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Black Sea Gods: Chronicles of Fu Xi Kindle Edition

by Brian Braden (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 57 ratings
SEMIFINALIST, 2013 KINDLE BOOK REVIEWS SCI-FI/FANTASY BOOK OF THE YEAR!

The fish have disappeared from the sea. The animals have vanished from the land. All humanity, and even the gods, tremble under the specter of a pending cataclysm. The demigod, Fu Xi, races home from the edge of the world bringing news of a looming god war, but finds his land under attack by monsters he once called his children. He discovers a terrible curse has been cast, one intended to destroy the gods and all life. To his shock, Fu Xi learns that mankind's last hope rests solely on him, a simple fisherman, and a banished slave girl.Beset on all sides by ancient foes, both immortal and mundane, Fu Xi knows he must act quickly and races west to rescue the saviors. Unaware of the real doom that awaits, Aizarg the fisherman and his party begin a perilous journey across a dangerous steppe. They seek the last of the Narim, the legendary Black Sea Gods, who hold the key to their salvation. Leading them is the rescued slave girl Sarah, the only one among them who knows the path to the land of the god-men.Over seven days, the defining struggle of gods and humans begins under the onslaught of a powerful force whose true objective and origin remain a mystery. Fu Xi knows the secret to victory resides in the fisherman and the slave girl, whose lives he must protect, even if it means the rest of the world must perish!
***
Set in the long-forgotten period of ancient history known as "The Younger Dryas," BLACK SEA GODS transforms recently re-discovered Black Sea legends, possibly the root of all Eurasian mythology, with ancient Chinese mythology to create an unprecedented epic fantasy series. Find out more about this series at www.theillusionexotic.com
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Chronicles of Fu Xi
  2. Print length
    433 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    14 Feb. 2013
  6. File size
    1.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BGBIFF4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ DeadPixel Publications
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 14 Feb. 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 433 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0989008303
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Chronicles of Fu Xi
  • Customer reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 57 ratings

About the author

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Brian Braden

Brian Braden

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"Books are proof humans are capable of working magic.” - Carl Sagan

"Come explore my unique worlds, and maybe you can find a little magic, too." - Brian Braden.

Brian Braden is an award-winning author. His articles have been features in The Military Times, Oxford University Press and Townhall.com. His fiction novels include THE GOLDEN PRINCESS, BLACK SEA GODS, and TEARS OF THE DEAD. He is a contributor to "Our Best War Stories: Prize-winning Poetry & Prose from the Col. Darron L. Wright Memorial Awards." Visit his Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BrianLBraden

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4.6 out of 5 stars
57 global ratings

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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • D.Z.C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars I have already bought the next book in the series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 July 2015
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This is a very hard book to describe (well, except for "brilliant", "awesome" etc., which aren't hugely helpful to anyone thinking of buying a copy).

    It's not fantasy, but neither is it entirely an historical novel. Telling the story of a genuine historical event (the flooding of the black sea), it can be read as the desperate attempts of the prehistoric tribes witnessing the disaster to describe what they saw in religious terms, or as a tale of supernatural happenings in a fantasy world, or even as a take on a relatively familiar Bible story.

    I am usually a sucker for anything supernatural, but I found myself leaning towards the former explanation, purely because the depiction of the boredom, terror, isolation and helplessness that must have been the entirety of life for most prehistoric peoples is so absolutely convincing. A day's journey is a fearful expedition into hostile territory, while a week's walk takes one beyond the edge of the known world. It is a sensation that seems almost impossible to a modern point of view.
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  • Raven Reviews
    5.0 out of 5 stars A hero's journey fantastically told...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 April 2014
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Braden's world is masterfully rendered. His characters expertly sketched. His dialogue swinging from the earnest to the poetic without ever missing a beat. His plot rises from humble beginnings and leaps straight into the heart of humanity's most enduring creation myths. There is surprise, there is peril, there is sincerity, there is humour and there is heart breaking sadness. There is magic here, and dragons too, but not the kind you might be expecting.

    Black Sea Gods does what all fantasy, epic or heroic, strives to do- to archetype humanity's ideals of its own innocence, and pit it face to face with the agents of corruption.

    There are mighty rivers here, stretching steppe and towering mountains, but a good fantasy journey is as much a journey through the heart as through the world, and Braden knows this instinctively. For fantasy lovers, this is a book that will surely stay with you.
    One person found this helpful
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  • M. Paton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful debut
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 April 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    What an inspired book, and certainly surprised me in many ways, not least when I discovered the original source. It riveted me from the outset, and I can't wait for the next book in the series

    Try it. It's certainly fantastic fantasy, well written, and has all the main ingredients to become an outstanding epic up there with the greats!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Inge H. Borg
    5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous, Mystical, Murderous
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 September 2016
    Format: Kindle Edition
    This Novel raises the Bar for Historical Fantasy to new heights. I usually know after reading the first paragraph whether or not I will like a book. With Black Sea Gods, I knew after the first sentence that the writing itself would be good. Well, I was wrong. It is GREAT!
    The story is pure fantasy that is not bogged down by still disputed ancient timelines, nor even real places. Yet I "smelled" the salt-water marshes, "saw" the homes tilting above the lagoon, "heard" the incoming tide rush against the pilings, and kept worrying about the fate of the Lo-tribe.
    Interestingly, there are two different story-lines: One follows the arduous journey of an intrepid people; the other, the Chronicles of Fu Xi, tells of the birth, death and re-birthing of the gods. The marvel is how the two are fused into an "Aha-moment."
    Black Sea Gods is a novel to be enjoyed on several levels: For the sensitivity and beauty of the writing itself (I still demand that in what I choose to read); for the astounding imagination it took to write a story of those early tribes and gods (with the initial unfamiliarity about names quickly being overcome); and lastly for the vivid descriptions.
    Writing historical fiction myself, I often stopped to ask myself "how did the writer come up with this?" And then I had to check that, indeed, this is written by a male author (sorry guys, but it is that delicately sensitive in places, yet so vividly strong in others, with some brutal scenes thrown in).
    A resounding "Highly Recommended."
    Inge H. Borg, Author of the Legends of the Winged Scarab
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  • Danny
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant Novel!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 January 2014
    Format: Kindle Edition
    I could sum Black Sea Gods up in three words - A Brilliant Novel! I have been reading fantasy fiction most of my life and it doesn't get any better than this. Well written, fantastic settings, great characters. It all comes together to make an absorbing book that fans of this genre should have on their to read list. Looking forward to the next book from Brian Braden.
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  • Karen E. Proctor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and thought-provoking. Brilliant debut
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 January 2014
    Format: Kindle Edition
    I always find it uplifting when I come across a book that is both entertaining and deeply thought provoking and author Brian Braden has written one. By weaving biblical reference with fantasy he has created a deep and insightful work of fantasy that is up there with the best. His attention to detail is inspiring and his narrative faultless. Excellent debut.
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  • GoldenJ
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simply awsome read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 January 2014
    Format: Kindle Edition
    Black Sea Gods is a simply awesome read! A post-apocalyptic blend of Chinese folklore with biblical overtures it is richly written, enchanting and evocative. One of those books you come across by chance and wonder why the whole world hasn't read it. Would highly recommend to discerning lovers of fantasy fiction.
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  • ML H.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Favourite read of the year!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 April 2013
    Format: Kindle Edition
    It is always a pleasure finding something new. I'm not a big fantasy fiction fan but this book had me hooked from the first chapter. It has a fantastic storyline and the eco warrior undertones are unmistakeable.
    The real magic in this book though comes from the way the author has taken Eurasian and Chinese mythology and weaved them together to build his world. Black Sea Gods was given to me as a review copy but it is my favourite read of the year. If fantasy is your thing, go and buy it!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • White
    5.0 out of 5 stars Yeah, this review got a little long.
    Reviewed in the United States on 19 March 2017
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This book is a sure bet for lovers of epic fantasy with thorough world-building. It takes its time getting where it's going, but the time isn't wasted. Due to my fits and spurts reading schedule I generally prefer stories that move a little faster, but although it took me a while to get settled into this one, the writing itself was so smooth that I didn't get tired of it. There are quite a few characters and a really big world to integrate into, and if that's your thing, you should definitely pick up Black Sea Gods: Chronicles of Fu Xi. If that's not your thing, at least read the last paragraph of this really long review for some of the messages in this book. It's good stuff.
    I had a hard time relating to the characters for a while because they are so foreign to me, and honestly it wasn’t until I started getting the story from Fu Xi's perspective that I became truly engrossed, but although I didn't relate to them, I did like them. That's important to me, and it turns out that it was important to the story--for the characters to be likable, I mean. I got to know and enjoy them as I journeyed with them, to the point that by the end of the book I truly felt connected, and that's all a girl can ask.
    Some who read this book will soon begin to pick up on the big picture of what's going on, at least I suspected that I did, and I was right. That's not to say the story is predictable, far from it, but there is an element of it that cleverly weaves throughout and is explained at the end. I so just want to say what it is, but that would ruin everything. I'll just say it's cool. I didn't exactly like the ending, but I can't say why or it will totally spoil, and my unhappiness wasn't a fault, it was intentional.

    Language: Clean so far as I remember.

    Sexual Content: Nothing graphic, but a lot of it is…non-consensual. For this and other reasons, I recommend for older teens and up.

    Violence: Yes, it's a violent world, but for the most part it isn't explicitly depicted. Still, not for young readers.

    Diversity: Well, yes and no. The main group of characters, the Lo, are all fair-skinned, but they interact and join up with others who are more tan. And I always picture Fu Xi and his people as being a non-specific ancient Asian. Many things about him and his people had a Asian vibe to me. For all I know, it was based off a specific ancient culture, but of course since this is a fantasy world it wasn't spoken of. (Unless it was and I just didn't 'get' it. I don't know much about ancient Asia, so if there were references, I would have missed them.)

    Overall Message/Plot: As far as I kept track, everything fit together well. It wasn't exactly a satisfying ending, but it did wrap up and set the stage for the next book. There were definitely messages in the book, and I'll share a couple that really struck me.
    First, that living with love, contentment, and courage is what counts. The Lo really aim for this, and it's their salvation.
    Second, there was a profound moment when the Lo were immersed in another culture, and they saw the way the un-parented children ran around stealing and begging, and the Lo wondered what kind of people could allow their children to live like that. Not their own offspring, mind you, but their country's children. This really resonated with me because in our country I so often see an attitude in others, an attitude that says 'Other people's children aren't my problem, and I shouldn't be paying to educate them, and I shouldn't be obliged to help feed them, and they should just work harder.' They ARE our children, we're in this together and what's good for their future is good for mine, since we're going to be sharing that future. People mourn the passing of community and the traditional family, but often don't really want to be part of creating that community in our world because it involves giving up a bit of what's 'ours'. And then they go on to talk about how it's all God's anyway, and they know we can't hold on to it… OK, rant over.
    Third, be careful who you put your faith in. In this case it was lower 'deity', but in our case it might be politicians, religious leaders, or our inaccurate interpretations of God. This story illustrates well how the mighty fall, and when they do, all the crap rolls down hill.
    My blog: rawhitebooksandmore(dot)weebly(dot)com
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  • Karen
    4.0 out of 5 stars Epic Journey in Myth
    Reviewed in the United States on 12 September 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This was not what I expected when I started reading. I was expecting a tale of gods and goddesses only. But this was definitely more than that. This story builds on the mythology of the Black Sea. It starts out slowly but once you get past the first few chapters it gets very interesting. I found myself liking the characters and wanting them all to survive, but that does not always happen.

    The best way to give a look at this is through the blurb:

    "The fish have disappeared from the sea. The animals have vanished from the land. All humanity, and even the gods, tremble under the specter of a pending cataclysm. The demigod Fu Xi races home from the edge of the world bringing news of a looming god war, but finds his land under attack by monsters he once called his children. He discovers a terrible curse has been cast, one intended to destroy the gods and all life. To his shock, Fu Xi learns mankind's hope rest solely on him, a simple fisherman and a banished slave girl.

    Beset on all sides, Fu Xi knows he must act quickly and races west to rescue the saviors. Unaware of the real doom that awaits, Aizarg the fisherman and his party begin a perilous journey across a dangerous steppe. They seek the last of the Narim, the legendary Black Sea Gods, who hold the key to their salvation. Leading them is the rescued slave girl Sarah, the only one among them who knows the path to the land of the god-men.

    Over seven days the defining struggle of gods and humans begins under the onslaught of a powerful force whose true objective and origin remain a mystery. Fu Xi knows the secret to victory resides in a fisherman and a slave girl, whose lives he must protect, even if it means the rest of the world must perish."

    If you want something that will make you think and not just entertain I think this would be a good read. It took myths I had known all my life and gave them a spin I would never had considered. I really enjoyed it!
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  • Cathy J. Cardin
    5.0 out of 5 stars With a twist!
    Reviewed in the United States on 6 October 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Wow. My mind is blown.

    I stated in me comments while reading Black Sea Gods that I loved the prehistory aspect. Masterfully done, and it totally set me up for a spectacular surprise. This huge reveal is handled with immaculate care and attention to detail, the lack, or misshandling of which could have caused this story to collapse like a delicate souffle. It did not collapse. It delivered the good in what I am sure will be one of the most memorable surprise reveals that has ever been pulled over on me.

    My hat is off to Brian Braden for keeping me enthralled throughout and taking me on an adventure that I never expected.

    I loved the characters, they built up wonderfully and carried me on their shoulders through their harrowing journey. Aizarg had a depth of warmth and goodness in him that amounted to nothing short of holy. Just reading of him raised my own spirit. He is one of many characters that are deeply and lovingly rendered. They make the reader feel, and experience their tribulations right beside them.

    I experienced a bit of seperation from Fu Xi, but then he's not really human, is he? Brian Braden captured this aspect of the character very well. We see how he is different, how he perceives the world in a very unique fashion. We can emphasise with him enough to feel his pain and his joy, but he stands out for what he is.

    I also pointed out in my comments how much this reminded me of classic works by Edgar Rice Burroughs. That's no easy task. I suspect is was not intentional, and Burroughs almost never touched on supernatural or spiritual subjects directly, yet I felt the touch of the old master of adventure coming through. The trials of a primative people. The best of human nature. The awe of the inexplicable. The conviction of superstition. All of these things come together to build a world worthy of such inspiration.

    Black Sea Gods is nothing short of a wonderful tale, written with skill and artistry. I would love to say more, but I don't want to give anything away.

    Are there any points I didn't care for? Some, and only slightly, not enough to take anything away from the story at all. The handling of Fu Xi's flashbacks slowed the pace and tension during the brief section of his story. This was an issue with the editing; the story being told through those flashbacks was excellent. I just feel a different arrangement may have helped build up the tension rather than cool it off, but that is only my opinion.
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  • Inge H. Borg
    5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous, Mystical, Murderous
    Reviewed in the United States on 21 July 2014
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This Novel raises the bar for Historical Fantasy to new heights. I usually know after reading the first paragraph whether or not I will like a book. With Black Sea Gods, I knew after the first sentence that the writing itself would be good. Well, I was wrong. It is GREAT!

    The story is pure fantasy that is not bogged down by still disputed ancient timelines, nor even real places. Yet I "smelled" the salt-water marshes, "saw" the homes tilting above the lagoon, "heard" the incoming tide rush against the pilings, and kept worrying about the fate of the Lo-tribe.

    Interestingly, there are two different story-lines: One follows the arduous journey of an intrepid people; the other, the Chronicles of Fu Xi, tells of the birth, death and re-birthing of the gods. The marvel is how the two are fused into an "Aha-moment."

    Black Sea Gods is a novel to be enjoyed on several levels: For the sensitivity and beauty of the writing itself (I still demand that in what I choose to read); for the astounding imagination it took to write a story of those early tribes and gods (with the initial unfamiliarity about names quickly being overcome); and lastly for the vivid descriptions.

    Writing historical fiction myself, I often stopped to ask myself "how did the writer come up with this?" And then I had to check that, indeed, this is written by a male author (sorry guys, but it is that delicately sensitive in places, yet so vividly strong in others, with some brutal scenes thrown in).

    A resounding "Highly Recommended."
    Report
  • TStaley
    4.0 out of 5 stars a cultural adventure
    Reviewed in the United States on 7 April 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Aizarg and Levidi, two Lo Nation fisherman, are out stalking through the marshes one day when they notice something strange. There are no flies or mosquitoes biting them. The fish they hunt are gone, and all the animals are leaving. The Lo people nervously call a Council meeting together when they realize their livelihoods will vanish with the fish, and their families will starve. They fear something has angered the gods and goddesses of nature, and they need to figure out what it is...and fix it, if possible. At Council, it's decided that a team of clan and spirit-leaders--including Aizarg and Levidi--will venture into the grasslands and risk their lives to seek the wisdom of the immortals known as Narim.

    In the meantime, Fu Xi arrives home from his journeys all over the world to find that chaos has ensued--the primitives he once tried to civilize (known as Ice Men) have savagely cannibalized his village. He immediately seeks the counsel of his mother, the goddess Nuwa, to find out why, and she reveals that the world is being punished by the Celestial Emperor due to the sins of the gods, goddesses and fallen mortals. Can Fu Xi, Aizarg and his clan somehow change the heart of the Divine, or will they perish with the rest of the world?

    Braden's BLACK SEA GODS is a tale that blends Chinese folklore with the Biblical account of the Nephilite giants. The literary undertaking is nothing less than epic, here, but I don't feel the author has "bitten off more than he can chew." I found the two ancient stories blending quite well together. There might have been a tad too much complexity, especially with the author's use of terms like g'an and sco-lo-ti and patesi-le. Combined with names like Levidi, Aizarg, Setenay, Ood-i, etc, I frequently got confused. However, I'm a relatively new reader of epic fantasies and find that the names associated with different peoples and worlds is what makes fantasy "fantasy." So take me with a grain of salt on that.

    Braden has crafted scenes with vivid detail, almost too much at times that it slows the pacing. But overall, the novel is packed with so much adventure, gore and tension that the reader will gnaw nails (I lost two) and find the images lingering long after finishing the book. Also, it's important to note the narrative is written from several points-of-view, and I found Fu Xi's voice particularly unique. His italicized Chronicles are so crisply poetic that I'd go back and re-read them for the beauty of the prose.

    Fantasy fans will love BLACK SEA GODS, and I look forward to Book II in the series. Highly recommended. [review also appearing on tarastaley.com]
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