by Brian S. Leon
Series: The Metis Files #1
Narrator: Dillon Siedentopf
Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 3 cups
Eternal life. Eternal battle.
Steve—Diomedes Tydides to his Trojan War buddies—just had a bad day on his charter fishing boat in San Diego, but when the goddess Athena calls on her faithful warrior for another secret mission, he’s ready. The bomb that exploded inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art isn’t the crime American authorities think it is. Someone also stole the Cup of Jamshid, and Diomedes knows its fortune-telling abilities won’t be used for anything benign.
Though Diomedes recovers the Cup from a determined shaman holed up beneath Central Park, when he finds his allies slain and the Cup taken once more, he knows he’s up against a truly powerful enemy. Over a millennium has passed since Diomedes last contended with Medea of Colchis, deranged wife of Jason the Argonaut, but neither her madness nor her devotion to Hecate, goddess of witchcraft, has waned, and she intends to use the Cup of Jamshid to release across the world a dark brand of chaos unseen in human history.
Immortal since the Trojan War, Diomedes must once again fight for mortals he understands less and less, against a divine evil he may never truly defeat.
I’ve been on an urban fantasy binge this year, and when given the opportunity to listen to Havoc Rising by Brian S. Leon I quickly grabbed my headphones. Mythology, gods, fae, witches, and an immortal guardian…heck yes!
Havoc Rising is the first novel in the Metis Files featuring Steve, aka, Diomedes Tydides an immortal assigned to protect mankind. He reports directly to Athena the Goddess of wisdom and war. If you know your Greek mythology, you’ll recognize Diomedes from the Trojan war. Today, he lives among humans and owns a fishing business, that is when he isn’t working for Athena.
When a suicide bomber attacks the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and an ancient artifact known as the Cup of Jamshid is stolen, Athena sends Steve to New York to retrieve the cup. The tale that unfolds was filled with mythological creatures, intense action scenes, and snarky banter.
I loved all the references to mythology, mostly Greek, but we do see others including Celtic and Arabian. It appears each book in the series will feature a mission. The reader/listener will enjoy intense battle scenes, humor, magic, and tidbits on history, mythology and more.
The story is delivered from Steve’s POV as we fought for the cup. If you love paranormal creatures, Loen’s story will delight you with Fae, Jinn, Witches, and Titans. Leon vividly brought the creatures and scenes to life with detailed descriptions that flowed effortlessly as the action unfolded. You could hear the creatures slither, feel their hackles rise and smell the decay.
There is a hint of romance when Steve meets Sarah, a detective investigating the museum bombing. This is a small side thread, but Sarah does factor into the story, and I hope we see more of her.
Loen weaved the worldbuilding throughout the tale which kept the story fast-paced. After binging the Iron Druid Chronicles, I couldn’t help but draw a comparison between Steve and Atticus. Fans of the chronicles will feel at home while reading the Metis Files. Steve is funny, easily annoyed and at times anxious to get back to quietly fishing. The stories and friendships he has made were fascinating and highly entertaining. I liked Steve but loved him when he began assembling a team. The back and forth banter between him and two ancient Fae had me laughing aloud. While he claims to like working alone, he was prime when surrounded by a team.
Dillon Siedentopf narrated and my thoughts regarding his performance are decidedly mixed. During action scenes, he brought Steve and the others to life, but in-between, his tone was dry, flat and filled with audible swallowing sounds. Ugh. However, I played with the audio speed and found 1.30 worked perfectly. I am not sure if I will continue on Audio, although it is my preferred method for urban fantasy.
Havoc Rising was an exciting start to the Metis Files, and I look forward to Chaos Unbound. The eBook and paperback versions released February 22. No news yet on the audio version.
Fans of the Iron Druid Chronicles will enjoy Havoc Rising by Brian S. Leon, first in Metis Files #urban #fantasy #mythology. Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
I love mythology so this sounds like it might be right up my alley!
Kimberly
Enjoy. I’d love to hear what you think.
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight
I approve of your UF binge! This one sounds like a fun and fast-paced read. I especially like the sound of the team and banter! I’ll have to add this one to my tbr 🙂
Kimberly
I am riding the wave Kristen 🙂
Debbie Haupt
oh wow Kim I would love to listen to this too! Thanks for sharing I love all the different weaves that make up this novel and it’s number one in a series Yessss 🙂
Kimberly
Thank you, Debbie. This was fun.
Aleen @ Lampshade Reader
Oh goodness hearing the audible noises of swallowing would drive me nuts. However, this sounds like a ripping good read. I’ll have to keep an eye on it. 🙂 Great review Kimba.
P.S. I’m so happy that you’re comments are not going into my spam folder anymore. <3
Kimberly
Oh, I am too. I am waiting to see if Askmit corrects regular commenters going to spam now that I have removed GASP.
Aleen @ Lampshade Reader
I’m waiting as well. *fingers crossed*
Lily
eap sorry the narrator did not work for you, but it seems that the book is somewhat exciting, I do mind if the romance is slow in ubran fantasy
Kimberly
I feel the same, Lily. Yes, I do plan on trying the next audio when it releases.
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
This sounds like a really great start to the series. Too bad the narrator didn’t really work for you. That can really make a huge difference in your enjoyment. Great review!
Kimberly
Thankfully it was only bits that didn’t work, but nope he wasn’t Luke Daniels.
Nadene
I love mythology, so this story would be one I would enjoy.
Kimberly
I do too Nadene. Have a lovely weekend!
Stormi Johnson
Not heard of this one but it does sound interesting, to bad about the narrator as this is how I prefer to read any type of fantasy or urban fantasy.
Kimberly
Yeah, it had dry spots, I am going to try the next one on audio when it’s available.
Melliane
you know how much I love UF and I confess that it’s the first time I hear about this one
Kimberly
Glad to put it on your radar Melliane 🙂
Sophia Rose
Oh, you remind me. I’ve had this on my wish list since it came out in print. I was definitely intrigued by the Greek mythology angle.
Kimberly
Happy to remind you 🙂
Vanessa
I always love stories with mythology. I guess I’ll be checking it out soon. Thanks!
Kimberly
I am the same Vanessa 🙂
kindlemom1
This sounds fun and I love the mythology aspect and that it reminded you a bit of Atticus. I’ll have to look this up.
Kimberly
It does have a similar vibe.
Cindy
I am glad that despite the narration issue you manged to enjoy the book! Fantastic review 🙂
Kimberly
Thanks, Cindy. I loved all the different supernatural creatures and banter.
Silvia
Immortal since the Trojan War, now that sounds like my kind of mythology! Sorry the narration wasn’t that great, but I’m glad you still had a good time with the story and I’ll probably have to try it either in eBook or Paperback at some point 🙂
Kimberly
Sounds like a good plan, Silvia 🙂
Blodeuedd
I do love mythology, and the more the merrier
Kimberly
Yes! I hope you pick this up.