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Love of the Hunter
Will the night skies be forever changed?
Those upon Earth would assume the life of a Greek god is a walk through Elysium. They would be terribly wrong. Apollo, the golden son of Zeus, is far from home, banished from Olympus to live and train with the Titan, Helios. To compound his misery, Apollo is still mourning the loss of his first love, Hyacinthus. Life becomes a daily routine of shame, drudgery, and abuse until the hunter Orion appears at the eastern end of the world, seeking the healing touch of a Titan.
When Helios refuses to aid yet another offspring of the usurping gods, Apollo hides Orion and heals the hunter as best as his fledgling powers allow. Blinded eyes mend slowly, and the two young men find themselves falling in love as the seasons go by. But the gods of Olympus see all, and Sky father Zeus disapproves of the budding relationship. Can their love stand against the disapproval and fury of the god of men?
Those upon Earth would assume the life of a Greek god is a walk through Elysium. They would be terribly wrong. Apollo, the golden son of Zeus, is far from home, banished from Olympus to live and train with the Titan, Helios. To compound his misery, Apollo is still mourning the loss of his first love, Hyacinthus. Life becomes a daily routine of shame, drudgery, and abuse until the hunter Orion appears at the eastern end of the world, seeking the healing touch of a Titan.
When Helios refuses to aid yet another offspring of the usurping gods, Apollo hides Orion and heals the hunter as best as his fledgling powers allow. Blinded eyes mend slowly, and the two young men find themselves falling in love as the seasons go by. But the gods of Olympus see all, and Sky father Zeus disapproves of the budding relationship. Can their love stand against the disapproval and fury of the god of men?
First published November 11, 2013
About the author
V.L. Locey
193 books678 followersV.L. Locey loves worn jeans, Dr. Who, Torchwood, belly laughs, yoga, reading and writing lusty tales, walking, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.)
She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.
When not writing lusty tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, fresh cup of java in hand.
Sign up for my newsletter here: http://vllocey.com/Newsletter
She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.
When not writing lusty tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, fresh cup of java in hand.
Sign up for my newsletter here: http://vllocey.com/Newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 14, 2021
I am completely drained and devastated after finishing this book. Do you know how hard it is when you share a home with other people and you try to keep your tears to yourself? Like, snot-nosed, epically cascading tears? That was me.
I love mythology, especially the Greek pantheon (and by default the Roman). I snap up any stories I find based on them, and I love seeing different authors’ interpretations and how they tweak them to give readers a new take on the classics.
Here, Apollo’s prior relationship with Hyacinthus and the latter’s death has shattered Apollo. The author takes us along as he grieves, and through his meeting Orion and the relationship that develops between them. Complicating things is Apollo’s father Zeus and his unmoving stance on same-sex relationships, and how he makes Apollo suffer because of this.
Given that these are Greek gods and goddesses we are dealing with, their egotistical, self-centered, holier-than-thou nature shines through. Even with Apollo being shown in the best light possible, he still carries a bit of that air of believing he is of higher standing than others and basks in the adoration of his followers. Yet I still was on his side and hoping he would have his happiness in the end.
I should have reminded myself that there are way too many stories in mythology that are tragic. To be fair though, I was warned before starting that this would not be a romance; me and my eternally, hopefully optimistic nature when it comes to relationship though still held out hope. Silly girl.
Love of the Hunter wreaked havoc with my emotions, leaving me in tears for the last few chapters. And yet, it was still a 5-star read—you can’t make me feel SO MUCH and think I would give anything less. Creative, intensely passionate, and highly emotional, this is definitely a must-read and probably my favorite ugly-cry book. This story is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
I love mythology, especially the Greek pantheon (and by default the Roman). I snap up any stories I find based on them, and I love seeing different authors’ interpretations and how they tweak them to give readers a new take on the classics.
Here, Apollo’s prior relationship with Hyacinthus and the latter’s death has shattered Apollo. The author takes us along as he grieves, and through his meeting Orion and the relationship that develops between them. Complicating things is Apollo’s father Zeus and his unmoving stance on same-sex relationships, and how he makes Apollo suffer because of this.
Given that these are Greek gods and goddesses we are dealing with, their egotistical, self-centered, holier-than-thou nature shines through. Even with Apollo being shown in the best light possible, he still carries a bit of that air of believing he is of higher standing than others and basks in the adoration of his followers. Yet I still was on his side and hoping he would have his happiness in the end.
I should have reminded myself that there are way too many stories in mythology that are tragic. To be fair though, I was warned before starting that this would not be a romance; me and my eternally, hopefully optimistic nature when it comes to relationship though still held out hope. Silly girl.
Love of the Hunter wreaked havoc with my emotions, leaving me in tears for the last few chapters. And yet, it was still a 5-star read—you can’t make me feel SO MUCH and think I would give anything less. Creative, intensely passionate, and highly emotional, this is definitely a must-read and probably my favorite ugly-cry book. This story is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
May 3, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
This is Orion’s story, told through the words and watchful eyes of Apollo who is, it must be said, a most unreliable narrator. As an Olympian, he’s vain, proud, temperamental, narcissistic, and so very, very angry. He frets over his hatred for Helios, but makes no effort to either find peace with the titan or to actually challenge him. He just endures the beatings and the lashes of his whip and sulks and frets and broods. He snipes at his father, but does not face him. He reassures himself of how splendid he is, how marvelous, how wonderful … and if you don’t like Apollo in the first half of the book, you won’t like him in the second because, like all Greek gods, he is unchanging.
I enjoyed this book, but it might not be for everyone. It’s not a romance and it’s not even really a relationship, though there is one, and several sex scenes. But it’s more a character study of a character that will never grow or change or learn, not really.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
This is Orion’s story, told through the words and watchful eyes of Apollo who is, it must be said, a most unreliable narrator. As an Olympian, he’s vain, proud, temperamental, narcissistic, and so very, very angry. He frets over his hatred for Helios, but makes no effort to either find peace with the titan or to actually challenge him. He just endures the beatings and the lashes of his whip and sulks and frets and broods. He snipes at his father, but does not face him. He reassures himself of how splendid he is, how marvelous, how wonderful … and if you don’t like Apollo in the first half of the book, you won’t like him in the second because, like all Greek gods, he is unchanging.
I enjoyed this book, but it might not be for everyone. It’s not a romance and it’s not even really a relationship, though there is one, and several sex scenes. But it’s more a character study of a character that will never grow or change or learn, not really.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
April 30, 2014
Finished this book last night and really enjoyed it as a light read. If you enjoy Greek Mythology like I do then I'm sure you will enjoy this book their is nothing to dislike. Apollo is a young God who is being punished for loving a man Hyacinth, but when he finds Orion he loves once again. However like all Greek myths the ending is not happy (don't say I didn't warn you). I enjoyed Locey's take on Apollo who I had never really liked as a God, because in the Iliad, I found him arrogant, but that is because he was on the Trojan side, anyway... I now adore him and can't wait to read more of Locey's work.
April 18, 2021
Wow, this was so intense! Lots of ugly cries of the best kind and a total emotional wringer!
This book is a really interesting take on Greek mythology that kept me rooted to the spot and with laser focus on the story! So well written.
Apollo was a great character to centre to book around and his emotions were so visceral. The author definitely spared no punches here with his grief and all the other struggles thrown his way.
I really loved the lack of idealisation. The characters have flaws and it just makes them all the more relatable... even though they are gods.
Not for the faint of heart, but soooo good!
This book is a really interesting take on Greek mythology that kept me rooted to the spot and with laser focus on the story! So well written.
Apollo was a great character to centre to book around and his emotions were so visceral. The author definitely spared no punches here with his grief and all the other struggles thrown his way.
I really loved the lack of idealisation. The characters have flaws and it just makes them all the more relatable... even though they are gods.
Not for the faint of heart, but soooo good!
April 25, 2021
If you enjoy Greek Mythology like I do then you will really enjoy reading Love of the Hunter.
This story has all the feels you could want and then some!
The author has drawn such a well developed character in Apollo that the reader is totally invested in the story.
This book was a pleasure to read.
This story has all the feels you could want and then some!
The author has drawn such a well developed character in Apollo that the reader is totally invested in the story.
This book was a pleasure to read.
June 28, 2021
2.5/5
January 5, 2016
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
I love mythology, so when I saw this book up for review, I grabbed it. Love of the Hunter is about the Greek god Apollo, son of Zeus, and his pursuit of love. The story begins after Apollo has lost his true love, Hyacinthus. While Apollo morns the boy’s passing, Zeus punishes him for loving a man by banishing him to live with the wicked Titan, Helios. Though the titan punishes him brutally on a daily basis, he is unable to beat Apollo’s love of men out of him. Apollo soon falls for the demi-god hunter, Orion. Though their love is strong, Apollo fears he will lose Orion just as he lost Hyacinthus. Apollo also guards him jealously when his sister displays an interest in him. In addition to his fears, Apollo still has his fierce and willful father to contend with who still insists it is wrong for Apollo to lay with a man.
This is not the first thing I’ve read from V.L. Locey and it definitely won’t be the last. I really love the language used by the characters, which makes me feel as if the story is actually unfolding thousands of years back in mythical times. It is also evident that the author has a vast wealth of knowledge about Greek mythology. I loved all the characters in this book and thought it was quite sexy. The only part I didn’t like was how it ended. Not all Greek myths have happy endings, but I prefer to see love win. Overall, reading this book was a great experience and I recommend it to anyone who loves m/m romance and Greek mythology.
I love mythology, so when I saw this book up for review, I grabbed it. Love of the Hunter is about the Greek god Apollo, son of Zeus, and his pursuit of love. The story begins after Apollo has lost his true love, Hyacinthus. While Apollo morns the boy’s passing, Zeus punishes him for loving a man by banishing him to live with the wicked Titan, Helios. Though the titan punishes him brutally on a daily basis, he is unable to beat Apollo’s love of men out of him. Apollo soon falls for the demi-god hunter, Orion. Though their love is strong, Apollo fears he will lose Orion just as he lost Hyacinthus. Apollo also guards him jealously when his sister displays an interest in him. In addition to his fears, Apollo still has his fierce and willful father to contend with who still insists it is wrong for Apollo to lay with a man.
This is not the first thing I’ve read from V.L. Locey and it definitely won’t be the last. I really love the language used by the characters, which makes me feel as if the story is actually unfolding thousands of years back in mythical times. It is also evident that the author has a vast wealth of knowledge about Greek mythology. I loved all the characters in this book and thought it was quite sexy. The only part I didn’t like was how it ended. Not all Greek myths have happy endings, but I prefer to see love win. Overall, reading this book was a great experience and I recommend it to anyone who loves m/m romance and Greek mythology.
November 20, 2013
Apollo has been banished from Olympus to live and train with the Titan Helios. Life there is not a picnic since Helios knows that Apollo is destined to replace him as the sun God. Apollo is in mourning for his human love Hyacinthus and his fat her Zeus wants him to get over this infatuation with loving men and move on and become the God Zeus wants him to be. Then enters sexy Orion; blinded and needing help.
I have to be fair and say that this is one of my favourite authors and I love her writing style. This book is very different from her usual humorous happy ever afters. I absolutely love stories based on any of the Gods or Titans, or myths. This story is written in a very poetic style that reminded me of Homer,( yes I am a Mythology geek). I loved the way it was poetic and descriptive and sounded old fashioned however wasn’t too prosy. I will say I done into this thinking happy, happy, joy, joy and let my knowledge of the story of Orion slip to the wayside and was very shocked at the turn of events. This is a good thing. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn’t put it down.
The story is a telling of tragedy so b sure to bring a couple boxes of Kleenex. By the time I was doe my pillowcase was so wet I had to change it. * sigh*
I though this story was beautifully written, a wonderful spin on Apollo and Orion and oh so sensuous and sexy.
If you love the stories of Greek Gods and like a m/m spin, some loving relationships, tragedy, and sensuous swoony mansex, this is for you!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews