Venus Rising

Daughters of Zeus #6

by Kaitlin Bevis

The final battle . . .

Aphrodite is in big trouble this time. She’s stranded on the island of the DAMNED--without powers and without her beloved Ares. Worse, she knows it’s only a matter of time before the demigods figure out she’s a goddess. If that happens, she’ll wish she were dead.

Help arrives in the form of an unlikely ally. But Medea has her own demands, and if Aphrodite wants to survive--not to mention find Hades and the weapons cache--she has to meet them.

But all their plans take a back seat when they find themselves in even more pressing danger. When Medea moved the island, she rendered it unstable. Now it’s breaking apart and sinking. In the chaos, the demigods have risen up, blaming the gods for their misfortune. Nobody is safe from the demigods . . . especially a Pantheon sympathizer like Aphrodite. And they’ve come up with a deadly test to uncover any imposters.

Aphrodite knows she can’t do this alone. It will take the whole Pantheon to get her out of this mess. Unfortunately, they’ll have to find her first . . .

Kaitlin Bevis spent her childhood curled up with a book and a pen. If the ending didn't agree with her, she rewrote it. Because she's always wanted to be a writer, she spent high school and college learning everything she could to achieve that goal. After graduating college with a BFA and Masters in English, Kaitlin went on to write The Daughters of Zeus series.

Genres: Mythology, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Greek Mythology, Gods, Urban Fantasy

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2017

About the author

I spent my childhood curled up with a book, and a pen. If the ending didn’t agree with me, I rewrote it. Now, I write my own endings, middles, and beginnings for the Daughters of Zeus series, including the best selling novel, Persephone.

I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and I spent high school and college learning everything I could so that one day I could achieve that goal. I graduated college with my BFA and Masters in English with a EDs in School Library Media.

For up to the minute information on my future releases subscribe to my facebook or twitterpage!

Reviews

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this ebook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

3.5 stars. I have mixed feelings on this installment of the series, to be honest. The Aphrodite portion gets 4 stars, but the Persephone portion only gets 3. It frustrates me when the ending previously enjoyed by the main characters of the first three books is interrupted the the next three books. Best way I can explain is by saying that Mission Impossible 3 remains my favorite; although the subsequent movies were really great, I have a hard time enjoying them because they damaged the ending of the 3rd movie. In the case of Venus Rising, the factor that prevents me from outright hating the ending feels kind of like it was just plugged in there in response to an editor saying, "Hey, you'd better fix this." I don't know. But I'm frustrated, and I'm still left with a "Hey, you'd better fix this" mentality.

Aside from that . . .

The book was enjoyable, on par with the rest of the series. I appreciate Aphrodite more than I did when she was initially introduced, and I am happy with the way she has evolved throughout the series. In the previous book, I felt sympathy towards Medea. I still do, but she's also a bit tricky. I feel bad for her, but sometimes she also tried my patience. Overall, though, she seemed aware of her flaws and weaknesses and tried to counteract them. In general, the characters feel developed; even the minor characters are pretty easy to distinguish from one another.

How it ends: After Narcissus sent demigods to ambush the gods at a peace meeting, Persephone took away their ability to die. As the island began falling apart, many demigods suffered injuries that should have resulted in their deaths; instead, they were stuck suffering in destroyed bodies.

Aphrodite was able to teach Medea how to dreamwalk, and they made a plan with the Pantheon to rescue Medea, Otrera, Hades, Aphrodite, and Adonis from the island before it completely fell apart. Due to complications, the five of them were holed up in the hidden wing of the hospital while the other demigods tried to break in. As a last effort to save everyone else, Hades expended his powers to basically separate the demigods' souls from their bodies. Because of the Steele in his body, though, it killed him. (Yes, you read that right.) He gave a obal to Aphrodite to give to Persephone.

And of course, that's when Persephone and the rest of the Pantheon showed up. It's unclear whether it's because of the divinely caused deaths from Hades or if Poseidon was able to detect their coordinates when Medea put her blood in the water. Anyway. Persephone lost control of her powers and almost shattered all the realms. Aphrodite was able to get through to her and help get her powers under control. She handed Persephone the obal from Hades, and . . .

