Eva, Arethusa, Isolde: If you believed your name controlled your destiny, who would you choose to be?

I love YA fantasy-esque books that break the current "paranormal creature" mold, and I'm a particular fan of novels that use elements from mythology. Artemis Rising is a blend of two myths: Arethusa and Alpheus from Greek mythology, and Tristan and Isolde from the Arthurian legends.

I absolutely loved Artemis Rising, from start to finish. Lasota took the typical teen identity crisis and turned it into something mysterious and magical. The struggles of Arethusa and Tristan were real and relatable, and the way their relationship grew in the process was utterly delightful.

I loved all the characters in Artemis Rising, from our two protagonists down to the most minor of minor characters. Lasota introduces a nice range of supporting characters--enough to add depth to the novel, but not so many that you can't keep track of who's who. The roles they play in the two myths are sometimes surprising and always satisfying.

Setting is of highest importance in a fantasy novel, and Artemis Rising knocks this out of the park. The book is set in the Azores at the turn of the twenthieth century, and every page is seeped in the culture and pathos of the islands. It's clearly a place that is dear to the author's heart, and the amount of detail she gives does justice to this beautiful location.

Over all, Artemis Rising is simply a fabulous book on every count. I can't wait to read Cheri Lasota's next book!