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The Vampires of Athens #0
Dionysus: A Prequel
He had given up on love.After he's banished from Mount Olympus through no fault of his own, Dionysus roams the earth in search of a purpose. He eventually creates his own magical vineyard on the island of Naxos, where he falls in love with Ariadne, who breaks his heart.
He distracts himself with wine and dancing and accidentally creates a group of companions that require human blood to survive. He becomes the lord of the vampires.
His hopes of using this new purpose as a means for respect among the other gods is dashed when the vampires destroy Athens and become the scourge of the human race. Dionysus neglects the vampires and spends his time drowning his sorrows with wine and dancing until . . .Fast forward to modern times, when he meets a beautiful anthropologist who shares her strange theory with the great writer Euripides was a vampire. As he helps her to build a case, he is pleasantly surprised by the chemistry between them. Does he dare open himself up to love again?
He distracts himself with wine and dancing and accidentally creates a group of companions that require human blood to survive. He becomes the lord of the vampires.
His hopes of using this new purpose as a means for respect among the other gods is dashed when the vampires destroy Athens and become the scourge of the human race. Dionysus neglects the vampires and spends his time drowning his sorrows with wine and dancing until . . .Fast forward to modern times, when he meets a beautiful anthropologist who shares her strange theory with the great writer Euripides was a vampire. As he helps her to build a case, he is pleasantly surprised by the chemistry between them. Does he dare open himself up to love again?
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2023
About the author
Eva Pohler
83 books1,753 followersEva Pohler is a USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels in multiple genres, including mysteries, thrillers, and young adult paranormal romance based. Her books have been described as "addictive" and "sure to thrill"--Kirkus Reviews.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 17, 2024
Thank you to Eva Pohler for allowing me to read a copy of this book. I believe that this book was good, but it was not for me. I found the first part to be the best part of the book. I also enjoyed the take on the mythology of Dionysus, but once I got to the halfway mark, I found myself not connecting with the characters as much anymore. I believe that this book is a great book, but it wasn't for me personally. If you're looking for a good retelling that focuses more on the plot, then this book is for you.
May 1, 2023
This was such a fun and intense take on Dionysus’ story and I felt like I was immersed in the universe from the first page. It was a great prequel to the series and made me want to dive in binge the rest. I loved how Dionysus was so caring and just wanted what was best for the people he served. The writing was really well done and I breezed through the book.
May 10, 2023
Title: Dionysus
Author: Eva Pohler
Series Title: The Vampires of Athens, Book 4 (It's listed as the 4th book, but it is the prequel story to this series.)
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Dionysus is a prequel to the Vampires of Athens series about the God of Wine, Dionysus.
Dionysus comes to live on an island called Naxos while trying to find his mortal mother who he's never met because Hera, Zeus wife knows about his mother and wants to kill her because they had an affair as well Dionysus. Once Dionysus starts his life on Naxos, he started working the land and grew grapes, making the best wine and became revered as the God of Wine.
One day as he is walking, he stumbles across Ariadne after she washes up on the shore after being abandoned by Thesues. Dionysus was enraptured by Ariadne's beauty and couldn't help but fall for her. Once he finds the courage to ask Ariadne how she feels about him, she tells him she loves him and wants to marry him. Dionysus can't believe his luck and they decide to go to her home and get married. No sooner than after they say their vows, Thesues arrives at their wedding. He starts declaring his love for Ariadne and before Dionysus realizes what's happening, Ariadne and Thesues are about to leave when he confronts them and she tell him that Thesues still has her heart and she is truly sorry. Dionysus, heart broken and abandoned on his wedding day, he declares revenge on Thesues, the king of Athens.
I love Greek Mythology and learning about all the God's and Goddesses, so when I got the chance to read about Dionysus, the God of Wine, it was a no brainer. I loved learning about Dionysus younger life and how Zeus fell in love with his mortal mother. I also enjoyed Hermes and Dionysus's friendship. It was sad seeing how much pain and suffering Dionysus went through when all he wanted was love and acceptance.
#EvaPohler #Dionysus #DionysusBook #TheVampiresInAthensSeries #DionysusBOMMARCTour #BOMMTours #BOMMIndieAuthors #BOMMARCTour #BookOfMatchesMedia
Author: Eva Pohler
Series Title: The Vampires of Athens, Book 4 (It's listed as the 4th book, but it is the prequel story to this series.)
