of the Thunder Eagle by Thierry Joubert is a mythological odyssey set in 652 BC. We find ourselves in a mix of history, fantasy, and existential introspection in this powerful saga. When the sacred Thunder Eagle, divine protector of humankind, is kidnapped, Athanor, who is its failed guardian, embarks on a harrowing quest across ancient Gaul, Greece, and beyond. Haunted by guilt and the ghost of lost love, Athanor seeks to restore cosmic balance and reclaim his honor. Along the way, he confronts gods, monsters, and moral ambiguity, all while unraveling the truth behind the crime that could reshape the world. With poetic language, vivid settings, and a deeply human core, this is a story of vengeance, redemption, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
Author Thierry Joubert infuses an authentic sense of mythology into his writing style that makes for a sweeping, poetic blend of ancient history and high fantasy, evoking the epics of classical times. The descriptions and the mood created in the prose are second to none. This immersive and emotionally rich style draws readers into every battlefield and heartbreak with intimate psychological and emotional details from Athanor’s mind. He’s a hero who’s easy to root for but harder to get to know, and his deep emotional pain and journey of redemption keep readers intrigued and wanting to know him better with every challenge he faces. The challenges are numerous in an exciting plot, where the complex, introspective hero's journey takes a lot of fantastic twists and surprising but satisfying turns. Overall, Athanor: The Legend of the Thunder Eagle is a descriptively stunning and philosophically compelling read that I highly recommend to fans of mythological fiction.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews