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The Curse of King Midas
THE CURSE OF KING MIDAS IS REAL.
In the ancient kingdom of Phrygia, tribal boy Karem Savas thirsts for revenge against King Sargon II, the man who killed his mother and kidnapped his sister. A deal with the dark goddess of the underworld propels him to a powerful position of leadership with a mighty army and thousands of loyal subjects. Crowned as King Midas, he rules from the prosperous capital city of Gordium, where the future shines bright for his two royal children, Prince Anchurus and Princess Zoe.
But Midas is unable to shake his traumatic past. As his deal with the dark goddess turns sour, he seeks help from another, never realizing it will be his undoing. Burdened with a cursed power and floundering against the savvy King Sargon II, Midas must right his wrongs and save his children before it is too late.
Packed with myth, magic, and vengeance, this captivating tale of King Midas begins the new mythological fantasy series from Colleen M. Story.
Post-Publication Awards
- 2024 Readers’ Favorite Bronze Medal, Fiction-Mythology
“With its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and poignant themes, The Curse of King Midas is a standout in the genre, sure to captivate both fans of mythological retellings and newcomers alike.”
~Foram Vyas for Readers’ Favorite
Pre-Publication Awards
- Top 10 finalist for the Claymore Award, 2023
What People Are Saying
“The real curse of the king lies in far more than gold and greed. Story brings this world to life with a vivid touch that spins a fine yarn, circling it with the golden touch of authoritative history combined with new interpretations.
The marriage of intrigue, myth, and special interests works well to create a compelling revamp of the King Midas legend. This will prove attractive to a wide range of readers, from those interested in stories built from new historical discoveries to others who just want a rollicking good read replete with myth, magic, and entwined lives, that exhibits rich and satisfying twists and turns of experience and intention.”
~D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“The Curse of King Midas excels in plot intricacy, maintaining a steady pace that builds tension and anticipation. Action scenes are well-executed, heightening the stakes and propelling the narrative forward with each page turn. The characters are vividly portrayed, each grappling with their own ambitions and moral dilemmas, which adds a layer of realism to the fantastical setting…. In conclusion, Colleen M. Story’s novel is a gripping fantasy that blends classic myth with contemporary storytelling finesse. With its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and poignant themes, The Curse of King Midas is a standout in the genre, sure to captivate both fans of mythological retellings and newcomers alike.”
~Foram Vyas for Readers’ Favorite Book Awards
“Colleen M. Story has woven a spellbinding tale of revenge, magic, and redemption. I was captivated by the characters, the mythology, and the thrilling rollercoaster of the plot. This first book in Story’s mythological fantasy series will stay with you long after you turn the final page.”
~ Beth Castrodale, award-winning author of Marion Hatley, In This Ground, and I Mean You No Harm
“Filled with unexpected twists and heartrending sacrifices, ‘The Curse of King Midas’ spins an expertly woven tale with a rich cast of characters that had me laughing one minute and crying the next. I’ve been in a horrible book slump for months, but I breezed through this with ease. It tugged at my heart and made me look forward to reading every night before bed (I stayed up way too late more than once). It’s the sort of story that lingers long after it’s finished.”
~ Jinx Moreland, creator of “Oregon Family Adventures”
“Colleen M. Story’s epic, The Curse of King Midas—the first in The Midas Legacy—offers a tapestry of legend and myth intertwined with plenty of action, Greek tragedy-like drama, and blood-thirsty revenge. This tale of a wish gone horribly awry is imaginatively rich in characterization and setting, and will captivate readers of all ages.”
~ Sharon Ledwith, author of The Last Timekeepers time travel adventure series, and Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls teen psychic mysteries
“In ‘The Curse of King Midas,’ Colleen Story crafts her own mythos around the historical King Midas, remaining faithful to both historical accounts and the Greek myth that immortalized him. The story is expertly weaved together from multiple viewpoints including Midas himself, his adversary King Sargon, the prince and princess, his three comical advisors, a vengeful goddess and a host of other vibrant characters. The book unfolds at a deliberate pace, drawing the reader into the worlds of each character—revealing their motives, fears and desires—building towards the culmination of the king’s wish. As characters rally to save the king or prepare for the impending battle, the pace quickens. Just when readers believe they have a firm grasp on what happens next, another layer of detail in a character’s story emerges, upending all expectations. However, even as the main dilemma reaches a satisfying conclusion, Story entices readers with lingering questions and unresolved mysteries, perpetuating the legend of King Midas and leaving them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.”
~ Cloie Sandlin, award-winning editor and journalist
“This book kept me glued to my laptop screen! The desires of each character are woven so tightly into a spidery web of intrigue, twisting and turning at every angle, spun so masterfully, that I felt like prey advancing along each silky strand of plot, unable to breathe, wondering what predatory twist would jump out at me next.”
~ Janet Wagner, Independent Academic Tutor
“Intrigue, mystery, suspense and revenge—this story has it all. It grabs you and does not let go. The plot and characters pull you in until you are fully immersed in the saga of King Midas and his battle against his mortal enemy King Sargon. Every character has a story to tell and their stories are so intertwined, they come head to head in battle and you find yourself holding your breath waiting to see who emerges on top. Ms. Story’s style of writing brings each character to life and you will find yourself fully invested in to what happens to each one of them and how each wages their own personal battle. There is so much more to this story and I personally can not wait to see what happens next.”
~ Taffy L. Homyak, Pre-K Teacher
“Not many people are fortunate enough to have a last name that echoes their calling, but in the case of Colleen M. Story, it’s a perfect match—she can create an extraordinary story! I consider myself a vivacious reader, and few authors I have seen can craft a tapestry of plot and narrative as skillfully as Colleen can. I was enthralled by this story from start to finish. Do yourself a favor and immerse yourself in the world of The Curse of King Midas.”
~ Andrew G. Hansen, Creative Writing Instructor
“Embark on an exhilarating journey into a meticulously crafted world by Colleen M. Story, where the captivating themes of King Midas’ mythology, revenge, and redemption converge in a mesmerizing narrative. Prepare to be riveted by a story that transcends the ordinary, leaving an everlasting impact on your imagination. Your next epic fantasy awaits.”
~ R. J. Jeffreys, Award-Winning Poet, Writer, Editor at Tiferet Journal and Co-Host/Producer Author2Author Interviews
“The Curse of King Midas” by Colleen M. Story is a captivating combination of history, mythology, and the human experience woven into a rich narrative…The book has a sweeping scope, richly drawn characters, and an enchanting blend of history and fantasy…It is a masterpiece that will linger in the mind long after the final page is turned. I was especially thrilled to learn a second book is in process, and I can’t wait to read it!”
~ Mariel, Goodreads Review
“The story is incredibly engaging, filled with exciting, rich characters that leap off the page and infect your mind. I finished this book a whole ten days ago and I’m still obsessed with them, imagining what they’re doing now and how they’re coping with the events of the final chapters….The Curse of King Midas is an ambitious story stuffed to the brim with a myriad of brilliantly diverse characters and interwoven with a number of well-executed plotlines. It’s an enriching and gripping novel that I highly recommend.”
~ Bethany Martin, Goodreads review
“Packed with twists, drama, surprises, and romance, this novel is a page-turner that keeps you glued to the pages. You will eagerly devour this book as Midas struggles with a fight against his sworn enemy, gains a blessing only to discover it a curse…. The author will keep you wondering what will happen next one thing is for sure, and that is you will be looking forward to what comes next.”
~ Seraphia, Goodreads
“I am not very familiar with King Midas’ story, I just know little parts of it, but I absolutely couldn’t get enough of this author’s version! Each character is so unique that you can easily tell how much thought and feelings were put into each one. The writing captured my attention almost instantly. It’s so beautiful and descriptive yet very easy to understand. I didn’t find myself getting lost like I sometimes do in typical fantasy writing. I’m very curious to see how the author will develop this series. This novel is definitely suited for fans of fantasy and Greek mythology mixed with magic!”
~ Destiny Imperati, Goodreads
“The prologue is cinematic. It feels like a widescreen epic …There are family secrets, multiple plot strands, battle scenes and magic courtesy of goddesses all going on in a fast moving plot …Highly enjoyable and one for fans of fantasy, mythology or ancient history. The line between myth, legend and the truth in antiquity is always blurred and it’s used to good effect here to present a very believable story.”
~Gavin, Goodreads
“Everyone has heard about the plight of King Midas, but Story brings it to life in a unique and refreshing way. Midas’ tale is full of heartbreaking losses, cruel intrusions from the gods, and the unfaltering need for vengeance. ‘The Curse of King Midas’ humanizes the myth in a way that made my heart ache for the unfortunate situations that Midas found himself in, but also allowed me to see the dangerous sides of his greed and selfishness. A great read for lovers of Greek mythology, ancient history, and those that love a good tale of revenge.”
~ The Book Nerd’s Corner, Reader and Book Reviewer
“Goddesses, magic, war, espionage, love and loss…this book has it all. It’s jam packed and so well written, including the world building. I felt transported into this world with all the details…And so many dynamic characters to read about!”
~ Grim, Goodreads
“I loved the entire story. This book elevated King Midas from a kid’s cautionary folk tale about greed to a captivating adult read about a man with a lifelong enemy and a kingdom to protect.”
~Debbie, Goodreads