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Dionysus is a prequel to the Vampires of Athens series about the God of Wine, Dionysus.
Dionysus comes to live on an island called Naxos while trying to find his mortal mother who he's never met because Hera, Zeus wife knows about his mother and wants to kill her because they had an affair as well Dionysus. Once Dionysus starts his life on Naxos, he started working the land and grew grapes, making the best wine and became revered as the God of Wine.
One day as he is walking, he stumbles across Ariadne after she washes up on the shore after being abandoned by Thesues. Dionysus was enraptured by Ariadne's beauty and couldn't help but fall for her. Once he finds the courage to ask Ariadne how she feels about him, she tells him she loves him and wants to marry him. Dionysus can't believe his luck and they decide to go to her home and get married. No sooner than after they say their vows, Thesues arrives at their wedding. He starts declaring his love for Ariadne and before Dionysus realizes what's happening, Ariadne and Thesues are about to leave when he confronts them and she tell him that Thesues still has her heart and she is truly sorry. Dionysus, heart broken and abandoned on his wedding day, he declares revenge on Thesues, the king of Athens.
I love Greek Mythology and learning about all the God's and Goddesses, so when I got the chance to read about Dionysus, the God of Wine, it was a no brainer. I loved learning about Dionysus younger life and how Zeus fell in love with his mortal mother. I also enjoyed Hermes and Dionysus's friendship. It was sad seeing how much pain and suffering Dionysus went through when all he wanted was love and acceptance.
#EvaPohler #Dionysus #DionysusBook #TheVampiresInAthensSeries #DionysusBOMMARCTour #BOMMTours #BOMMIndieAuthors #BOMMARCTour #BookOfMatchesMedia
May 9, 2023
May contain spoilers
Dionysus has spent his life being the target of Hera, the Queen of Gods, after his father Zeus's infidelity with a mortal woman. Abandoned and rejected from Mount Olympus, Dionysus lives a life of loneliness, dedicating his time to finding and reconnecting with his mother. When he finally finds her living in Naxos, he finally feels his spirits and hope lifting. However, when he finds out she's in hiding from Hera's spies and retaliation, he's soon once again plagued by solitude, refusing constant communication to protect her. He remains on Naxos, cultivating the land, helping the vines grow, and trying to find a companion to spend his life with. When a chance encounter finds him meeting the beautiful, young Cretan princess Ariadne washing up upon his beaches, he is immediately taken by her beauty and tenacity. Dionysus soon finds a small ray of hope and happiness, being in the princesses company and affections, but when Theseus returns on their wedding, Ariadne betrays Dionysus. Full of resentment and pain, he vows to have his revenge on the new king of Athens, but when his plan goes awry, Dionysus finds himself in more trouble than he first imagined, suddenly a leader of a cult of Vrykolakas (vampires).
Dionysus is one of my favourite Greek Gods, so as soon as I saw this imaginative and fantastical retelling, I knew I had to jump at it. Dionysus is a man that is hard not to love, he's sweet, tender-hearted and ruled by love, he just wants to be seen and accepted for who he is, often wearing his heart on his sleeve, and finds such child-like joy in being able to support others in thriving, and allowing them to be their most authentic selves. In the absence of love in his life growing up from his father, and a lack of knowledge of his mother, he still exudes love, hope and warmth from himself, and shines it upon others, bringing some light to a world where he has only seen darkness. He has a constant child-like wonder about him that is so heart-warming and joyous to read about. Even when his own revenge-laden plans go awry, leading to him becoming the reluctant leader of newly born and created Vampires of Athens, and these new added responsibilities of keeping their hunger for blood at bay, appeasing the voracious gods and trying to withhold his reputation of being revered among the citizens of Athens and Naxos, he still keeps his warmth, and desire to allow people to be free and live to an idealised level without constraints and judgements. He's faced so much tragedy, loss, pain and is so beaten and broken but he still wants to bring some form of happiness and love into this fragile and volatile world, and that was such a beautiful and tragic part of his character.
