Oracle of Delphi Blog Tour - Review and Giveaway

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Diantha Jones' Oracle of Delphi series so it's only natural that I would participate in the blog tour for book three. I warn you this is going to be a long post but don't fret reading it will be worth it. And there may be a giveaway in it for you if you reach the end...
But first things first - my review!

Series: The Oracle of Delphi #3
Genre: Young Adult, Greek Mythology 
Release Date: July 15th 2012
Source: From author for review
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4/5 Stars
Synopsis: Summer Solstice is here. Let the games begin.
Nothing but lies (some of them her own) and deceit have brought Chloe to Olympus for the Solstice Olympic Games. As the Oracle and the special guest of the King of Myth, Chloe becomes immersed in a life of unfathomable luxury, taunting history, and overwhelming excitement. Though scheming and untrustworthy, the gods remain on their best behaviour as the tension and anticipation builds around the outcome of the Quest of the Twelve Labors, the deadliest competition of the Games. All seems well on the celestial front...until athletes start turning up dead and a philosopher missing for months returns with a most terrifying story...
But that’s not all. As Strafford confronts his troubled past and more is learned about the Great Unknown Prophecy, Chloe grows close to another, setting off a chain of events that will bring her face-to-face with a truth that will rock both of her worlds to their core.
And it’ll all happen before Solstice’s end...
First Line: Besides hating to be stared at and despising P.D.B.H (Public Displays of Boo-Hooing), Chloe hated to wait.

The problem with sequels is that more often than not they do not live up to their original counterparts. The second book in this series managed to be just as good but the third has exceeded them both. Book three carries on quickly after two ended with Strafford training for his Olympic quest. The quest had always intrigued me so this was a promising start for me. I was worried for a second that we wouldn't see much of the Olympics but luckily for me Chloe was also invited so I got fully involved in all the action the quest brought forth. Add to that the fact that the gods may be approaching war and Chaos is threatening to destroy Myth and you have the perfect plot line.

I always go on about how much I love the characters in this book. Chloe, although badass, just can't live up to the amazingess that is Ace Remedy. I love Strafford also of course but Ace is just... incomparable. My thoughts about the main characters are literally the same as in the other two books so I will not bore you with repetition but will instead tell you about my newly found loves. The first being Torrent. Yes, I know he was the villain of the last book but there is something about him that intrigues me, something good and brave in him. I may be totally wrong but his tortured soul vibe makes me believe there is something deeper to him. The other character that surprised me was Apollo, again he's played off as the villain but I do sense that he's not as bad as everyone makes out. I believe he really does care but his need for power often gets in the way - he may be cold hearted but I don't believe his soul is totally corrupt.

This series is a favourite of mine partly because of the many dimensions of the characters but also the amazing world building. The rich detail that's put into the mythology that is always in the background is astounding and the authors ability to give the many characters individual personalities that reflect their original myths or heritage is hugely admirable. I am a huge fan of Greek Mythology but most books I read on the subject are let downs using the myths as a basis for undeveloped romance. I can truly say that the Oracle of Delphi series is not one of these books and if you're going to read a mythological book it should be this one.

Diantha Jones was born the day thousands of turkeys sacrificed their lives to fill millions of American bellies on November 22 which also happened to be Thanksgiving Day (Her mother says she owes her a turkey). She is a Journalism graduate who wants to be a career novelist (of books, not Facebook posts). When not writing or working, she is reading on her Nook, being hypnotized by Netflix or on a mission to procure french fries. The Oracle of Delphi fantasy series is her first series. She is also the author of Mythos: Stories from Olympus, a companion series, and there is another fantasy series in the works. She also writes (new) adult fantasy/paranormal romance under the name A. Star. Invasion (An Alien Romance) is her first title released under this pen name. Future releases under A. Star include, the Love & Steampunk series, the Purr, Inc. stories, and more.

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Pinterest  |  DJ's Book Corner

The Oracle of Delphi Series
Click the link above to visit the series page for synopsis' and reviews.

Book One

eBook: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Paperback: Amazon

Goodreads

Read My Review

Book Two

eBook: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Paperback: Amazon

Goodreads

Read My Review

Mythos, Book One (OOD #2.5)

Visit the series page

eBook: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Paperback: Amazon

Goodreads

Read My Review

Book Three

eBook: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Paperback: Amazon (Coming Soon!)

