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Zeus, Inc.

by Robin Burks (Goodreads Author)

3.67 of 5 stars 3.67 · rating details · 18 ratings · 13 reviews

50 years ago, Zeus, Inc., and its CEO, the mysterious Joseph Brentwood, saved the world from a major energy crisis by discovering a new unlimited energy resource. Now, in 2069, Mr. Brentwood has gone missing and private eye Alex Grosjean has been hired to find him by his daughter (and Alex's best friend), Aleisha.

Black-outs begin to occur all over the world and somehow Ale...more

Kindle Edition, 192 pages

Published 2013 by Biting Dog Publications (first published August 1st 2012)

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Oct 28, 2012 Rita rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, fiction, sci-fi, speculative-fiction, provided-by-author-or-publicist, 2012, detective-story-or-mystery, mystery, 3-stars, my-reviews, quick-reads

I've been asked by author Robin Burks to review her novel "Zeus, Inc.", and not surprisingly: I have agreed.

First of all I have to say that it was truly refreshing to read a fast paced novel like this one after the drawn escapade I've just gone through with Name of the Wind.

As a first novel, a début novel sparked by the annual NaNoWriMo event that I also tend to participate in from time to time, this books is a surprisingly good and entertaining read. It's filled with many good ideas that take y...more I've been asked by author Robin Burks to review her novel "Zeus, Inc.", and not surprisingly: I have agreed.

First of all I have to say that it was truly refreshing to read a fast paced novel like this one after the drawn escapade I've just gone through with Name of the Wind.

As a first novel, a début novel sparked by the annual NaNoWriMo event that I also tend to participate in from time to time, this books is a surprisingly good and entertaining read. It's filled with many good ideas that take you to a not too distant future where our main character, Alex Grosjean, works as a private investigator.

This book book succeeds in blending very diverse genres: science fiction, the detective/mystery story and Greek mythology. As diverse as these genres are, this is done quite well, I think. The book doesn't dwell too much into detailed descriptions of the futuristic world that Burks has created, which I think is a pity as I would l have loved to have learned more about it, had it been fleshed out more. Burks knows a lot about Greek mythology and it shows, otherwise this book could not have worked as well as it does.

The main character, Alex Grosjean, is well a developed and well-rounded character, though I do find her reactions and way of being a bit too immature at times (judging by her mothers advanced age -she is 80- this gal has to be in her 40s the way I perceive her, but she comes across as 20-something. Not that there is something wrong with 20-something, but the way the story is set up it seems wrong somehow). She has a history that haunts her, and that back-story is woven very neatly into the whole as her adventure progresses and events unfold. The supporting characters seem to be more superficial and 2-dimensional compared to Alex, and as such they make the story a bit weaker - the characters of Pip and Aleisha come to mind.

I have to me honest though. As I read this, I felt that I always was a few steps ahead of the main protagonist. The story was a bit too predictable for my taste, as the surprising"a-ha" moments we not much of a surprise to me, which I don't believe should be the case for any mystery story. But, depending on who the target reader is, feeling that you can keep up with the story can be a good thing I suppose.

Not that surprisingly for a NaNoWriMo novel, this book is self-published. I have to say that this book has gone through one of the best edits I have seen so far in a self-published book, and that elevates it a lot. There are little typos and inconsistencies here and there, a proper editor might have caught them, but they are certainly not distracting in any way, nor do they diminish the story.

So overall, yes, in spite of its flaws here and there this book is definitely something that you can read for your enjoyment and share with the younger generations as well, as it's neither too sexually explicit or violent. It's funny, it's quickly read, and it's a nice way to start reading about Greek mythology in a non-scholastic way.

Format read: ARC provided by the author.
Read: October 2012.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 11, 2012 ETA: soon rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: z1-reviewed, 4-futuristic-sci-fi, 2-r2r, myth-greek, more-ya-or-na, 5-ntm-or-debut

Creative storyline with an inventive twist which may appeal to YA readers wanting a dash of futuristic/sci-fi with a serving of Greek mythology.

Set in the not-too-distant future, ZEUS, INC. has an agreeable plot which moves at a satisfying pace. The world-building could have been more substantial but then again, the similarity to present times (with only certain things "teched up") enables the reader to focus more on the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Zeus, Inc.'s CEO, Joseph Brentwood...more Creative storyline with an inventive twist which may appeal to YA readers wanting a dash of futuristic/sci-fi with a serving of Greek mythology.

Set in the not-too-distant future, ZEUS, INC. has an agreeable plot which moves at a satisfying pace. The world-building could have been more substantial but then again, the similarity to present times (with only certain things "teched up") enables the reader to focus more on the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Zeus, Inc.'s CEO, Joseph Brentwood.

However, this book wasn't for me. When I read a mystery or suspense novel, I want to run alongside the main character or even better, run to catch up. While reading this book, I sometimes had to wait for the character to catch up to me, slowing the book's pace.

I also couldn't warm up to the main character, Alex Grosjean. Part of the problem was reconciling the story's overall timeline with the given facts (e.g., 50 years after a critical event and Alex's 80-year-old mother). But estimating Alex to be 35-40 years old didn't seem right because at various points, she acted and reacted as if much younger, and oftentimes, her sarcasm was not witty but meaningless. The story is told in the first person so unfortunately, every "master of the obvious" moment fell squarely on the character. Several times, her thinking and subsequent behaviour were in direct conflict so to leave me confused for a moment, and some of her interactions with later characters just weren't credible.

Finally, the character of Pip felt flat and given his secret, a bit...dare I say, wimpy? We barely learn anything about him or why he did or felt as he did, so he seemed like an extraneous character instead of Alex's partner in resolving the deteriorating situation. (And perhaps that was deliberate on the author's part.)

ZEUS, INC. utilizes Greek mythology in an interesting manner so I enjoyed that part of the story. But the book—and therefore, the storytelling—would have greatly benefited from a thorough editing and proofing job. The errors in basic grammar/punctuation and word usage, together with repetitive statements and glaring malapropisms (e.g., a cop/investigator would "deduce", not "deduct"), continually detracted from my ability to simply read and lose myself in the story. (I also thought that the author could have utilized italics more effectively, especially in lieu of capitalized letters, but that is a stylistic point.)

Given all of this, I wasn't invested in any of the characters or the mystery so the build-up and the ultimate resolution were anti-climatic. However, the story does end in an intriguing way and sets up nicely for the next book.

Disclosure: Copy provided by the author for an objective review.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Aug 18, 2012 Holly rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: mystery, paranormal, myth-lovers, ages late teen and up.

Shelves: history-religious, mystery, myths-and-legends

I finished this book in one night - because I was hooked fast, and could NOT put it down. I had a few grammar/syntax issues, which I will email the author about in private. They did not cause a barrier to enjoying a really good story. Excellent premise, well researched, main characters well fleshed out. As a history geek, as I saw the story playing out and realizing who the characters were, I jotted down "What about....?" questions. And the author answered them in the story, rather than leaving...more

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Apr 10, 2013 Craig Rettig rated it 3 of 5 stars

Robin Burks's Zeus, Inc. is primarily an urban fantasy tale with some science fiction and mystery elements. Set in the near future, private investigator Alex Grosjean is hired by her friend Aliesha to find her missing father, the CEO of the titular Zeus, Inc. This turns out unlike any missing persons case Alex has ever worked before when she finds out there are some literal elements to the company's name and its missing leader.

Based on the author page, it appears the first draft of this novel wa...more

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Oct 04, 2012 Deneé rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: from-kindle

As soon as I finished it, I wanted to read more! It looks like it will be a series, and I hope it will continue. This is a great fun read for me, because it was effortless to read through, provided excitement, humor and best of all my love affair with greek mythology. As I read on, it became increasingly harder to put the book down because I just wanted to know what would happen next.

"Damn. The plot thickened." (loc. 975)

Alex Grosjean seems like she'd be fun to hang out with. She's tough, sarc...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 30, 2012 Reeses rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: recieved-for-review, ebooks

I received a free copy of Zeus, Inc. for an honest review.

Before I started this book I wasn't exactly sure what to think about it. The synopsis is very mysterious and I kept wondering why the title and the main company in the book was called Zeus, Inc. Zeus if you don't know being the God of thunder and all that jazz I couldn't help but wonder if he had anything to do with the story.

As I started I immediately fell in love with Robin Burks's writing style. I felt she made incredibly realistic ch...more I received a free copy of Zeus, Inc. for an honest review.

Before I started this book I wasn't exactly sure what to think about it. The synopsis is very mysterious and I kept wondering why the title and the main company in the book was called Zeus, Inc. Zeus if you don't know being the God of thunder and all that jazz I couldn't help but wonder if he had anything to do with the story.

As I started I immediately fell in love with Robin Burks's writing style. I felt she made incredibly realistic characters with flaws, and relationships, and fears. I felt that was incredibly awesome and the world of Zeus, Inc is awesome.

Zeus, Inc. is set in the future the year 2065. 50 years before in 2015 the world was in chaos, running out of natural resources to fuel society as we know it today. Riots and wars began all over the world. That is until Joseph Brentwood came out of nowhere with an ever lasting power supply. For 50 years everything seems to be going great. That is until Joseph Brentworth goes missing.

Enter the main character and hero of the story; Alex Grosjean. Alex is an ex-cop turned private investigator. She lives with her mother (which isn't as pathetic as it sounds), and her cat. She is divorced and is best friends with Josephs' daughter Aleisha the Vice President of Zeus, Inc. Alex gets a call at the beginning of the story about her Joseph being missing. Initially she doesn't want to take the case due to her colored past on the police force, but considering it's her best friend she has no choice but to say yes. That's when everything starts to get weird.

While Alex is investigating the case she meets Phillip Smith a.k.a. Pip. Pip is a out of this world hottie, and Alex is immediately attracted to him. After meeting him he is the first person on her suspects list. While confronting Pip about the case and what he knows, Pip introduces her into the world of the Gods. Greek Gods to be more exact. After this finding Alex becomes more and more entangled with the Gods realizes she is the only one who can figure out a way to find Joseph Brentworth and find a way to save the world become another energy wipe out occurs. For Earth isn't the only one with problems, the Gods may be going to war too.

I honestly love Alex. I loved her humor and they way she reacted to situations, not going into a situation without a plan, and sometimes completely doubting her ability, I felt that aspect made her more likeable to me because she wasn't perfect. She is extremely loyal, strong, and just all around an amazing character. I felt as the story progressed Alex became an even stronger character. The ghosts of her past weren't entirely so horrible and looming. The way she acted towards those closer to her became a lot better as well as she realized what and who was important. I was extremely happy with how she turned out to be as a character in the end.

The only aspect I didn't like about the book or rather Alex was how she acted towards Pip. He was an honest to goodness a swoon worthy sweetheart and Alex was a complete 'B word' to him. Every time he did or said anything she would state she wanted to punch him in the face. If he was ever even talking to another woman she would get all jealous, but then not two seconds later she was being pushing him away and telling him to shove off. Honestly that was my real only problem though.

Zeus, Inc. contains a lot of colorful language, mostly by Alex, acts of violence and murders. I truly did enjoy Zeus, Inc. and am crossing my fingers there will be a second one (hint, hint). I hope you all enjoyed my review and I really hope you pick up a copy of this book soon. Lots of humor and "wtfery" moments.

Favorite Quote:
"I quickly dropped my hands and changed the subject. "So those two who visited me the other night. Who were they?" I asked.

He smiled, knowingly. "Ares and Aphrodite."

Of course, I thought. In fact, I think I had already sort of figured that out. Although in my mind they were still Mr. Scowly Face and Miss Perfect Bitch. I found those the names I had given them much more appropriate."(less)

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Jul 30, 2012 Andrew Sturm rated it 4 of 5 stars

Zeus, Inc. was a rather intriguing first write by this author. Without giving away any of the plot points, I often found myself with my mouth hanging open. "Just what is going on here?" I often thought! The creativity with which she navigates the twists and turns felt smooth and conversations very often jive with a realistic feel to them. My only complaint was the lack of grandiose variety in formatting, but this is merely my personal taste.

In conclusion, I would like to wish Robin the best in h...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 27, 2012 Joshua Spotts rated it 4 of 5 stars

Robin Burks’ book, Zeus, Inc. is an amusing, fast paced tale of one detective’s struggle to overcome her own fear and literally face up to the gods. Alex, a private eye who quit the police force after seeing too much death, finds herself drawn into the hunt for her best friend’s father, Mr. Brentwood, who has gone missing.
The trail that leads her toward him is one filled with murder, forcing her to face her fear and the nightmares that come with it. But as she moves along this trail she learns...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 20, 2012 Sean rated it 4 of 5 stars

Left me wanting more!

Robin creates a very believable future setting, not going overboard with technology. The intrigue of the plot captures the readers attention, and the added fantasy twist rounds out the story. Her main character, Alex Grosjean, is very well developed, and I felt a connection with her. Some of the other characters could have been 'fleshed out' a little more, but it didn't negatively effect the book at all...possibly a plot device to add a little more intrigue.

I loved the story...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Matt rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: self-pub-small-press, science-fiction, mystery-and-espionage, contemporary-fiction

Strong female protagonists in science fiction have become a good genre trope, probably thanks primarily to franchises like Alien. It seems that far too often however that these characters are generic archetypes that are pretty poorly handled and generally lacking in depth. This is not the case with Alex Grosjean, the protagonist and narrator of Robin Burks‘ debut novel, Zeus, Inc. The most important part of the believability and overall likability of Alex is that she is flawed; she is not a perf...more

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Aug 13, 2012 David Felder rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow. This is something different. It starts out as a crime drama, the main character haunted by her old demons as she helps a friend investigate her missing father. Suddenly, the story takes a 180 degree twist into a completely different direction.

The author's writing style is crisp and realistic. To avoid giving away any plot spoilers, all I can say is everything isn't what it seems. If you're a fan of fantasy, you're going to enjoy this book.

1 like · like · see review

Sep 11, 2012 WiLoveBooks rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2012, review-copy

Zeus, Inc. starts off as a futuristic private investigator story. As Alex investigates the disappearance of her best friend's father, she finds herself in over her head. I thought the supernatural twist was fantastic. There was one detail that was nagging at me at the end of the story, but maybe it will be clearer in the next book. I like Alex and I look forward to reading her further adventures.

1 like · like · see review

Mar 06, 2013 Tressa added it

Shelves: purchased-e-books, read-but-not-rating

Not really my thing. This would more than likely appeal more to a younger, less jaded reader.

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Shelves: ebooks

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Shelves: unread-not-lendables, sci-fi-space-opera, smashwords

Feb 21, 2013 Kimberly marked it as to-read

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Shelves: mythology-and-folk-lore, science-fiction

Dec 31, 2012 Aleta marked it as to-read

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Mar 03, 2013 Katy marked it as to-read

Recommended to Katy by: Annabell

Shelves: aa-read-review, ebook

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Dec 25, 2012 Tracye Greene rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

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About Robin Burks

Robin Burks is not only a feature writer for DVICE.com, but also for her own site FanGirlConfessions.com. She’s also worked as a music promoter and web developer, although she is now focusing her time on writing.

Robin has just published her first novel: Zeus, Inc. and is working on its sequel The Curse of Hekate. A science fiction trilogy, The Book of Revelations, is also currently underway.

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Quotes from Zeus, Inc.

“I am awake. I know what you took. I am coming for you. Vengeance is mine.” — 2 people liked it

“It's funny how you take things like electricity for granted. You hit the button that turns everything on and it just comes on. You get used to that and it just works every single time. So what happens when it suddenly doesn't? things very well could get messy.” — 2 people liked it

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