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Hellequin Chronicles #4
Prison of Hope
Long ago, Olympian gods imprisoned the demon Pandora in a human—Hope—creating a creature whose only purpose was chaos and death. Remorseful, the gods locked Pandora away in Tartarus, ruled by Hades.
Now, centuries later, Pandora escapes. Nate Garrett, a 1,600-year-old sorcerer, is sent to recapture her and discovers her plan to disrupt the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, killing thousands in a misplaced quest for vengeance.
Fast forward to modern-day Berlin, where Nate has agreed to act as guardian on a school trip to Germany to visit Hades at the entrance to Tartarus. When Titan King Cronus becomes the second ever to escape Tartarus, Nate is forced to track him down and bring him back, to avert a civil war between those who would use his escape to gain power.
Prison of Hope is the fourth book in the highly acclaimed and action-packed dark urban fantasy series, the Hellequin Chronicles.
512 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2015
597 people are currently reading
1344 people want to read
About the author
Steve McHugh
35 books1,901 followersSteve is a bestselling author of Urban Fantasy. His book, Scorched Shadows, was shortlisted for a Gemmell Award for best novel.
Steve was born in a small village called Mexborough, South Yorkshire, but now lives with his wife and three young daughters in Southampton
Steve was born in a small village called Mexborough, South Yorkshire, but now lives with his wife and three young daughters in Southampton
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
April 15, 2018
Love the cover
Audible version
Rtc
Awesome fantasy series!
Totally hooked!
Audible version
Rtc
Awesome fantasy series!
Totally hooked!
August 13, 2015
Another brilliant installment for the Hellequin series. One of the things I think McHugh does particularly well is to manage the growth in power that protagonists in these type of books inevitably undergo. Nate is one of the few characters who have lost something in order to gain something else. And the mystery of his 'magical blocks' is not easily or quickly answered. It's definitely something I look forward to discovering more about as the novels progress. Also, anyone who can get the word 'thundercunt' into a novel deserves a read.
July 16, 2018
Book 1: 3*
Book 2: 3*
Book 2.5: 3.25*
Book 3: 3.5*
Book 4: 3.25*
Wash, rinse and repeat. Like a lot of noir style books they have their patterns. He drags in new mythological creatures to freshen it up a bit but it's mostly the same story.
Book 2: 3*
Book 2.5: 3.25*
Book 3: 3.5*
Book 4: 3.25*
Wash, rinse and repeat. Like a lot of noir style books they have their patterns. He drags in new mythological creatures to freshen it up a bit but it's mostly the same story.
April 18, 2015
This recap is put under spoiler tag for my sake -- because I easily forgot details and there were a lot going on in this book. As it is a recap, it will contain major spoiler on how the story goes down. So don't click if you don't want to know.
Pheww... yep, there were a LOT of things going on in this book but I always loved how McHugh used the past and present portions to make one big story arc. It's always great going back with Nate's adventure and I truly wanted him to use more of his power as Hellequin. I know I will sound bloodthirsty but I actually felt gleeful whenever he killed those who deserved it.
I loved being back with the returning characters -- Tommy, Hades, Persephone, Sky -- I especially loved how Hades and Persephone were written as a couple who truly were in love and the story of how Persephone married Hades was not it was written in the mythology. I loved that Demeter was actually the b*tch in this, although Hera seemed to always be the b*tch in every story she was in *haha*.
Anyway, it was another engaging fast-paced adventure of Nate Garrett. It also involved funny moments including an argument of Star Wars, Nate's fear of flying (and he probably will ban helicopter use for the rest of his life *haha*), as well as Nate and Tommy geeked over anime (and apparently Sky also geeked out over Star Trek). I just loved this series so much. I can't wait for the next book and wonder what other havoc will Nate brings (or invite) with him.
PS: Good news and bad news (as I strolled over McHugh's website). Apparently book #5 will also be released this year. YAY. But then McHugh will take a break before book #6. BOO.
Pheww... yep, there were a LOT of things going on in this book but I always loved how McHugh used the past and present portions to make one big story arc. It's always great going back with Nate's adventure and I truly wanted him to use more of his power as Hellequin. I know I will sound bloodthirsty but I actually felt gleeful whenever he killed those who deserved it.
I loved being back with the returning characters -- Tommy, Hades, Persephone, Sky -- I especially loved how Hades and Persephone were written as a couple who truly were in love and the story of how Persephone married Hades was not it was written in the mythology. I loved that Demeter was actually the b*tch in this, although Hera seemed to always be the b*tch in every story she was in *haha*.
Anyway, it was another engaging fast-paced adventure of Nate Garrett. It also involved funny moments including an argument of Star Wars, Nate's fear of flying (and he probably will ban helicopter use for the rest of his life *haha*), as well as Nate and Tommy geeked over anime (and apparently Sky also geeked out over Star Trek). I just loved this series so much. I can't wait for the next book and wonder what other havoc will Nate brings (or invite) with him.
PS: Good news and bad news (as I strolled over McHugh's website). Apparently book #5 will also be released this year. YAY. But then McHugh will take a break before book #6. BOO.
March 7, 2017
5 stars all round fantastic book
March 21, 2015
Okay, this was definitely a five star book. Steve McHugh definitely brought it with this fourth full-length book in the Hellequin series. Nate is definitely going into my top ten of serious bad*sses!
Reviewed for Bitten By Books. http://bittenbybooks.com.
Reviewed for Bitten By Books. http://bittenbybooks.com.
May 12, 2017
This book was the best one in the series yet! I liked the storyline with Celine (or Seline) which makes me eager to read the next book (which is already downloaded from Audible for listening...).
I like Nate more and more with each book and feel sorry for all the hardship he has to endure.
Fun, actionpacked and magic all around...
And Dragonkin... Dragonkin...!!! That added the last star to my rating! 😊
I like Nate more and more with each book and feel sorry for all the hardship he has to endure.
Fun, actionpacked and magic all around...
And Dragonkin... Dragonkin...!!! That added the last star to my rating! 😊
March 19, 2015
I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
I'd have to give this a solid 4 stars.
It was nice to have that list of characters at the beginning. I read a lot of books and sometimes I forget who the minor characters in a series are until I'm halfway through the book. I chalk it up to old age and my memory going as well. :)
The story had a nice pace too it. Not too fast but not too slow. I didn't seem like Nate got to rest at all unless he was unconscious but the pacing of the whole book was just right.
The one thing that I thought could have been better was the humor among the main characters. Not the type of humor but the frequency. I got a good laugh out of it but I thought that if you knew someone for that long then there would be more jokes or teasing between characters. There should be more material for the characters to draw upon to rib each other with.
As a final gauge of how good the book was, even though I received a free copy, I'm still going to purchase a digital copy because the book was that good and I want to support the author. If I didn't think the book was good then I wouldn't waste my money. In the future I would pre-order any books in this series.
Spoiler alert:
I'm glad Nate is finally happy even if his list of enemies is growing. :)
I'd have to give this a solid 4 stars.
It was nice to have that list of characters at the beginning. I read a lot of books and sometimes I forget who the minor characters in a series are until I'm halfway through the book. I chalk it up to old age and my memory going as well. :)
The story had a nice pace too it. Not too fast but not too slow. I didn't seem like Nate got to rest at all unless he was unconscious but the pacing of the whole book was just right.
The one thing that I thought could have been better was the humor among the main characters. Not the type of humor but the frequency. I got a good laugh out of it but I thought that if you knew someone for that long then there would be more jokes or teasing between characters. There should be more material for the characters to draw upon to rib each other with.
As a final gauge of how good the book was, even though I received a free copy, I'm still going to purchase a digital copy because the book was that good and I want to support the author. If I didn't think the book was good then I wouldn't waste my money. In the future I would pre-order any books in this series.
Spoiler alert:
I'm glad Nate is finally happy even if his list of enemies is growing. :)
March 22, 2015
Prison of Hope is book 4 in the (wonderfully addictive) Nate Garrett series from Mr McHugh, once again I loved it – they are always the most tremendous fun, with magical mayhem, thrills and spills and a hugely intelligent mythology that borrows from our own.
In this instalment Nate goes on a school trip which turns out to be somewhat stressful – the witches are playing up, there is an escapee from Tartarus and once again he finds himself caught up in the political maelstrom that is Avalon..
I always enjoy the Hellequin Chronicles books SO much, so readable and beautifully done as far as flow and storytelling goes, with some marvellously drawn characters, all of which are enigmatically brilliant. I’m absolutely in love with Nate, although I would not want to get him mad..
The mythology is rich and full of depth, descriptively speaking the author has the knack of putting you right on the spot, making this whole world seem as real as our own, the action is always edge of the seat stuff and with each new instalment the relationships between the characters ebb and flow meaning you are always desperate for the next part.
Overall then a really great read, all of them, another strength being that you can read any one on its own, you don’t necessarily have to read in order. A series that I hope will run and run.
Highly Recommended
Happy Reading Folks!
In this instalment Nate goes on a school trip which turns out to be somewhat stressful – the witches are playing up, there is an escapee from Tartarus and once again he finds himself caught up in the political maelstrom that is Avalon..
I always enjoy the Hellequin Chronicles books SO much, so readable and beautifully done as far as flow and storytelling goes, with some marvellously drawn characters, all of which are enigmatically brilliant. I’m absolutely in love with Nate, although I would not want to get him mad..
The mythology is rich and full of depth, descriptively speaking the author has the knack of putting you right on the spot, making this whole world seem as real as our own, the action is always edge of the seat stuff and with each new instalment the relationships between the characters ebb and flow meaning you are always desperate for the next part.
Overall then a really great read, all of them, another strength being that you can read any one on its own, you don’t necessarily have to read in order. A series that I hope will run and run.
Highly Recommended
Happy Reading Folks!
June 3, 2018
This time, Nate has a lot to deal with. In the present timeline, he gets wrapped up in a prison break while a chaperone on Kasey's school trip. Not only does he need to find out who broke out, but how much a bunch of racist witches is involved. It is a tangled web of intrigue that takes Nate a while to sort out. In the flashback timeline, he is tracking down Pandora in Nazi Germany. She has escaped her prison and is trying to kill the gods that created her. Her plan will also kill everyone at the Berlin Olympics, innocents included. Nate is the only one that cannot be enthralled by her powers, and thus, is the only one that can stop her. Somehow, these two stories end up being related in the end.
I really enjoy this series. I like Nate's character - he's not perfect, but he kicks butt when he needs to. My only complaint at this point is that we aren't any closer to finding out who is pulling the strings of evil in Avalon. However, unlike previous books that have ended with Nate shrugging his shoulders and walking off toward his next adventure, the end of this book seemed to indicate that he was finally focused on finding out who this mysterious person is. I have my suspicions, but the only way to find out if I am right is to keep reading.
I really enjoy this series. I like Nate's character - he's not perfect, but he kicks butt when he needs to. My only complaint at this point is that we aren't any closer to finding out who is pulling the strings of evil in Avalon. However, unlike previous books that have ended with Nate shrugging his shoulders and walking off toward his next adventure, the end of this book seemed to indicate that he was finally focused on finding out who this mysterious person is. I have my suspicions, but the only way to find out if I am right is to keep reading.
October 30, 2020
4.5/5
https://delivreenlivres.home.blog/202...
Franchement excellent.
Ce tome ci monte l’intrigue a un niveau qu’elle n’avait pas encore atteint. C’est surement mon tome préféré depuis le début. En fait il était bien plus centré sur l’intrigue principale qui prend de plus en plus de place.
On découvre aussi tout un autre pan des surnaturels de ce monde. A savoir le pan mythologie gréco-romane. Dans ce univers jusqu’ici on parlait surtout d’Avalon, qui est l’endroit central du pouvoir des surnaturel que le héros connait bien car il a été l’homme de main de Merlin et d’Arthur depuis des centaines d’années.
