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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Original review posted on: Rather Be Reading Blog
I can’t be the only person who sees Greek mythology and thinks of this guy:
Right?
Before I launch into one of my favorite Hercules songs, I should say that I don’t normally read paranormals. But every once in awhile I’ll crawl out of my comfortable cocoon of contemporaries and try something new. My Ex From Hell‘s title was so catchy and who couldn’t get behind a name like that? We have ALL been there.
Sophie, a ballsy teenager, known for pranks especially when it comes to the bitchiest girl at her boarding school. On the night of one of her biggest jokes yet, Sophie’s world as she knows it changes when she kisses Kai, the hottest boy she has ever seen, and she starts to see visions. Her friend, Theo, (someone she now knows she goes way back with) fills in the pieces and bam, there is it. She is actually a goddess, caught in the middle of a war between the Underworld and Mt. Olympus.
I’m always curious about the amount of time a character takes to get used to outlandish news like this. Huge! Crazy! Unbelievable and when they just sort of go with it and don’t question it all too much, my investment in the story starts to wane. Unfortunately this happened here. Darling has a great premise but the voyage into the world of the Greeks happens so fast; I felt like I was getting whiplash. (Even her best friend, Hannah, was pretty ho-hum about the news.)
It did help that Sophie was funny and quirky and for a kind of insta-love/hate plot, she and Kai had some intense chemistry. (I wanted more of them!) Every now and then, I would get caught up in the tone of the characters though. Sometimes the story felt so juvenile and then there would be a line or two injected in there about foreplay and sex and I would be like WHOA. These ARE teenagers.
Maybe it’s just a personal preference but I need a dose of reality in my fantasy. While I’m glad to have read My Ex Goes to Hell (and I think it could make an awesome Disney Channel movie), I’m not sure I’ll pick up the rest of the series.
I can’t be the only person who sees Greek mythology and thinks of this guy:
Right?
Before I launch into one of my favorite Hercules songs, I should say that I don’t normally read paranormals. But every once in awhile I’ll crawl out of my comfortable cocoon of contemporaries and try something new. My Ex From Hell‘s title was so catchy and who couldn’t get behind a name like that? We have ALL been there.
Sophie, a ballsy teenager, known for pranks especially when it comes to the bitchiest girl at her boarding school. On the night of one of her biggest jokes yet, Sophie’s world as she knows it changes when she kisses Kai, the hottest boy she has ever seen, and she starts to see visions. Her friend, Theo, (someone she now knows she goes way back with) fills in the pieces and bam, there is it. She is actually a goddess, caught in the middle of a war between the Underworld and Mt. Olympus.
I’m always curious about the amount of time a character takes to get used to outlandish news like this. Huge! Crazy! Unbelievable and when they just sort of go with it and don’t question it all too much, my investment in the story starts to wane. Unfortunately this happened here. Darling has a great premise but the voyage into the world of the Greeks happens so fast; I felt like I was getting whiplash. (Even her best friend, Hannah, was pretty ho-hum about the news.)
It did help that Sophie was funny and quirky and for a kind of insta-love/hate plot, she and Kai had some intense chemistry. (I wanted more of them!) Every now and then, I would get caught up in the tone of the characters though. Sometimes the story felt so juvenile and then there would be a line or two injected in there about foreplay and sex and I would be like WHOA. These ARE teenagers.
Maybe it’s just a personal preference but I need a dose of reality in my fantasy. While I’m glad to have read My Ex Goes to Hell (and I think it could make an awesome Disney Channel movie), I’m not sure I’ll pick up the rest of the series.
Really, really, REALLY funny! I love Greek mythology, and the fact that the main character has the same name as me was very appealing! I loved the humor in this book, the sarcastic and sassy come-backs and all the characters! It wasn't full of romance, which was great, and the plot was super interesting!
My original review for this title can be found HERE on The Book Hookup.
**NOTE:**I received an eARC of this title from the publishers via Net Galley for review purposes. However, this did not influence her opinions on this novel in any way.
Actual rating of 3.5 Stars!
The Lowdown: As far as Sophie Bloom knows, she’s your average teenager dumped at a “new age” boarding school by her adoptive socialite mother that could care less. Her biggest problem is navigating the halls without running into her greatest nemesis, Bethany, the yoga-leading zen master of the B*tch Brigade (<<“that red-haired, black-souled cow”). When we’re first introduced to Sophie, she’s plotting her revenge on the evil, teacher-manipulating witch and that retaliation comes in the form of laxative and wrecking Bethany’s chances of a midnight rendezvous with a hottie she’s had her eye on. All is going as planned until this hot guy kisses Sophie, and suddenly her brain is filled with images of Mt. Olympus, Zeus, and she learns that she is Persephone and has now landed on Hades and Zeus’s radars after having been thought dead for years.
So, after acquiring powers, Sophie has to deal with battling the evil forces sent by the dueling gods themselves, trying to figure out where her and her Prince of the Underworld boyfriend (or is he her ex?) still stand, and doing all that while still managing to fit in her school work. To make matters even worse, when students start disappearing along with every one else’s memories and Sophie finds out her friends aren’t who they’re suppose to be, she finds herself in the middle of a manhunt of epic proportions.
Verdict: After having read Tellulah Darling’s Sam Cruz’s Infallible Guide to Getting Girls (see my review: here), I immediately began to stalk her goodreads page for future works. When I saw this title and that it was a modernized mythology tale, I was all over it. (I’m a bit of a mythology nerd, always have been, so there even may have been a bit of squee’ing involved.) Just like in Sam Cruz, Ms. Darling provides an excellent cast of fun and witty characters that share amazing banter and funny dialogue. Characters will win me over every time. However, there was something in the way that a good majority of the sentences were structured that had me scratching my head and trying to follow what was actually going on. Not only that, but I expected more in the swoony/sexual tension department because Sam Cruz was chalked full of it. In this story, Kai is a bit of an asshole, and by ‘bit,’ I mean I reeeeeally wanted to kick his Prince of the (douchebag) Underworld, other-girl-ogling ass.
All that being said, it was fun and I truly did enjoy Sophie’s snark. I’ll definitely be looking into the sequel, and here’s hoping Kai isn’t so much of an asshat in it.
♥ A special thanks to Te Da Media and Net Galley for providing me an early copy of this title. Be sure to snag yours when it’s published Monday, April 1, 2013.
**NOTE:**I received an eARC of this title from the publishers via Net Galley for review purposes. However, this did not influence her opinions on this novel in any way.
Actual rating of 3.5 Stars!
The Lowdown: As far as Sophie Bloom knows, she’s your average teenager dumped at a “new age” boarding school by her adoptive socialite mother that could care less. Her biggest problem is navigating the halls without running into her greatest nemesis, Bethany, the yoga-leading zen master of the B*tch Brigade (<<
So, after acquiring powers, Sophie has to deal with battling the evil forces sent by the dueling gods themselves, trying to figure out where her and her Prince of the Underworld boyfriend (or is he her ex?) still stand, and doing all that while still managing to fit in her school work. To make matters even worse, when students start disappearing along with every one else’s memories and Sophie finds out her friends aren’t who they’re suppose to be, she finds herself in the middle of a manhunt of epic proportions.
Verdict: After having read Tellulah Darling’s Sam Cruz’s Infallible Guide to Getting Girls (see my review: here), I immediately began to stalk her goodreads page for future works. When I saw this title and that it was a modernized mythology tale, I was all over it. (I’m a bit of a mythology nerd, always have been, so there even may have been a bit of squee’ing involved.) Just like in Sam Cruz, Ms. Darling provides an excellent cast of fun and witty characters that share amazing banter and funny dialogue. Characters will win me over every time. However, there was something in the way that a good majority of the sentences were structured that had me scratching my head and trying to follow what was actually going on. Not only that, but I expected more in the swoony/sexual tension department because Sam Cruz was chalked full of it. In this story, Kai is a bit of an asshole, and by ‘bit,’ I mean I reeeeeally wanted to kick his Prince of the (douchebag) Underworld, other-girl-ogling ass.
All that being said, it was fun and I truly did enjoy Sophie’s snark. I’ll definitely be looking into the sequel, and here’s hoping Kai isn’t so much of an asshat in it.
♥ A special thanks to Te Da Media and Net Galley for providing me an early copy of this title. Be sure to snag yours when it’s published Monday, April 1, 2013.
Find this review and more on my blog...
Let me tell you, I fell in love with Sophie and this book pretty much from the first page. I found her awkward, mischievous, charming and snarky. Her inner dialogue was hysterical. I giggled my way through the biggest part of this book. The relationships with and interactions between Sophie and her friends were perfect. The characters worked together so very well. They complemented each other wonderfully.
Oh, Kai. I didn’t know what to think about him at first. Sure he was swoony. He’s the son of Hades, he has to be somewhat tempting. I was afraid he would wind up being a total jerk. I was very, very wrong. The more I got to know him, I found I liked him every bit as much as Sophie. The two of them together just made me smile. While they had a very unorthodox introduction to each other in this life, their chemistry and attraction was undeniable. Which, it totally should be, given their past. Sure, there were the tiny little issues of him thinking she was dead and that fact that she was just learning her true identity, but when they collided something magical happened. Or, maybe I should say something mythical.
