Chris Ledbetter

Just finished the much anticipated "Inked" and loved it! I only wish I'd had hard copy, for the literal page-turner experience. As I read, I felt like I could see TS. Simply amazing.

Great job Chris Ledbetter- looking forward to reading more from your brilliant mind.

Once again, Mr. Ledbetter has managed to concoct a beautiful young adult tale that combines fantasy and romance in a way that is un-put-downable.

As the sequel to the compelling debut novel, DRAWN, Inked allows enough of the real world to creep in to Cameron Shade's and Farrah Spangled's lives to give their story a timely relevance. While the literary world is chock full of star-crossed lovers, this author uses art to allow them to be together, even when they're separated by miles and plenty of family-induced stigma. This unique twist makes both of these novels more than worth the purchase.

The author has a deft hand with dialogue and sets scenes in a way that makes you feel as if you are inside them looking out. You should read DRAWN first in order to fully appreciate the amazing Terre Sempre world Mr. Ledbetter has created and then run, don't walk, to read INKED and see what happens next.

A five star read for anyone who enjoys well-crafted fantasy with a dose of realistic young adult romance.

So fun reading about young Zeus. This book is a page turner.

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 Tour 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 -

This is a voluntary review.
I was gifted a copy.

This book is a fun, fast-paced, exciting dip into Greek mythology, ranking right up there with fairytale retellings. And if you know me, you know how obsessed I have been with those lately. The biggest difference with this one, as opposed to the Percy Jackson series, is that we get to see Zeus before he was King of the Gods. This book focuses on the Big Gods before they were the Big Gods of Mount Olympus. And, as much as I love Percy Jackson, it’s a refreshing change.

I really enjoyed how Greek mythology was mixed in with modern day. Zeus is a prankster, trouble-making high school student who gets shipped off to Mount Olympus Prep after an attack on his home. Right away, we’re bombarded with gods and goddesses (I have to admit, I looked most of them up to see who paired with who). And then there’s young Zeus – what a horny ladies’ man! There’s a girl back home. Then he comes to Mount Olympus Prep and there’s another girl he’s got his eye on. Then another! I had to laugh each time he found a new hottie to take his attention! (Maybe I’m exaggerating it a bit but the romance aspect of this book definitely had a comical edge to me – I really enjoyed it and was glad that, being YA, it was toned down a bit! Keep it in your pants, Zeus).

I was a little nervous that, with all the gods present in this book, it might turn into an info-dump and move slowly. But you get used to the big ones pretty quick, once their nicknames are associated with the gods you recognize. After that, the book flew by and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! I won’t give away any spoilers (if you want to talk about the nitty gritty details, I will rant and rave until I am blue in the face . . . in private), but I will say that this book is definitely worth the read if you’re into Greek mythology (and even if you’re not!).