ARC Review: Valkyrie Rising

Title:  Valkyrie Rising
Author:  Ingrid Paulson
Pages:  352
Genre:  Young Adult Mythology
Publisher:  HarperTeen
Obtained:  Southern Book Bloggers ARC Tour
Purchase:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Summary:  Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she'll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she's there.

What Ellie doesn't anticipate is Graham's infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there's suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it's up to Ellie--and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck--to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.

Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl's unexpectedly-epic coming of age.

The Dish:  I was thrilled when I found out I was getting the chance to read Ingrid Paulson's debut, Valkyrie Rising, and Ms. Paulson did not fail to reel me into the story.  With Norse mythology not being used as much in contemporary literature, it was refreshing and exciting to see just what was in store.  While the figures of Odin and Loki do play a role in the book, it is the strength and bond of the warrior women known as Valkyries that is the main focus, especially regarding Ellie's journey.

Ellie took a bit of warming up to in the beginning of the story, mostly because I did feel sorry for her having to stand in the massive shadow of Graham, her older brother.  I don't have siblings, so I can't really relate to that idea, but it was good to see that Ellie was indeed wanting to get out of that overbearing shadow.  When she gets the chance to go out with an older boy while visiting her grandmother, Hilda, in Norway, I wasn't surprised when she just went for it.  Then again, that might have also been the rebellious part of her rearing itself that she is strong enough to take care of herself without the need of Graham.

Following the incidents of young men being taken by the Valkyries, Ellie showed remarkable growth and strength, especially after Hilda revealed the truth behind her background.  While Ellie also showed the rashness of youth, she also was able to overcome that with the help of both trust in her grandmother and from her brother's best friend, Tuck.  I have to admit, Tucker was a bit of an enigma for me, and I could totally understand why Ellie would be confused by his erratic behavior.  When one is teased and on the bring of being bullied and then shown gentle attention, it's easy to get mixed signals.  Luckily, Ellie could handle herself in any given situation.

I really enjoyed reading Valkyrie Rising though the pace was a bit on the slow side within the first few chapters.  It did pick up once Ellie was in Norway and definitely following the kidnappings.  I think readers who enjoy mythology or just kick-butt heroines would enjoy Ms. Paulson's take on the Valkyrie myth.  This is one I'll definitely want to get for my library.

ARC Review: Underworld by Meg Cabot

Title:  Underworld (Abandon Trilogy #2)
Author:  Meg Cabot
Pages:  320
Genre:  Young Adult Fantasy, Mythology
Publisher:  Point
Obtained:  ARC provided by publisher
Summary:  Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn't dead.

Not this time.

But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

Her captor, John Hayden, claims it's for her own safety.  Because not all the departed are dear.  Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they've come back as Furies, intent on vengeance... on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.

But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there... and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.

And unless Pierce is careful, this time there'll be no escape.

The Dish:  Reading Underworld has made me want to go back in time and lower my rating of Abandon to 4 Snowflakes.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Abandon, but I didn't read it with the fervor that I read Underworld.  This is one case where I felt the sequel outdid its predecessor. 

The story picks right back up from where we last left Pierce and John after he swept her away to the Underworld for her own safety.  While Pierce is still hesitant about being in the realm of the dead for eternity, being with John makes it appear more enticing.  Speaking of John, although he is still a bit on the brooding side (though what death deity wouldn't be?), there were changes in his character that made him even more likable.  Readers get to see this more sensitive side of John through how he has made changes in running the Underworld and how he behaves with his former crew who serve and assist him.  I do wish that John had been more honest and upfront about several big factors with Pierce, but if she's willing to overlook that, I suppose I can as well.

Let me just say that I enjoyed getting to meet John's crew members, Frank, Mr. Graves, Mr. Liu, and Henry.  They're the first "denizens" of the Underworld that Pierce meets, and while she doesn't feel as though she made the best of impressions, they do warm up to her throughout the time that all are on Isla Huesos.  It's amazing at how much occurs within the single day or rather night, and Cabot seems to be a master at making a short time feel much longer.  This is due to the major plot seeming rather simple, but when factoring in the obstacles placed in Pierce and John's path, it makes the simplest task much more difficult.  The Furies involved were no less fierce in their onslaught against Pierce, and I'm eager to see what the resolution will be for these angered spirits present on Isla Huesos.

Once again, Cabot has left this reader wanting more, and 2013 cannot get here soon enough when the final installment of the trilogy, Awaken, will be available.

Book 4

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Title:  Everneath
Author:  Brodi Ashton
Pages:  370
Genre:  Supernatural Young Adult Literature
Publisher:  Balzer & Bray
Summary:  Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she's returned--to her old life, her family, her boyfriend--before she's banished back to the underworld... this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance--and the one person she loves more than anything. But there's just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's queen.

The Dish:  There's been a pattern in my recent reads (save one exception), and Brodi Ashton's debut is one of the most fascinating takes on mythology.  Not only does she recreate the Persephone myth, she also relates it (briefly) to the Egyptian myth of Osiris and Isis.  I definitely like the idea of bridging myths of different cultures and societies.

The storyline is written in two parts entwined together, what is happening now in the present after Nikki has Returned from the Everneath and what happened then before she was taken.  This form of storytelling is a unique way of revealing what happened in the past while also relating to Nikki's time on the Surface while "settling her affairs."  It is both this means of storytelling that really drew me into Everneath, making it a smooth read.

Nikki, Jack, and yes even Cole were the most riveting characters who easily moved the story along.  I felt for Nikki's situation even when I thought she had made some definite mistakes before going into the Everneath.  However, given her age, I would chalk that up to establishing her as a believable teenager who makes hasty decisions.  Jack also made some decisions that I questioned but I found him to be a wonderful young man.  The reader can doubtlessly see why it was his memory that Nikki clung to while in the Everneath.  Now we approach Cole.  Cole.  I could describe him in so many words and probably earn the ire of every girl who adored this bad boy.  So I won't mince words when I say, "What a jerk and how I would love to punch him in so many ways."  And that's all I'll say on him until I read the second book.

Overall, this was an excellent debut filled with dynamic characters, mystery plot and background, and an ending that will leave readers wanting more.  I would highly recommend Everneath to those who enjoy mythology-based literature and supernatural mysteries, and I'm waiting on pins and needles for what Brodi Ashton has in store for her readers in Everbound.

Book 3

Guest Post from S.J. Bell Author of Bonds of Fenris

Today we have a guest post from Bonds of Fenris author, S.J. Bell, here to speak about Norse mythology revolving around the story of Fenrir, the great wolf who would kill Odin, the king of the Norse pantheon.  Please welcome S.J. Bell. 

***

My book is called Bonds of Fenris, after the Norse myth of the wolf destined to devour the world. I often get asked if the story is about the wolf in question. The short answer is no; the title is mostly symbolic. The myth is one of my favorites, though, and has implications that are a lot deeper than many people think.

Fenris, (or Fenrir, depending on how you translate it), was the son of the trickster god Loki. Once a friend of the gods, Loki had turned against them and engineered the death of Odin's son Baldur. In retribution, the gods locked Loki up. Afterwards, they became wary of Fenris, who had made his home in the woods. They consulted a prophet and received a dire warning: Fenris would kill and devour Odin, the king of the Norse pantheon.

Some of the gods suggested killing Fenris, but that was impossible. The woods he lived in were sacred, and spilling blood there would be a grievous crime. Instead, they tricked the wolf into letting himself be bound with chains to test his strength. When Fenris couldn't break his chains, the gods gagged him with a sword and left him there. They knew, however, that this wouldn't change anything, because in Norse mythology destiny is absolute. And so it's said that at Ragnarok, the great battle that would end the world, Fenris would break free and take revenge on Odin for his imprisonment.


On the surface, it's your typical folk story. Big bad monster defeated by trickery. The complexity shows up when you try to figure out what exactly makes Fenris the big bad monster. When we first meet him, Fenris is just doing what a wolf does normally. Yes, I imagine the peaceful herbivores he preyed upon weren't too fond of him. But that's not his fault. It's the way of the world. All creatures consume others to survive. And Fenris doesn't seem to pose a threat to the gods. In fact, his interactions with them are quite civil up until the point that they stick a sword in his mouth.

All societies create gods and demons in their own image. Or, more accurately, in the image of their worldview. In the middle ages, the myth of Fenris probably had a much different connotation than it does today. Fenris was a force of nature in a time when nature was a threat to people: the famine that brought starvation, the great storm that sunk the trading ships, the harsh winter when your neighbors froze to death. But all societies also re-invent and re-interpret the myths of their predecessors. To our parents, Dracula was a villain. But his spiritual descendents are sensitive individuals struggling with their afflictions, or embracing it in an ethical and responsible manner. Our ancestors created monsters. We took those monsters and humanize them.



So when we read the story of Fenris, we ask the question that the Vikings didn't: what exactly has Fenris done that necessitates such a harsh punishment? Nothing, really. He was chained up out of fear that he would do something in the future. And so he has to stay chained to one spot, gagged and unable to eat, to wait for who knows how long. Maybe centuries. Wouldn't it be understandable for him to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder when he finally gets loose? From Fenris' perspective, he is imprisoned for no crime by a society that doesn't respect him. We have stories of such wronged people taking revenge on their enemies, and often these characters are sympathetic, or even heroic. 

The question must be asked: was the wolf locked up because he was wicked, or did he become wicked because he was locked up? Were the Norse gods actually creating the means of their own downfall?

Fenris isn't the villain of his story; the real villain is fear. Fear which, as it always does, made people act irrationally. The gods knew that destiny could not be defied, but even knowing so they desperately tried to prevent it, and in so doing made their problem much worse than it had to be. If they had tried to find another tack, tried to understand the wolf, maybe they could have solved the problem peacefully. Maybe there wouldn't have been a problem in the first place. Things might have gone a lot better for all concerned if the gods hadn't convinced themselves right off the bat that Fenris was no good.

The myth of Fenris is supposed to be a story about a monster. But maybe what it's really about is the hazards of not trusting others.

TGIF (16): Bookish Trends

TGIF is a weekly meme created and hosted by Ginger of GReads! that recaps the week's posts and has a different question each week.

This week on Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes:

In My Mailbox (26)

Top Ten Tuesday (40): Books on my Spring TBR List

***

What are some bookish trends you are noticing in the literature world today? Is there a particular trend you'd like to see more of?

My Answer: It seems as though mythology, particularly Greek mythology, is becoming a popular bookish trend.  I will never complain about having more Greek mythology in literature, though it's also nice to see other cultures' mythologies and legends, such as Egyptian and Native American, being used in books, too.  That seems to be one of the most prominent trends at least in the books I'm noticing.

While there are some, I would like to see more dragon-featured books, and not the snarling, field-razing kind (though they have their place).  There should be more intelligent, yet powerful dragon-featured titles.

Review: Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman

Title:  Radiant Darkness
Author:  Emily Whitman
Pages:  270
Genre:  YA Mythology
Publisher:  HarperTeen
Summary:  He smiles. "Hello."

It's a deep voice. I can feel it reverberate in my chest and echo all the way down to my toes.

I know I should leave, but I don't want to. I want to keep my senses like this forever. I'm all eye, all ear, all skin.
Persephone lives in the most gorgeous place in the world. But her mother's a goddess, as overprotective as she is powerful. Paradise has become a trap. Just when Persephone feels there's no chance of escaping the life that's been planned for her, a mysterious stranger arrives. A stranger who promises something more--something dangerous and exciting--something that spurs Persephone to make a daring choice. A choice that could destroy all she's come to love, even the earth itself.

In a land where a singing river can make you forget your very name, Persephone is forced to discover who--and what--she really is.

The Quick Dish:  Retellings have always fascinated me, especially in the way of myths since so many of them seem to be told within so few pages. The myth of Persephone and Hades is rather popular, especially with the number of YA books that have pulled inspiration from their story. However, this is the first actual retelling I have read, and I have to say, it's good for readers to hear Persephone's voice. Most readers will know their story as Persephone being dragged down against her will into the Underworld by Hades in order to become his queen. Not so in this case.

Emily Whitman offers a different type of story in which the young spring goddess was stifled by her mother's constant sheltering. I really enjoyed this rendition of Persephone and how strong she became by the end of the story. It was troubling how she could not find her voice first with her overbearing mother, Demeter, and then with her (lovingly) possessive husband, Hades. Both of them felt they knew what was best for Persephone, though I have to say Demeter's overprotectiveness was far more trying than Hades' concern about her being taken from him.

Speaking of the god of the Underworld, I really wanted to see more of him in this story since the myth was originally called "Hades and Persephone." While I was a bit disappointed by this, I realize that this is Persephone's story, so her growth and development must be the focal point.

Overall, Radiant Darkness was an enjoyable retelling of a favorite myth that definitely puts the original story into a matter of perspective. Readers who enjoy Greek mythology should definitely add this one to their reading pile.

 

Book 3                                     Book 2

Review: Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs

Title:  Oh. My. Gods.
Author:  Tera Lynn Childs
Pages:  264
Genre:  Young Adult Mythology
Publisher:  Speak (Penguin Group)
Summary:  All Phoebe Castro has to do is keep her grades up and have another stellar cross-country season and her dream of attending USC with her friends on a track scholarship is a reality. So it's a complete shock when her mom announces that she's marrying a near-stranger and moving them to Greece. Before Phoebe knows it, she's stuck on a secret island in the Aegean and attending the superexclusive Academy, where her new stepfather is the headmaster and the kids are anything but your average students--they're descendants of the Greek gods, superpowers included. If regular high school wasn't bad enough, this is mortal misery. Phoebe's only chance of reclaiming her old life lies in securing that scholarship. But managing that may be an ungodly challenge, considering she's got a sabotaging stepsister from Hades and a gorgeous guy--what a god!--in her way...

The Quick Dish:  This was a really cute read, and I enjoyed hearing Phoebe's story.  The idea of having descendants of the Greek gods living among us may not be a new concept, but when it's done right I welcome any and all stories like it.  The characters were just so "high school" and I couldn't help laughing consistently as I read.  Phoebe was a character that I hoped would grow while on Serfopoula, and while she did develop some, it is definitely clear that she has even more growing to do.  As for story, it was the "hero's journey" about finding yourself in a more contemporary setting without necessarily having to slay monsters.

One thing I was thrown off by was the initial action that brought Phoebe to Serfopoula, the fact of her mother falling in love with Damien and marrying him within a matter of a week or so.  I've heard of "love at first sight," but I wondered if maybe Cupid had something to do with that.  Truth be told, Phoebe and Griffin's relationship had more development, and this gave a rather impetuous impression to see her mother making a rash decision.  However, since it wasn't explained in the story, I guess the reader will never know for sure beyond that they just "fell in love and wanted to get married."

Overall, if you enjoy Greek mythology in a contemporary setting along with hilarious characters, Oh. My. Gods. is right up your alley.

Book 2                                  Book 1

2012 YA Mythology Challenge

Well, after looking over my TBR bookshelf, I realized how many mythology-related YA books I have on hand.  So I thought it would be good to participate.  The challenge is to read 10 YA or Middle grade novels that incorporate any type of Mythology in the story line (Greek, Egyptian, Norse, etc.). 

- The challenge will run from January 1, 2012-December 31, 2012.

- You can join anytime by filling out the form at For Those About to Read.

- Books must be read in 2012.

- If you are a blogger, you must write a sign-up post that links back to the challenge page (Please be sure to use the image above in the post).

- If you are not a blogger, just leave a link to your account on Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, LibraryThing, etc.

Not sure what to read? Check out the YA Mythology Challenge Goodreads List.

Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Title:  The Scorpio Races
Author:  Maggie Stiefvater
Pages:  404
Genre:  Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher:  Scholastic Press
Summary:  Some race to win. Others race to survive. It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die. At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them. Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn't given her much of a choice. So she enters the competition--the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

The Dish:  Wow.  I'm not quite sure how to begin my review of The Scorpio Races except to say that it was not what I had expected.  Judging from the summary as well as the amazing book trailer, I had a completely different story in my mind when I first heard about Maggie Stiefvater's "secret novel."  But as with Shiver, Stiefvater did not disappoint with this story, and I am supremely glad I finally read it.

First off, Stiefvater pulls off multiple points of view quite successfully, and with characters like Puck and Sean, it's easy to see how she was able to do it.  Both main characters made great transitions within the story, opening up much more than either of them had before.  Puck was always used to it being just her family without really reaching out to "outsiders."  It was great to see her come out of her shell even if it meant participating in the most dangerous of races.  I was quite taken with Sean Kendrick, the mysterious boy who has a way with the capaill uisce, the powerful and deadly water horses.  To read about his relationship with Corr, the red capall uisce stallion captured first by his father and then again by Sean, was nothing short of remarkable and a little reminiscent of The Black Stallion, at least to me.

Secondly, the pacing of the book was incredible, and while I didn't feel rushed, I did feel the need to keep turning the pages to read what was going to happen next.  It definitely had something to do with the short chapters, and I've seen this means of "pushing the reader to read" in other books.  This is a technique that Stiefvater has mastered in how she was able to completely immerse me in the story without feeling bogged by so much information being thrown at me.  I was able to breathe even when it felt as though my stomach was turning in knots at both Puck and Sean's situations right to the very end.  Stiefvater's storytelling is nothing short of incredible.

Overall, this was an amazing story about a dangerous and thrilling race that lasted all of several chapters.  With magnificent plot build-up, believable and gradual character development, along with beautiful storytelling, this is one story you do not want to miss out on reading.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Everneath and Asphodel

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

Everneath

By: Brodi Ashton

Publish Date: January 24th, 2012 by Harper Collins

From Goodreads~

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now, she's returned-to her old life, her family, her friends-before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever. 

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists. 

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back-this time as his queen. 

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

This just sounds like such an awesome story, who wouldn't want to read Everneath? I envy my blogging friends who have received it as an ARC or from NetGalley, and I hope they enjoy it. 

Asphodel

By: Lauren Hammond

Publish Date: December 20th, 2011 by S.B. Addison Books

From Goodreads~

Persephone has been running for her entire life. Running from the humans to keep her immortality a secret. And running from a man who haunts her dreams. Not a man, but a god, who will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants. And what he wants most, is her. 

Trapped in the realm of the dead, Persephone plans to return to the land of the living. The underworld is a terrifying place where ghosts roam freely, three headed dogs patrol the gates,  and it's a living grave where the rules of earth and the warmth of the sun no longer apply. But then, something unexpected happens. Persephone finds herself falling for the god who abducted her, the god who has chased her for five thousand years, a god who is none other than death himself, Hades. 

Ripped out of the underworld by Zeus, Persephone must find a pomegranate to return to the realm of the dead and to her beloved. Consuming only a seed of the fruit of the dead would bind Persephone to spend her life beneath the earth's core with Hades. But Zeus has reduced every pomegranate tree in the world to ash. Except one. Persephone must locate that one remaining pomegranate tree, a quest that could ignite a war between the two mightiest of the gods. A war that could cause Persephone to lose the only family she's ever known or give up a love that comes only once every five thousand years.

Yet another take on the Persephone and Hades myth...and I am definitely not complaining about that fact. This one sounds quite exciting, and I can't wait to read Hammond's version of the story. 

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? ^_^

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Underworld by Meg Cabot

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

Underworld

By Meg Cabot

Publish Date May 2012 by Scholastic Inc.

From Goodreads~

Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back. Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn't dead. Not this time. But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey. Her captor, John Hayden, claims it's for her own safety. Because not all the dearly departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they've come back as Furies, intent on vengeance...on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves. But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there...and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies. And unless Pierce is careful, this time there'll be no escape.

First of all, is that not a beautiful cover?  I was so excited when I saw it on Goodreads and on several blogs' Cover Reveals.  Abandon was my first ever Meg Cabot book, and I really did enjoy reading it.  The cliffhanger at the end of the novel really makes me eager for Underworld to be released as soon as possible.  May cannot get here soon enough, and I hope that the sequel is just as good as its predecessor.  

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? ^_^

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Destined by Jessie Harrell

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

Destined

By: Jessie Harrell

Publish Date: November 17th, 2011, by Mae Day Publishing

From Goodreads~

When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girls in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear. As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined.

More Greek mythology?  A "Psyche and Cupid" remake?  Be still my heart, I'm so excited about reading this!  Mythology, particularly Greek mythology, seems to be on the rise within new books, and it's interesting seeing the different routes authors choose to recreate timeless stories for Greek myth geeks like me.  I'm eager to see just how Ms. Harrell will tell this mythical love story.  

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? 

Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Title:  The Goddess Test
Author:  Aimee Carter
Genre:  Young Adult
Pages:  293
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Summary:  It's always been just Kate and her mom--and her mother is dying.  Her last wish?  To move back to her childhood home.  So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.  Then she meets Henry.  Dark.  Tortured.  And mesmerizing.  He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.  Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead.  Now saving her mother seems crazily possible.  If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.  If she fails...

The Dish:  My name is DJL, I am a Greek mythology geek... and I enjoyed The Goddess Test.  Now, I've seen quite a few negative opinions regarding this take on the Greek gods.  While I believe every reader is entitled to their opinion I also think those who criticize Carter are missing out on the story.  There is a level of artistic licence that some authors choose to take when writing books that involve mythology, supernatural beings, etc.  Carter chose to portray Zeus, Hades, Demeter, et al in a manner that would typically be considered "out of character."  But I don't believe it was a bad portrayal, just different and at the same time rather enjoyable.

Overall, I enjoyed the story Carter chose to tell using her representations of the Greek deities.  The characters were interesting and for the most part likable, though there were a few brow-raising moments while reading.  I understand Kate was most likely in a vulnerable state due to her mother's condition, but to suddenly call the girl who tried to abandon you stranded in the dark of night your best friend?  That's a bit of a stretch in the believeability department.

Henry was sometimes a confusing character being distant during one part of the story and then showing more care and concern for Kate's safety.  But it didn't feel consistent.  It was as though he kept flip-flopping around.  I'm unsure if this was due to the deity he was representing in the story or just showing a mood-changing male lead character.  It was sometimes difficult to tell whether he was supposed to be an emotional male character or showing the multiple sides of the god of the Underworld.  In spite of this confuzzling demeanor of his, I did like Henry, and I hope to get to know him more in Goddess Interrupted.

Despite my frustrations with Henry and my slight disbelief in some of Kate's actions, I did like The Goddess Test.  This is not the myth of "Hades and Persephone," not even a different rendition of the famous myth.  So I think if readers keep that in mind while also keeping an open mind about the unique portrayal of such famous Greek deities (as well as how the test "relates" to them, though I won't spoil it for other readers), I believe they will enjoy the overall story.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1)

By Jennifer Estep

Publish Date July 26, 2011 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

From Goodreads.com~

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy--a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.

But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos.  First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities.  Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War.  You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things.  Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why--especially since I should have been the one who died...

How can you read that summary and not feel your inner Pandora just prodding at you to read and find out what's going on?  This world sounds incredible, and I can't wait to find out more about it, especially as the start of a new series.  And if it has to do with myths, I'm curious to know which cultures are involved and how all of them intertwine together.  

What are y'all waiting on this Wednesday? ^_^

Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot

Title:  Abandon
Author:  Meg Cabot
Summary:  Pierce knows what it's like to die.  Because she's done it before.  Though she tries returning tot he life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it.  Yet she's never alone...because someone is always watching her.  Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.  But now she's moved to a new town.  Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh.  Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.  Only she can't.  Because even here, he finds her.  That's how desperately he wants her back.  She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away...especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.  But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

The Dish:  A warm day in a field of flowers.  The ground suddenly cracks.  A chariot as dark as midnight and the dark lord behind it snatching a young girl before the earth swallows both of them up.  Kind of dramatic, isn't it?  Meg Cabot's Abandon isn't quite like the Greek myth people know, but she does create an amazing updated story with her own twist.

After having died and then been brought back to life, Pierce Oliviera just wants to have a normal life.  But how can life truly return to "normal" with all that she has seen during the brief time that she was dead?  I really grew to admire Pierce as the story progressed even when she was "trapped within her glass coffin" as she puts it.  Originally, it was for her initial bravery of being able to come back from a place that most would fear.  You can't fault her for running from a place like the Underworld especially when she had died so young.  But it's when she chose to stop running and instead face her problems that I really began to like her.

Despite all of his angst and beating around the bush with Pierce, I really loved John Hayden.  Readers only get to see Pierce's point of view, but Cabot also manages to show more of John through Pierce's observations and reactions to him.  He did ask a great deal of her when she first died and I think anyone would be a bit freaked out if someone asked them to remain forever with a person they barely knew.  But you have to feel for John's situation, too.  Living alone within the bowels of the Underworld and having to direct souls to their final resting place would have to grate on a person over time.  Yes, the guy does need to work on his communication skills, god of death or not, but John was always there for Pierce when she needed him even if she didn't want to admit it.

As I'd never read one of Meg Cabot's books before now, I was amazed at the pace Cabot set for the story.  It progressed steadily, quickening where a major part of the plot was happening and then slowing down for a breather.  I think that was partially due to the way Cabot switched between Pierce's present and gradually revealing more of what happened in her past.  Going back and forth between past and present can sometimes be confusing and frustrating because the reader has to reorient themselves in where they are in the story.  But Cabot pulls off this interchange flawlessly without breaking the story's flow.

Overall, this is an incredible start to a trilogy, and already I'm wanting the second book to come as soon as possible.

Stanza Saturday (9)

Stanza Saturday is a new weekly post to share poetry from either a home collection or from the library.  Find a book of poems, any poet will do, and open up to a random page and post the first poem you see.  If the poem is rather lengthy, feel free to post just the first stanza and be sure to include the poem's title, the book's title, and the poet. ^_^

This week's poem is:

"Hades to Persephone"

By Arnold Asrelsky

From Pantheon and Other Poems

Yes, my brothers made the better bargain.

Zeus wove his words and I was caught again

He to peaks and wide sky and the other

to sea-roads where the seal and porpoise play.

The dim one to the darkness he deserved,

and armies of pale twittering ghosts.

They had Lethe, at least, and knew no loss.

Who could abide the dark stale air?  The dead

only, so mole took his black chariot

to Sicily to see again the sun.

Oh, that hot sun on my flesh, the warm air

in my lungs, flowery fields, grass beneath,

and in their midst, the fairest of all, you.

Field, flower, sun, all faded into you.

Should I have said, "Oh fair, lovely maiden,

I am lord of death: come to my kingdom,

be my sun and field and flower forever;

I will make you the queen of the shadows

of corpses"? No talker I, ever, less then.

Yes, I ravished you, but first you did me.

And when I pressed you to me, and you scorched

me like the sun, hot body against mine,

no words in my strangled throat but whimpers,

no thought in an empty head but the feel

of you, of you shuddering against me.

My heart, pounding as if it would burst,

opened a road to Hades and took you,

a terrified, shrieking child pressed against

a wall to escape the loathsome one who

had done this, and stung me, unaccustomed,

into honeyed words to soothe, make my suit,

and did, oh, miracle, did--and you sat

at this table we sit at now. I cut

the pomegranate you at first refused,

and each day cut again, refused again.

One day you looked into my sad face;

I saw, like a sun in this dark, dead land,

the hint of  pity in your eyes, and my tears

wet my cheek. And when I took your small hand

in mind, it did not move. And now you smile

as you did then, at last, and shyly took

the seeds, and now tears again on my cheek

as you draw my head to your breast, and I,

having told you the tale you love to hear,

embrace and lift you again from this table. 

Tomorrow to my sister and glad earth,

but tonight to our couch, my queen, my love.

My influence for this poem definitely stems from what I'm currently reading.  I have the perfect image to match the poem, but I think it should be shared here.

What poem would you like to share today? ^_^