The Naxos Quartet: The Greek Gods in the Modern World – Greek Reporter

A depiction of Zeus and Athena in Olympus in the painting by Rene Antoine Houasse. Public Domain

The Naxos Quartet is a compelling series of novels by author Patrick Garner about the Greek gods in the modern world.

We know the Greek gods from mythology, and assume their stories ended there. According to Garner, they did not. The books which can be read as stand-alone novels or as a series makes the reader feel that he or she knows the gods and wont want the story to end.

For those who would appreciate a reminder of whos who, theres a glossary of the featured gods in each book.

The premise is that the ancient Greek gods were not myths at all, and have chosen this moment to reinsert themselves onto the world stage.

Books 1 4 begin with The Winnowing, and continue with Cycladic Girls, Homo Divinitas and All That Lasts. Much of the action takes place in Greece, centering on Mykonos, Delos and Naxos.

The Winnowing (Book 1)

The Olympic gods return to prevent humans from discovering immortality. As we know, geneticists worldwide are in a race to extend life to unimaginable lengths. The Fates three ancient goddesses who determine human life span reappear so they can manipulate events to restore the balance of life and death. Their machinations make this a classic Greek tale.

As long as the reader keeps in mind that the Olympic gods and goddesses are brothers and sisters who sleep with each other, marry each other, and generally behave without human morals, you wont be dismayed by the apparent incest that appears in the beginning of the book. Be assured that the Fates are involved, and a rollicking good story is about to unfold. Get ready for Artemis, Apollo, Aphrodite and Nyx for starters, with mother earth Gaia in attendance.

Jack Night is a financier who raises his daughter by himself in a bucolic Pennsylvania country-side. When shes 19 extraordinary events begin, which include golden light and irresistible lust. Sightings of a massive, three-headed dog and the goddess Artemis occur in the backyard. Hes shocked to find his daughter claims to be one of the Fates.

Jack finds himself pulled into the amoral world of Greek divinities and a mad rush to take down world-famous scientists. A second Fate who also claims to be his daughter joins them at his estate. When a third daughter appears, the Fates are set for action.

The stakes rise and additional Greek goddesses join in the fray. As scientists are picked off one by one, Jack is torn between conventional morality and loyalty to his supposed daughters.

Just before the startling climax, Jack is aided by a nymph who is destined to become more powerful than the Olympic gods. She is the subject of Books 2, 3 and 4.

Cycladic Girls (Book 2)

The Greek gods once again take an active role in human events when one of Artemiss nymphs is transformed into the primeval Great Goddess. The reader is swept into tales of high fashion,

Cycladic islands, satyrs, alliances between the gods, and a powerful love story. Youll feel like youre on a first name basis with these deities.

The nymph Timessa becomes an internationally famous fashion model and leader of a group of young followers. However, she is tormented by constant mental and physical changes she cannot understand. She finds some solace in the company of women, but is increasingly unhinged. The Olympic gods recognize her growing power, and are concerned about how shell use it.

Demonstrating her new abilities, she visits the desolate island of Delos south of Athens, where she dances over the old stones. The alchemy of her ancient steps awakens the Olympic gods, who 1,600 years earlier had retreated there to escape the changing world. Now they are astonished at her mastery of long-forgotten sacraments.

One of the divinities who escapes the island is the war-god Ares. Weeks later in a small town in France, Timessa and Artemis confront him in an epic battle Timessas unconventional battle gear is a shear bodice, ruffled skirt and stilettos. Her victory confirms her ascendence as a divinity whose powers supersede the Olympic gods.

Homo Divinitas (Book 3)

Artemis former nymph Timessa fully embraces her transformation into the Great Goddess, a primal being who was worshipped throughout the ancient world. Her powers are second only to Gaias, and she doesnt know what to do with them.

Shes gotten as far as understanding that humans and gods are part of the same family tree, and that humans are the mortal variation of the Homo species. Unlike Homo divinitas which is what she calls the gods humans spend their lives worrying about death. Thats not an issue to the Olympians, whose lifetimes seem endless.

Timessa as the Great Goddess struggles to find purpose, which increasingly puts her at odds with Gaia. The Olympians see her as the new wave in their development, and provide assistance. Her attempts to ease human suffering using elements of the ancient Eleusinian mysteries rituals that ancient Athenians believed saved them from extinction at death set us up for one of the greatest love stories of all time.

All That Lasts (Book 4)

In the final book of the series, the Great Goddess Timessa is challenged by Gaia to correct her predecessors ancient failings. She is ripped in time from the modern-day Greek island of Naxos to Europe of 40,000 years ago, where the original Great Goddess reigned over a peaceful, matriarchal society. When she stopped protecting her followers from invading barbarians, the world was changed forever.

Gaia challenges Timessa to redo the old Great Goddess decisions. Timessa is forced to relive the ancient goddess trials, all the while chided by Gaia and confronted at every turn. The Olympic gods hold their breath as they watch Timessa struggle.

Concluding that Timessa, like her predecessor, has failed, Gaia strips her of her powers. The event forces the enfeebled Timessa to look inside herself and discover what all of us seek.

The Naxos Quartet and the individual novels explore issues of morality and purpose in an imaginative and compelling story. Readers may be interested to know that Gaia always appears to Timessa as a 9-year-old girl practicing ballet so she doesnt overwhelm her.

These four page-turners deliver. The Olympic gods are on center stage.

The Naxos Quartet is available on Amazon. Homo Divinitas is also available as an audible book at Amazon or Audible.

Patrick Garner is also the creator of the breakout podcast, Garners Greek Mythology, with listeners in 178 countries.

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The Naxos Quartet: The Greek Gods in the Modern World - Greek Reporter