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The Child of the Erinyes #3
In the Moon of Asterion
Book Three, The Child of the Erinyes series. Historical fantasy with a love story.
There is a beast in the labyrinth... a monster. The people say he is both man and bull; they call him Asterion.
Of all Crete's citizens, only two dare enter his lair. One bears his child. The other sees the Goddess in his eyes. Terrifying yet compelling, the beast offers Crete's only hope for redemption.
In the Moon of Asterion concludes the Bronze Age segment of the series.
There is a beast in the labyrinth... a monster. The people say he is both man and bull; they call him Asterion.
Of all Crete's citizens, only two dare enter his lair. One bears his child. The other sees the Goddess in his eyes. Terrifying yet compelling, the beast offers Crete's only hope for redemption.
In the Moon of Asterion concludes the Bronze Age segment of the series.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
ebook
First published April 8, 2013
3 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Lochlann
15 books61 followersThe series is complete! All nine books (and some boxed sets) are published and available, including a box set of the entire series.
The Child of the Erinyes is a nine-book journey (Goodreads calls it 8, but it's actually 9) spanning nearly 4000 years: beginning in the Mediterranean Bronze Age, it follows the lives of a woman and two men as they are reborn seven times through history.
The author envisions her epic story as a new kind of myth, one built upon the foundation of the Greek classics, and continuing through the centuries right up to now and the future.
It has become her life's work to complete the series, though she didn't exactly intend it to be that way when she began.
Lochlann categorizes The Child of the Erinyes series as mythic fantasy, inspired by the myth of Ariadne, Theseus, and the Minotaur.
The Year-god's Daughter, book one of the series, is followed by The Thinara King, which precedes book three, In the Moon of Asterion. The series doesn't end there. Book four, a novella, The Moon Casts a Spell, is next; it introduces book five, The Sixth Labyrinth. Falcon Blue jumps back in time again to the magical Arthurian age. When the Moon Whispers, told in two books, and Swimming in the Rainbow take the reader forward in time to an uneasy dystopian future.
Thank you to everyone who has read my books and left their thoughts. It is much appreciated.
Lochlann believes that certain individuals, either blessed or tortured, voluntarily or involuntarily, are woven by fate (or the Immortals) into the labyrinth of time, and that deities sometimes speak to us through dreams and visions, gently prompting us to tell their lost stories.
Who knows? It could make a difference.
The Child of the Erinyes is a nine-book journey (Goodreads calls it 8, but it's actually 9) spanning nearly 4000 years: beginning in the Mediterranean Bronze Age, it follows the lives of a woman and two men as they are reborn seven times through history.
The author envisions her epic story as a new kind of myth, one built upon the foundation of the Greek classics, and continuing through the centuries right up to now and the future.
It has become her life's work to complete the series, though she didn't exactly intend it to be that way when she began.
Lochlann categorizes The Child of the Erinyes series as mythic fantasy, inspired by the myth of Ariadne, Theseus, and the Minotaur.
The Year-god's Daughter, book one of the series, is followed by The Thinara King, which precedes book three, In the Moon of Asterion. The series doesn't end there. Book four, a novella, The Moon Casts a Spell, is next; it introduces book five, The Sixth Labyrinth. Falcon Blue jumps back in time again to the magical Arthurian age. When the Moon Whispers, told in two books, and Swimming in the Rainbow take the reader forward in time to an uneasy dystopian future.
Thank you to everyone who has read my books and left their thoughts. It is much appreciated.
Lochlann believes that certain individuals, either blessed or tortured, voluntarily or involuntarily, are woven by fate (or the Immortals) into the labyrinth of time, and that deities sometimes speak to us through dreams and visions, gently prompting us to tell their lost stories.
Who knows? It could make a difference.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 22, 2014
Like the two previous books in the series, ('The Year-god's Daughter' and 'The Thinara King') I couldn't put this one down, either! I stayed up until 3 am to finish it, and when it was over, I started feeling real withdrawal symptoms! Indeed, I have gone about the house today, and all I can think about are Menoetius, Aridela, Selene, Themiste and Chrysoleon and how their stories will unfold and develop in the next book! I cannot wait!
Rebecca Lochlann's incredible imagination, her obvious extensive research, her love of myths and her effortless, seamless and wonderful way of writing made me very much a part of her world. She blends myth with research in such a way that, to me, she is one of the best modern day storytellers! Her use of prophecies and messages in dreams, the magical, mystical world of the unseen, only heighten the novel for me - these are the pure essence of life and they were dealt with in a very believable yet otherworldly way.
Her characters are so real, I could almost see them in front of me. Her storylines are also well-intertwined, and loose-threads come together at the end of the third book in a satisfactory manner. The pace of this book is as good as the two previous ones - it is a page-turner, but there are many tender moments and also others infused with such eroticism! Well-paced and balanced.
