Rise of Gods (The Paternus Trilogy Book 1)

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. It's one of the SPFBO finalists. If you don't know what that is then, (seriously, where have you been???) you should take a look at Mark Lawrence's website.

I had heard a few things about it beforehand but I like to think I have a reasonably open mind.

After a rocky opening chapter Ashton settles down to the business of reminding me why I read so many of Dean Koontz's books. This is urban fantasy done right. Not a sparkly vampire or shirtless werewolf in sight, and the pace! Don't make any plans to do anything else once you start reading this.

Ashton weaves multiple mythologies and legends together within his own cunning tapestry. The main character is thrown into a series of events that manage to demonstrate how just about everything she knew about the world was wrong, without falling prey to the dreaded info-dump.

The classic clash of good vs evil is re-imagined into something that seems far more human. This isn't really angels vs demons (plus four or five more mythologies), it's a lot closer to 'them vs us' and Ashton does a good job of painting both sides in various shades of grey.

The book is clever, and fast-paced with more than enough twists to keep you guessing. Paternus is not pretentious. It makes no attempts to be anything more than a rollicking adventure. This isn't Tolkien or Rothfuss, it's closer to Anne Rice or Clive Cussler. But then, it never pretended to be anything otherwise.

If I can pick holes for just a moment, it does seem to fall prey to the American belief that everyone in the UK still drinks tea from fine china and wears tweed, but perhaps that was just this one character. We'll forgive that this time (but I'll be watching you Ashton.)

Paternus seems to be the first book in a series but holds together well enough on its own that no reader will be left hanging. (What kind of author would do that anyway?)

Overall this is a very impressive debut and I'd be happy to read the sequel. You can get copies in paperback, kindle, and audiobook versions here.

Four stars.

Wow! Just WOW!
I was blown away by this tale!
Mythology, history, wow it turned it all on its head then flipped it again!!
This was brilliantly written, I felt totally immersed in the story, the worlds where so vividly detailed.
I laughed, I grimaced, I squirmed in my seat from this story, lots of emotions were experienced!.
Fiona and Zeke are awesome characters who took me on an incredible adventure and it was fun to read!
I loved it

I stumbled on this book searching for a new read and could not have been more impressed. The world building with an Urban Fantasy vibe is pure genius. The setting that blends so many myths and legends is absolutely spellbinding. I will be on the lookout for any books coming out by this up and coming author.

An epic story that weaves all known and unknown history and fiction together. Ashton nails all aspects of a great book; rich characters, effortless dialogue, and an addictive story-line that won't let go. The world building and lore is amazing in its scope. To my mind, calling this urban fantasy is a misnomer - far too grand, complex and 'substantial' to be classified as such. I only wish he provided a glossary for the plethora of mythological names.

Only got about 1/4 of the way before I gave up. The writing is actually pretty good but the story was just too disjointed for me to get into.
Too much jumping around to hold my attention when there are so many other good books out there.
I think a good editor's advice would have helped the story immensely.

Disclosure: The author gifted me an ebook copy but I bought a printed one. Also I think Dyrk is a nice guy.

I really loved this book. It manages that deific other perspective that I've only ever experienced when reading Gaiman. The book also does a pretty great job balancing those godlike perspectives with our central characters who like us are trying to figure out what's going on and what their place in it is. It's got a lot of heart, a lot of action, and a lot of "well researched mythology adapted for world building".
Anyway the highlights of this book are relationships/characters and how those conflate with the world building in interesting ways.

Get ready to have everything you thought about mythological beings and monsters turned on its head. Not only are those tales based on true events but those events have now spilled over into the present day. This imaginative story plunges Fiona and Zeke headlong into a titanic struggle between good and evil that shatters everything they thought they knew about their families, their world and even themselves. Ashton pulls you in and takes you on a wild ride through this alternate universe that normally exists just beneath surface of the modern world but is about to erupt and threaten our very existence.

I enjoy any novel that brings in and ties together the myths, legends and mysteries of our cultures. That seeks to express them (or use them) in a different way. Paternus does do that well,bringing in names that we love and know from other works, Freya, Belial, Baphomet and countless others but also many that you do not hear about in most modern day literature which is refreshing.
I am a bit worried that it'll spin out of control, when you have deity like beings fighting you soon sense of perspective but that is a worry for the future. Right here and now the novel is interesting and fun, with characters I can sympathize not only for their strengths, but for their weaknesses as well. Looking forward to the sequel

History, mythology, and some seriously amazing imagination is what Paternus is made up of. This book is a constant adventure without any slack. The way the story flows is absolutely beautiful. This book is pure genius! Adventure, death, life, love, heartbreak, deceit, monsters, gods, and more. Dyrk Ashton has found a way to bring them all together in a remarkable way. Paternus has set a new standard for the fantasy world and I cannot wait for the next book. Bravo Mr. Ashton, if I could rate this book higher I absolutely would.