With the help of her friends Theo (Prometheus) and Hannah, Sophie navigates the crazy day-to-day life of being a goddess in high school. Either of which would have been enough of a challenge on its own. Not only does she have an arch nemesis, she’s coming to terms with her history and future, her her new goddess powers and the fact that her best friend isn’t exactly who she thought he was. Oh, and there’s the small matter of the gorgeous god she’s crushing on. The one who just might feel the same way about her as Sophie as he did when she was Persephone. What’s a girl to do?
I’ve never had much interest in books with characters based in/from mythology. I am so very glad I made an exception and picked up this book. I adore this series. After reading some heavier books lately, this was exactly what I needed. The characters were amazing, complex and likable. The storyline was fun and dramatic and utterly unputdownable. It had the perfect mix of humor, drama and romance – just what I want in a young adult book. I’d never read one of Tellulah Darling’s books before now and I’m wondering what on Earth I was waiting for. I love her writing style. It was a breath of fresh air. Big, fuzzy hearts for her and this book!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All quotes come from the review copy and may differ from the final version.
“See, yesterday, I was plain old Sophie Bloom. My life sucked in your typical 16-year-old ways. I was stuck here at Hope Park Progressive School on probation again (“mouthy behavior”), dealing with cliquish poseurs, rampant hormones, blah blah blah.”
Let me tell you, I fell in love with Sophie and this book pretty much from the first page. I found her awkward, mischievous, charming and snarky. Her inner dialogue was hysterical. I giggled my way through the biggest part of this book. The relationships with and interactions between Sophie and her friends were perfect. The characters worked together so very well. They complemented each other wonderfully.
“Then I met a guy. I know that’s the worst cliche ever. But sadly, it’s true. And of course, me being me, he couldn’t just be any bad boy. No. He had to be Kai, son of Hades, Lord of the Underworld.”
“For someone who protested so strongly against being considered human, he did an awfully good impression of a caveman.”
Oh, Kai. I didn’t know what to think about him at first. Sure he was swoony. He’s the son of Hades, he has to be somewhat tempting. I was afraid he would wind up being a total jerk. I was very, very wrong. The more I got to know him, I found I liked him every bit as much as Sophie. The two of them together just made me smile. While they had a very unorthodox introduction to each other in this life, their chemistry and attraction was undeniable. Which, it totally should be, given their past. Sure, there were the tiny little issues of him thinking she was dead and that fact that she was just learning her true identity, but when they collided something magical happened. Or, maybe I should say something mythical.
“I’m Sophie Amalia Bloom. Longtime human, first time goddess.”
With the help of her friends Theo (Prometheus) and Hannah, Sophie navigates the crazy day-to-day life of being a goddess in high school. Either of which would have been enough of a challenge on its own. Not only does she have an arch nemesis, she’s coming to terms with her history and future, her her new goddess powers and the fact that her best friend isn’t exactly who she thought he was. Oh, and there’s the small matter of the gorgeous god she’s crushing on. The one who just might feel the same way about her as Sophie as he did when she was Persephone. What’s a girl to do?
“Who knew when I was cramming Greek mythology for my English final, I was studying the family tree?”
I’ve never had much interest in books with characters based in/from mythology. I am so very glad I made an exception and picked up this book. I adore this series. After reading some heavier books lately, this was exactly what I needed. The characters were amazing, complex and likable. The storyline was fun and dramatic and utterly unputdownable. It had the perfect mix of humor, drama and romance – just what I want in a young adult book. I’d never read one of Tellulah Darling’s books before now and I’m wondering what on Earth I was waiting for. I love her writing style. It was a breath of fresh air. Big, fuzzy hearts for her and this book!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All quotes come from the review copy and may differ from the final version.
Ho assolutamente adorato questo libro. Sarcastico e irriverente, da tutto un'altra definizione al genere YA. Riscoprire di essere la Dea Persefone durante il primo bacio? Beh, è un'esperienza che di sicuro ti cambia la vita. Soprattutto quando quel bacio te l'ha dato il tuo ex amante, di cui eri pazzamente innamorata che, guarda caso, è anche il figlio di Ade. E se questo non bastasse? Sei morta. E la tua anima trasferita in un corpo umano, che adesso è sedicenne e in piena crisi ormonale. Tutto questo porta ad una serie di eventi esilarante e assolutamente godibile, fino allo scontato cliffhanger. Quando esce il prossimo libro?
Voto: 4,5 stelle
Si ringraziano NetGalley e Te Da Media per la gentile preview.
Voto: 4,5 stelle
Si ringraziano NetGalley e Te Da Media per la gentile preview.
