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J. Thorn
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Risen Gods Kindle Edition

by J.F. Penn (Author), J. Thorn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 268 ratings

The old gods will rise. Humanity will fall.

Ben Henare has forsaken his Maori heritage: choosing the modern world over a life following the old ways. His best friend, Lucy Champion, is a woman of logic: training to become a doctor, she believes only in science. Neither of them has room in their lives for the fantastic, the unexplained, or the supernatural.

But when a tsunami floods their city, killing Lucy’s parents and endangering Ben’s people, their beliefs must change. The tsunami has awakened powers, ancient and deadly. The old gods have risen.

Long have they watched people’s abuse of each other and the natural world; at last the gods have had enough. They will protect the world… by destroying all humankind.

Now, Ben and Lucy have only days left. To fight their way across a country shattered by devastation. To protect the magic artifacts now entrusted to their care. And to deliver those artifacts to the gods themselves: offerings that might — just might — appease the powers of destruction.

Pursued by human traffickers who have kidnapped Lucy’s sister, hunted by the gods’ warrior spirits and supernatural assassins, Ben and Lucy must forget all they know, and sacrifice everything they love to protect their country from the greatest threat ever known: the wrath of the Risen Gods.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J.F. Penn teams up with acclaimed dark fantasy author J. Thorn to bring you a thrilling adventure. Mixing the Maori mythology of Aotearoa/New Zealand, supernatural thriller, and high-stakes suspense into an adventure you don’t want to miss, Risen Gods will take you to places you’ve never dreamed. Get your copy today!

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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    November 23, 2015
  5. File size
    1.4 MB
  6. Page Flip
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  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J. Thorn is a Top 100 Most Popular Author in Horror, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure and Fantasy. He is an official, active member of the Horror Writers Association and a member of the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. Thorn earned a B.A. in American History from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.A. from Duquesne University. He has spent the last twenty years researching mysticism and the occult in colonial American history.

J.F.Penn is the Award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the ARKANE thrillers and London Crime Thriller series as well as other dark fantasy stories. Her books weave together ancient artifacts, relics of power, international locations and adventure with an edge of the supernatural. Joanna lives in Bath, England and enjoys a nice G&T. Try a free thriller at: www.JFPenn.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B018GEKCE0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Curl Up Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 23, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 268 ratings

About the authors

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  1. J. Thorn

    J. Thorn

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    J. Thorn has published more than two million words and has sold over 200,000 books worldwide since 2009. He has been an official member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers, and is currently a member of the Horror Writers Association.

    In 2019, J. co-founded the Writers, Ink podcast and has interviewed some of today’s most successful authors including Matthew McConaughey, James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Hugh Howey, Andy Weir, Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks, Lee Child, Stephen Pressfield, Chuck Palahniuk, and many more.

    Thorn earned a B.A. in American History from the University of Pittsburgh and a M.A. from Duquesne University. He is a husband, father, writer, and educator, most recently teaching entrepreneurship at John Carroll University.

    J. impersonates a cynical Gen Xer while secretly believing we’re all gonna make it. Like, whatever.

    See more on the author's page
  2. J. F. Penn

    J. F. Penn

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    J.F. Penn is the Award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the ARKANE action adventure thrillers, Mapwalker fantasy adventures, and the Brooke & Daniel psychological thrillers as well as other stories.

    Her books weave together ancient artifacts, relics of power, international locations and adventure with an edge of the supernatural.

    Jo lives in Bath, England and enjoys a nice G&T.

    Find out more at www.JFPenn.com

    If you enjoy books set in international locations, check out Jo's Books and Travel Podcast: www.BooksAndTravel.page

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
268 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story thrilling and suspenseful, with one review noting its exciting scenarios. Moreover, they appreciate the cultural elements, particularly the Maori tales and beliefs, and how it takes readers into the mixture of cultures. Additionally, the writing style receives positive feedback for being easy to read, with one customer highlighting the excellent pronunciation of unusual Maori words. The book features compelling characters and maintains good pacing throughout.

