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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Warnings: Some language, fantasy related violence, blood, brief mention of sexual assault
You know what. I actually really enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were interesting and engaging, the plot was really cool and different, and I liked how the Greek Mythology was used and shown to us. And as far as I'm aware, it's a stand alone and I thought it tied together really well in the end.
Now, were there some things that I didn't like and was unsure about? Yes. But over all, I was pulled into the book and was eager to keep reading. This'll probably be one I buy so I can have my own copy.
You know what. I actually really enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were interesting and engaging, the plot was really cool and different, and I liked how the Greek Mythology was used and shown to us. And as far as I'm aware, it's a stand alone and I thought it tied together really well in the end.
Now, were there some things that I didn't like and was unsure about? Yes. But over all, I was pulled into the book and was eager to keep reading. This'll probably be one I buy so I can have my own copy.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Plot
O dată la fiecare 7 ani, începe Agon. Drept pedeapsă pentru o rebeliune trecută, nouă zei din panteonul Greciei Antice sunt forțați de Zeus să cutreiere Pâmântul timp de 7 zile ca muritori, vânați de urmașii unor familii străvechi, toți nerăbdători să-i ucidă, să le ia puterile și să devină nemuritori.
Cu mult timp în urmă, Lore Perseous a fugit din această lume brutală după ce familia ei a fost ucisă cu cruzime de o familie de vânători rivală, întorcând astfel spatele gloriei eterne promise de vânătoare. De mulți ani, Lore încearcă să nu cedeze în fața dorinței de a se răzbuna pe bărbatul, acum devenit zeu, pe care îl consideră responsabil pentru moartea familiei ei.
Totuși, când următoarea vânătoare începe în New York, doi participanți îi cer ajutorul: Castor, un prieten din copilărie pe care îl credea mort de multă vreme și Atena, una dintre ultimii zei originali.
Zeița îi propune o alianță împotriva dușmanului lor comun și o metodă prin care poate ieși definitiv din Agon. Dar decizia lui Lore de a-și lega destinul de soarta Atenei și de a reîncepe vânătoarea va avea un preț mortal – și nu se știe dacă va fi suficient pentru a opri ascensiunea unui nou zeu a cărui putere poate îngenunchea întreaga umanitate.
Părerea mea
Alexandra Bracken m-a surprins, cu toate că romanul m-a plictisit pe alocuri, dar este iertabilă treaba. Minunată carte: Aventură, acțiune, personaje bine conturate, plot complex, Feminist, world building solid, răsturnări de situație suprinzătoare și multe prietenii și trădări, având loc toate în frumosul New York, plus că Lore Perseous (sper că am scris bine ultimul nume) nu seamănă deloc cu Ruby Daly din[b:The Darkest Minds|10576365|The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds, #1)|Alexandra Bracken|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1343178841l/10576365._SY75_.jpg|15483434] ([b:Minţi primejdioase|28524480|Minţi primejdioase (The Darkest Minds, #1)|Alexandra Bracken|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1452621925l/28524480._SY75_.jpg|15483434])
Ruby e un personaj plat, șters, parcă pierdut prea bun ca să fie realist, parcă Ruby nu are nimic memorabil în timp ce Lore pe de altă parte este badass, are o poveste solidă în spate care o face răzbunătoare și plină de pică. Ea decizii greșite, dar este încăpățânată, determinată. Un spirit liber.
Mi-a plăcut mai mult decât [b:Furia Roșie|29547469|Furia Roșie|Pierce Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1458313879l/29547469._SX50_.jpg|21580644]. Mi-a amintit un pic de [b:Îngeri căzuți|30584612|Îngeri căzuți (Penryn & the End of Days, #1)|Susan Ee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1465893086l/30584612._SY75_.jpg|16435765] acolo îngerii distrug lumea oameniilor, aduc apocalipsa, aici sunt Zeii!
Singurele mele minconveniente ar fi:
1. răufăcătorul, cam plat și fără motive reale. Simplu motiv că vrea să fie cel mai puternic îl transformă într-un răufăcător clișeic. Neoriginal.
2. Faptul că cei de la Bookzone au împărțit volumul în două părți (cu toate că partea întâi se termină într-un plot twist genial pentru asta trebuie aplaudată editura) dar totuși DE CE?
O dată la fiecare 7 ani, începe Agon. Drept pedeapsă pentru o rebeliune trecută, nouă zei din panteonul Greciei Antice sunt forțați de Zeus să cutreiere Pâmântul timp de 7 zile ca muritori, vânați de urmașii unor familii străvechi, toți nerăbdători să-i ucidă, să le ia puterile și să devină nemuritori.
Cu mult timp în urmă, Lore Perseous a fugit din această lume brutală după ce familia ei a fost ucisă cu cruzime de o familie de vânători rivală, întorcând astfel spatele gloriei eterne promise de vânătoare. De mulți ani, Lore încearcă să nu cedeze în fața dorinței de a se răzbuna pe bărbatul, acum devenit zeu, pe care îl consideră responsabil pentru moartea familiei ei.
Totuși, când următoarea vânătoare începe în New York, doi participanți îi cer ajutorul: Castor, un prieten din copilărie pe care îl credea mort de multă vreme și Atena, una dintre ultimii zei originali.
Zeița îi propune o alianță împotriva dușmanului lor comun și o metodă prin care poate ieși definitiv din Agon. Dar decizia lui Lore de a-și lega destinul de soarta Atenei și de a reîncepe vânătoarea va avea un preț mortal – și nu se știe dacă va fi suficient pentru a opri ascensiunea unui nou zeu a cărui putere poate îngenunchea întreaga umanitate.
Părerea mea
Alexandra Bracken m-a surprins, cu toate că romanul m-a plictisit pe alocuri, dar este iertabilă treaba. Minunată carte: Aventură, acțiune, personaje bine conturate, plot complex, Feminist, world building solid, răsturnări de situație suprinzătoare și multe prietenii și trădări, având loc toate în frumosul New York, plus că Lore Perseous (sper că am scris bine ultimul nume) nu seamănă deloc cu Ruby Daly din[b:The Darkest Minds|10576365|The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds, #1)|Alexandra Bracken|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1343178841l/10576365._SY75_.jpg|15483434] ([b:Minţi primejdioase|28524480|Minţi primejdioase (The Darkest Minds, #1)|Alexandra Bracken|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1452621925l/28524480._SY75_.jpg|15483434])
Ruby e un personaj plat, șters, parcă pierdut prea bun ca să fie realist, parcă Ruby nu are nimic memorabil în timp ce Lore pe de altă parte este badass, are o poveste solidă în spate care o face răzbunătoare și plină de pică. Ea decizii greșite, dar este încăpățânată, determinată. Un spirit liber.
Mi-a plăcut mai mult decât [b:Furia Roșie|29547469|Furia Roșie|Pierce Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1458313879l/29547469._SX50_.jpg|21580644]. Mi-a amintit un pic de [b:Îngeri căzuți|30584612|Îngeri căzuți (Penryn & the End of Days, #1)|Susan Ee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1465893086l/30584612._SY75_.jpg|16435765] acolo îngerii distrug lumea oameniilor, aduc apocalipsa, aici sunt Zeii!
Singurele mele minconveniente ar fi:
1. răufăcătorul, cam plat și fără motive reale. Simplu motiv că vrea să fie cel mai puternic îl transformă într-un răufăcător clișeic. Neoriginal.
2. Faptul că cei de la Bookzone au împărțit volumul în două părți (cu toate că partea întâi se termină într-un plot twist genial pentru asta trebuie aplaudată editura) dar totuși DE CE?
adventurous
tense
fast-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
3.5, really.
I wanted to love this book more than I ended up loving it, and I think that was my main issue. I went in with too high of expectations, and after reading a book that blew my mind.
But, that still doesn’t change that I felt this book was lacking. Especially within the fact that Bracken included so much exterior information at the beginning and ending of the book to help guide the reader. It made the story itself seem like it had holes and developed too slowly to truly capture the reader. It was this grand mystery that I wanted to unfold, but rather just forcing myself to keep reading so I could understand the story she was trying to tell — which I feel like I did so only because Bracken is one of my all time favorite authors.
I do think it had a good message and a good overall story. I like the way it ended, and the answer to the overlying questions and problem. I’m glad I read it all the way through instead of abandoning after the first 100 pages like I’d usually do if a book didn’t immediately capture my mind. Worth the read, but don’t go in with super high expectations like I did. Just expect a story to be told.
“Not free, never free”, but always a choice.
I wanted to love this book more than I ended up loving it, and I think that was my main issue. I went in with too high of expectations, and after reading a book that blew my mind.
But, that still doesn’t change that I felt this book was lacking. Especially within the fact that Bracken included so much exterior information at the beginning and ending of the book to help guide the reader. It made the story itself seem like it had holes and developed too slowly to truly capture the reader. It was this grand mystery that I wanted to unfold, but rather just forcing myself to keep reading so I could understand the story she was trying to tell — which I feel like I did so only because Bracken is one of my all time favorite authors.
I do think it had a good message and a good overall story. I like the way it ended, and the answer to the overlying questions and problem. I’m glad I read it all the way through instead of abandoning after the first 100 pages like I’d usually do if a book didn’t immediately capture my mind. Worth the read, but don’t go in with super high expectations like I did. Just expect a story to be told.
“Not free, never free”, but always a choice.
Let me tell you something I've probably already told you - I freaking LOVE everything Greek. My husband will tell you that's not true because I don't allow him to order Mediterranean food every single night for dinner, but don't listen to him. One of my favorite classes in high school was Epic Tradition even though the teacher was abysmal. My dream vacation is to go to Greece and see the old temples of the gods. Also, perhaps a little less impressive, I've put hundreds of hours into Assassin's Creed Odyssey which takes place almost entirely in ancient Greece and I'm probably going to put hundreds of hours uncovering all the secrets of Supergiant Games own take on Greek mythology, Hades. I am obsessed with Greek mythology. When I saw the cover of this book I was immediately in love.
Ok, so what happens? As a consequence of a long past rebellion, every seven years the Greek gods we know and love are forced into what is called the Agon. This Hunger Games-esque free-for-all is a seven-day hunt where the only main rule is kill or be killed. If you kill a god you become that god and not only gain their powers, but their immortality. After generations of Agons there are only three remaining 'true' gods: Athena, Apollo, and Artemis.
After her family was brutally murdered in the last Agon, Melora "Lore" Perseous (yes, as in the hero who slayed Medusa) turned her back on that world. Her plan for this Agon is to lay low and keep her nose clean until the week is up, but that plan is quickly thrown out the window when she is visited by a man she believed long dead, Castor. Her life is further thrown into disarray when she is later visited by a wounded Athena who offers Lore something too difficult to pass up: justice. Lore is quickly thrown back into the bloody politics of a world she thought she'd never see again and it's anyone's guess if she, Athena, or Castor will be able to make it through this Agon alive.
Ok, so what did I think? To be honest, the blurb I just wrote explaining the plot sounds much more interesting than the actual story. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mindset for this book or something, but the Agon itself was super confusing to me alongside the politics of the different house and the positions within them. There were several chapters where Lore and her friends travelled across New York City to visit some new god for some reason I could never properly follow.
Don't get me wrong I think it's a super interesting concept, but I just couldn't wrap my brain around it other than 'Hunger Games, but for Gods' and that just wasn't enough for me. Lore's exploring the city with her friends felt less because they had a plan and more because Bracken just wanted her readers to meet the other New Gods she had created, which, again, super cool concept, but the motivation didn't really seem to be there for Lore and her friends.
To this book's credit, the characters are super strong and I don't mean that just literally.
-Lore is the last surviving member of her house and she doesn't let that grief consume her. Instead she forces herself to grow. She learns how to kick ass and then she kicks some serious ass!
-Castor is a character I don't feel like I have ever met before. When they meet as kids he's dying of cancer or some other kind of vicious disease, but he doesn't let his illness be a weakness. I say this as someone who doesn't have a voice within that community, but I thought it was pretty cool to see a character with an illness that wasn't just defined as the ill character.
-Iro is Castor's protector and almost brother. In my reading of him, despite being not so great of a fighter he managed to triumph over those who scoffed at him and became a spymaster so dangerous that many refuse to cross him.
-Finally, Miles is probably the best friend in the entire damn world. If my roommate told me one day that she was a descendant of an actual Greek hero and now a bunch of super powerful gods (including the new Ares, God of War) was after me I would probably tell her that she was crazy and then I'd pack up my things and move to Australia or something. Miles is snarky and brave and just cunning enough to make me a little suspicious of him. Oh and also he and Iro are probably the cutest little will-they-won't-they couple in the entire world.
Despite the strong characters, I just couldn't really connect with the story and oftentimes I felt like things happened because Bracken felt like they should happen. For example - obviously some spoilers ahead - in an intense meeting between the Lore gang and Artemis, Castor is struck through the heart by one of Artemis' arrows. He's very obviously dead. However, somehow through the power he inherited when he somehow killed Apollo, he is resurrected and I don't think that power is ever truly explained. I'm not saying Bracken doesn't try to explain how Castor can survive a literal arrow to the chest, but I personally didn't think it was a good enough explanation to let me suspend my disbelief.
Long Story Short:
-I am going to get out of Hades one day - oh wait, this is supposed to be about the book.
-I LOVE A DIVERSE CAST!
-Things don't just happen because you want them to.
My Rating: 3/5
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