Mais ce n’est pas le seul pan, certains surnaturels ont utilisé leurs pouvoirs pour se faire célébrer comme des dieux, et on apprend ainsi que Aphrodite est une succube, Hera et Zeus des sorciers très puissants … Ainsi que toute leur descendance/ascendance, bien sur. On apprend aussi que le terme Titan signifie surtout que leurs pouvoirs étaient titanesques car ils étaient les sorciers les plus anciens du coin déjà à cette époque la.
En fait pour être plus précise par exemple, le héros a 1600 ans environ (il ne sait pas vraiment, il a vécu à une époque ou on ne comptait pas vraiment bien les choses), il possède deux pouvoirs, l’air et le feu. Jusqu’ici il ne peux que les combiner = tornade de feu … Mais quand il deviendra suffisamment âge (si il survit aussi longtemps, bien sur), ou suffisamment puissant, il pourrait former un espèce de plasma avec les deux éléments, et il se trouve que feu et air se combinent en créant l’électricité, en gros un « liquide » chargé en éléments qui provoque des éclairs..
Ainsi le pouvoir de Zeus sur les éclairs est en fait le pouvoir d’un sorcier supérieur en air + feu, comme le héros. Ce qui signifie qu’il était soit bien plus puissant que le héros, soit bien plus vieux.
Zeus a malheureusement disparu il y a plusieurs centaines d’années, personne ne sait ou il est. Beaucoup pensent que Hera est la coupable mais personne n’ose le dire car Hera est depuis qu’il a disparu la sorcière la plus puissante de tout Avalon.
Les autres « dieux » du panthéon se sont regroupés auprès d’elle après la disparition de Zeus, car elle a réussi a faire croire à tout le monde qu’il y avait un danger et que quelqu’un cherchait à les éliminer.
Depuis ils sont tous derrière elle et elle est devenu intouchable.
J’aime vraiment beaucoup cette façon d’intégrer la mythologie à la magie du monde. Il y avait un gros coté politique dans ce tome qui n’existait pas vraiment dans les précédents, car le héros était loin de cette sphère la. Il n’est d’ailleurs vraiment pas content d’être à nouveau traîné la dedans, mais il n’a pas vraiment le choix.
L’intrigue commence avec Nathan étant poussé par son ami Tommy pour l’accompagner en tant que parant accompagnateur de toute l’école de sa fille dans un voyage scolaire pour aller visiter le complexe de Hades en Allemagne. Complexe qui contient la porte vers le Tartare, la célèbre prison ou sont encore à l’heure actuelle enfermés tout les criminels trop dangereux d’Avalon.
Pendant tout le voyage, certaines personnes essayent de faire pression sur Nathan pour le faire abandonner et rentrer chez lui. Mais étant donné qu’il adore Hades, qui est son ami, et qu’il commence à avoir des doutes, il est resté et a été embarqué dans tout ça.
Et il fait bien ! Un prisonnier arrive à s’échapper de la prison alors qu’ils sont sur place. Et pas n’importe quel prisonnier : il s’agit de Chronos, le titan père de Zeus.
Grace à Nathan ils ont pu s’en rendre compte à temps et empêcher que la porte vers le Tartare soit endommagée. Mais ça ne rendra pas la recherche plus facile, surtout au milieu de ces être anciens et très puissants qui n’aiment pas qu’on les dérange …
Le titre fait référence à Pandora, bien entendu, un des personnages mis en avant dans ce tome aussi.
C’est vraiment le premier tome depuis le début ou le héros se rapproche du pouvoir. Et du coup l’ambiance générale de la série prend vraiment un tournant important. Le coté sombre existe toujours, même si il est tourné plus sur la politique que des enquêtes, mais le coté un peu cru et gore des enquêtes est de son coté bien moins présent. Certes il y a toujours des batailles et des scènes difficiles, mais je l’ai moins ressentit comme étant quelque chose d’horrible et dégoûtant contrairement aux tomes précédents.
Ce que j’ai bien aimé dans ce tome a été le sentiment pendant tout ce tome que le héros et ses amis et alliés combattaient contraints et forcés du mauvais coté. En effet tout ce qui est fait a pour but de protéger Hera du Titan qui a passé des millénaires à chercher à s’échapper du Tartare dans le but de se venger. Et bien sur tout le monde est d’accord pour dire qu’Hera l’a bien cherché, plus on en découvre sur elle plus on se demande comment ça se fait que personne n’ai jamais réussi à l’atteindre tellement elle abuse de ses pouvoirs.
Il y a donc un espèce de malaise général qui s’installe dans le tome et souvent le héros se pose justement cette question. Pourquoi je continue à aller du coté de la loi si celle ci est détournée de façon si énorme par une puissance et qu’on ne peut rien y faire.
Sans parler d’un lien évident comment à se former tout doucement entre les événements du premier tome et ceux de l’intrigue principale ici.
Bref, de nombreuses pistes sont ouvertes ici, et j’ai vraiment hâte de lire la suite. Ce tome était énorme, épique et hyper page-turner ! J’en redemande.
https://delivreenlivres.home.blog/202...
Franchement excellent.
Ce tome ci monte l’intrigue a un niveau qu’elle n’avait pas encore atteint. C’est surement mon tome préféré depuis le début. En fait il était bien plus centré sur l’intrigue principale qui prend de plus en plus de place.
On découvre aussi tout un autre pan des surnaturels de ce monde. A savoir le pan mythologie gréco-romane. Dans ce univers jusqu’ici on parlait surtout d’Avalon, qui est l’endroit central du pouvoir des surnaturel que le héros connait bien car il a été l’homme de main de Merlin et d’Arthur depuis des centaines d’années.
Mais ce n’est pas le seul pan, certains surnaturels ont utilisé leurs pouvoirs pour se faire célébrer comme des dieux, et on apprend ainsi que Aphrodite est une succube, Hera et Zeus des sorciers très puissants … Ainsi que toute leur descendance/ascendance, bien sur. On apprend aussi que le terme Titan signifie surtout que leurs pouvoirs étaient titanesques car ils étaient les sorciers les plus anciens du coin déjà à cette époque la.