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Story qualityEnjoymentCultureWriting styleCharacter developmentPacing
51 customers mention "Story quality"47 positive4 negative

Customers find the book's story engaging, with its depth and suspense keeping them reading, and one customer noting it features lots of exciting scenarios.

"...Unlike crappy action movies, the action in this book makes sense, and the characters' escapes from death sound plausible to me. FYI, there..." Read more

"...This could also make another great fantasy movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It ws just OK for me so I will rate it at 4/5 stars...." Read more

"...What a mixture of horror and the mystical, characters and their relationships, and thundering thrills at every turn...." Read more

"...awesome, of course being a kiwi I would say that lol, the pace was fast and exciting and the mix of the mystic and the modern really well..." Read more

40 customers mention "Enjoyment"40 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as wonderful and great entertainment, with one customer noting it's a fun read set in an exotic location.

"...This book is an imaginative thrill ride that I loved...." Read more

"...A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written dark fantasy book...." Read more

"...In summary, Risen Gods is an excellent idea which needs maybe another thirty thousand words and a good developmental editor to reach its promise." Read more

"...Bravo to both authors, and thank you for a great read." Read more

18 customers mention "Culture"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's cultural elements, particularly its incorporation of Maori tales and beliefs, and how it takes readers into the mixture of cultures.

"...concentrate on that aspect of our diverse country, it took us into the mixture of cultures and the very dark side that lurks underneath the surface..." Read more

"The reason I read this book is that it is set in New Zealand, where I live and I was interested to see if the authors would translated the geography..." Read more

"...An eclectic mix of cultures, and at times, culture vs. culture, RISEN GODS is chock-full of a hero-making (and heroine-making) natural disaster..." Read more

"...The cultural references and tribal iconology were really interesting and made me want to read more about it...." Read more

15 customers mention "Writing style"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it easy to read and well-written, with one customer noting the excellent pronunciation of unusual Maori words.

"...solid performance with really good pacing and excellent pronunciation of unusual Maori words. He has a pleasant, slightly gravelly voice...." Read more

"...A very well written dark fantasy book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment...." Read more

"...And what good writing this was. The pace was unrelenting with full imagined scenes that were compulsively readable...." Read more

"...pace was fast and exciting and the mix of the mystic and the modern really well written...." Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them compelling, with one customer noting how well the author differentiates their voices.

"...good at women's voices as he is with men's, and he differentiates various characters' voices well...." Read more

"...Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of...." Read more

"...I also enjoyed the relationships between the main characters and the evil human mixed in with the fury of the risen gods...." Read more

"...From the first scene to the last there is a deep relationship between the two main characters that is repeatedly tested by the very worst that the..." Read more

11 customers mention "Pacing"11 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's pacing, with one noting it's nonstop action and another highlighting its rich imagery.

"...The narrator did a good, solid performance with really good pacing and excellent pronunciation of unusual Maori words...." Read more

"...And what good writing this was. The pace was unrelenting with full imagined scenes that were compulsively readable...." Read more

"...Verdict - it was very well done...." Read more

"...everything I like to find in a new book - a fascinating location, well-drawn, 3-dimensional characters I care about and a well-defined conflict..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • DianaInSC
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fantasy set in New Zealand with Maori gods! Awesome!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I initially bought the ebook, and then I won a free copy of the audiobook from one of the authors in return for an honest review.
    First, I want to comment on the narration. The narrator did a good, solid performance with really good pacing and excellent pronunciation of unusual Maori words. He has a pleasant, slightly gravelly voice. I have one minor complaint that when he is not doing characters' voices he sometimes sounds a too clinical and slightly monotone as if he is reading the nightly news. He does not attempt any New Zealand accents (he sounds American all the time), but I was fine with that. He is as good at women's voices as he is with men's, and he differentiates various characters' voices well. In addiction, the production was almost always very good. However, once in a while, I can tell there are one-sentence-long sections that I can tell were recorded later in a different location that has an unpleasant echo.
    This book is an imaginative thrill ride that I loved. It is a natural disaster story mixed with thrilling action and fascinating fantasy based on the religion of the Maori, the native New Zealand culture. If, like me, you love Neil Gaiman's "American Gods", then try this action-packed novella-length story of several people trying to save New Zealand after the sleeping Gods rise up and cause all kinds of natural disasters. There are earthquakes, a tsunami, volcanic eruptions, and storms! It is also a cool travelog of all the most famous places in New Zealand from Auckland all the way to the far northern tip. Unlike crappy action movies, the action in this book makes sense, and the characters' escapes from death sound plausible to me.
    FYI, there are no sex scenes, but I would rate it PG-13 or R because of some bloody injuries and some occasional chilling violence. Thankfully, there are no love triangles and very little romance. This is a highly enjoyable fantasy novella and audiobook. I have told all of my finds who like fantasy that they really need to try it.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Tony Parsons
    4.0 out of 5 stars barmaid) were doing their best to locate Lucy & Amber
    Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Ben Henare (son) & Lucy Campion (daughter/sister, medical student) were in separate dinghies bouncing on the waves.
    Christchurch, New Zealand. A 7.3 earthquake had hit, followed by a tsunami.
    Bodies & debris were everywhere. Houses & cars were in shambles or in total disarray.
    Sirens & explosions could be heard & seen.
    Ben wasn’t sure if he was dead/alive.

    Lucy was frantic looking for her mum & dad.
    Lucy’s mum & dad were buried in the rubble of the family house.
    Amber Campion (14, sister) had somehow survived.
    Tamati (Ben’s grandfather) had escaped death also.
    The Red Cross had finally arrived.
    Amber had gotten separated from Lucy.
    Sitona (m, cousin, trafficker) had found her wandering around.
    An elderly woman had told Lucy an evil man had taken Amber to Kaikoura.
    Rangi Anahera (boat taxi driver) had helped get Amber away from Sitona.
    Lucy & Amber were finally reunited.

    Ben & Gina (American, barmaid) were doing their best to locate Lucy & Amber.
    Lucy & Rangi went over the Bombay Hills & ended up in Auckland.
    Ben, Lucy & Amber were back at the Pegasus Bay Sailing Club.

    I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.

    A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written dark fantasy book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great fantasy movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It ws just OK for me so I will rate it at 4/5 stars.

    Thank you for the free Curl Up Press; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; Author; book
    Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mary A. Madsen
    5.0 out of 5 stars I wasn't sure I'd like a book of this type
    Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I wasn't sure I'd like a book of this type, but I was completely blown away. What a mixture of horror and the mystical, characters and their relationships, and thundering thrills at every turn. I couldn't stop reading, ran down the battery on my Paper White and immediately ran to read it on my phone. I've *never* done that before.

    Blown away, yes, but also scared out of my wits. That...er...animal seen in the face of the wave . Creepy. The volcanic eruptions were spot on in detail (we recently watched a documentary) without a single bit of that staggering force of nature overlooked or not given the full force of their power in the writing. And what good writing this was. The pace was unrelenting with full imagined scenes that were compulsively readable. I also enjoyed the relationships between the main characters and the evil human mixed in with the fury of the risen gods. And that smoke and ash and...Better stop. Don't want to spoil anything.

    Meticulous attention was given to places and names that are often confusing. It's one of the main problems I have reading fantasy and books about foreign lands, but in this book it was well edited to give the reader a heads-up that kept everything in mind for the next time it came around.

    I'm a fan of J.F. Penn's other series, and now I'll have to give J. Thorn a try. As a team writing together for the first time, this far exceeded any expectations I had, except for Penn's deft fingers on the pulse of ancient gods and mysteries.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ajith Antony
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced and brilliant!
    Reviewed in India on October 6, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    It took me only about 3 hours of waiting time in a hospital to complete this book, and it was a time well spent. The conflict of the old ways and the new ways of New Zealanders splashes colour into this paranormal thriller.

    The Gods have risen to claim their lands back and this time it's much worser than the Tsunami.
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  • Godiva 2000
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Supernatural thriller set in New Zealand
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 25, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book is set in New Zealand, and starts with the 2 main characters (Ben & Lucy) being caught in a tsunami which strikes the coast of South Island, causing huge damage to the coast.
    This tsunami was apparently caused by an underwater earthquake, but as the story unfolds it becomes apparent that there is a more supernatural cause, the ancient gods of the Maori people.

    Ben, who is a Maori and Lucy, a white New Zealander, are separated and each comes in to possession of an amulet. These amulets need to be bought together and offered as a sacrifice to appease the gods and save the whole of New Zealand.
    There is a nice symmetry that Ben gets assistance from a white girl called Gina, and Lucy ties up with a Maori called Rangi. Both pairs face edge-of-the-seat adventures as they head north and finally come together for the final push to the place where they must offer the amulets.

    I have read all of Joanna Penn's books, but am not familiar with J. Thorn's work (yet), so can't comment on how this compares to his other work. But this book certainly won't disappoint Joanna's fans, as it contains her usual mix of great characters, fantastic plot, with the usual dark moments, evocative descriptions of locations and huge amounts of research. I have a working knowledge of Norse and Greek mythology, but didn't realise that the Maori mythology was so rich, it has inspired me to find out more.

    Overall a great book which I enjoyed so much that I managed to finish it in double quick time, as I found it so difficult to put down. If there is one, very small criticism, it is that the glossary of Maori words is at the back, it would be useful if it was at the front so that it is more obvious.

    I did receive a free advance copy of this in return for an honest review, but I liked it so much that I bought it anyway!
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  • writer2050
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gods are angry
    Reviewed in Australia on January 2, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Risen gods by Penn and Thorn is a combination of macabre and mythical with a high probability given that New Zealand is part of the Pacific rim of fire. The story concerns two characters, a Maori and a white New Zealander who are thrust apart by a tsunami on the South Island. When their paths meet again, volcanoes are emptying. They are believable and fit YA fiction. A riveting story in the Penn tradition.
    Risen gods by Penn and Thorn is a combination of macabre and mythical with a high probability given that New Zealand is part of the Pacific rim of fire. The story concerns two characters, a Maori and a white New Zealander who are thrust apart by a tsunami on the South Island. When their paths meet again, volcanoes are emptying. They are believable and fit YA fiction. A riveting story in the Penn tradition.
    5 stars
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  • Diana Johnson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A huge shout out to J.F. Penn and J. Thorn for their brilliant collaboration! Absolutely Five Star Material
    Reviewed in Canada on December 2, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A Captivating story, gripping from the first to last page!

    I was completely pulled in to this amazing mystical world!
    As the story unfolds an unlikely pair are doing what they both love the most, sailing on the ocean that has been their playground since they met at the age of 9. Here they've always been equals despite their different stations in life. Ben suddenly feels a cold breeze and Lucy notices a huge tidal wave touching the horizon, they both turn to try to outrun the wave and make it alive to shore becoming separated!
    A BBC World New Report is detailing the devastation wrought by the massive earthquake, causing a tsunami and destroying Christchurch. The report also tells of several more earthquakes that have destroyed much of the south and of phone shots and video showing many dead and wounded!
    Neither Ben or Lucy knows if the other has survived!
    Ben Henare, a descendant of the ancient Maori spent the majority of his life listening to the tales told to him from his grandfather Tamati, an elder with the tribal Moko Tatoos; the black lines across his face depicting the ancient paths. He is now aware that perhaps the tales were closer to the truth than he could ever have imagined!
    Lucy Campion, a Pekeha, her family one of the first white settlers in New Zealand has somehow become someone that the gods have chosen for a very special purpose!
    The journey towards appeasing the Risen Gods is fraught with danger, possibly death, and they both need to make it to save mankind!
    Risen Gods will take you an unbelievable journey! Magical, mystical and filled with tales of the Time Before and the goddesses and gods who claim the land as theirs! A Captivating story, gripping from the first page to the last! I also have to add that I was quite impressed with the amount of research that went into the writing of this book!
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  • K11
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great bit of dark urban fantasy.
    Reviewed in Australia on April 5, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Great read. Tight pacing, great characters, cool action. Very satisfying.
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