I always adore reading different perspectives and takes on Greek God stories and origins and this story was no different. The first part of the book focuses more on Dionysus's life growing up, being kicked out of Mount Olympus for his father's indiscretions, and falling in love with his soul mate Ariadne. It was an utterly beautiful experience to read his past, and delve deeper into this wonderful child-like and naïve god. The second part was also really interesting and something I was not expecting, it focuses more on Dionysus and his cult of Vampires in the Twenty First Century, where he meets Demi-God Philomena, a curious anthropologist with a specific fondness for Euripides the tragedian playwright, who just so happens to be part of Dionysus's own cult unbeknownst to her. It's a very refreshingly unique and enthralling retelling with a supernatural twist, of the Greek tragedy of Ariadne and Dionysus, whilst also focusing on the revered cult of Dionysus.
The first half of the book was so breath-taking and immersive, it felt so dreamy and atmospheric , but the second half kind of lost me a little, I spent some time skim reading more than absorbing what was going on. I think it would've ended so beautifully and tragically if it'd ended after the first part, and would've been so profoundly moving and impactful, but instead I kind of lost interest. Philomena was difficult to like, she felt child-like to an extreme, it wasn't endearing like Dionysus, she almost felt juvenile and her will was so easily swayed. I also found that Dionysus lost his spark and like-ability slightly in the second half, I understand he's faced so much that he's likely to have hardened up over the years, but all that made him shine seemed to have disappeared. This really upset me because the first half I was adamant this was going to be a 5 star read, but it just kind of let me down. On the other hand, the ending did still pack and emotional punch, as is true of all typical Greek Tragedies, I just wanted Dionysus to finally have some loyal companionship, and to be warmly accepted by someone close to him, instead of being constantly estranged or rejected, it was definitely a painful and heart-wrenching end.
Overall, I really did love this, the second half maybe brought it down in my estimations a bit, but the beautiful and breath-taking first half is what's holding the 4 star rating for me. Pohler weaves such a rich tapestry of Greek Mythology, with an added supernatural twist that keeps you captivated and will definitely have you falling in love with Dionysus all over again, he's flawed and real, and yet so innocently childlike and warm you can feel his warmth through the pages. Definitively pick this one up if you're a fan of vampires, Greek Mythology, and especially the two brought together in one delicious twist.
Dionysus has spent his life being the target of Hera, the Queen of Gods, after his father Zeus's infidelity with a mortal woman. Abandoned and rejected from Mount Olympus, Dionysus lives a life of loneliness, dedicating his time to finding and reconnecting with his mother. When he finally finds her living in Naxos, he finally feels his spirits and hope lifting. However, when he finds out she's in hiding from Hera's spies and retaliation, he's soon once again plagued by solitude, refusing constant communication to protect her. He remains on Naxos, cultivating the land, helping the vines grow, and trying to find a companion to spend his life with. When a chance encounter finds him meeting the beautiful, young Cretan princess Ariadne washing up upon his beaches, he is immediately taken by her beauty and tenacity. Dionysus soon finds a small ray of hope and happiness, being in the princesses company and affections, but when Theseus returns on their wedding, Ariadne betrays Dionysus. Full of resentment and pain, he vows to have his revenge on the new king of Athens, but when his plan goes awry, Dionysus finds himself in more trouble than he first imagined, suddenly a leader of a cult of Vrykolakas (vampires).
Dionysus is one of my favourite Greek Gods, so as soon as I saw this imaginative and fantastical retelling, I knew I had to jump at it. Dionysus is a man that is hard not to love, he's sweet, tender-hearted and ruled by love, he just wants to be seen and accepted for who he is, often wearing his heart on his sleeve, and finds such child-like joy in being able to support others in thriving, and allowing them to be their most authentic selves. In the absence of love in his life growing up from his father, and a lack of knowledge of his mother, he still exudes love, hope and warmth from himself, and shines it upon others, bringing some light to a world where he has only seen darkness. He has a constant child-like wonder about him that is so heart-warming and joyous to read about. Even when his own revenge-laden plans go awry, leading to him becoming the reluctant leader of newly born and created Vampires of Athens, and these new added responsibilities of keeping their hunger for blood at bay, appeasing the voracious gods and trying to withhold his reputation of being revered among the citizens of Athens and Naxos, he still keeps his warmth, and desire to allow people to be free and live to an idealised level without constraints and judgements. He's faced so much tragedy, loss, pain and is so beaten and broken but he still wants to bring some form of happiness and love into this fragile and volatile world, and that was such a beautiful and tragic part of his character.
I always adore reading different perspectives and takes on Greek God stories and origins and this story was no different. The first part of the book focuses more on Dionysus's life growing up, being kicked out of Mount Olympus for his father's indiscretions, and falling in love with his soul mate Ariadne. It was an utterly beautiful experience to read his past, and delve deeper into this wonderful child-like and naïve god. The second part was also really interesting and something I was not expecting, it focuses more on Dionysus and his cult of Vampires in the Twenty First Century, where he meets Demi-God Philomena, a curious anthropologist with a specific fondness for Euripides the tragedian playwright, who just so happens to be part of Dionysus's own cult unbeknownst to her. It's a very refreshingly unique and enthralling retelling with a supernatural twist, of the Greek tragedy of Ariadne and Dionysus, whilst also focusing on the revered cult of Dionysus.
The first half of the book was so breath-taking and immersive, it felt so dreamy and atmospheric , but the second half kind of lost me a little, I spent some time skim reading more than absorbing what was going on. I think it would've ended so beautifully and tragically if it'd ended after the first part, and would've been so profoundly moving and impactful, but instead I kind of lost interest. Philomena was difficult to like, she felt child-like to an extreme, it wasn't endearing like Dionysus, she almost felt juvenile and her will was so easily swayed. I also found that Dionysus lost his spark and like-ability slightly in the second half, I understand he's faced so much that he's likely to have hardened up over the years, but all that made him shine seemed to have disappeared. This really upset me because the first half I was adamant this was going to be a 5 star read, but it just kind of let me down. On the other hand, the ending did still pack and emotional punch, as is true of all typical Greek Tragedies, I just wanted Dionysus to finally have some loyal companionship, and to be warmly accepted by someone close to him, instead of being constantly estranged or rejected, it was definitely a painful and heart-wrenching end.
Overall, I really did love this, the second half maybe brought it down in my estimations a bit, but the beautiful and breath-taking first half is what's holding the 4 star rating for me. Pohler weaves such a rich tapestry of Greek Mythology, with an added supernatural twist that keeps you captivated and will definitely have you falling in love with Dionysus all over again, he's flawed and real, and yet so innocently childlike and warm you can feel his warmth through the pages. Definitively pick this one up if you're a fan of vampires, Greek Mythology, and especially the two brought together in one delicious twist.
March 6, 2024
As an avid enthusiast of Greek Mythology, delving into the realm of Dionysus, the God of Wine, was an irresistible opportunity for me. Exploring Dionysus's early life and the captivating tale of Zeus's love for his mortal mother proved to be a riveting journey. Moreover, the portrayal of the enduring friendship between Dionysus and Hermes added an enriching layer to the narrative.
However, what truly struck me was the poignant depiction of Dionysus's relentless pursuit of love and acceptance amidst a backdrop of pain and suffering. It was heartbreaking to witness the trials he endured, despite his fervent desire for connection.
In my exploration of various retellings of Greek myths, this rendition emerged as one of the most brutal yet captivating. The inclusion of elements hinting at the origins of vampirism added an intriguing twist to the narrative, coloring it with shades of mystery and allure.
Despite its brevity, the novel proved to be an immensely enjoyable read, defying my initial expectations. The meticulous world-building and character development laid the groundwork for what promises to be a remarkable series. I have always appreciated narratives that reimagine mythological aspects in unique ways, and "Dionysus" certainly delivered on that front. It offered a fresh perspective on a lesser-explored Greek god and intriguing insights into his potential reactions in a modern setting.
With the addition of vampires, the story took on a whole new dimension, presenting readers with an exhilarating adventure that enthralls from start to finish. Prepare to be swept away on an emotional rollercoaster, particularly as you witness the injustices inflicted upon Dionysus by those he held dear. As a prequel, the novel adeptly establishes the motivations of its characters and sets the tone for the series ahead, leaving readers eager for more.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
However, what truly struck me was the poignant depiction of Dionysus's relentless pursuit of love and acceptance amidst a backdrop of pain and suffering. It was heartbreaking to witness the trials he endured, despite his fervent desire for connection.
In my exploration of various retellings of Greek myths, this rendition emerged as one of the most brutal yet captivating. The inclusion of elements hinting at the origins of vampirism added an intriguing twist to the narrative, coloring it with shades of mystery and allure.
Despite its brevity, the novel proved to be an immensely enjoyable read, defying my initial expectations. The meticulous world-building and character development laid the groundwork for what promises to be a remarkable series. I have always appreciated narratives that reimagine mythological aspects in unique ways, and "Dionysus" certainly delivered on that front. It offered a fresh perspective on a lesser-explored Greek god and intriguing insights into his potential reactions in a modern setting.
