As Fate Decrees [Paperback]

Denyse Bridger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 27, 2007

Ares would permit no one to change what the Fates had set in motion. In an ancient world, the Fates decree that a Champion will soon be brought forth: a being both mortal and eternal, destined to become as legendary as the Gods to whom she will be forever enslaved. Of the twelve who rule on Mount Olympus, it is Ares, God of War, son of Zeus and Hera, who recognizes both the truth of the divination, and the one who has been chosen. On the eve of the new millennium, the Champion of Olympus is called forth by disciples of the Ancient Order of Zeus, and Amarantha finds that she must once again defend history and myth with her very life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you enjoy the world of classical mythology, you'll love this novel." - Margaret Carter, author

"Ms. Bridger brings new life to the Greek gods and to any human with the mixed luck to cross their paths, including an unusual warrior woman who might be Xena's long-lost sister. Part II in particular is a page-turner, interlocked with what has gone before in a millennia-spanning clash of mortal versus immortal love." - Patricia Hodgell, author

"This tale of an eternal champion torn between her love for a god and a mortal - and her duty to both of them - should satisfy readers with a taste for romantic fantasy." - Nancy Baker, author

"I just finished and I'm in love. I'm getting a copy for everyone I know for Christmas." - Lila Dubois, author

"As Fate Decrees is well-written and has an interesting core concept." - Dru Pagliassotti, reviewer, The Harrow

"The characters Bridger creates are intense and believable..." - Carolyn Cooke, reviewer, Surrey Now

"One of Burnside's best-kept cultural secrets is about to take the international literary stage..." - Stephen Clare, The Burnside News

"Romance, adventure, time travel, magic, and conspiracy theories all get intertwined in this one, which sets its sights reasonably high and reaches most of them." - Don D'Ammassa

"Both tales, and how they merge are masterfully done. The mythology is excellent and the story of timeless love, and fealty to the Gods is amazing. Am and Ares are together until the Fates decree she is to go and champion them at another time..." - Ellen, Amazon.com

"As Fate Decrees by Denyse Bridger is a rip-roaring yarn that keeps you reading right to the end." - Elizabeth Patterson, journalist

"At its core, As Fate Decrees is a story of true love; not just the romantic slushy stuff either, but that love you feel deep in your soul; that connects two people across time and space." - Lisa Fitzpatrick, Amazon.co.uk

"Ms. Bridger has written a tale so rich in detail and characterization I was pulled right into the novel and left breathless. I've been a fan of Denyse Bridger's romances for years now, and though romance isn't the main theme, it is present. Anyone who enjoys Greek Mythology, and even those who don't, will love this story. As Fate Decrees should not be passed up. The reviewer who gave this book one star...I doubt they even read it." - Kelly Wallace, Amazon.com

"This historical fantasy should appeal to readers who enjoy the Greek setting, complete with sword-play, warrior women, romance, aloof impetuous gods and modern-day terrorists." - Ronald Hore, CM Magazine

"As a concept for a story, I found the novel completely different from anything I've read in a long time." - Fantasy Book Spot.com

"Here is a first-rate piece of writing. It's very readable, the characters are well done, and it is an interesting look inside Greek mythology. This gets two thumbs up." - Dead Trees Review

About the Author

Passionately intrigued by the ancient legends of Greece, Denysé turned to historians and Greek literature lovers alike as resources for this adventurous fantasy. This Newfoundland born author has had a highly prolific career; writing numerous paperback and electronic books. Her work has also been featured in a number of anthologies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing; 1 edition (August 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1894063414
• ISBN-13: 978-1894063418
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,978,028 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Canadian born and bred, and a lifelong dreamer, I began writing at an early age and can't recall a time when I wasn't creating in some artistic form. My life has had several on-going love affairs that shape much of what I write, the American West, Victorian England, cowboys, a passion for pirates, Greek Gods, and Ancient Egypt. The other endless love affair in my life is Italia and all its magic, beauty, and dazzling culture. That passion spills into all aspects of my life.

My first major fantasy novel is AS FATE DECREES. (Available in bookstores everywhere, and on Amazon's international sites.) The novel relies heavily on Greek Mythology, and is set in Ancient Greece and modern Athens. If you enjoy a tale of Gods, Destiny, and the battles of an Eternal Champion, this is the book for you! (Less than six months after publication, it was a finalist for the 2008 Aurora Award.) Not surprisingly, there's a touch of romance throughout, of course! A visit to my website will show the diversity of what is currently available, and the mixing of genres and styles that will be employed in many up-coming projects as well.

