Tag Archives: greek mythology

Divergence (The Immortals Book One) by Melanie P. Smith Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Six immortals must work together to confront a dangerous enemy in author Melanie P. Smith’s “Divergence”, the first book in The Immortals series. 

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The Synopsis 

Part Mortal, Part Divinity, Fully Devoted.

The gathering has begun. Six demigods embark on an epic journey of danger, mystical creatures, dark magic, and intrigue. When an ancient prophesy is triggered, the tale of six powerful immortals begins. Legend has it, the chosen six will triumph over evil and restore peace. But first, they must gather together and converge on the land where their parents were defeated. Time is running out, the Titans want revenge, and the future of the entire world is at stake.

Meet the immortals -The wiccan, the shifter, the Master of Water, the siren, the healer, the Reader of Minds. Their destiny awaits — if they accept their fate and unite to confront a dangerous enemy in the battle of a lifetime.  

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The Review

This was quite an epic and captivating fairy tale fantasy and mythology novel. The captivating imagery and steady buildup of tension early on in the novel help underscore the vastness of the mythos that the protagonists find themselves thrust into suddenly. The complex dynamics of the Greek gods and demigods, as well as the mythical creatures that inhabit the world and the infamous Titans, helped elevate the stakes that this narrative holds and added a great foil to the more modern era in which the setting takes place.

The core of this narrative had to be in the captivating character dynamics that this book brought to life. The friendship that is tested and highlighted in Zander and Beckett and the romance Beckett builds with another of the immortals are just a couple of the multitude of relationships that the narrative effortlessly brings together and engages with the reader. The emotional depth of the character’s backstories and the heightened tension that builds from those relationships helps drive the action and intensity of the novel’s plot tenfold.

The Verdict

Captivating, entertaining, and gripping, author Melanie P. Smith’s “Divergence” is a must-read fairy tale fantasy and mythology novel and a great first entry into The Immortals franchise. The twists and turns that keep the shocks and mythos alive on the page and the balance of adult storytelling in a fantasy-driven world of gods and monsters made this a complex yet inviting narrative that readers will want to get lost in for hours. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Melanie P. Smith was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has an Associates of Science degree in Marketing, a bachelor’s in Business Management, and a Masters Certificate in Conflict Resolution, Negotiation and Mediation.

Long before she delved into the world of fantasy and suspense, Melanie P. Smith served nearly three decades in the Special Operations Division at her local sheriff’s office working with SWAT, Search & Rescue, K9, the Motor Unit, Investigations and the Child Abduction Response Team. She now uses that training and knowledge to create stories that are action-packed, gripping, and realistic. When Melanie’s not writing, she can be found riding her Harley, exploring the wilderness, or capturing that next great photo.

Visit Melanie on her website at www.melaniepsmith.com

Find her on Facebook at https://geni.us/MPSFacebook

Instagram https://geni.us/MPSInstagram

YouTube https://geni.us/MPSmithYouTube

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Loukas and the Game of Chance by Anthony L. Manna Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A flute player who finds good fortune from a dancing snake finds his greek overpowering him, and must trek on a journey to find his good fortune after losing everything in author Anthony L. Manna’s “Loukas and the Game of Chance”.

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The Synopsis

While Loukas is playing his flute at the seawall one day, he befriends a mysterious talking, dancing snake that rewards him with fortune and favor. Some years later, tempted by greed and pride, Loukas loses all his riches and his family. He must now set off on a treacherous journey through a frightening forest filled with suspense and strange creatures to find Destiny, her son Ilion, the Sun, and her daughter Luna, the Moon. These celestial guardians will surely allow him to reverse his misfortune, restore his honor, and win back all that he loves and treasures, won’t they? A reimagined Greek folktale, Loukas and the Game of Chance is illuminated with dramatic and evocative pen and ink drawings that provide an ideal backdrop for the dark intrigue that fills this haunting story of human struggle, courage, and resilience. 

The Review

This was a profound and captivating reimagining of Greek folklore. The author does an amazing job of writing in a way that vividly paints an image of the story to life through engaging imagery and a fantastical atmosphere. The adventurous and hero’s journey elements of the narrative immediately jump off the page, and the mythical tone of the author’s writing brings readers into the magical frame of mind.

The beautiful story that the author tells early on between Loukas and the snake when combined with the themes of love, loss, and the power of kindness over greed made this a truly thrilling story to behold. The way the author is able to relate this story to young readers and still maintain the magic and wonder that has resonated with all readers throughout the time that other fables and folktales have done time and time again was amazing to see come to fruition.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, entertaining, and mesmerizing, author Anthony L. Manna’s “Loukas and the Game of Chance” is a must-read folktale and children’s Greek and Roman Myth story. The wonder and atmosphere the author infuses into this narrative and the rich character development made this a short yet powerful read that young and older readers alike won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

ANTHONY L. MANNA, Ph.D., is a retired professor from the Department of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies and the English Department at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, where he taught Children’s Literature, Young Adult Literature, Writing, and Educational Drama and served as one of the co-directors of Kent State’s National Writing Project (sponsored by UC/Berkeley).

A New Jersey native, he received his doctorate from the University of Iowa, Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University (high honors), and his B. A. from Seton Hall University (with honors). He has taught on nearly every grade level, from preschool to graduate school, and has held positions at the American College in Istanbul, Turkey, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, the University of Maine (Farmington), and the Center for Literature and Medicine (Hiram College/Northeast Ohio College of Medicine), where he received a fellowship to research the intersection of the arts and the practice of medicine and healing.

He is the recipient of Kent State University’s Distinguished Teaching Award, Kent State’s Student Choice Award, and the Arbuthnot Award from the International Reading Association for outstanding university teaching.

Manna is a former member of the executive board of the Children’s Literature Association, former Director of Publications for the Association, and former editor of various columns in the Children’s Literature Association Quarterly.

He is co-author of Children’s Literature for Health Awareness and co-editor of Many Faces, Many Voices: Multicultural Literary Experiences for Youth and Art and Story: The Role of Illustration in Multicultural Literature for Youth. He has published numerous articles, book reviews, and book chapters on literature, drama, and teaching both in the U.S.A. and abroad.

The children’s picture book he co-authored with Soula Mitakidou, Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale (Simon & Schuster, 1997; Aladdin Paperbacks, 2015) was selected a 1998 Notable Children’s Book of the Year by the American Library Association was listed among the one hundred best books of the year by the New York Public Library, and was the recipient of the 1997 Marion Vannett Ridgway Award for first-time authors and illustrators.

In 2002, he co-authored a collection of twenty stories titled Folktales from Greece: A Treasury of Delights (Greenwood Press World Folklore Series). His most recent picture book, The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece (Schwartz & Wade/Random House 2011) was selected a Bank Street College of Education Best Book of 2012.

Anthony L. Manna – Home

Macbeth’s Spinners by Justine Johnston Hemmestad Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

The legend of Macbeth gets a Greek Mythology twist when the three Fates merge to become one powerful woman as they flee the powerful gaze of a heartbroken god in author Justine Johnston Hemmestad’s “Macbeth’s Spinners”.

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The Synopsis

Macbeth’s Spinners is a love story. And like most love stories, things surrounding the lovers can both influence and be influenced by the lovers and their emotions. You know the fallout that can happen among friends when a couple has a spat in the real world.

Now imagine if they were gods? Imagine if the lovers had the ability to influence time and fold the land and sea, and steer the course of a nation’s history?

What if Macbeth was guided to become king not by three elderly witches — but by the Three Fates of Greek Mythos that were transformed into a single woman of remarkable power?

The Review

This was such a powerful and well-done story. The author found a way to bridge the gap between gothic dark fantasy storytelling and epic mythological themes in a very natural way. The twist in Macbeth’s iconic story was such an inspired direction to take the narrative, as it directly spoke to the idea of fate and destiny (quite literally) in ways the original could only hint at. The historical context of the story mixed well with the mythos that the other half of the narrative embodied. 

The character development and imagery played the largest roles here in this story. The game of cat and mouse played between the Fates, Apollo, and their pawn Macbeth all play well into the almost dismissive nature of these godlike figures to the everyday men and women, especially given the Fate’s desire to find a home and take care of its people, much as they did in their old lives. The redemptive nature of the narrative as time goes on and the heartfelt emotions that these powerful gods display help keep the story grounded in such a fantasy-driven world. 

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, imaginative, and entertaining, author Justine Johnston Hemmestad’s “Macbeth’s Spinners” is a must-read gothic dark fantasy read. The expanded upon and new twist on both the iconic Shakespearean tale and the memorable Greek mythology was a pairing that fit together so well that it felt like reading a brand new story much of the time. The imagery and atmosphere the author created spoke to the grand stakes of the novel and the raw emotions that these powerful figures conjured up. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Justine Johnston Hemmestad is an editor, the author of three novels, and is included in several anthologies, including Chicken Soup for the Soul: Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injuries (after having been in a car accident that left her severely brain injured at 19). She is a graduate of The University of Iowa and has also graduated from the English Literature Master’s Degree program with distinction at Northern Arizona University. Her personal webpage is at https://know-your-craft.webnode.page/ , her amazon author’s page is at https://www.amazon.com/Justine-Johnston-Hemmestad/e/B01DHSLN0M?ref_=pe_1724030_132998060 and she’s on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JustineJohnstonHemmestadauthor 

My publisher and I are donating part of the profits to Laughing at My Nightmare charity https://www.laughingatmynightmare.com/         

Still, The Sky by Tom Pearson Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author and Poet Tom Pearson take readers on a coming-of-age journey using classic mythological tales and poetry to paint a picture of love and loss in the book “Still, the Sky”.

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The Synopsis

Still, the Sky is a speculative mythology rendered through poetry and art that combines the tales of Icarus and the Minotaur and creates for them a shared coming-of-age through a correspondence of written fragments, artifacts, ecofacts, and ephemera. This metaphoric framework conjures a labyrinth of fragmented memories, confessions, and tributes, all mixing in fever dreams and reflections on innocence and experience, flight and failure, love and loss.

The Review

I absolutely loved this collection of poetry. The immersive style of writing the author displayed brought the iconic and classic Greek myths and legends that people have come to know and love to live in a visceral way. The blend of poetry with mythology, as well as installation artwork and artifacts, made the collection feel vibrant and captivating.  The themes the author explores through these myths were quite profound, from the pursuit of glory and the realization of failure to the profound sense of love and loss. 

To me, the author’s ability to not only take these iconic myths and transport the reader into them through poetry but to give a more in-depth analysis and approach to these iconic figures was so mesmerizing and heartfelt. The depth of character development and heart that these poems brought to life was so invigorating, and the imagery used in the author’s writing and the art itself really captured the magic and power that ancient mythology tends to hold.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, emotional, and thoughtful, author Tom Pearson’s “Still, The Sky” was a marvelous and moving work of art that fans of poetry and mythology will not be able to put down. The natural fusion of imagery and poetry in this book brought the heart and passion that these classic mythological characters needed. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Tom Pearson is an artist and poet who works in dance, theater, film, visual art, and multi-media. He is known for his original works for theater, including the long-running, off-Broadway immersive hits THEN SHE FELL and THE GRAND PARADISE and as a founder and co-artistic director of the New York City-based Third Rail Projects and Global Performance Studio.

He is the author of two books, THE SANDPIPER’S SPELL and STILL, THE SKY. More information available at his website and on social media at: tompearsonnyc.com and @tompearsonnyc.

https://tompearsonnyc.com/

Go the Distance (A Twisted Tale: Hercules) by Jen Calonita Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

After Hercules defeated Hades and saved Mt. Olympus, he was welcomed back as a god. Yet when his immortality threatens to keep him away from his true love, Meg must navigate a treacherous road of untold dangers in a quest to gain immortality herself in author Jen Calonita’s “Go the Distance”, the next entry in the “A Twisted Tale” series.

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The Synopsis

What if Meg had to become a god?

After Hercules proves he’s a true hero and regains his godship, all seems right in the world. That is, until Zeus tells Meg that she can’t be with Hercules because she’s, well, mortal. Luckily, Hera has a solution, offering Meg a chance to prove herself worthy of a spot on Mt. Olympus–as a god. All Meg has to do is complete a mysterious quest.