With the addition of vampires, the story took on a whole new dimension, presenting readers with an exhilarating adventure that enthralls from start to finish. Prepare to be swept away on an emotional rollercoaster, particularly as you witness the injustices inflicted upon Dionysus by those he held dear. As a prequel, the novel adeptly establishes the motivations of its characters and sets the tone for the series ahead, leaving readers eager for more.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 12, 2025
I have read and completely fallen in love with the series The Vampires of Athens so when I found this prequel I knew I just had to read this too, as the series makes for compulsive reading. This is the story of the god Dionysus, who has been hounded by Hera, and cut off from his siblings, as he was banned from Mount Olympus. he is the lonliest of the gods and without purpose. He falls in love with Ariadne, but is betrayed twice by her, and ends up alone once again and with a broken heart. He unwittingly creates vampires who turn him into their lord, but these do not gain him any favour with his siblings, on the contrary as they wreak chaos on Athens, they become feared and hated. Athena is out to obliterate them, and Dionysus does his best to hide them underground, but they are not happy and seek to revolt against the gods. However he drowns his sorrows in wine and revelry, until one day he meets up with a young anthropologist who is an expert on Euripedes and other ancient writers. When she finds out a number of them are now vampires she takes up their cause, and because he has fallen head over heels he once again promises to help them. Will this time around grant him the chance to find love or is he doomed to be alone for all eternity? I really needed to read this prequel, it fills in a lot of information for the rest of the series which is a young adult romance, full of greek myth and vampires and makes for such a great read!
April 26, 2023
Dionysus: A Prequel is an exciting Greek Mythology retelling of the story of Dionysus with a mix of ancient Greece and modern times.
As someone who loves Greek Mythology, I was excited to read this one. And I was thoroughly impressed. The story starts with Dionysus trying to find a place to fit in and find his mother. This leads him to the island of Naxos where he is revered as the God of Vine.
He meets Ariadne and falls in love. When his love ends in heartbreak, he creates a group of female companions to fight his loneliness and despair, and he begins his tradition of drinking and dancing on Mount Kithairon.
But the women return home and tear their husbands and children limb from limb, and the only thing that can repair this horrific toll on humanity is human blood; thus, the first generation of vampires is born, and Dionysus finds himself their lord.
His hopes of using this new purpose as a means for respect among the other gods is dashed when the vampires destroy Athens and become the scourge of the human race. Dionysus neglects the vampires and spends his time drowning his sorrows with wine and dancing.
He meets Philomena by chance and falls in love with her free spirit. As they learn about each other and grow closer, she urges Dionysus to help the vampires get the rights they deserve. This leads to his second love story ending in a far more brutal manner when other gods interfere. Dionysus gives up hope again, but finds out all is not lost.
Hermes added amusement to the story and proved to be a wonderful friend. I loved watching Hermes be there for Dionysus from the beginning till the end. It was endearing to watch since all Dionysus wanted was a place to belong.
Thank you to the author and BOMM for sending me an ARC to this fascinating read!
As someone who loves Greek Mythology, I was excited to read this one. And I was thoroughly impressed. The story starts with Dionysus trying to find a place to fit in and find his mother. This leads him to the island of Naxos where he is revered as the God of Vine.
He meets Ariadne and falls in love. When his love ends in heartbreak, he creates a group of female companions to fight his loneliness and despair, and he begins his tradition of drinking and dancing on Mount Kithairon.
But the women return home and tear their husbands and children limb from limb, and the only thing that can repair this horrific toll on humanity is human blood; thus, the first generation of vampires is born, and Dionysus finds himself their lord.
His hopes of using this new purpose as a means for respect among the other gods is dashed when the vampires destroy Athens and become the scourge of the human race. Dionysus neglects the vampires and spends his time drowning his sorrows with wine and dancing.
He meets Philomena by chance and falls in love with her free spirit. As they learn about each other and grow closer, she urges Dionysus to help the vampires get the rights they deserve. This leads to his second love story ending in a far more brutal manner when other gods interfere. Dionysus gives up hope again, but finds out all is not lost.
Hermes added amusement to the story and proved to be a wonderful friend. I loved watching Hermes be there for Dionysus from the beginning till the end. It was endearing to watch since all Dionysus wanted was a place to belong.