Goodreads

The Unknowing Series

    

Unleash Coming Soon!

(Available in eBook only)

Unknowing: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Unburden: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Unchain: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

An Alien Romance by A. Star...

I did not want to come here. Earth is but a lifeless ball of matter. Yet, it is worth more than all the galaxies combined. These creatures, these hu-mans, are not worth the labor we exert keeping them alive. But we need them. And I need him. The hu-man who has turned me from my duties, has made me forget my purpose. Everything has changed now. And we are all going to die.

Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

For a list of future releases, click here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I hope you enjoyed my stop on the tour and make sure to hop over to the other stops using the button above!

Solar, Defeated By Diantha Jones

Series: Mythos #1, Oracle of Delphi #2.5
Genre: Young Adult, Mythology 
Release Date: April 23rd 2013
Source: ARC From Author
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 5/5 Stars
Synopsis: From the moment Strafford Law saw Chloe Clever, he knew he was destined to love her forever. But a dishonorable past and a bleak future threaten to destroy him before he gets the chance. Looking back, he recalls his life before it came crashing down around him...a time when the one he now loathes most of all was the one he adored more than anything.

I'm not normally one for a novella but this one was different. The book centers on Strafford Law, aka the tortured soul, Demi-god we all love from the Oracle of Delphi series. The story follows him through flashbacks ranging from when he was a child to just before he met Chloe. I liked seeing him without Chloe in this because, although I like her, when she's not there the story is more focused on his relationship with his family which I loved.

As always I loved Strafford in this but Ace is still (and I suspect always will be) my favorite. And together they are one of my all time favorite siblings. Speaking of siblings, I really enjoyed seeing Strafford and Isolde's relationship. They has the perfect chemistry and Isolde was badass which is of course my favorite type of heroine. In the previous books I wasn't all that keen on Felicity but as I saw more of her, she grew on me and Teagan is adorable - plus I love her name. Solar, Defeated left me with many questions about Apollo and Isolde's relationship as well as many suspicions.

The story building in Solar, Defeated was amazing, I think I will love every book in this series no matter how high my expectations are. I absolutely cannot wait to learn more about Strafford's mysterious life (and there's always the extra of seeing more of Ace) in the books to come. This series rivals all other books in the mythology genre and it has already beaten most of the ones I've read. I would recommend this to anyone regardless of whether you normally like the genre or not.

My Favorite Quote:

"I'd seen books about some kid wizard named Potter sitting around the house and I'd spotted Felicity reading a book with someone holding an apple on the front, but I didn't see anything like those books in the library now."

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Series: The Oracle Of Delphi #2
Genre: Young Adult, Greek Mythology, Romance
Release Date: November 12th 2012
Source: Review Copy From Author
Cover Rating: 4/5 Stars
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars
Synopsis: It’s official. Myth is doomed. And it’s all Chloe Clever’s fault. Still as whacked out as ever, Chloe is now faced with an even uglier truth: Not only is she the Pythia of the Great Unknown, but she is more powerful than she ever imagined and only the manifestations of her prophetic mind can save them all now. With her Prince boyfriend, Strafford, and the Quad Fraternity always armed and ready to annihilate the opposition, she will embark on a mission to stop a great power that could consume every god in Myth...and everyone else she’s come to love. But the worst is still to come. Dark, painful secrets are revealed, threatening to tear Strafford from her arms, and just when she thinks the future could not look more grim, she is betrayed in the worst way. With the heavens crumbling down around her, she must hurry to find a way to set things right. But will she be in time to save the one she loves most in the world from a fate that may be more dangerous than her own?

I had high hopes for this book because I had really enjoyed the first and it lived right up to them. I think it may have been better than the first. What made me love this series in the first place was the rich world building detail and the charismatic characters and this book had all that and more. The book starts where the first left off, I was a little confused at first but after flicking through the last chapter of the first book I remembered what was happening. Chloe has accepted that she is the Oracle Of Delphi, Pythia, and she must use the prophecies that come with it to figure out how to save myth and her little brother before it is all destroyed. Luckily for Chloe she has her (awesome) group to help her out. Their strength and loyalty plus her prophecies may just be enough to succeed on her mission.

As I said before, the characters are one of the main things I love about these books. Chloe was my least favorite in the last book and she still is but I liked her a bit more than before. When she fully embraced being the Oracle and headed out to find her brother I began to respect her character more and who knows I might like her even more in the next book. I of course still love Stafford but I have to say my heart still belongs to Ace, he's such a sweetheart that I can't help loving him. When I finally get around to writing my top ten favorite characters list again he will most definitely be on it. I liked the twins Hector and Theseus and I am intrigued by Swindle's story and can't wait to learn more about him. Something I loved was meeting more of the gods and goddesses, I love Greek mythology so thoroughly appreciated that.

Overall this book is one that has me eager for the next. The lavish detail is what pulled me into the book but it is the characters that kept me captivated until the very end. If a book has horrible characters or little to no detail there is a huge chance I will hate it but this ticks both boxes on my vital list. Prophecy Of The Setting sunrise kept me up till 2am but I do not regret the lack of sleep and that's saying something. I would recommend this to those who enjoy greek mythology or are maybe just looking for a good story.

My Favorite Quotes: 
“I found something, jukkas,” he said,opening up a book onto the table. 
“I really wish you’d stop callin’ us bloody idiots,” Ace said, stuffing lo mein into his mouth. 
“Is that what jukkas means?” she asked and Ace nodded. “Rude, Swindle.” 
The demigod laughed. “I always mean it in the nicest possible way. Now hush up and listen. Jukkas.” 

"And speaking of, why didn’t you jump in sooner, Ace? You knew it was Smurfey!” The demigod grinned, handing her a bag of herbs for the bruises that were sure enough forming all over her face. She snatched it from him. 
“Why would I break up a perfectly good cat fight when the odds were so evenly matched?”
---
The herbs obviously hadn’t kicked in all the way yet. “Smurfey happened to my face.” “Smurfey?” 
She pointed and when he saw her friend climb out of the truck looking just as roughed up, he smiled. 
“Ah. Cat fight.” 
“You and Ace are sexist pigs.” 
“Don’t you mean sexy pigs…”

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Blog Tour Stop: Oracle Of Delphi Series By Diantha Jones

Hello and welcome to my stop on The Oracle Of Delphi's blog tour. The tour is to celebrate the release of Diantha Jones' new book, The Prophecy Of The Setting Sunrise, the second book in the Oracle Of Delphi series.

There is a lot going on at my stop. I have a review of the latest book (though I don't advise reading that unless you've read the first since the last thing I want to do is spoil it for you), I have a video interview with the series' author, a cover reveal and of course the giveaway that is advertised on the button to the right. So much to pack into one post so I will be posting the review separately. The giveaways will be last since they are so long.

So lets begin with an introduction to the series so far:

Series: The Oracle Of Delphi #1

Genre: Young Adult, Greek Mythology, Romance

Release Date: March 1st 2012

Synopsis: Constant hallucinations and the frequent conversations with the voices in her head, have earned eighteen-year-old Chloe Clever the not-so-coveted title of "Whack Job" in her home town of Adel, Georgia. After living through an attack from her worst nightmare, she awakens to find herself far from home, surrounded by glorious riches and servants…and a few demigods who enjoy killing things. Upon learning that her favorite rockstar is an Olympian god, she is thrust into her new life as the Oracle of Delphi, the prophesier of the future, and the great Pythia that the gods have been anxiously awaiting to arrive for centuries. Setting out to fulfill the prophecy she has been given and to keep her family safe from a demigod Princess that wants her dead, Chloe learns of how great she is to become, all the while fighting mythical monsters, evading divine assassins and trying to outwit the ever-cunning Greek gods who harbor secrets of their own. In the hopes of discovering the Most Beautiful and the truth of her destiny, she strives to uncover the mysteries of the demigod Prince who has sworn to protect her with his life…and threatens to win her heart in the process.

Read my review.

Buy it on Amazon

Series: The Oracle Of Delphi #2

Genre: Young Adult, Greek Mythology, Romance

Release Date: November 12th 2012

Synopsis: (May contain spoilers if you haven't read the first.

 It’s official. Myth is doomed. 

