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Partholon #2
Divine By Choice
Finally settled into her new world and role as the Goddess Epona s Chosen, Shannon finds herself loving her life of luxury and service more and more each day. Her handsome husband is due to return from his travels soon, and the temple and its people have recovered from the terrible war months before. Even though the evil has been banished from the land and all is calm, Shannon can t seem to shake the cloud of uneasiness (and nausea) she s been feeling, even after she receives the wonderful news of her forthcoming bundle of joy.
But when a routine ride through the countryside turns dangerous, Shannon is once again pulled across the divide back to the rolling green of Oklahoma. Sensing the darkness growing in her former world and driven by Epona s steady hand, she must rely on the tempting and sexy Clint Freeman to help her defeat the all-too-familiar evil that lurks in the shadows before she can return to her real home Partholon.
But when a routine ride through the countryside turns dangerous, Shannon is once again pulled across the divide back to the rolling green of Oklahoma. Sensing the darkness growing in her former world and driven by Epona s steady hand, she must rely on the tempting and sexy Clint Freeman to help her defeat the all-too-familiar evil that lurks in the shadows before she can return to her real home Partholon.
377 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
161 people are currently reading
6082 people want to read
About the author
P.C. Cast
208 books28.3k followersPC was born in the Midwest, and grew up being shuttled back-and-forth between Illinois and Oklahoma, which is where she fell in love with Quarter Horses and mythology (at about the same time). After high school, she joined the United States Air Force and began public speaking and writing. After her tour in the USAF, she taught high school for 15 years before retiring to write full time. PC is a #1 New York Times and #1 USA Today Best-Selling author and a member of the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. Her novels have been awarded the prestigious: Oklahoma Book Award, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Prism, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Booksellers’ Best, and the Laurel Wreath. PC is an experienced teacher and talented speaker. Ms. Cast lives in Oregon near her fabulous daughter, her adorable pack of dogs, her eccentric Maine Coon, and a bunch of horses. House of Night Other World, book 4, FOUND, releases July 7th, 2020. More info to come soon about the HoN TV series!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 366 reviews
July 8, 2011
For my full review please visit my blog: From the Shadows I review
Now for the first time in my blog's history I must star with an apology. My opinion on this books is very low and in order to get my main point across there will be a spoiler.
So I'm going to start with my main point and I have to say I feel very strongly about this. Rhiannon's downfall is sickening, I mean this I felt physically sick as I read about Rhiannon as a teenage girl being raped by a man wearing a dead horse's head. I'm sorry but it was taken way too far and then for that stupid goddess woman to condone it by saying that she should've drank a potion makes it worse. Essentially that's saying rape is okay if the person is drugged up to the eyeballs and couldn't care less. On top of that, this one event is then portrayed as the event that made Rhiannon the way she is in the book. No I'm sorry it explains nothing. It may have made her the way she is sexually but emotionally the damage was done by the goddess by giving her to people who pandered to her every whim. I was horrified that the goddess showed the scene to Shannon and then told Shannon to pity Rhiannon. Nobody who has been raped wants pity. How dare the author suggest that. Author's need to do their research on stuff like this.
Another thing that made me deeply unhappy and feel really awkward as I read the book were the sex scenes, now I'm 20 years old and I can handle a sex scene but Shannon is pregnant with another man's baby. I'm sorry but I happen to think that's a bit skanky especially as Shannon is constantly calling Rhiannon a 'slut'. Pot calling kettle black? I think so.
Now I'm going to move on to more general things. I think I'm actually going to declare P.C. Cast the queen of show not tell. I was realy to physically hurt something by the end of this book. To top it all off she's still reiterating the stuff she was going on about in book 1. I just wanted to hunt her down and scream that I'm not an imbecile and that I'd got the message. Unlike in the first book, there was never any sense of danger and that made the end very anticlimactic.
The characters aren't worth mentioning and overall the book is a pile of poop (as P.C. Cast would say since she seems unable to write the word poo.) Now I know this is jst my individual opnion and that many others will disagree with me but this is my honest opnion and I've always written my blog with the intention of being honest and telling you how I feel.
Now for the first time in my blog's history I must star with an apology. My opinion on this books is very low and in order to get my main point across there will be a spoiler.
So I'm going to start with my main point and I have to say I feel very strongly about this. Rhiannon's downfall is sickening, I mean this I felt physically sick as I read about Rhiannon as a teenage girl being raped by a man wearing a dead horse's head. I'm sorry but it was taken way too far and then for that stupid goddess woman to condone it by saying that she should've drank a potion makes it worse. Essentially that's saying rape is okay if the person is drugged up to the eyeballs and couldn't care less. On top of that, this one event is then portrayed as the event that made Rhiannon the way she is in the book. No I'm sorry it explains nothing. It may have made her the way she is sexually but emotionally the damage was done by the goddess by giving her to people who pandered to her every whim. I was horrified that the goddess showed the scene to Shannon and then told Shannon to pity Rhiannon. Nobody who has been raped wants pity. How dare the author suggest that. Author's need to do their research on stuff like this.
Another thing that made me deeply unhappy and feel really awkward as I read the book were the sex scenes, now I'm 20 years old and I can handle a sex scene but Shannon is pregnant with another man's baby. I'm sorry but I happen to think that's a bit skanky especially as Shannon is constantly calling Rhiannon a 'slut'. Pot calling kettle black? I think so.
Now I'm going to move on to more general things. I think I'm actually going to declare P.C. Cast the queen of show not tell. I was realy to physically hurt something by the end of this book. To top it all off she's still reiterating the stuff she was going on about in book 1. I just wanted to hunt her down and scream that I'm not an imbecile and that I'd got the message. Unlike in the first book, there was never any sense of danger and that made the end very anticlimactic.
The characters aren't worth mentioning and overall the book is a pile of poop (as P.C. Cast would say since she seems unable to write the word poo.) Now I know this is jst my individual opnion and that many others will disagree with me but this is my honest opnion and I've always written my blog with the intention of being honest and telling you how I feel.
February 20, 2013
I have a love/hate relationship with this book series. I hated PC Cast & Kristin Cast's House of Night series, but I thought since this was only PC Cast's series it would be better and it is, but it's still kind of annoying and hokey. At some point the story will get interesting and I'm pleasantly surprised by it, but then just as quickly she writes something so awful that I can hardly keep reading.
I don't really like Shannon/Rhea all that much. And I really can't get behind the idea that there's a mirror image that she should fall in love with in both worlds. I also spent much of the time in disbelief that anyone actually likes to eat Arby's.
*****spoilers*****
We do get to learn the reasoning behind why Rhiannon is not a great person and get treated to a brutal rape scene under the guise of a religious ceremony. What makes it even more sickening is that Rhiannon is blamed in her own rape because she didn't drink the date rape potion. You know, being a teenager and all rebellious. I had a hard time rooting for Shannon & co. after that.
It irritates me that she can just fall into bed with Clint just because he's her husband's mirror image. She's already remarked on how mirror images are different personalities depending on different factors so it wasn't like she was sleeping with her husband. But the powerful Epona said she should so.....
I don't know. It was just a very sad and disappointing series of scenes, especially coming from a female writer. Nothing like rape and infidelity to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
I don't really like Shannon/Rhea all that much. And I really can't get behind the idea that there's a mirror image that she should fall in love with in both worlds. I also spent much of the time in disbelief that anyone actually likes to eat Arby's.
*****spoilers*****
We do get to learn the reasoning behind why Rhiannon is not a great person and get treated to a brutal rape scene under the guise of a religious ceremony. What makes it even more sickening is that Rhiannon is blamed in her own rape because she didn't drink the date rape potion. You know, being a teenager and all rebellious. I had a hard time rooting for Shannon & co. after that.
It irritates me that she can just fall into bed with Clint just because he's her husband's mirror image. She's already remarked on how mirror images are different personalities depending on different factors so it wasn't like she was sleeping with her husband. But the powerful Epona said she should so.....
I don't know. It was just a very sad and disappointing series of scenes, especially coming from a female writer. Nothing like rape and infidelity to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2009
I was drawn to this series because I adore Partholon. Unfortunately, this book takes place mostly back in Oklahoma. I found those scenes boring and tended to skim through most of that section.
*SPOILER BELOW*
I'm having a hard time understanding and accepting Shannon's reasoning for sleeping with Clint. She was only parted from Clanfinton for what 3 or 4 days? Seems her and Rhiannon have more in common than she would care to admit.
Would I recommend? If you don't mind the setting in Oklahoma, try it out. If you read to escape to Partholon, you will be disappointed. I do recommend you read Divine By Mistake first.
*SPOILER BELOW*
I'm having a hard time understanding and accepting Shannon's reasoning for sleeping with Clint. She was only parted from Clanfinton for what 3 or 4 days? Seems her and Rhiannon have more in common than she would care to admit.
Would I recommend? If you don't mind the setting in Oklahoma, try it out. If you read to escape to Partholon, you will be disappointed. I do recommend you read Divine By Mistake first.
October 19, 2014
Well then, firstly I find it hard to believe an educated woman of 35 that engages in regular unprotected sex, after missing a period needs to take 50 pages to go 'umm, I think I might be pregnant'. Even then she has to have it pointed out to her.
Secondly 'the evil mirror image', granted what happened to her was awful as she first came of age. But those caring for her seemed to think it was some sort of necessary ritual that she had no way of getting out of. Either there should have been far more effort to get the girl ready for the event (and I mean emotionally and not prettily). Or perhaps you shouldn't be worshipping a goddess that seems to think an appropiate way to behave is to take a young girl after her first period, (doesn't state the age but she could be anywhere between 11 and 15), dress her up like an expensive whore, drug her and let a man rape her with a severed horse head resting on his shoulders. Now in my world we call that shit date-rape. Men are arrested for such foul behaviour. Women that enable the situation are (or at least should be) also arrested for such behaviour.
My point is girls that suffer horrible abusive upbringings can and do struggle emotionally later in life with or without proper therapy. I didn't like the suggestion that something horrible happened to this girl there fore she became evil. I didn't like the suggestion that something horrible happened to this girl at the will of the goddess she is supposed to serve, and there for she is evil because she starts to look else where, I mean who wouldn't. I really really didn't like the implications that by desperately returning to Partholon Shannon Parker, an educated women with modern ideas of equality and rights to control your own body, couldn't see that in the future, her own dear daughter would have to go through such a cruel ritual, re-inforced by the lack of flowers blooming while she was out of that world, clearly she wouldn't get any way out of it. Intoxicating wine or not.
It surprised me (i can't imagine why the writing was there on the page), that a world with the appearance of female strength would have such basic underlying cruelty to women. I found the whole story very un-feminist.
I've read other series by this author who seems to think taking all the same plot devises and language from one series, throw in; wine, sex, birth, rape, penis mentions and references to 'peculiar teenages' and suddenly it's supposed to be a book aimed at adults. More like older teenagers that want to pretend to be grown up but deep down are just curvy girls yet to discover the reality of car repairs, rent and the misery of being unable to leave a horrible job because of the first two.
Not the worst book I've ever read, an easy read with a decent pace. But I wouldn't recommend it to anyone that doesn't have strong inner female confidence. After-all it is a close second to the Twilight Saga when it comes to brainwashing concepts about women's divine place as baby-making-machines above everything else.
Unfortunately due to an inherited yorkshire purse, having purchased all three in this series at RRP, I will at some point be reading the next one simply to get my money's worth by scoffing. For some stupid reason I just can't charity-drop a book I've paid RRP for without reading it first.
Secondly 'the evil mirror image', granted what happened to her was awful as she first came of age. But those caring for her seemed to think it was some sort of necessary ritual that she had no way of getting out of. Either there should have been far more effort to get the girl ready for the event (and I mean emotionally and not prettily). Or perhaps you shouldn't be worshipping a goddess that seems to think an appropiate way to behave is to take a young girl after her first period, (doesn't state the age but she could be anywhere between 11 and 15), dress her up like an expensive whore, drug her and let a man rape her with a severed horse head resting on his shoulders. Now in my world we call that shit date-rape. Men are arrested for such foul behaviour. Women that enable the situation are (or at least should be) also arrested for such behaviour.
My point is girls that suffer horrible abusive upbringings can and do struggle emotionally later in life with or without proper therapy. I didn't like the suggestion that something horrible happened to this girl there fore she became evil. I didn't like the suggestion that something horrible happened to this girl at the will of the goddess she is supposed to serve, and there for she is evil because she starts to look else where, I mean who wouldn't. I really really didn't like the implications that by desperately returning to Partholon Shannon Parker, an educated women with modern ideas of equality and rights to control your own body, couldn't see that in the future, her own dear daughter would have to go through such a cruel ritual, re-inforced by the lack of flowers blooming while she was out of that world, clearly she wouldn't get any way out of it. Intoxicating wine or not.
It surprised me (i can't imagine why the writing was there on the page), that a world with the appearance of female strength would have such basic underlying cruelty to women. I found the whole story very un-feminist.
I've read other series by this author who seems to think taking all the same plot devises and language from one series, throw in; wine, sex, birth, rape, penis mentions and references to 'peculiar teenages' and suddenly it's supposed to be a book aimed at adults. More like older teenagers that want to pretend to be grown up but deep down are just curvy girls yet to discover the reality of car repairs, rent and the misery of being unable to leave a horrible job because of the first two.
Not the worst book I've ever read, an easy read with a decent pace. But I wouldn't recommend it to anyone that doesn't have strong inner female confidence. After-all it is a close second to the Twilight Saga when it comes to brainwashing concepts about women's divine place as baby-making-machines above everything else.
Unfortunately due to an inherited yorkshire purse, having purchased all three in this series at RRP, I will at some point be reading the next one simply to get my money's worth by scoffing. For some stupid reason I just can't charity-drop a book I've paid RRP for without reading it first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2025
Periaatteessa juoni kulki paremmin kuin ensimmäisessä osassa. Harmi vain, että misogynia saavutti tason, josta Andrew Tate olisi ylpeä.
March 15, 2019
What the hell happened between the first book and this one??
*** TRIGGER WARNING: R*PE AND SUICIDE *** SPOILERS ***
There’s something I want to discuss real quick. This is the second story I’ve read by this author where the main villain was a rape victim, and that doesn’t really sit right with me. I know the author doesn’t justify rape, obviously, she made it known that it was a horrifying thing, but why are the rape victims suddenly deranged sexual deviants who are bent on controlling everyone? That just bothers me deeply.
So yeah there is a rape scene in this book, orchestrated by none other than the main goddess Epona whom we are supposed to believe is a being of ethereal goodness and light. But she lets her chosen priestess…. Be raped….? Oh but wait she was supposed to drink a potion (medieval date rape?) that would drug her and make her enjoy it so it’s her own damn fault for not drinking the potion. And here is the dialogue during our MC witnessing this scene:
The rape continued and our spirit bodies ascended through the domed ceiling along with the echoing screams of Rhiannon’s pain.
I wondered what I would have done at her age. Yes, I had been stubborn and willful, but I hadn’t been raised a cosseted, spoiled goddess whose every whim was indulged by nursemaids and slaves. I knew that I would have taken the potion.
Yes, by all means blame the teenage virgin for not wanting to drug herself and be raped by a man she doesn’t know wearing a dead horse’s head by calling her a spoiled brat. Great logic.
Our wonderful MC also said something in this book about skinny women having bodies that look like little boys. So there’s skinny shaming as well.
The other thing I wanted to talk about was the suicidal tendencies of our male lead in this book. And basically how the goddess put that off on our MC by saying “he needs you”. His suicidal tendencies shouldn’t be Shannon’s problem, that’s not really a healthy mindset. Also the goddess tells Shannon “he needs you, love him tonight” or something and Shannon has sex with him. Mind you, she is married to another man, and pregnant with another man’s child. I don’t really think that sex scene was necessary.
It is also unhealthy to assume that the only way to care for a man’s emotional needs is with sex. I promise you that isn’t solving anything.
I don’t really know what happened with this book. I loved Shannon in the last book and I loved the battle between good and evil, being caught in a world you don’t understand, etc. This one was just really messy. I would like to keep reading because I want to know what happens with the daughter, but I just can’t justify giving this book a good rating…
*** TRIGGER WARNING: R*PE AND SUICIDE *** SPOILERS ***
There’s something I want to discuss real quick. This is the second story I’ve read by this author where the main villain was a rape victim, and that doesn’t really sit right with me. I know the author doesn’t justify rape, obviously, she made it known that it was a horrifying thing, but why are the rape victims suddenly deranged sexual deviants who are bent on controlling everyone? That just bothers me deeply.
So yeah there is a rape scene in this book, orchestrated by none other than the main goddess Epona whom we are supposed to believe is a being of ethereal goodness and light. But she lets her chosen priestess…. Be raped….? Oh but wait she was supposed to drink a potion (medieval date rape?) that would drug her and make her enjoy it so it’s her own damn fault for not drinking the potion. And here is the dialogue during our MC witnessing this scene:
The rape continued and our spirit bodies ascended through the domed ceiling along with the echoing screams of Rhiannon’s pain.
I wondered what I would have done at her age. Yes, I had been stubborn and willful, but I hadn’t been raised a cosseted, spoiled goddess whose every whim was indulged by nursemaids and slaves. I knew that I would have taken the potion.
Yes, by all means blame the teenage virgin for not wanting to drug herself and be raped by a man she doesn’t know wearing a dead horse’s head by calling her a spoiled brat. Great logic.
Our wonderful MC also said something in this book about skinny women having bodies that look like little boys. So there’s skinny shaming as well.
The other thing I wanted to talk about was the suicidal tendencies of our male lead in this book. And basically how the goddess put that off on our MC by saying “he needs you”. His suicidal tendencies shouldn’t be Shannon’s problem, that’s not really a healthy mindset. Also the goddess tells Shannon “he needs you, love him tonight” or something and Shannon has sex with him. Mind you, she is married to another man, and pregnant with another man’s child. I don’t really think that sex scene was necessary.
It is also unhealthy to assume that the only way to care for a man’s emotional needs is with sex. I promise you that isn’t solving anything.
I don’t really know what happened with this book. I loved Shannon in the last book and I loved the battle between good and evil, being caught in a world you don’t understand, etc. This one was just really messy. I would like to keep reading because I want to know what happens with the daughter, but I just can’t justify giving this book a good rating…
August 5, 2017
And down, down, down, we go.
Look, if you're a fan of the first book, I would highly suggest you to stay away from this book. Let's all assume the first book is the only canon ending. 😂 This book just took the first one and turned it a complete crap. Don't even waste your time.
I'm really disappointed with the whole mirror image people being interchangeable. For instant, Shannon after being away for a few days from her husband, slept with her husband's mirror image, Clint as if it's nothing. Same goes with Clint who slept with Rhiannon, Shannon's mirror image but then claimed to be in love with the heroine the next. True love right?
Shannon's basically the exact same person she was, maybe even worse.
Throughout this book, the Goddess of Epona remained her guide--she helped her get out of trouble, saved her from death but as the book progressed, it seemed so comical to me how she was always ready to help Shannon. From being this mighty Goddess she seemed more of a sidekick to Shannon.
Overall, this book is a huge disappointment. I won't get started on the rape scene because I feel like most reviewers have pointed out the ridiculousness of it all.
Look, if you're a fan of the first book, I would highly suggest you to stay away from this book. Let's all assume the first book is the only canon ending. 😂 This book just took the first one and turned it a complete crap. Don't even waste your time.
I'm really disappointed with the whole mirror image people being interchangeable. For instant, Shannon after being away for a few days from her husband, slept with her husband's mirror image, Clint as if it's nothing. Same goes with Clint who slept with Rhiannon, Shannon's mirror image but then claimed to be in love with the heroine the next. True love right?
Shannon's basically the exact same person she was, maybe even worse.
I pulled off my clothes and continued studying myself. Sure enough, except for a cute little pooch of a tummy, I looked thin. My ribs were sticking out! I’ve never considered thin women particularly attractive. I mean, really. How can you look like a woman if you’re shaped like a little boy? It was tragic, and I had a sudden desire to wolf down a box of HoHos. Conversely, my breasts, which had always been full and well shaped, were definitely fuller and shapelier. And I did like the little pooch of a tummy. I patted it wonderingly.
Throughout this book, the Goddess of Epona remained her guide--she helped her get out of trouble, saved her from death but as the book progressed, it seemed so comical to me how she was always ready to help Shannon. From being this mighty Goddess she seemed more of a sidekick to Shannon.
Overall, this book is a huge disappointment. I won't get started on the rape scene because I feel like most reviewers have pointed out the ridiculousness of it all.
March 14, 2012
First of all I read the entire series but somehow skipped book 2. In hindsight I'm thinking that would have been a good thing. There were many elements of this book that were disturbing. The brutal rape of Rhiannon and pregnant Shannon having sex with her husbands mirror-image. WTH? She has a lot of nerve calling Rhiannon a slut while her own morals aren't much better.
I just couldn't understand how she could have had sex with Clint. It just didn't make sense (heck she was only away from her beloved husband for 3 or 4 days). Yes I get that Clint is ClanFinton's mirror image but if ClanFinton had been a twin would she have slept with his brother? It just goes against everything that is stressed in this series. Shannon obviously knows what she did was wrong since when she recounted the events to her husband she left that little tidbit out so she wouldn't hurt him.
I'm seriously glad that I skipped this book because I would probably have stopped reading the series right here and missed the next three books which were 4 or 5 star reads.
I just couldn't understand how she could have had sex with Clint. It just didn't make sense (heck she was only away from her beloved husband for 3 or 4 days). Yes I get that Clint is ClanFinton's mirror image but if ClanFinton had been a twin would she have slept with his brother? It just goes against everything that is stressed in this series. Shannon obviously knows what she did was wrong since when she recounted the events to her husband she left that little tidbit out so she wouldn't hurt him.
I'm seriously glad that I skipped this book because I would probably have stopped reading the series right here and missed the next three books which were 4 or 5 star reads.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2016
Loving this series!!! Right when I'm thinking nothing else is going to happen, what do you know, "It does"!! Cast is amazing!!I Love how effortless the story just flows!! I Love the mix of characters!! This is a steady and smooth read!!
October 4, 2023
"There is magic and mystery in this land. Some of it was conceived in tears."
Okay, so I love the Goddess Summoning Series - it's one of my favorite "trashy" romance series. But this series - I'm not feeling so much. Goddess By Mistake was okay, but this one has a lot going on. And while it could be interesting, there's the whole "cheating on your husband with his mirror from another dimension" should I/shouldn't I plot point that I hated.
Okay, so I love the Goddess Summoning Series - it's one of my favorite "trashy" romance series. But this series - I'm not feeling so much. Goddess By Mistake was okay, but this one has a lot going on. And while it could be interesting, there's the whole "cheating on your husband with his mirror from another dimension" should I/shouldn't I plot point that I hated.
March 23, 2008
I didn’t love this one as much as the first (
Divine By Mistake
), but it is good. I didn’t like it because I don’t like the fact that she has sex with someone other than her husband. It kind of ruined the true love aspect of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2010
What I learnt? Nothing. Just that PC Cast while funny in turn, is also ridiculously disney slapped.
November 9, 2017
This is MAYBE a 2.5 stars, if I'm being generous.
I liked the first book (although I didn't love it) and I was expecting to like this one too but although I tried all I could think was "not again".
This just felt like more of the same and *spoiler alert* if there's one thing I hate is when dead villains come back in the second book, I find it incredibly annoying. And the whole " falling in love for the guy that looks like her husband" was just ridículos to me.
It's easy to read, which is good, the plot is somewhat interesting, and I do find the main character funny, but that was not enough for me and the book felt like a bit of a flop.
In my own language I'd say that, for me, this book was "meh".
I liked the first book (although I didn't love it) and I was expecting to like this one too but although I tried all I could think was "not again".
This just felt like more of the same and *spoiler alert* if there's one thing I hate is when dead villains come back in the second book, I find it incredibly annoying. And the whole " falling in love for the guy that looks like her husband" was just ridículos to me.
It's easy to read, which is good, the plot is somewhat interesting, and I do find the main character funny, but that was not enough for me and the book felt like a bit of a flop.
In my own language I'd say that, for me, this book was "meh".
March 10, 2020
RE READ: I read this series about 4 years ago and it is still one of my favourite series. The character development is just so perfect, we’re always learning but without giving too much at once. I do love the main character, Shannon/Rhea she is brave and adaptable and knows how to articulate herself.
In terms of the series I definitely like the first one better which I why I only gave this four stars but if you like Ancient Greek/Roman settings and fantasy books then this series is definitely for you!
In terms of the series I definitely like the first one better which I why I only gave this four stars but if you like Ancient Greek/Roman settings and fantasy books then this series is definitely for you!
February 5, 2020
Such a stunning and exciting read, as was the first book in the series. I always give 5 stars for books that are able to take my mind to another world completely, and P.C. Cast is always an amazing author to provide that experience. Her imagery is beautifully and artistically described; her characters are extremely lovable (some profoundly despicable , i.e., Nuada and Rhiannon); and her imagination is, quite literally, out of this world.
August 15, 2025
this book fucking sucked lol. it started off okay but it got so boring. why are we stuck in Oklahoma for the entire book when the premise of the series is this woman being in another, magical world with cool centaurs (barely any centaurs in this book!!). also, there was a lot more 2007 bullshit in this with racist, homophobic, misogynistic things so that wasn't very fun. every time Clint said "Shannon baby" (I think that's what it says in English?) I wanted to stab my eyes. let's hope the 3rd book makes me happier.
March 31, 2019
Não gostei do primeiro, e não satisfeita, ainda fui dar uma oportunidade ao 2º volume, uma vez que também residia na estante já há bastante tempo.
Nem cheguei a meio.
Desisti.
Talvez há dez anos gostasse mais desta leitura.
Hoje sou uma leitora diferente e talvez mais exigente.
Nem cheguei a meio.
Desisti.
Talvez há dez anos gostasse mais desta leitura.
Hoje sou uma leitora diferente e talvez mais exigente.
June 24, 2018
Loving this world that was created
July 17, 2022
This book was as great as the first one. I loved reading about Shannon's journey and Clint was perfect. It was good to know what made Rhiannon who she is now. I'm excited to read the third book 💙
March 24, 2024
A bit different from the first book but nonetheless, it is great. I warmed up to the characters as the story proceeded. A wonderful second book in the trilogy.
September 21, 2018
Aunque me gustó el final, el resto del libro no.
Prefiero pensar que nunca ocurrió y que todo terminó felizmente en el primer libro, gracias.
Prefiero pensar que nunca ocurrió y que todo terminó felizmente en el primer libro, gracias.
September 6, 2024
Great world building in Partholon. Was not a fan that so much of the story took place in the modern world.
January 27, 2022
Great as usual. I love this series so much! I had a plan this month of what I was going to be reading, but the Divine series totally uprooted that plan. And I don't regret it one bit. It's funny that the books were written a while ago and I am now just discovering their amazing story. Can't wait to see what the rest of the series is going to bring. New characters...not sure how I feel about that, but I guess we'll see. I suppose Shannon's main story is over. Sad. She will make an appearance in other characters lives. Which will be interesting to see. Ok. Here we go.
April 15, 2010
P.C. Cast has become one of my favorite authors lately. I love the Partholon adult novels that she is writing and truly feel the characters are real and believable. Unfortunately, Divine by Choice didn’t knock my socks off. No matter how much I wanted it to do so.
Shannon is pulled back to Oklahoma through a divide in the trees. She quickly learns that all is not right in Oklahoma where her family and friends have been betrayed by Shannon’s look-alike Rhiannon. Something evil has been called and nature is reacting to the unnatural by a snow storm that could put the north to shame. Shannon must learn how to survive with ClanFintan’s look-alike Clint, save the people she loves from death, and return to the land and husband she loves in Partholon.
I was left feeling disappointed in a heroine that I truly adored and sorry for a husband that truly loved her. It was just sad and sorry, regardless of what a “normal” person would have chosen in this given situation, it was not right for her in this book. Shannon had always been regarded as trustworthy and put down Rhiannon for all her wild, unmoral love affairs. I just don’t understand why??? I also just couldn’t understand where the buildup was regarding the relationship between Shannon and Clint. UGH! It just makes me so bummed! I loved the first book, so I just can’t get over this one.
The story is exciting that there are new characters and we get to see Shannon’s father. Other than that, I am so sorry and saddened to say, I was utterly disappointed. I eagerly await the next book, Divine by Blood, as I want this series to end on the high note I had hoped for it.
With a sad heart, I give Divine by Choice 3 STACKS
for more reviews go to GirlsInTheStacks.com
Shannon is pulled back to Oklahoma through a divide in the trees. She quickly learns that all is not right in Oklahoma where her family and friends have been betrayed by Shannon’s look-alike Rhiannon. Something evil has been called and nature is reacting to the unnatural by a snow storm that could put the north to shame. Shannon must learn how to survive with ClanFintan’s look-alike Clint, save the people she loves from death, and return to the land and husband she loves in Partholon.
I was left feeling disappointed in a heroine that I truly adored and sorry for a husband that truly loved her. It was just sad and sorry, regardless of what a “normal” person would have chosen in this given situation, it was not right for her in this book. Shannon had always been regarded as trustworthy and put down Rhiannon for all her wild, unmoral love affairs. I just don’t understand why??? I also just couldn’t understand where the buildup was regarding the relationship between Shannon and Clint. UGH! It just makes me so bummed! I loved the first book, so I just can’t get over this one.
The story is exciting that there are new characters and we get to see Shannon’s father. Other than that, I am so sorry and saddened to say, I was utterly disappointed. I eagerly await the next book, Divine by Blood, as I want this series to end on the high note I had hoped for it.
With a sad heart, I give Divine by Choice 3 STACKS
for more reviews go to GirlsInTheStacks.com
January 20, 2011
i have to point out that in the opening letter of the novel, P.C. Cast mentioned that there was a five year gap between the first novel and second. OMG. i think that's the longest gap i've seen in two sequals, well out of the books thar i've read anyway, correct me if i'm wrong.
besides that, the book wasn't nearly as good as the first, and was half the size, but is uppose there was a lot of information in the ifrst book about Partholon and Centuars and how the new world works and all that.
I have to say that i took a look at the review of others and have to say that i feel enlightened about the works of P.C. Cast as i've realised that when you look at the Partholon Trilogy and the House of Night novels, you see that P.C.Cast and Kristen Cast are a pair of horny, sex obsessed women.
think about it, all their sex scenes are VERY vivid in their description, and also very frequent in their works. Kalona from the House of Night series is a sex-addict who preys on young women, Rhiannon from Partholon sleeps with EVERYONE and performs rituals in which she slices open guys dicks while they are having an errection then gives them a blowjob while they're still spurting out blood!!!i mean GOD!
it is not so bad in the Hous of Night novels as it is discreet and fits in with the teenagery characters and such, but in the Goddess of Partholon trilogy, the secondd book is a bit cringe-worthy. the first novel isn't so bad with it, but the second just goes over the edge a bit and is bordering on being a pure porn book. i'm sorry to say that P.C. Cast may have taken it too far with this novel. i'll read the third as it IS the last in the series, but i don't think i would bother carrying on with it if she was still writing them.
besides that, the book wasn't nearly as good as the first, and was half the size, but is uppose there was a lot of information in the ifrst book about Partholon and Centuars and how the new world works and all that.
I have to say that i took a look at the review of others and have to say that i feel enlightened about the works of P.C. Cast as i've realised that when you look at the Partholon Trilogy and the House of Night novels, you see that P.C.Cast and Kristen Cast are a pair of horny, sex obsessed women.
think about it, all their sex scenes are VERY vivid in their description, and also very frequent in their works. Kalona from the House of Night series is a sex-addict who preys on young women, Rhiannon from Partholon sleeps with EVERYONE and performs rituals in which she slices open guys dicks while they are having an errection then gives them a blowjob while they're still spurting out blood!!!i mean GOD!
it is not so bad in the Hous of Night novels as it is discreet and fits in with the teenagery characters and such, but in the Goddess of Partholon trilogy, the secondd book is a bit cringe-worthy. the first novel isn't so bad with it, but the second just goes over the edge a bit and is bordering on being a pure porn book. i'm sorry to say that P.C. Cast may have taken it too far with this novel. i'll read the third as it IS the last in the series, but i don't think i would bother carrying on with it if she was still writing them.
March 27, 2010
This book picks up with Shannon/Rhea a few months after the last one. She has fully settled into her new world and her new role as the Beloved. With ClanFintan gone for a month cleaning up the mess from the war Rhea is on her own, with some new worries. The very night that ClanFintan comes home she makes a startling discovery that will bring great changes to her and the world around her.
While on a ride with her horse, Epi, Rhea discovers trees that seem very much like those back home in OK. While she takes a closer look something happens that feels all to familiar and she is pulled through. She wakes up in a cabin looking at a man who could be the twin to her husband, only he is not a centaur. Not sure what happened to bring her back to her world Shannon does not want to be there, she has embraced her new one. As she gets to know Clint and they figure out what is going on they realize that an old enemy is back, one that Shannon knows, and that once again Shannon must clean up after the mess that Rhiannon has caused. Shannon is faced with so many things that confuse her and becomes closer with Clint, but yet yearns to be back with ClanFintan. The 2 of them must make big sacrifices in order to right what has been wronged.
I look forward to the next book to see what will happen.
While on a ride with her horse, Epi, Rhea discovers trees that seem very much like those back home in OK. While she takes a closer look something happens that feels all to familiar and she is pulled through. She wakes up in a cabin looking at a man who could be the twin to her husband, only he is not a centaur. Not sure what happened to bring her back to her world Shannon does not want to be there, she has embraced her new one. As she gets to know Clint and they figure out what is going on they realize that an old enemy is back, one that Shannon knows, and that once again Shannon must clean up after the mess that Rhiannon has caused. Shannon is faced with so many things that confuse her and becomes closer with Clint, but yet yearns to be back with ClanFintan. The 2 of them must make big sacrifices in order to right what has been wronged.
I look forward to the next book to see what will happen.
July 20, 2010
Never has a fantasy world enthralled me as much as this one! (or at least not since i was a teen lol) When I read the first book I would wake up in the morning and my mind would immediately start wondering about Rhea and ClanFintan. I enjoyed it so so much! So when I finished it I was totally content with the ending. I then went to swop it with book 2 on my bookshelf. Did not intend to start reading it until at least the next day until...I READ THE BACK of the book which I hate doing when reading a series!!! I was so upset and distraught by what I read that I immediately started reading it! (I Just finished it btw) I was so depressed yesterday because I felt heartbroken at the fact that she got sucked away from Partholon and all she loved, I could not even focus at work! Seriously out of character obsessive behavior on my part. I didnt even go get something to eat yesterday at lunch because I just wanted to read! Finally got her back in Partholon and all is well now that I know all is well with them. Book 3 is still on my bookshelf, i will not touch it until Ive focussed a bit on REALITY and what I need to be doing. Im also not that in a hurry to read book 3 coz I know when I finish it thatll be the end of it and I dont wana say goodbye yet...
February 14, 2014
Depois de ter lido o livro "Divina por engano" fiquei um pouco com o pé atrás devido à personagem principal.
Quis ler este livro para conseguir perceber se havia (na minha opinião) melhorias relativamente a Shannon e não é que houve?
Seis meses depois do término do livro "Divina por engano", Shannon Parker descobre que está grávida. Mas também descobre que Nuada não está tão morto como aparenta. Depois de ser sugada de volta para Oklahoma, Shannon tem de tomar a maior decisão da sua vida: ficar ou voltar para o Partholon.
Como já referi, neste livro, a Shannon cresceu. Deixou de fazer piadinhas e de ter atitudes de miúdas de 15 anos, para se tornar uma mulher de meia-idade grávida. Penso que o facto de ter de tomar decisões que implicam a sua filha por nascer a fez crescer um pouco e levar as coisas a sério.
Relativamente à escrita, continua a ser muito fluída e e constante. É um ponto a favor.
A razão de ter dado 3* ao livro é uma das coisas que me vai ficar entalada na garganta e da qual me vou lembrar sempre que pegar nesta série. Não vos posso contar porque ia ser spoiler, por isso leiam o livro e fiquem tão chocados quanto eu!
Quis ler este livro para conseguir perceber se havia (na minha opinião) melhorias relativamente a Shannon e não é que houve?
Seis meses depois do término do livro "Divina por engano", Shannon Parker descobre que está grávida. Mas também descobre que Nuada não está tão morto como aparenta. Depois de ser sugada de volta para Oklahoma, Shannon tem de tomar a maior decisão da sua vida: ficar ou voltar para o Partholon.
Como já referi, neste livro, a Shannon cresceu. Deixou de fazer piadinhas e de ter atitudes de miúdas de 15 anos, para se tornar uma mulher de meia-idade grávida. Penso que o facto de ter de tomar decisões que implicam a sua filha por nascer a fez crescer um pouco e levar as coisas a sério.
Relativamente à escrita, continua a ser muito fluída e e constante. É um ponto a favor.
A razão de ter dado 3* ao livro é uma das coisas que me vai ficar entalada na garganta e da qual me vou lembrar sempre que pegar nesta série. Não vos posso contar porque ia ser spoiler, por isso leiam o livro e fiquem tão chocados quanto eu!
January 14, 2008
The second in the Shannon/Rhiannon series by P.C. Cast. Picture ancient Scotland and mythological Greece, and you'll have a good idea of where Oklahoma schoolteacher Shannon Parker finds herself when a nasty divine entity switches places with her. Luckily, it turns out that was the Goddess's (who Rhiannon represented in their world) really wanted, as Shannon is the true "Beloved of Epona."
Review: Still very good, a fascinating world/situation, though I wish this one happened more in the fantasy world and less in Oklahoma. I have mixed feelings about the ending... the only way it could be, I guess, but I rather hoped Cast would find a better solution somehow. I've already started the third in the series, though!
Review: Still very good, a fascinating world/situation, though I wish this one happened more in the fantasy world and less in Oklahoma. I have mixed feelings about the ending... the only way it could be, I guess, but I rather hoped Cast would find a better solution somehow. I've already started the third in the series, though!
August 28, 2019
I've read this book several times and wow what a thrilling follow on from Divine By Mistake. Divine By Choice is full of emotion, worry and love and I love getting to know Shannon/Rhea even more in this book and more about the mirror world but I DID NOT like Nuada coming back and terrorising Shannon because of the bitch Rhiannon and the fact that Shannon nearly had to go through losing her actual father months after witnessing losing Rhiannon's father back in Partholon but it all worked out and had a happy ending
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