Paternus: War of Gods (The Paternus Trilogy Book 3)

Urban fantasy is one of my favorite genres so naturally when looking for a new book Paternus stood out to me. Most urban fantasy appeals to a younger audience so my first acknowledgment goes to the grittiness of this series. A small nitpick I have and I feel it’s become a running joke for me, the Wikipedia article level description of gods. We see this most often at introduction and I do wish it could be shared as dialogue more often. Thank you Zeke for your sometimes hard to believe level of mythical knowledge.That being said, this was a touching story with a number of twists and turns and a satisfying and honestly tear evoking end. You spend enough time with the characters that they truly become important and their deaths are tragic. Like watching your heroes and legends dying you’re left with a sense of true loss.I’d give the series a 4.5, there is work that could be helpful. Sometimes it’s comical the way the women are written. Mostly Pratha. I will never forget Zeke’s baggy cargo pants and Pratha’s completely form fitting sexy jungle outfit juxtaposed with each other.Regardless, I would recommend the book and I hope that Dyrk continues to hone his craft.A last note, I particularly enjoyed the writing of Baphomet. Truly a Shakespearean character.

This third book in the Paternus series, using ancient gods and goddesses of mythology, is a roller coaster ride of magnificent proportions. Basically, the plot is simple pitting good versus evil. The book is divided into three units, each developed to continue the story of Zeke and Fi, the primary characters around whom many strange events occur. Dyrk Ashton is obsessed with mythological creatures who come to life in his story devices. Paternus is the father of all living creatures who is discovered in the first book but who takes a backseat to his children in this third book. One of his first born children is his arch enemy who is determined to end the world and worlds to annihilate everything in existence. His other firstborn children who are the good guys in the story are developed in such a way as to oppose and to defeat the evil Khagan. (Satan)You would think that a work based upon myths in an attempt to describe the end of the world would be an easy read. Saying it is a roller coaster ride is an understatement. Ashton uses every known mythological character in this giant read. Oddly enough, his skill is in making them believable, likeable, and recognizable. Before you know it, you find yourself attached to each one of them, even the most hated, cruel, and despicable evil entities.The hellish descriptions of Khagan are reminders of the long term punishments that sinners will suffer if banished to hell. In fact, this fantasy novel uses religious beliefs in many ways but explains them when doing so. Torture does exist in times past and in the present, but his chapters that develop this aspect of life that good is trying to defeat are especially painful and hurtful. The cruelty is difficult to process for empathetic readers.It did make me realize that I focus on Heavenly thoughts more than evil thoughts. I liked realizing that as this book is very thoughtful spiritually. It is a love story with kindness, gentleness, tenderness, and many tear jerking moments. The drama is in the battle scenes where the roller coaster ride takes you into the most thrilling, stupendous, peaks, curves, and drops imaginable. It is nonstop for a dizzying long ride that finally does slow down to a most fulfilling conclusion that can be imagined.I am amazed at the depth of knowledge of the author. He is the real Zeke no doubt in my mind. Another geek! His characterization of Fi, the female heroine, is absolutely incredible. Such a beautiful soul!Highly recommend! This is a masterpiece!

I finished the LAST book in the trilogy. And I couldn't be happier. Well, yes I could. Because now I'm sad, that it's over.And that all those individuals that I have come to know and love, are fictional. They aren't real.Honestly, the world would better if there really were a Father (Peter), Pratha, Mrs. Mirskaya, Fi, Asterion, Zeke, and even Baphomet. Oh and Edgar, of course. And Mol. Especially Mol. (I could go on, of course.) They should all be real.But they aren't. They're part of Ashton's imagination. And part of mythology. Sadly.The last book of the trilogy was the biggest, longest, and most serious of the three. And while I could nitpick about it, I can't really. It left me feeling sad, wistful, longing maybe. And wishing it all were true.Was it a perfect ending? Probably not. There were some who died that really shouldn't have. And there were details I didn't like. But yet, that's how, honestly, it should be. Nothing ever ends exactly how we want it to. Never. In fiction, or in real life. So this was all, while not perfect, it was fitting. And correct.As just an indication how this left me, I have been listening to various recordings of Brian Boru's March, which was a part of the whole trilogy. And I like listening, knowing that the song is over a thousand years old. Yet Fi, Peter, and Zeke played it early on. And Lucifer played it later, and it fit. I really really want this song to be as it was portrayed in Paternus.I will probably read it again, in a few months. And when it's done, I will be sad all over again.Honestly, it's hard to believe this is Ashton's first series of books. It's probably not fair to put this series up there with books like The Lord of the Rings. Yet, it left me feeling similar to those. When it was over, I felt like something was "missing." He gave life to a universe of people that never existed before. But they do now, and always will. If not in real life, then in the hearts and minds of all those who read them. And I guess that will have to do.

One of the most epic, heartbreaking and satisfying conclusions to a fantasy series I've ever had the joy of experiencing.Basically, if you liked the first two books, you will love this incredible denouement with every square inch of your heart. Even more so than previous books in the Paternus trilogy, War of Gods is packed with awe-inspiring creatures of legend. You can't swing a Cat (or Dog) without hitting some insanely powerful long-lost figure of myth. Gods and monsters from all eras and across all continents finally unite to stand shoulder to shoulder -- and go toe-to-toe with their terrifying counterparts in the fiercest and most epic battle since Ragnarok.Rarely do I encounter stories that provoke an extreme enough emotional reaction to give me goosebumps, or make me cry or laugh out loud. This book did all of these and more. It's also a ton of fun from start to finish, just like its predecessors. This trilogy has everything I look for in a fantasy series: compelling characters, ever-escalating stakes, edge-of-your-seat action, and even the occasional bad pun. It's also impeccably researched and engagingly written, and manages to convey an incredible number of complex character relationships in ways that make the reader care deeply about the fate of every single one. (Hence the whole 'making me cry' thing, damn it.)Tl;dr, read this book right now. It's simply phenomenal.

Have you ever read a book and been lost for words? Has a book ever made you stop mid-page and whisper, 'holy 'f***', then reread the section a second time, maybe even a third, so as to fully comprehend what you have just read? Has a book ever made you do that numerous times? No? Then, allow me to introduce to you Dyrk Ashton's War of Gods, the awe-inspiring finale to the epic, urban fantasy Paternus Trilogy.Like the previous two books, Rise of Gods and Wrath of Gods, the third installment consists of three acts. The first two acts continue the trend of the last two books with Peter, Fiona and Zeke continuing to gather their Deva allies in preparation for the climatic battle against the Asura in the third and final act. This is a mammoth of a book, the length of two standard novels combined. As such, you would expect there to be a slump somewhere in the story. That is not the case here. From the continued exploration of the world(s) he has created and the numerous revelations laid bare to the deep connections formed between characters and epic showdowns with others, Ashton hooks you from the get go and does not let go until the final page is turned.The two main protagonists, Fiona and Zeke, truly shine here. Considering the short length of time between events of the first and third books, it is amazing how much these two characters have grown. Each has a major role to play in the outcome of events and they embrace such with strength, will and courage. However, not only have they learned to embrace their heritages and powers, but also each other. Gone are the two shy young people exchanging awkward glances and nervous chatter and in their stead now stand two people deeply in love with each other, who, together, can overcome the impossible. I loved each and every scene they shared together.War of Gods also boasts the biggest cast of mythological characters you will ever see. There are literally hundreds of them from pretty much every mythology in the world and the way that Ashton incorporates them into his story is masterful. As big as the book is, there is still too little page time to give every single one of these characters the limelight. What Ashton cleverly does instead is focus on a few, most of whom have up to this point had some significance to the overall story, and have them share the spotlight with the less significant ones at certain points during the final act. He also introduces us to brand new characters, some of which have already been mentioned or hinted at in the previous books. Doing so in the final book of a trilogy tends to be frowned upon in general. But when has Ashton ever followed the rules? The length of the book gives them adequate time and space to grow on the reader. The definite standouts are the Twins who steal the spotlight every time they appear on page. That is all I will say about them. There are a couple of others, but to even hint who they are would be a major spoiler. Ashton continues to make these mythological characters his own, so much so that I am going to find it hard in the future to separate his versions and the 'real' ones that shaped our world. If I was ever forced to choose my favourites, I would most likely pick Ashton's.The final thing I want to focus on is the final act. I had the opportunity to meet Ashton at Worldcon in Dublin and remember him telling me that he wanted to end the trilogy on a bang. I was expecting the blast of a missile but what he delivers is the explosion of a nuke. The entire last act, over 200 pages, is one big bloody battle between the Deva and the Asura. I have heard some people comparing it to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields in the Lord of the Rings, others the War of Wrath in The Silmarillion. It is both. The sheer scale is jaw-dropping. Ashton's present tense, third person omniscient and cinematic style combine to deliver one of the most memorable battles I have ever read, watched and could possibly imagine. It has everything from phalanxes of fanatic trolls battling legions of the dead and jet fighters dog-fighting dragons to the clash of titans and showdowns between gods. Every reader, even those who are not too keen on lengthy set pieces, will find something here. I am in awe of the sheer spectacle of what Ashton has wrote. Ashton also does something I have never seen any other author do (that I can remember). He takes a common cinematic technique in which a character in one setting narrates over events in another setting and somehow successfully adapts it to the page. Another clear sign of how confident and experienced Ashton has become in his writing.I remember thinking how cool it would be for Hollywood to adapt the first book, but having read the third, I don't believe it could do it justice. War of Gods has everything you would want from the final book in a trilogy and more. Great characterization, settings that feel real and lived in, blood-pumping action and a well-executed plot, Ashton delivers on all fronts.

When I first decided to read book 1 in this series, I posted in a Facebook group that I was going to stat it.I knew the author was also a member of the group and he kindly sent me a dental health warning about it may rot my teeth if I read it. So I lol, and posted a gif of a set of chattering false teeth saying I have these available so I wasn’t worried. 😁😁😁😁This is a wonderful book to read, complete which drama, comedy, romance, horror, humour,and a war story of all war stories.Pacing is fantastic, storyflow excellant , the author has done a great job of merging mythology and fantasy in a modern day setting.Well this is a fantastic series to read, comes highly recommended to all my good read friends.

Wow wow wow, that was one of the most amazing trilogies that I have ever read, it was so good I did not want it to end, the worldbuilding and characters, so many amazing characters as well, the story just flowed with its brilliance, each book just got better and better, from each corner of the worlds, Gods, Legends, Myths, Monsters and heroes, what more could you ask for, thank you Dyrk Ashton for bringing this amazing and brilliant series to our lives....😁☄🔥

From the very first chapter I was enthralled,the names of most of the gods mentioned I have read or heard stories about throughout my child,teen,adult life,and to read about them in this story was just good writing,I believed in the whole concept from start to finishHighly recommend it to one and all