Rise of the Seven

by Diana Tor.

The gods have returned, but the heavens will never be the same.

They were never meant to exist. Reborn in the shadows of a broken prophecy, the new generation of Olympians carries a dangerous secret. The source of ichor in their veins is Greek, but their magic is a storm of forgotten power of the Eastern gods.
Ignorant of their true origins, Seven Young Gods lived a lonely life among mortals, haunted by Titan of Time. But when Moirai finally cut the veil, awakening the dormant divinity within, they are thrust into a lethal game of celestial survival.
Admits the brewing storm of divine rebellion, Ampelos, the grandson of Dionysus, collides with Yeorum—the miraculous soul, hidden in mortal flesh.
As passion flares and ancient enemies close in, they are faced with a devastating choice. Succumb to the tragic fate written for them by the Moirai, or burn the loom of destiny to ashes and risk unmaking the universe itself.

800 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2026

About the author

Hello! I'm Diana Tor. I am the writer behind all this chaos. I don't have a specific genre for writing books or series and my stories are usually too long! I write everything I can imagine; from spies, thieves, criminals, twisted street children to magic and historical fantasies too clear to be only a mere imaginary picture and the bonds that hold people together—or demons and supernatural beings—even when love collides with danger and claws.
I'm usually writing on my dark corner and when I'm not, well, that's when you should be worried because either I'm doing something dangerous to find out how to write it properly or I'm planning the next twists in different universes of mine.
Let's say I'm a crazy goddess who loves to create universes of chaos, pain and broken loves. Happy ending? I don't know.
Read the books and find out! ;)))

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who absolutely loves Greek mythology, Rise of the Seven was everything I hoped it would be and more!

Diana Tor has a remarkable gift for world-building. From the very first pages, she creates a universe that feels both familiar and entirely original, weaving together Greek mythology with fresh ideas in a way that kept me completely immersed! Rather than simply retelling ancient myths, she reimagines them, creating a story that feels expansive and wonderfully unpredictable.

🌶️ Spice Level: 2.5-3.5
•Explicitness: Open-door, descriptive, but not so frequent that it overshadows the fantasy plot.

•Frequency: Moderate. The romance builds over time, and the story remains primarily focused on the mythology, mystery, world-building, and overarching plot rather than constant sexual content.

•Quality: 4/5. The scenes feel emotionally driven and connected to the characters rather than included purely for shock value. They complement the romance instead of replacing character development.

So if you’re someone who enjoys fantasy romance with meaningful plot and mythology first, but still appreciates well-written romance, you’ll likely find the balance satisfying. It’s not what I’d categorize as “smut with a plot,” but rather a mythology-driven fantasy that includes several explicit romantic scenes.

The pacing kept me turning pages, balancing moments of humor, emotional depth, danger, and romance. There were several moments that genuinely surprised me, and I found myself constantly wanting to know what would happen next.

Overall, I’d describe Rise of the Seven as:
📚 Fantasy/Mythology: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🏛️ World-building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
❤️ Romance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️ Spice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you’re a fan of Greek mythology, found family, immortal characters, rich fantasy worlds, and stories filled with mystery, romance, and high stakes, I highly recommend picking this one up. I cannot wait to see where this series goes next!

[Summer Seeds · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Now he understands why Icarus was such a fool—why he flew higher and higher just to embrace the sun, even if it meant turning to ash. Longing is a far more unbearable pain.”

Diana Tor has written a love letter to Greek and Asian mythologies while creating a mythos all her own. She expertly blends aspects from the tales we know with ideas all her own, making the story and setting somehow feel both unique and familiar. As a kid who grew up obsessed with Greek Mythology, I really enjoyed this book.

I think the thing I loved most about Rise of the Seven is that Tor drops lore that isn’t necessarily common knowledge. Ares is a war god, but he is also the only god with no surviving myths that involve violence against women. Aphrodite may be the goddess of love, but people forget that she has a war-like aspect. The seven godlings drink blood as a way to sustain their life force, but this is also very in line with the beliefs and practices of the cult of Dionysus. Am I reading too much into things, or is this honestly one of the best deep cuts I have ever seen? You decide, but I’m impressed.

