Immortality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially for the 3,375-year-old virgin of Mount Olympus.
Day after day, the God of Love launches his arrows, then watches from the sidelines while everyone else has all the fun. On a mischievous whim, Cupid sends a love-tipped arrow into the wrong rump—and the gods sentence him to a taste of his own medicine.
Banished from the only home he’s ever known, Cupid plunges to Earth and lands in present-day Tarra, Indiana, where mortals go on about their daily routines, oblivious to the capricious gods stirring the pot from above. Delighted to discover his wings and pubescent pudge have been transformed into a magnificent human body, Cupid swiftly leaves his virginity behind.
But his carnal spree is cut short when he falls passionately in love for the first time in his immortal life, and he understands the full measure of his punishment: he must find the Right Love match for the mortal he desperately loves, and then he must let her go.
Caught between two worlds on a quest to fix Love, Cupid must survive the violent throes of his own coming of age and triumph over the powerful gods conspiring against him. Failure will not be tolerated; success will cost him everything.
First Quiver is an irreverent, contemporary twist on mythology and the struggle between duty and love, a battle as old as the gods themselves. Content Advisory: This book is intended for mature audiences and contains explicit sexual activity and strong language
Believe it or not, my professional career began in a pinstripe suit and practical pumps - yep, I was a CPA before a midlife awakening sent me down the creative writing rabbit hole. First experimenting with fanfiction, I discovered a love for bending canon, which I've gleefully applied to the already-quirky cast of characters from ancient mythology. First Quiver is my debut novel and book one of the 4-book Cupid's Fall series.
I love the modern take on this story about Cupid, the God of erotic love and the winged archer of Mount Olympus. Cupid is banished and plunged to Earth for punishment after sending his arrow to the wrong mortal one time too many. Cupid end up in present day Tarra, Indiana, in his new form as a human as he finds himself falling in love for the first time in thousands of years. Oh my, what a predicament has he found himself in when he has to find the true love for his true love. You have to read this to find out more.
First Quiver is the first book in the Cupid’s Fall series and I found this book light, enjoyable and a fun escape read.
Cupid is sentenced down to Earth as punishment after he shoots one of his arrows into Cerberus when Hera is around. What isn't punishment is that finally has an adult body deserving of the name Cupid (Eros) & a beautiful, big dick which he can finally put to good use. Yes, our Cupid is a virgin.
This book reminded me of a demigod quest found in one of Rick Riordan's books, minus the fact that Pan and Cupid didn't have to fight anyone or move around too much. They stayed in the same city the whole time. First thing Cupid basically does is lose his virginity. He goes from girl to girl for just a little while, before meeting a hot yoga instructor who his heart finally beats for! It just turns out that this hot yoga instructor, Mia, has 3 kids from her past marriage, AND most importantly, her heart doesn't beat for him back. That's why I tagged this as "don't read for the romance", because the romance between Mia and Cupid isn't meant to be. She's the one (temporarily) for Cupid, but he's not the one for her. Which makes sense. I doubt a god's soulmate would be a yoga instructor with 3 kids. Sorry.
Because he's not the right one for her, he has to help her find the One for her. That's his quest. The second book seems to be in the same theme, so I don't know if I want to read it. I do want to read book 4, though, because I think it will be about his soulmate.
There are also MM undertones as Cupid and Pan are sexually attracted to each other, but they don't take this farther than kissing. The only sex scenes in the book are F-M.
Since I really like reading romance, not a book where someone else helps others find their person, I'm not sure I want to continue reading. Though I am a little curious. It was a little sad & angsty when Cupid had to leave Mia behind. The struggle of unrequited love...
The first chapter's writing was so good & interesting. But why were two different girls named Cherie??
Anyway, I got this for free on Amazon & I'm glad I could read something out of my comfort zone/ordinary romance reading! (I don't think it's free on Amazon anymore, though.)
I expected a romp— ancient deity falls to earth in modern times—hilarity ensues— but there was so much more. Although the world expert in love, Cupid (Q to you earth girls), is an innocent when it comes to his own heart. His journey/punishment is funny, sexy, bawdy, yet tender and sad. Brotherly love, paternal love, selfless love all make an appearance. I am far from an expert in mythology, but the author supplies enough info ( and a list of characters ) to allow anyone to enjoy the story. Fun, fresh, and modern, First Quiver is an excellent read. I was lucky enough to receive an advance reader copy, looking forward to the next book in the series
A love story where the two main characters don't get together... or do they? This one had me laughing and it is fitting for this February because cupid makes an appearance. This was a fun read and I can't wait to read book 2. I gave this book 4 stars and You are in for a surprise. The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
I received a copy from Isotopia Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Cupid sends one of his love-tipped arrows straight into the wrong booty, it’s the last straw. The God of Love is being banished into a mortal body and thrown down to Earth! He doesn’t know what the exact terms of his punishment is yet, but what he does know is that his best friend hasn’t really been dead for the last 2,000 years! Pan is ready to help his best bud complete his punishment and return home, but when it turns out that Cupid is doomed to experience his first love and first heartbreak all in one go, even Pan isn’t all that surprised. It’s even worse when Cupid has to find his first love’s Right Love match!
I absolutely loved reading this. We follow Cupid and Pan through their rotating perspectives as Cupid experiences his first love and his first heartbreak in a series of days! While we primarily follow Cupid and Pan, we also follow Cupid’s first love, Mia, as well as an occasional chapter following other characters. I particularly enjoyed reading Aphrodite’s perspective, which really expanded on the heart of the story.
While this is a fun read, I still wasn’t expecting a portion of the early chapters to be just two horny best friends hitting the town and getting laid. It makes sense for the story, but I just wasn’t expecting it when I first started the book. I really thought Cupid and Pan would be catching up on what they missed for the last 2k years. That said, it was really fun following the different characters on their adventures. I loved Mia and getting to see her find her happily ever after even though she’s confused about why Cupid is so determined to find her a love match that isn’t with himself.
The story itself was often hilarious, which I loved. I do think that Cupid and Pan had way more chemistry with each other than either had with any other character. I loved seeing how their friendship formed in this take on Greek mythology as well as seeing the different characters we all know and love. I’m excited to see where the story goes and who we’ll meet next!
I am SO thankful for the preview of book two because I might’ve cried had I not had that little extra tidbit of info; cliffhanger alert! Cupid has been banished to Earth…and punished with the task of helping the woman he loves find the man she’s meant to love forever…
Sad and sweet, this story is slow burn and yet fun and exciting…we definitely go on an adventure with Q and his long lost best friend, Pan. (That’s it’s own storyline.)
Perfect for the start of Pride month, this book explores different facets of love and desire. Well written and easily read, the adventures are just beginning with Q and the man who loves him beyond measure, Pan. Friendship overcomes passion in this story, a good man with a good heart, helping those he loves find their own true happiness…even if it breaks him.
I look forward to the next book in this series, thank you Beth Greenberg for awarding my bookclub with this story and for sharing a true love is love story.
What a fun and sexy read this was. A rom.com with gods from Greek mythology. What's not to like? When Cupid shoots an arrow into the wrong rump, he is banished from Mt Olympus and sent to Earth - Indiana, US - as his punishment. There, he meets with old childhood friend, Pan, and finds that he is irresistible to all humans - and his friend fancies him as well. Beth's easy, jaunty style is a delight as we follow the ups and downs (literally) of his romantic escapades, until he is hit by the arrow of love himself. It's then he truly feels the sting of his punishment, and understands what he's been doing to we poor Humans all these millennia. Beth's dialogue between bros, Pan and Cupid, crackles and the romance sizzles (advisable to have a fan to cool your blushing cheeks, in some parts! Ooo mama!) The scenes between the manipulative gods, Ares, Aphrodite and Hephaestus were particularly cool for those, like me, schooled on Xena, Warrior Princess. Really enjoyable!
I've read so many books where you think you know what you're getting into by the cover or the brief summary. This book was so much more! A modern day telling of Greek mythology characters "falling" to Earth and having to deal with modern day issues. I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the main characters, as they try to make their way in our world. Cupid is such a great and intriguing character in the first place, but I really enjoyed watching him grow within the author's imagination. The writing was funny, naughty (hello Pan!), and witty. Not knowing much of Greek Mythology, I learned some interesting things, but it wasn't overloaded or heavy on this front. I could gather what the backstory was with her expert explanations that summed up any vital information and entertained in the process! Will definitely be pre-ordering book 2 and I cannot wait to dive into that one!
Not at all what I expected. But had a good time nonetheless.
Thank you to Isotopia Publishing, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.
I expected the classic Greek Gods and all the stereotypes that entails. What this book brings to the table is so very different and so much more. The characters are quirky and fun while also being complex and lovable. The plot is unique - I've sincerely never read anything like it - and the Q's journey is simply riveting to read. The relationships between the characters are what truly caused me to giggle, swoon or have my own heart break, right alongside them.
Trust that you won't be disappointed, especially not with lovable, gullible and naive Q.
I could not put this book down. Great story with a wonderful modern day mythology spin. I was laughing out loud while reading it and my husband kept saying "what's so funny?" This is a PERFECT summer read!
It is a sexy, lighthearted read. Sometimes that is all the more a person needs.
Introducing the Classical Pantheon of Gods is also a refreshing twist. Hopefully more time will get to be spent on Mount Olympus in the following books!
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “First Quiver” by Beth C. Greenberg, 2021 for Suzy Approved Book Tours Beth C. Greenberg, the author of “First Quiver” writes a unique, witty, and quirky book. The genres for this book are Coming of Age Fantasy, Mythology and Folk Tales, and Romantic Fantasy, with a sliver of satire. The timeline for this story is set in the author’s present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The author describes her colorful characters as complex and complicated.
Who can really know what can upset the Mythological Gods? Cupid can’t really tell you that, but after missing his target with his arrow enough times, and getting the wrong targets at times, he finds that he is sent from the place where the Gods are, and is falling towards Earth. Greeting him is his favorite friend Pan, who Cupid had believed was dead. Pan now is walking like a man, and no longer half animal. Cupid realizes that he no longer has his wings either. Pan seems to be Cupid’s mentor and “wingman ” in a matter of speaking. Pan seems to have the task of setting Cupid on his path of redemption as well as teaching him about the “new” way of life on Earth.
Cupid seems like a chick magnet, and most of the women and some men love and adore him. Cupid’s task it seems is very difficult. It seems that the Gods have a plan to teach Cupid a lesson. Cupid has a job to do, and it is a very painful one. He can either do his job, and find love for the one he loves, or love for himself. This is a delightful and entertaining read that I would recommend for others.
Cupid was thrown out of Olympus, the home of the gods and sent to Earth because of a foolish prank he pulled. Pan was Cupid’s best friend and had been sent to Earth as a punishment many years earlier but Cupid thought he was dead. When Cupid landed on Earth the gods placed him in Pan’s care and this fun story led the two old friends on quite the journey while the gods continually punished Pan and/or Cupid if they made any mistakes while on their mission of true love. This was an interesting and fun take on the gods. I would really like to read more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was so fun to read! I'm not big into mythology, so I wondered if this book would be for me. Well, I loved it and I can't wair for more! Heartfelt, witty, and sexy. A great cast that you can't help but cheer on. The bond between Pan and Cupid is one for the ages. Cupid has some lessons to learn during his punishment, and I am looking forward to more more more in this series!!
This was such a fun, lighthearted read. I always love reading imaginative twists on old tales, and First Quiver is no exception. If you're in the mood for something engaging and light, and has a bit of sizzle, then check out First Quiver!
**Please note: I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book from the publisher
First Quiver is a joy to read! A modern-day spin on the games of the gods, it tells the tale of Cupid, fallen from grace for pulling an unfortunate prank on the 'powers that be' and his penance/redemption on Earth. Accompanied by his childhood friend Pan, who helps guide him through his tribulations on Earth, Cupid (or, affectionately, "Q") gets a taste of his own medicine, er, arrow as he feels the pang of unrequited Real Love.
The book's premise is extremely clever. The god of love who's accustomed to simply standing by as others suffer through love's trials and tribulations is thrust right into the midst of the madness. Hit by a blinding, all-consuming desire, Q not only cannot have the one he truly wants, he needs to be the one to deliver her to the Real Love she's destined for. A just and ironic 'lesson' for the god who wantonly lets his arrows fly from the top of Mount Olympus, with no thought to the consequences on the human heart!
The deities in First Quiver are well-drawn. Aprhodite and her husband and Ares are peppered in and out of the story as they watch the events unfolding on Earth, offering an enjoyable view from above. The relationship between Q and Pan is tender and brotherly at times, tension-filled and complicated elsewise. Both are extremely likeable characters - I found myself rooting for both of them the entire time. And Mia, the object of Q's desire - so human and flawed and relatable. Her family situation draws you right in; it's easy to see - arrow or not - how Q would fall in love with her and her 'messy life.'
First Quiver hooks you from the very first sentence and keeps you entranced until the end. Sure as a shot from one of Q's arrows, once it hits you, you're smitten.
This is a debut novel and first in a series by Beth Greenberg. It’s a fresh take on Greek Mythology, so although you don’t have to be familiar with the myths to enjoy the story, as someone who has loved Greek & Roman Mythology since I was a child, I wasn’t disappointed with this new interpretation.
We begin our story with Cupid/Eros being thrown from Mount Olympus to Earth as punishment for a terrible prank. As he loses his wings, he takes human form which differs from his Mount Olympus form. To guide him through his penance and time on Earth is his old BFF and fellow Olympian God. As I don’t wish to giveaway the storyline too much, I’ll leave it there.
I really thought that Cupid was a sweet warm hearted character, which differs from his mythological representation, which can be at times mischievous, passionate and cruel. Just as love can be. All of the characters were really likeable, as was the human love interest and their adorable family. As this is a first in a series, this particular story was resolved, however Cupid’s story is not. Whilst I enjoyed this story and will most likely read the second one, I do hope that this does not turn out to be a BFF to lovers story, as I’m personally holding out hope that the Author will let Cupid have everlasting love with his soul mate, Psyche.
This is an easy to read, light romantic story that is good whilst waiting for your flight, lazy Sunday afternoon or beach read. Really enjoyed reading it and was pleasantly surprised.
Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for the story. I’m voluntarily reviewing a complimentary ARC and all opinions are unbiased and my own.
This book had a very promising premise in Greek mythology and I was quite excited to start reading it. It opened with a family tree explaining the relations between significant gods and goddesses and in the first few chapters alone there was a lot of name-dropping which got me excited.
Unfortunately most of the book was just a romance novel with a slight inspiration of mythology included, like a theme night at a bar where it’s very light-touch. The story was quite crass and had very cringey overt descriptions of sexual encounters using language that wasn’t very sexy or mature. I did a double-take and had to check that the book wasn’t written by a man and secondly that this wasn’t intended for a young adult audience.
I think if this was just general romance/soft erotica genre then it would be all well and good and I appreciate that this book has been well-received by majority of readers. I however picked this up on the basis of it being “sci-fi/fantasy” which I suppose it 100% is, but didn’t expect it to be more like a young adult novel rather than one for adults ie dealing with some more serious themes and being a bit more subtle with the romance / erotica element.
In the end I couldn’t finish the book even though I really tried to. If anyone is wanting to read this because of other Greek mythology novels such as Circe then you will be very disappointed. But if you are a romance fanatic into easygoing in-your-face reads then go ahead you will love it.
The first book in the Cupids Fall series, “First Quiver,” turned out to be so much better than what I expected for a romance novel and turned out to be a fantastic read!
Let’s start with the characters. Cupid is adorable in the lead as you fall in love with him from the get-go. Also, Cupid and Pan are lovely in the spotlight. I loved their relationship. What struck me was how the author beautifully strayed from the conventional stereotype and made these characters fluid in their attractions. Pan and Cupid are best friends and share sizzling chemistry that heats the pages at certain times. I loved how the author incorporated their bond, and it is truly one of the big highlights of the series.
Even the supporting characters like Mia and her family added so nicely to the plot. I loved the special bond that Cupid forms with Mia’s children, especially Jonah. Moreover, the author took the characters from Greek mythology and gave them a fresh look with a modern twist. I enjoyed how Aphrodite and Ares complicate Pan and Cupid’s life and monitor them.
The author also has a beautiful knack for humor and romance. There are so many moments that had me laughing out loud, like “CPS” (Cardiac Positioning System), or when they encounter the woman with the melons. Even the romance is so unconventional between Mia and Cupid. The plot is entirely out there, but it works so well! Kudos to the author for executing the story so creatively.
Overall, I enjoyed reading “First Quiver” a lot and excited to read the sequel “Into the Quiet.”
What a clever premise! The gods still rule the heavens and modern-day earth is a purgatory for those who have "fallen" from favor. This tale follows the earthly journey of Cupid, who has ruffled some very mighty feathers and now must be taught a lesson at the mercy of the gods in order to regain his rightful place among them.
Cupid is an endearing character, whose innocence and child-like wonder at the ways of earthlings draw you in immediately. The emotional roller coaster of his path to redemption is punctuated by both humor and heartache, and the author's writing style gives you a seat right beside him. Or, right beside Pan, his resident guide and personal "Jiminy Cricket" throughout Cupid's efforts to do right by the powers above. This is Cupid we're talking about, so the battleground for his return to Mount Olympus is, of course, love, and this story runs the gamut, exploring everything from parental love to erotic love to bromance.
What I liked most about this story was the balance it struck between the sexual and the emotional aspects of love, and how it overlaid the entire adventure with a spirit of light-hearted fun. This book doesn't take itself too seriously, and the result is that the genuineness and realism of the characters' emotions shines through. I'll be looking forward to Cupid's journey "Into the Quiet."
Can I just say that this book was just too cute? I mean not only was the premise uniquely comical but the story was also surprisingly heartfelt. And I am such a sucker for anything Greek god related so it was already a win in my book. But this book just gave you exactly what you’d expect and then some with just a sharp wit and just every emotion on the spectrum.
I mean, once you start reading this one you’ll think to yourself: what’s not to love? First Quiver is a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously (you know one of those types of books) but also doesn’t fall into the trap of becoming a pointless book. Plus I got to realize that Cupid is under-appreciated! I mean after reading this fun story I’m ready for even more Cupid inspired books!
This is just one of those books that are a joy to read. The type that you could pick up whenever, settle down, and find yourself smiling as you read it. And I don’t know about you, but that’s something that I find much needed lately. And I love a cheesy but well done story, they’re just so satisfying!
You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
This book was exactly what I needed; lighthearted, hilarious, a little spicy, and also a little heartbreaking. I mean we have a romance where Cupid has been kicked out of Mount Olympus (turns out making Hera and Zeus mad is a bad idea) and his punishment is.. well cruel. He is doomed to fall in love with a women then help her find the perfect man for her. Just heartbreaking.
Along the way we get to see Cupid finally be reunited with his best friend and adjust to life in the mortal realm. This leads to so many funny scenes, especially as Cupid adjusts to his mortal body. I wasn’t too sure about his character in the beginning, mostly because adjusting to his body means that our boy is constantly horny, but he ultimately won me over.
I read this in one sitting and definitely recommend it to anybody who wants a good, fast paced read. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of this book. This is my honest review.
This story draws you inside the struggle between duty and love, a clash as ancient as the gods themselves. It’s 2019. The gods up on Mt Olympus are there and as fickle and malicious as ever. When Cupid sends an arrow into the hellhound of Hades, he finds out just how far the gods will go to teach him a lesson. Expelled from the only home he knows, Cupid falls to Earth, landing in present day Tara, Indiana. Cupid is super delighted with the freedom and sexy earth body feeling more like he’s been awarded, not punishment. But the gods have something horrible in store for Cupid, a taste of his own medicine. Success over his coming of age to fulfill his godly duty will cost him everything and failure is not an option.
I found it to be an entertaining endearing story reminding the reader of the gods of Olympus, with an often comical sense of humor. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
First Quiver was like a Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson , etc) for grownups - though I feel like that’s just...wrong. And also exactly why I loved it so much.
I’m not sure I’m really qualified to truly critique a book when I fly through it in one day. That’s rare and can occasionally mean that I was in the mood for the genre, but I don’t think that happens if the book isn’t delivering exactly what I wanted. First Quiver nails the tropes of the (super descriptive *sigh* romance) while throwing in just enough surprises to keep me turning the page.
Greenberg’s plot is marvelous, her characters delightfully quirky while delivering the sex appeal. I never knew how much I needed a sensitive, used-to-be-unattractive dude who becomes a literal Greek god, but if she wants to send either Pan or Cupid my way, I wouldn’t complain. Not. At. All. 13/10 guilty pleasure and I cannot wait for book 2.
I won a copy of First Quiver through a #GoodreadsGiveaway and really didn't have many expectations when I opened it up. I was so pleasantly surprised!
Cupid, "Q", finds himself exiled to Earth as punishment for what he considered a fun prank. With the help of his best friend Pan, he must navigate his punishment to earn his way back to Mount Olympus. I loved the new take on mythology and all of the laugh out loud moments. Q learns a lot about his human body and how to use it (in fun and sexy ways), but also learns some important lessons about love. 😍
As a major fan of Hadestown, I also loved the once sentence reference to Orpheus and Eurydice. I'm really excited to see where this series goes!
This book is adorable! It tells the story of a prank that led to Cupid's fall from Mount Olympus. It's funny, steamy and genuinely sweet!
Falling to earth was the last thing Cupid planned to do. Finding out that his best friend had been hiding on earth for the last 2,000 years was a nice slap in the face too. Pan and Cupid set out to figure out what Cupid's punishment will be so that he can earn his wings back and ascend to Mount Olympus again. But teaching a God how life on earth works is a hilarious feat. Especially when Cupid is a smoking hot, seriously old virgin! How on Earth will he accomplish anything when he has a shiny, new "toy" at his disposal?
Just to come up with the idea alone deserves an award - this is a unique and original story with lovable characters, particular challenges and erotic constellations that will make you feel wonderfully fluffy, tense and worried and a little heartbroken. But you'll be extremely entertained and captivated by this cast and I hope I get to see at least some of them again in the continuation of Cupid's journey! This book gets all thumbs up and 5 stars☆☆☆☆☆
Just one note: I read a lot of review talking about Greek mythology: Cupid, Eros, Anteros are amongst the most complex character of the Classic mythology and, as far as I remember, Cupid is the Latin version of Eros. That said I had fun and enjoyed the humour and the plot. It's a light romance and it kept me hooked and entertained. Recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine