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A review by ladyk23
Oh My Gods by Alexandra Sheppard
3.0
I talked in a previous review about how I ended up reading the first fiction novel of a writer who I first found out about at Grrrlcon, but this time around I read a first novel from a fellow attendee of Write Like A Grrrl, which was the precursor to Grrrlcon. A workshop that I also attended.
Therefore I am all about grrrls supporting grrrls, and I’m really glad I bought this book as it didn’t disappoint. The story centres on Helen, a half mortal daughter of the Greek God Zeus, living in London of all places.
Not only does Helen have to deal with normal teenage problems, annoying siblings, a new school, boys, and the dreaded spots, she also has to keep the secret that her family is really a bunch of gods. A teenager with a secret, what could possibly go wrong?
This is a really lovely novel that covers grief (at the loss of a close family member), how to get along with your family, first love, and most importantly, how to not lose your friends along the way. The last couple of chapters had me really tearing up as Helen delivers a heartfelt speech, and finally starts to open up to her new friends about why she’s been so flakey of late. A situation I’ve definitely been in on behalf of the friends POV.
For a first novel I think the author has done a fantastic job of setting the scene, and showing the reader a different side of London. Something I haven’t seen, possibly ever. And I’m guessing that the author is from, or has spent a lot of time in the places mentioned in the book in order to describe the areas so vividly.
My only gripes with the book are very minor, sometimes the pacing skips, and days/weeks etc seem very short, and some of the pop culture references seem more like they come from someone the authors age, than from a teenager in the present day. But perhaps today’s teens are more fond of 90s movies than I realise.
These are minor things I picked up on but they didn’t impact my enjoyment at all, just some things for the author to bear in mind in her next book.
I saw recently that someone commented on one of the authors Instagram posts that this book would make a great CBBC show, and I have to agree. It would lend itself perfectly to being adapted into a mini series (or a longer series if Alexandra decides to give us some more of Helen’s stories).
I wish her every success with this book and all of her future endeavours.
Therefore I am all about grrrls supporting grrrls, and I’m really glad I bought this book as it didn’t disappoint. The story centres on Helen, a half mortal daughter of the Greek God Zeus, living in London of all places.
Not only does Helen have to deal with normal teenage problems, annoying siblings, a new school, boys, and the dreaded spots, she also has to keep the secret that her family is really a bunch of gods. A teenager with a secret, what could possibly go wrong?
This is a really lovely novel that covers grief (at the loss of a close family member), how to get along with your family, first love, and most importantly, how to not lose your friends along the way. The last couple of chapters had me really tearing up as Helen delivers a heartfelt speech, and finally starts to open up to her new friends about why she’s been so flakey of late. A situation I’ve definitely been in on behalf of the friends POV.
For a first novel I think the author has done a fantastic job of setting the scene, and showing the reader a different side of London. Something I haven’t seen, possibly ever. And I’m guessing that the author is from, or has spent a lot of time in the places mentioned in the book in order to describe the areas so vividly.
My only gripes with the book are very minor, sometimes the pacing skips, and days/weeks etc seem very short, and some of the pop culture references seem more like they come from someone the authors age, than from a teenager in the present day. But perhaps today’s teens are more fond of 90s movies than I realise.
These are minor things I picked up on but they didn’t impact my enjoyment at all, just some things for the author to bear in mind in her next book.
I saw recently that someone commented on one of the authors Instagram posts that this book would make a great CBBC show, and I have to agree. It would lend itself perfectly to being adapted into a mini series (or a longer series if Alexandra decides to give us some more of Helen’s stories).
I wish her every success with this book and all of her future endeavours.