En fait pour être plus précise par exemple, le héros a 1600 ans environ (il ne sait pas vraiment, il a vécu à une époque ou on ne comptait pas vraiment bien les choses), il possède deux pouvoirs, l’air et le feu. Jusqu’ici il ne peux que les combiner = tornade de feu … Mais quand il deviendra suffisamment âge (si il survit aussi longtemps, bien sur), ou suffisamment puissant, il pourrait former un espèce de plasma avec les deux éléments, et il se trouve que feu et air se combinent en créant l’électricité, en gros un « liquide » chargé en éléments qui provoque des éclairs..
Ainsi le pouvoir de Zeus sur les éclairs est en fait le pouvoir d’un sorcier supérieur en air + feu, comme le héros. Ce qui signifie qu’il était soit bien plus puissant que le héros, soit bien plus vieux.
Zeus a malheureusement disparu il y a plusieurs centaines d’années, personne ne sait ou il est. Beaucoup pensent que Hera est la coupable mais personne n’ose le dire car Hera est depuis qu’il a disparu la sorcière la plus puissante de tout Avalon.
Les autres « dieux » du panthéon se sont regroupés auprès d’elle après la disparition de Zeus, car elle a réussi a faire croire à tout le monde qu’il y avait un danger et que quelqu’un cherchait à les éliminer.
Depuis ils sont tous derrière elle et elle est devenu intouchable.
J’aime vraiment beaucoup cette façon d’intégrer la mythologie à la magie du monde. Il y avait un gros coté politique dans ce tome qui n’existait pas vraiment dans les précédents, car le héros était loin de cette sphère la. Il n’est d’ailleurs vraiment pas content d’être à nouveau traîné la dedans, mais il n’a pas vraiment le choix.
L’intrigue commence avec Nathan étant poussé par son ami Tommy pour l’accompagner en tant que parant accompagnateur de toute l’école de sa fille dans un voyage scolaire pour aller visiter le complexe de Hades en Allemagne. Complexe qui contient la porte vers le Tartare, la célèbre prison ou sont encore à l’heure actuelle enfermés tout les criminels trop dangereux d’Avalon.
Pendant tout le voyage, certaines personnes essayent de faire pression sur Nathan pour le faire abandonner et rentrer chez lui. Mais étant donné qu’il adore Hades, qui est son ami, et qu’il commence à avoir des doutes, il est resté et a été embarqué dans tout ça.
Et il fait bien ! Un prisonnier arrive à s’échapper de la prison alors qu’ils sont sur place. Et pas n’importe quel prisonnier : il s’agit de Chronos, le titan père de Zeus.
Grace à Nathan ils ont pu s’en rendre compte à temps et empêcher que la porte vers le Tartare soit endommagée. Mais ça ne rendra pas la recherche plus facile, surtout au milieu de ces être anciens et très puissants qui n’aiment pas qu’on les dérange …
Le titre fait référence à Pandora, bien entendu, un des personnages mis en avant dans ce tome aussi.
C’est vraiment le premier tome depuis le début ou le héros se rapproche du pouvoir. Et du coup l’ambiance générale de la série prend vraiment un tournant important. Le coté sombre existe toujours, même si il est tourné plus sur la politique que des enquêtes, mais le coté un peu cru et gore des enquêtes est de son coté bien moins présent. Certes il y a toujours des batailles et des scènes difficiles, mais je l’ai moins ressentit comme étant quelque chose d’horrible et dégoûtant contrairement aux tomes précédents.
Ce que j’ai bien aimé dans ce tome a été le sentiment pendant tout ce tome que le héros et ses amis et alliés combattaient contraints et forcés du mauvais coté. En effet tout ce qui est fait a pour but de protéger Hera du Titan qui a passé des millénaires à chercher à s’échapper du Tartare dans le but de se venger. Et bien sur tout le monde est d’accord pour dire qu’Hera l’a bien cherché, plus on en découvre sur elle plus on se demande comment ça se fait que personne n’ai jamais réussi à l’atteindre tellement elle abuse de ses pouvoirs.
Il y a donc un espèce de malaise général qui s’installe dans le tome et souvent le héros se pose justement cette question. Pourquoi je continue à aller du coté de la loi si celle ci est détournée de façon si énorme par une puissance et qu’on ne peut rien y faire.
Sans parler d’un lien évident comment à se former tout doucement entre les événements du premier tome et ceux de l’intrigue principale ici.
Bref, de nombreuses pistes sont ouvertes ici, et j’ai vraiment hâte de lire la suite. Ce tome était énorme, épique et hyper page-turner ! J’en redemande.
December 31, 2019
Startling reveals, sumptious discoveries with pleasing results, another stellar entry into the wondrous Hellequin Chronicles. Driving on to the next in this well written, lightning paced, motivating and driven series. Work well done, Steve McHugh, well done.
March 16, 2015
I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review, so here it is:
GO PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK! If you've read the first three Hellequin novels (and the novella), you'll already know that Steve's writing is the type that wraps a tendril of hardened air around you and won't release you from its coils until you've finished the entire book. If you're new to Hellequin, that will make absolutely no sense to you and you need to go read them all!
I'm trying to keep this review spoiler-free, so I won't detail the plot. Suffice it to say that it is a doozy, the action sequences read like a Hollywood blockbuster, and the characters - both old and new - are unforgettable. Steve has a real talent for drawing on history, myth and legend, then working it into his fictional world seamlessly.
The best thing about this book (and the previous books) is that nothing is predictable. Anyone can die, anyone can betray others, you can think you've got it all figured out then get suckerpunched with a plot twist that, in hindsight, makes perfect sense.
The worst thing? The wait from now until book five!
So, to conclude - if you haven't read the Hellequin Chronicles, you are missing out. If you have, come join me for commiseration cookies whilst we wait to see what Nate does next!
GO PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK! If you've read the first three Hellequin novels (and the novella), you'll already know that Steve's writing is the type that wraps a tendril of hardened air around you and won't release you from its coils until you've finished the entire book. If you're new to Hellequin, that will make absolutely no sense to you and you need to go read them all!
