The Curse of King Midas
Forthcoming in June 2024!
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.
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
“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
“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