And it’s all Chloe Clever’s fault. Still as whacked out as ever, Chloe is now faced with an even uglier truth: Not only is she the Pythia of the Great Unknown, but she is more powerful than she ever imagined and only the manifestations of her prophetic mind can save them all now. With her Prince boyfriend, Strafford, and the Quad Fraternity always armed and ready to annihilate the opposition, she will embark on a mission to stop a great power that could consume every god in Myth...and everyone else she’s come to love. But the worst is still to come. Dark, painful secrets are revealed, threatening to tear Strafford from her arms, and just when she thinks the future could not look more grim, she is betrayed in the worst way. With the heavens crumbling down around her, she must hurry to find a way to set things right. But will she be in time to save the one she loves most in the world from a fate that may be more dangerous than her own?

Read my Review

Buy it on Amazon

And coming soon...

Cover Created by Colin F. Barnes

Series: Mythos: Stories from Olympus #1

Genre: Young Adult, Greek Mythology, Romance

Release Date: April 23rd 2013

Teaser: Before he was the guardian of the Oracle... 

Before he fell in love with Chloe... 

Before he was the disgraced Prince... 

He was Solar, Prince of the Sun. 

Now for my very first video interview and I must say I don't think it will be my last, it was very entertaining.


Like the look of them? Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win one of three sets of the first two books in the series.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

There's also a giveaway to win a $25 giftcard:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
For this one no giving away the answer in the comments please, if you do your comment will be deleted.

About The Author: 
Diantha Jones was born the day thousands of turkeys sacrificed their lives to fill millions of American bellies on November 22 which also happened to be Thanksgiving Day (Her mother says she owes her a turkey). She is a Journalism graduate who wants to be a career novelist (of books, not Facebook posts). When not writing or working, she is reading on her Nook or playing the most ridiculous app games on her iPhone.


I grabbed the bio from her Goodreads Page.
Visit her author site and her book blog.

For a full list of blogs participating click here.

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Prophecy Of The Most Beautiful By Diantha Jones

Series: The Oracle Of Delphi #1
Genre: Young Adult, Greek Mythology, Romance
Release Date: March 1st 2012
Source: Review Copy From Author
Cover Rating: 4/5 Stars
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars 
Synopsis: Constant hallucinations and the frequent conversations with the voices in her head, have earned eighteen-year-old Chloe Clever the not-so-coveted title of "Whack Job" in her home town of Adel, Georgia. After living through an attack from her worst nightmare, she awakens to find herself far from home, surrounded by glorious riches and servants…and a few demigods who enjoy killing things. Upon learning that her favorite rockstar is an Olympian god, she is thrust into her new life as the Oracle of Delphi, the prophesier of the future, and the great Pythia that the gods have been anxiously awaiting to arrive for centuries. Setting out to fulfill the prophecy she has been given and to keep her family safe from a demigod Princess that wants her dead, Chloe learns of how great she is to become, all the while fighting mythical monsters, evading divine assassins and trying to outwit the ever-cunning Greek gods who harbor secrets of their own. In the hopes of discovering the Most Beautiful and the truth of her destiny, she strives to uncover the mysteries of the demigod Prince who has sworn to protect her with his life…and threatens to win her heart in the process.

This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. I can't say that I had huge expectations for Prophesy Of The Most Beautiful because I'm not all that familiar with this genre but if I had then I think it would have been better than them. I was surprised just how much I enjoyed the story really. The detail was rich and sucked you right in and there was some familiar characters including Apollo, Cupid and Aphrodite. I mean how awesome is that? Though it seemed you had to be careful of the Gods, they were not always to be trusted.

Chloe, the main character, had a very real personality and at the beginning struck me as kind of a rebel for being kicked out of school so many times but it turns out that it wasn't the case. I've got to say she was my least favorite character as she was quite annoying at some times but I loved the guys! My favorite had to be Ace, for one his name is awesome. He was just like the little brother that you never had but always wanted. I don't think there was one demigod prince that I disliked though.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to the sequel to it Prophecy of the Setting Sunrise. Diantha Jones is a gifted author who has managed to craft a believable and creative world in which demigods prance around with swords and crossbows. I mean what more could you want? I would recommend this book to lovers of Greek Mythology or others like me who had yet to experience this beautiful genre.

My Favorite Quote:
“His laugh was like nails to a chalkboard. "I cannot remember a time when anything was new to me. I only ever see the tattered remains of what once was.”

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK