tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35216375166292170562024-03-28T07:00:31.849+00:00Readers Enjoy Authors' DreamsLauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.comBlogger636125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-45463108856945270982024-03-28T07:00:00.004+00:002024-03-28T07:00:00.144+00:00Thief of Spring by Katherine Macdonald <p>Hello Readers,</p><div style="text-align: left;">“The Greek Gods are real. But they aren’t gods. They’re
faeries.” Yes, you read that right dear reader. Also, in this book Hera finally
had enough of Zeus bullshit so she killed him and took over herself naming herself
Zera… not even mad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2izBugWt0zSVlJos6b-f_QFUzLWZ31iWrjMicl3x5VDD-LfjawwHGMtVDjfLI9CJnNFiOGvz7uNawuwEwkAl0iG4pd7l09gKFm9bGeGRmkpwkEHuij8lJz9dxrmDBQnZv1tribxAUqnJ1P2oSmXjHmYJSh59mujJvXzEhmL6gm8YxDcP9YPQAE9RCy9pB/s4032/Thief%20of%20Spring%20by%20Katherine%20Macdonald.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2izBugWt0zSVlJos6b-f_QFUzLWZ31iWrjMicl3x5VDD-LfjawwHGMtVDjfLI9CJnNFiOGvz7uNawuwEwkAl0iG4pd7l09gKFm9bGeGRmkpwkEHuij8lJz9dxrmDBQnZv1tribxAUqnJ1P2oSmXjHmYJSh59mujJvXzEhmL6gm8YxDcP9YPQAE9RCy9pB/s320/Thief%20of%20Spring%20by%20Katherine%20Macdonald.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><o:p><br /></o:p>This was another reread for me as I read it back in 2022
and I loved this retelling a little more this time. I have read a lot of Hades
and Persephone retellings, but this is one of my favourite twists as it
perfectly combines Greek mythology with the world of faeries. This is a Fae YA
twist on the Hades and Persephone myth, so you can expect Faerie politics and
lore sprinkled with the Greek pantheon.<o:p><br /></o:p><o:p> <br /></o:p>I am familiar with both fae fantasy and the Greek pantheon
members, so this was just a great book for me. I don’t know if it was because
the book was a reread or the writing as I felt like I was being welcomed home
to an extremely dysfunctional family reunion. Just me third wheeling in
The Underworld #lifegoals.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>The writing style is clean, and the dialogue is snappy
and keeps the plot moving. The plot is action-packed, brilliant, the slow-burn
romance is done perfectly, and the whole story is supported along by an amazing
cast of characters. I loved Katherine’s reimaging minus the fact she let Hera
get he own back on Zeus all the other familiar Greek pantheon are given new and
unexpected traits and twists in the mythology that makes this story unique.<br /><o:p> </o:p><o:p><br /></o:p>The slow burn romance was just perfect as both Hades and
Persephone are so lovely and hurt in their own way, and the gentle way they put
each other back together… be still my little black heart. This Hades is
slightly more of the stereotype as he likes the fact he is knows for being the
ruler of the underworld. This version of Hades is sweet, swoony, funny,
thoughtful and a touch snarky. Persephone is there to bandage his wounds and be
the light in his life. Persephone is strong, loving, and accepting. Mr “I’m so
scary ruler of the underworld” saves Persephone from being a sacrifice to the
Unseelie King during a Halloween Party, remember he’s the “Bad guy”.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Ill put my hands up dear reader its completely user error
but book two got lost on my TBR so I have brought it near the top cause that ending
is living rent free. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-59766033271583058772024-03-27T07:00:00.000+00:002024-03-27T07:00:00.141+00:00Hades x Persephone Saga by Scarlett St. Clair<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Hello Readers,<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>This book series is smutty if that’s not your thing this
post might not be for you. I will not be discussing the smut in this series as I
am just going to share the blurb of each book as well as goodreads link in case
you would like to add the books to your TBR. I would recommend this book
series to any one even if you glaze over the smut there is a brilliant Greek
mythology retelling in this book, or if you love romance and enemies to
lovers. Unfortunately, I’ve not had a chance to reread the series yet as I
want to reread the series before I jump into ‘A touch of Chaos’. <br /><br /></div><div>
<b><span style="color: #45818e;">A Touch of Darkness</span></b><br />Persephone is the Goddess of Spring by title only. The
truth is, since she was a little girl, flowers have shrivelled at her touch.
After moving to New Athens, she hopes to lead an unassuming life disguised as a
mortal journalist. Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the
mortal world and his favourite bets are rumoured to be impossible. After a
chance encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the
God of the Dead and the terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in
the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. The bet does more than expose
Persephone’s failure as a Goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds
of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows—and it’s forbidden.<br />Pages: 438 - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43175155-a-touch-of-darkness">Goodreads</a><br /> <o:p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VTatDdITRpZMOLW_-FB333fvxU0sYrOON6ZuOuDCcppoG5V04aBpTqBm4oJEg2nQ3HERZY5kXDE4XYhFcncDn8eYqq-d4Gds4OpHdUMpPJ4nOXyC0nHnxxzim89qnkPBBfluF-38czWtHDqugzq7W1zMgyJSekuRtp-15AqoTNM3j6bTwwUlb8rGgphw/s4032/A%20Touch%20of%20Darkness%20Hades%20x%20Persephone%20Saga%20by%20Scarlett%20St.%20Clair%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VTatDdITRpZMOLW_-FB333fvxU0sYrOON6ZuOuDCcppoG5V04aBpTqBm4oJEg2nQ3HERZY5kXDE4XYhFcncDn8eYqq-d4Gds4OpHdUMpPJ4nOXyC0nHnxxzim89qnkPBBfluF-38czWtHDqugzq7W1zMgyJSekuRtp-15AqoTNM3j6bTwwUlb8rGgphw/s320/A%20Touch%20of%20Darkness%20Hades%20x%20Persephone%20Saga%20by%20Scarlett%20St.%20Clair%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></o:p></div><div><o:p><br /></o:p><o:p> <br /></o:p><span class="MsoHyperlink">A Touch of Ruin<br /></span>Persephone's relationship with Hades has gone public and
the resulting media storm disrupts her normal life and threatens to expose her
as the Goddess of Spring. Hades, God of the Dead, is burdened by a hellish past
that everyone's eager to expose in an effort to warn Persephone away. Things
only get worse when a horrible tragedy leaves Persephone's heart in ruin and
Hades refusing to help. Desperate, she takes matters into her own hands,
striking bargains with severe consequences. Faced with a side of Hades she
never knew and crushing loss, Persephone wonders if she can truly become Hades'
queen.<br />Pages: 417 - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53143734-a-touch-of-ruin">Goodreads</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhc4WjEiVaBQPdVA1Wf7s_g3SW9Oy-wO5OBpUJYbv055gr-JCh5w0I5Q8mypn0K3dbP6-N8Oicxy2_2y7QYwn8OE3N8imf4-ysOeGO0N_36hlW8EhuNEtWE7O5hNWF-rRHP6v9FMbHwtUUCr3J3nKJqCWKI5KOk5g7zE0mBDO4DRB77UDf2lEUo2tEtgq/s4032/A%20Touch%20of%20Ruin%20Hades%20x%20Persephone%20Saga%20by%20Scarlett%20St.%20Clair%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhc4WjEiVaBQPdVA1Wf7s_g3SW9Oy-wO5OBpUJYbv055gr-JCh5w0I5Q8mypn0K3dbP6-N8Oicxy2_2y7QYwn8OE3N8imf4-ysOeGO0N_36hlW8EhuNEtWE7O5hNWF-rRHP6v9FMbHwtUUCr3J3nKJqCWKI5KOk5g7zE0mBDO4DRB77UDf2lEUo2tEtgq/s320/A%20Touch%20of%20Ruin%20Hades%20x%20Persephone%20Saga%20by%20Scarlett%20St.%20Clair%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #45818e;">A Touch of Malice</span></b><br />Persephone and Hades are engaged. In retaliation, Demeter
summons a snowstorm that cripples New Greece, and refuses to lift the blizzard
unless her daughter calls off her engagement. When the Olympians intervene,
Persephone finds her future in the hands of ancient gods, and they are divided.