Original review on Gabic Reads Review copy received from Netgalley --Thanks you
Sophie is spunky. I thoroughly enjoyed her straightforwardness and sarcastic humor. She kept everything light, fun, and entertaining. Sophie is also really plucky and tries to take everything in stride. She's extremely brave and very protective of those she loves, particularly her best friends Theo and Hannah. Sophie learns that she is Persephone, but Persephone is not her. She's her own person, a human, with a different personality than Persephone the goddess had. She struggles to accept her power and identity while recovering Persephone's memories.
Theo is Prometheus. Yep, the very same Titan that gave fire to humans. He also happens to be Sophie's gay best friend. He is supportive but secretive. Theo kept a lot of things from Sophie that were important.
Hannah, oh, Hannah. She's a science geek. A science geek that looks like a Swedish model. She's the perfect best friend for Sophie. She, like Sophie, is sarcastic, but she's more logical. I loved her random comments about animals and food chains.
Kai is the son of Hades and the love of Persephone's life. Sophie and Kai don't recognize each other when they first meet, but their kiss is what unlocks some of Persephone's memories. The romance between the two doesn't feel forced or rushed. It was perfect, with both of them struggling to accept that Sophie is/isn't Persephone.
My Ex From Hell is an entertaining action/romantic comedy book. Be sure to grab a copy when it hits shelves on Monday!
Thanks to Netgalley and Te Da Media for the ARC.
Sophie is spunky. I thoroughly enjoyed her straightforwardness and sarcastic humor. She kept everything light, fun, and entertaining. Sophie is also really plucky and tries to take everything in stride. She's extremely brave and very protective of those she loves, particularly her best friends Theo and Hannah. Sophie learns that she is Persephone, but Persephone is not her. She's her own person, a human, with a different personality than Persephone the goddess had. She struggles to accept her power and identity while recovering Persephone's memories.
Theo is Prometheus. Yep, the very same Titan that gave fire to humans. He also happens to be Sophie's gay best friend. He is supportive but secretive. Theo kept a lot of things from Sophie that were important.
Hannah, oh, Hannah. She's a science geek. A science geek that looks like a Swedish model. She's the perfect best friend for Sophie. She, like Sophie, is sarcastic, but she's more logical. I loved her random comments about animals and food chains.
Kai is the son of Hades and the love of Persephone's life. Sophie and Kai don't recognize each other when they first meet, but their kiss is what unlocks some of Persephone's memories. The romance between the two doesn't feel forced or rushed. It was perfect, with both of them struggling to accept that Sophie is/isn't Persephone.
My Ex From Hell is an entertaining action/romantic comedy book. Be sure to grab a copy when it hits shelves on Monday!
Thanks to Netgalley and Te Da Media for the ARC.
3.5 Stars
This was highly entertaining in all its unexpected glory!
I'm half Greek so I take an interest - whenever it suits me - with all things Greek. Especially Greek Mythology, cause let us face it, who wouldn't love insanely OTT bundles of bloody whatthefuckery?
So, this one is about Persephone but it gets of the well known myth into a spin off, which I did like. Not sure if the blutant inaccuracy was planned or not but somehow it works for this if you don't go neatpicking that is.
Points I liked:
• I did like Sophie/Persephone. "Murder is me" kind of girl and after my own heart.
• #friendship_goals with Sophie and her BFF Hannah.
• Also #friendship_goals with Sophie and her other BFF Theo.
• Theo & Hannah were great side characters. They had snark and brains.
• No insta-love that melts your brain. I mean there was attraction but thank Goddess nothing of the normal insta variety.
• Kai actually acting like a God, meaning being a little douche (albeit a likeable one), instead of saying he's one and acting like a hormonal teenage boy 25/7.
Interested in seeing where this will end up going. Onwards, I go.
Auxiliary Challenge Winner for January 2018 (Theme: MYTHOLOGY / GODS)
This was highly entertaining in all its unexpected glory!
I'm half Greek so I take an interest - whenever it suits me - with all things Greek. Especially Greek Mythology, cause let us face it, who wouldn't love insanely OTT bundles of bloody whatthefuckery?
So, this one is about Persephone but it gets of the well known myth into a spin off, which I did like. Not sure if the blutant inaccuracy was planned or not but somehow it works for this if you don't go neatpicking that is.
Points I liked:
• I did like Sophie/Persephone. "Murder is me" kind of girl and after my own heart.
• #friendship_goals with Sophie and her BFF Hannah.
• Also #friendship_goals with Sophie and her other BFF Theo.
• Theo & Hannah were great side characters. They had snark and brains.
• No insta-love that melts your brain. I mean there was attraction but thank Goddess nothing of the normal insta variety.
• Kai actually acting like a God, meaning being a little douche (albeit a likeable one), instead of saying he's one and acting like a hormonal teenage boy 25/7.
Interested in seeing where this will end up going. Onwards, I go.
Auxiliary Challenge Winner for January 2018 (Theme: MYTHOLOGY / GODS)