I'm trying to keep this review spoiler-free, so I won't detail the plot. Suffice it to say that it is a doozy, the action sequences read like a Hollywood blockbuster, and the characters - both old and new - are unforgettable. Steve has a real talent for drawing on history, myth and legend, then working it into his fictional world seamlessly.
The best thing about this book (and the previous books) is that nothing is predictable. Anyone can die, anyone can betray others, you can think you've got it all figured out then get suckerpunched with a plot twist that, in hindsight, makes perfect sense.
The worst thing? The wait from now until book five!
So, to conclude - if you haven't read the Hellequin Chronicles, you are missing out. If you have, come join me for commiseration cookies whilst we wait to see what Nate does next!
March 21, 2015
Disclaimer: I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
Steve Mchugh has really found his stride in this, the fourth full length story, of his Hellequin series. He introduced so many new facets of his world to us in this book; Witches, Runes, the Greek Pantheon and Nate's love life to name but a few. All these things flesh out Nate's world nicely, answering some questions asked in the previous books while still leaving us feeling that there is much more still to find out. All of this was delivered in Steve's trademark fast paced and action packed style.
Steve Mchugh has really found his stride in this, the fourth full length story, of his Hellequin series. He introduced so many new facets of his world to us in this book; Witches, Runes, the Greek Pantheon and Nate's love life to name but a few. All these things flesh out Nate's world nicely, answering some questions asked in the previous books while still leaving us feeling that there is much more still to find out. All of this was delivered in Steve's trademark fast paced and action packed style.
March 25, 2015
An excellent instalment to the Hellequin cronicles. I highly recommend this series to any fan of urban fantasy or indeed anyone thinking about trying something from this genre. I read this book in three sittings, thoroughly enjoyed it as I have the others. I look forward to the next in the series.
June 23, 2019
PRISON OF HOPE is the fourth novel of the Hellequin Chronicles. The Hellequin Chronicles are incredibly fun adventure novels about a magical assassin named Nathan Garrett. At 1600+ years old, he's one of the toughest humans alive but he's only human.
This book follows Nathan as he deals with a Nazi plot to make use of Pandora from Greek mythology. Pandora can bring unimaginable strife to whoever she encounters but is restrained by a secondary personality, "Hope" who doesn't want to hurt anyone. In the present day, Nathan is leading a school of young high school students to visit the prison dimension of Tartarus. Not only is Pandora at risk of being freed by Avalon extremists but also Cronos, the former ruler of the Greek Gods. Both want to kill Hera, the current strongest god in Avalon.
There's some elements of this book I wasn't 100% sold on. I wasn't a big fan of Selene and didn't think she displayed any qualities that really attracted me to her. I didn't buy the Nathan/Selene relationship and didn't want to see them get back together. I definitely enjoyed it and immediately bought the next book.
9/10
This book follows Nathan as he deals with a Nazi plot to make use of Pandora from Greek mythology. Pandora can bring unimaginable strife to whoever she encounters but is restrained by a secondary personality, "Hope" who doesn't want to hurt anyone. In the present day, Nathan is leading a school of young high school students to visit the prison dimension of Tartarus. Not only is Pandora at risk of being freed by Avalon extremists but also Cronos, the former ruler of the Greek Gods. Both want to kill Hera, the current strongest god in Avalon.
There's some elements of this book I wasn't 100% sold on. I wasn't a big fan of Selene and didn't think she displayed any qualities that really attracted me to her. I didn't buy the Nathan/Selene relationship and didn't want to see them get back together. I definitely enjoyed it and immediately bought the next book.
9/10
April 2, 2015
I have been a big fan of this series since I discovered in on Amazon a couple of years ago. Crimes Against Magic was one of my favorite books that year. Well, Steve Mchugh has done it again. This book was absolutely fantastic. It had me unable to put it down, moving seamlessly from one good scene to the next. The Author, as he has done in the other books, has two story lines in the book: the present, where the main character, Nate Garrett, is dealing with some threat, and storyline from the past that has some relation to the present. In this case, the past story line is set in 1936 Berlin, at the time of the Berlin Olympics. The story revolves around Pandora, the magical creation of the Greek "Gods", who's touch possess people and creates chaos and destruction. Cast off by the gods, she is constantly escaping captivity and creating mayhem, all while trying to get revenge on her creators. That is where both story lines coincide, since they both revolve around Pandora's plots. Throughout the story we are introduced to many figures from Greek and Roman legend, such as Hera, Aphrodite, Ares, Deimos, Hyperion, Selene, Eos, Chronos, Rhea, Atlas, Brutus and Demeter, as well as Arthurian legend Sir Kay, foster brother of King Arthur. The story is fast paced and keeps you guessing, constantly on the edge of your seat. Nate discovers some new powers, as well as some parts of his past. We are also introduced to a former love of Nate's. Not quite as grim as With Silent Screams, book 3 in the series, it is more epic in scale. The Author continues his trend of creating new magic systems and subtypes, while keeping everything consistent from book to book. We find out just how powerful and Earth Elemental can be, in a powerful battle scene that will leave you cheering. The books are slowly pointing toward the reveal of Nathan's full past and powers, which have been hinted at as world shaking. The writing gets better with every book, with this one being especially polished and flowing. I would recommend this series to any fan of fantasy, whether it be urban or otherwise.
September 26, 2015
Four and a half stars. Took off half a star for a couple of nits. First off, in the Cronus fight, Persephone had to come to the rescue! What?? What a let-down! I want the great Hellequin to have more kick butt-ness! Nate is a great character but he seems to be on the verge of death a little too much. I also find it frustrating how it's so easy to make Nate magic-less. One rune and he's tapped out. I love Erebus (the nightmare). He needs to come out an play more. Clearly Nate needs him. I didn't get the Pandora/Hope deal at the end, either. Still a great series and an auto buy for me.
May 3, 2015
Wow this series goes from strength to strength . With out spoilers Nate grows in power every instalment and you are left wondering who his parents really are they must be top players in the Avalon society ! The flash back story arc plays well in every book ! Only down side to this is I have finished and now need to wait a year for next book
September 11, 2016
Another great sequel - lots of fun, lots of action, lots of intrigue - a bit of an ocean's eleven fell to this one.
