Olympian Challenger by Astrid Arditi - Restarting April 19th 2018

[Alaina]

A hero’s tournament. A defiant contender. Does one girl have the courage to take on Mount Olympus?
Hope’s world doesn’t have room for heroes. She barely has time for schoolwork, swim team, and taking care of her ailing mother. But when she’s invited to a mysterious tournament, the all-powerful hosts won’t take no for an answer.

Transported to Mount Olympus, Hope comes face to face with her new trainers—the pantheon of Greek gods. While other contenders train hard to gain a fighting edge, Hope searches for a way out. Instead, she finds a gorgeous shadow god who may just convince her to stay…

As each round unfolds, the ultimate prize draws closer—the granting of her heart’s deepest desire. If she survives the final challenge, her mother’s cure would be within reach…but only if Hope can ignore the tournament’s dark purpose.

Olympian Challenger is the first book in a bold YA urban fantasy trilogy. If you like Greek mythology, forbidden romance, and feats of courage, then you’ll love Astrid Arditi’s heroic coming-of-age tale.

[Isha]

I actually really liked this book! The concept of it was unique, especially the competition element to it. I don't see many books like that nowadays. I did find it that most of the kids were portrayed to be ruthless and selfish. I wish we got to see what all of them would do with the wish at the end and why. Also wished the other characters were developed a bit more

[Isha]

I love how the gods are evil in the book. A lot of other books based in Greek Mythology do make the gods seem selfish, but when you figure out what happens at the end. OMG. You'll be shocked at their motivation and what they are willing to do to get it

[Isha]

Kieron. That's all I have to say. I really really loved him and wish there were more moments of him in the book. On Hope's end, I do feel like it was a bit insta-lovey but that's also mixed with a hate to love trope. Kind of confusing, but it also makes sense when you read it all the way through

[Isha]

Last thing, but I really wish we got more of Hope's life before the competition. The book starts off with her getting the invitation so I felt like I didn't really have enough time to connect with her or her mom. I guess the world building of Hope's world before the competition was lacking.

[Felicia]

8%.
(view spoiler)[i'm curious about this river jumping boy. Maybe he'll be her love interest! :D (hide spoiler)]

[Felicia]

I'm now at 25%. About to start chapter 12.

I am just going to push through it. I'm reading while at work. It is a very interesting story. I'm going to read as much as I can at work and then read it through when I get home. So I might be able to finish it tonight too. Depending.

[Felicia]

I’m at 43%(view spoiler)[I think the MC has finally gotten over herself. And that’s a good thing because she was starting to get insufferable. I was almost ready to not read anymore.

I am totally infatuated with Kieron. Naturally. Lol. I like that he stepped up for her.

Although I like the concept of the book so far I’m a litttle bored with it. (hide spoiler)]

[Felicia]

72%(view spoiler)[I definitely have grown to like this book so much more now that Hope has stopped being a little whiney baby. And I am still completely taken by Kieron.

I also love Gabriel. I am always a sucker for a gay guy character. I feel so sorry for him that he hasn’t really accepted himself the way he is. But now Cupid has talked to him! So maybe he’ll be better?

Everything with the challenge has gotten crazy! Hope has went from this self pitying girl to a badass who saves everyone else without regard to her own safety. I like her so much more.

I’m eager to find out what happens while she trains with Hades. (hide spoiler)]

[Felicia]

Finished.
(view spoiler)[I ended up really liking this book. For the like first 40% I was just not interested. But as soon as the real quests started it really picked up for me.

I wasn't surprised with how it ended. I was expecting her to win, obviously, where would the story go if she didn't. But I was not expecting this small little quest between her and Heath to face their fears. But I also wasn't expecting this fight to the death battle. Honestly I don't know what I was expecting.

But I really did end up enjoying this. And I am still in love with Kieron. I can't wait for the next book now! :D (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Chapter 1: (view spoiler)[Well that was interesting. I wonder if Lily is going to get in trouble for speaking about the weird invitation. I hope not. Are they going to this thing together?!? I sort of want to know but I also don't want bad news. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[WOW this is getting really interesting. Definitely getting a Percy Jackson/Hercules kind of vibe right now. I like her friendship with Amy because she's so freaking weird. I also love Gabriel to pieces. PLUS THE GOD OF WINE <3. Ugh I'm loving this book so far. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[OMG I can't believe Hades picked her. I honestly thought she might go home but then again...this is a book and she is the MC. It would be boring. I also kind of like the friendship blooming between Hope and Kieron. I wonder what's going to happen next in this book and I also wonder where the hell the "losers" are going.. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 30: (view spoiler)[So now Hades is her sponsor when he didn't even want her to begin with? Also I'm sort of shipping the heck out of Hope and Kieron. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[GAAASP! That ending! I'm so happy that she won and that her first wish was to bring Gabriel back! Although I miss the hell out of Amy!! ALSO KIERON'S LITTLE SECRET! What a god damn cliffhanger. I need the next book if there is even going to be a second book, like RIGHT NOW! (hide spoiler)]

[Felicia]

Hahaha. Your reaction to the ending. That was great! It was definitely a cliff hanger. I can't wait for the second book. I'm happy I ended up liking it. :D

[Alaina]

Felicia wrote: "Hahaha. Your reaction to the ending. That was great! It was definitely a cliff hanger. I can't wait for the second book. I'm happy I ended up liking it. :D"

haha I was like.. so that's how it's going to end?!? REALLY?!?!

[Felicia]

Alaina wrote: "Felicia wrote: "Hahaha. Your reaction to the ending. That was great! It was definitely a cliff hanger. I can't wait for the second book. I'm happy I ended up liking it. :D"

haha I was like.. so th..."

Right! She's just like "really?" *end book* And now we have to wait until January 2019! Maybe we'll be able to get an arc of that one too. So we won't have to wait that long. Lol.

[Alaina]

Felicia wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Felicia wrote: "Hahaha. Your reaction to the ending. That was great! It was definitely a cliff hanger. I can't wait for the second book. I'm happy I ended up liking it. :D"

haha I w..."

omg yes! that would be amazing!! if we both get it did you want to do a BR for that as well?

[Isha]

Felicia wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Felicia wrote: "Hahaha. Your reaction to the ending. That was great! It was definitely a cliff hanger. I can't wait for the second book. I'm happy I ended up liking it. :D"

haha I w..."

The ending was so anticlimactic! But I mean, the pacing of the entire book was off

[Alaina]

Isha wrote: "Felicia wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Felicia wrote: "Hahaha. Your reaction to the ending. That was great! It was definitely a cliff hanger. I can't wait for the second book. I'm happy I ended up liking i..."

I think I thought it was fast paced but that's only because I zoomed through the book when I was bored at work. I read it in one sitting

[Felicia]

Isha wrote: "Felicia wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Felicia wrote: "Hahaha. Your reaction to the ending. That was great! It was definitely a cliff hanger. I can't wait for the second book. I'm happy I ended up liking i..."

Agreed! The first half was boring. But I ended up liking the quests she had to do after being chosen as a challenger.

I also think the ending could've been more. Like the final challenge was to just face your fears? No battling or anything. But I still liked it. And I loved that she brought Gabriel back. :D

[Felicia]

Alaina wrote: "Felicia wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Felicia wrote: "Hahaha. Your reaction to the ending. That was great! It was definitely a cliff hanger. I can't wait for the second book. I'm happy I ended up liking i..."

Of course! :D

[Alaina]

OMG! I just got an email from NetGalley saying that I’ve been auto approved by Astrid Arditi!! So I get any book from that publisher all because of my review 😍😍

[Felicia]

Me too! Lol. So we can definitely read the next arc together! :D

[Alaina]

Felicia wrote: "Me too! Lol. So we can definitely read the next arc together! :D"

haha yay!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting April 19th 2018. Happy Reading ☺

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[Kelly]

Hi guys, I don’t know who’s reading this but I’m 6% in the ebook right now. :)

[Kelly]

Chapter 4 : (view spoiler)[ So the gods are bored and they want some entertainment, huh? Interesting! I’m not liking that boy. (hide spoiler)]

[San]

I will join you. I'll start today or tomorrow :)

[Kelly]

Great ! I hope I’m going to read at least half of the book today.

[Kelly]

Chapter 6 - (view spoiler)[ I feel like Hades is going to be a sponsor. Also, it feels a bit like Hunger games (without the dystopian elements) but with Gods… (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 11-(view spoiler)[ Really liking the book so far. I’m kind of disappointed when she tried to forfeit but I get it. I wonder what will happen with that god she keeps staring at :P. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[ I love Kieron and I hope we’ll see more of him in the book! And he’s the son of Hades. Interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

I'm joining!

[Ari ☾]

Joining this!

[Kelly]

Chapter 30 - (view spoiler)[ I’m liking the mythology aspect of this book. Also, I’m glad the pace picked up once the challenges started! I can’t believe Hades pretends he’s her sponsor when it was clear he wanted her to fail. (hide spoiler)]

Glad you guys are joining in ! I hope you’ll like it :).

[Ari ☾]

Kelly wrote: "Chapter 30 - [spoilers removed]

Glad you guys are joining in ! I hope you’ll like it :)."

Thanks! So far so good, only a few chapters in though!

[Ari ☾]

Mid Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[ I bet she is somehow related to Athena, since she keeps talking about her. Just a guess. (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Chapter 36 -(view spoiler)[ Pegasus !! :D And Heath is such an asshole. It was really sad when she cried at the end. (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

And finished. (view spoiler)[ This was really good ! I really liked the ending and it made me want to read the next book. I did think the romance part was a bit insta-love but that’s fine, I don’t mind. Also, I don’t think we really got an explanation about her powers. Or did I miss it? Mmh, maybe it’ll be explained in the next book. (hide spoiler)]

[Ari ☾]

Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[ I don't know why I was like oh man Athena will totally pick Hope. I feel kind of dumb not seeing all the Hades stuff. (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

Chapter 1-11
(view spoiler)[ I like the storyline but the characters I kind of annoying and immature, but I guess that’s the point... well i hope that’s the case. I want to know who’s that god- eros? Not sure but looking forward to find out. (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

Kelly wrote: "Chapter 6 - [spoilers removed]
Chapter 11-[spoilers removed]
Chapter 17 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Hades is my second favorite male god, and he was always misunderstood. I don't like that he is portrayed as an evil again, but I'm trying to deal with it :) (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

Ari wrote: "Mid Chapter 6
[spoilers removed]"



(view spoiler)[Based on the swimming part I thought Poseidon, it'd be a twist if she had not 1 but 2 Gods as her ancestors, but it's possible, I also think of Hades (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

Ari wrote: "Chapter 20
[spoilers removed]"

Yup, (view spoiler)[Bringing close to Kieron :) (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

OMG I was right!!! (view spoiler)[ she has more than 1 ancestor lol and no other than my Apollo's, well considering that asclepius is his son :D Now who's the 2nd, Poseidon or Hades? (hide spoiler)]

[Ari ☾]

Chapter 21
(view spoiler)[ Wow, double lineage, that was actually a decent curveball. I wonder who the other one is? (hide spoiler)]

[Ari ☾]

Edit~A wrote: "OMG I was right!!! [spoilers removed]"

You were so right! I really didn't see that one coming!

[Amanda]

End of chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ okay this is off to a really good start. I was hesitant to starting this one so soon after reading The Goddess Test because it's hard not to compare the two just by description. Both involve a test, both involve greek mythology. Both female main characters have a sick mother. But hopefully the similarities end there. But definitely seems intriguing so far. (hide spoiler)]

[Ari ☾]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ That was actually a super sweet ending, I loved that she brought Gabriel back. Did anyone catch who her second parent was? I don't think they said, but maybe someone has a guess?
The ending was good enough that I would like to read the next book though. Some of the 'quests' were a little dragging towards the end though. (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

Ari wrote: "Chapter 21
[spoilers removed]"

SAME! (view spoiler)[ I finished the book, but I was hoping to find out who is the one, the thing is, seer's are the descendant of Apollo, and she has LIGHT, that also Apollo's realm, but also her healing ancestor Asclepius is Apollo's descendant but that doesn't make sense, so I am confused (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

Ari wrote: "Edit~A wrote: "OMG I was right!!! [spoilers removed]"

You were so right! I really didn't see that one coming!"

(view spoiler)[I kind of did, cause we have to make the main characters special right? too cliché :D (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

Amanda wrote: "End of chapter 2 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Ohhh I loved that series!!! But this one's challenges are more exciting, while the characters are annoyingly immature, while in the Goddess Test they were more mature :) (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

Ari wrote: "Finished
That was actually a super sweet ending, I loved that she brought Gabriel back. Did anyone catch who her second parent was? I don't think they said, but maybe someone has a guess?
The endi..."

(view spoiler)[ All her thing lead to Apollo but her healing is already connected to him, so hat does not make sense... (hide spoiler)]

[Amanda]

Edit~A wrote: "Amanda wrote: "End of chapter 2 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"
End of chapter 8
(view spoiler)[ good to hear. This one seems like it is much more involved with all the Greek gods rather than just Hades. Anxiously awaiting the start of the challenges. (hide spoiler)]