The mission? Oh, just to rescue her ex’s current wife from the Underworld. The ex-boyfriend she saved by selling her soul to Hades. The ex-boyfriend who immediately moved on to someone else while she was stuck in the Underworld. Can Meg put her past behind her and use her quick-wit to defeat monsters and gods alike, including the nefarious Hades? Will she finally figure out her place and contribution to the world? Or will her fear of commitment have her running away from an eternity of godhood with Herc?

Written by the author of Mirror, Mirror and Conceal, Don’t Feel, Jen Calonita’s latest twist is sure to delight and surprise.

The Review

Thank you to Disney-Hyperion for this arc, because wow this was an incredible journey. As both a major Disney fan and fan of Greek Mythology, this book was the perfect blend of them both. Getting to explore a scenario where Meg and Herc had to fight for their happy ending together was great to see unfold.

Immediately the author delves even deeper into Greek Mythology than the Disney film had done originally, exploring a variety of new monsters and even various new locations that longtime enthusiasts of the mythology will be well aware of. Readers even get a chance to better explore the realm of the gods, as the narrative introduces the gods to Meg along her journey.

However, it is Meg who takes center stage and makes this story shine. The author brilliantly explores Meg as a character and explores why Meg became involved with Hades in the first place. From the tragic past with her mother to the shocking untold truths behind the boyfriend who betrayed her and the near-impossible journey to open up her heart to Hercules and those around her, Meg’s character evolution is the most gripping and engaging aspect of this novel, and expertly adds a new and much-needed chapter to the story began in the film.

The Verdict

A masterful, entertaining, and epic story, author Jen Calonita’s “Go the Distance” is a must-read YA Fantasy and Romance tale. The book is evenly-paced and perfectly captures the magic of the Disney film with the darker side of Greek Mythology and all of the amazing levels to that complex part of history. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

I’m Jen Calonita, a MG and YA author who loves what I do because it lets me connect with all of you (and no, I wasn’t intending for that to rhyme!).

I’ve been writing ever since I can remember, but it was fourth grade when I put my “three wishes” for a genie down on paper. They were:

#1. Buy all the Cabbage Patch Kids in the world and give them away for free (because apparently that was how I rolled).

#2. I wanted a mansion, limo, lake house, pool and speed boat (still sounds quite nice).

#3. I wanted to be an author for young readers, which I am!

I love writing novels for teens (and for savvy grown ups who know that YA rocks at any age). My first series was “Secrets of My Hollywood Life” and it followed a teen star named Kaitlin Burke who struggled with the fame game. I have also written the stand-alone novels Sleepaway Girls, it’s companion book, Summer State of Mind and the Belles series.

I’ve been writing middle grade too and am having so much fun with my series Fairy Tale Reform School! The fourth book in this series about a school run by former villains is called Tricked and will be out March 2018. Ever wonder what it would be like if your parents got a job with someone like Taylor Swift? My other middle grade series, VIP, follows super fan Mackenzie Lowell as she tours with her favorite band, Perfect Storm.

I promise to give book updates here, and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or my website. I hope I hear from you!

xo

Jen

http://www.jencalonitaonline.com/

Interview with Author Liz Butcher

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I’ve always loved writing, but it wasn’t until my late twenties that I made it a priority. I started by joining a few online writing groups and connecting with other writers, but then just bit the bullet and started!

2) What inspired you to write your book?

It was an idea that had niggled at me for awhile. There is always so much going on in the world and I wondered what would happen if the Fates (or some other entity) decided to get rid of us. An extinction by the powers that be.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

That it’s never too late to make a difference.

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4) What drew you into this particular genre?

With this particular book, it’s a combination of mythology/horror/fantasy. I’ve always had a huge love of ancient history and mythology, so it came naturally to me. To be honest, it’s the same with horror! They’re genres that I just feel at home with.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I think I would have a long sit down with Zeus – but I can’t reveal what we’d discuss without giving anything away!

