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Chasing Destiny
A Deadly Race Against the A Historical Fantasy of Love, Betrayal, and the Spear of Destiny
Akantha has spent over two thousand years defending humanity from evil—but she’s never faced an enemy as ruthless as the Nazis.
As WWII rages on, Akantha works as a spy for a high-ranking Nazi officer, discovering their horrifying plan to obtain the Spear of Destiny—an ancient artifact with the power to control the fate of the world. To stop them, Akantha must team up with the one man she vowed never to see Damianos.
Their past is a twisted web of love, betrayal, and unhealed wounds. Loving Damianos was easy. Trusting him? Impossible. Forgiving him? Out of the question.
Now, with the Nazis hunting her across war-torn Europe, Akantha must navigate a deadly game of cat and mouse, where every step is fraught with danger, treachery, and heartbreak. As bullets fly and the stakes rise, Akantha faces a terrifying choice—betray her heart or risk the world’s destruction.
Can she find the Spear of Destiny before the Nazis do? Or will her past with Damianos destroy them all?
Akantha has spent over two thousand years defending humanity from evil—but she’s never faced an enemy as ruthless as the Nazis.
As WWII rages on, Akantha works as a spy for a high-ranking Nazi officer, discovering their horrifying plan to obtain the Spear of Destiny—an ancient artifact with the power to control the fate of the world. To stop them, Akantha must team up with the one man she vowed never to see Damianos.
Their past is a twisted web of love, betrayal, and unhealed wounds. Loving Damianos was easy. Trusting him? Impossible. Forgiving him? Out of the question.
Now, with the Nazis hunting her across war-torn Europe, Akantha must navigate a deadly game of cat and mouse, where every step is fraught with danger, treachery, and heartbreak. As bullets fly and the stakes rise, Akantha faces a terrifying choice—betray her heart or risk the world’s destruction.
Can she find the Spear of Destiny before the Nazis do? Or will her past with Damianos destroy them all?
244 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2018
About the author
Sydney Ashcroft
5 books28 followersSydney Ashcroft originally hails from Pennsylvania, but moved to New England over twenty years ago and has never looked back. She currently resides in Maine with a dog and two cats. During the day she works full time in the information technology field and writes by night. Tea, chocolate, and folk music fuel her through the day and writing sessions. When she’s not writing or working, she enjoys spending time with the dog and two cats, playing Dungeons and Dragons, seeing live music, and reading as much as she can.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 27, 2018
Disclaimer
: Per Goodreads’ rules, reviewers must disclose if they received an advanced reader copy. To comply with those rules, I disclose that I received an advanced reader copy of Sydney Ashcroft’s and Dani Nichols’ debut novel Chasing Destiny, but not in exchange for a review. After reading the novel, I decided of my own volition with no influence from either author I would leave a review.
Review : 5 Stars
Chasing Destiny was an absolute pleasure to read.
The Protagonist : Akantha is honestly everything I look for in a female lead. Akantha is strong, not just physically strong, but emotionally strong, fiercely intelligent, resourceful, and independent. There is this softness about her that is so rare to see in female leads, but is a quality I deeply admire because it makes the main character someone I can connect and identify with.
It is Akantha's empathy and compassion, her genuine desire to help those who are suffering under Hitler's regime that stands out to me and draws me to her character. If you love stories where the female lead is allowed to be flawed and experience a full range of emotions while saving the day, this is the novel for you.
The Plot : I'll keep this section vague to avoid spoilers. The pacing is solid and tight. Chasing Destiny is a thriller, a race against the clock to obtain the Spear of Destiny and stop this unspeakably powerful weapon from falling into Nazi hands. Ashcroft and Nichols have expertly crafted this tale to keep the reader turning pages.
Chasing Destiny is also a paranormal romance and the Deep POV writing style allows the reader to connect with Akantha's emotions as she is reunited with two romantic figures from her past. Her past with Damianos, the primary love interest, drives the plot in the present. The chemistry between these two characters is passionate and also fraught with tense emotions. Akantha's complicated feelings regarding Damianos are relatable.
The Romance : I feel like the romance deserves it’s own separate section in this review, but once again I’ll keep this vague to avoid spoilers. The romance between Akantha and Damianos is believable and compelling. Each interaction between them is emotionally charged. Akantha’s coldness is understandable due to their complex past and Damianos’ love for her shows in the lengths he’s willing to go to for her.
Ashcroft’s and Nichols’ superbly unique usage of flashbacks showcases the reasons behind why Akantha and Damianos have issues in the present. The flashbacks felt completely natural and propelled the story forward, also enhancing and complimenting the romance aspects of the plot.
The Settings : I'll keep this section vague also to avoid spoilers. Ashcroft’s and Nichols' settings leap off the page. The amount of time they must have both put into researching the various settings of the novel shines through in their rich prose and makes the reader feel like they're right there with Akantha and/or Damianos. Both authors' attention to detail and vivid descriptions breathe life into each scene.
Final Thoughts : Chasing Destiny is an incredible debut novel from Ashcroft and Nichols. It has everything from action, to romance, to suspense, to gut-wrenching plot twists, to vivid settings that engage the reader.
Akantha is honestly the heart of this story. She's the reason I kept turning the pages. For readers who love a flawed yet empowered heroine they can relate to, I feel that Akantha will resonate with you as much and as deeply as she resonates with me.
Review : 5 Stars
Chasing Destiny was an absolute pleasure to read.
The Protagonist : Akantha is honestly everything I look for in a female lead. Akantha is strong, not just physically strong, but emotionally strong, fiercely intelligent, resourceful, and independent. There is this softness about her that is so rare to see in female leads, but is a quality I deeply admire because it makes the main character someone I can connect and identify with.
It is Akantha's empathy and compassion, her genuine desire to help those who are suffering under Hitler's regime that stands out to me and draws me to her character. If you love stories where the female lead is allowed to be flawed and experience a full range of emotions while saving the day, this is the novel for you.
The Plot : I'll keep this section vague to avoid spoilers. The pacing is solid and tight. Chasing Destiny is a thriller, a race against the clock to obtain the Spear of Destiny and stop this unspeakably powerful weapon from falling into Nazi hands. Ashcroft and Nichols have expertly crafted this tale to keep the reader turning pages.
Chasing Destiny is also a paranormal romance and the Deep POV writing style allows the reader to connect with Akantha's emotions as she is reunited with two romantic figures from her past. Her past with Damianos, the primary love interest, drives the plot in the present. The chemistry between these two characters is passionate and also fraught with tense emotions. Akantha's complicated feelings regarding Damianos are relatable.
The Romance : I feel like the romance deserves it’s own separate section in this review, but once again I’ll keep this vague to avoid spoilers. The romance between Akantha and Damianos is believable and compelling. Each interaction between them is emotionally charged. Akantha’s coldness is understandable due to their complex past and Damianos’ love for her shows in the lengths he’s willing to go to for her.
Ashcroft’s and Nichols’ superbly unique usage of flashbacks showcases the reasons behind why Akantha and Damianos have issues in the present. The flashbacks felt completely natural and propelled the story forward, also enhancing and complimenting the romance aspects of the plot.
The Settings : I'll keep this section vague also to avoid spoilers. Ashcroft’s and Nichols' settings leap off the page. The amount of time they must have both put into researching the various settings of the novel shines through in their rich prose and makes the reader feel like they're right there with Akantha and/or Damianos. Both authors' attention to detail and vivid descriptions breathe life into each scene.
Final Thoughts : Chasing Destiny is an incredible debut novel from Ashcroft and Nichols. It has everything from action, to romance, to suspense, to gut-wrenching plot twists, to vivid settings that engage the reader.
Akantha is honestly the heart of this story. She's the reason I kept turning the pages. For readers who love a flawed yet empowered heroine they can relate to, I feel that Akantha will resonate with you as much and as deeply as she resonates with me.
October 19, 2019
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from LibraryThing in return for an honest review.
Akantha is an immortal who has devoted her long life to protecting mortals. Akantha's story takes place during World War II. She is working as spy in the Nazi forces when she discovers they are close to obtaining the Spear of Destiny. It has the power to change the tide of the war in favor of the Nazi's on top of being able to kill an immortal. She is going to need the help of the last person she hopes to see again...her former lover Damianos. The story follows the two as they try to stop the Nazis.
Overall I was not a fan of this book. I found the main characters to be unlikable. The relationship between Damianos and Akantha felt like an abusive relationship, making it hard to root for the main characters. This book alternates between present events and the protagonist's past. I enjoyed the chapters discussing the character's past and the plot, just not the main characters.
Akantha is an immortal who has devoted her long life to protecting mortals. Akantha's story takes place during World War II. She is working as spy in the Nazi forces when she discovers they are close to obtaining the Spear of Destiny. It has the power to change the tide of the war in favor of the Nazi's on top of being able to kill an immortal. She is going to need the help of the last person she hopes to see again...her former lover Damianos. The story follows the two as they try to stop the Nazis.
Overall I was not a fan of this book. I found the main characters to be unlikable. The relationship between Damianos and Akantha felt like an abusive relationship, making it hard to root for the main characters. This book alternates between present events and the protagonist's past. I enjoyed the chapters discussing the character's past and the plot, just not the main characters.
October 24, 2019
I love how this book makes you fall head first into the action. It never stopped, and I found myself wondering how the characters were going to get out of their present dilemma while away from the book--a true sign for me that the story was gripping. I loved the premise and felt drawn into the both the world of WW2 Europe and ancient Greece. I thought the transition from one time period to another was flawlessly executed, also. I found myself wanting more glimpses into the past lives of the characters and more of an explanation of the immortal world, their connections, and purpose. Hopefully there is more to come for Akantha and Damianos. I would definitely recommend for anyone loving a bit of historical fiction mixed with romance, mixed with fantasy. I hope there is a follow-up with more of their adventures through the centuries.
