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The Ruined Gods #1
Panacea
At the heart of every legend lies a truth.
Twisted and reshaped by the currents of time.
For twenty years, strategos Dexios has led the phalanx of Thena against its enemies, pulled from one battleground to another in a relentless cycle of war and bloodshed. Now, finally, he has found the courage to leave that life behind. To relinquish his officer’s sword and return to the verdant slopes of his vineyard with his wife and son.
Peace, however, is fragile and capricious. When Thena’s northern allies bring word of an enormous tauran horde gathering on their borders, Dexios has no choice but to answer the call to arms one last time.
As humans and tauros collide, another evil wakes. Whispered rumours of a clawed creature that stalks the shadowy streets. Of violent murders committed in the name of deities long thought vanquished. To speak their names is heresy.
They are the Exiled. The Banished.
The Ruined Gods.
Twisted and reshaped by the currents of time.
For twenty years, strategos Dexios has led the phalanx of Thena against its enemies, pulled from one battleground to another in a relentless cycle of war and bloodshed. Now, finally, he has found the courage to leave that life behind. To relinquish his officer’s sword and return to the verdant slopes of his vineyard with his wife and son.
Peace, however, is fragile and capricious. When Thena’s northern allies bring word of an enormous tauran horde gathering on their borders, Dexios has no choice but to answer the call to arms one last time.
As humans and tauros collide, another evil wakes. Whispered rumours of a clawed creature that stalks the shadowy streets. Of violent murders committed in the name of deities long thought vanquished. To speak their names is heresy.
They are the Exiled. The Banished.
The Ruined Gods.
405 pages, Paperback
Published December 14, 2022
239 people are currently reading
1017 people want to read
About the author
Alex Robins
13 books95 followersAlex Robins was born in Norwich, England back when it was still trendy to wear lycra tracksuits and bright pink headbands. Norwich School Library was where he first discovered his love of reading, an old converted undercroft packed to the rafters with books. The first fantasy series he read was The Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weis & Tracey Hickman, quickly followed by The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and David Eddings' The Belgariad.
At the age of twelve Alex moved across the channel to Nantes in France. Speaking very little French, the first few years were difficult and sometimes lonely as he scrambled to get a grip on the intricate grammar and vocabulary of the French language. His taste in books branched out from epic fantasy to science-fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and historical fiction, but he always came back to his favourite fantasy authors when looking to escape the outside world.
After degrees in agronomy, project management, and computer sciences, Alex founded his own company dedicated to online voting. He met his wife during a game of badminton and they spent several years getting trounced in various regional tournaments before getting married. Alex now lives in the sunny Loire Valley in western France, surrounded by imposing castles, sprawling vineyards, and two children. After reading fantasy books for the last thirty years he decided to write one. The Broken Heart of Arelium is his first novel, and the first in the War of the Twelve series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
January 22, 2023
3.5 Stars
This is a descriptive piece of Greek inspired epic fantasy. I personally don't have a strong connection to that time period or the surrounding mythology. I liked aspects of the story but I never felt strongly connected to the details or characters of this world. If you find Greek mythology fascinating, then you will likely love this one even more than I did.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This is a descriptive piece of Greek inspired epic fantasy. I personally don't have a strong connection to that time period or the surrounding mythology. I liked aspects of the story but I never felt strongly connected to the details or characters of this world. If you find Greek mythology fascinating, then you will likely love this one even more than I did.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
September 9, 2024
This review was originally posted on SFF Insiders.
4.5 stars, rounded up
I love me some Greek mythology. I love me some Greek-inspired stories. Therefore, Panacea by Alex Robins immediately caught my attention when I first caught wind of it. With sprinklings of duty, war, betrayal, and murder mysteries, all against the backdrop of the return of the Greek gods, Panacea has a little bit of everything for everyone in what looks like a great setup for a great series.
The great strategos Dexios has longed to retire from the battlefield and leave a life of war and hardship behind to live a life of peace with his wife and son. But the battlefield will always call louder than will peace, and a horde of beastlike tauros are marching from the north to savage the city of Thena. As Dexios readies himself for one more tour on the path to war, mysterious murders have been discovered on the streets of Thena…murders that have been committed in glory of the traitorous gods who have long been stricken from the history books.
Right from the beginning, Panacea drops you right into what feels like ancient Greece. Robins’ love for Greek history is immediately apparent here, and it’s clear the amount of love and research put into this world that makes it feel authentic to the genuine article—even with the creative liberties taken as a fantasy world. The social and militaristic dynamics are excellent, and the fresh twist on the Greek myths was a welcomed development, where the male pantheon of gods, led by Zeus, have long since been exiled from Olympus by the female pantheon, led by Hera, due to betrayals committed by Zeus (okay, well Zeus being a dick isn’t a new development, but you get the point), and to so much as mention the names of the Ruined Gods is considered heresy. It’s difficult to create a story centered on Greek mythology in a way that feels unique, but Robins definitely succeeded here.
Another strength of Panacea is in its depiction of certain themes, specifically duty and fatherhood. Dexios is a wonderfully complex character, a great commander torn between the duties of the militaristic life he has always known, and the desire to be a great father to his son. How this is explored is fantastic, and we come to know Dexios as a man who would stop at absolutely nothing for the sake of his family. I was constantly thinking about Greek tragedies and how well Dexios fits into that mold, and I’m really intrigued as to where his story goes next.
Robins nailed it with the plot as well. Impending war, shocking deaths, gripping characters, and the slow build-up to the return of the Ruined Gods made for a page-turner of a story, one that grabbed me from the first chapter and refused to let go. Though Dexios was the star of the show, I was also enthralled by Elena’s story and the murder mystery plotline central to her arc. It brought some additional suspense and variety that helped keep Panacea from feeling one-note in its themes. Wars are fought on the battlefield, but they are also fought in the shadows, and seeing that through her eyes rounded out the story wonderfully.
If Greek mythology is your jam, you can do no wrong with Panacea. Alex Robins has crafted a gripping story that brings great twists to the established formula while still respecting the source material. This was a story that kept me guessing with twists and turns that constantly kept me engaged. I’m fully on board with where this series is gonna go now.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go dust off the old God of War games. I feel the urge to kick the shit out of Zeus.
4.5 stars, rounded up
I love me some Greek mythology. I love me some Greek-inspired stories. Therefore, Panacea by Alex Robins immediately caught my attention when I first caught wind of it. With sprinklings of duty, war, betrayal, and murder mysteries, all against the backdrop of the return of the Greek gods, Panacea has a little bit of everything for everyone in what looks like a great setup for a great series.
The great strategos Dexios has longed to retire from the battlefield and leave a life of war and hardship behind to live a life of peace with his wife and son. But the battlefield will always call louder than will peace, and a horde of beastlike tauros are marching from the north to savage the city of Thena. As Dexios readies himself for one more tour on the path to war, mysterious murders have been discovered on the streets of Thena…murders that have been committed in glory of the traitorous gods who have long been stricken from the history books.
Right from the beginning, Panacea drops you right into what feels like ancient Greece. Robins’ love for Greek history is immediately apparent here, and it’s clear the amount of love and research put into this world that makes it feel authentic to the genuine article—even with the creative liberties taken as a fantasy world. The social and militaristic dynamics are excellent, and the fresh twist on the Greek myths was a welcomed development, where the male pantheon of gods, led by Zeus, have long since been exiled from Olympus by the female pantheon, led by Hera, due to betrayals committed by Zeus (okay, well Zeus being a dick isn’t a new development, but you get the point), and to so much as mention the names of the Ruined Gods is considered heresy. It’s difficult to create a story centered on Greek mythology in a way that feels unique, but Robins definitely succeeded here.
Another strength of Panacea is in its depiction of certain themes, specifically duty and fatherhood. Dexios is a wonderfully complex character, a great commander torn between the duties of the militaristic life he has always known, and the desire to be a great father to his son. How this is explored is fantastic, and we come to know Dexios as a man who would stop at absolutely nothing for the sake of his family. I was constantly thinking about Greek tragedies and how well Dexios fits into that mold, and I’m really intrigued as to where his story goes next.
Robins nailed it with the plot as well. Impending war, shocking deaths, gripping characters, and the slow build-up to the return of the Ruined Gods made for a page-turner of a story, one that grabbed me from the first chapter and refused to let go. Though Dexios was the star of the show, I was also enthralled by Elena’s story and the murder mystery plotline central to her arc. It brought some additional suspense and variety that helped keep Panacea from feeling one-note in its themes. Wars are fought on the battlefield, but they are also fought in the shadows, and seeing that through her eyes rounded out the story wonderfully.
If Greek mythology is your jam, you can do no wrong with Panacea. Alex Robins has crafted a gripping story that brings great twists to the established formula while still respecting the source material. This was a story that kept me guessing with twists and turns that constantly kept me engaged. I’m fully on board with where this series is gonna go now.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go dust off the old God of War games. I feel the urge to kick the shit out of Zeus.
February 27, 2024
3.75
Storia davvero scorrevole, che intrattiene, con dei bei personaggi approfonditi. Insomma tutti ingredienti per un buon romanzo.
I temi importanti che vengono affrontati non sono il fulcro della storia e sarebbero stati trattati meglio con più pagine a disposizione, ma permettono a una caratterizzazione dei personaggi fondamentale.
Elena e Dexios sono i due pov che ho preferito di più e mi ha incuriosito tantissimo il finale, non vedo l'ora di vedere come si svilupperanno le cose nei volumi successivi.
Buon primo romanzo per una trilogia promettente.
Storia davvero scorrevole, che intrattiene, con dei bei personaggi approfonditi. Insomma tutti ingredienti per un buon romanzo.
I temi importanti che vengono affrontati non sono il fulcro della storia e sarebbero stati trattati meglio con più pagine a disposizione, ma permettono a una caratterizzazione dei personaggi fondamentale.
Elena e Dexios sono i due pov che ho preferito di più e mi ha incuriosito tantissimo il finale, non vedo l'ora di vedere come si svilupperanno le cose nei volumi successivi.
Buon primo romanzo per una trilogia promettente.
January 6, 2023
Full text review: https://jamreads.com/reviews/panacea-...
Interview with Alex Robins: https://jamreads.com/interviews/some-...
Panacea is the first book in the new epic fantasy series The Ruined Gods, by Alex Robins. I have to admit that I was firstly attracted by the cover and the premise, especially because I'm a Greek myths lover, and that after finishing this novel, I'm hooked for the rest of the trilogy, because it's a blend of two elements I love: heavy historical inspiration in a secondary world and twisted mythology which lies behind the surface to end making a big entrance.
Dexios has been leading Thena's phalanx for twenty years, and he is about to almost end his service as the strategos, when it is called for a last service. A big pack of tauros, the biggest seen to date, is near a mountain pass, and an envoy from Ruxia has reached Thena asking for help. A last service for the polis it is; but this one is going to be difficult, as his own son is among the ephebes that had joined the phalanx in this mission. Keres wants to earn the glory he has seen in his father, and get a legacy; being even more difficult due to the own problems that have appeared among the ephebes, as he's not the only one whose only purpose is to make their parents feel proud.
And after here, is where the real story happens, when Alex decides that it is time to break the molds, and use them as the base for a real epic story; a broken character, Dexios, who starts a desperate journey, which will put in danger Thena and himself, and that might awaken forces he can't comprehend. At the same time, a second arc is opened while we are following Helena, one of Thena's sophistes, who is investigating the mysterious death of five guards, and the marks that appeared on their corpses, hints that might drive her to the Ruined Gods.
Dexios' evolution is really well written. He starts being the prestigious strategos in a last mission, suffers the consequences of treason, starts a path that will lead him to take questionable decisions, and enters in contact with certainly quirky characters, such as Piraeus, the last Ruined God priest; his main priority changes due to the lose he suffers.
Helena trying to uncover who killed those who assaulted her, and her secondary arc taking the lead on the defense of Thena is also an excellent evolution of a character, preparing her for what I expect will be a more prominent role in book 2. In general, secondary characters are well portrayed, getting small roles in the whole story, but having their own moments when they take the spotlight.
The world of Panacea is heavily inspired by Ancient Greece, and it was one of the aspects that first caught my attention. While traveling alongside the characters, we can also appreciate how the author has made extensive research to be close to the historical sources, and has tried to be as accurate as possible, making the base for his secondary world excellent. At the same time, it has been mashed up with Greek mythology, making the creatures from these myths an integral part of the world, with powerful Gods that will intervene in the story. The classic Olympic pantheon has been twisted, with Hera taking the place of power, so we will be able to observe these kinds of details in the religious rites.
The plot is engaging but is slightly too slow at the start, or to be fair, I would say that it feels too mundane, especially when it is compared with the second part of the book. And don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the phalanx's arc, but I think Dexios' journey is the definition of an epic one, which hits you in the feels. I can say that I didn't expect the end of this book, and it surprised me, but at the same time, only left me with desire of getting the second book as soon as possible.
In summary, Panacea is a great opening for an epic series, perfect for those who love Greek mythology, and want to see more mythical creatures in their stories. The second book on The Ruined Gods trilogy can't come fast enough.
Interview with Alex Robins: https://jamreads.com/interviews/some-...
Panacea is the first book in the new epic fantasy series The Ruined Gods, by Alex Robins. I have to admit that I was firstly attracted by the cover and the premise, especially because I'm a Greek myths lover, and that after finishing this novel, I'm hooked for the rest of the trilogy, because it's a blend of two elements I love: heavy historical inspiration in a secondary world and twisted mythology which lies behind the surface to end making a big entrance.
Dexios has been leading Thena's phalanx for twenty years, and he is about to almost end his service as the strategos, when it is called for a last service. A big pack of tauros, the biggest seen to date, is near a mountain pass, and an envoy from Ruxia has reached Thena asking for help. A last service for the polis it is; but this one is going to be difficult, as his own son is among the ephebes that had joined the phalanx in this mission. Keres wants to earn the glory he has seen in his father, and get a legacy; being even more difficult due to the own problems that have appeared among the ephebes, as he's not the only one whose only purpose is to make their parents feel proud.
And after here, is where the real story happens, when Alex decides that it is time to break the molds, and use them as the base for a real epic story; a broken character, Dexios, who starts a desperate journey, which will put in danger Thena and himself, and that might awaken forces he can't comprehend. At the same time, a second arc is opened while we are following Helena, one of Thena's sophistes, who is investigating the mysterious death of five guards, and the marks that appeared on their corpses, hints that might drive her to the Ruined Gods.
Dexios' evolution is really well written. He starts being the prestigious strategos in a last mission, suffers the consequences of treason, starts a path that will lead him to take questionable decisions, and enters in contact with certainly quirky characters, such as Piraeus, the last Ruined God priest; his main priority changes due to the lose he suffers.
Helena trying to uncover who killed those who assaulted her, and her secondary arc taking the lead on the defense of Thena is also an excellent evolution of a character, preparing her for what I expect will be a more prominent role in book 2. In general, secondary characters are well portrayed, getting small roles in the whole story, but having their own moments when they take the spotlight.
The world of Panacea is heavily inspired by Ancient Greece, and it was one of the aspects that first caught my attention. While traveling alongside the characters, we can also appreciate how the author has made extensive research to be close to the historical sources, and has tried to be as accurate as possible, making the base for his secondary world excellent. At the same time, it has been mashed up with Greek mythology, making the creatures from these myths an integral part of the world, with powerful Gods that will intervene in the story. The classic Olympic pantheon has been twisted, with Hera taking the place of power, so we will be able to observe these kinds of details in the religious rites.
The plot is engaging but is slightly too slow at the start, or to be fair, I would say that it feels too mundane, especially when it is compared with the second part of the book. And don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the phalanx's arc, but I think Dexios' journey is the definition of an epic one, which hits you in the feels. I can say that I didn't expect the end of this book, and it surprised me, but at the same time, only left me with desire of getting the second book as soon as possible.
In summary, Panacea is a great opening for an epic series, perfect for those who love Greek mythology, and want to see more mythical creatures in their stories. The second book on The Ruined Gods trilogy can't come fast enough.
September 15, 2025
To be honest, I impulsively added this book to my TBR because of the cover. I instantly got ancient Greece and military fantasy vibes. Plus, there are minotaurs? This combination made me want to learn what this book was all about.
Robins delivered on what I was hoping for and then some. I was initially anticipating a plot driven story where there would be less of a focus on the characters, but the author surprised me with how he managed to make all 3 POVs interesting to follow (I would consider myself character driven reader).
I found Dexios and Keres to be the most interesting to follow because of their relationship and how their views of war contrasted due to their level of experience. Dexios is a general of the Thenaian army, despite his accolades, all he wants is to retire and make wine. He is also suffering from PTSD. On the other hand, we have Keres, who is Dexios’ son and just beginning his military career. Keres has only trained and studied for battles but hasn’t experienced the horrors of war in his career unlike his father.
Elena is the third POV, who is responsible with educating ephebes, young men training for the military. I appreciated this third perspective since it showed what life is like within the city. We also get a political mystery, which was an interesting side plot. This also gives us a behind the scenes view of Thena’s elites.
There were so many aspects I appreciated with the first book in the series. First, Robins knows how to set up and write a battle scene. I was swept up by the anticipation of battle and was ready to raise my spear when Dexios addressed the army. My heart was pumping, and it gave me all the 300 vibes I would ever want. Then bam reality hits and I found myself realizing the realities of war. Despite the stories, I was reminded how war can make men cry for their mommas. I could feel the drips of blood and sweat flying in the air. Before I knew it, I was hit by the aftermath and all that’s left is devastation. All these scenes captured the essence of war and were well written.
I noticed the more indie books I pick up, so many are including quotes and chapter titles. I am a sucker for this detail. Robins also sets each chapter up with this in Panacea. This was a subtle way to set the mood and made me curious to see what would happen in each chapter.
My only complaint with Panacea was the end of the story felt rushed. The pacing varies throughout the book, and fits with the plot, however, I was not ready for Robins to hit the gas as I reached the end. Despite this I like how the ending sets up book 1. I am excited to pick up the sequel since I need to know how certain characters will fill the roles, they find themselves in. Also, I anticipate a lot more focus on ancient Greek gods.
Overall, if you are looking for a low fantasy, which is Greek inspired, then I would highly recommend picking up Panacea. Robins takes well-known Greek gods and twist them to give readers a different perspective of the tales we know. They also play a much bigger role in the world, which always makes for an epic plot.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This has been on my TBR since Robins entered SPFBO 9. Once I saw he added his book to Booksirens, I had to request to review this book.
Robins delivered on what I was hoping for and then some. I was initially anticipating a plot driven story where there would be less of a focus on the characters, but the author surprised me with how he managed to make all 3 POVs interesting to follow (I would consider myself character driven reader).
I found Dexios and Keres to be the most interesting to follow because of their relationship and how their views of war contrasted due to their level of experience. Dexios is a general of the Thenaian army, despite his accolades, all he wants is to retire and make wine. He is also suffering from PTSD. On the other hand, we have Keres, who is Dexios’ son and just beginning his military career. Keres has only trained and studied for battles but hasn’t experienced the horrors of war in his career unlike his father.
Elena is the third POV, who is responsible with educating ephebes, young men training for the military. I appreciated this third perspective since it showed what life is like within the city. We also get a political mystery, which was an interesting side plot. This also gives us a behind the scenes view of Thena’s elites.
There were so many aspects I appreciated with the first book in the series. First, Robins knows how to set up and write a battle scene. I was swept up by the anticipation of battle and was ready to raise my spear when Dexios addressed the army. My heart was pumping, and it gave me all the 300 vibes I would ever want. Then bam reality hits and I found myself realizing the realities of war. Despite the stories, I was reminded how war can make men cry for their mommas. I could feel the drips of blood and sweat flying in the air. Before I knew it, I was hit by the aftermath and all that’s left is devastation. All these scenes captured the essence of war and were well written.
I noticed the more indie books I pick up, so many are including quotes and chapter titles. I am a sucker for this detail. Robins also sets each chapter up with this in Panacea. This was a subtle way to set the mood and made me curious to see what would happen in each chapter.
My only complaint with Panacea was the end of the story felt rushed. The pacing varies throughout the book, and fits with the plot, however, I was not ready for Robins to hit the gas as I reached the end. Despite this I like how the ending sets up book 1. I am excited to pick up the sequel since I need to know how certain characters will fill the roles, they find themselves in. Also, I anticipate a lot more focus on ancient Greek gods.
Overall, if you are looking for a low fantasy, which is Greek inspired, then I would highly recommend picking up Panacea. Robins takes well-known Greek gods and twist them to give readers a different perspective of the tales we know. They also play a much bigger role in the world, which always makes for an epic plot.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This has been on my TBR since Robins entered SPFBO 9. Once I saw he added his book to Booksirens, I had to request to review this book.
March 14, 2023
This Greek-inspired fantasy sees young fledgling Greek warriors sent straight from the training grounds to a large battle against a herd of minotaurs. Not many survive and those who do are far from safe.
There is a small and well-defined cast of characters in this book, from the young warriors (some noble and heroic, others utter ball-bags), to their trainers and teachers and right up to senior leaders of the city states.
The plot covers the training and conflicts among the trainees, into the battle and beyond. We see battle scenes, detective work (mysterious events in the city following the army rolling out), intrigue and conspiracy, prophecy and double-crossing gods.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and any pacing issues I felt at the time were down to me and not the book itself.
Very much recommended for low fantasy fans (almost like Paternus in ancient times).
I received an eARC of this book in return for an honest review.
There is a small and well-defined cast of characters in this book, from the young warriors (some noble and heroic, others utter ball-bags), to their trainers and teachers and right up to senior leaders of the city states.
The plot covers the training and conflicts among the trainees, into the battle and beyond. We see battle scenes, detective work (mysterious events in the city following the army rolling out), intrigue and conspiracy, prophecy and double-crossing gods.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and any pacing issues I felt at the time were down to me and not the book itself.
Very much recommended for low fantasy fans (almost like Paternus in ancient times).
I received an eARC of this book in return for an honest review.
March 18, 2024
This was such a fun read! My comparing it to God of War is really on me, so if you go into it expecting God of War, you’ll get to just visualize the characters as GoW characters and that’s it.
It’s a completely unique and fun take on greek mythology and ngl I was surprised when it took a different turn towards the end. Most of the time my reviews sound like the ramblings of a madman and this is no different, but I really liked it😭.
But DAMN that epilogue! I had a hunch that the woman running is someone… important (I’m not spoiling anything😤) but AAH I’m really looking forward to what happens in the rest of the series!
It’s a completely unique and fun take on greek mythology and ngl I was surprised when it took a different turn towards the end. Most of the time my reviews sound like the ramblings of a madman and this is no different, but I really liked it😭.
But DAMN that epilogue! I had a hunch that the woman running is someone… important (I’m not spoiling anything😤) but AAH I’m really looking forward to what happens in the rest of the series!
March 2, 2024
3.5*
Un piccolo appunto che non c'entra niente con il voto, la sillabazione è formattata malissimo. Mi son trovato più di una volta parole andate a capo in maniera erronea.
Un piccolo appunto che non c'entra niente con il voto, la sillabazione è formattata malissimo. Mi son trovato più di una volta parole andate a capo in maniera erronea.
December 16, 2024
Nella città di Thena, Dexios lo strategos, nonchè genero del Basileus, si ritrova a dover impugnare di nuovo il suo scudo per difendere la sua città guidando l'esercito per affrontare una mandria di Tauros.
In un worldbuilding ambientato totalmente nell'antica Grecia, è Era a governare l'olimpo e tutte le divinità maschili sono state rinnegate e mandate in esilio, tanto che solo pronunciarne il nome è punito neanche si parlasse di Voldemort.
Fanno da sparring partner a Dexios suo figlio Keres, la sua combriccola di amici e la sua sophites, Elena, una 30enne zitella e alquanto dedita all'alcol.
Insieme cercheranno di proteggere la città da ben altro che Tauros impazziti.
Questo romanzo mi è piaciuto molto! È la prima volta che leggo qualcosa cosi aderente alla cultura ellenica, ma con tinte fantasy molto marcate.
Scorrevole, profondo, unisce un buon worldbuilding ad una caratterizzazione abbastanza marcata dei protagonisti, scontri cruenti, sangue ma affatto fine a se stesso! Non mancano elementi fantastici, divinità, tauros, arpie.
Una menzione speciale per la vecchia Graycea, che nel tempio di Era è trattata come una reietta dalle colleghe sacerdotesse, perchè sotto sotto nomina Voldemo...ehm Zeus qua e la!
Consigliatissimo a chiunque piaccia l'antica Grecia e anche a chi voglia leggersi un bel fantasy!
In un worldbuilding ambientato totalmente nell'antica Grecia, è Era a governare l'olimpo e tutte le divinità maschili sono state rinnegate e mandate in esilio, tanto che solo pronunciarne il nome è punito neanche si parlasse di Voldemort.
Fanno da sparring partner a Dexios suo figlio Keres, la sua combriccola di amici e la sua sophites, Elena, una 30enne zitella e alquanto dedita all'alcol.
Insieme cercheranno di proteggere la città da ben altro che Tauros impazziti.
Questo romanzo mi è piaciuto molto! È la prima volta che leggo qualcosa cosi aderente alla cultura ellenica, ma con tinte fantasy molto marcate.
Scorrevole, profondo, unisce un buon worldbuilding ad una caratterizzazione abbastanza marcata dei protagonisti, scontri cruenti, sangue ma affatto fine a se stesso! Non mancano elementi fantastici, divinità, tauros, arpie.
Una menzione speciale per la vecchia Graycea, che nel tempio di Era è trattata come una reietta dalle colleghe sacerdotesse, perchè sotto sotto nomina Voldemo...ehm Zeus qua e la!
Consigliatissimo a chiunque piaccia l'antica Grecia e anche a chi voglia leggersi un bel fantasy!
May 18, 2023
3/5
Greek-inspired fantasy with minotaurs! Full of intense action, a range of characters in gender and age, plus Greek mythology and gods.
I loved the first half of this book. Really loved it. The contrast in POV between Dexios and his son were a beautiful father/son perspective on war, honor, and being a soldier. The plot moved pretty quickly, I was invested in the characters. There is a bit of training montage and political maneuvering to move us into the main conflict of the story.
The middle of the book was where I began to struggle more. The storyline went in a completely different direction than I was anticipating, and I struggled to follow what felt like completely different motives and personality of the main POV. It felt like there were way too many new threads to follow.
Overall, I'm super glad I read this book. And Robins writes an incredibly gritty, tense battle scene, which I appreciated immensely. We need more minotaurs in fantasy as well, and I appreciated his take on them!
Greek-inspired fantasy with minotaurs! Full of intense action, a range of characters in gender and age, plus Greek mythology and gods.
I loved the first half of this book. Really loved it. The contrast in POV between Dexios and his son were a beautiful father/son perspective on war, honor, and being a soldier. The plot moved pretty quickly, I was invested in the characters. There is a bit of training montage and political maneuvering to move us into the main conflict of the story.
The middle of the book was where I began to struggle more. The storyline went in a completely different direction than I was anticipating, and I struggled to follow what felt like completely different motives and personality of the main POV. It felt like there were way too many new threads to follow.
Overall, I'm super glad I read this book. And Robins writes an incredibly gritty, tense battle scene, which I appreciated immensely. We need more minotaurs in fantasy as well, and I appreciated his take on them!
February 21, 2024
If it wasn't for the slightly rushed finale, it would have been a 5-star book.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the whole book and the depths of the characters, not only the main ones.
I will 100% read the second book as well!
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the whole book and the depths of the characters, not only the main ones.
I will 100% read the second book as well!
April 1, 2024
luck and perseverance all our dreams comes true
January 6, 2024
The Ruined Gods series is epic, it’s historical fiction meets Greek mythology.
My favourite character (Keres) is heroic and caring, I loved his POVs. We get to see him in military training and then in epic battles.
The book is well written, the scenes are descriptive and you are able to picture everything in detail. The pacing starts off slower as it ramps up throughout, I felt this really worked.
The depiction of the different Gods is great, mythology is twisted and woven in throughout. Each chapter has a heading and note that was relevant and added to the story. I really felt transported into a parallel Greek universe.
The books cover perfectly shows you what to expect.
My favourite character (Keres) is heroic and caring, I loved his POVs. We get to see him in military training and then in epic battles.
The book is well written, the scenes are descriptive and you are able to picture everything in detail. The pacing starts off slower as it ramps up throughout, I felt this really worked.
The depiction of the different Gods is great, mythology is twisted and woven in throughout. Each chapter has a heading and note that was relevant and added to the story. I really felt transported into a parallel Greek universe.
The books cover perfectly shows you what to expect.
September 14, 2023
A epic style, Greek inspired fantasy novel, I really loved the action and the characters, especially the strong females. I was entertained the entire book and can't wait for the next one. If you liked Circe this is another great read.
June 22, 2024
Brilliant and brutal. Can't wait to read the second book.
June 2, 2024
I gave this book 4 stars because the first half was slow and hard to get threw but second half is 5 stars and had me on the edge of my seat and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.
December 6, 2025
Tremendous Greek inspired historical fantasy!
Do you know what hooks me instantly? A cover that screams “READ ME RIGHT NOW,” and of course it’s a Felix Ortiz cover, who always knocks it into another dimension. But do you know what I love more than a gorgeous cover? Historical fantasy, because it combines my two favorites, fantasy and history! And do you know what sends me to the Elysian Fields? GREEK historical fantasy.
Panacea lived up to everything I had hoped it would be. Robins plunges into a vivid authentic Bronze-Age inspired culture that sent me straight to Greece, as if I was marching along with all the characters in the phalanx. I could smell the aroma of wine, taste the decadent olives, and smell the sharp, metallic tang of blood on the battlefield. It’s immersive in the best way.
This is a fast-paced, twisted clash of gods and monsters told with an easily readable prose. While this does give the classic meddling gods trope, Robins flips the pantheon on its head in a very stylish way by the goddess’s ruling, overthrowing the male pantheon “ruined gods” in a similar way that Zeus himself, overthrew his own father, the Titan Cronus. Meanwhile, the city-state of Thena faces annihilation from a massive invading horde of tauros (roided-Minotaurs), while a divine war is beginning to brew.
“War is not a game. It is a penance. A price to pay for failure. The last possible solution when there are no other options. Do not wish for it. Do not strive for it. Victory is ephemeral. Death is eternal.”
Robins himself called Panacea, “Clash of the Titans meets 300 with a heavy dose of Greek mythology,” and he was not exaggerating, that is the perfect description. The blending of mythical gods, monsters and a heroic quest along with a grim military realism that absolutely hits with the battle that scenes. The shield-wall was incredibly written and such a tense and vivid moment, you could feel the fear radiating off the soldiers in that moment. I also read that he mentioned the Ray Harryhausen film, Jason and the Argonauts as another inspiration for the story. Now I’ll be honest here and say that I have seen this movie, though it’s been a very long time and it’s not on Prime, Netflix or Hulu, so I couldn’t rewatch it to see the inspiration. I do know the tragic story itself, just not the adaptation, near as well, so I can see some of the parallels.
The story rotates between three third-person limited POV’s, and Robins does a great job of bringing them to life. First, there’s Dexios, the grizzled veteran strategos, who is haunted by decades of war and suffering a bit from PTSD (which reminds me a lot of Auric, from Mike Shel’s Iconoclasts trilogy.) Then there is Keres, the son of Dexios, who’s young and eager to build his own legacy with glory and fame as a warrior. And finally, Helena, a scholar who is investigating a string of murders within the city walls. Her first chapter was a bit boring and I was worried I wouldn’t like her, but I was wrong and I liked her more, as the story progressed.
Jay Forrester’s narration was top-notch for the most part, he really got into the scenes and you could hear it in his voice, from the guttural screams of war to the roars of the Tauros, he plunged deep into the story and into every single character. But… I wasn’t a big fan of Forrester’s narrative voice, but it did grow on me the longer the story went on, it sounds a bit like that wise old character you run into on a mission, a bit condescending in a way. It’s hard to describe, it wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t something I wanted to hear as much as it’s used.