Thank you to the author and BOMM for sending me an ARC to this fascinating read!
May 6, 2023
This book is an epic prequel to the Vampires of Athens series, and it shows a portion of Dionysus’s long and played-out life. I love how Eva Pohler includes so many different myths, and keeps true to the original mythos, while also adding her own supernatural spin to the tales. I found Dionysus very pitiful at times because he kept getting beaten down by life. First by his parents, then by Ariadene, and finally by Athena and Hera. Dionysus and Ariandne’s relationship is something that I didn’t fully expect, I have read many stories about Perseus and Ariadne, and somehow this book brought a new side of her relationship with Asterion. The philosophers and playwrights of Old being vampires is a story that is new to me. I found it absolutely fascinating, and if I was Philomena, I would have been in total awe. I thought that it had a tragic end to the story, as befits a story based heavily on myth.
I think that this is an amazing story that everyone who likes Greek mythos, and paranormal stories should read. It is a fantasy that has many different storylines, and intertwining romances. I will absolutely recommend this, and I will be reading the rest of the Vampires of Athens series by the talented Eva Pohler.
I think that this is an amazing story that everyone who likes Greek mythos, and paranormal stories should read. It is a fantasy that has many different storylines, and intertwining romances. I will absolutely recommend this, and I will be reading the rest of the Vampires of Athens series by the talented Eva Pohler.
January 2, 2024
Another just OK rating. I enjoyed the first part of the book quite a bit because I really enjoy mythology, and there was plenty of that to hold my interest. Toward the end of the first half, the author decides to imagine that a number of the characters were turned into vampires. The second part of the book then goes on to follow that lead and expand on it by coming into more current times and continuing the story of how that affected some of the gods and even present day descendants. It was certainly an interesting spin and the read was OK. I don't know what lies ahead in the suggested series but I have no interest in finding out.
May 3, 2023
Dionysus, as the title suggests, follows the Greek God of the vine, Dionysus, Zeus’s son who was banned from Mount Olympus for no fault of his own.
The story is divided into two halves where in the first half we witness Dionysus & his struggle with the gods. He tries to prove himself at every point. The author has done an amazing job capturing his struggles while he tries to find his path.
This half also has a very interesting and unique take on how vampires come into existence. With the timeline spreading across centuries this book mentions many Greek Gods and historic mythological events hence I won’t recommend you to read it if you are new to Greek Mythology.
But if hot but evil and twisted Greek gods are your thing Dionysus should be in your tbr.
The second part of the book was a little bit of a weak link. It takes place in the modern time & I say it’s a weak link because I failed to connect to that part of the story. Overall, this one is a good read for every Greek mythology lover out there.
Thank you to Book of Matches Media and Eva Pohler for the review copy
The story is divided into two halves where in the first half we witness Dionysus & his struggle with the gods. He tries to prove himself at every point. The author has done an amazing job capturing his struggles while he tries to find his path.
This half also has a very interesting and unique take on how vampires come into existence. With the timeline spreading across centuries this book mentions many Greek Gods and historic mythological events hence I won’t recommend you to read it if you are new to Greek Mythology.
But if hot but evil and twisted Greek gods are your thing Dionysus should be in your tbr.
The second part of the book was a little bit of a weak link. It takes place in the modern time & I say it’s a weak link because I failed to connect to that part of the story. Overall, this one is a good read for every Greek mythology lover out there.
Thank you to Book of Matches Media and Eva Pohler for the review copy
March 10, 2024
this was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this book. It had that Greek mythology elements perfectly with what I was hoping for from a book named after the God of Wine. It had great characters and that the vampire elements worked well. It left me wanting to read more in this universe and worked with what I was hoping for. Eva Pohler has a great writing style and I look forward to more.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 20, 2024
This is a prequel and a YA retelling story of a Greek mythology. Dionysus the ultimate party animal by fate creates vampires and chaos ensues. A sensational mythological retelling and it has a fabulous plot. It’s a wonderful prequel and a great start of a new series. I want to continue this reading journey.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 8, 2024
Normally I'm not a fan of prequels, but this was really good! I would have liked it more to stay focused on the mythology rather than the story it was telling, but it was enjoyable mostly. The first half was very cool, but after the mid point it started to go in a different direction and lost me a bit. Over all though, if you're into mythology this is a decent read :)
October 17, 2023
Very interesting story about Dionysus, god of wine. We follow his struggles with being banished from Mount Olympus, his marriage to a woman who loved another and the mistakes he's made, including mistakes he made trying to lead a people despised by the gods.
February 29, 2024
I had never read a story about Dionysus before and found the plot very interesting. It was an enjoyable read that laid the foundation for the series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 1, 2024
A fun twist that blends greek myth and vampires onto a fun prequel story that I found to be fun and entertaining at times. Made me really feel for poor Dionysus and want to see what happens next. I enjoyed the story and characters and had to see what would happen next.
June 16, 2023
loved it
I enjoyed the book tremendously I hate that Athena and Hera kept getting away with hurting Dionysus I hope he gets his happy ending
I enjoyed the book tremendously I hate that Athena and Hera kept getting away with hurting Dionysus I hope he gets his happy ending
November 6, 2023
Excellent read!
I truly loved the plotline and characters! Eva writes in such a way as to delight the reader! This series is my favorite thus far!
I truly loved the plotline and characters! Eva writes in such a way as to delight the reader! This series is my favorite thus far!
February 13, 2024
This was a good book for its genre, but it was too long, and I got bored - so I didn’t finish it
March 2, 2024
Read my 3.5 Star review at Nevy's Bookshelf
March 4, 2024
Such a good series! I'm loving it so far and will keep coming back for more! Such a good read! Thanks Pohler!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 13, 2024
This was a really fun and romantic book that has vampires with Greek gods. A very interesting twist I enjoyed!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 29, 2024
Great book!
I really enjoyed this book. I have already read the other books in this series and it really gave me insight now.
I really enjoyed this book. I have already read the other books in this series and it really gave me insight now.
July 6, 2024
This was well written and an absolutely interesting take on how Vampires came to be.
In a genre that you would think had found all the ways to explain it, comes this way.
In a genre that you would think had found all the ways to explain it, comes this way.
May 10, 2023
I’m a huge fan of Greek mythology so when I saw this book I had to read it! Pohler does a great job of melding classic Greek mythology and modern times. I haven’t read many books focused on Dionysus and I enjoyed the read. Throughout the book he shows compassion and is not portrayed as selfish as Greek gods are in most retellings. The story moved at a fast pace and drew me in from the beginning. I had reservations that interjecting vampires might seem forced but they were introduced into the story seamlessly in a way that made sense. This book started off very strong but has a very abrupt ending.
I did notice a couple of copy editing errors throughout the book.
Thank you Book of Matches Media for the ARC. The thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
I did notice a couple of copy editing errors throughout the book.
Thank you Book of Matches Media for the ARC. The thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
June 25, 2023
Title: Dionysus
Author: Eva Pohler
Series Title: The Vampires of Athens, Book 4 (It's listed as the 4th book, but it is the prequel story to this series.)
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Dionysus is a prequel to the Vampires of Athens series about the God of Wine, Dionysus.
Dionysus comes to live on an island called Naxos while trying to find his mortal mother who he's never met because Hera, Zeus wife knows about his mother and wants to kill her because they had an affair as well Dionysus. Once Dionysus starts his life on Naxos, he started working the land and grew grapes, making the best wine and became revered as the God of Wine.
One day as he is walking, he stumbles across Ariadne after she washes up on the shore after being abandoned by Thesues. Dionysus was enraptured by Ariadne's beauty and couldn't help but fall for her. Once he finds the courage to ask Ariadne how she feels about him, she tells him she loves him and wants to marry him. Dionysus can't believe his luck and they decide to go to her home and get married. No sooner than after they say their vows, Thesues arrives at their wedding. He starts declaring his love for Ariadne and before Dionysus realizes what's happening, Ariadne and Thesues are about to leave when he confronts them and she tell him that Thesues still has her heart and she is truly sorry. Dionysus, heart broken and abandoned on his wedding day, he declares revenge on Thesues, the king of Athens.
I love Greek Mythology and learning about all the God's and Goddesses, so when I got the chance to read about Dionysus, the God of Wine, it was a no brainer. I loved learning about Dionysus younger life and how Zeus fell in love with his mortal mother. I also enjoyed Hermes and Dionysus's friendship. It was sad seeing how much pain and suffering Dionysus went through when all he wanted was love and acceptance.
Author: Eva Pohler
Series Title: The Vampires of Athens, Book 4 (It's listed as the 4th book, but it is the prequel story to this series.)
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Dionysus is a prequel to the Vampires of Athens series about the God of Wine, Dionysus.
Dionysus comes to live on an island called Naxos while trying to find his mortal mother who he's never met because Hera, Zeus wife knows about his mother and wants to kill her because they had an affair as well Dionysus. Once Dionysus starts his life on Naxos, he started working the land and grew grapes, making the best wine and became revered as the God of Wine.
One day as he is walking, he stumbles across Ariadne after she washes up on the shore after being abandoned by Thesues. Dionysus was enraptured by Ariadne's beauty and couldn't help but fall for her. Once he finds the courage to ask Ariadne how she feels about him, she tells him she loves him and wants to marry him. Dionysus can't believe his luck and they decide to go to her home and get married. No sooner than after they say their vows, Thesues arrives at their wedding. He starts declaring his love for Ariadne and before Dionysus realizes what's happening, Ariadne and Thesues are about to leave when he confronts them and she tell him that Thesues still has her heart and she is truly sorry. Dionysus, heart broken and abandoned on his wedding day, he declares revenge on Thesues, the king of Athens.
I love Greek Mythology and learning about all the God's and Goddesses, so when I got the chance to read about Dionysus, the God of Wine, it was a no brainer. I loved learning about Dionysus younger life and how Zeus fell in love with his mortal mother. I also enjoyed Hermes and Dionysus's friendship. It was sad seeing how much pain and suffering Dionysus went through when all he wanted was love and acceptance.
March 6, 2024
I love anything that takes a mythological aspect and spins it in a unique way, and that is what we get with Dionysus. I enjoyed getting a new take on a Greek god, especially one we don't usually see focused on, and also seeing how he may react in the modern world. Throw in some vampires, and you get a whole new adventure that will keep readers addicted through each page. This book will put you through all the emotions, especially with how Dionysus was treated by those he thought he could love. With this being a prequel, it really sets the motivations for the characters and the tone as to what is to come.
January 23, 2024
I’ll be honest…this book is not good writing. The plot could use some work but it’s a good plot, just needs to be rewritten. This feels like a very early draft. Like it shows signs of young writing and it feels rushed. There are many scenes where things were glazed over and rushed, both of the god’s marriages were decided so so quickly. I thought that Ariadne was rushed because we were gonna get more story of after her and that was just to set it up but it just skipped huge chunks of time and rushed the time we did get and none of the relationships were well developed, Di was portrayed as kind of whiny, Athena was portrayed as a mega bitch. It was just not for me. Could definitely be something great if it was reworked and went through the editing process at least two more times.
February 28, 2024
Dionysus: The Vampires of Athens by Eva Phler is a prequel novel with a lot of potential for further development
I have been commenting on how I am really enjoying the different retellings of Greek myths and this is the most brutal one so far. Oh yes, we had a lot of quite feisty creatures back in the time of Greek myths, but the beginnings of Vampirism? Colour me intrigued!
This was a quick read but an enjoyable one and not at all as I was expecting. The world building and character development was laying the foundations for what will likely be a fantastic series. Gods X Vampires is a novel concept and one that defo has legs and I look forward to seeing more
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have been commenting on how I am really enjoying the different retellings of Greek myths and this is the most brutal one so far. Oh yes, we had a lot of quite feisty creatures back in the time of Greek myths, but the beginnings of Vampirism? Colour me intrigued!
This was a quick read but an enjoyable one and not at all as I was expecting. The world building and character development was laying the foundations for what will likely be a fantastic series. Gods X Vampires is a novel concept and one that defo has legs and I look forward to seeing more
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 17, 2023
A banished God...
Eva brings Dionysis into full character in this gripping book. His life on earth is so vivid and realistic you can almost picture yourself in it. The growth of the vampires makes him their leader and lord. While longing for the deserved respect of fellow Athenians he allows his vampires to invade athens. Sunken back into drinking until he finds love again. This didn’t end well at all for him. Many years later he learns of something that was hidden from him. The real question is... can a savage vampire change his roots?
Eva brings Dionysis into full character in this gripping book. His life on earth is so vivid and realistic you can almost picture yourself in it. The growth of the vampires makes him their leader and lord. While longing for the deserved respect of fellow Athenians he allows his vampires to invade athens. Sunken back into drinking until he finds love again. This didn’t end well at all for him. Many years later he learns of something that was hidden from him. The real question is... can a savage vampire change his roots?
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