As Fate Decrees

by Denyse Bridger

Ares would permit no one to change what the Fates had set in motion. In an ancient world, the Fates decree that a Champion will soon be brought forth: a being both mortal and eternal, destined to become as legendary as the Gods to whom she will be forever enslaved. Of the twelve who rule on Mount Olympus, it is Ares, God of War, son of Zeus and Hera, who recognizes both the truth of the divination, and the one who has been chosen. On the eve of the new millennium, the Champion of Olympus is called forth by disciples of the Ancient Order of Zeus, and Amarantha finds that she must once again defend history and myth with her very life.

Genres: Fantasy

272 pages, Paperback

First published August 14, 2007

About the author

As an award-winning, best-selling author, Denysé Bridger writes about a multitude of things, always with a touch of romance, passion, and fantasy. Her heroes are solid, driven alpha men who are willing to do whatever it takes to win the heroine’s heart and trust, while her heroines are strong, emotionally courageous women who put their hearts on the line for the men they love. Passionate, honourable characters drive Denysé’s stories, in whatever genre you find them in.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Ancient Greece, a woman named Amarantha finds herself as the next item up for sale in the Athens slave market. She is bought by a mysterious stranger who refuses to identify himself. He trains her as a warrior, and makes it clear to Amarantha that disobedience is a really bad idea. After her skills have been perfected, the stranger reveals himself as Ares, the god of war, and son of Zeus. She has been trained to be Champion of the gods of Olympus, to vanquish evil forever, until the gods say otherwise.

Sent into the world as a kind of traveling warrior, Amarantha runs into Iphicles, now King of Corinth. The two were very good friends, almost lovers, when they were younger. She stays for a while as one of his advisors, to the whispers of nearly everyone that their relationship is not exactly platonic.

While in another city also ruled by Iphicles that has been badly damaged by bandits, Ares tells Amarantha that Iphicles must return to Corinth, now. She can’t tell Iphicles how she knows this, but when he finally listens to her and returns to Corinth, with Amarantha as part of the procession, the city has been decimated. There are many deaths, including Iphicles’ queen.

Switching suddenly to present day Athens, Amarantha finds herself in the body of archaeologist Alexandra Christophi. This is not the first time that Ares has sent her elsewhere in time. This time, the enemy is a shadowy terrorist organization that has been bombing religious sites all over the world, including Macchu Picchu, the Vatican and all the religious sites in Athens. The object is to destroy all other gods and bring about the coming of The One True God. The gods of Olympus understand that their fate hangs in the balance. In the final battle, Amarantha/Alexandra is severely injured. Will the gods grant her the peace she seeks?

Here is a first-rate piece of writing. It’s very readable, the characters are well done, and it is an interesting look inside Greek mythology. This gets two thumbs up.

[Lisa Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amarantha is sold at auction to her new Master, one who trains her, terrifies her and whose identity is completely unknown to her.
Under the tutelage of her new Master, Ares, God of War, she learns the deadly skills that will seal her Fate.
Chosen to Champion the Greek Gods long after they have become myth in our world, Amarantha moves through time to protect those we no longer seem to value.

The first part of the book really sets the scene of Amarantha’s training under Ares, and while he allows her a long leash, there are some things the God of War will just not tolerate. When Am meets up with a previous love, sparks are bound to fly - in every sense of the phrase.
The second part concentrates on one of Am’s travels through time; to modern day Greece, in an attempt to thwart the final destruction of the Gods she is sworn to Champion…...

At its core, As Fate Decrees is a story of true love; not just the romantic slushy stuff either, but that love you feel deep in your soul; that connects two people across time and space.

Rather than portray Am as a victim, Denyse instead creates a strong, independant woman, whose life maybe hasn't gone to plan, but is determined to answer only to herself, and her own heart within the confines of her Fate.

Denyse has an easy-to-read style of writing that makes AFD an absolute pleasure to get lost in. The chapters are split into shorter passages, making it easy to go and make a cup of tea and pick up the story just where you left off. This is a real page-turner of a novel. Well Done Denyse!

[Lorraine Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Fate Decrees is one of those novels that will steal your heart especially if you are into Greek Mythology and Romance as I am. Imagine a warrior goddess created for the gods and in their likeness to be the guardian of ancient times. I was so wrapped up on the early years of Amarantha that I felt I was actually right there in ancient Greece. Denyse Bridger has a knack for creating that intense visual sense with the accurate period vernacular . Amarantha is one tough warrior who will love so passionately for one man whom she cannot have but be thrusted into another life where her passion will turn to the ultimate and supernatural warrior she was mean to be. As she is able to be transported through time she finds herself at the brink of the new millennium and has the ultimate job of saving the secrets of the ancient Greek gods as evil is out to destroy her and civilization. I love a story with a surprise ending and this one surely delivers. This is just one of Bridger’s fine works of art.I would love to see a sequel to this one.

[Edwin Downward · Rating 4 out of 5]

An imaginative exploration of ancient myth given a new twist.

[Erotic Horizon]

As Fate Decrees by Denyse Bridger (2007)