WEBSITE: http://www.denysebridger.com
BLOG: http://fantasy-pages.blogspot.com
Authors Who ROCK: http://authorswhorock.blogspot.com/
Sensual Treats Magazine: http://www.sensualtreats.webs.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/denysebridger
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/denysebridger
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/denyse.bridger
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/Romance.and.Fantasy
Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4930595.Denyse_Bridger

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An eternal Champion of the Gods -, October 8, 2007

By 

ellen "ellen in atlanta" (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: As Fate Decrees (Paperback)

Firstly I must say that I found this book to be an excellent read - The backstory to this book is on the back cover - The Oracle at Delphi tells Ares, Greek God of War, that a Champion of the Gods will be found by him in a lowly circumstance...I am glad for the backcover because there is only slight mention of Ares' being at the Oracle and fate playing a part in his life...
In the slaving areas of ancient Greece, a man comes and bids on a fiery girl that is being sold. No one dares bid against him. The slave's name is Amarantha, and her mysterious master begins a strict training course - she is to be a top warrior - What Amarantha doesn't know at first, her master is Ares himself.
When Amarantha finds a man dying on the road, he tells her he needs to deliver a message to the King of Corinth. Am delivers the message for him...only to find the king is a childhood love, Iphicles. Iphicles is the mortal twin of demi-god Heracles - whom we know better as Hercules.
Am, as she is called, stays with Iphicles, and eventually their childhood love is rekindled. There is much court intruige - each city-state vying for power over its neighbors.. After Iphicles' fate is sealed, Am returns to Ares.
Then the world shifts - to 1999 Athens Greece - Holy places are being destroyed all over the world. A group is setting out to rid the world of its many religions and set up one religion - one God for everyone - and if they destroy holy sites, the people will see this one group is more powerful than anyone else's religions.
A young anthropologist, Alexandra Christophi, is upset by the desecration of ancient ruins - she goes to a family friend at the Temple of Zeus, and we learn that there are still followers of the Greek Pantheon, and her friend is a priest there - Her fiance Nickolas, a cop, try to stop the devastation of national treasures...
It seems the world needs a Champion - there mixes two stories into one - Am coming to defend the Gods and Goddesses from these evil people.
Both tales, and how they merge are masterfully done. The mythology is excellent and the story of timeless love, and fealty to the Gods is amazing. Am and Ares are together until the Fates decree she is to go and champion them at another time...
There is a possibility of a sequel - that would be great - Ares and his now love, Amarantha are truly a story fit for the Gods.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Really good historical story, September 3, 2008

By 

Paul Lappen (Manchester, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: As Fate Decrees (Paperback)

In Ancient Greece, a woman named Amarantha finds herself as the next item up for sale in the Athens slave market. She is bought by a mysterious stranger who refuses to identify himself. He trains her as a warrior, and makes it clear to Amarantha that disobedience is a really bad idea. After her skills have been perfected, the stranger reveals himself as Ares, the god of war, and son of Zeus. She has been trained to be Champion of the gods of Olympus, to vanquish evil forever, until the gods say otherwise.

Sent into the world as a kind of traveling warrior, Amarantha runs into Iphicles, now King of Corinth. The two were very good friends, almost lovers, when they were younger. She stays for a while as one of his advisors, to the whispers of nearly everyone that their relationship is not exactly platonic.

While in another city also ruled by Iphicles that has been badly damaged by bandits, Ares tells Amarantha that Iphicles must return to Corinth, now. She can't tell Iphicles how she knows this, but when he finally listens to her and returns to Corinth, with Amarantha as part of the procession, the city has been decimated. There are many deaths, including Iphicles' queen.

Switching suddenly to present day Athens, Amarantha finds herself in the body of archaeologist Alexandra Christophi. This is not the first time that Ares has sent her elsewhere in time. This time, the enemy is a shadowy terrorist organization that has been bombing religious sites all over the world, including Macchu Picchu, the Vatican and all the religious sites in Athens. The object is to destroy all other gods and bring about the coming of The One True God. The gods of Olympus understand that their fate hangs in the balance. In the final battle, Amarantha/Alexandra is severely injured. Will the gods grant her the peace she seeks?

Here is a first-rate piece of writing. It's very readable, the characters are well done, and it is an interesting look inside Greek mythology. This gets two thumbs up.

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone Should Read, January 20, 2009

By 

Heather D. Shaw-Gardener - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: As Fate Decrees (Paperback)

This book is truly phenomenal. The mix of mythology with both historical and modern times is seemless. Ms. Bridger made me believe the Gods were alive and caring about what was happening today, to the point that Ares himself was here during the Millenia switch.

With a perfect pace, well developed characters and an intriguing storyline of a God's Champion who was once mortal and hand chosen by Ares himself, this story brings into it a depth and insight I have never thought of before.

The characters themselves jump off the pages and make the reader want to become a part of their lives. I cried and laughed with them, I ached and shared in their joys. They truly touched me as the reader, to the point that my dreams for several days included these characters.

This is a book that anyone who enjoys a great story should read.