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Oracle of Delphi #2.5

Solar, Defeated

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From the moment Strafford Law saw Chloe Clever, he knew he was destined to love her forever. But a dishonorable past and a bleak future threaten to destroy him before he gets the chance.

Looking back, he recalls his life before it came crashing down around him...a time when the one he now loathes most of all was the one he adored more than anything.

SPOILER ALERT: Read as Oracle of Delphi #2.5! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 24, 2013

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Diantha Jones

18 books398 followers
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Stephanie (Bookfever).
1,000 reviews113 followers
March 4, 2013
Before she changed my life forever, there was just me, Solar. Alone. Tortured. Defeated.

Wow. Just wow!
A novella about Strafford Law.
Be still, my beating fangirl heart!

I didn't expect to get this book for review this soon so I was more than excited to start it. Now that I have finished it, I'm kind of sad because I already miss Strafford and this world, if that makes sense.

A tiny warning; if you haven't read the Oracle of Delphi books yet you probably should read them first.

Solar, Defeated follows (as you can probably guess) Strafford before Prophecy of the Most Beautiful, before Strafford meets Chloe. It even follows him in some sort of flashbacks to where he was younger. Starting from the age of eight and going up until eighteen.

How I loved reading about his younger years! I couldn't help but find it super adorable. But not only that, I just loved finding out more about him, what he was like when he was a kid and teenager. I also loved reading more about his father, Apollo, and how he influenced Strafford when he was younger and how Strafford looked up to him. And other than that I just always really love reading about Apollo.

Other things I loved were reading more about Strafford's sublings. Of course there was Ace. Always awesome to read about him. I already loved Ace from PoMB and PoSS, but not as much as Strafford, whom I adore. But I simply adored Ace (Don't worry, Jenn, I won't steal him from you! ^^), when he described to Strafford what he feels when he's playing the drums. It was definitely one of my favorite scenes in this book.
And then there also were Strafford's sisters, Felicity and Teagan. But I mostly enjoyed reading more about Strafford's twin sister Isolde. I loved the way she and Strafford were together, especially as kids. And if it's possible I have even more questions about her. Just some little things about her through the flashback thingies got me wondering...

The writing was perfection as usual and I always enjoy reading Diantha's fighting scenes, as they keep my attention every single time. They were very colorful and exciting to watch, as was every scene. Yes, I say watch because it reels feels like a movie playinjg inside my head, fast-paced and full of action.
And as always I loved the mythology aspects. I want more! Now!

Solar, Defeated left me even hungrier than ever for this series. Strafford Law is an amazing hero, who stole my heart once more. It will more than satisfy Dianta Jones's fans of her Oracle of Delphi Series. Anyone who has read the first two books just HAS to read this also. And if you haven't read the books yet, just go read them. Just do it.
Profile Image for Mia Darien.
Author 61 books166 followers
May 1, 2013
I was the editor, so I'm not writing a review. Just marking it as read for my GR records. But I love this series, so obviously I loved this book.
123 reviews
February 23, 2013
Also Posted At: http://emily-confessionsofabookaholic...

Series: Mythos #1, Oracle of Delphi #2.5
Genre: Young Adult, Mythology
Release Date: April 23rd 2013
Source: ARC From Author
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 5/5 Stars
Synopsis: From the moment Strafford Law saw Chloe Clever, he knew he was destined to love her forever. But a dishonorable past and a bleak future threaten to destroy him before he gets the chance. Looking back, he recalls his life before it came crashing down around him...a time when the one he now loathes most of all was the one he adored more than anything.

I'm not normally one for a novella but this one was different. The book centers on Strafford Law, aka the tortured soul, Demi-god we all love from the Oracle of Delphi series. The story follows him through flashbacks ranging from when he was a child to just before he met Chloe. I liked seeing him without Chloe in this because, although I like her, when she's not there the story is more focused on his relationship with his family which I loved.

As always I loved Strafford in this but Ace is still (and I suspect always will be) my favorite. And together they are one of my all time favorite siblings. Speaking of siblings, I really enjoyed seeing Strafford and Isolde's relationship. They has the perfect chemistry and Isolde was badass which is of course my favorite type of heroine. In the previous books I wasn't all that keen on Felicity but as I saw more of her, she grew on me and Teagan is adorable - plus I love her name. Solar, Defeated left me with many questions about Apollo and Isolde's relationship as well as many suspicions.

The story building in Solar, Defeated was amazing, I think I will love every book in this series no matter how high my expectations are. I absolutely cannot wait to learn more about Strafford's mysterious life (and there's always the extra of seeing more of Ace) in the books to come. This series rivals all other books in the mythology genre and it has already beaten most of the ones I've read. I would recommend this to anyone regardless of whether you normally like the genre or not.

My Favorite Quote:

"I'd seen books about some kid wizard named Potter sitting around the house and I'd spotted Felicity reading a book with someone holding an apple on the front, but I didn't see anything like those books in the library now."

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK
Profile Image for Jennifer.
120 reviews7 followers
November 29, 2015
I am so freaking excited for this! I need more Strafford!

Update: Finally got my bum in gear and read this! It was amazing insight into how Strafford's character changed and developed before he met Chloe and I loved reading about a young Ace too of course. I am now ready for Hero, Cursed!
Profile Image for L. Maci.
Author 1 book2 followers
September 9, 2013
From the moment Strafford Law saw Chloe Clever, he knew he was destined to love her forever.

OMG! As if the book cover didn't do the trick, I am officially head-over-heels in love with Strafford Law. I have developed an unhealthy addiction to the Oracle of Delphi series. Each book gets better and better. Ms. Jones has grown so much as a writer. It is clear in the beautiful cadence of her written works. I cannot wait to read more!

Solar, Defeated is book 2.5 of the Oracle of Delphi series. It is a novella. In Solar, Defeated we learn the much needed background of Strafford Law. The story switched back and forth from his childhood to the time leading up to his meeting Chloe Clever. The author did fantastic work transitioning between the time periods. There was never any confusion, the flow smooth. I enjoyed learning about Strafford's family dynamic, answers as to what happened to his beloved sister and how he fell out of favor, and why he was drawn to Chloe in the first place.

Everything Strafford experienced shaped and defined him as a character. I feel like I know how his mind works and why he acts the way he does. He is beautifully flawed and that's how I love my men. (wink)

This book broke my heart. By the last sentence, it mended. I was left rejoicing with feelings of hope and possibilities. If you are a fan, you don't want to miss this pivotal book in the series. If you are a newcomer, welcome aboard! This is a must-read. I know you will love this series as much as I do!

~Layla
www.laylamoon.blogspot.com
Profile Image for Deborah.
Author 10 books57 followers
October 5, 2013
Disclaimer: I received a review copy. This did not affect my review at all.

Strafford Law, the Solar Prince, Apollo's chosen son, growls through Prophecy of the Most Beautiful when we first meet him. He's angry and he doesn't trust his divine father any further than he could throw him. His father has assigned him to protect Chloe, the Oracle of Delphi, but Strafford knows that the person he really needs to protect her from is his father. Why so bitter, Solar?

This novella answers those questions, and we realize pretty quickly that while he may be Chloe's guardian, she's the one saving him from the bleak misery that had been his life for the three years before he met her. During that period, he had to live with not only a terrible loss but also the pain and shame it brought his family. Even worse, while the events may have been fated, he ensured that he would play his role through his cocksure ambition. Power may feel good, but some things you have to be ready for.

The love story hanging over this isn't the one that's going to happen between Strafford and Chloe but the one he had with his father Apollo. We see Strafford from eight to seventeen completely smitten with his Olympian father and everything about the world he was raised in. If he starts to pull away a little while later from the trappings of Olympus, he isn't letting go of the love he feels for his father. It's the loss of that love that is the most heartbreaking aspect of the story.

Recommended for fans of the Oracle of Delphi series.
683 reviews24 followers
August 12, 2016
[Full disclosure: I received a free ebook copy from Diantha Jones as part of her blog tour in exchange for an honest review.]

Ooh, we finally get to learn more about our tortured, broody Sun Prince! I won’t call myself a fangirl, but the fact that Strafford has changed so much by being in love with Chloe makes him one of my favourite love interests ever. I mean, in pretty much every YA book out there the dark, tortured love interest is still a jerk by the end of the book/series. That’s definitely not the case and Solar, Defeated provides a lot more insight into how Strafford fell into disgrace amongst other demigods and became said tortured, broody Sun Prince.

A lot of novellas that connect to series are boring and don’t really provide much of an addition to the story, but Diantha Jones has stayed away from that trap. We learn things we otherwise probably wouldn’t in the series and seeing things strictly from Strafford’s point of view is great. His decisions make sense from his point of view and his emotions feel more…real. It’s much easier to connect with him after reading Solar, Defeated because we get to see more of his flaws. (His main one being hubris, something we all suffer from occasionally.)

If you’re enjoying the Oracle of Delphi series and just can’t get enough of the moody, protective and incredibly attractive Strafford Law, I’d highly recommend this tie-in. It’s definitely worth your time.

I give this book 5/5 stars.
Profile Image for Daisy Dardon.
18 reviews
July 3, 2013
*Won through Goodreads giveaway*
I was so excited to read this book. I've read the blurb and it instantly pulled me in. I haven't read the other books yet but the author gives you enough insight that you aren't all confused but I suppose it would come in handy if you did. But now that I've finished it I will definitely read her other books. I couldn't get enough of Strafford! And now I want more. Definitely seems like a good series to read. If you love Greek mythology then you will love this series!
Profile Image for Tamra LeValley.
898 reviews19 followers
June 30, 2013
Wonderfully written book. I really appreciated the way the author titled each new chapter so that the reader was aware beforehand what time period they were reading from.

The story line of Gods and Demi Gods are fascinating. The author s style of writing, in the first person, was done well, clear and concise.

Goodreads Winner Reads
Profile Image for Amy.
1,736 reviews
April 18, 2014
Good story. Good to see how Stafford got the way he is.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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