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Shadows of Olympus #2

The Chaos and the Hunter

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Her fate has sent Olympus into a state of chaos and fear. Artemisia has a singular goal to overthrow her father, Zeus. Raised and protected in the Underworld, she has had twenty years to come to terms with what she must do. Except her father is relentless in his pursuit of her, willing to cross any line and sacrifice anyone. If Hades loses the trials, he will have to give up one thing of Zeus’ Artemisia.

Orion is one of twelve. Twelve champions chosen by one of the Olympians to compete in the Trial of the gods. The rules are simple: survive. Chosen by Hades, he struggles to use the power gifted to him for the competition, but failure is not an option. His family is desperate and if he survives long enough in the trials, he can secure their future. The promise of a quest for immortality for the winner has never mattered to him, only making it to the final trial where Zeus will grant him one request. At least that was all that mattered until a pair of brown eyes.

Sia and Orion's story takes place twenty years after the epilogue of The Swindler and The Swan. While it is not necessary to have read Hades and Persephone's story prior to The Chaos and The Hunter, it may enrich the experience.

603 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2024

35 people are currently reading
800 people want to read

About the author

J.A. Good

11 books203 followers

J.A. Good is the author of the adult fantasy romance Forged in Fire Series. She is a northerner living in Florida who’s love of books and new worlds inspired her to create her own. She is a pediatric intensive care nurse at night and a writer, mom, wife, and cat enthusiast during the day. When she isn’t naming all the dinosaurs with her toddlers you can find her staring at her book collection with her cats lamenting her lack of castles and magic.

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5 stars
75 (38%)
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77 (39%)
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33 (17%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Veronica Perez.
Author 3 books17 followers
February 28, 2024
J.A. Good has done it again, written another masterpiece that will have you clinging to the pages like a lifeline.

The Chaos and the Hunter is a sister book to The Swindler and The Swan (a Hades×Persephone retelling), but can be read as a standalone. (I highly recommend reading Swindler, though, because it offers some great context and backstory that will add to the already high stakes in this book).

Let me tell you, I didn't realize I needed a Hunger Games meets Greek mythology until I opened these pages. What a fantastic combination. Zeus, trying to force Hades to give up his daughter, creates an arena of games where the Olympians must each select a mortal champion to participate in days worth of trials. The first ten champions to fall mean their patron god/goddess have to give something up to the lord of the sky (zeus). The last two standing can ask for anything they want that's within the gods' power to grant.

The story follows Sia, a goddess born of Zeus and Hera, but sheltering in the underworld with her aunt and uncle (Hades/persephone) to avoid her father's wrath, as he's caught wind of a prophecy that spells his doom at the hands of his chaotic daughter. Sia is everything you'd want in a FMC; she's a bad*ss with a great sense of humor, and a powerful goddess in her own right. I very quickly fell in love with her wit and charm, and even the brattiness that can come with being a child who was absolutely showered in love and adoration growing up. Secluded to the Underworld, it makes sense that she knows little of the realities of life.

The second POV is Orion (the Hunter) Hades champion for the trials. Everything is riding on him to make it to the final two in the games in order to protect Sia. To start, Orion is only there for one reason—his family. They are suffering and need something only a god could grant them. Orion doesn't care if he dies, as long as he makes it far enough to ask.

Things change when he meets Sia. I'll tell you, I'm more of a plot than romance kind of girl...but this romance is 10/10. The angst. The spice! It left me wanting more and more. I couldn't wait to get back to the scenes where these two were on the page together.

The games themselves are incredible. The action is described perfectly. My heart raced through each trial as I held out hope, cheering on my favorite champions. I laughed and gasped and cried (if you don't cry at a certain someone's death, you might be dead inside...just saying).

J.A. Good neatly wraps up the ending, which was both satisfying and heart-wrenching. I would gladly recommend this book to anyone! But especially lovers of Greek mythology...who enjoy a nice serving of spice on the side.
Profile Image for Daena♡.
71 reviews3 followers
September 5, 2024
4.5 stars! It’s giving hunger games but with Greek mythology and I loved every moment of it. I must admit that the Hades x Persephone retelling was much better, but overall it’s a great read. Love, rivals, sacrifice, prophecy.. I would definitely recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Megan Holman.
263 reviews
June 1, 2024
While I did enjoy this story, I think I enjoyed the first part (The swindler and the swan) just a tad bit more! I feel like there's a lot more loss and struggle in this one, a little more heavy on the heart, but a great read overall!
Profile Image for Sabine Arsitz.
190 reviews2 followers
March 9, 2024
I am so fortunate to have received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

JA Good is hands down one of my favorite indie authors. The way she tells her stories is extremely enjoyable for me. I've been so lucky to read all of her books she has published so far, and this one is a fantastic addition to all her other fantastic books!

Without spoiling anything, of course, pick this up if you enjoy The Hunger Games and Greek Mythology. This story follows Artemisia and Orion, 20 years after the epilogue of The Swindler and the Swan. Sia is living in the Underworld with Hades and Persephone, and she really is absolute chaos, beautiful chaos. Orion is Hades' chosen champion for the trials that Zeus began a couple of years prior.

Throw in fun banter, a lot of tension, and some spice, and you really have the perfect book. Don't skip out on this one or The Swindler and the Swan (Hades and Persephone/Swan Princess retelling).
Profile Image for Britney.
281 reviews145 followers
May 3, 2024
Hades & Seph's story is still my favorite!

It took a little bit for me to warm up to Orion & Chaos. I didn't feel like they really had a connection in the beginning. Their chemistry just wasn't there for me in the beginning. It was a slow start of a book too. If it wasn't for Hades, Seph and Cerberus I might have paused reading. However, I was glad I carried on because it did get better.

The ending was a little bittersweet. There was some sadness but it also ended on a happy note. The second half hooked me but it was the last quarter that really had me glued to my seat (so to speak.)

I look forward to reading more from this author! ❤️
Profile Image for Alix Scullion.
105 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2024
I finished this book a few days ago and cannot stop thinking about the ending, maybe the most romantic I have ever read, it had me in tears. I could've read so much more of their story. Good action, plot and very greek mythology heavy. Loved every bit of it!
Profile Image for Hilma.
610 reviews
April 27, 2024
The Chaos and The Hunter by J.A. Good is a story of the Gods of Olympus. It is the story of Sia, Zeus’ daughter (nicknamed Chaos) and Orion, The Hunter. Both their lives hang on Orion winning the trials the Gods have devised.
From the very first I got Hunger Games meet Greek Mythology vibes. The story just sucks you in right from the start. The story has a dual POV and that is always a great asset to any story. I loved Artemesia and Orion. They are both wonderful fierce characters, they have a great chemistry and the banter between them was just great to read.

The Chaos and The Hunter is a great mythological retelling, with fantastic characters, a great flowing writing style, a good story-line and plot, with a lot of action, some spice, a book that was hard to put down.

Highly recommended for those readers who love retellings, Greek mythology and for Hunger Games fans, but also for those readers who love to read a highly entertaining story.
Profile Image for MonicaM17.
15 reviews1 follower
March 10, 2024
The Chaos and The Hunter is a fantastic read. You will not be disappointed by any of J.A. Good’s books in my opinion. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author. Greek mythology has always intrigued me, the history, the magic! Twenty years have passed since “The Swindler and the Swan” but it felt like only a minute. From the start, Sia grabs a hold of you and doesn’t let go! She is a literal force to be reckoned with! There is a series of trials to the death for mortal champions, created by the Gods. We get a front row seat to each trial while also being on Mount Olympus with the Gods. There is so much excitement, tension, rivalry, family and friendship. I found myself not wanting to put the book down while also slowing down to avoid the end! If you love action, witty banter, friendship, magic, and romance this one is for you!
Profile Image for Karesha Burgess.
122 reviews
April 26, 2024

This story comes about 2 decades after The Swindler and the Swan. We follow the story about Zeus’ lost daughter, Sia. Sia is predicted to be the demise to Zeus.

Sia is raised in the underworld by Hades and Persephone for the last twenty years. They keep her and her powers a secret from Zeus.

Enter: Orion. Orion is Hade’s champion. He is determined to be the best of the best by winning the remaining contests.

Naturally, Sia and Orion cross path through training and become fast friends. As the Orion continues to train, their friendship blossoms into more than friendship.
I appreciate that this story is told through dual POVs of Sia and Orion.
If you enjoy stories about trials to the death and throw in some spice, then this story will be one that you do not want to miss.
Profile Image for Tiera Ward.
65 reviews6 followers
May 8, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Chaos & the Hunter was a very entertaining read. This was my first experience with J.A Good and I’ve already ordered another book. Although it felt a little slow in the beginning, when it picked up, I was hooked. Orion and Sia are truly such a cute couple with their witty banter, intense attraction, and opposite personalities. I would have liked to see a little more development between them as I felt it went from little connection to “I’ll die for you” pretty quickly, but once you get passed that - you can’t help but love them together. Hades & Seph were huge characters for me as well and made it that much more fun. It really has a Hunger Games/Triwizard Champion vibe mixed with Greek Mythology and some really (really) good spice. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!
144 reviews11 followers
March 5, 2024
An exciting mythology retelling with a premise similar to the hunger games. Deadly trials and games created by the Gods and Goddesses.
We follow the story of Hades’ champion Orion as he fights to secure a future for his family.
I really enjoy a mythological retelling and this ticked all of my boxes. The spice level was better than other retellings I have read, there wasn’t too much and it was tasteful in that it centred around consent so I’d give it 3/5?spice rating.
I really enjoyed the trials, they were dramatic and I interesting. Told well - it wasn’t just constant fighting or battles.
You can read it as a stand-alone but if you love Hades and Persephone retellings, try The Swindler and the Swan first.
Profile Image for Allannah Sue Irwin.
24 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2024
"It doesn't matter what they call you. It matters what you choose to be"
"If she was an ocean, he was the breeze that swept over her waves. The siren call that pierced her soul, beckoning her with the promise of oblivion if she only surrendered herself."
I have always loved Greek Mythology so the chance to read a romantasy with Greek Mythology in it? I devoured this book. I cried, I laughed, and never wanted to put it down. I really enjoyed the first Shadows of Olympus book, about Hades and Persephone. This was a beautiful continuation of where The Swindler and the Swan left off. The story goes back and forth between Sia (Artemesia) and Orion's POV and was an interesting combo of a hunger games premise meets Greek mythology. . Other human/constellation figures are included in this story such as Perseus, Theseus, and Callisto to name a few. I couldn't put the book down because I needed to know what happened to all of the champions.
Profile Image for Desiree.
255 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2024
This book takes place 20 years after book 1.

I love this world so much. So happy you get to see Hades and Persephone again in chapter one.

*If you haven't read book 1, that's fine. You find out the general backstory of the FMC in chapter one of this book anyway, so you don't NEED to read it, but it was also fantastic, and I recommend it.*

Low spice, but so swoony.
Strong plot and strong romance.
I loved seeing all the names and twists from mythology.
I loved the MCs so much!

Favorite quotes:

"Those kinds of scars don't just go away. No amount of love is enough to heal them. The nightmares don't stop just because someone who loves you holds you at night. The anger doesn't go away."
*I sobbed*

"I am because you are."

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for Katherine Elley.
561 reviews28 followers
March 5, 2024
Set 20years after the epilogue of the Swindler and the Swan (Hades & Persephone’s story). You don’t need to this book but it will help understand what’s happening.

Hades and Persephone’s niece Sia (Artemisia) is the daughter of Zeus. They have raised her as their own to protect her. They call her Chaos as her goal is to overthrow her father and take over Olympus.
Orion is set a mortal and is Hades’ champion for the coming trials. They name him the Hunter. He needs to survive the trials so he can save his family and the promise of immortality.

Hunger Games meets Greek Mythology. Love the POVs from Sia and Orion. There is also some spice between the characters too.
Profile Image for Alexis Rex.
16 reviews2 followers
March 19, 2024
I loved the first book in this series and was pumped to see things continue with a different duo in this second one. JA Good is fantastic at creating entertaining stakes with lovable characters at the helm.

If you’re a sucker for romantasy, Greek retellings/reimaginings, and banter, then pick this one up! Good does a wonderful job keeping things interesting and heartfelt—warm fuzzies you want in an escapist read with the plot and depth of a fantasy story. The differences in our main characters added to the charm of their budding romance.

Good is an auto-buy author for me! Can always count on her to bring you into a magical world filled with all the things you want in your romance.
Profile Image for Liisyg.
143 reviews
March 23, 2024
5⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
World Building: 🗺 🗺️🗺️
Romance: ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Smut: 🌶️ 🌶️
Pacing: ⏳ ⏳
Greek mythology: 🏛️🏛️🏛️

J.A. Good masterfully weaves Olympian lore into Orion and Artemisia’a story. Sia “Chaos” is a goddess born with fate to change the world and the future of gods. Orion “Hunter” is a mortal chosen by Hades to enter the games to and meets Sia during their training. Their love story was well paced, with plenty of spice. You will meet lots of Greek heroes who will make you cheer for them or wish their death. If you enjoyed Song of Achilles, or J.A. Good’s Swindler and Swan this novel is for you.
Profile Image for Christina _readingwhilewet.
518 reviews28 followers
April 22, 2024
This book wow

Thank you to the author for letting me arc this incredible book.

I read swindler and the swan and I was so obsessed it was incredible. By far my favorite hades book.

Once I had her in our bookclub I knew she’d be an auto buy author. I signed up for this arc .

My god did it exceed my expectations.

Greek mythology meets hunger games . Wow . I was invested from the beginning. Already in love with the characters from the previous book. I loved these characters and this story. I couldn’t put the book down if I wanted to.

Edge of my seat the whole time

I’m in awe. J.A your writing is just wow . Incredible I need more please and thank you
Profile Image for Kaitlyn.
289 reviews8 followers
March 1, 2024
Greek mythology mixed with hunger games!

This book was *chefs kiss* I absolutely love a Greek mythology retelling and this did not disappoint, the additions of the trails was so neat, I loved loved loved the characters and the romance between Sia and Orion 🥰 but I would be lying if I said Sia and Perseus' dynamic wasn't great.

I love me a strong but bratty FMC which is exactly what Sia is! I think I highlighted most of the book because so much of it was amazing.

My heart broke for so many characters in this story especially Atlantia/Artemis.
Profile Image for ChapterChaser1 .
278 reviews10 followers
March 9, 2024
10 stars , 10 stars.
I am in love with this book!, I am so happy to see persephone and Hades again and see that they are still so in love.
I love how strong little chaos is alongside the hunter!.
This book will probably make you cry at times, brilliant-writing, action, a bit of spice that doesn't hide the wonderful plot!.
The sleep that I lost over reading this book was well worth it.
Another book to my collection, beautiful cover too
Profile Image for Michelle.
118 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2024
I have a confession to make. I got a copy of this, and I just kind of sat on it for awhile. There are a lot of books about the Greek gods, this can't be that good.

But oh my gosh, I was so wrong.

This book captured my imagination is just the right way. I absolutely could not put it down. I felt all of the emotions. I cried when it ended. Both because it tied up so well and because I didn't want it to end. Please give this a read!
Profile Image for Sam Phillips.
8 reviews
March 28, 2024
Loved this book. A definite page turner. Would recommend to those who like fantasy mixed with Greek mythology. You grow to love all of the characters throughout the book and hate the ones you are supposed to. First book I've read where the Greek gods are not all that you imagine them to be and I enjoyed the book more so for this. Will be rereading this again at a later date and will be reading hades and persephone's book soon
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
5 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2024
Chaos and the hunter review

I received an ARC for this novel.

I loved this book. It was a bit to start off with as we got to know the 2 main characters who are new and not usually part of Greek mythology retellings. I loved that this book was set in the world of Ancient Greek gods but a completely new story. It was intriguing and had lots of cameos from your favourite mythological gods, heroes and monsters.

The book is a deadly trials, romance crossover to die for. The characters all felt well developed and the plot is engaging. Even though it is technically the second book in the series, it can definitely be read as a standalone.
344 reviews14 followers
March 13, 2024
Sia is fated to take her father down, and Orion is fated to fight in the Trial of the Gods. He is one of the 12 champions chosen by the Gods/Goddesses to compete in deathly battles. Sia is the snarky fmc we all want to read about. Her and Orion's chemistry is hot. Theres banter, monster/creatures , and dont forget about the Gods and Goddesses. The ending is pretty electrifying as well.
Profile Image for Ellen Rambo.
9 reviews
April 6, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Artemisia and Orion. It took me a few chapters to really get into it, but then the story had me hooked. Good wove suspense and romance together to build an amazing love story. There were moments of tension and anguish, but the over arching message of love and family was felt in every chapter.
419 reviews3 followers
April 26, 2024
This book is hungry games meets Olympian gods trials. I honestly loved the book! The details the author did and the storyline. It's something different then we normally read when you hear about Olympian gods. The plot was so good too! This is the second book in the series but can be a standalone. I'm going to read the first book now and whatever else comes from this series!
Profile Image for Liz Davidson.
24 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2024
I got this as an ARC from J.A Good - my review is unbiased. This book was AMAZING - I loved it. Between the description - of the Underworld, Olympus, Athens and the characters and their struggles/growth/emotions, this is the best book ive read in 2024. You don't have to read the first book to understand this one, but I've just bought it because I want more!
Profile Image for Hope.
83 reviews
March 2, 2024
OMG!!!!!! I love mythology books and this book was amazing! I loved the twist of the trials and how Sia and Orion triumphed over them. With all the mythology retelling out there this by far was my favorite.
Profile Image for Lynn.
453 reviews14 followers
April 24, 2024
Ahhh! This book was beautifully written. The growing love and dedication of the 2 main characters to each other was simply beautiful. The found family and friendships formed gave me happy tears. The author had a way to describe the characters flaws and strengths that kept me invested to the end. Set in the world of the Greek gods, this was an absolutely fantastic story.
I received an ARC of this book and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Holly Huffman .
23 reviews
April 26, 2024
If you are looking for a sizzling and steamy, read this is it! The God's may think they have written the future for all, but Chaos has made her own path, which leads to the destruction of those who betrade her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
May 30, 2024
Oh so good!

Stayed up way too late for multiple nights indulging in this captivating tale. JA Good has, once again, enchanted her audience with a beautiful story. Bravo! 5 stars, 10 outta 10. Keep them coming!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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