Book Review: From The Ashes of Gods by Katerina Speers
From The Ashes of Gods by Katerina Speers
Well sheesh, I can’t believe this is a debut! What a great start to what will undoubtably be an epic tale. From The Ashes of Gods is the first in an epic fantasy quest and adventure series with a helping of romance, dash of magic, and a twist on Greek mythology— think the Olympians were defeated and banished, and any trace of the gods is hunted and eliminated.
Let’s review Katerina’s debut novel, From The Ashes of Gods, out January 11th 2025.
A quick PSA before we dive in: my recommendation is to go into this completely blind, so you may want to skip over the synopsis section below!
“A myth! The gods were killed in the Immortals War! There are no gods left!”
About The Book
The Olympian gods have been banished from Elysium for over a thousand years, the prophecy foretelling their return long forgotten. Until now.
Synopsis
A god raised by mortals, Terena Luca has hidden her powers since childhood. If she is found out, the emperor will order her death. But the only way Terena can learn more about her origins is to work for the emperor. His Royal Tracker, hunting for lost treasures of the gods.
The job is a necessary evil. Terena’s dalliance with the crown prince of the empire? That’s just reckless. But Terena is tired of playing it safe—tired of the hellish reality that she can’t be truly safe unless she is alone.
At least, that’s what she thinks until her latest mission forces her to travel with Daris Antonius, commander of the elite legion of a rival army, a dangerous man she shouldn’t be drawn to despite the strange feeling she’s met him before.
Battling mythical beasts, accusations of murder, and an emperor bent on eradicating the world of all gods, Terena begins to question everything she knows. The only answer she finds is a baffling prophecy that declares she will be the one to decide the fate of all mankind.
Because the Fates are testing her, as all new gods are tested. Terena doesn’t know what they want of her, but they’ve given her eight chances to get it right.
And she’s failed seven times already.
“You think you can kill me? You think you can kill a god?”
The Story
spoiler-free
This one is for all the epic quest and adventure lovers. This story is definitely heavy on the quest. There’s lots of traveling and fleeing from place to place, evading capture and dodging hunters, fighting and finding a way out, staying at inns and visiting taverns, cozying up with individual characters experiencing their points of view and banter, all backdropped with swift action in between. I found it reminiscent of The Fellowship of the Ring with a cast of characters both benevolent and malicious.
The Characters
These are the main players:
Terena, the Royal Tracker who hunts for lost treasures of the gods delivering them to the mortal king hell-bent on keeping the gods banished at all costs. She’s plagued by mysterious visions and on the hunt for more than just the lost treasures of the gods.
Croak, a close confidant and friend of Terena who acts as the main source of comic relief throughout the tale.
Darius, commander of an elite legion of a rival army, and there’s definitely more to him than meets the eye.
Sonah, another fugitive of the empire who’s on the run and who’s journey collides with Terena’s.
And a slew of other supporting characters with stories and points of view of their own that enhance the main one even more so!
Steamometer
💃🏼 — SASSY SPICE
There are a few moments of spice with some explicit content, but they’re short and sweet and don’t overcrowd the plot.
For those who are unfamiliar with my Steamometer, check it out below (it’s ever-evolving lol)!
❤️ NICE AND SWEET
💃🏼 SASSY SPICE
🔥 STEAMYYYY GOODNESS
🥵 MY OVARIES ARE BURSTING
🌋 MY WHOLE BODY IS ON FIRE AND I’M MELTING
🖤 SMUTASTIC
Overall Thoughts
A great start to an epic fantasy adventure. The writing is witty and smart. The plot gripping and intricate, set against a vast world with epic stakes and *lots* of main character energy and points of view!
You’re basically dropped right into the center of the action and story without much pretense and the plot just takes off with a smashing start boasting sudden twists, nonstop action along the way, and a solid cliffhanger ending! It’s heavy on the quest backdropped by a trial by the Fates, what will be an epic romance, battling mythical beasts, and unearthing links to the gods.
So, if you’re craving the Greek mythology of A Touch of Darkness (but the Olympians were defeated), gods in disguise and the slow burn romance of Spark of the Everflame and the epic adventure of The Lord of the Rings... then keep this epic fantasy adventure on your radar!
Out JANUARY 11th, 2025!!!
And, again, I totally recommend going into this blind!!!! It will definitely heighten your reading experience!
“You are not for yourself anymore. You are for us. You were promised...and if there’s ever a time we need your help, it is now.”
About The Author
About Katerina Speers:
Katerina Speers grew up in the Chicago area where she currently lives with her husband and children. When she’s not writing, Katerina can be found reading a book, playing video games or enjoying the movies at the theater.
*Pic and bio courtesy of author’s Instagram and book bio.
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