I think like this first novel really sets the stage for what’s to come. Things happen, yes, but I feel most of the book is getting a feel for the characters and their dynamic. The main characters may be the grandchildren of gods, but they are also just a bunch of kids. Infinite power but not a lot of experience. They are still learning and coming into their own, which makes them more relatable and sympathetic to the reader. Sometimes they make questionable decisions, and sometimes I want to reach into the book and smack someone upside the head, but I’m also deeply invested in seeing how things turn out for them all. The bond they share is absolutely everything. I love how deeply each one of them care for their brothers.

Overall, I think the book is a lot of fun. (I’m sorry, but Zagreus calling Ares, God of War a “boomer” is never not going to be hilarious to me.) Thank you to the author for the eARC. I look forward to the next book! All thoughts are my own.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise of the Seven is the first (of four) book of Tor's The Vine Crown series. It is a Greek mythology romance, dark fantasy with mixed pantheons (Greek and Eastern gods).

I don't think I really knew what I was getting myself into when I picked this one up, but I have no regrets. The book centers around 18 year old Kim Yeorum, the girl with the Miraculous Soul. She lost her family in a tragic car accident and now lives with her grandmother, her only remaining family. In addition to attending school, she works as a delivery driver for a restaurant and scoots around the city on a motorbike. It is one particular delivery that brings her the residence of a new generation of gods. There is a prophecy, because of course there is, and they need her help to reach their rightful place, but first they need to defeat Cronos, the Titan of Time.

There are seven gods - Ampelos, grandson of Dionysus, Brontes, grandson of Aphrodite, Cadmus, descended from Hermes, Caelan, descended from Zeus, Deimos, descended from Ares, Theron, descended from Apollo, and Zagreus, descended from Hades. Each of these gods has abilities which they are continuing to learn and develop as they try to figure out the prophecy and what is required of them. They all develop an affection for their little human, but Ampelos falls for her, hard. Unfortunately, the two appear to be opposite sides of the same coin which renders touch between them near impossible, an interesting turn of events.

As someone who has a fairly limited knowledge of Greek mythology, it took me some time to get into the story. I wasn't sure what details were important to remember along the journey and was busy taking notes. Over time though, the author pulled me in and I became invested in this epic adventure and the characters. There is a lot going on, and it is hard to be patient, but knowing that four books are planned ensures readers realize that this first book, which is still filled with action and adventure, really is laying the foundation to this grand story.

This is the first book I have read by the author. I'm not sure if this is her style, or was unique to this book, but I found the flipping between 1st and 3rd person to be somewhat confusing. Over time, however, I was able to set that aside to appreciate the story.

There is a lot going on, and there are plenty of characters, each with their own story and character development. There were emotional moments as well as scenes which had me smiling, and sometimes even chuckling. I was impressed with the author's skills in world building and how she brings readers along for the journey.

I have no insight into when the next book is being released, but I am looking forward to checking it out and discovering what the author has planned for these captivating characters.

[Peti Capko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Diana for choosing me as an ARC reader and for being an absolute gem and resending me the epub again when I found out the file was glitching for me!

I love Greek mythology and I will read literally anything that has any aspect of it. It's usually a hit and miss. Most of the time I simply expect a bit more. With this book though, I got everything I wanted and much more. Not only it introduces the Asian mythology with the Greek one, the story focuses on "new-gen" of gods, which is honestly so refreshing. Yes, if you love your Ares, Thanatos or Medusa, they play a part in the story, but it's not about them. We get to meet seven new gods who are so beautifully written that by the time the book ended, I didn't even care about old Olympians. Everything about this story pulls you in and you can't do anything but slowly fall in love with the world that Diana created.

I'm not going to lie, dark, brooding and morally gray MMCs are not doing it for me anymore, because they're everywhere. Ampelos is a bit like that too, but he is also a little more? Maybe it's his divine madness, maybe the way his emotions rule him, maybe how thoughtful and tender he can be, I loved him (the fact that his hair isn't black like every other romantasy hero helps too). Yes, I wanted to slap him when he was throwing his temper tantrums, but I still loved him fiercely. Honestly though, I would ride to war for any of the seven guys... and I guess Freddy and Uncle Jason too.

The last thing I want to say is ohmygod what an ending this book has. I was screaming, giggling and kicking my feet in the air. It was so good, I can't wait for the next book. This is all just getting started and I pray too all the gods that we'll get that second book ASAP.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Rise of the Seven in exchange for an honest review.

This is a book that left me with mixed feelings, but also a lot of hope for Diana Tor as an author.

The story itself is genuinely unique. I really enjoyed the blend of mythology and the ambitious ideas woven throughout the novel. One of the most interesting stylistic choices was the mix of first- and third-person narration. It gave the story an almost theatrical, stage-play quality that felt different from anything I’ve read recently.

Scattered throughout the book were some truly beautiful lines that made me stop and reread them. Those moments showed a lot of promise and reminded me that Diana has a lovely storytelling voice. At the same time, I could tell English isn’t her first language. Occasionally the phrasing felt a little awkward, and I think stronger editing would help the prose flow more naturally.

Where I struggled most was with the execution of the story. I found it difficult to understand the female main character’s motivations, particularly how readily she accepted the gods and everything happening around her. There were several moments where I felt confused about why characters made certain decisions or how events connected together. I also would have loved more time spent introducing and developing the characters and expanding the world, as I think the fascinating mythology deserved to be explored in greater depth.

Overall, I think Rise of the Seven has a strong foundation and some wonderfully original ideas. While this book didn’t completely work for me, I can absolutely see Diana growing into a fantastic author as she continues to refine her craft. She has imagination, creativity, and moments of genuinely beautiful writing. I’ll be interested to see what she writes next.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this arc. Here is my honest review.

I have been obsessed with Greek mythology since I was little. I remember some of my first books were about the Greek gods and goddesses, so, going into this book, I was a bit skeptical on whether or not I would enjoy if, or if it would disappoint me. Now with that being said, let me just say Holy SMOKES this book was phenomenal. The way Ms. Diana Tor wove this beautiful story for us was masterful. I should not have been able to read an 800 page book in just a few days, but I was completely unable to put it down.
**You know a book is spectacular when its a chunky book and yet youre still disappointed when its over and wish it could be even longer. **

I cannot rave about this book enough.

The world building is on point. It was so rich with history and lore (Medusa's part is one of my favorites).

The characters? Im obsessed. There are so many and yet I feel emotionally attached to each one. (Team Cadmus all the way)

Im rating this book 5 ⭐️. One of the easiest 5 star ratings I think ive ever given.

I need to know what happens next, and I will most definitely be IMPATIENTLY waiting to find out.

[Regina Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an AMAZING read! The writing style is completely different from anything I’ve ever read and it drew me in immediately and kept me hooked until the very last page, to the point where I kept trying to turn the page after the book ended! The world Diana has created within these pages is enticing, captivating, swoon worthy, and at times frustrating (in the best way possible!) This Greek Mythology is not like any other you’ve read before, I can promise you that! We follow 7 divine gods and 1 mortal girl following a prophecy to reach Olympus so the young gods can claim their places on the mountain. Within these pages you’ll find struggles and challenges, but you’ll also find a deep love for each of these characters and you’ll be left wanting book two immediately just like I am!

[Emily Burnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was initially drawn to this book because of its online blurb about being adjacent to the Percy Jackson series, and learning more about Greek gods and goddesses. I love that this was not a retelling of those stories, but a new storyline of its own making. You can really feel how much the author knows about this subject, and I appreciate that she weaves bits of knowledge and background into the story, so if the reader isn’t as familiar with Greek mythology, they can still grasp some of the historical backstory.

I also enjoy the unique perspective of the combined first and third-person points of view. It was hard to get used to at first, but then, as you become more attached to the characters, you realize how important that dual POV is to the storyline.

My only fault is that it took me a bit to get hooked. I wasn’t sure what the “big consequence” would be if the mission failed, or what the purpose of some of their expeditions were, but I kept on reading and it was worth it!

[Gabi Kielkucki · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw the sign up for this book, I knew I needed to get my hands on a copy. I’ve been infatuated by Greek mythology since I was a kid, and when you tell me that your fantasy novel is INSPIRED by it?!? Consider me sold.

Not only was I sold by the blurb, but Diana certainly delivered on this story. Prophecies and meddling gods just happen to be my kryptonite, and when you throw in a mortal x immortal relationship, yep I’m invested.

This is such an amazing book, and I cannot wait for the rest of the series. Thank you so much to Diana for gifting me an ARC to read and review.

[Bailey Pratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I would like to thank Diana for choosing me to be an ARC reader, and for sending me the ePUb as well!! I am so sorry it took me so long to finish the book! That has nothing to do with the contents of the book and everything to do with life circumstances.

This book is an immersive world building experience that has a fantastic MMC. Diana did a wonderful job with her story telling. I found the beginning to be a little slower, hence the 4/5, but it was very enjoyable towards the middle and by the end I was thinking OMGGGG!!! Can’t wait for a potential second book! 🫶🏻

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review -

I love Greek mythology and Rise of the Seven exceeded my expectations. The world building is amazing and I like how it is in the modern world but also have aspects from the time of the gods intertwined into. The mention of other gods outside of the Greek pantheon was a nice touch. Not only that, Rise of the Seven reminds me of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, just without the demigods. Also, nice to know that in whatever time period, Zeus is still afraid of Nyx. I can't wait to read the next book of this series.

[Alexandra Robitaille · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book! It gripped me from the start and I loved the take on the Gods in this story, it was new and different. I loved that the chapters included future Yeorem If you want to learn about the Gods you knou and some you don't and the next generation this book is amazing and I highly recommend it. I also cannot wait for the next book, and remember to long live the King.

[Angela Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sent me on an epic mythological adventure that spanned time and place. There were so many themes weaved into the story about the power of love and family, and the inability to escape destiny. Diana melded together both Greek and Eastern god mythology while simultaneously creating her own new lore that I'm so excited to see continued and more developed in the second book. I have always been a fan of Greek mythology and I learned so much about the Greek gods, their histories, and how misunderstood a lot of them were. I love how Diana portrayed the gods as utterly flawed just as humans are (and of course stubborn and prideful as well). The representation of different bodies, sexualities, and relationship dynamics was so refreshing. The past and present POVs created a lingering suspense throughout the storyline, even when the chapter was joyful and happy, there was an overarching feeling of dread of what was potentially to come. Excited for the second book to see where we go next!

[Weslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank Diana for choosing me to be an ARC reader for this book! It was a good slow burn. It was a mix of first and third person which personally made it a little bit harder to read but the story is amazing and as someone who loves Greek mythology it definitely got my attention. It has a good mix of mythology and I recommend it!

[Chelsea Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read by a kind author that let me dig into Rise of the Seven the last few weeks. If you’re into immersive world building with a sweet blend of Greek mythology, mystery, and romance, give it a read when it releases tomorrow.

[Leila Olmeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This absolutely hit it out of the park. I am completely blown away by how good this was. Absolutely a remarkable interpretation on a tragic story and it all works so well and has a beautifully modern take on a tale.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a different writing style than I’m used to but once I got the hang of things, I finished pretty quickly. I know there needs a lot of story building in this type of book, especially to get the mythology aspect down but I think it could have been a little shorter. Overall, I enjoyed it.

[Jamie Lynn Snider · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give Rise of the seven 4.5⭐️the world and story is not like any other I have read. The characters are wonderful and I cant wait to finish the series.

[Madison McAfee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need book 2 already. Amazing book. Loved it

[Darien Arabie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me way too long to read this book but wow am I glad I did. I adore mythology in general and am always excited when I find a book that caters to that love.

I am READY for the rest of the books in this series and truly enjoy the authors writing. If you have a love for mythology and want something good to read I recommend this book!

I will update my rating as soon as I can get my notes together but I loved it 💜

[Theresa S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

***This is a mid-read review***

I want to start off by saying thank you to the author for sending me an ARC! I did mean to write this about a week ago, before the release, but life and work got so busy and on top of that I got sick and it took me out of commission for a couple of days.

Now, to get to my thoughts!

I absolutely adore the ideas and concepts behind the book. The writing is very immersive and paints a picture really well for the readers. However, I found that a lot of the parts were a bit repetitive. I also thought that switching between first and third person within the same chapter was a bit jarring.

At the halfway point I find that I am craving a bit more of a fleshed-out world and characters because I feel like I've only explored two of the characters in-depth. With such an ensemble of characters, I feel like I should know more about each of them and what they have at stake, why they care so much, etc. That being said, I applaud the author for creating this world and inviting me into it. It is a feat in and of itself to even finish writing--much less actually publish--a book! I do want to finish this and see it through to the end because I am invested and need to see how things play out.

Overall, the story is intriguing, engaging, and fun. I am putting it down for a bit but fully plan on updating this review once I finish! Despite some of my personal issues with the story I would recommend it to anyone who likes reading about mythology and romance!