Oh my, where do I even start! This book is absolutely astonishing. It is chock full of so much imagination and aha moments to keep you up hours past bedtime waiting for the next part to reveal itself! I'm beginning to think Dryk is in fact a Firstborn himself with the way the story just flows and fits together! If you like monsters, mythology, history, suspense, love, humor, etc. then this book has it all with some to spare. I truly cannot wait to see what he shares with us next!

A must read if you love myths, legends, lore and excitement. I've just read it for the 4th time anxiously waiting for the next in the series. Heart pounding believable & intuitively relatable characters! This is storytelling at it's best, written as if you're actually experiencing it with the characters. And I promise you won't put it down till the very last page...

I wish more of the books I read were half as good as this. Just insane. Hopefully the effort of putting out of novel so fierce hasn’t left Mr. Ashton drained of the special spark he needs to bless us with more.

Paternus is enthralling. The fast pace and vivid descriptions yield the most cinematic literary experience. Ashton gouges his claws into your whole being and refuses mercy. The rate at which you are transported and held captive within the story is nothing short of impressive. I loved every second of the journey I was taken on.

My one critique is the categorization of "fiction." I think the story is semi-autobiographical and Ashton himself is Firstborn. It seems to be the only explanation for his supreme talent.

My recommendation of Paternus is unwavering.

It took me some time to finally get to read this due to busy work/personal schedules but once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down (and that's saying a lot since I'm not a big book reader)!!!! If you like stories about Mythology and other legends of lore, give this a read!! It melds worlds and legends together in an amazing action filled story!!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE!!!!! Dyrk Ashton, I am SOOOOOO impressed with your book my friend!! LOVED IT!!!!

Quite a fantastic read! Both heroes and villains are vivid, interesting, and likeable. The further you get into the story, the harder the book gets to put down. Excellent job creating an original mythology that connects so well with existing historical folklore, it must have taken an astounding amount of forethought and research. The writing style had great clarity, it was easy to envision all events without the vernacular growing overly wordy. I'm excitedly awaiting the next in the series.

I took a few chapters for this book to draw me in but once it did I was hooked. The interpretations and how Ashton made them fit into 'the real world' are interesting and I am looking forward to reading more from this series.

The excitement of all the characters from every myth I know of lasted through the first half, the plot had to get me though the second half...which was a bear. Hope to see the quality of the plot pick up in the second installment.

An extremely fun book full of excitement with spots of humor thrown in that do not distract from the storyline. Although some of the lore can be wordy at times, the culmination of the story forms a great journey. I am extremely excited to read the next book in this series.

Couldn't put it down (or at least I didn't want too), great action-packed read bringing so many intertwined concepts from what seems every culture, mythology, religion and fable and creating an all-new take on the origins of well...everything...all presented in a classic modern day adventure story. Can't wait for book 2 and 3!

I rarely write reviews, I have to really like a book or really dislike. If I could have put into words what I wanted in a book, this book would have been it! Eagerly waiting on the second installment. Thanks Mr. Ashton.

Still a bit rough around the edges but there is the scope (and the scholarship) and the wisdom that we all dig about Gaiman. There are actually a couple of moments when the author evokes more horror than Gaiman (approaching Bradbury).

I love this book. To me, it has the attraction of a historical fiction novel, but transposing the modern world with that of mythology. I enjoyed the mythology tales gleaned from four years of studying Latin in high school. Well, this takes the grand stories from mythology and cranks the action dial to Matrix levels and beyond. What a blast! Can't wait for the next installment.

A most amazing read! Instantly transported into the character's worlds. Such attention to detail. This will forever be one of the books I can turn back to and re-read again and again and still pick up something new each time. Waiting for many, many more novels from Dyrk Ashton! Cindy

Take Neil Gaiman's mythological sensibilities, mash them up with a John Woo action script, then toss in a dash of the brutality of grimdark, and you get Paternus.

What I'm saying is you should probably read this.

Like many, I found out about Ashton and Paternus by following 2016's Self Published Fantasy Blog Off where this book was awarded third place by the panel of recognised and influential bloggers.

This story is completely unique. Written in third-person present tense, Paternus often reads more like a film script than a novel. It could be described as brutal urban fantasy, combined with a small amount of YA elements and mixed with all the demons, Gods, and mythological creatures you were too lazy to research at school. It starts off pretty slow, almost like Ashton is trying to find his voice. This section, for the first 120 or so pages is what some readers have difficulty with. It will switch between Fi and Zeke's 'will they, won't they' relationship that's intertwined with a huge war dog called Mol and an overtly British and loving uncle - and also the Order of the Bull presenting what is simmering behind the gaze of the world with reference to the Gods of myths and legends who may very well have to re-wage a war that's been on and off for centuries. These behemothic beings are half human, half animal, revered Gods and unbelievably powerful. They have human qualities, personalities, and relationships but I wouldn't like to cross them. I'd say half of the first 120 pages reads like it could be a book dedicated to teenagers, but after reading further on I can analyse this was a misconception. This narrative is highly adult in nature so if readers aren't put off by Fi's initial point of view chapters then things will click and then lead us to a hugely dark and potentially dangerous world-defining experience. I'd have rated this section 6/10.

Urban fantasy to me is often lame and cliche. Topless werewolves, sexy vampires, needless love stories that interrupt the drama. Paternus is gritty. Vampires and werewolves are present but you wouldn't want to spend Valentine's Day with them. This is urban fantasy done right. It's dark, adult, gruesome, and that being said, there is always a slight underglow present that hopefully, the team on the side of right will succeed. I believe this is the first of a trilogy so don't expect complete closure. Paternus does, however, conclude with an enticing and exciting finale. It's really tough to summarise but if I had to it would be something along the lines of: A mixture of the Iliad (for the myths), Dante's Inferno (for the beasts), The Dark Tower (for the alternative world switching), and The Hunger Games (for young love in crazy circumstances). That description doesn't do the depth of this tale justice but I'm happy with it. Paternus is a dark urban fantasy gem and if you can get past the first 20% then you are in for a treat. Highly recommended - it didn't achieve 5-stars due to the slow start- that's all.

Fi and Zeek are young adults who face the typical obstacles to a budding romance and life in general.  Fi is completing an internship at a nursing home while living at home with her stuffed shirt uncle and Zeek is preparing for a conference and working at the same nursing home and madly in love with Fi.  Fi is the only person able to take care of the dementia-stricken and invalid Peter.  Fi and Zeek stumble through their relationship when suddenly the nursing home is invaded with evil looking creatures who mangle and eat the residents.

Mythological beings on all sides (good and evil) invade the world of Fi and Zeek to the point that nothing surprises them any longer.  The question lies in the outcome of the 3rd holocaust, who will win?  Good or evil?  Regardless, the creatures and beings believed to be mythological are real and at war.

Dyrk Ashton, the author, is an amazing story-teller creating an action-packed adventure by blending mythological creatures and myths into the present world and bringing them to life.  One senses the story is not going to be boring even given the slow start.  One does not expect, however, to be so totally immersed into the action and story that one is caught off guard momentarily to find oneself so thoroughly engaged.

Ashton builds the action around the development of the characters, in some cases, the character development is done almost instantaneously – such as the first time we meet Clarion.  There are several twists and turns, but not so much that one loses interest or connection to the story.  The story flows smoothly and each twist is handled with aplomb.  This is an epic journey in many ways, one the listener has no choice but to go on once they are snared in the story.  Thrilling to the end, one cannot help but wait for the next book to know who wins and who else will meet their mortal demise.

The narrator provided an excellent performance in the narration of the book.  Although the book was a total of 15 hours, Nik Magill did not once lose his place or the voice of the characters.  His talent helped to draw the reader into the story and captivate them into staying as well as the work of Ashton.  His light rhythmic voice made listening to the story pleasant.  He never went campy nor did he become shrill as some tend to do during epic length books.

Paternus is a very good book, one I would listen to again without hesitation and would appreciate more the second time around now that I understand how some of the pieces fit together.  At first, I admit to being lost because I didn’t realize there were two worlds that were going to be blending together into one.  I struggled to see the connections but once things started to fall into place, this book quickly became a favorite of mine.

There were no production or quality issues with this book.  Everything was smooth and clear.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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