Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
fast-paced
not really feeling this kind of story right now. might be a good book once i’m back in a good reading spree.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Enjoyed the premise more than the actual delivery. Liked the ending.
I looked this up after enjoying Phillips' latest (The Table of Less Valued Knights) set in a rather hilarious Arthurian quest setting. The idea of Greek gods living in contemporary London sounded like a light and fun little read, nothing too heavy or moral.
And it's just that. I loved the Greek gods and myths as a child, am still familiar with the stories, so it was a lot of fun to see my favourites all living together in a rather dingy London townhouse, sharing rooms and getting under each others' skin. With dwindling powers, they've had to take on a variety of jobs - Apollo is now a TV psychic, Artemis walks dogs, my favourite though is Aphrodite, using her skills as a phone sex operative. In such cramped conditions, you'd expect squabbles to take place. And one will. The Big One. A small argument that starts with a love arrow soon escalates to encompass all of humanity and will require trips to the Underworld, bargaining, and even a small issue with the Sun...
And of course, these gods interact with the mortals of London living obliviously around them. One pair, the smitten Neil and his object of love, cleaner Alice, will become more entangled with the family than they could ever have wanted.
I found this a light and fun read. It's all very silly, but it carries you along on the tide of ancient myths crossed with a modern setting. If you're a fan of the mythology, and are happy for them to be tinkered with, here's a book for you.
I think I preferred The Less Valued Knights, but I'm glad I listened to this (audio-CD version). Pleasant to listen to, made me smile. Would look out for more by the author.
And it's just that. I loved the Greek gods and myths as a child, am still familiar with the stories, so it was a lot of fun to see my favourites all living together in a rather dingy London townhouse, sharing rooms and getting under each others' skin. With dwindling powers, they've had to take on a variety of jobs - Apollo is now a TV psychic, Artemis walks dogs, my favourite though is Aphrodite, using her skills as a phone sex operative. In such cramped conditions, you'd expect squabbles to take place. And one will. The Big One. A small argument that starts with a love arrow soon escalates to encompass all of humanity and will require trips to the Underworld, bargaining, and even a small issue with the Sun...
And of course, these gods interact with the mortals of London living obliviously around them. One pair, the smitten Neil and his object of love, cleaner Alice, will become more entangled with the family than they could ever have wanted.
I found this a light and fun read. It's all very silly, but it carries you along on the tide of ancient myths crossed with a modern setting. If you're a fan of the mythology, and are happy for them to be tinkered with, here's a book for you.
I think I preferred The Less Valued Knights, but I'm glad I listened to this (audio-CD version). Pleasant to listen to, made me smile. Would look out for more by the author.
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know how much my enjoyment of this book came from the quality of the ones I've read before it this month - but I really, really loved this concept. I know that my British bias comes into play here, but I loved London as a setting for the greek gods (I've always been a bit jealous of Americans with Percy Jackson) and imagining these figures as British was really enjoyable for me.
I've seen people call the plot predicable and cliche but I found it charming, and very humorously written. The only part I felt was hastily written was the ending - I felt like the stakes were so high that 20 pages didn't feel enough to cover it - an extra 30 may have rectified it. But I loved everything else about it! A very high recommendation from me (and the illustrations are amazing!)
I've seen people call the plot predicable and cliche but I found it charming, and very humorously written. The only part I felt was hastily written was the ending - I felt like the stakes were so high that 20 pages didn't feel enough to cover it - an extra 30 may have rectified it. But I loved everything else about it! A very high recommendation from me (and the illustrations are amazing!)
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an interesting read, very much a satire. The mythological characters very extreme in their nature, which made sense for the plot and it offered some comedic relief. In my opinion, the characters as a whole (both mortal and immortal) were bland and quite immature in their behavior. It was a fun read and refreshing. I’m more of a character driven plot, which is why I probably feel a bit meh about it, but I’m glad I read it.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Not particularly well written with a lot of “he said” “she said” and confusing switch of pov’s, but lighthearted and amusing, and the sheer amount of chaos was enough to ignore the choppy writing.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No