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elysareadsitall's review
4.0
Oracle’s War is the second book in the Olympus Trilogy by David Hair and Cath Mayo. The first book is Athena's Champion where Odysseus learns he is a theoi and starts going on dangerous missions for Athena. Oracle's War continues Odysseus, Bria, and Athena's journey. Odysseus and Bria are once again sent off on a dangerous mission without knowing the full reason why. It's a fast-paced and interesting story filled with family drama, political intrigue, war, strategy, and morality. This series is fascinating, and I can't wait to see how it continues.
maidofbees's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I'm still enjoying how this series diverges from the myths I know, and I'm keen to read more!
vandana_onmyshelf's review
4.0
We start with few months after the last part finished in Athena’s Champion where Odysseus’s true lineage was revealed at Pytho which led to him fulfilling a prophecy by the same Oracle. This one starts off with his sister Ctimene marrying her childhood sweetheart, Maeus, but at the last moment the wedding is called off and she marries someone else. Odysseus suspects foul play and with the help of Bria – a daemon, Eurybates, and newly appointed Theoi Diomedes embark on a journey to Delos where the sorcerer Tiresias, who is suspected to be the one who meddled with Ctimene’s marriage is headed.
On the way Bria updates him about a spontaneous prophecy by a novice Arnacia, but is shrouded in secrecy. They need to uncover what it is as it is suspected that it predicts about the long prophesied Trojan war. Once in Delos, Odysseus discovers that the the prophecy is closely related to him and the possibility of starting a war which can break the illusion of the impregnable city of Thebes. For this he needs to unite the Epigoni which is no small feat. Odysseus is caught between the prophecy, the gods and his mortal enemies including the seer cum sorcerer Tiresias. What happens next will decide the course of his, Ithaca’s and his patron Goddess Athena’s future.
for full review please visit www.bibliogyan.com
On the way Bria updates him about a spontaneous prophecy by a novice Arnacia, but is shrouded in secrecy. They need to uncover what it is as it is suspected that it predicts about the long prophesied Trojan war. Once in Delos, Odysseus discovers that the the prophecy is closely related to him and the possibility of starting a war which can break the illusion of the impregnable city of Thebes. For this he needs to unite the Epigoni which is no small feat. Odysseus is caught between the prophecy, the gods and his mortal enemies including the seer cum sorcerer Tiresias. What happens next will decide the course of his, Ithaca’s and his patron Goddess Athena’s future.
for full review please visit www.bibliogyan.com
katejeminhizer's review
4.0
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a continuation of the tale of Odysseus. The first installment of this series, Athena's Champion, provides key content for being able to follow the action in this new title. It can be read as a stand alone but it isn't advisable. I praise the authors for bringing a fresh perspective to well-worn mythological tales. There is definite improvement of presentation in this 2nd installment. The language doesn't seem as disjointed as in the first book and it has better flow. Both books in the series are fast paced, enjoyable reads.
This book is a continuation of the tale of Odysseus. The first installment of this series, Athena's Champion, provides key content for being able to follow the action in this new title. It can be read as a stand alone but it isn't advisable. I praise the authors for bringing a fresh perspective to well-worn mythological tales. There is definite improvement of presentation in this 2nd installment. The language doesn't seem as disjointed as in the first book and it has better flow. Both books in the series are fast paced, enjoyable reads.
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
4.0
Oracle’s War is the second book in the Olympus Trilogy by David Hair and Cath Mayo. The first book is Athena's Champion where Odysseus learns he is a theoi and starts going on dangerous missions for Athena. Oracle's War continues Odysseus, Bria, and Athena's journey. Odysseus and Bria are once again sent off on a dangerous mission without knowing the full reason why. It's a fast-paced and interesting story filled with family drama, political intrigue, war, strategy, and morality. This series is fascinating, and I can't wait to see how it continues.
bibliophiliadk's review
4.0
COMPLEX AND INTELLIGENT, A REAL TREAT OF A BOOK!
I was completely sold by the first book in this series, and this one did not let me down. Rarely have I read a book that felt so intelligent, yet approachable and engaging.
THE GOOD STUFF
The mythology: One of my favourite parts of the first book was without a doubt the complexity of the world and mythology. I loved how the authors had reworked the mythology to account for some of the inconsistencies, that we often see in Greek mythology (such as the origin of Aphrodite or Apollo's emergence as a sun god instead of Helios). This also added an extra layer of politics and rivalry between the gods, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The intelligence: I often read others describe books as 'intelligent' and I often just shake my head and laugh it off. But now, it is my turn to say "this is one seriously intelligent book!". I would like to elaborate. Greek mythology is, at best, slightly complicated and somewhat confusing. It takes real intelligence to make it sensible and relatable. But that's not the only thing, that impressed me and made me think of this book as intelligent. The plot in itself integrated many different legends and heroes, and, combined with the mythology, that could have been very overwhelming if it wasn't done right. But it totally was! That takes some serious intelligence, to piece all of that together seamlessly.