[De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beyond absolutely amazing. I’m an addict for mythology in general and this fed right into that obsession. From the first line to the last I was so absorbed into this epic tale. The author did a wonderful job building the world the story takes place in and in creating characters we can connect with so easily. There’s an underlying sense of familiarity but the story is entirely unique. Something I didn’t think was possible when involving mythology. It’s a perfect melding of Greek and Asian, of ancient and modern, and of known and unknown. I really appreciated that the MCs are shown to make mistakes and bad decisions (they are kids after all). The connection and deep bond they share is so endearing and really drives the story. It makes the actions they take mean more in my opinion. And the way the book ended has me feral for the next one in the series. I NEED to know what happens next and where things go for these characters. Also I have to give this author a major shout out. The representation that Diana gives us is on point and done in such a respectful way too. We have different body types and sexualities and relationships all portrayed in this book. And not one of them feels like a plot device or pandering. It’s genuine representation and I loved it.

[Sian Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a massive fan of Greek mythology so this was an immediate “add to TBR” for me and the author delivered everything I could want and more!
The world building was phenomenal and I had read from reviews prior to beginning that Diana has a really talent for this so I was pleased to see that they were all right. I really liked that it wasn’t merely a retelling of myths that we know but that she included some unique ones as well. There is some open door spice in this but it doesn’t feel forced in anyway but used more so to advance the plot line naturally.
The story is rich with action and intrigue, featuring a wide range of well-developed characters, each with their own compelling arc. Alongside the emotional moments, there were plenty of scenes that brought a smile to my face and even made me chuckle. The author’s talent for world-building shines throughout, creating an immersive experience that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
The only thing that threw me was that the writing style would change from first to third person however I haven’t read any of the authors other books to see if this was her normal writing style or if it was a plot device for this book – I didn’t notice it eventually but it did affect me in the earlier chapters.

[taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My spoiler-free review of Rise of the Seven!

Diana Tor is a magician! I knew only very surface level information about Greek mythology going in and absolutely nothing about Asian myths, but going back and forth to learn more about historical stories and finding the Easter Eggs in Rise of the Seven was literally SO fun, I am salivating waiting for the next book purely for the mythos.

I really enjoyed the development of the characters throughout the book and hope the boys establish their own voices even more in the next book as everyone has really similar banter and vocabulary when speaking aloud. I LOVED getting little glimpses into their minds (i know it’s cliche but…. Brontes <3)

This book would be perfect for a holiday read, train/bus read, spectator at a boring sport read, any read really. Though I would keep it out of reach of teenagers and other children lest you wish to define the term “knotting” at some point soon.

Waiting excitedly for book 2!!!

(i received a copy of this ePub as an ARC reader. all opinions are my own)

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story really hooks you from the start. The FMC reaction to seeing the guys is so real. I love the sibling banter between the main characters. The dialogue is well-written. I had so many theories as I was reading. I love the way Greek mythology is incorporated. Throughout the story, there are tiny signs where someone is devolving. I ended up talking to Diana about some of the theories because it was just so good!!

[Allison Demeule · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received an ARC copy from the author**

Diana has written such a cast of compelling, diverse characters that you will fall in love with. Every turn the story makes will rip your heart open, make you laugh, make you cry, and make you swoon. A character you are built up to hate became one of my favorites and a true tragic hero. I look forward to the next books in this series, because I am excited to see how the Divine Boys make it through what is ahead.

[B &#x1f98b; · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love Greek Mythology and found family, this is the book for you!

Seven immortal men. One sarcastic girl. An ancient prophecy. And one poor guy who gets burned every time he touches her. The banter had me laughing, the mythology kept me hooked, and somehow Ampelos went from "sir, please shut up" to "I would die for this idiot."

[Sanjanaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mid-read review; ARC from author

As someone who loves mythology, this one is so good! I love the fresh perspective, and having a plus size Asian FMC. The world building is amazing too. I am really able to envision what Diana is describing. I can't wait to read the rest of the series, and thank you to the author for the ebook arc!

[Scott S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise of the Seven is the first I’ve read from this author, and Diana weaves a truly entertaining tale here.
It’s a wonderful blend of mythology and thrills, fun characters and dialog with some spice; all making for a thoroughly enjoyable story. I definitely look forward to what comes next!

[Jaci Nevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had such a good story line! Life just got hectic and I was not able to fully focus on the book, but you should read this once it comes out because if you’re a fan of Greek Mythology, you are gonna love this series!!!