Bottom line is, if you are a fan of historical fantasy, Greek mythology, meddling gods, brutal war, and great character work, I highly suggest giving Panacea and The Ruined Gods trilogy a shot! Especially now that it has narration to go with it… unfortunately, at the time of this review, only Panacea has an audiobook, but the others are coming!
Do you know what hooks me instantly? A cover that screams “READ ME RIGHT NOW,” and of course it’s a Felix Ortiz cover, who always knocks it into another dimension. But do you know what I love more than a gorgeous cover? Historical fantasy, because it combines my two favorites, fantasy and history! And do you know what sends me to the Elysian Fields? GREEK historical fantasy.
Panacea lived up to everything I had hoped it would be. Robins plunges into a vivid authentic Bronze-Age inspired culture that sent me straight to Greece, as if I was marching along with all the characters in the phalanx. I could smell the aroma of wine, taste the decadent olives, and smell the sharp, metallic tang of blood on the battlefield. It’s immersive in the best way.
This is a fast-paced, twisted clash of gods and monsters told with an easily readable prose. While this does give the classic meddling gods trope, Robins flips the pantheon on its head in a very stylish way by the goddess’s ruling, overthrowing the male pantheon “ruined gods” in a similar way that Zeus himself, overthrew his own father, the Titan Cronus. Meanwhile, the city-state of Thena faces annihilation from a massive invading horde of tauros (roided-Minotaurs), while a divine war is beginning to brew.
“War is not a game. It is a penance. A price to pay for failure. The last possible solution when there are no other options. Do not wish for it. Do not strive for it. Victory is ephemeral. Death is eternal.”
Robins himself called Panacea, “Clash of the Titans meets 300 with a heavy dose of Greek mythology,” and he was not exaggerating, that is the perfect description. The blending of mythical gods, monsters and a heroic quest along with a grim military realism that absolutely hits with the battle that scenes. The shield-wall was incredibly written and such a tense and vivid moment, you could feel the fear radiating off the soldiers in that moment. I also read that he mentioned the Ray Harryhausen film, Jason and the Argonauts as another inspiration for the story. Now I’ll be honest here and say that I have seen this movie, though it’s been a very long time and it’s not on Prime, Netflix or Hulu, so I couldn’t rewatch it to see the inspiration. I do know the tragic story itself, just not the adaptation, near as well, so I can see some of the parallels.
The story rotates between three third-person limited POV’s, and Robins does a great job of bringing them to life. First, there’s Dexios, the grizzled veteran strategos, who is haunted by decades of war and suffering a bit from PTSD (which reminds me a lot of Auric, from Mike Shel’s Iconoclasts trilogy.) Then there is Keres, the son of Dexios, who’s young and eager to build his own legacy with glory and fame as a warrior. And finally, Helena, a scholar who is investigating a string of murders within the city walls. Her first chapter was a bit boring and I was worried I wouldn’t like her, but I was wrong and I liked her more, as the story progressed.
Jay Forrester’s narration was top-notch for the most part, he really got into the scenes and you could hear it in his voice, from the guttural screams of war to the roars of the Tauros, he plunged deep into the story and into every single character. But… I wasn’t a big fan of Forrester’s narrative voice, but it did grow on me the longer the story went on, it sounds a bit like that wise old character you run into on a mission, a bit condescending in a way. It’s hard to describe, it wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t something I wanted to hear as much as it’s used.
Bottom line is, if you are a fan of historical fantasy, Greek mythology, meddling gods, brutal war, and great character work, I highly suggest giving Panacea and The Ruined Gods trilogy a shot! Especially now that it has narration to go with it… unfortunately, at the time of this review, only Panacea has an audiobook, but the others are coming!
January 23, 2023
Panacea is written by Alex Robbins. This fantasy novel is divided into two parts. Part one: Foreboding opens with Dexios training his son, Keres, in one on one combat. Keres is an ephebe(a student training to be a warrior) for Thena. While at home, Nambe, Dexios’ slave, alerts them to a Tauros encounter. Tauros were half man, half bull creatures who lived beyond the mountain ranges. Dexios gathers a group of men and takes Keres to fight the monster. Keres manages to kill the diseased monster, but not without losing two of their people. Keres arrives at the school and is telling his tale of the Tauros to his friend Tychos. Helydices admonishes him and calls him a liar. Elena, the sophistes, enters the room and separates the boys. She sends them to Galleas, the battle teacher, to prepare for the following day. Elena looked to Galleas as a friend and father figure. The ephebic trials were occurring the following day. If the boys successfully completed the trials they would receive their aspis with an emblem of their choice. During the trials, Helydices intentionally breaks Tychos’ arm and has Keres attacked by thugs in the street. While the boys are celebrating their graduation, Polydius rushes to Thena with a message for Letho, the basileus (leader) of the city. Tauros herds were moving across the mountains and Ruxia was in danger of their attack. Letho agrees to have Thena warriors aid Ruxia. Dexios is forced to lead the troops to battle. Part Two: Denial shows Polydius' betrayal and the death of Tychos, Keres, Galleas, and Helydices devastated Dexios. Dexios, Nambe, and a mercenary, Krinne, head to the Oracle. Dexios wants to bring his son back. Meanwhile, Polydius has led the Tauros to Thena. Elena learns that Letho has an underground tunnel system that leads beyond the walls of the city. She manages to gain the trust of Graycea, Makar, and his father Desha as the Tauros break down the door of the city. What happens to Dexios? Does Elena make it safely past the Tauros into the palace to escape. Why did Polydius betray the Thena troops, where they were slaughtered mercilessly? These questions all get answered in Panacea. I found this book thrilling to read. I was shocked at the amount of death and hoped that Dexios would be able to bring Keres back from Tartarus. This is the first book of a series, as several questions are left unanswered. Nambe and Krinne went to the palace but I am unsure if they made it to safety. The appearance of Zeus and Hades hit me out of left field. I never expected them and it added a delightful twist to the entire story. I would caution readers who are sensitive to blood and gore from violence to possibly avoid the book. However, anyone who likes reading fantasy stories with a lot of action and valiant warriors, will enjoy every moment of Panacea.
- STEPHANIE C.
- STEPHANIE C.
January 13, 2023
There were a couple of reasons I gave Panacea a shot - Alex Robins impressed me with his War of the Twelve series, and I've been playing a heck of a lot of Assassins Creed Odyssey so I've been immersed in all things ancient Greece lately.
I won't go into the plot much here to avoid spoilers, but the first in this new series focuses on several main characters and their struggle against the tauros, a race of giant half man/half bull creatures intent on claiming the human cities as their own. There's plenty of twists and turns, surprises, and betrayals along the way which kept my interest. The main characters themselves are diverse and very well written - whether it's Dexios, who commands the army yet secretly wishes a simpler life, or Elena who does her best to educate and prepare the younger recruits while silently suffering through addictions of her own, the characters all feel real and are both likeable and flawed - a tricky balance to pull off, but it's done well here.