The mystery of Bria: The first book introduced us to the mystery of Bria's circumstances - who/what is she, and how did she come to be that? Well, this book doesn't answer that question, it only adds another layer of mystery, and even though it is a somewhat minor part of the story, it is something that really caught my attention and got me thinking. I really want to know the answer!
THE NOT SO GOOD STUFF
The disconnect: Maybe this is only something that bothers me because I am familiar with the legend of Helen and her marriage to Menelaus, but for me, it seemed as if the story in the first book wasn't finished. It felt unresolved because we didn't get to the part about Helen and Menelaus' marriage, how that came to be and the role that Odysseus played in it. So this book almost felt like a new story that was somewhat unrelated to the first book, apart from the characters anyway. But since the story of Helen and Menelaus is essential to the Trojan war - which this series seems to be leading up to - I have faith that we will see Helen again in the 3rd book.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
FOLLOW MY BLOG FOR MORE BOOK GOODNESS
I was completely sold by the first book in this series, and this one did not let me down. Rarely have I read a book that felt so intelligent, yet approachable and engaging.
"The more I know of the gods, the less I revere them."
-Odysseus
THE GOOD STUFF
The mythology: One of my favourite parts of the first book was without a doubt the complexity of the world and mythology. I loved how the authors had reworked the mythology to account for some of the inconsistencies, that we often see in Greek mythology (such as the origin of Aphrodite or Apollo's emergence as a sun god instead of Helios). This also added an extra layer of politics and rivalry between the gods, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
"[...] they're thinking about escape more than victory. That's how you lose."
The intelligence: I often read others describe books as 'intelligent' and I often just shake my head and laugh it off. But now, it is my turn to say "this is one seriously intelligent book!". I would like to elaborate. Greek mythology is, at best, slightly complicated and somewhat confusing. It takes real intelligence to make it sensible and relatable. But that's not the only thing, that impressed me and made me think of this book as intelligent. The plot in itself integrated many different legends and heroes, and, combined with the mythology, that could have been very overwhelming if it wasn't done right. But it totally was! That takes some serious intelligence, to piece all of that together seamlessly.
The mystery of Bria: The first book introduced us to the mystery of Bria's circumstances - who/what is she, and how did she come to be that? Well, this book doesn't answer that question, it only adds another layer of mystery, and even though it is a somewhat minor part of the story, it is something that really caught my attention and got me thinking. I really want to know the answer!
THE NOT SO GOOD STUFF
The disconnect: Maybe this is only something that bothers me because I am familiar with the legend of Helen and her marriage to Menelaus, but for me, it seemed as if the story in the first book wasn't finished. It felt unresolved because we didn't get to the part about Helen and Menelaus' marriage, how that came to be and the role that Odysseus played in it. So this book almost felt like a new story that was somewhat unrelated to the first book, apart from the characters anyway. But since the story of Helen and Menelaus is essential to the Trojan war - which this series seems to be leading up to - I have faith that we will see Helen again in the 3rd book.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
FOLLOW MY BLOG FOR MORE BOOK GOODNESS
alwroteabook's review
4.0
Find the full review here - https://www.alwroteabook.com/2019/05/10/review-oracles-war-by-david-hair/
annarella's review
4.0
I loved this book as much as I loved the first installment in this series.
It's fascinating and entertaining, there's an amazing world building, and the characters are interesting.
I look forward to read other books by this author.
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's fascinating and entertaining, there's an amazing world building, and the characters are interesting.
I look forward to read other books by this author.
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
oroplatamyta's review
5.0
Thank you to Canelo Publishing for informing me that the electronic Advanced Reader's Copy (eARC) is available on NetGalley.
David Hair and Cath Mayo have done it again! They continue the action-packed tale of Odysseus, this time bringing our epic hero to the gates of Thebes and stop its might from trampling across Achaea. We again see Bria, the lusty daemon who guides Odysseus throughout his quest, and meet Diomedes and his war-hungry, headstrong Argive cousins who walk alongside Odysseus towards their glorious destiny.
While the first of the series, Athena's Champion, was personally the better of the two, I can't deny this one was extremely well researched and well written. It was full of testosterone, but what would you expect from a Greek myth-inspired story? There is no boring moment, despite already knowing the ending beforehand. I particularly enjoyed the theme of family and honor on all sides, from Odysseus himself to the Argive warriors. Overall, this was another fantastic dive into the politics of family, god-worship, and the future of Achaea.
David Hair and Cath Mayo have done it again! They continue the action-packed tale of Odysseus, this time bringing our epic hero to the gates of Thebes and stop its might from trampling across Achaea. We again see Bria, the lusty daemon who guides Odysseus throughout his quest, and meet Diomedes and his war-hungry, headstrong Argive cousins who walk alongside Odysseus towards their glorious destiny.
While the first of the series, Athena's Champion, was personally the better of the two, I can't deny this one was extremely well researched and well written. It was full of testosterone, but what would you expect from a Greek myth-inspired story? There is no boring moment, despite already knowing the ending beforehand. I particularly enjoyed the theme of family and honor on all sides, from Odysseus himself to the Argive warriors. Overall, this was another fantastic dive into the politics of family, god-worship, and the future of Achaea.
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