Do they allow Persephone to marry Hades and go to war with Demeter or prohibit
their union and take up arms against the God of the Dead? Nothing is certain
but the promise of war.<br />Pages: 418 - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55604481-a-touch-of-malice">Goodreads</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2R0FgEyrIbA1wMAwefueOckybluiTKwSg-skAwj9Y_n6SEcgj2MwjMl_fZIhiUkeNsOp__Tno8KIrkRXitGuue5JpBYxhZbMhyphenhyphen7n76-M8UMvqYKUkrET2Uv-wS_04CsOwe95-F6DDyupGH_orwulwOYURc5tn6aP5oFMmpmy1Kjf8qCMCUTgVBxoZgJPV/s4032/A%20Touch%20of%20Malice%20Hades%20x%20Persephone%20Saga%20by%20Scarlett%20St.%20Clair%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2R0FgEyrIbA1wMAwefueOckybluiTKwSg-skAwj9Y_n6SEcgj2MwjMl_fZIhiUkeNsOp__Tno8KIrkRXitGuue5JpBYxhZbMhyphenhyphen7n76-M8UMvqYKUkrET2Uv-wS_04CsOwe95-F6DDyupGH_orwulwOYURc5tn6aP5oFMmpmy1Kjf8qCMCUTgVBxoZgJPV/s320/A%20Touch%20of%20Malice%20Hades%20x%20Persephone%20Saga%20by%20Scarlett%20St.%20Clair%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><o:p> </o:p><br /><b><span style="color: #45818e;">
A Touch of Chaos</span></b><br />The World Will Burn. Persephone, Goddess of Spring, never
guessed a chance encounter with Hades, God of the Underworld, would change her
life forever—but he did. A fight for humanity and battles between Gods, it's a
world Persephone never thought she would see. To end the chaos, she must draw
upon her darkness and embrace who she's become—Goddess, Wife, Queen of the
Underworld.<br />Pages: 464 – <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56670031-a-touch-of-chaos">Goodreads </a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgVRcQKLc29-viV1vP5WTicvq5-9yjcXOhFvK3xKTXIeB1KqInChjnzUH1in9yrK5CE1IFgm-vANEt6tmQ70u93gU2NO4bQpDwM8E2C_IBOsfF0tfCYWhkXvZlmz86aycttwZxtvvhUBF_MeIjMGHCPYPwDT_5VxSfX2BPtiDESi4i5qF0H2sK1Oo8VWx/s4032/A%20Touch%20of%20Chaos%20Hades%20x%20Persephone%20Saga%20by%20Scarlett%20St.%20Clair%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgVRcQKLc29-viV1vP5WTicvq5-9yjcXOhFvK3xKTXIeB1KqInChjnzUH1in9yrK5CE1IFgm-vANEt6tmQ70u93gU2NO4bQpDwM8E2C_IBOsfF0tfCYWhkXvZlmz86aycttwZxtvvhUBF_MeIjMGHCPYPwDT_5VxSfX2BPtiDESi4i5qF0H2sK1Oo8VWx/s320/A%20Touch%20of%20Chaos%20Hades%20x%20Persephone%20Saga%20by%20Scarlett%20St.%20Clair%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-64600769714344835882024-03-26T07:00:00.002+00:002024-03-26T11:39:27.814+00:00Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald<p>Hello Readers,</p><div style="text-align: left;">I will confess I have both the paperback and hardback
copy of this book because this book is stunning. I love how bright pink it is
and the matching sprayed edges, one of the main reasons I got the paper back
was because the cover is stunning, and I missed the from “To Hell with Love”
quote on the hardback.<br /> <o:p> </o:p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEP7CRFGKeBbfOnL-MMhB4mAj0LKt0CQ6agVbryF7juU-IzoE-cKMJlY4vuH8u1Aazzahds1ie5cF1YrpuOH9xXuQk0Bij9OBIaJN1r5QfUCq4vMOJk8aOc2kM1HIb8Hei3vATW3yjAjZlGeZo58qBEVbkPTMEGvj7e8vwcdy3xKtWzE4O1WRk74vjHQK4/s1080/Girl,%20Goddess,%20Queen%20by%20Bea%20Fitzgerald%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEP7CRFGKeBbfOnL-MMhB4mAj0LKt0CQ6agVbryF7juU-IzoE-cKMJlY4vuH8u1Aazzahds1ie5cF1YrpuOH9xXuQk0Bij9OBIaJN1r5QfUCq4vMOJk8aOc2kM1HIb8Hei3vATW3yjAjZlGeZo58qBEVbkPTMEGvj7e8vwcdy3xKtWzE4O1WRk74vjHQK4/w320-h320/Girl,%20Goddess,%20Queen%20by%20Bea%20Fitzgerald%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><o:p><br /></o:p>I would be lying to you dear Reader if I said I wasn’t a
fool for the enemies to lover’s trope. Bea demonstrations this in Girl, Goddess,
Queen by having Hades and Persephone go from barely tolerating each other to
friends to creating a fake relationship to genuine lovers. It’s a believable character
