Strange Fates (Nyx Fortuna)

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Author(s)

Marlene Perez

Publisher

Orbit

Genre(s)

Age Range

16+

Release Date

March 05, 2013

ISBN

B0095ZS0MG

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The first in a line of three exciting new urban fantasy novels blending elements of Greek myth and forbidden romance against the backdrop of Minnesota's magical underworld.

Brooding, leather jacket-wearing Nyx Fortuna looks like a 20-something, and has for centuries now. As the son of the forgotten fourth Fate, Lady Fortuna, he has been hunted his entire life by the three Sisters of Fate that murdered his mother.

Fed up and out for revenge, Nyx comes to Minneapolis following a tip that his aunts have set up a business there. His goal to bring down his mother's killers and retrieve the thread of fate that has trapped him in the body of a twenty year old unable to age or die.

But when a chance meeting with the mysterious, dangerous and very mortal Elizabeth Abernathy throws off his plans, he must reconcile his humanity and his immortality.

The first in a line of three exciting new urban fantasy novels blending elements of Greek myth and forbidden romance against the backdrop of Minnesota's magical underworld.

But when a chance meeting with the mysterious, dangerous and very mortal Elizabeth Abernathy throws off his plans, he must reconcile his humanity and his immortality.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Fun Twist where Greek Legends meet Urban Fantasy

March 10, 2013 (Updated: March 10, 2013)

Overall rating

4.3

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I love fun twists on any ancient legend. In this case this would be Greek mythology. Perez takes some Greek mythological creatures and places them in modern day Minneapolis. What you get is one fast-paced ride with romance, mystery, and betrayal.

Nyx Fortuna is a son of one of the forgotten Fates. His aunts have murdered his mother and he's been on the run until now. He's sick of running and immortality. He's come to Minneapolis to confront his aunts. After a bar brawl, he saves Elizabeth, who looks an awful lot like his dead love. There's an instant attraction and he finds himself drawn more and more to her even when he knows this might mean more trouble and take him away from his real goal: revenge.

What I really love about Perez's writing is her engaging characters. Nyx is not only hawt but very likeable. It would be so easy to just make Nyx hard edged and brooding. No, we see more than that. Nyx has a soft spot that does get him in trouble more than once like his instant attraction to Elizabeth. I admit I kind of knew something wasn't quite right with her. And I knew so did Nyx. But this is where the tough exterior of Nyx is pulled back to reveal his own vulnerabilities which make him a character you want to cheer for. Along the way he encounters other Greek mythological creatures such as Willow, a naiad, a nasty troll,and others.

There's tons of tension between Nyx and Elizabeth that doesn't get too graphic with the usual romp in the bed scene. I think the scenes with him and Elizabeth show us another side of Nyx. We also see flashbacks to his history and why his aunts want him dead.

I loved the juxtaposition of our world with the world of Greek legends. There's so much that happens with Strange Fates and the challenges that Nyx faces. Not only that but he ends up having to decide whether or not to follow his heart or listen to reason. Neither decision is easy.

Fast-paced romp through modern day Minneapolis with a son of Fate out for revenge. Add Greek mythological creatures, a hawt protagonist, romance, mystery, and betrayal for one amazing ride. Can't wait to read more!

Good Points

1. Fast-paced with fun twist on Greek mythology meets urban fantasy
2. Hawt protagonist

Kim Baccellia, Staff Reviewer Top 10 Reviewer 889 reviews

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Loved the world, but didn't like the characters

March 22, 2013

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3.0

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Nyx Fortuna comes to Minneapolis to avenge his mother's death and find his thread of fate. Why does he need it? Because until that thread is cut, he is immortal. And in Nyx's opinion immortality is not such a great thing. You live while all the people you care for die around you.
"Someone I love always dies, eventually, and I'm alone again."
Nyx's solution to the problem is to not love anyone and to act like you do not care. I understood Nyx, hell, I even thought it was pretty realistic - that he feels tired and weary after living more than two hundred years. Hats off to Marlene Perez for not promoting ever-lasting life like a super cool thing. But, I could not like Nyx - he was so negative and sometimes downright whiny. Nyx maybe didn't push all of his friends away, but it worked with me.

Nyx was not the only thing I could not relate to in Strange Fates, the other thing is a love story. First night in Minneapolis Nyx meets Elizabeth in a bar (the one with the 'lovely' bathroom from the first sentence). Elizabeth looks exactly like his dead ex-girlfriend and to quote Nyx "That smelled like trouble." But does it stop him? Of course not. In fact, although Elizabeth lies, hides things and her negative behavior towards Nyx escalates, experienced and pessimistic Nyx somehow manages to fall in love with her. Publishers called it "forbidden romance", well forbidden is not the adjective I would pick - try stupid. I found myself cheering that Nyx ends up with Willow, the naiad (who wanted to drown him & eat him and not necessarily in that order). Even Willow looked like more sensible love choice and she helped Nyx a couple of time.

The promised mythology (from book summary) was not really part of the story. Yes there are magic clans of Zeus, Poseidon etc but Greek Gods are long dead and the members of these clans are their descendants who are just ordinary witches, wizards etc. I really don't think that this is enough to earn mythology label for this book. There are probably going to be a lot of readers who are going to pick up Strange Fatesexpecting much more mythology and then end up disappointed.

The one thing where Strange Fates excelled is mixing magic, paranormal beings and contemporary setting into an interesting urban fantasy. Naiads, water hags, harpies... Those are just some of supernatural creatures that are going to try and stop Nyx. A lot of action, intriguing mystery and constant chase will make you read this book very quickly. World and characters in Strange Fates most reminded me of Storm Front by Jim Butcher, so I think that people who like that type of books, are going to enjoy this one too.

Although I didn't like Nyx or where the romance was going or cliffhanger ending (almost forgot to mention that), Strange Fates promises to grow into an interesting urban fantasy series, so I will probably read Dark Descent, when it is published.

I recommend this book to fans of: urban fantasy with male protagonist that is full of action, mystery and paranormal creatures. Also Harry Dresden fans.