Friday, October 16, 2015

Blog Tour Review: Havoc Rising by Brian S. Leon




Released: June 16, 2015 by Red Adept Publishing

Book Description:
Eternal life. Eternal battle.

Steve—Diomedes Tydides to his Trojan War buddies—just had a bad day on his charter fishing boat in San Diego, but when the goddess Athena calls on her faithful warrior for another secret mission, he’s ready. The bomb that exploded inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art isn’t the crime American authorities think it is. Someone also stole the Cup of Jamshid, and Diomedes knows its fortune-telling abilities won’t be used for anything benign.

Though Diomedes recovers the Cup from a determined shaman holed up beneath Central Park, when he finds his allies slain and the Cup taken once more, he knows he’s up against a truly powerful enemy. Over a millennium has passed since Diomedes last contended with Medea of Colchis, deranged wife of Jason the Argonaut, but neither her madness nor her devotion to Hecate, goddess of witchcraft, has waned, and she intends to use the Cup of Jamshid to release across the world a dark brand of chaos unseen in human history.

Immortal since the Trojan War, Diomedes must once again fight for mortals he understands less and less, against a divine evil he may never truly defeat.










About the Author:




Brian S. Leon is truly a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. He began writing in order to do something with all the useless degrees, knowledge, and skills–most of which have no practical application in civilized society–he accumulated over the years.

His varied interests include, most notably, mythology of all kinds and fishing, and he has spent time in jungles and museums all over the world, studying and oceans and seas across the globe chasing fish, sometimes even catching them. He has also spent time in various locations around the world doing other things that may or may not have ever happened.

Inspired by stories of classical masters like Homer and Jules Verne, as well as modern writers like J.R.R. Tolkien, David Morrell, and Jim Butcher, combined with an inordinate amount of free time, Mr. Leon finally decided to come up with tales of his own.

Brian currently resides in San Diego, California.





Whenever given the chance to read a new (for me) urban fantasy story that not only combines Greek mythology but Arabian and Celtic too, I jump at the chance. I mean, truly what is there not to love about an action packed story told in the male point of view all set in a modern world full of gods and goddesses?

Add in the very fact that there is a (very) slight romance, and a main protagonist that is every bit as sarcastic as he is smart and you have a read that stands out in so many ways.

Although this did have a slow start in the beginning as the world and back story of Steve was fleshed out, it didn't take too long for me to get into it and for the real action and adventure to begin and before I knew it, I was immersed in the mythology aspects, the magic,  and the very story itself. 

This was well written, well plotted, and had many elements I love in a good UF series. 







*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author, publisher, or touring company. I was not compensated for this review.*

42 comments:

  1. A smart, sarcastic protagonist ... yup, that's what I love. Yeah UF start off like that sometimes, so I'm glad to hear it picks up.

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    1. You might like this since it is from the male POV too. ;)

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  2. All of the mythology makes me want to squee. lol I've seen a couple great reviews for this one now :D

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  3. You know sarcasm is always a plus for me in a hero or heroine Ali, I love that Steve/Diomedes wields that sharp tongue well:) So glad to know you loved it!

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  4. Wow this sounds great!! I like mythology in books. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

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  5. I love reading about different cultures and beliefs so count me on board with this one ;)

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  6. OOH sign me up for this one, love all the different cultural mythology mix Ali, like the one I just read by Rachel Vincent
    Thanks

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  7. YAY! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for reviewing it for the tour!

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  8. I'm intrigued by a male author reliving into these overwhelmingly female-controlled waters :D Sounds like an interesting mix of things too. I'm curious about the different mythologies blended into a coherent concept. Happy weekend, Ali <3

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    1. It definitely was Ramona. :D Have a wonderful weekend!!

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  9. When you mentioned gods and goddesses, Arabian and Celtic mythology, PLUS the fact there is little romance... you got my heart jumping for joy. I would LOVE to read this one. More action and plot than romance please :P

    Faye at The Social Potato

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  10. First books are hard with the world-building, but I am glad it picked up and that the characters were well developed. Yeah, I am sucker for the mythology too! TGIF!!!

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  11. I enjoyed this one too. I did think he did a good job with the worldbuilding even though I want to know more about that world! :)

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  12. love mythology in books, glad to hear you enjoyed it despite the slow start!

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  13. This one has certainly piqued my interest. I do enjoy reading narratives that have a male protagonist as the main course ;) Wonderful review!

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    1. It really is nice to get a male POV once in a while. ;)

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  15. I'm digging the cover! Def adds to the UF genre. :) I read the bio for the author and goodness gracious he is so accomplished and I am so intimated.... anyone else? Teehee I'm glad you loved this one and it lived up to your love for UF! xoxo

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  16. it sounds good...thanks for the heads up on the slog beginning!

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  17. Oh I am totally the same I loooove mythology in fiction!

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  18. Greek mythology and UF, sounds like a great combination.

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  19. A UF book is not complete without a smart, sarcastic protag! Love the combination of all myths in here. :)

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  20. I do love that it has no romance. He can be sexy without sexin ;)

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  21. It's been a minute since I've read a Greek Mythology book. I think combining it with UF is so unexpected and interesting! Thanks for sharing!

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