Hades soul was still intact, though his body remained dead. Because she was queen of the Underworld, Persephone was still able to touch him, but she's the only one who would be able to. And that's how it appears things will stay. This aspect is why I couldn't give the book 4 stars. Hades and Persephone don't have their happy ending anymore. Not really. I mean, he's dead. What happens now? Can they have kids? I wanted there to be some way for him to be put back in his body. You know . . . get Medea to come back and give him some blood. Put his soul back in his body. (Didn't Hades put Eurydice's soul back in her body because Orpheus and Persephone asked him to?) There's got to be something. *sigh*

The Pantheon and demigods worked out a solution, and it appear Persephone is going to divide up some powers to give to the other gods so she doesn't have a dangerous amount. Aphrodite is going to be the goddess of love.

Oh, I forgot. In order to prevent her from dying because of the Steele would, Hephaestus and Aphrodite get married (so she can share his immunity). But they both recognize it won't mean anything like Persephone and Hades's marriage does.

Medea and Otrera are off somewhere that Medea teleported them when Persephone was losing control. They're going to start new lives and help the other demigods, but they're not going to form another anti-god group.

Note: Minimal swearing, but an f word (I think only one). I don't get it--why? Just leave it out. You don't need it.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and I really hope the author continues it in some form because omg there's so much world and what comes next and ah this is the problem with series books: the waiting the waiting the waaaaaaaaaaaaaaiting.

[Becki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been very impatiently waiting for this novel to be released and was so excited to get an advance copy of this book from NetGalley's. I immediately put aside the other book I was reading to devour this book in a day. This was a great conclusion to Aphrodite's story. After being stranded on the island alone Aphrodite has to figure out how to keep her true identity hidden, survive the increasingly more hostile island, and save the captive Gods. Throughout the story, Aphrodite learns how to rely on herself and discovers who she really is.

The story is also told from Medea's viewpoint which I found to be less annoying in this book than in the previous one. She is still a scared young girl who makes rash decisions but she quickly learns how powerful she truly is, which leads her to figure out how to not be used as a tool by everyone around her.

[Amutha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm so happy to finish this trilogy...For me, its a boring one...
I preferred Persephone trilogy. Should have stopped at book 3...

[Tiffany Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's time for the final battle and Aphrodite just may be in over her head this time! She's stranded on the island of the DAMNED without the use of her powers and now she doesn't even have her beloved, Ares, with her! To make matters worse, she knows that it's only a matter of time before the demigods figure out that she's actually a goddess, and not one of them. If...when...that happens, they'll make her wish she was dead! But, then, help arrives in the form of an unlikely ally. Medea is willing to help Aphrodite and negotiate with the Pantheon to come up with a solution, but first, she has some demands of her own. If Aphrodite has any hope of surviving--and finding Hades before it's too late-- then, she's going to have to meet Medea's demands, and relay them to the rest of the pantheon. But, it doesn't take long for a new crisis to take precedence over the dangerous situation they were already in. When Medea teleported the island and everything on it, she rendered it unstable. There's nothing holding the island together except for the shield she's managed to form, but she's not sure how long she can hold it. As the island shifts and begins to fall apart, the demigods become even more volatile, as they blame the gods and goddesses of the pantheon for the predicament they're in, turning an already explosive situation downright deadly. Nobody is safe from the demigods, especially not a pantheon sympathizer like Aphrodite. And, now they've come up with a deadly way to test and make sure that there are no more gods on the island! Aphrodite knows that there's no way she can accomplish her mission on her own. She's going to need the help of all of the pantheon and any other supporters she can get....but they're going to have to find her first!

This was such an amazing ending to the Daughters of Zeus series! And that ending!!!! You really get to see Aphrodite come into her own and realize her own value to the Pantheon. In addition, the rest of the gods and goddesses begin to truly work together as a team and a family and show exactly how much they really do love and support each other. You also get to see them begin to truly process and deal with the aftermath of everything Zeus had put them through over the centuries. I absolutely loved seeing the relationship between Aphrodite and the rest of the Pantheon mature and evolve, especially between her and Hephaestus. The demigods and goddesses were so well written, even the ones I hated and wanted to see die. As for Medea and Otrera, I'd love to see some books about them, and if the demigods keep their promises. The two demigoddesses show so much potential and I'd love to read more about them and what the future holds in store for them. And, there's always the situation between Hades and Persephone. I need closure and a solution for this! Kaitlin, I'm counting on you!

[Jen ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stopped at around 80% last night because I had to sleep, then finished this morning with my french press.
Yet another one of Kaitlin Bevis' stories where it saddened me to think of it ending but I couldn't slow down the pace in which I read.

[Amanda Sexton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last book in the Aphrodite series/Daughters of Zeus series. A quick read, likable characters. The author did a good job modernizing the Greek myths, while throwing in a new story for "war" between the gods and demigods. I like her conclusion at the end....happy, but with a slight cliffhanger that leaves the future open for perhaps a 7th book?

[Maricel Cañete · Rating 5 out of 5]

It kept me riveted at the edge of my seat!!! What a great storyline!! Love it!!!!

[Daniela Romero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ha sido un largo viaje esta novela de Afrodita. Me gustó mucho como ella fue construyendo su identidad y enfrentó las dificultades. No sé, el final fue un poco decepcionante. Siento que quedó muy abierto y no se concretó nada. Me ha gustado como varias situaciones de los mitos se materializaron aquí como la relación de Afrodita y Hefesto. El personaje de Medea me dio un sentimiento de amor- odio. Ella se siente como un antiheroe para mi : hizo algunas cosas buenas por los motivos más egoístas aunque se entiende muy bien porqué es así.

[Valentina · Rating 4 out of 5]

No puedo explicar lo mal que me siento por haber terminado la saga, y más por los finales felices que hubo en la primera trilogía de Perséfone, y que ahora se han roto.
El final se ha quedado abierto, con ganas de más, mucho más.
Medea me agrada, algo dependiente, pero dado su pasado es normal.
Muchas cosas removieron mi corazón, y aunque acabo de llorar un montón, me siento feliz, por ver que ellos han tenido un buen desenlace, muy a mi pesar por una de sus parejas...

[Gaelle ✨ (asparklingchapter) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't express how much I love this series. One of my favorites ever for sure. Thank you so much Kaitlin for creating such a brilliant plot and those marvellous charaters for Greek mythology lovers like me. 5/5 stars. I looove Ares ! He's not portrayed as a villain for once.

Also, I'm very excited for Artemis' story, she has always been one of my favorites.

[Hunter Finlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give these books more than 5 stars I would! These books are hard to resist and I’ve been in love with them since page on of Persephone. Without these books I probably wouldn’t have gotten back into reading as much as I used to. These books are just to die for!

[Destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good series. I didn't enjoy it as much as Persephone's third installment, but it's great to get to see more of the pantheon.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

Fun read! Great end to a wild ride. Can't wait for more! Characters were well fleshed out and sympathetic. Definitely recommend

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hoping to read Medea and Otrera turned into goddesses 🥺

[A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bad ending to the first great 3 books. Hades dies. Persephone able to see ghost ver of him cuz goddess of underworld. Arodite marries hepuhues cuz logical reasons. Blah

[Elsa Margarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book but I kinda expected more from Aphrodite. Like the other readers, I kinda thought that suddenly shifting the focus to Persephone was a bit too much. I mean her series was supposed to be done. It was Aphrodite's turn to save the world or something.

I can't deny the author's play though. It was a bit good - it got me wondering about what will happen and wanting more. I am a sucker for seriously good plot twists.

[Adore Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and this series! It will forever be one of my all time favorites. Bevis knows how to write stories with strong female leads, quality feminism, and beautiful love stories. Aphrodite is so relatable and gritty and dealing with her trauma—it's the kind of angst I LIVE for. Not only that, we get so many moments where Aphrodite is seen helping her friends deal with their trauma and their mental health issues. It's so important to see this and to see women helping and supporting other women! Aphrodite also doesn't need a man, but she wants one (Aries!). UGH. Their love story is lovely to read and I loved every moment of it!