Rebecca Lochlann has a great gift and I am glad she's sharing it with her readers. I would recommend her books without any hesitation.
What an honour and an adventure it is to be immersed into her incredible imagination, to be a part of her inner world, even for a brief time!
Rebecca Lochlann's incredible imagination, her obvious extensive research, her love of myths and her effortless, seamless and wonderful way of writing made me very much a part of her world. She blends myth with research in such a way that, to me, she is one of the best modern day storytellers! Her use of prophecies and messages in dreams, the magical, mystical world of the unseen, only heighten the novel for me - these are the pure essence of life and they were dealt with in a very believable yet otherworldly way.
Her characters are so real, I could almost see them in front of me. Her storylines are also well-intertwined, and loose-threads come together at the end of the third book in a satisfactory manner. The pace of this book is as good as the two previous ones - it is a page-turner, but there are many tender moments and also others infused with such eroticism! Well-paced and balanced.
Rebecca Lochlann has a great gift and I am glad she's sharing it with her readers. I would recommend her books without any hesitation.
What an honour and an adventure it is to be immersed into her incredible imagination, to be a part of her inner world, even for a brief time!
June 8, 2013
The Year God's Daughter' and `The Thinara King' were `page turners' but this is where the real fireworks take place!
You won't be disappointed with this, the third book, which concludes in a series of shocks that even surpasses the giant shock of the earthquake so brilliantly and terrifyingly depicted in `The Thinara King'.
Readers of the earlier books will remember how there are two half-brother rivals from the mainland who aspire to lovely Aridela (the older name for the Ariadne, I've discovered), now Queen of ancient, matriarchal Crete - Menoetius, the illegitimate son of the aging King of Mycanae, dark and serious minded, once so handsome, now left scarred as much internally as externally by the mauling by the lioness, and Chrysaleon, his golden-haired, arrogant heir.
Chrysaleon has won the games and slain the now dead Queen's consort, earning the right to be her heiress Aridela's King for a Year. As a mainlander he bitterly resents his impending fate, but fought in the games as he found the thought of any other man winning her unendurable; will he honour his obligation?
Chrysaleon has also won Aridela's heart - but has her old feeling for her childhood hero Menoetius vanished along with his good looks and his joy in life?
In this book we find out both Menoetius' and Chrysaleon's `truth' (the term used by Aridela's mother) and also the integrity of some of the other characters. Chrysaleon and Meneotius are not the only ones to be tested. Both Themeste and Selene will be tried to the limit, and only one of them holds firm.
One thing is certain, and that is that Alexiare, Chrysaleon's devoted slave, will stop at nothing to further his interests.
But Aridela's awful sufferings at the hands of Harpalycus have changed her, just as her taking on the responsibilities of a ruler must, and she is gradually developing a different perspective from that of the careless worshipper of external beauty we met in the first volume.
It is in this volume that the full meaning of the ancient prophecies is revealed - and the terrible implications of Harpalycus' vaunted immortality.
There are murderous fights, bitter intrigue, and of course, a strong theme of romance running throughout. All the ingredients for an epic story.
If, like me, you are so drawn in that you keep on reading until the small hours, do save the enthralling last section of the book for when you can do justice to the enthralling denounement.
I look forward to reading about the main characters again, in another age.
You won't be disappointed with this, the third book, which concludes in a series of shocks that even surpasses the giant shock of the earthquake so brilliantly and terrifyingly depicted in `The Thinara King'.
Readers of the earlier books will remember how there are two half-brother rivals from the mainland who aspire to lovely Aridela (the older name for the Ariadne, I've discovered), now Queen of ancient, matriarchal Crete - Menoetius, the illegitimate son of the aging King of Mycanae, dark and serious minded, once so handsome, now left scarred as much internally as externally by the mauling by the lioness, and Chrysaleon, his golden-haired, arrogant heir.
Chrysaleon has won the games and slain the now dead Queen's consort, earning the right to be her heiress Aridela's King for a Year. As a mainlander he bitterly resents his impending fate, but fought in the games as he found the thought of any other man winning her unendurable; will he honour his obligation?
Chrysaleon has also won Aridela's heart - but has her old feeling for her childhood hero Menoetius vanished along with his good looks and his joy in life?
In this book we find out both Menoetius' and Chrysaleon's `truth' (the term used by Aridela's mother) and also the integrity of some of the other characters. Chrysaleon and Meneotius are not the only ones to be tested. Both Themeste and Selene will be tried to the limit, and only one of them holds firm.
One thing is certain, and that is that Alexiare, Chrysaleon's devoted slave, will stop at nothing to further his interests.
But Aridela's awful sufferings at the hands of Harpalycus have changed her, just as her taking on the responsibilities of a ruler must, and she is gradually developing a different perspective from that of the careless worshipper of external beauty we met in the first volume.
It is in this volume that the full meaning of the ancient prophecies is revealed - and the terrible implications of Harpalycus' vaunted immortality.
There are murderous fights, bitter intrigue, and of course, a strong theme of romance running throughout. All the ingredients for an epic story.
If, like me, you are so drawn in that you keep on reading until the small hours, do save the enthralling last section of the book for when you can do justice to the enthralling denounement.
I look forward to reading about the main characters again, in another age.
June 7, 2013
Note: I received a proof copy for review purposes.
In the Moon of Asterion is the third installment of the Children of Erinyes saga, which brings the Bronze Age segment to an end.
In this book, we continue to follow the story of Aridela and her relationship with Chrysaleon, the year-god who must die at the end of his short reign, as all year-gods have done before him. Adridela is torn between her uninvited feelings toward Menoetius and her loyalty and love of Chrysaleon.
Once rid of the unwanted baby--fathered by her captor, Harpalycus--Aridela continues to gain the strength needed to restore Crete after a devastating earthquake. Will her actions bring on more disaster to her beloved homeland, or help it heal? She struggles to reconcile her country's traditions and laws against her own desires and needs.
Unknown to Aridela, Chrysaleon is scheming to outwit the destiny that befalls all year-gods, take control of Crete, and keep her as his wife.
Part of Chrysaleon's cruel plan includes his half-brother, and Aridela's youthful fantasy, Menoetius. Will Menoetius do as his brother, and future King of Mycenae, orders him to do as part of this deceit, or will he side with Aridela, the woman he loves?
How will their actions affect the ultimate goal of the goddess Athene?
Of the three Bronze Age stories, I found Asterion to be the most compelling. Full of action, intrigue, heroics, and tragedy it's a fitting culmination to this segment of the continued saga of the Erinyes.
In the Moon of Asterion is the third installment of the Children of Erinyes saga, which brings the Bronze Age segment to an end.
In this book, we continue to follow the story of Aridela and her relationship with Chrysaleon, the year-god who must die at the end of his short reign, as all year-gods have done before him. Adridela is torn between her uninvited feelings toward Menoetius and her loyalty and love of Chrysaleon.
Once rid of the unwanted baby--fathered by her captor, Harpalycus--Aridela continues to gain the strength needed to restore Crete after a devastating earthquake. Will her actions bring on more disaster to her beloved homeland, or help it heal? She struggles to reconcile her country's traditions and laws against her own desires and needs.
Unknown to Aridela, Chrysaleon is scheming to outwit the destiny that befalls all year-gods, take control of Crete, and keep her as his wife.
Part of Chrysaleon's cruel plan includes his half-brother, and Aridela's youthful fantasy, Menoetius. Will Menoetius do as his brother, and future King of Mycenae, orders him to do as part of this deceit, or will he side with Aridela, the woman he loves?
How will their actions affect the ultimate goal of the goddess Athene?
Of the three Bronze Age stories, I found Asterion to be the most compelling. Full of action, intrigue, heroics, and tragedy it's a fitting culmination to this segment of the continued saga of the Erinyes.
June 6, 2013
Full disclosure: I know Rebecca Lochlann through social media, and was privileged to be a beta reader of this manuscript, which she provided to me free for the purpose. I am under no obligation to review the novel, nor am I under any pressure to say nice things. In fact, the only pressure I'm under is to write a review that does the book justice!
It's difficult to write a review for the third book in a series without touching on plot points in the first two that would amount to spoilers for anyone who hasn't read them. But if you have read them (and you really should), you'll understand why I've excerpted the following from dictionary.com:
Tragedy [traj-i-dee], noun. A dramatic composition, often in verse, dealing with a serious or somber theme, typically that of a great person destined through a flaw of character or conflict with some overpowering force, as fate or society, to downfall or destruction.
The Moon of Asterion may be the grand finale of The Child of the Erinyes trilogy, but as the author points out in the blurb for the first book, "What seems the end is only the beginning."
The mythological Erinyes are more commonly known as Furies; goddesses of the earth, the incarnation of vengeance on those who have sworn false oaths. From the name of the series alone we expect to read of classically tragic, legendary matters - and Lochlann does not disappoint. However, as it turns out, the scope of the legend is grander than a single trilogy can portray. The first trilogy is set in the Bronze Age, but it's the first in a series, or perhaps the better description would be to call it a saga that continues through time - eventually to the present day.
In the first three books, our main players are known as Aridela, princess of Crete; Chrysaleon, son of the High King of Mycenae; and Menoetius, his bastard brother. The complicated relationship between them is not that of a mere love triangle - no, the nature of the bond between the brothers makes their situation uniquely bleak, with a divine twist of epic proportions.
Themiste, the prophetess whose job it has been to interpret her own visions and those of others, is given hints throughout the narrative from the goddess Athene regarding the importance of this bond:
Aridela told me she looked first at Menoetius then Chrysaleon, and for one strange instant, she said they merged into each other, and wore each other's faces. Then the voice said more.
"I have split one into two. Mortal men have burned my shrines and pulled down my statues. Their arrogance has upended the holy ways. I decree that men will resurrect me or the earth will die."
So much in The Moon of Asterion rides on each character making the right choices, and yet, always the wants and desires of humanity assert themselves, leaving them seemingly blind to the big picture. And here is where I begin to verge on giving too much away. I don't want to spoil the ending with this review; just perhaps prepare the reader for the shocking, yet ultimately satisfying finish. All I can say is that as a reader, I was captivated, caught up in a boiling whirlpool pulling me toward the inevitable conclusion. Now that I've reached the end, I can't wait for the next beginning.
It's difficult to write a review for the third book in a series without touching on plot points in the first two that would amount to spoilers for anyone who hasn't read them. But if you have read them (and you really should), you'll understand why I've excerpted the following from dictionary.com:
Tragedy [traj-i-dee], noun. A dramatic composition, often in verse, dealing with a serious or somber theme, typically that of a great person destined through a flaw of character or conflict with some overpowering force, as fate or society, to downfall or destruction.
The Moon of Asterion may be the grand finale of The Child of the Erinyes trilogy, but as the author points out in the blurb for the first book, "What seems the end is only the beginning."
The mythological Erinyes are more commonly known as Furies; goddesses of the earth, the incarnation of vengeance on those who have sworn false oaths. From the name of the series alone we expect to read of classically tragic, legendary matters - and Lochlann does not disappoint. However, as it turns out, the scope of the legend is grander than a single trilogy can portray. The first trilogy is set in the Bronze Age, but it's the first in a series, or perhaps the better description would be to call it a saga that continues through time - eventually to the present day.
In the first three books, our main players are known as Aridela, princess of Crete; Chrysaleon, son of the High King of Mycenae; and Menoetius, his bastard brother. The complicated relationship between them is not that of a mere love triangle - no, the nature of the bond between the brothers makes their situation uniquely bleak, with a divine twist of epic proportions.
Themiste, the prophetess whose job it has been to interpret her own visions and those of others, is given hints throughout the narrative from the goddess Athene regarding the importance of this bond:
Aridela told me she looked first at Menoetius then Chrysaleon, and for one strange instant, she said they merged into each other, and wore each other's faces. Then the voice said more.
"I have split one into two. Mortal men have burned my shrines and pulled down my statues. Their arrogance has upended the holy ways. I decree that men will resurrect me or the earth will die."
So much in The Moon of Asterion rides on each character making the right choices, and yet, always the wants and desires of humanity assert themselves, leaving them seemingly blind to the big picture. And here is where I begin to verge on giving too much away. I don't want to spoil the ending with this review; just perhaps prepare the reader for the shocking, yet ultimately satisfying finish. All I can say is that as a reader, I was captivated, caught up in a boiling whirlpool pulling me toward the inevitable conclusion. Now that I've reached the end, I can't wait for the next beginning.
April 7, 2015
I am going to be anxiously awaiting the next installment. Really. This saga, this epic has gripped me from the very beginning. It has everything. There is passion, love, torn emotions, history, violence, magic and battle. It's gorgeous. There is a theme of questioning history and religion's placement of the male and female. The first installment, The Year God's Daughter begins with a very female centered, mother honoring, king sacrificing, Athena goddess worshipping society.
I am not into doing 'spoilers' but all I can say is these characters, who I am now obsessed with, never did exactly as I thought they would do.
This isn't man hating retelling of history and myth for any readers who might scoff at phrases like 'female centered society', 'questioning of the placement of the female and male etc.'. This is passionate and sexy, but also valid and accurate. This is also some great story telling and fabulous character work.
Aridela, Carmanor/Menoetious, Chrysaelon, Alexaire, Themiste, Selene, were so real, my heart went out to them so much it was almost unbearable. I keep thinking about them after putting the book down. It's pretty intense reading, but highly entertaining. If you like epic, if you like history, romance and are alright with some violence then I cannot recommend this enough.
I am not into doing 'spoilers' but all I can say is these characters, who I am now obsessed with, never did exactly as I thought they would do.
This isn't man hating retelling of history and myth for any readers who might scoff at phrases like 'female centered society', 'questioning of the placement of the female and male etc.'. This is passionate and sexy, but also valid and accurate. This is also some great story telling and fabulous character work.
Aridela, Carmanor/Menoetious, Chrysaelon, Alexaire, Themiste, Selene, were so real, my heart went out to them so much it was almost unbearable. I keep thinking about them after putting the book down. It's pretty intense reading, but highly entertaining. If you like epic, if you like history, romance and are alright with some violence then I cannot recommend this enough.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews