i am not a bookworm!: Sky Throne by Chris Ledbetter | Blog Tour and Giveaway

Title: THE SKY THRONE

Author:Chris Ledbetter

Pub. Date: April 18, 2017

Publisher: Month9Books

Format: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 292

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | TBD | iBooks

Duality dwells at every turn, and an adolescent Zeus will learn that all too well when Hyperion attacks his family on Crete.

When the dust settles, his mother is unconscious and his best friend left for dead.

Stacking epic insult upon fatal injury, Zeus discovers the woman who raised him is not his biological mother. But to ensure her safety while she recovers, a heavy-hearted Zeus leaves her behind to seek answers at Mount Olympus Preparatory Academia.

Zeus embarks on a quest to discover who ordered the attack on his home, avenge the death of his friend, and find his birth mother. When some of his new schoolmates vanish, Zeus's quest is turned upside down, and the only way to make things right is to access the power of The Sky Throne, confront a most dangerous enemy, and take his life back.

On his way to becoming king of the Greek gods, Zeus will learn to seize power, neutralize his enemies, and fall in love.

"Destined to have a sequel or two, young teens will appreciate the story, and teachers will appreciate that it instructs readers about the pantheon of gods."--Kevin Beach, VOYA Magazine

Sky Throne by Chris Ledbetter | Blog Tour | Book Review by iamnotabookworm!

This is my first time to read a retelling of Zeus and the Olympians. Most of us are familiar with the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan which this book reminds me of. There are similarities and differences between this book and that of Rick Riordan's. They can be compared as they are both retellings and the hero in both books is unsure and does not know what to do at the start. But then, they later on became what they are meant to be. One difference in the stories is that in this one, it does not talk about demi gods but the Olympians and the Titans. Yes, this book is more like the Olympians versus the Titans story. It tells us the origins of the Olympians, the 6 children of Kronos and Rhea. Their childhood. How they came to possess their powers, more specifically, how Zeus came to be.

I love this story. Though it is a retelling and retellings of famous and favorite mythological characters have been done before, this story has its own brand of freshness. The story of Zeus, the ruler of heavens, has never been that openly explored like most Greek gods and heroes such as Hercules, Perseus, Achilles and Jason. Knowing the origin of Zeus and his siblings is very curious. Much more appealing is that they are portrayed to be in their teenage years. The years where everyone either feels he can conquer the world or he feels like he has nothing to offer. The most crucial and exciting stage in anyone's life, as in the story - even to gods. The story explores a lot of themes experienced by ordinary teenagers like trying to belong and fit in, to find out his/her origins or his family, to get to know oneself and potentials, dealing with a loss and life's blows at such a young age and to find if s/he has a place in the world.

I give the book 5/5 thrones. This is a refreshing take on the not-so-new Greek mythology retellings. I really enjoyed it and I am looking forward to more installments of this series. It is obvious that more stories are coming. This book is just a start of Zeus' adventures. Though, this can be compared to the widely known Percy Jackson series, this book can hold its own. There are common factors that are both present in the stories like the Oracle or a prophecy, the heroes portrayed as inexperienced teenagers and a host of friends to help save the day. I think in this story, it's a bit serious in tone, unlike Riordan's who will have you cracking up once in a while with funny antics of the characters, especially the main character. I think it has more to do with the personality of the heroes. Zeus compared to Percy has been through a loss that had made him more intense which I think helped in shaping him becoming the ruler of the skies and heavens.

Congratz to Ledbetter for a very entertaining adventure. I can't wait for the next one. Thank you, RockStar Book Tours for the copy.

Failing means you've given up trying. I never want to be in a situation that's so bleak that giving up is favorable to trying again.

- Chris Ledbetter, Sky Throne -

Chris Ledbetter grew up in Durham, NC before moving to Charlottesville, VA in 11th grade. After high school, he attended Hampton University where he promptly “walked-on” to the best drum line in the conference without any prior percussion experience. He carried the bass drum for four years, something his back is not very happy about now.

After a change of heart and major, he enrolled in Old Dominion University and

earned his degree in Business Administration. He’s worked in various managerial and marketing capacities throughout his life. He taught high school for six years in Culpeper, VA, and also coached football.

He has walked the streets of Los Angeles and New York City, waded in the watersof the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and climbed Diamond Head crater on Hawaiiand rang in the New Year in Tokyo, Japan. But he dreams of one day visitingGreece and Italy.