For this kind of book it's the battle scenes that can make or break the experience and I'm pleased to say they're a blast to read. The tactics used mostly deal with the phalanx formations - warriors wielding large shields and spears standing together to make an impassable wall and it's all described in a very realistic way. Definitely not a book for the squeamish as the author pulls no punches in his descriptions of the bloody combat, but for me that's exactly how a book like this SHOULD be done. As with his previous books, the weapons and armor are also described well which only adds to the experience.
Really enjoyed this one. I read it on Kindle Unlimited but when I was done I bought it anyway to support the author. Excited to see what comes next for this series!
I won't go into the plot much here to avoid spoilers, but the first in this new series focuses on several main characters and their struggle against the tauros, a race of giant half man/half bull creatures intent on claiming the human cities as their own. There's plenty of twists and turns, surprises, and betrayals along the way which kept my interest. The main characters themselves are diverse and very well written - whether it's Dexios, who commands the army yet secretly wishes a simpler life, or Elena who does her best to educate and prepare the younger recruits while silently suffering through addictions of her own, the characters all feel real and are both likeable and flawed - a tricky balance to pull off, but it's done well here.
For this kind of book it's the battle scenes that can make or break the experience and I'm pleased to say they're a blast to read. The tactics used mostly deal with the phalanx formations - warriors wielding large shields and spears standing together to make an impassable wall and it's all described in a very realistic way. Definitely not a book for the squeamish as the author pulls no punches in his descriptions of the bloody combat, but for me that's exactly how a book like this SHOULD be done. As with his previous books, the weapons and armor are also described well which only adds to the experience.
Really enjoyed this one. I read it on Kindle Unlimited but when I was done I bought it anyway to support the author. Excited to see what comes next for this series!
February 7, 2023
For decades, Dexios had served his city state of Thena as a Strategos. A heavy burden, all he wants is to see his son pass his ephebic trials and to retire to his vineyards. But a old enemy is rearing its head and Dexios will soon know no peace.
Panacea is an interesting spin on the ancient Greek myths. The city states and culture are ancient Greek to a tee (to my uncultured eyes) but there is a nice slant with the inclusion of mythical creatures thrown in. Full of treachery and foreboding, it is an action-packed yarn but with an undercurrent of pain caused by grief.
I really enjoyed this novel from Indie author, Alex Robins. Don't like the fact that the author is Indie put you off because this is just as good as many traditionally published novels I have read. And the artwork is stunning!
Ancient Greek gods aplenty, with a massive twist on the old tales, it is refreshingly new in a genre that has seen a glut of ancient Greek retellings. Prophecy, intrigue and treachery are a heavy part of the story; some you see coming, some you don't. It is heavy on the male POV but then again, many of the myths were, herowise at least. I did get slightIy confused with the names but as I said, uncultured! I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys ancient Greek-based epics, especially The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
I received a copy of this book from the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Panacea is an interesting spin on the ancient Greek myths. The city states and culture are ancient Greek to a tee (to my uncultured eyes) but there is a nice slant with the inclusion of mythical creatures thrown in. Full of treachery and foreboding, it is an action-packed yarn but with an undercurrent of pain caused by grief.
I really enjoyed this novel from Indie author, Alex Robins. Don't like the fact that the author is Indie put you off because this is just as good as many traditionally published novels I have read. And the artwork is stunning!
Ancient Greek gods aplenty, with a massive twist on the old tales, it is refreshingly new in a genre that has seen a glut of ancient Greek retellings. Prophecy, intrigue and treachery are a heavy part of the story; some you see coming, some you don't. It is heavy on the male POV but then again, many of the myths were, herowise at least. I did get slightIy confused with the names but as I said, uncultured! I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys ancient Greek-based epics, especially The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
I received a copy of this book from the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2023
I was so torn in this book.
Keres is trying to follow in his father's footsteps and trained hard under Galleas and his father Dexios.
When Letho agrees to help Polydius defend Ruxia against Tauros herds (half man/ half bovine), Dexios has to lead the arriors, including his son, into a dangerous battle. Polydius betrays Dexios causing the death of Tychos, Keres, and Galleas. Devastated, Dexios is accompanied by Nambe and Krinne as he travels to the Oracle. Meanwhile, Polydius leads the Tauros to Thena to take over the city.
This story left a lot of unanswered questions. What happened to Nambe and Krinne? Did Dexios die? And after Keres died, he is seen in Tartarus with Tychos and Helydices awaiting the ferry to see if he will go to Elysium or the Underworld.
Interesting, Zeus and Hades come out of the left field. Maker's father, Desha is Hades in disguise and an epic battle occurs between the two fallen entities. If Elena, Makar's teacher, Makar, and Graycea (a follower of Zeus) make it out of the city, will the Tauros and Polydius continue their rampage across the continent? How are they going to survive the journey?
My curiosity has to be answered and I plan to follow this series.
You can see an official review at Vibrantbookreviews.com
Keres is trying to follow in his father's footsteps and trained hard under Galleas and his father Dexios.
When Letho agrees to help Polydius defend Ruxia against Tauros herds (half man/ half bovine), Dexios has to lead the arriors, including his son, into a dangerous battle. Polydius betrays Dexios causing the death of Tychos, Keres, and Galleas. Devastated, Dexios is accompanied by Nambe and Krinne as he travels to the Oracle. Meanwhile, Polydius leads the Tauros to Thena to take over the city.
This story left a lot of unanswered questions. What happened to Nambe and Krinne? Did Dexios die? And after Keres died, he is seen in Tartarus with Tychos and Helydices awaiting the ferry to see if he will go to Elysium or the Underworld.
Interesting, Zeus and Hades come out of the left field. Maker's father, Desha is Hades in disguise and an epic battle occurs between the two fallen entities. If Elena, Makar's teacher, Makar, and Graycea (a follower of Zeus) make it out of the city, will the Tauros and Polydius continue their rampage across the continent? How are they going to survive the journey?
My curiosity has to be answered and I plan to follow this series.
You can see an official review at Vibrantbookreviews.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2023
I loved Alex Robins' first series (War of the Twelve) -- but this one, not so much. I read quite a bit of Indian fiction, and I am very comfortable with the Hindu pantheon and with many Hindi words. But I am *not* familiar with Greek culture or Greek mythology - so I frequently found myself lost in the story and in the vocabulary.
The story tells of a great general (a "strategos") who is finally going to be able to retire from the military. But when a great herd of tauros -- humanoid beasts -- attacks. he is compelled to go to war one more time. His son, a brand new hoplite (soldier) is also marching. Meanwhile, back in the city, murderous clawed beasts are reported. And the "ruined gods" - Zeus and others banned from Olympus - are again striving for power.
The writing is excellent, and the text is well-edited. I only wish the story had been set somewhere other than Ancient Greece!
The story tells of a great general (a "strategos") who is finally going to be able to retire from the military. But when a great herd of tauros -- humanoid beasts -- attacks. he is compelled to go to war one more time. His son, a brand new hoplite (soldier) is also marching. Meanwhile, back in the city, murderous clawed beasts are reported. And the "ruined gods" - Zeus and others banned from Olympus - are again striving for power.
The writing is excellent, and the text is well-edited. I only wish the story had been set somewhere other than Ancient Greece!
January 20, 2023
I picked this one up when I saw the cover on Twitter, and I'm glad I did.
Fantastic read from beginning to end. Reminds me of Joe Abercrombie's The Heroes' but in a Greek pantheon setting. The prose is fantastic, with each pov having a distant voice, and once you reach close to the half-way point, the book is very difficult to put down. The big action scenes in particular are extremely well-written; I always love watching the narrative voice describe the same event through their own perspective.
I'm usually not a big of fan of brief quotes from texts/people at the beginning of chapters, but ALL of them relevant in this story. The big twists are hinted at with just enough subtlety to award you for paying attention.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for a fast-paced dark fantasy. Or anyone who simply thinks minotaurs are awesome.
Fantastic read from beginning to end. Reminds me of Joe Abercrombie's The Heroes' but in a Greek pantheon setting. The prose is fantastic, with each pov having a distant voice, and once you reach close to the half-way point, the book is very difficult to put down. The big action scenes in particular are extremely well-written; I always love watching the narrative voice describe the same event through their own perspective.
I'm usually not a big of fan of brief quotes from texts/people at the beginning of chapters, but ALL of them relevant in this story. The big twists are hinted at with just enough subtlety to award you for paying attention.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for a fast-paced dark fantasy. Or anyone who simply thinks minotaurs are awesome.
June 3, 2023
I received a copy for review through NetGalley.
Panacea is the first book in a new epic fantasy series that is inspired by Ancient Greece. There is a lot of focus on the military of Ancient Greece. The main character is Dexios who is a Strategos of Thena's phalanx who is leading a defensive charge against a group of tauros.
This story was very well researched and gives a lot of details on workings of Ancient Greece. Luckily, the book includes a list of Greek terms that are used often in the book, because there are a lot of uncommon terms to learn to enjoy the story. The battle scenes were very well written and enjoyable to read. The story opens up and becomes a lot more interesting and unexpected in the second half going beyond the simple Greek military tale it appeared to be at first.
I would recommend checking out this series if you are a fan of epic fantasy and are interested in Ancient Greece.
Panacea is the first book in a new epic fantasy series that is inspired by Ancient Greece. There is a lot of focus on the military of Ancient Greece. The main character is Dexios who is a Strategos of Thena's phalanx who is leading a defensive charge against a group of tauros.
This story was very well researched and gives a lot of details on workings of Ancient Greece. Luckily, the book includes a list of Greek terms that are used often in the book, because there are a lot of uncommon terms to learn to enjoy the story. The battle scenes were very well written and enjoyable to read. The story opens up and becomes a lot more interesting and unexpected in the second half going beyond the simple Greek military tale it appeared to be at first.
I would recommend checking out this series if you are a fan of epic fantasy and are interested in Ancient Greece.
January 19, 2025
On my God or should that be God's!
What an emotional rollercoaster this first instalment of the series is. Was left in total shock with the betrayals , a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes at the sheer magnitude of loss and overwhelming defeat followed by the hope of promises made and all the while totally excited to see where the story goes and how the plot /characters develop. This is going to be another great series from what is turning out to be one of my favourite authors. Can't wait to read the next .....
What an emotional rollercoaster this first instalment of the series is. Was left in total shock with the betrayals , a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes at the sheer magnitude of loss and overwhelming defeat followed by the hope of promises made and all the while totally excited to see where the story goes and how the plot /characters develop. This is going to be another great series from what is turning out to be one of my favourite authors. Can't wait to read the next .....
December 24, 2022
I picked this up a few days ago after coming across it on twitter. Greek historical fiction with mythical monsters ..yes please.
I am happy to say that this book was a thrilling read. It is not a long book, but it is action packed and kept me engrossed and I flew through it as I couldn't wait to see what happens next.
If you're looking for a quick, easy, thrilling book to lose yourself in then I suggest you give this a go.
I am happy to say that this book was a thrilling read. It is not a long book, but it is action packed and kept me engrossed and I flew through it as I couldn't wait to see what happens next.
If you're looking for a quick, easy, thrilling book to lose yourself in then I suggest you give this a go.
December 29, 2022
Author Robins reimagines the Greek Pantheon in this fantasy tale. He has created interesting three dimensional characters. There are plot elements that are a bit unwieldy and unnecessary, but the story overall is good.
Three and a half stars. The ending left open the possibility of a sequel and I would read that. My thanks to Bradypus Publishing via NetGalley. All expressed opinions are my own.
#PanaceaAnAncientGreekinspiredEpicFantasy #NetGalley #ifcatscouldread #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #bookstagram #catstagram #catsandbooks #booksandcats #kindlesallthewaydown
Three and a half stars. The ending left open the possibility of a sequel and I would read that. My thanks to Bradypus Publishing via NetGalley. All expressed opinions are my own.
#PanaceaAnAncientGreekinspiredEpicFantasy #NetGalley #ifcatscouldread #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #bookstagram #catstagram #catsandbooks #booksandcats #kindlesallthewaydown
January 8, 2023
Greek mythology/ gods retelling with monsters. Overall, this was a great story, and the elements all came together for me, leaving room for a sequel. The characters were developed well, and then seeing who the characters represent was interesting. A great retelling that will hold your attention till the end.
Thank you to booksirens and the publishing company for an eARC of this title for my voluntary review.
Thank you to booksirens and the publishing company for an eARC of this title for my voluntary review.
January 17, 2023
Greek fantasy? More please! Once again Mr. Robins has outdone himself with the first of this series. I truly enjoy this authors writing style.
The world development is outstanding and the characters come to life. I enjoyed being transported to another place and time.
I look forward to seeing where this series heads next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world development is outstanding and the characters come to life. I enjoyed being transported to another place and time.
I look forward to seeing where this series heads next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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