More background info about Nate - and amazing new characters!
Once again a hearty recommendation for this series from me!
More background info about Nate - and amazing new characters!
Once again a hearty recommendation for this series from me!
March 18, 2015
Great book to continue a brilliant series that will hopefully continue on for many more books to come. Cant wait for the next one to come so that i can read it.
October 17, 2018
Loved the reread!!
June 21, 2018
4.75 Stars
Another thrilling, action packed book of the Hellequin Chronicles. This one had such a star studded cast of side characters and a brilliant plot. I love the way Steve McHugh writes, telling the story through flashbacks from the past and connecting it to present day timeline.
Nathan Garret has gone through a lot in this one. From chasing Pandora through 1936 Germany, to fighting racist witches and Olympian Gods in the present. Nate got his cocky ass kicked a lot. The plot is rich in mythology. Nate's still in the dark about who the real person is behind these attacks but seems like he's determined to find him. So, moving on to the next book.
Another thrilling, action packed book of the Hellequin Chronicles. This one had such a star studded cast of side characters and a brilliant plot. I love the way Steve McHugh writes, telling the story through flashbacks from the past and connecting it to present day timeline.
Nathan Garret has gone through a lot in this one. From chasing Pandora through 1936 Germany, to fighting racist witches and Olympian Gods in the present. Nate got his cocky ass kicked a lot. The plot is rich in mythology. Nate's still in the dark about who the real person is behind these attacks but seems like he's determined to find him. So, moving on to the next book.
December 5, 2018
Fantastic Fourth Instalment
Another fabulous story and one that kept me gripped to the very end! I love how we have all the charcoal linking together and I really do love to see the same characters reappearing in each book! It really feels like a family now! Can’t wait to get stuck into the next one!
Another fabulous story and one that kept me gripped to the very end! I love how we have all the charcoal linking together and I really do love to see the same characters reappearing in each book! It really feels like a family now! Can’t wait to get stuck into the next one!
March 23, 2015
Main characters: Nathan does not disappoint. He is a sorcerer of unimaginable strength and he has friends of unimaginable fame. To be in his circle must be a hell of a rush. He does have his enemies as well as his secrets. That’s what makes him attractive as a protagonist. He is 1600 years old – an age I cannot even imagine.
Other characters: There is Hope/Pandora who is the main focus of the book. Hades, Persephone and the whole lot of Olympian gods. We meet more friends and see Germany during the Nazi reign as well as in contemporary time. We meet one woman that was a love interest from Nathan’s past. We get to meet an older Kasey, whom I love and has turned into a very admirable young lady. Tommy is also accompanying Kasey as they drag Nathan along on an innocent school outing that turns into a lot more. We see Olivia and even meet King Arthur’s brother. All the recurring characters are well thought out and I feel like I’m visiting friends when I drop into Nathan’s world.
World: A little brushing up of Greek mythology’s dysfunctional family tree will make following the scheming and plotting easier. I like the world weaving the author delivers. The story falls into the fantasy genre, but it’s a fun world in which to get lost. There are contemporary landmarks used as well as known countries, so the world is a recognizable one. The author meshes together the contemporary time with that of Olympian Gods and historical figures. The attention to detail is fabulous.
Story: No cliffhanger ending. The story is another one of the author’s incredible designs and he does deliver some answers to past unanswered questions. I love how the author takes us back in time to relevant history of Nathan’s and shows us that what goes around usually comes around. We learn more about Nathan, about Hellequin. There are some secrets revealed that make Nathan even more genuine. We get to experience his grief, heart break as well as rage and even a little laughter. The banter between Nathan and his friends make the story appealing and more solid. This is not a story that has one character that saves the world, it’s the whole team.
Overall: This series is a must read. The action, adventure and history keeps the reader engaged at all times. It is a story that incorporates the emotional side of the characters, their passion for justice as well as their conflict.
Favorite quotes: “I think a toy of me with a real spinning sphere of death is an unlikely action figure.”
Take-away: “I’ve never been all that concerned with being right. If I’m wrong, someone will correct me, and if I’m right, then no one will. Being wrong is how we learn; it’s how ever species – human, sorcerer, or otherwise-has managed to survive without imploding. We learn from our mistakes.”
Other characters: There is Hope/Pandora who is the main focus of the book. Hades, Persephone and the whole lot of Olympian gods. We meet more friends and see Germany during the Nazi reign as well as in contemporary time. We meet one woman that was a love interest from Nathan’s past. We get to meet an older Kasey, whom I love and has turned into a very admirable young lady. Tommy is also accompanying Kasey as they drag Nathan along on an innocent school outing that turns into a lot more. We see Olivia and even meet King Arthur’s brother. All the recurring characters are well thought out and I feel like I’m visiting friends when I drop into Nathan’s world.
World: A little brushing up of Greek mythology’s dysfunctional family tree will make following the scheming and plotting easier. I like the world weaving the author delivers. The story falls into the fantasy genre, but it’s a fun world in which to get lost. There are contemporary landmarks used as well as known countries, so the world is a recognizable one. The author meshes together the contemporary time with that of Olympian Gods and historical figures. The attention to detail is fabulous.
Story: No cliffhanger ending. The story is another one of the author’s incredible designs and he does deliver some answers to past unanswered questions. I love how the author takes us back in time to relevant history of Nathan’s and shows us that what goes around usually comes around. We learn more about Nathan, about Hellequin. There are some secrets revealed that make Nathan even more genuine. We get to experience his grief, heart break as well as rage and even a little laughter. The banter between Nathan and his friends make the story appealing and more solid. This is not a story that has one character that saves the world, it’s the whole team.
Overall: This series is a must read. The action, adventure and history keeps the reader engaged at all times. It is a story that incorporates the emotional side of the characters, their passion for justice as well as their conflict.
Favorite quotes: “I think a toy of me with a real spinning sphere of death is an unlikely action figure.”
Take-away: “I’ve never been all that concerned with being right. If I’m wrong, someone will correct me, and if I’m right, then no one will. Being wrong is how we learn; it’s how ever species – human, sorcerer, or otherwise-has managed to survive without imploding. We learn from our mistakes.”