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Hmm…that’s a tricky question. I’ve utilised Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and they’re all fairly on par.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Dive in feet first and go for it. Write, write, and write some more. Build connections with other writers and invest in an amazing editor.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Hopefully a successful writing career! I’m presently querying a YA horror titled LeRoux Manor, and I’ve almost finished my next novel, an  adult paranormal/crime titled Never, Never. After that I’m starting a paranormal serial titled Luna Zimmer…and much more!

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About the Author

Liz Butcher resides in Australia, with her husband, daughter, and their two cats. She’s a self-confessed nerd with a BA in psychology and an insatiable fascination for learning. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, Liz enjoys road trips, astronomy, music and knitting.

https://lizbutcherauthor.wixsite.com/lizbutcher

Fates’ Fury Review

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Fates’ Fury by Liz Butcher Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young man returning home on his thirtieth birthday finds himself thrust into a global phenomenon and his fate tied to a mysterious woman with red hair in author Liz Butcher’s novel “Fates’ Fury”. 

The Synopsis

The last thing Jonah Sands expected on his thirtieth birthday was to have his life thrust into the hands of a dangerous, red-haired woman—or to be the only person in the world to survive an encounter with her.

As the death toll skyrockets, Jonah and his two best friends, the siblings Tristan and Ava Carter, find themselves at the epicenter of inexplicable phenomena—a stranded ferry transforms into a barge headed for the Underworld; young girls levitate to whisper ancient riddles; technology across the globe is controlled by some unseen hand. And it all seems to lead back to the woman with red hair. When a stranger finds them in the midst of a thunder storm and offers his otherworldly assistance, Jonah finally unravels the truth about who he really is. And what it means for the rest of humanity.

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The Review

What really sticks out from the very first chapter is just how fast the author takes readers into the action and mystery of this story. A brand new take on the lore and mythology of Ancient Greek Mythology, the reader is shown a modern day world where the past and present collide. The blend of ancient mythology with character building that feels natural in the face of such unnatural events.

What really stands apart and makes this story so great however is the core relationships between Jonah, Tristan and Ava. A friendship between Jonah and the siblings that has lasted for decades showcases a bond that is tighter than even some families readers may know. In the face of such otherworldly events and soul-shattering secrets revealed, the author does a great job of bringing this friendship to light.

The Verdict

This is a wonderful modern day fantasy/mythological story that redefines the genre and creates a lore than fans can sink their teeth into. From shocking revelations and emotional bonds tested, and even some surprising romances blooming, this is a story that feels epic and powerful in it’s delivery, creating a narrative that readers will not be able to get enough of. By the novel’s end, readers will be blown away as the entire narrative gets flipped on its head. Be sure to grab your copy of Liz Butcher’s “Fates’ Fury” today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Liz Butcher resides in Australia, with her husband, daughter, and their two cats. She’s a self-confessed nerd with a BA in psychology and an insatiable fascination for learning. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, Liz enjoys road trips, astronomy, music and knitting.

https://lizbutcherauthor.wixsite.com/lizbutcher

Want to keep up to date on the latest book reviews on author Anthony Avina’s website, as well as other book related news? Sign up now for the monthly newsletter and receive a free short story when you subscribe!

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We Own The Sky (The Muse Chronicles #1) by Sara Crawford Book Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Trigger Warning: This book deals in themes and story elements involving drug and alcohol abuse, mental health and suicide. If any of these themes are triggering be warned this review and book involves them.

An incredible YA series gets a jump into a rarely used part of Greek mythology in author Sara Crawford’s We Own The Sky, book one in the Muse Chronicles series. Here’s the synopsis:

What could you create if you fell in love with a Muse?

16-year-old musician, Sylvia Baker, has always been different. She’s the only one who can see the “flickering people.” When she sees a gorgeous flickering man named Vincent, she learns that they are Muses. 

With his help, she finds herself creating exquisite songs that she loves almost as much as songs by her favorite bands–Radiohead, M83, and The Black Keys–and she is falling in love in a way she never knew was possible. While trying to maintain her newfound friendships and her band, she falls deeper into the world of the Muses. 

When the original Greek Muses wake to find a world in which the internet has given everyone the tools to be an artist, a battle between traditional and new methods of creation ensues. As Sylvia discovers how she is connected to the world of the Muses, she learns that this war may put her music, her love, her very life at stake.

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I really have to applaud the author of this book. She did a marvelous job of drawing me into this world from the very first pages all the way to the stories climactic and cliff-hanger of an ending. I am already a big fan of Greek mythology, often employing it into my preferred reading material and my own writing. Getting to explore this underutilized aspect of mythology was brilliant. The story did a fantastic job of creating and building upon one of the world’s largest and most inspirational mythologies while blending a unique and personal tale of what it’s like to grow up in today’s society.

The character development was the highlight for me. As a mental health awareness advocate, this story did a great job of both highlighting the struggles of those with mental health ailments and showing the stereotypes those with mental health illnesses must deal with in our society. It also highlighted humanity’s instinct to label those who are creative or act outside of what society has deemed “normal” as being “crazy”, an offensive word that brings negative connotations to the mental health profession. The protagonist Sylvia is a relatable teenager and artist, showing how therapeutic and mentally alleviating diving into the arts can be for people. As someone who suffers from depression, I know my love for writing has helped me to channel the sadness and loneliness I’ve felt into something positive, and that’s what this author has shown brilliantly.

Overall I loved this story. It was emotional, personal and a fantastic entry into what promises to be a thrilling new YA franchise. This story is just the tip of the iceberg for the story of the Muses, and I cannot wait to dive head first into Sylvia’s story in book two. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copy of We Own The Sky by Sara Crawford today!

Rating: 10/10

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073T2JK2L/ref=x_gr_w_glide_ku_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_ku_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B073T2JK2L&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

About the Author

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Sara Crawford is an author, a playwright, and a musician. Ever since she was five years old, she has lived for art in one form or another. This manifested itself as writing plays at age eight and convincing (forcing) the neighborhood kids to perform them on her driveway, auditioning for Atlanta Ballet’s The Nutcracker three years in a row before finally landing a small role as a toy soldier, starting an all-girl band in high school, writing and producing her own plays and short films, and most recently, writing a book about a girl who falls in love with her Muse (WE OWN THE SKY). Sara has been an actress, a singer, a playwright, a songwriter, a guitarist, a keyboard player, a poet, a screenwriter, and an author of both fiction and non-fiction.

She graduated in 2008 from Kennesaw State University with a B.A. in English and in 2012 from the University of New Orleans with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing (emphasis in Playwriting). Currently, in addition to working as a freelance writer and internet marketer, she is also a creative writing professor in the graduate program at Southern New Hampshire University, teaching online classes. She also loves to talk about books, music, and writing on her YouTube channel. For more information visit http://saracrawford.net or https://www.youtube.com/user/saracrawford.

http://saracrawford.net

http://twitter.com/sara_crawford

Curse of the Sphinx by Raye Wagner

Greek
mythology has never been more alive than in Raye Wagner’s Curse of the
Sphinx, the first in her Sphinx series. In this incredible YA novel,
a
young girl named Hope Nicholas has spent her entire life on the run. No
one knows she even exists, and that’s a good thing. Living under the
constant
threat of being hunted, she and her mother have moved from town to
town, never staying long enough to make any sort of connection or
put
down roots. However, soon Hope’s mother is tragically ripped away from
her, and she’s left orphaned and alone. Is this the fulfillment of
Apollo’s
curse, the work of shadow monsters from the Underworld, or have
demigods finally found her? That’s the mystery that presents itself
to
Hope as the reader must follow a young girl who’s struck by tragedy and
must navigate a deadly world where she can’t trust anyone but herself.

Getting
to see mythology come to life like this was a real treat when reading
this book. Raye Wagner writes with a fresh and invigorating voice
while
navigating the lines between the fictional world she created and the
real hardships of loss and independence young teens go through. It
was
incredible to see the legends and lore from Greek mythology get
incorporated into this fiction world by making them well known and real
tangible
gods and creatures that humanity believes in wholeheartedly. Overall,
the incredible story and look at what makes a monster and what
makes a
hero are amazing to see unfold, and if this book is any indication, the
Sphinx series is one that is not to be missed. Raye Wagner is a
shining star in the YA genre and this reviewer cannot wait to see more from her in the future.