Warrior Ascended

Sons of the Zodiac #1

by Addison Fox

View our feature on Addison Fox’s Warrior Ascended.
First in the dark and sexy paranormal romance series
Starring the immortal warriors of the zodiac

Charming, proud, and impulsive, Leo Warrior Brody Talbot is fighting what may be his final battle. Enyo, the Goddess of War, plans to fulfill an ancient prophecy to destroy humanity by harnessing the dark power of the Summoning Stones of Egypt. There's only one person who knows enough about the stones to help Brody stop her-beautiful museum curator Ava Harrison.

Never in all his centuries has Brody met a woman who enthralls him like Ava. But, bound to protect her, he struggles to deny his passion as they are drawn into a dark and dangerous final reckoning between good and evil.

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Ebooks, Magic

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 2, 2010

About the author

Addison Fox can’t remember a time when words weren’t a part of her life. In addition to being an avid reader, she loves writing novels about strong-willed and exciting heroes and heroines – individuals who are meant for each other and who deserve their happy ever after. After she makes them work for it, of course!

First published in 2010, Addison has written across romance genres including paranormal, contemporary and romantic suspense. A romantic at heart, she’ll take her heroes any way she can get them – from ancient warriors to computer geeks to sexy cowboys. She’s not picky - but she is deeply grateful her readers are willing to come along for the ride.

Addison lives in New York. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com or on Facebook (facebook.com/addisonfoxauthor) and Twitter (@addisonfox).


The House of Steele series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense launches in July with THE PARIS ASSIGNMENT.

And two new stories in the Alaskan Nights series will be out - FROM THIS MOMENT ON (Penguin eNovella, July) and JUST IN TIME (Aug).

Addison lives in Dallas. She loves to get email from readers.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. What keeps this from being a 3 star "I liked it" book, is that at one point I feel like I could have put the book down and never cared whether I came back to it. And that was during the action!
I feel that the idea of this book is amazing! Themis and Zeus made a sort of checks and balance system for humanity in the form of Zodiac Warriors. This one is about a Leo warrior and an archaeology project. I think that if someone like Sherrilyn Kenyon got a hold of this idea it would have been gold. What I didn't like only had to do with the writing style. A friend of mine said it felt as if the author would jump around and not let us know! I agree. It was a little confusing, and the heroine was a (supposedly) mousy librarian type. She is an archaeologist who works in the museums, but her Leo warrior is more Indiana Jones. She supposedly is a fearful timid thing, but that never came across right.
I like the characters, and I would read the next, but I won't buy it new.
I really really love the concept of this book, and I only can hope Addison Fox's writing improves as she continues on in the series. I wouldn't mind reading on about her Scorpio warrior in the next book.

[Vanessa theJeepDiva · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had very high hopes for this book. It seemed like something different from the vampire/were stuff I typically read. Well…. There was an evil Grandmother, which was definitely different. I found this book to be very clichéd. Ava is a spinster, a modern day one. I have never heard of a 30 year old single woman in modern times referred to as such. I would expect that reference in a historical novel. Ava also wears an ugly drab sweater, only Brody sees her as attractive in it. It is like the ugly ducking, take off the glasses & pony tail & you have a beautiful woman. Didn’t we all see that teen movie?

The story did not flow smoothly either. I think the author was going for suspense, it however made the sections & chapters flow very jerkily to the next. When I read a book, especially a series my mind may wonder to thoughts & possibilities for the next in the series. I often ponder the different directions the author may go with a particular character. I did not wonder once about the next in the series. I wondered about what better book I would find to read next. There were also unnecessary characters & events. I am still not sure what the significance of Brody’s first love, possibly Sasha was. Sasha was mentioned as to an occurrence of Brody’s past, as was his first love.

[Sarah Winters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad. The premise was good but I found the characters were kinda weak. Both Ava and Brody were not really memorable. I ended up liking Kane (The Scorpio) and Enyo (the goddess of war and the antagonist) better than the main characters. I did find the story kinda dragged at times and the love scenes were a little plain. Overall though the story wasn't bad. Seeing as it's her first novel though, I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and hope the next volume is better.

[Punkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the history and mystery. Liked the drama and interactions. booo for a mushy ending. Meh connections with the H and h.

[Sandy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Greek gods, the balance between good and evil, betrayal, sexy warriors of the Zodiac who embody their personal constellation, and, of course, the women who trap their hearts, bodies, and souls - you can’t ask for anything more in a debut book by a debut author. Addison Fox has it cram packed in this book, which is the lead-off of her new series that I know is only going to get better and better as it goes along.

Themis, the Goddess of Justice, is agonizing over the fact that her beloved humans are killing themselves without conscience, so she throws out a bargain to ex-husband Zeus, who can deny her nothing still, to allow her to create immortal warriors representing the signs of the Zodiac who will fight for justice, protect humanity from within and without. But though Zeus agrees, he demands balance be part of the bargain, giving that injustice side to his daughter Enya, the Goddess of War. The particulars are hammered out and Themis and her Warriors begin their crusade.

Brody Talbot, the embodiment of Leo, is an expert archeologist and is currently on a dig in Egypt to further the work of Dr. Harrison, who found the legendary Summoning Stones years before and subsequently died. What Brody and his team find this time is the Prophecy that tells of the power of the Summoning Stones, and that leads him to Ava Harrison, daughter of the famed doctor.

Ava is in the midst of the project of a lifetime, bringing all five Summoning Stones from different countries together for the first time since her father uncovered them. Her life changes in unbelievable ways when she’s attacked one night. Unbeknownst to her, it’s Enya’s Destroyers who are after her, but Brody steps in as protector, and his life is also changed now that he’s face to face with Ava.

Having had his share of women over the centuries, none of those ever affected Brody as Ava does. Ava has spent her life encapsulated in her own little world since her father’s death, not really living at all. When these two come together, life for both of them truly begins, even with all the danger and love making and teleporting and goddesses and other equally fantastic things being thrown at them left and right and every which way.

Brody and his brothers are all alpha men and for a reader like me, they’re perfect. That’s what makes Ava’s re-emergence into life so wonderful, she finally lets the real woman out, becomes the strong woman everyone knows she’s always been. These men need special heroines and Ms. Fox has started it all off exactly right.

Kane, the Scorpion, is up next and I’m already dying to get my hands on that one.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com

[Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review contains slight spoilers and is not yet finished!


So I just finished reading this, and the thing is, I liked it but I didn't at the same time.

Okay, so the actual story line/plot, I think it's very original and I LOVE the fact that the mythology element runs throughout the book.

The plot is definitely the main focus but you do get a good amount of romance. My problem was, although you had this GREAT plot, it was executed poorly. Now I've seen quite a lot of people say this in their reviews, and I have to agree with them. It could have been better!

The author brings in unnecessary characters (Ajex.. Seriously what was the point of him if your just going to kill him off. It's not like Brody had ANY attachment to him. He actually made it QUITE CLEAR that he wanted nothing to do with his brother.. Honestly, stupid to even write him in!!)

And she seemed to move from one scene to another. It felt like it was unfinished because she definitely has to go back and make the transition between the different scenes better!!

But I did enjoy it enough to continue on with the series.

But as I am bringing up the next book, the whole thing with Kane and Ilsa, it was Soo rushed, unexplained = major confusion. I didn't even know who she was, or what role she played in the books! In this book she didn't have any depth as the only thing she did was have sex with Kane, and then vanished.

I understand the writers intention of bringing in the subplot of Kane and Ilsa so that she can develop them in the next book, but as I have mentioned earlier, there was a lack of good execution.

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok, I tried, but I could not finish this one. I just did not care about the characters. The hero was like a cardboard cut-out and the heroine was inconsistent...she was timid, she was mouthy, she believed him, then she didn't...all without reasons other than she just did. What??!! Everyone does things for a reason! Sheesh! To add to it, the storyline reminded me of JR Ward's Brotherhood series with a dash of every other paranormal "group of warriors established by the Gods" story...nothing was original other than they were named for the zodiak...yeah, so what?? The only character that had any life was Kane, but even he couldn't carry the whole book by himself. And the villain, a whiny brat of a goddess...goddess of war, my arse! Ares is a god of war, Enyo's a pale copy wannabe. She reminded me of a five year-old trying to walk around in her momma's heels.

Finally, I gave up and tossed it against a wall....bleh!

[Ann Lorz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Ava and Brody are the perfect halves of a whole. I love the idea of this book. Its not really a new plot line but it does have its own voice which will make you want to keep coming back to read more about the rest of the men in the zodiac. You'll love how sweetly Brody fell in love with Ava. For him and I think her it was love at first sight. It's also great the way you get to watch Ava grow as a person and how Brody helps her do so. Do yourself a favor, pick up this book.

[Amber Daulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the first Sons of the Zodiac novel, immortal warrior Brody Talbot is on an archaeological dig in Egypt. Ten thousand years ago, he swore to Themis, the Greek goddess of justice, to protect humanity, and in exchange she gave him a wide range of supernatural gifts, so he could serve as a Warrior. Now, he needs to discover the ancient prophecy that surrounds five mysterious, magical stones. After two people on the dig team are murdered, he finally uncovers the meaning of the prophecy and seeks out the Chosen One, the one person who can control the stones.
Museum curator Ava Harrison hates the Summoning Stones, especially the one in her exhibit. After she’s attacked and then rescued by a gorgeous man with lots of secrets, she knows her life will never be the same.
I couldn’t connect with Ava and Brody, but I enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Quinn—the sexy, stubborn computer guy who tries to run the Warriors’ operations. I didn’t notice any typos—that’s always a plus—but the pacing was slow at times, and some of the scenes needed more description. I think the book would’ve worked better as a novella. The plot about the magical stones was definitely interesting, but it just needed to be tighter.
3 Stars

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars, but because it hurt that the author didn't check to see if pyramids are near the tomb she used (they're not), somehow antiquities found in the tomb 20 years ago (so if the book took place in the published year- in the early 1990s or late 1980) and somehow ended up in 5 different museums (things from royal tombs haven't left the country since at least the early 1900s) and note we find out how in the next point... and most painful of all: apparenkt the author thinks people don't like their antiquities to leave the country illegally because then they wouldn't get to auction them off to the highest bidder (no, just no).
I can take magic, that's what I like to read about, but don't make up stuff that's easily researched.

[RealmsQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in the Sons of the Zodiac series, only three have been printed to date as far as I can tell.

See, long ago in a time of myth and legend, the Greek goddess of Justice Themis took pity on mankind and struck a bargain with Zeus, King of the Gods, to restore some balance to the universe and defend mankind in the process. Themis is really big on checks and balances, and apparently the Zodiac constellations are in perfect balance with each other. So she asks Zeus for twelve groups of thirteen warriors, one warrior for each sign (Gemini gets 2 because it's the sign of the twin, hence 13 warriors for 12 signs), each warrior embodying pretty much every aspect of that sign.

But of course it can't all be about Themis and her human-turned-immortal Warriors, oh no. Zeus insists that his bouncing baby girl Enyo, goddess of War, be in on the pact too, and work of course in opposition of Themis, trying to bring down humanity by inspiring such late greats as Alexander, Cesar, and Hitler.

So now Themis and Enyo are in permanent opposition, with their minions in the middle duking it out on Earth in various pitched battles. Both World Wars being examples of two. What makes this even more interesting is that for every battle won, the winner gets stronger while the loser gets weaker. So of course the only way for the loser of the last battle to regain their strength is to win the next.

Which brings us up to date and the start of Warrior Ascended. Enyo has been weakened over the centuries as she's not an overly patient goddess and has lost quite a few rounds as a result. But now she sees a chance to regain her strength in a set of five Egyptian stones, the Summoning Stones of Egypt; a sort of primitive dooms day device that can only be operated by a Chosen One, and apparently one crops up every generation.

Enyo tried to get her hands on the stones before, but was thwarted by Thutmose's third High Priest and as a result the stones were buried in his tomb and lost to the ages until an archeologist by the name of Russell Harrison uncovered them.

Russell Harrison was the Chosen One of his generation, but was murdered shortly after his discovery so no one knew the true power of the stones until his daughter Ava Harrison, next in the line of Chosen Ones and following in daddy's footsteps as curator of the museum of New York, was directed to set up an exhibit for the five Stones. And that is when all Hades breaks loose.

Enyo discovers that the Stones are viable through Ava and sends her Destroyers after her. Themis sends in her warriors to defend Ava and thwart Enyo, one specifically being the Leo Warrior of the North America Zodiac group, Brody Talbot.

Since the death of her father, Ava Harrison has hidden herself from the world, emotionally and physically. She keeps no close relationships with people, and covers herself in grey sweaters that according to Brody "a bag lady wouldn't be caught dead in". Her physical description is a little sketchy, but I'm given to believe that she is of average height, blue eyed and blonde haired.

Brody Talbot is the definition of a Leo persona. Charming, arrogant, sensual, and always needing to be in charge and protect his pride (literally and figuratively). Definitely blonde and blue eyed, Brody takes an immediate shine to Ava when he's on her protection detail and is not afraid to let her know it shortly into the association after she is attacked by Enyo's minions.

I'm actually a little surprised with how swiftly Ava accepts the whole story about Themis and Enyo and all them once Brody is forced to teleport her to his home to keep her safe. She's a born and bred scientist, facts and equations are her bread and butter, but she barely bats an eye at the whole "I am an immortal warrior sworn to save humanity" thing. Of course she would have had to accept it sooner or later, because she wouldn't be able to deny what she sees forever, but I personally would still have freaked out just a little bit more than she did.

I've given enough away so I won't spoil the ending, but needless to say Brody, Ava, and the rest of the Zodiac brotherhood wind up running around the world trying to get their hands on the stones before Enyo to save the world. And of course Ava and Brody fall in love somewhere along the way.

I liked how quickly they fell for each other. I don't tend to have a lot of patience for those books that despite the fact the two are clearly hot for each other, they beat around the bush forever; often dragging the story on longer than its needs to be.

I think I understand now though, why there are only three. I'm sure more will come about later, but I would not be surprised if I was wrong. It was good, but not put together very well if that makes sense. The pacing was a bit off, I skimmed chapters here and there because they were getting a little long winded; and the double crossing! Can't you trust anyone anymore?

I mean, Enyo's #1 goes rogue, taking another with him. She double crosses her #1 first, leaving the other man floundering in her wake. Then at the end we discover that someone has basically double crossed everyone in the book except Enyo, and in the epilogue we discover that person is dead with no real reasoning behind it.

So yeah, a good story, but a little thrown together. I liked it so I'll keep on the series as much as I can.

[P.C. Stevens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice concept, but I stopped reading at nineteen percent because I was so bored. That’s not to say others would be bored, but it just became repetitive and . . . Oh yeah, B O R I N G. I also don’t like it when it seems like the h and H like each other just because they’re supposed to.

[Kimi5564 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not exactly sure how I feel about this book. It was pretty shallow and needed a bit more backstory. Perhaps this was the backstory, and the series will pick up steam...

[Giulia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book a lot more than I do. After all, the premise is amazing! Brilliant in fact, Zodiac Warriors sworn to protect humanity by the goddess Themis? I've always loved Greek mythology and of late I've developed more than a passing curiousity in astrology so this sounded very promising me. But, not as in love with it as I'd hoped to be. Yet. I'm hoping that will change as the series progresses.

I do have to say, the writing is pretty darn polished. There were passages I thought were absolutely beautiful. And Fox has good control over her plot development. The thing that bugged me about the plot was the players: Enyo is supposed to be the big bad player in this book, and I wish that Fox has focused more on her plans rather than bringing in other characters who are also attempting to harness the power of the Summoning Stones. I found it difficult to fully get a handle on Enyo as a evil, war loving, chaos creating goddess when it appeared that the ball was suddenly out of her court. Of course, Enyo always gets back in her court, and I think this is done to demonstrate to us how intelligent Enyo is, even if she is diabollically malevolent. However, I found it distracting from that point of characterization, rather than showing us that about her. That said, there are no loose ends when this book ends, and I do like for this to be properly resolved by the end of a book. Also, we have a lead into the next book because Kane makes it pretty clear he's going to be looking pretty hard into why he was drugged during the middle of the best sex of his life. I'm very curious about that, and his Scoripo character has intrigued me.

Brody and Ava. What a lovely couple! I do have to say, they make complete sense to me as a couple. Intelligent, curious Ava who is also sensitive and hiding from life instead of living it because of all she's suffered and lost in her life? Of course that makes Leo Warrior Brody want to guard and protect her. Of course he gets all crazy with wounded pride when he fails to protect Ava. That's just who Brody is; intensely devoted to and protective of those he loves. Fox does a pretty amazing job of taking the astrological characteristics of Zodiac signs and building her Warriors' characters around them. Even Ava, a Gemini, seems to really fit those characteristics in a lot of ways. Not as much as the Warriors of course, but still her character is very nicely coloured by her sign. And I have to say, both Brody and Ava seem to draw out the best in each other, each willing to push themselves beyond their own self imposed limitiations in order to better themselves for the love they have for one another. It's quite touching, and romantic.

And while I'm on the subject of romance... I have to say, Fox has probably penned the most romantic bedroom scene ever written in her novel, Warrior Ascended. I've read a lof of purple passages. Some knock your socks off, some are read through with an eye rolling "been here, read this," others make you pause and fan yourself off for a minute, but this one was different. It was sexy, but totally romantic at the same time. It wasn't just about the physicality of the act, but about them emotionally as well in a totally different way than I've come across.


Favourite Quote

So he'd make his choice. And he'd take what he could have. And the glory of being with her could carry him through the rest of his immortal life, long after he walked the earth without her.

THREE glittering stars. And oh yeah, I'm continuing this series. Too much promise not too.

More reviews to be found at www.devastatingreads.blogspot.com

[Casee · Rating 4 out of 5]

After all the mythology in the last book I read, I wasn't too sure about reading this one. Then I went onto Amazon and looked at the average stars. I didn't read the reviews, just the stars. Sometimes that is my go-to when I can't decide between one book and another. I'm glad I did b/c this book was amazeballs and how did I miss Addison Fox and where are you Addison Fox?

On a day long, long ago (like a millennium), Themis went to Zeus with an idea. Create some warriors to help the humans that were going to get themselves killed (stupid little buggers) and give his daughter, Enyo the Goddess of War, a little fun. A play date if you will. Zeus still feels bad about the whole Hera situation so he agrees to Themis' request. He never realizes that the fine print will come back to bite his daughter in the ass.

So why does Themis want her own warriors to help the humans? She's the Goddess of Justice. Mother to the Three Fates. Before you start screeching, remember that this isn't Sherrilyn Kenyon's world. It's Addison Fox's. Where are you, Addison Fox? In Addison Fox's world, Themis and the Three Fates are good. Warrior Ascended is the story of the Leo warrior.

Brody is an archeologist that is on a dig protecting something when something actually becomes something. An ancient map that tells how to bring six stones together for ultimate power over the earth. His job as one of Themis' warriors is to not allow that to happen. It's not quite as easy as just stealing the map, so the next best thing to do is go to the stones.

Ava Harrison has always felt an aversion to the stone that sits in the museum where she works. It started the day when her father first brought her to see it. He changed to another person before her eyes. She never has lost that uneasy feeling. Anything else she feels, she writes off as her imagination. If only you knew, Ava. But wait, you're about to know.

When Brody is on his way to meet Ava for the first time, he intercepts an attack on her. Just in time, too. When he finishes saving the day, he takes away her memories. It doesn't really work because the next time she sees him, she remembers who he is. Now she wants to know how he could have saved her life and oh yeah, did she kill anyone?

The attraction between the two is something that is completely unexpected on both sides. Brody is something that accepts Ava as she is. He doesn't expect her to come out of her self-imposed shell and be someone she is not. He understands the trauma she has been through in her life. Brody has been through some trauma himself and Ava can help him heal if he'll let her. He has a hard head though so it takes her awhile to get through.

4.25 out of 5.

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book in the 3 for 2 offer I bought. An interesting new series by a new author that really caught my attention.

Charming, proud, and impulsive, Leo Warrior Brody Talbot is fighting what may be his final battle. Enyo, the Goddess of War, plans to fulfill an ancient prophecy to destroy humanity by harnessing the dark power of the Summoning Stones of Egypt. There's only one person who knows enough about the stones to help Brody stop her beautiful museum curator Ava Harrison. Never in all his centuries has Brody met a woman who enthralls him like Ava. But, bound to protect her, he struggles to deny his passion as they are drawn into a dark and dangerous final reckoning between good and evil.

I thought Warrior Ascended was a great first book in the Sons of the Zodiac series. I really loved the overall storyline about the Greek gods and the story between Zeus and Themis really made a great beginning.

I felt that the story lacked a bit in places due to it being a new series and maybe not having all the kinks worked out yet.

Ava was a really sweet, lovely and very unlikely heroine. Brody however got to be a little bit annoying at times but I think that was meant to be past of his character in relation to having common characteristics with a lion. Ava can see the past when she gets near the Summoning Stones, there are 6 in total and each one represents something different, love, fear etc. She's had a tedious relationship with the stones since she was a child and her Father brought one of the stones home to show her. Ava is the only one who can control the power of the stones when they're all joined together.

You're only introduced to a few other Sons of the Zodiac in this book, Kane who has a small part in Warrior Ascended is the sign of the Scorpion and is the main character in the second book Warrior Avenged out in September. I hope to see more of the Sons of the Zodiac in the second book.

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich gebe zu, ich hätte mir das Buch nie gekauft, wenn ich vorher schon gewusst hätte, dass es ein Debutroman ist, da bin ich normalerweise viel zu skeptisch. Aber das habe ich irgendwie übersehen und die Reviews waren durchwegs vielversprechend, außerdem ziehen mich Esoterische Themen irgendwie an, auch wenn meine Charmed-Tage schon lange vorbei sind.

Was mir gefallen hat:
Die Charaktere sind wirklich alle, ohne Ausnahme sympathisch. Brody und Ava haben mir als Paar gut gefallen, auch die Göttinnen Themis und Enyo werden sehr gut erklärt, ihre Handlungen als Resultat ihrer Persönlichkeit und ihrer göttlichen Natur - was gar nicht so leicht ist, nehm' ich an.
Das Buch hat sich großteils gelesen, wie ein Kriminalroman, was auch die Szenenschnitte betrifft und den Handlungsaufbau - das war definitiv eine Neuheit für ein PR-Buch für mich.
Es geht viel voran, was die Handlung betrifft, die Sexszenen sind nicht im Übermaß vorhanden, gerade so, dass es passt.

Was mir nicht gefallen hat:
Dass das Buch gleich mit einem Glossar daher kommt - das hätte man im Verlauf der Bücher durcherklären können, und das kann sich vielleicht eine Buchreihe mit 10 und mehr Büchern leisten, aber nicht ein erster Band. Ich hätte mir lieber ein Personenregister gewünscht, denn ich konnte mir anfangs echt nicht merken, welcher Krieger welches Sternzeichen repräsentiert.
Die Handlung kommt stellenweise etwas ins stocken und es kommen einige dejà-lit's vor; die Geschichte ist relativ gut durchgeplant, folgt damit aber auch denselben Regeln, wie der Rest aller PR-Bücher.

Fazit:
Kein sehr originelles Buch, was die übernatürlichen Aspekte betrifft, aber erzähltechnisch wirklich gut aufgebaut (der Krimi-Touch die große Stärke des Buchs), es hat großen Spaß gemacht, es zu lesen und ich werde mir definitiv auch die Folgeromane zu Gemüte führen.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exciting addition to the paranormal genre. Of course, it's about immortal warriors defending humanity. You know, the classic good vs evil but with an interesting twist. The warriors (all 13 of them - 12 signs and 1 for Gemini's twin) are based on the zodiac and they encompass all the traits of that sign. The brothers do a lot of verbal sparring with themselves as all of the signs don't get along. In real life, each sign has another that they get along well with and at least one that they don't. It's the same with these guys. To balance their goodness, Themis, the Goddess of Justice had to give someone evil, Enyo, the goddess of war, a chance to defeat the warriors in their individual quests.

First up is Leo Warrior, Dr. Brody Talbot, archeologist and security specialist. The five stones were discovered at an archeological dig in Egypt. A prophecy is attached to them that speaks of the Chosen One harnessing the power of the stones and being indestructable. Now, you know, a prophecy like that will bring out all the wackos and this is no different. As soon as the Chosen One is found, all hell breaks loose. Luckily for Ava Harrison, Brody finds her first and instantly falls in love so she at least has his protection. But of course, it isn't enough and she is eventually captured and Brody and his band of brothers must rescue her.

Again it's an exciting book with non-stop action that forces you too keep turning pages. I can't wait for Kane's story as the Scorpio gets suckered in this one by a woman whom he thinks he's in love with. Fun fun fun.

[Starry]

View our feature on Addison Fox’s Warrior Ascended. First in the dark and sexy paranormal romance series Starring the immortal warriors of the zodiac Charming, proud, and impulsive, Leo Warrior Brody Talbot is fighting what may be his final battle. Enyo, the Goddess of War, plans to fulfill an ancient prophecy to destroy humanity by harnessing the dark power of the Summoning Stones of Egypt. There's only one person who knows enough about the stones to help Brody stop her-beautiful museum curator Ava Harrison. Never in all his centuries has Brody met a woman who enthralls him like Ava. But, bound to protect her, he struggles to deny his passion as they are drawn into a dark and dangerous final reckoning between good and evil.
_______________________________________________________________________

Brody and Ava.

Zeus went to his ex wife themis, where she offers a proposal to him. Grant her her warriors to help balance humanity, and in return zeus and hera's daughter enyo can be the balance of darkness in the world, and she can have 156 battles, and the battles that she wins she gets more powerful, and the battles that she loses to the warriors she gets more weaker.
Brody keeps finding dead bodies and does not want to lose to Enyo. He finds Ava after being led to her and is intruiged by her innocence.

[Jamie]

**SPOILER** Just finished Warrior Ascended, the first supernatural romance written by my dear friend's sister. It's a very well written first novel, as many romance writers fall into the trap early on in their careers of simple plot lines, bodice ripping, simpering females/ridiculous males and very little depth. Addison Fox creates a world that has multiple layers of characters and plot lines, leaving room for future books to seamlessly follow. You can read much of Nora Robert's (a favorite author of Fox's I believe) influence in this. I am also pleased to read that the future books will include strong female warriors as well. Being a Virgo myself, I feel that a female Virgo Warrior would be totally appropriate! :) Well done first novel, Addison Fox. I look forward to reading the rest of your series!

[TXreader Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't hate it, but didn't love it. This is the first in this series, and it was.....truthfully, boring. The plot sounded interesting, I like the Greek Mythology theme. But the story and the characters fell flat. I kept reading out of sheer boredom, and to my suprise the story pulled together after 200 pages. Brody and Ava seemed to mesh together and the disjointed parts of the story started to come together....barely. Ava's family is a train wreck of dysfunctional evil, pathetic really. The evil Enyo is a joke, and Themis is hardly a player at all in the story. But there are a couple of other warriors in the mix, and I liked them. Still not a keepsake book, more like a bored afternoon Sunday read. But I have hopes for the next book in the series, if it pulls together better than this one I just might read the rest.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

You could definitely tell this was the first book this writer ever wrote. I also could tell the publisher/editor who took this book on only read the first chapter, and the said "it's a go" without bothering to read/edit the rest of the book!

It starts out great, but then it's all downhill from there. I usually don't notice grammar errors while block reading books, and if I do it's so few and far between that I can forgive it. There were quite a few in this book. Even still, a book can be good with errors....not quite with this one.


Two words: Beyond cliche...and it just got worse with each chapter.

Two stars for the potential of the world building....
I will only read the next book because I purchased it already (Borders store closing sale, couldn't resist the prices.) Who knows maybe the author got better with the next one.

Grade: C- book for me.

[Murrrmaiyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, I had been hanging out at a Barnes & Noble one day because I love bookstores and wanted to get out of the house. I didn't have the cash to buy a book that day, so I was just browsing. I picked up this book and ended up sitting down in the cafe and was literally halfway through the book before the store closed and I had to put it back. And I REALLY didn't want to!! Luckily shortly after that was the RWA convention's big booksigning, and Addison Fox was there, and I bought the book there and met the author and had it autographed (and she's very nice, btw, a lot of fun to talk to) and was finally able to finish devouring it. It definately held my attention, and I like the whole zodiac warrior premise too.

[Jesse · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not the book for me. It started out promising but it didn't last. First of all I had a problem with all of the different characters that were introduced. I couldn't keep up with them! And when they were having a conversation with each other I couldn't tell who was saying what. It was just one quoted sentence after another. This book felt like a cross between Kenyon and naughton but not quite as dark. I couldn't really connect to any of the characters. The hero seemed rather weak! For all of their experience at battles and immortality he got his a$$ kicked a lot! And more than once was saved by a fellow warrior! I'm sorry but I like my heros a little more on the alpha side! Lol It ended fairly bland as well.....I won't be reading the next book in this series.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off pretty good. I enjoyed the characters' personalities, but then, I ended up skimming the last third of the book. I just kind of got bored. I think it's because I don't care for mysterious magical artifacts and chosen-one story-lines. Plus, the author kept including sections written from the bad guys POVs. I guess she had to so the reader could understand the story, but those bored me too.

I think maybe I just don't like paranormal romances. I should probably stop trying to read them.

Overall, it's a pretty good book, though. So if you like Egypt stuff and para-roms, you'd probably like this. Brody had a fun personality.

[Filipa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished Warrior Ascended, the first book in Sons of the Zodiac series by Addison Fox. I've been curious about these books for some time and I've got to say that the idea is pretty great.
I think it's original and refreshing to see something not altogether new but slightly different.
I'm do love mythology and astronomy so I had to try this series.
I don't regret my experience though I thought the book could be better. I wasn't swept away by the wonders of it all but it was entertaining.

I'm curious about the other warriors so I'm going to be watching closely news about it. In the near future I'll be reading Warrior Avenged too.

[Barbi Faye (The Book Fae) · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are twelve warriors that are chosen to help in the fight against Enyo, the Goddess of War, plans to fulfill an ancient prophecy to destroy humanity. To do this she needs to harness the power of the Summoning Stones of Egypt. Two people may stop her - the centuries old, charming Leo warrior, Brody Talbot, and a learned beautiful museum curator named Ava who has studied the stones.
With a force like no other, he becomes enchanted and enthralled by the beautiful scholar, making for a difficult task to be able to protect her. They fall deeply for each other as they battle for good against evil; hot romance ensues!

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great debut by a new author. And it turns out this author is Peter's cousin ;) So I would have read the book, regardless. In fact, the story was well done and the characters were fun. This is the first in a series of novels about warriors created to protect man. There is a lot of Greek mythology and some poetic license with said mythology. The only thing I was not prepared for was the steamy sex scenes. I mean, it's our cousin!!! A nice, easy read with enough excitement and challenge to keep you page-turning.

[Coffeentea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally forced myself to finish this book after putting it down so many times. It usually takes me two days to finish a book that's over 300 pages, but this book took me 12 days! What a shame, this book had so much potential! The premise was interesting enough with the warriors having traits of the zodiac and the Greek mythology interwoven into the story. But the heroine had way too many too stupid to live (TSTL) moments. At one point toward the end, where she's captured once again because she did not listened, I just wanted to throw the book against the wall.

[Nickyrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

With great frustration and angst I had suffered on reading Illusions by Aprilynne Pike, I chose this book amongst my reading materials believing it would alleviate my anxiety since the story evolved on Greek Mythology and the title, Warrior Ascended, was so enticing. I was not totally disappointed reading it. The story was good, but it was slow and needed more spice to it...i.e. more action and sense of humor. The romance part was great. I hope the next book is a lot better than the first since the story is about Kane and Ilsa. I rate this book 3 1/2.