Book Spotlight: Pantheons: The Game of the Gods

Aghast at the amount of Austen you still have left to read? Chagrined that you're only a third of the way through Chaucer? Wish that you could read a book that mixes Greek mythology with good old fashioned teenage exuberance?

Well, put down those required reads (for now, anyway) and pick up this latest book in the amazing Pantheons series by E. J. Dabel: Pantheons: The Game of the Gods!

A year has passed since Isaiah Marshall’s father, Zeus, severed his left arm with white lightning in the tournament. During this time, the Indestructible Diamond has been training hard under the mysterious old man who saved his life. Despite his focus and determination, Isaiah has been unsuccessful in his development of his usage of blue-white lightning, nor has he tapped into the other more potent colored bolts, which his father has mastered. 

The Powers-That-Be have forced the teen gods to finally take part in the Fourth Great War. But fearing death, as they have been cursed with mortal bodies, they’ve decided to compete for the Dominion in a new, professional sport called Tasselball: The Game of the Gods.


Seriously, what about this doesn't sound like a whole bunch of awesome?

Luckily for you, you can not only get this book, but also the first book in the series on Amazon right now. You don't even have to wait for shipping- you can get them directly beamed to your e-reader or computer through the magic of the Internet. There's a free preview of both books for your viewing pleasure! For you fans of Brian Jacques's Redwall there's Albino, a story of a mouse that must find the courage inside himself to fight against an ultimate evil.

Check them out today!

Albino
Pantheons
Pantheons: The Game of the Gods

Book Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Test (Goddess Test #1)
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: 04/19/2011
ISBN: 0373210264










Let me just say that Harlequin Teen has proven themselves to be one of the top YA publishers in the field. They've managed to put out some of the most popular & high quality fiction that I've read. I guess that it just makes sense that once in a while I'll find something in their lineup that just doesn't thrill me as much as some of their other books do.


Every girl who has taken the test has died.

Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests. Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

If she fails...

This book had an incredibly good idea, taking the idea of Greek mythology & adapting it to modern day. It's interesting without being overexposed like vampires & werewolves have become. The basic character designs in this book are also good. Kate is a capable everygirl & is at a good age to appeal to both teens & older audiences. The mixture of old mythology & new ideas is a nice pairing & Carter manages to make this a book that people will want to continue reading.

The only problem? While this was something I was more than willing to keep reading, at the same time I found many of the characters to be somewhat shallow & some of the situations forced. The worst culprit of this had to have been the character of Ava, a snotty popular girl turned best friend of the main character. There was almost zero belivability for her to befriend Kate after all that was said & done, to be honest. If she'd been more built up then that would have been somewhat believable, but her character development just wasn't there. Another element that was sorely underdone was the romantic chemistry between Kate & Henry. We're told that the two of them have sparks & that Kate's gaga for him, but I just didn't see it happening to the point that Carter would have us believe.

Overall this was a decent enough read & I'm mildly curious about the next book in the series, but to be honest... this was just a mediocre read. It's not a bad read by any stretch but it just wasn't great either. This is just my opinion & I have no doubt that this will end up being someone's favorite book to read & re-read like I re-read Kim Harrison & Rachel Vincent. Bottom line is that this is absolutely a must read at the library, but at the bookstore? Flip through it first.

Final diagnosis: Definitely a library read for me, but will be a "must have" for others.

(ARC provided by Netgalley)