March 23, 2015
Main characters: Nathan does not disappoint. He is a sorcerer of unimaginable strength and he has friends of unimaginable fame. To be in his circle must be a hell of a rush. He does have his enemies as well as his secrets. That’s what makes him attractive as a protagonist. He is 1600 years old – an age I cannot even imagine.
Other characters: There is Hope/Pandora who is the main focus of the book. Hades, Persephone and the whole lot of Olympian gods. We meet more friends and see Germany during the Nazi reign as well as in contemporary time. We meet one woman that was a love interest from Nathan’s past. We get to meet an older Kasey, whom I love and has turned into a very admirable young lady. Tommy is also accompanying Kasey as they drag Nathan along on an innocent school outing that turns into a lot more. We see Olivia and even meet King Arthur’s brother. All the recurring characters are well thought out and I feel like I’m visiting friends when I drop into Nathan’s world.
World: A little brushing up of Greek mythology’s dysfunctional family tree will make following the scheming and plotting easier. I like the world weaving the author delivers. The story falls into the fantasy genre, but it’s a fun world in which to get lost. There are contemporary landmarks used as well as known countries, so the world is a recognizable one. The author meshes together the contemporary time with that of Olympian Gods and historical figures. The attention to detail is fabulous.
Story: No cliffhanger ending. The story is another one of the author’s incredible designs and he does deliver some answers to past unanswered questions. I love how the author takes us back in time to relevant history of Nathan’s and shows us that what goes around usually comes around. We learn more about Nathan, about Hellequin. There are some secrets revealed that make Nathan even more genuine. We get to experience his grief, heart break as well as rage and even a little laughter. The banter between Nathan and his friends make the story appealing and more solid. This is not a story that has one character that saves the world, it’s the whole team.
Overall: This series is a must read. The action, adventure and history keeps the reader engaged at all times. It is a story that incorporates the emotional side of the characters, their passion for justice as well as their conflict.
Favorite quotes: “I think a toy of me with a real spinning sphere of death is an unlikely action figure.”
Take-away: “I’ve never been all that concerned with being right. If I’m wrong, someone will correct me, and if I’m right, then no one will. Being wrong is how we learn; it’s how ever species – human, sorcerer, or otherwise-has managed to survive without imploding. We learn from our mistakes.
Reviewed for NetGalley
www.onebooktwo.com
Other characters: There is Hope/Pandora who is the main focus of the book. Hades, Persephone and the whole lot of Olympian gods. We meet more friends and see Germany during the Nazi reign as well as in contemporary time. We meet one woman that was a love interest from Nathan’s past. We get to meet an older Kasey, whom I love and has turned into a very admirable young lady. Tommy is also accompanying Kasey as they drag Nathan along on an innocent school outing that turns into a lot more. We see Olivia and even meet King Arthur’s brother. All the recurring characters are well thought out and I feel like I’m visiting friends when I drop into Nathan’s world.
World: A little brushing up of Greek mythology’s dysfunctional family tree will make following the scheming and plotting easier. I like the world weaving the author delivers. The story falls into the fantasy genre, but it’s a fun world in which to get lost. There are contemporary landmarks used as well as known countries, so the world is a recognizable one. The author meshes together the contemporary time with that of Olympian Gods and historical figures. The attention to detail is fabulous.
Story: No cliffhanger ending. The story is another one of the author’s incredible designs and he does deliver some answers to past unanswered questions. I love how the author takes us back in time to relevant history of Nathan’s and shows us that what goes around usually comes around. We learn more about Nathan, about Hellequin. There are some secrets revealed that make Nathan even more genuine. We get to experience his grief, heart break as well as rage and even a little laughter. The banter between Nathan and his friends make the story appealing and more solid. This is not a story that has one character that saves the world, it’s the whole team.
Overall: This series is a must read. The action, adventure and history keeps the reader engaged at all times. It is a story that incorporates the emotional side of the characters, their passion for justice as well as their conflict.
Favorite quotes: “I think a toy of me with a real spinning sphere of death is an unlikely action figure.”
Take-away: “I’ve never been all that concerned with being right. If I’m wrong, someone will correct me, and if I’m right, then no one will. Being wrong is how we learn; it’s how ever species – human, sorcerer, or otherwise-has managed to survive without imploding. We learn from our mistakes.
Reviewed for NetGalley
www.onebooktwo.com
March 17, 2015
So, the Hellequin Chronicles book 4, prison of hope.
After the first three amazing books my expectations for this book were extremely high, and to be honest this book is great, but I didn't feel like it had the same impact on me that the others did, it was a close cousin to the main bloodline.
I still thoroughly enjoyed the book I just thought it could have been more than it was, hence my 3.5 to 4/5 rating, here are my thoughts.
SOME SPOILERS, KINDA.
The main storyline was great, bringing in another realm in tartarus, which was adapted very nicely to fit the story and I liked how it played out.
I liked Selene and the depth of love for nate, I did recently read the other books, but, was it selene that was caught with nate by arthur? can't remember
The Berlin storyline I found a bit "eh" I mean seeing the madness of hope/pandora was nice, but I didn't feel like it had the same impact as the tommy/ivy, sky and the lich america, and the 77' america story had on the main storyline in the previous books.
The magic progression within Nate was good to see, but I felt like it missed a trick in the explanation of the combination of the fire and air to create lightning rather than have it just happen after the first real meeting with erebus where nate would have to consciously use it with thought, the emergence of erebus was enjoyable and of course will need to be revisited in depth in later books.
Also after the mention of omega magics at the start and having them used on nate by that other mystery sorceror, I would have thought we would have got a magic discovery phase like we had with the necromancy in the last book, but it wasnt mentioned again pretty much after the intro, which bummed me out.
Kasey is a teen, no elemental werewolf shenanigans yet? I thought something would have gone on with her.
Nate knows everyone, many many characters, I would hope that diana and eos will have more involvement in the future.
After the first three amazing books my expectations for this book were extremely high, and to be honest this book is great, but I didn't feel like it had the same impact on me that the others did, it was a close cousin to the main bloodline.
I still thoroughly enjoyed the book I just thought it could have been more than it was, hence my 3.5 to 4/5 rating, here are my thoughts.
SOME SPOILERS, KINDA.
The main storyline was great, bringing in another realm in tartarus, which was adapted very nicely to fit the story and I liked how it played out.
I liked Selene and the depth of love for nate, I did recently read the other books, but, was it selene that was caught with nate by arthur? can't remember
The Berlin storyline I found a bit "eh" I mean seeing the madness of hope/pandora was nice, but I didn't feel like it had the same impact as the tommy/ivy, sky and the lich america, and the 77' america story had on the main storyline in the previous books.
The magic progression within Nate was good to see, but I felt like it missed a trick in the explanation of the combination of the fire and air to create lightning rather than have it just happen after the first real meeting with erebus where nate would have to consciously use it with thought, the emergence of erebus was enjoyable and of course will need to be revisited in depth in later books.
Also after the mention of omega magics at the start and having them used on nate by that other mystery sorceror, I would have thought we would have got a magic discovery phase like we had with the necromancy in the last book, but it wasnt mentioned again pretty much after the intro, which bummed me out.
Kasey is a teen, no elemental werewolf shenanigans yet? I thought something would have gone on with her.
Nate knows everyone, many many characters, I would hope that diana and eos will have more involvement in the future.
March 21, 2015
This book is the 4th installment in the series, and while not as intense as some of the other books, there is a great deal of back story that gets put into place. I am going to avoid spoilers as much as possible, but I may give away a few things inadvertently.
We get to spend more time with old friends who are int this book; Casey, Tommy, Hades, Persephone and Sky. We also get to meet some new people who we have not met yet but are old acquaintances of Nate. The interactions are true to the characters, and tend to leave you wanting more.
Growth of Nate's abilities are shown, along with some reasons for apparent logic fails, which weren't. More of the mystery that is Nate is revealed, however now I have more questions than ever!
We get to meet new friends, and new to us enemies. Also new enemies show up with some truly frightening scope to their skills. There is one that is probably best described as a 'frenemy', who shows that even eternal things do change.
All in all a good installment to the series with some pieces of the puzzle going into place. Not as frantically action packed as some of the other books, but the set-ups in this book will leave you wanting a great deal more.
Now I have to wait for book 5!
I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
We get to spend more time with old friends who are int this book; Casey, Tommy, Hades, Persephone and Sky. We also get to meet some new people who we have not met yet but are old acquaintances of Nate. The interactions are true to the characters, and tend to leave you wanting more.
Growth of Nate's abilities are shown, along with some reasons for apparent logic fails, which weren't. More of the mystery that is Nate is revealed, however now I have more questions than ever!
We get to meet new friends, and new to us enemies. Also new enemies show up with some truly frightening scope to their skills. There is one that is probably best described as a 'frenemy', who shows that even eternal things do change.
All in all a good installment to the series with some pieces of the puzzle going into place. Not as frantically action packed as some of the other books, but the set-ups in this book will leave you wanting a great deal more.
Now I have to wait for book 5!
I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
March 18, 2015
Yet another amazing book in this series from this author!
In this (fourth) book, we get to see a whole side of Nate that has been...avoided up until now - his long-term romantic relationships. No, that doesn't mean this book is a romance novel; it's still directly in the same theme and feel as the rest of the series - a roller-coaster ride of action / adventure following our favorite anti-hero protagonist, who has no qualms whatsoever being cruel and vicious to those who seriously need it. We also see some character growth in this book, with Nate making some choices and stopping some things from happening that he really wants to see happen, but the way they're happening would simply cause far too much collateral damage to innocents, and he just can't allow that.
Couldn't. Put. It. Down.
In fact, I'm going to go back and read it again now.
Disclaimer: I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
That being said, I also have it on pre-order for Kindle and Audible, which I'm paying for. It's that good.
In this (fourth) book, we get to see a whole side of Nate that has been...avoided up until now - his long-term romantic relationships. No, that doesn't mean this book is a romance novel; it's still directly in the same theme and feel as the rest of the series - a roller-coaster ride of action / adventure following our favorite anti-hero protagonist, who has no qualms whatsoever being cruel and vicious to those who seriously need it. We also see some character growth in this book, with Nate making some choices and stopping some things from happening that he really wants to see happen, but the way they're happening would simply cause far too much collateral damage to innocents, and he just can't allow that.
Couldn't. Put. It. Down.
In fact, I'm going to go back and read it again now.
Disclaimer: I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
That being said, I also have it on pre-order for Kindle and Audible, which I'm paying for. It's that good.
April 25, 2015
It was good. In fact I have loved the story lines of this series. My one main problem with this series is that every character has, if not the same, then a very similar voice. Every character swears a lot. Even in situations where it seems to me to be out of place, or out of character for characters who are hundreds or thousands of years old.
Another example is how every character seems to at least have some interest or knowledge of nerd culture. And the reference to Naruto's Rasengan was not necessary and felt forced and out of place. I have no problem with an author borrowing from other works, even with abilities like that. But the author did a poor job of presenting it, and making it his own.
Like I said, I like the plot, I like the characters mostly, and I like the systems of magic. But its the little things in this story that make things feel kind of off.
I wish he had a deal with a publishing company rather than Amazon. The various editing would really just add that polish and perfectionism that Amazon books often just don't have. Would be a 5 star favorite series of mine if it were better edited.
Another example is how every character seems to at least have some interest or knowledge of nerd culture. And the reference to Naruto's Rasengan was not necessary and felt forced and out of place. I have no problem with an author borrowing from other works, even with abilities like that. But the author did a poor job of presenting it, and making it his own.
Like I said, I like the plot, I like the characters mostly, and I like the systems of magic. But its the little things in this story that make things feel kind of off.
I wish he had a deal with a publishing company rather than Amazon. The various editing would really just add that polish and perfectionism that Amazon books often just don't have. Would be a 5 star favorite series of mine if it were better edited.
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