| Title: Antigoddess (Godess War #1) Author: Kendare Blake Publication Info: Published September 10, 2013 by Tor Teen ISBN: 0765334437 Genre: Young Adult Fantasy The Flavor: Percy Jackson meets Gameboard of the Gods The Short Version: Fans of Greek mythology will appreciate this addition to the genre, which drops a couple of f bombs while still managing to be young adult. Think of it as a more vulgar and violent Percy Jackson. |  |
The Description: The gods are dying. In fairly grotesque and disturbing ways. Unfortunately, that’s not all these gods in teenager form have to deal with. Some gods—the evil ones—have decided that the only way to survive death is to eat other gods (yeah, I don’t know either). But Athena has a plan, and it involves the love of Apollo’s life. To say that he isn’t pleased about said plan would be an understatement. All the fun, attractive gods (Athena, Hermes, Apollo) team up along with some reincarnated heroes from the days of Troy.
The Characters: THE GREEK GODS.
I wish every book would feature the Greek gods as characters. Athena is a tattooed teenager with a bit of a chip on her shoulders. She’s a little desperate, which makes her a little crazy. In fact, all of the gods and goddesses are a little crazy (except Apollo, who I’ll get to later). But it’s sort of in keeping with gods and goddesses in general. They all act a little childish and rash. This book does not tone that down at all, making Hera look downright crazy-pants.
The Characters: THE GREEK GODS.
I wish every book would feature the Greek gods as characters. Athena is a tattooed teenager with a bit of a chip on her shoulders. She’s a little desperate, which makes her a little crazy. In fact, all of the gods and goddesses are a little crazy (except Apollo, who I’ll get to later). But it’s sort of in keeping with gods and goddesses in general. They all act a little childish and rash. This book does not tone that down at all, making Hera look downright crazy-pants.
Of course, we don’t just get Greek gods from this book. We also get reincarnated humans from the Trojan War, including Odysseus and Cassandra the prophet.
The book moves between character perspectives, mostly focusing on Athena and Cassandra, who are not in the same area for the majority of the novel. At first, it’s a bit frustrating because as soon as something gets good in one perspective it switches. But, I eventually got used to it. It’s like a two for one story.
Both stories have their own romance plot, the Cassandra and Apollo one being the more interesting of the two. If you know your Greek myths, you know those two have some history to work out. And work out they did. I heart me some Apollo. I had zero thoughts on him prior to this novel, so we can credit it for all of my love.
The book moves between character perspectives, mostly focusing on Athena and Cassandra, who are not in the same area for the majority of the novel. At first, it’s a bit frustrating because as soon as something gets good in one perspective it switches. But, I eventually got used to it. It’s like a two for one story.
Both stories have their own romance plot, the Cassandra and Apollo one being the more interesting of the two. If you know your Greek myths, you know those two have some history to work out. And work out they did. I heart me some Apollo. I had zero thoughts on him prior to this novel, so we can credit it for all of my love.
“And I knew no matter what I did, I would lose you anyway. To death, or disease, or a fucking car accident. I’ve felt your heartbeat, and it’s so delicate it makes me ache. It paralyzed me, how different we are, and in the end I was a coward. But I’ve loved you a thousand years, and another thousand.”
“You asshole.” She stopped angrily packing and threw her bag on the bed. A thousand years and another thousand. That’s how long he’d spent loving the girl he’d gotten murdered. “You made me love you more than I did before. Knowing what you did. It’s a violation.”
But the whole Athena romance felt wrong. She’s the freaking warrior, virgin goddess. And, I can’t believe I’m saying this, maybe her romance was unnecessary. She could just be a badass instead of a love interest.
“You’ve got your old cape of Justice on again. You’re getting it in your head that you could be a hero. Athena and Hermes, last of the sane gods, saving the humans and righting the wrongs.” In the soft-hued light of morning, with the sun coming up over his back, she couldn’t tell ho series he was.
“Don’t sound so high and mighty. You’ve played the hero before.”
Hermes snorted. “Rarely. And never front and center. Face it, sis, I was always the Green Lantern to your Iron Man.”
“Don’t be such a nerd. Besides, you’re mixing Marvel and DC.”
The Dialogue: Funny at times.
“I don’t know why we couldn’t have just gotten the Slutty Bo Peep and Slutty Cleopatra costumes like I wanted.”
“Because Halloween is for guts. It’s not a fricken Victoria’s Secret audition.”
The Setting: I love the whole Greek gods among us settings. And I thought the author did a good job of putting a new twist on the gods. I felt like the mythology was well-handled even if I did come away with some questions.
In days gone by she might have smote him, turned him into a tree or a statue or something. Glory days.
With all of the gods suffering deaths symbolic to them, Blake really made me believe these characters were gods. They acted like gods. And they easily fit into Blake’s world. She seamlessly incorporates ancient stories into modern times, and the result is very enjoyable.
Hermes eats his own flesh, Demeter gets stretched to the point of tearing, and I choke to death on the inside of a bird cage.
Extra Credit: Man. I was super impressed with Blake’s writing. This has to be one of the best written YA books I’ve read in a long time. Sure, it has its problems—like a couple of slow and confusing points—but the prose is straight pretty.
Usually, I don’t care too much about prose. I don’t need beautiful prose to love a book. But, as this book proves, it certainly doesn’t hurt.
Parting thoughts: This book is the first in a series, so it largely sets up a much larger story. So you will get a lot of backstory. But, since it’s about the Greek gods, it’s all good. The second book, The Immortal Goddess, came out last month, and my review should be up in the coming weeks.
As a side note, this is the second series from the author who wrote the popular Anna Dressed in Blood series. I like this series better. So, if you liked that series, you should definitely give this one a try.
Usually, I don’t care too much about prose. I don’t need beautiful prose to love a book. But, as this book proves, it certainly doesn’t hurt.
Parting thoughts: This book is the first in a series, so it largely sets up a much larger story. So you will get a lot of backstory. But, since it’s about the Greek gods, it’s all good. The second book, The Immortal Goddess, came out last month, and my review should be up in the coming weeks.
As a side note, this is the second series from the author who wrote the popular Anna Dressed in Blood series. I like this series better. So, if you liked that series, you should definitely give this one a try.
Review by Rachel Lyn Paxton. She can sometimes be found on Twitter.
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