April 9, 2022
What a great story, ancient immortals, Nazis, love and betrayal and the Spear of Destiny, a real page turner. I loved the main characters, a stubborn, kick-a*s heroine and the men who have loved her for centuries. The story is entertainingly written, an action packed fast paced journey across Europe in the middle of the second world war in search of a weapon that would change the course of history. An emotional story. The author has done a splendid job bringing a great story to life. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 30, 2018
4.5/5.0
This co-written novel is full of excitement and danger coupled with the question of will the main characters get over their past and be together.
Read full review in the 2018 Nov issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This co-written novel is full of excitement and danger coupled with the question of will the main characters get over their past and be together.
Read full review in the 2018 Nov issue of InD'tale Magazine.
December 6, 2018
4.5/5.0
This co-written novel is full of excitement and danger coupled with the question of will the main characters get over their past and be together.
Read full review in the 2018 Nov issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This co-written novel is full of excitement and danger coupled with the question of will the main characters get over their past and be together.
Read full review in the 2018 Nov issue of InD'tale Magazine.
January 29, 2021
An adventurous love story that will take you on a wild journey through the world and time!
February 5, 2026
Interesting and fun read!
April 9, 2022
While I found this to be a well written story that kept me entertained from start to finish, I had a hard time connecting to the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 7, 2019
Having had the luck to win this book in the LibraryThing early reviewers program, I must say I quite enjoyed it.
I give it 3 (and a half) stars out of five because the story is not quite original or outstanding, there is a whole genre out there and a lot of similar stories… which doesn’t mean it isn’t worth reading, if you like this kind of book: I do.
It’s about Akantha (from “acanthus”, a thorny bush that grows in Greece and the Mediterranean), a former maiden in a Greek temple who falls in love and runs away with Damianos… Then they both become immortal and have been around for 24 hundred years, in a love-hate relationship. By the way Damianos always says she is as thorny as the bush (she has a strong character, it’s true), but totally lovable (true, too).
There is a third party in discord: Matheus, a 600 year old former Templar Knight, who for centuries was the love interest of Akantha.
It’s 1941 and the Nazis seem to be winning the war, and are looking for objects/artifacts of power, in particular the famous Spear of Destiny. The true one, if they find it, is said to be able to kill even immortals and to give power to whomever wields it.
Akantha goes now by the name of Alexis, is secretary to the despicable and famous nazi Himmler, and her mission is to keep the Nazis from obtaining the Spear, because of course the consequences would be disastrous… The chase for it takes us through places like Romania, Hungary, Greece, where it all began for our characters millennia ago.
So here we have immortals, a complicated love triangle, an artifact of supreme power… all in all quite entertaining but nothing more, or too original: Nazis trying to obtain objects of power has been treated numerous times before… among them in my favorite movie of all times “raiders of the lost ark”. The only new thing here is the two co-authors add the immortality twist…
Immortality itself is not too well explained, they dedicate only a few references to something called “soma”(like mythology nectar/ambrosia or like in “a brave new world) that you drink and voilà, you become immortal. It works even in dogs/pets. No strings attached, you’re no blood-drinking vampire… The immortal that can make and give it is called Zenon, another Greek name.
I give it 3 (and a half) stars out of five because the story is not quite original or outstanding, there is a whole genre out there and a lot of similar stories… which doesn’t mean it isn’t worth reading, if you like this kind of book: I do.
It’s about Akantha (from “acanthus”, a thorny bush that grows in Greece and the Mediterranean), a former maiden in a Greek temple who falls in love and runs away with Damianos… Then they both become immortal and have been around for 24 hundred years, in a love-hate relationship. By the way Damianos always says she is as thorny as the bush (she has a strong character, it’s true), but totally lovable (true, too).
There is a third party in discord: Matheus, a 600 year old former Templar Knight, who for centuries was the love interest of Akantha.
It’s 1941 and the Nazis seem to be winning the war, and are looking for objects/artifacts of power, in particular the famous Spear of Destiny. The true one, if they find it, is said to be able to kill even immortals and to give power to whomever wields it.
Akantha goes now by the name of Alexis, is secretary to the despicable and famous nazi Himmler, and her mission is to keep the Nazis from obtaining the Spear, because of course the consequences would be disastrous… The chase for it takes us through places like Romania, Hungary, Greece, where it all began for our characters millennia ago.
So here we have immortals, a complicated love triangle, an artifact of supreme power… all in all quite entertaining but nothing more, or too original: Nazis trying to obtain objects of power has been treated numerous times before… among them in my favorite movie of all times “raiders of the lost ark”. The only new thing here is the two co-authors add the immortality twist…
Immortality itself is not too well explained, they dedicate only a few references to something called “soma”(like mythology nectar/ambrosia or like in “a brave new world) that you drink and voilà, you become immortal. It works even in dogs/pets. No strings attached, you’re no blood-drinking vampire… The immortal that can make and give it is called Zenon, another Greek name.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews