Hera, Queen of Gods (Goddess Unbound, #1)

Oct 24, 2012 Mary C. Moore rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, review-requests-finished

A well-crafted, modern day Greek myth. Thomas does a stellar job blending ancient Greek mythology with the currently popular urban fantasy craze. We are brought into the story watching through the eyes of Hera, the greek goddess of old, as her associate Athena convinces an ordinary high school boy to recite the words that will allow a god to inhabit his body. The gods need to be in mortal bodies to discover what had happened to the Fates, a trio of sisters that control the destiny of the world....more A well-crafted, modern day Greek myth. Thomas does a stellar job blending ancient Greek mythology with the currently popular urban fantasy craze. We are brought into the story watching through the eyes of Hera, the greek goddess of old, as her associate Athena convinces an ordinary high school boy to recite the words that will allow a god to inhabit his body. The gods need to be in mortal bodies to discover what had happened to the Fates, a trio of sisters that control the destiny of the world. If they die, the world ends.
In the guise of high school students, the ancient gods and goddesses Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Demeter and Hermes begin their quest to discover where the Fates are hidden. They are only allowed one divine power and they cannot communicate with Olympus. Their mission gets trickier as a mortal boy, Justin, with a strange fascination for Hera inserts himself into the group and they are chased by the deadly monsters of chaos. It gets even worse when they discover the gods can die if killed in their mortal bodies and that their is a traitor amongst them. It is up to Hera to discover the path that will save them all.

I am an avid reader of Greek Mythology, so I had some intrepid feelings in the beginning. But the author handles the powerful history of said mythology with care. The characters stretch their confines, but remain true to their heritage, except perhaps the main character, Hera. In my opinion the author is a little too rule-bending with the relationship between Zeus and Hera, as well as Hera's nature, but as this appears to be the first in a series, maybe he means to rein it back in.

The prose is well-crafted, easy to read, with only a couple name changes that made me stumble. At one point Justin is named Aaron, but it only happens once.

I believe this is meant to be a YA since the gods inhabit teenage bodies, but it reads more adult. I hope in the future books the author will foray into adult bodies and allow the possibility of a more physical connection with the mortals as so much of Greek mythology is based on that.

All in all, I would say this is a great read and would recommend it to fans of Mercedes Lackey, Robin McKinnley, or Anne Bishop. (less)

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Mar 10, 2013 BookHookup rated it 3 of 5 stars

A twist on Greek Mythology, this book brings gods to earth to save the Fates and pairs them with mortals in order to get the job done. If you’re a fan of mythology, this story will delight you. Hera, Apollo, Athena, Zeus, Artemis, Hermes and Demeter are all here as they set out to save the fates…the twist is that they’re in mortal bodies. Each god can only bring one power with them from the heavens because their human hosts cannot handle all of their powers, adding to the adventure of the story....more A twist on Greek Mythology, this book brings gods to earth to save the Fates and pairs them with mortals in order to get the job done. If you’re a fan of mythology, this story will delight you. Hera, Apollo, Athena, Zeus, Artemis, Hermes and Demeter are all here as they set out to save the fates…the twist is that they’re in mortal bodies. Each god can only bring one power with them from the heavens because their human hosts cannot handle all of their powers, adding to the adventure of the story. Enter a mortal named Justin who is more than he appears, and monsters like you’ve never seen before, and you have a adventure waiting to happen.

This book is filled with twists and turns, most of which I never expected. The writing is smooth and descriptive and put me right into the story. The characters were all very vivid and, even though their personalities were slightly different from what you might remember from history class, their actions and thoughts were clearly god-like. Hera, who is our hero in the book, is a strong, intelligent character who knows her limitations and yet pushes beyond them to save the fates and save the world. Along the way, Justin manages to weave himself into her life and, without being aware of it, she changes. Originally a very cool and uncaring type, she slowly shows more emotion and care for others. Justin also changes…in so many ways that I can’t discuss in order not to ruin the story…but his heart is true and his selflessness shows throughout the book.

If I had one minor complaint it is that this book is too long. The action never lets up and, at times, I felt myself wishing that something would go right for a change so that we could move along. It took a very long time to get to the climax and, even though I enjoyed the story very much, I was ready for the mystery of who kidnapped the fates to be revealed. The end of the book both satisfies and, at the same time, leaves the reader with questions. It’s not a huge cliffhanger, but it’s definitely one that will make you want to read the next book to see what happens. I know what I’d like to see in the next book…..(less)

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Feb 27, 2013 Mary Fan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

The Fates, who hold the universe’s order in their hands, have been kidnapped. An enchanted cloud covering one town prevents divine interference, forcing Hera, queen of the Greek gods, to inhabit the body of a mortal girl in order to search for them. Along with five of her fellow Olympians, she explores the mortal world searching for answers. Because of their mortal bodies’ limitations, each god and goddess can only bring one divine power. Hera chooses the power to enter peoples’ minds and comma...more The Fates, who hold the universe’s order in their hands, have been kidnapped. An enchanted cloud covering one town prevents divine interference, forcing Hera, queen of the Greek gods, to inhabit the body of a mortal girl in order to search for them. Along with five of her fellow Olympians, she explores the mortal world searching for answers. Because of their mortal bodies’ limitations, each god and goddess can only bring one divine power. Hera chooses the power to enter peoples’ minds and command them to do her will.

Hera is joined on her quest by a teenage boy, Justin. Although Hera tries to hide her true nature, Justin soon realizes that she and the others aren’t his high school classmates. He boldly volunteers to join the quest, and the Olympians agree because whoever took the Fates has the power to block them, but not mortals. As mysteries unravel and danger approaches, Hera finds herself growing unexpectedly close to Justin.

Hera, Queen of Gods is a fantastically imaginative urban fantasy with elements of paranormal romance. Thomas writes under the assumption that the audience is familiar with the basics of Greek mythology—the twelve gods, Hera’s reputation as an unforgiving queen, Zeus’ fondness for mortal women, etc. He adds his own twists to the mythology, such as a dream dimension and a universal set of laws called the Necessity, which binds even the gods.

To those familiar with Greek mythology, Hera is a coldhearted shrew with a nasty temper. Many stories tell of her wrath, especially against the mortal women Zeus beds. Thomas tells, for the first time I know of, Hera’s point of view. In Hera, Queen of Gods, Hera is a strong, independent woman who has been forced to maintain order while her faithless husband enjoys himself. Her ruthless determination earned her the unfavorable reputation, since she cares more about getting things done than making people like her. She is very much the modern career woman. She sacrifices her own happiness and remains loyal to a philandering husband to keep her house in order. Seen in this light, it’s easy to sympathize with her.

The relationship between Hera and Justin adds forbidden romance to the novel. It soon becomes clear that Justin is completely taken by the goddess. Hera is quick to dismiss his affections, for she must remain married to Zeus in order to co-rule the heavens. Although she repeatedly denies her feelings, it’s impossible to miss her attachment to Justin. Her dilemma is one that will be familiar to anyone who has read of divorce dramas or arranged marriages.

Perhaps Thomas’ greatest strength as a writer is his ability to blend Hera’s personal struggles with the danger surrounding her. The stakes are high—so high that if Hera fails, the universe could shatter. She and the Olympians face dastardly monsters, powerful villains, and puzzling riddles. Much of Hera, Queen of Gods is devoted to action scenes. Giants, harpies, pythons, witchcraft, dreamlands—there’s plenty of excitement in this novel. Thomas has a relentless imagination, and the plot takes many twists and turns.

My one criticism of the novel is its length. Much of what happens could be significantly condensed, especially since Hera has a tendency to repeat herself in her narration. She does it for emphasis and as a rhetorical device, but it loses its bite after being used so many times.

Hera, Queen of Gods easily falls into the Young Adult category. The bodies the gods inhabit are teenagers, and the Olympians behave accordingly. Many of their attitudes and ways of thinking feel very adolescent, which could be explained in the novel by the fact that mortal bodies have an effect over the immortals’ minds. Several scenes take place inside a high school, and much of the supporting cast consists of teenagers.

All in all, Hera, Queen of Gods is an entertaining and exciting read with a clever plot and an original premise. Hera is a powerful protagonist, who is far more human than she’ll admit to herself. I’m glad I took a chance on this novel, for it was, to me, a fantastic adventure that never loses sight of the characters at its core.

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Jan 17, 2013 Lunar Haven Reviews and Designs rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you like mythology, you should read this. If you love Greek mythology, you HAVE to read this.

T.D. captures Hera's attitude with excellent precision. He KNOWS Hera, like only significant research and total respect for the Gods could account for. Hera's feelings toward Zeus are an example of this: "I loved him, but I hated him too." Her duty as queen, and how it takes its toll on her, is heartbreaking and completely believable.

T.D. handles anticipation brilliantly, like he can see into the rea...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Nickie rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Fates have been kidnapped, and once again it's up to Hera to figure out a solution to this mess. If the Fates aren't returned to Olympus, both the Earth and the Heavens could fall back into Chaos. Hera and a few fellow gods -- Zeus, Apollo, Athena, Artemis, Demeter, and Hermes -- have hijacked teen bodies on Earth to search for the Fates.

Unfortunately, gods possessing teenage bodies causes a bit of a personality change. Justin, a regular-Joe mortal teen, starts noticing that some of his clas...more The Fates have been kidnapped, and once again it's up to Hera to figure out a solution to this mess. If the Fates aren't returned to Olympus, both the Earth and the Heavens could fall back into Chaos. Hera and a few fellow gods -- Zeus, Apollo, Athena, Artemis, Demeter, and Hermes -- have hijacked teen bodies on Earth to search for the Fates.

Unfortunately, gods possessing teenage bodies causes a bit of a personality change. Justin, a regular-Joe mortal teen, starts noticing that some of his classmates are acting a little weird. He follows them, and soon discovers that the power of the gods (and monsters!) is all too real.

What I liked about this book:
Hera. Hera! This is one of the best characterizations I've read in a few years (see also: 'Running Wide Open' by Lisa Nowak). I was a mythology junkie as a kid and never understood why Hera was so crochety in most of the stories. Thomas does an amazing job fleshing out the Hera of myth, creating a backstory so real and so touching she's likeable even at her worst moments. Hera is drawn as a weary leader, the goddess everyone leans on since Zeus is unreliable. Her strained relationship with Zeus is explored in touching, tender detail.

The supporting cast is equally well executed. Zeus, the chronic womanizer, does love Hera, but almost in a reverent way. Hermes is fantastic comic relief, and Justin is, well, Justin :)

What I didn't like about this book:
When I checked this book out on Amazon, I nearly balked at the length (500+ pages). While I enjoyed the story overall, it could have used a judicious trimming, especially through some of the middle chapters. There's some repetitive action scenes that don't add to the plot and drag down the pacing.

Even at over 500 pages, this still felt like a fairly quick read.

Final verdict:
A $0.99 bargain. If you're into Greek mythology, or if you like strong (emotionally, mentally, and physically) lead females, check this one out. Hera is equal parts bad-ass and vulnerable. I'll definitely be checking out the sequel.
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Nov 08, 2012 Unorthodox Mama rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: EVERYONE!

I loved this book.

Love more than chocolate kind of love.
Sidenote: Written by a Canadian, which I can note possibly be more proud of.

I was burning through the pages and found myself looking up at the clock realizing I was up way past the bed time of a mom with a young toddler.

This is one of those books you have to fight to put down it is just that great.

The Gods that come down from the heavens borrow human bodies so they can complete their mission and find the fates.
I didn’t know what to expect...more

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Jan 30, 2013 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

(This review may contain spoilers).

I wasn't completely sure about this book when I looked at it. There seemed to be an indication of a romance between a god and a human, which I've tended to find badly-written in the past. (Actually, a romance between anything immortal and a normal human tends to be badly written). But there were two things that drew me to this book - one, the cover. I like books that feature people on the front. I'm not sure why. Second - the book focused on Hera and, as I disc...more

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Dec 03, 2012 Patricia (Night Readings) rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review can also be found at my book review blog Night Readings

This book assumes that you have at least the basic information about Greek Mythology down, so if your Greek Mythology classes are as few as mine have been, I suggest brushing up on your knowledge before reading this book.

Hera, Queen of Gods has a nice beginning. The characters are introduced in a well establishing way and their personalities are pretty spot on to what I imagine the Greek Gods would have had, if they existed in ou...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Abigailann (Abigail) rated it 3 of 5 stars

A light read, this book tells a fantastical story set in a very normal context.

The inter-play between the gods and goddesses is very interesting, and draws heavily on Ancient beliefs. The relationships between mortals are realistic, but uncomplex in nature. The way the behaviour and personalities of the characters change throughout the book is intriguing and well narrated. Unfortunatly the monsters are less well-developed and can seem almost artificial against the setting that was already cre...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Cecilia (rather barefoot than bookless) rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was great! I read it non stop until I finished it, there was no possible way for me to put it down that is how good it was. It was action from the first to the last page and there were a lot of unexpected things happening in this book that made my mouth hit the floor. This book was so worth my time!

I loved Hera! She is such a force and she is unstoppable like a bulldozer when she wants something. Actually in the beginning of the story she sort of got on my nerves because she was so uns...more

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Jan 11, 2013 Lisa Jones rated it 3 of 5 stars

Reading young adult fiction as an adult makes me judge my teenage self. I haven’t read any of the young adult books that I treasured as a teenager, which was anything by Tamora Pierce, but I remember simple plots, a low vocabulary, and a thrilling plot. A plot so enticing that I would stay up late at night with a flashlight, ruining my eyesight, just to read what would happen next. This is what T.D. Thomas delivers in Hera, Queen of Gods (Book One of Goddess Unbound).

Hera, Queen of Gods follow...more

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Mar 10, 2013 Ana rated it 3 of 5 stars

A twist on Greek Mythology, this book brings gods to earth to save the Fates and pairs them with mortals in order to get the job done. If you’re a fan of mythology, this story will delight you. Hera, Apollo, Athena, Zeus, Artemis, Hermes and Demeter are all here as they set out to save the fates…the twist is that they’re in mortal bodies. Each god can only bring one power with them from the heavens because their human hosts cannot handle all of their powers, adding to the adventure of the story....more A twist on Greek Mythology, this book brings gods to earth to save the Fates and pairs them with mortals in order to get the job done. If you’re a fan of mythology, this story will delight you. Hera, Apollo, Athena, Zeus, Artemis, Hermes and Demeter are all here as they set out to save the fates…the twist is that they’re in mortal bodies. Each god can only bring one power with them from the heavens because their human hosts cannot handle all of their powers, adding to the adventure of the story. Enter a mortal named Justin who is more than he appears, and monsters like you’ve never seen before, and you have a adventure waiting to happen.

This book is filled with twists and turns, most of which I never expected. The writing is smooth and descriptive and put me right into the story. The characters were all very vivid and, even though their personalities were slightly different from what you might remember from history class, their actions and thoughts were clearly god-like. Hera, who is our hero in the book, is a strong, intelligent character who knows her limitations and yet pushes beyond them to save the fates and save the world. Along the way, Justin manages to weave himself into her life and, without being aware of it, she changes. Originally a very cool and uncaring type, she slowly shows more emotion and care for others. Justin also changes…in so many ways that I can’t discuss in order not to ruin the story…but his heart is true and his selflessness shows throughout the book.

If I had one minor complaint it is that this book is too long. The action never lets up and, at times, I felt myself wishing that something would go right for a change so that we could move along. It took a very long time to get to the climax and, even though I enjoyed the story very much, I was ready for the mystery of who kidnapped the fates to be revealed. The end of the book both satisfies and, at the same time, leaves the reader with questions. It’s not a huge cliffhanger, but it’s definitely one that will make you want to read the next book to see what happens. I know what I’d like to see in the next book...(less)

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Jan 06, 2013 Adriana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: greek-myth, romance

http://shesgotbooksonhermind.blogspot...

First things first I must say that I am surprisingly impressed with this book. Initially I jumped on the bandwagon because it was about Greek Mythology. Me being a lover of all things Percy Jackson I love Greek Mythology. Problem was just as I was about to read it I noticed how much I had to read. Over 600 pages! Then I started dreading having to read this whole book. It was going to take forever... But, as I started I knew almost right away that this was...more http://shesgotbooksonhermind.blogspot...

First things first I must say that I am surprisingly impressed with this book. Initially I jumped on the bandwagon because it was about Greek Mythology. Me being a lover of all things Percy Jackson I love Greek Mythology. Problem was just as I was about to read it I noticed how much I had to read. Over 600 pages! Then I started dreading having to read this whole book. It was going to take forever... But, as I started I knew almost right away that this was going to be a faster read than I thought. It reads as fast as regular reads especially with all the fight scenes occurring. When you start getting into the meat of the story all there is, is battle after battle. No, boring fake battles where it's mostly talking. Stuff goes down.

I don't really understand why they needed to turn into teenagers but there they were. It also made no sense how only one person noticed and also tried to figure out why they were so different. There would have been even more trouble if one of them was dating anyone. There is the one boy who really takes notice in the change of their attitude. After their stunt in the cafeteria it became obvious that they weren't the same. Hera used the one ability she could take to earth in her human body with her and made a jerk out of the school's...jerk. You can't look at her eyes because then she has you. It's like a sort of hypnosis thing but worse because she can invade your mind and see your deepest darkest secrets if she wanted to. Her ability is key to the whole story and it's pretty amazing.

Justin, is the boy who keeps staring at her like her movements hold the secret of her change. He doesn't stare at the other goddesses just her. Justin proves himself time after time. Trying so hard to protect Hera but also giving her space because he knows she's not the type who wants to be protected. That's a guy who knows how to treat a woman. Their romance was tentative and had it's struggles what with monsters attacking all the time but also because Hera is not that girl. Zeus has cheated on her countless numbers of times. It's something that has brought her great pain that has built up to anger which gives her power. Everyone always turns to her, not Zeus, when a big decision needs to be made. What to do next? Let's look at Hera. She must know what to do. I felt Hera's frustration after a while. Learn to help yourself people. Anyways she's not a cheater but the more she struggles with her growing feelings with Justin the more she can't stop thinking about him. Justin was always looking after her and never really gave up on her. You might think he's just s third wheel with all that power coming from the gods but he gets his own power too. Power that tries to consume him.

I loved the Dream World and the idea of it too. I loved that humans had more power there depending on their personality. I didn't see what happens there coming. It was a great addition to the story. It was a point in the story that everything shifted for the characters and it wasn't the first time either. Artemis and Demeter are her best friends. I don't think I've mentioned it ever before but Artemis is my favorite. I loved them both. Artemis always protecting her friend but doing the same thing Justin did - giving her some space to do her own thing. I wonder why Zeus never got how to treat her. He's all bronze and no brain. He just crashes into everything and after awhile you think what on earth was he thinking? Nothing. He just does. He also flirts with some girls. I think that was the ability he brought down. He could charm any girl. Yeah, no it was most likely he's strength he brought down. Didn't like Zeus in this story. His best friend is Athena. You know the one that came out of his head? Hera does not like Athena. There are like sides between them. The gods usually pick to be behind Zeus or Hera. They aren't really even in a relationship. I don't see it. Basically everyone comes up to her and says her husband is a dog and she should be with Justin if she feels like it. But she's faithful so blah blah blah. I would have left that man a long time ago.

I've never liked Hera. She's always trying to mess with Zeus's kids which I understand but they did nothing but be born. I mean look what she did to Hercules. I think she made him crazy and made him kill his wife and kids. That's going too far. She's never made a good impression in the Percy Jackson series either. But finally I can say I sort of understand Hera better. At least the way she is here. It was nice to see her mortality showing. You could feel the weight she carried inside her. Always trying to do the right thing. You could feel her pain and anger. You could feel her love... Hera has me impressed. I'm also impressed with the author for letting me see her side in everything. I actually like her now. What finally happens with Justin and her was crazy. I don't even know exactly what happens myself. It was a little fast in the end but satisfying. I know this is a series so I'm really wondering if it will continue on with her or another god. I'm kind of hoping her but given the end I doubt it. This was a great book if you like reading about Greek Mythology and want to see other sides to the gods and goddesses. (less)

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Jan 04, 2013 Susie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, adventure, fantasy, ya

This review can be found on my blog: http://susreviews.blogspot.com/2013/0...

4.5 Stars

Synopsis: The Fates are missing. As in the Greek Fates: Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos. This means that the balance between Chaos and Order is disrupted, so 7 gods come down to inhabit human bodies to try to find them: Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Demeter, Hermes, Zeus and Hera. Hera has spent ages fixing things that go wrong and making tough choices, so, with her husband Zeus, she leads the pack of gods on their hun...more This review can be found on my blog: http://susreviews.blogspot.com/2013/0...

4.5 Stars

Synopsis: The Fates are missing. As in the Greek Fates: Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos. This means that the balance between Chaos and Order is disrupted, so 7 gods come down to inhabit human bodies to try to find them: Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Demeter, Hermes, Zeus and Hera. Hera has spent ages fixing things that go wrong and making tough choices, so, with her husband Zeus, she leads the pack of gods on their hunt. But none of them expected mortals to figure out something was wrong, or that mortals would be able to help them. Especially Justin, a high school boy who is smarter than he lets on and Beth, a snobby girl who has more power than she knew.

In a race against time and a fight against monsters, the gods and their mortal allies must find the Fates and restore the Order/Chaos balance before the world ends...or die trying.

My thoughts: Having read the Percy Jackson books (including the follow up series, Heroes of Olympus), it was nice to see the Greek mythology story line take a different spin. Instead of gods manipulating the heroes, this time the gods are the heroes. Not that the mortals aren't heroes, they just have as much to do with the fight as the gods. Having a basic knowledge of the Greek gods did help me get into this book. I knew which gods had which powers and what their basic personalities were, their flaws and their strengths. Thomas does explain this to you, but since I already knew, it just flowed easily for me.

The book is written from Hera's point of view, and while she can be depicted as cold and heartless, this lets us more into her psyche and reasoning for why she acts that way. She's had the weight of the world on her shoulders (metaphorically, of course - literally would be Atlas), and it's made her suppress her emotions. It was neat to imagine how all that stress would effect someone, even a god.

Justin and Beth were wonderful characters, especially Justin. I just loved him - brave, strong and hopelessly sweet. Totally swoon-worthy. The other mortals, Sarah, Stella and the witches, were great: brave and self-sacrificing. But not all of the mortals were great - don't want to romanticize things here! Also, this isn't all sunshine and roses at the end. Be prepared for some losses, and be prepared to be upset by them.

I really enjoyed this book and am really looking forward to the next book. This one is fast paced (I was almost exhausted by how fast paced it was!), fun and exciting. It keeps the pages turning and there's never a dull moment. I recommend this for fans of the Percy Jackson books and anyone who likes a sweet romance set among gods, mortals and high school.

And wouldn't you know it, but the book is free today on Amazon? Lucky you! So go download it. And if it's no longer free, buy it. It's only $0.99 (less)

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Jan 27, 2013 Lily (Lily Pond Reads) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: challenge-2013, reviewed

Courtesy of the Author in exchange of an honest review.

When the Fates are kidnapped, Hera the Queen of gods along with Zeus, Hermes, Athena, Apollo, Demeter and Artemis must take on a human mortal form and go down to Earth in order to save them and all of the humanity.

Hera, Queen of Gods was exciting, entertaining, dramatic and very action packed. The last thing Hera expected when she took on the mortal body was to have her world change so drastically. The Queen of Gods soon realizes that being...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Cheryl M-M rated it 2 of 5 stars

Completely and utterly YA with a leaning towards younger readers.
The tone and dialogue was simplistic and teenagey. Now that isn't a bad thing unless you're trying to attract readers outside of your intended younger market. On the plus side it is full of mythology and gods, which in turn might educate a reader or two.
I felt it was repetitive. The same scenario over and over again. Hera is in trouble and fights to save the world, Hera nearly dies.
The basic concept was a good one, it just needed f...more

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Jan 11, 2013 Richa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

Originally posted at City of Books - http://ecstatic-for-books.blogspot.com/

Life is about one thing, and one thing only.
Power.
No one understands that better than the average teenager. For them, all the niceties of life are stripped away. Like prisoners, they are thrown in a cage, against their will, with others just as desperate as they are. Power determines who rules the cage. Power determines who survives.
Maybe that’s why we choose to become teenagers when we wander the mortal world--because...more Originally posted at City of Books - http://ecstatic-for-books.blogspot.com/

Life is about one thing, and one thing only.
Power.
No one understands that better than the average teenager. For them, all the niceties of life are stripped away. Like prisoners, they are thrown in a cage, against their will, with others just as desperate as they are. Power determines who rules the cage. Power determines who survives.
Maybe that’s why we choose to become teenagers when we wander the mortal world--because teenagers, like gods, understand--in the end, it’s all about power.

I loved Hera, Queen of Gods from start to finish! The plot was fast-paced with loads of action, and the merging of Greek mythology and urban fantasy was very well done. Those of you who know me will know how much I love Greek mythology. So it's no surprise that I loved this book! Even though I've read a lot of books featuring Greek gods and goddesses, this is the first one I've read where they are, in fact, the main characters. That being said, I was really intrigued from the beginning, and T.D. Thomas did not disappoint!

Hera, Zeus, Athena, Hermes, Apollo, Artemis and Demeter are the seven Olympians who 'borrow' mortal bodies in order to search for the Fates on Earth. I really liked reading about them and discovering their unique personalities. They were, of course, very similar to the versions I've read previously, but I enjoyed this book more because it focused on them instead of, say, a demigod. Hera, Queen of Gods reminds me of Percy Jackson because of the heart-pounding action and the Greek mythology background. So if you've read and loved Percy Jackson, you'll love this!

I actually really liked Hera's character, even though she isn't supposed to be very well-liked. In fact, I definitely didn't like her in Percy Jackson. But after reading an entire book from her perspective, I've gotten a feel for her, and I found it quite easy to connect with her. I empathized with her in a lot of scenes, where she was feeling hurt because of Zeus or irritated because everyone turns to her for leadership. But she survives countless attempts on her life, and her resilience is astonishing.

Surprisingly, I also liked Zeus! Even though he's a complete ass to Hera, a lot of scenes showed that he really cared for her. I was subconsciously rooting for them to resolve their differences, but of course that wouldn't happen. Zeus has incredible strength, but he showed a really vulnerable side of him to Hera at one point, and my heart almost broke while reading it!

I loved the other gods and goddesses too - Artemis was my favourite. She's a warrior, and incredibly brave and loyal. I love how she throws herself into a fight with everything she's got. No wonder she's pretty much impossible to defeat! Apollo completely won me over with his gentle kindness and wisdom. Hermes was one god who always saw the humour in everything, and that made the book even more enjoyable for me.

While in school (yes, they attend school!), the Olympians meet Justin, a mere human. Well, okay, he's kind of special. Hera is immediately drawn to him, and he to her. Justin and Hera's slowly developing friendship and relationship was sweet to see, and Justin is practically fearless throughout the book. He saves the gods on several occasions, and they honestly wouldn't have been able to manage anything without him. He dispelled the stereotypes the gods had about humans - that they're weak and selfish. He sacrificed a lot for them, and I found that really admirable.

One warning to readers, though. T.D. Thomas isn't afraid to kill people off! I was shocked at a couple of deaths, and there were so many later that it was hard to keep track of. However, I kind of like reading about blood and gore, plus the non-stop action made it difficult for the characters to dwell on deaths. That being said, the losses were taken into stride (most of the time) and the gods focused on their mission.

Overall, Hera, Queen of Gods is an amazing debut novel by T.D. Thomas, and it was practically unputdownable. I devoured this book in two days, and I honestly can't wait for the next book in the series. Especially after that ending! Oh, cruel cliffhanger, why dost thou exist? Anyway, I'd recommend this book to all the Greek mythology lovers out there, and even if you're not into that stuff I think this would be a fun read if you like action and urban fantasy novels. This is a fun and exciting read, and I was enraptured throughout the novel.(less)

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Jan 15, 2013 David Johnston rated it 4 of 5 stars

Hera has never really gotten her props before. There was probably a time before she was grouped together with Zeus when she was the top god someplace but that was before the invention of writing, and male priesthoods who weaved stories to belittle and vilify her in order to assure the dominance of their god. Inspired by them, when the Olympians are portrayed in fiction, if she isn't portrayed as a villain or a sucker, she's just "the one standing beside Zeus as he calls the shots". Turning Hera...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Margaret Alexander rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, urban-fantasy, action-adventure

This story is basically the opposite of Percy Jackson, gods brought down to earth into mortal bodies in search for the missing Fates. Also, the characters are more mature, which made for an interesting read.

I was glad to finally finish this book, mainly because it was so long, but every page was packed with action and great writing. I really enjoyed the characters. Hera was a surprisingly mature and unfeeling goddess for a YA voice, yet I really got in tune with her character. I loved Justin, h...more

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Dec 21, 2012 Mandy - Lace Vintage ♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: to-be-reviewed, frickin-fabulous-fantasy, young-adult, 4-5-stars, trilogies-and-series

~4.5~.

HQOG is a true Young Adult Novel, the writing style, character development, plots etc all have a young feel to it which adults & teens could easily enjoy...don't get me wrong it's totally not a light hearted, everyone's happy kinda story there's actually a lot of fighting & death but all within the YA limits.
Romance blossoms (of course it does, I can't read book with out romance in it) & friendships are made and broken.
all classic ya plots, but it works.. So very very well, i w...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: author-request, kindle-books

I have loved anything to do with Greek mythology since I was a little girl. I use to devour every single book I could get my hands on and quickly fell in love with the gods and goddess, good or bad, loving or hateful.

I loved their powers, their ruthlessness, their strength, even their superiority, I can't really explain why other than in most cases, under all that toughness, usually hid someone different. A side they didn't want the others to see. A side full of honor and devotion and love.

So, n...more I have loved anything to do with Greek mythology since I was a little girl. I use to devour every single book I could get my hands on and quickly fell in love with the gods and goddess, good or bad, loving or hateful.

I loved their powers, their ruthlessness, their strength, even their superiority, I can't really explain why other than in most cases, under all that toughness, usually hid someone different. A side they didn't want the others to see. A side full of honor and devotion and love.

So, needless to say, I was pretty excited to read this one. Gods and goddesses coming to earth to inhabit mortals, all while searching for the missing Fates and trying to save the world? What's not to love?

Truly this had some of my most loved gods (and goddess) in it and some that I even grew to love that I didn't have an opinion of one way or the other before now. The mythical creatures in this was very well done as well. Some I recognized from previous reads and some completely new.

I really liked Hera and I admit, she was one of the few that I never really got into before, but I should have, because this girl (ahem, Queen) really rocked!

I wasn't sure whether to love Zeus or hate him. This Zeus was a great portrayal of the mischievous flirt that got around with mortal woman and continually broke Hera's heart. I wanted to be both angry and sad for her. It couldn't be easy having a husband like him, all powerful yet a total butt head as well. And of course to every bad side, there is some good too. This also did a great job portraying his softer side, like I said, it was really hard at times to decide if I liked him or not.

Justin was a great character and one that I liked immediately (I admit, I was rooting for him over Zeus). He was, in a way, Zeus' opposite. He thought before he acted. He paid attention to Hera and saw way more than he should have. He was kind, caring and had a heart of gold. He told Hera like it was whether she wanted to hear it or not and he was there for her when she needed him.

A very modern spin on mythology in general with all the trials and tribulations the gods would go through if their bodies were mortal and most of their powers were gone. It was nonstop action from the get go and I really liked that about it. It never really had a lull in the storyline explaining stuff or getting too much in detail about nonsense that you didn't really need to know or care about and I still never felt lost or confused about what was going on.

The ending, gah, that ending! It definitely left me wanting more of the story. I look forward to reading it!!
(less)

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Nov 27, 2012 Iris (Paranormal Cravings) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Hera, Queen of Gods is the first book I have read that is written by T.D. Thomas

T.D. Thomas has written a strong story about Mina and her quest in finding the missing goddesses.
She has written about a world full of gods and goddesses in human teenager bodies. Hera, Queen of Gods has all the right element to become an addicting YA paranormal series. Realistic world building, lovable characters that have been together for ages mixed with action, fast scenes and greek mythology.

I loved Mina the mai...more

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Mar 05, 2013 Alanna (The Flashlight Reader) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, mythology, ya, review-requests

Mythology is all over the place lately, which makes me pretty happy since it's one of my favorite genres. Hera, Queen of the Gods by T.D. Thomas is another action packed installment in this genre.

The plot of Hera, Queen of the Gods was quick. It's certainly a page turner. I found myself reading 80+ pages in what felt like minutes. The author did a good job of keeping the reader's interest from start to finish. I really liked the idea of the gods searching for the stolen Fates on earth. Of cours...more

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Feb 18, 2013 Alexa (Pages of Forbidden Love) rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review was originally posted at Pages of Forbidden Love

So one of my obsessions in the book world is books that have characters who are gods or goddesses. Basically any book that has mythology or the greek or roman gods or goddesses is a book I’m going to jump at the chance to read. So when the author asked me if I wanted to read Hera’s story I jumped at the chance, I love seeing how authors add new twists and turns to old tales on the Heavens and the rulers that live there.

The big thing th...more This review was originally posted at Pages of Forbidden Love

So one of my obsessions in the book world is books that have characters who are gods or goddesses. Basically any book that has mythology or the greek or roman gods or goddesses is a book I’m going to jump at the chance to read. So when the author asked me if I wanted to read Hera’s story I jumped at the chance, I love seeing how authors add new twists and turns to old tales on the Heavens and the rulers that live there.

The big thing that any reader is going to notice when they read this book is the fact that the characters jump right out at you. Each god or goddess had to come down from the Heavens and inhabit the body of a mortal teenager, they could only bring one power with them to Earth, their mission is to rescue the Fates. There is Hera, obviously the Queen of Gods, who is a stubborn, determined, and decisive character. Zeus is in the body of the resident jock and he has his super strength along with his higher than thou attitude. Athena holds Zeus in the palm of her hand and she is the one in the group who helps to bring all plans about with her wisdom. Hermes is the average looking teenage boy who can turn invisible and is a valued fighter in their group for his quickness. Apollo is there for his healing nature and for the fact that his twin sister Artemis will not leave Hera’s side, she is Hera’s body guard and can morph into any animal. Lastly, there is Hera’s sister, Demeter who can control plants and is there to support her queen sister. Well that is all the gods but there are also mortals who enter the picture and the one who stays the longest is Justin, a mortal who has extreme power even though he doesn’t know it yet. I have to say out of the whole group I loved them all but Justin and Hera shine because they are the main characters.

The big thing that I loved beside the whole cast of characters is how awesome this book was written. I love YA books but I almost feel it would cheapen this book to just call it a YA book. I feel it was a little more like a New Adult book for the fact that several of the themes and thoughts of the gods just seemed so large and in charge. So I loved the mix of the real problems that the gods and goddesses were dealing with. Each one of them is an extremely powerful person where they come from but on Earth they have to learn how to handle themselves in a more mortal way which brings them some clarity and strength. The characters seem themselves as indestructible but they have a lot to learn and being on the mortal world once again will teach them more about humanity and a strong emotion called love that none of them expected. I really loved how Hera had to learn who to be in this book, her live has span thousands of years but she never really learned the value of herself and her love, living her life for who she wants to be. She has huge responsibility up in the Heavens and on Earth she doesn’t feel like she can let her guard down but with the help of Justin and the other gods, like Hermes, stepping up, Hera just might learn who she can and can not be for her own reasons, not those forced upon her by others need for her to be strong.

Overall, I loved the mix of awesome characters, the strong plot lines, and the important messages there were to learn. The only complaint I have that keeps this from being full 5 hearts is the fact that the storyline did repeat a few times. There were a few battles or spells that were cast that seemed to be repeated in an easier fashion later on in the book, making you say “why couldn’t they have done it the easy way from the get go!” However, I can’t wait for more of this story, I’m hooked and I have to give props to this new indie author that will certainly have me waiting for the day these books are sitting on the shelves of bookstores for every teen to gobble up.

4.5 Hearts(less)

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Jan 01, 2013 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: finished, request-review

T.D. pens "Hera, Queen of the Gods" in a plot that was well written and packed with action, magick and romance. Knowing a bit about Greek Mythology, Gods and Goddess, I had no problems following the story, and honestly feel that anyone that has a basic knowledge (which 99% of us do in one way or another) will be able to follow along also. A well crafted story with strong characters that I recommend to all YA and not so YA readers.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which...more

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Feb 13, 2013 LeahMarie Silverman rated it 3 of 5 stars

Hera, Queen of the Gods, by T.D. Thomas is the first book in the Goddess Unbound series. The author gave me an e-copy of this book in exchange for a review. A review that I’ve actually had a hard time writing. Not because I didn’t like the book, I actually did quite a bit. But with I liked it only as long as I set some (probably unfair) reservations aside. Let me see if I can explain myself:

Hera, Queen of the Gods is a fun modern twist on Greek mythology. I really enjoyed the way Thomas introduc...more Hera, Queen of the Gods, by T.D. Thomas is the first book in the Goddess Unbound series. The author gave me an e-copy of this book in exchange for a review. A review that I’ve actually had a hard time writing. Not because I didn’t like the book, I actually did quite a bit. But with I liked it only as long as I set some (probably unfair) reservations aside. Let me see if I can explain myself:

Hera, Queen of the Gods is a fun modern twist on Greek mythology. I really enjoyed the way Thomas introduced these ancient gods into the modern world, with a lot of their legends coming out in quirky banter or Hera’s inner dialogue – which was delightfully snarky. Given the ancientness of these legends and how many times these stories have been retold, it is pretty awesome to be able to say that Thomas came up with a really original plot. It was a really fun read, because of that originality. Along with ancient characters and their legends, were some new facets and rules in the worlds of gods, mortals, and monsters.

My reservations come in mostly because of my history in studying Greek mythology. I think maybe it has made me kind of a snob. And it’s not that Thomas gets anything wrong—I actually thought the historical interpretations were accurate enough for the story—it is that this story is SO original that by the end of the book, the world of Olympus has completely changed forever. Changed, as in, you can’t go back from that. I feel like if you’re going to write a new myth for the Gods of Olympus, there are certain constants you just have to abide, certain conditions that should never change. And I kept waiting for the plot to take us back to those standards, but instead it just kept getting farther away.

And again I have to say that I enjoyed the book and I enjoyed the plot. There was just this underlying discomfort with all of the change. But this book leaves you really feeling ready for the next book, which has a lot of promise. Maybe some of those constants will come back to me. Maybe there will be even more change. And maybe that is okay and I just need to embrace the newness of it. I don’t know, but I am looking forward to reading it either way.

I would've given this 3.5 stars if I could.

Reading With My Eyes Shut (less)

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Jan 02, 2013 Lauren rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: y-a, fairy-tale-mythology, fantasy

First off I absolutely love reading books about retellings or Greek Mythology and such. I was extremely excited to get to read this book and I was not disappointed. Although I do have to say this book does require a basic understanding of Greek Mythology, the average reader cannot just pick this up and get everything from it. That was not an issue for me but it might be for other readers and readers should take that fact into consideration.

The author fabulously mixed in an entourage of gods and...more

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Dec 28, 2012 Cory rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, mythology, fantasy, arc-or-review-copies, well-that-escalated-quickly, reviewed, 4-stars, its-a-series

I received a copy of „Hera, Queen of Gods“ from T.D. Thomas directly in exchange for an honest review.

I love you," [Zeus] offered. "All the time."
His response surprised and touched me at first - then it really pissed me off.
We have very different ideas of love, I thought bitterly. [..]
Zeus did what he wanted, with whomever he wanted, when he wanted, and as much as he wanted. [..]
If that was love to him, he could keep it.

1. Sentence: "Life is about one thing, and one thing only. Power."

“Hera, Qu...more

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Jan 24, 2013 Witchmag rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, shifters, read-2013, paranormal, favorites, zzz-reviewed

Originally reviewed at Witchmag's Boekenplank

As soon as I read the blurb, I knew. This was a book I just had to read. Nothing however had prepared me for Hera, Queen of the Gods. The book exceeded even my most wildest expectations And went somewhere not a lot of books have gone: the top of my all-time-favorite list. I had no other choice. With every word I read I was sucked in more and more. I couldn’t stop to catch my breath, or do other things. I could do nothing but sit back and enjoy the rid...more Originally reviewed at Witchmag's Boekenplank

As soon as I read the blurb, I knew. This was a book I just had to read. Nothing however had prepared me for Hera, Queen of the Gods. The book exceeded even my most wildest expectations And went somewhere not a lot of books have gone: the top of my all-time-favorite list. I had no other choice. With every word I read I was sucked in more and more. I couldn’t stop to catch my breath, or do other things. I could do nothing but sit back and enjoy the ride. And what a ride it was!

The book took off with a well-designed story and even greater world-building. There were explanations for everything. From how gods are able to walk among humans to how mortals were unable to detect the humans. Everything fit. Even the smallest details were taken care off. And those were what made it so interesting! There were also some very interesting new aspects that made the book even better. I won’t elaborate, this is something you’ll have to read yourself .

The story was also brilliant. In this book it’s all about one question: where are the Fates? Without them the world will crumble. And why would someone take them? The answer to those two questions are slowly revealed throughout the story. At least the why and what a well-thought why it was! The who remained a mystery till the end. Till the big show-down. And made my mouth drop open from surprise. It was so not who I thought it would be! Which made me like the book even more.

This book is also not as “fluffy” as I thought it would be. A Disney fairy-tale where only the bad guys die and everyone has a happily ever after. No, there are hard choices to be made. Choices that sometimes are not easy at all and have deadly consequences. There were multiple times where I had to blink my tears away. And some events baffle me still. Events I’ve never would have thought of, events that have far-reaching consequences. And I’m very curious how T.D. Thomas will process this in the next book!

And now something about this book’s protagonist: Hera. The Queen of Gods. To be honest this is the first book, that I can remember, where she’s the good guy. A nice person, instead of the bitter, jealous wife of a cheating husband. I liked seeing her from another point of view. I finally got to know her in this book. I could finally see the real person goddess behind all the bitterness. All the suffering she felt every time Zeus cheated on her. And the sacrifices she has made over the eons. How she’s willing to do so much for other people. Even if this means she will be unhappy and lonely. This book was a real eye-opener for me! From now on Hera will be a kick-ass goddess for me, instead of the jealous wife. Someone willing to die for the greater good. She’s one of the best goddesses to have around. Even if she can be haughty

Hera also grows tremendously in this book. From a very superior, detached queen of the gods she slowly becomes more human Or at least willing to talk to humans. I could actually see this progress happening from the way she spoke and her thoughts. At the beginning of the book she sounded like an ancient Goddess. This changes throughout the story, till you feel you’re dealing with a very mature teenager. She became more human and I was very glad for her. She doesn’t have to seclude herself! She too deserves some happiness!

Hera didn’t change on her own, no there was a reason for this transformation: Justin. He shows her isn’t alone. That she has friends and that she doesn’t have to keep everything inside. It’s okay to talk about problems with other people. That she can open her heart. That she doesn’t have to stay with her cheating scumbag of a husband (something I’ve always wondered: why didn’t she leave him?) And I’m so grateful to Justin for doing so. Hera deserves every happiness she can get!

Conclusion: 5 hearts. This book deserves no less. The story is handled very well. Everything fit and ran seamlessly. It was full of action and surprises. It held me captivated till the and. I finally got to know the real Hera, the Hera behind the mask of jealous and revengeful wife and the boy who changed here. I’m so glad for that last part . It’s a story that you won’t be able to put down. A story where sometimes tears will fall. Above all it’s a story you must have read. Therefore I strongly urge everyone to do so (less)

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Apr 24, 2013 Cindy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

Mythology, and especially Greek mythology has always been one of my interests. As a kid I loved reading books about the gods and the customs of old Greece. I went on a vacation there 2 years ago and visited the ruins of Knossos. You could say I’m a bit of a history-of-Greece-geek. So when I got a request to read a YA book about Greek gods, I said yes, although YA hasn’t been my thing for a while now. This is a self-published book and my encounters with self-pub books haven’t always been that gre...more Mythology, and especially Greek mythology has always been one of my interests. As a kid I loved reading books about the gods and the customs of old Greece. I went on a vacation there 2 years ago and visited the ruins of Knossos. You could say I’m a bit of a history-of-Greece-geek. So when I got a request to read a YA book about Greek gods, I said yes, although YA hasn’t been my thing for a while now. This is a self-published book and my encounters with self-pub books haven’t always been that great, but this one was largely ok.

The story reminds me of Percy Jackson and his Greek mythology adventures. Although I haven’t read the books, I’ve seen the movie and it had the same feeling in my opinion. Obviously, the story is different and the point of view is different between the books, in this book being from the point of view of the gods themselves.
I was a bit afraid the different gods wouldn't be represented as well as I'd like. Although there were some kinks here and there, the overall portrayment of the gods was fairly well done.
Despite the Percy Jackson feel, T.D. Knows how to separate his story from this popular series and give it a spirit of its own.
“Hera, Queen of Gods” is an ok YA book. As you know I've a bit outgrown this sort of YA, but I think a lot of younger people could really enjoy this. I really liked the ending, really well executed, with an open ending to get you interested in the second book.

I do have a few points of critique though:
Hera's constant struggle with her feelings for zeus and how he's treated her are a bit repetitive and though I understand why it had to be repeated in certain situation, it was still a bit too much.
This is a common trait in YA however, even in what young adults consider the better books (I mostly don't agree with them) so I guess most YA readers won't mind.
The characters are worked out in a rather special way. Hera was fleshed out the best, but that's logical since she's our main character. Justin had a lot of "fog" hanging around his character, I couldn't really place him most of the time. But that cleared up a bit while the story evolved. Demeter and Athena were two examples of characters that had a distinct personality from the very beginning, but Apollo and Artemis needed a little more time to show some of their personalities and in the end they were a lot less fleshed out then the previously named characters.
Also, this is the first book I've ever read that doesn't use italics, but underlining to emphasize words in a sentence. This can get a bit too much sometimes, but this got better nearing the end.
Overall, the story was just too long in my opinion. Nearly 600 pages for a rather simple story is just too much and was filled mostly with fighting scene after fighting scene, which were very well written, but got too repetitive. It seemed like every time the characters got anywhere they were attacked, again and again and again.
This made the climax of the story a bit of a disappointment. With all that build up, you expect something explosive to top it off, but I couldn’t find that here.

Conclusion: for a younger audience this is a really ok book, I think lots of younger people will enjoy it. I enjoyed it too, but it was too long, a bit to repetitive and too simple to wow me. It was definitely too much YA for me, but again, that doesn’t mean teens won’t like it. I’ve read far worse, even published and extremely popular titles, but I’ve also read far better YA books. This one’s somewhere in between. (less)

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