motive there is not insta love, things naturally progress.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Persephone's journey from being a dutiful daughter named Kore
meaning pure, beautiful maiden, little girl (Girl, Goddess, Queen pg.3) and
being mocked by Zeus for choosing the power of flowers during her Amphidromia. Into
a confident young woman and eventually becoming an admirable Queen is beautiful
to watch, and I was cheering her along every step of the way. Once she learns
the true ability of her powers you can’t help but laugh at the ignorance of Zeus
for mocking the Goddess of flowers choice of powers.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I loved her fury and rebelliousness side when it came to
Zeus and Demeter’s plans for her future by forcing her into a marriage like Persephone
was just some prize. She even mocks Zeus after he calls her called her chaos
bringer by changing her to Persephone which as you can guess means chaos
bringer (Girl, Goddess, Queen pg.181).<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Persephone is a badass main character while we get a softer
Hades which I adored with my whole heart. He is completely different to most
Hades depictions I have read, he is portrayed as a kind, gentle and introverted
person with a love of art and heaps patience and compassion for Persephone and
the situation she has been put in by Zues and Demeter. Super nerdy I know
but I like the nod to the orginal myth, Persephone I would have done the same
thing.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>In this retelling it’s Persephone who runs away to the
underworld and she invokes xenia. Slight history lesson dear Reader Xenia is the ancient Greek concept
of hospitality. Xenia consists of two basic rules: The respect from hosts to
guests. A Hosts must be hospitable to guests and provide them with a bath,
food, drink, and safety. If either the host or the guest was to break a Xenia
rule, there would be severe penalties dealt by the Gods.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Persephone starts to explore Hades' realm of the
Underworld. The underworld in this book is just rocks, Hade’s palace, Tartarus
and the five Styx, Phlegethon, Lethe, Acheron and Cocytus. The Asphodel Meadows
and Elysium/ the Elysian Fields don’t exist yet the dead are just there in one
huge jumbled mess. Talking of the rivers in this book all the rivers have a physical
form in the form of a God, Styx is now one of my favourite Goddess and I adore
her, she’s witty, sarcastic, and just the perfect friend for Persephone.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I cant wait for Bea’s next book and I have pre-orderd The
End Crowns All coming out July 18 2024 and its being published by Penguin.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-25257155354015503682024-03-25T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-25T07:00:00.140+00:00Her Dark Wings by Melinda Salisbury<p>Hello Readers,</p><div style="text-align: left;">Back in 2022 I share <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2022/11/my-favourite-hades-and-persephone.html">my favourite Hades and Persephone retellings</a>
and gave each book a reread, I have since reread some of the books that I
included on that list I think they deserve a little more than a minute review.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSegokAumh4csVqpix-GpI_C4v_8DeIJrKoc5aHqhOCJKU1uXPQbuPmR75TRNk3_Bd45wYqOX8IIoHR0wIwDZLG9ZSAXhuaVWB2LPCy5FdmOR7WY-ITHV6xe_ViQmvpj3U8OqNLHV6FhcFVV19tVrP5hMs4DqtvptkWyDv_aM5k9fb3-T_50AcTZDZoDs_/s4032/Her%20Dark%20Wings%20by%20Melinda%20Salisbury%20Review%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSegokAumh4csVqpix-GpI_C4v_8DeIJrKoc5aHqhOCJKU1uXPQbuPmR75TRNk3_Bd45wYqOX8IIoHR0wIwDZLG9ZSAXhuaVWB2LPCy5FdmOR7WY-ITHV6xe_ViQmvpj3U8OqNLHV6FhcFVV19tVrP5hMs4DqtvptkWyDv_aM5k9fb3-T_50AcTZDZoDs_/s320/Her%20Dark%20Wings%20by%20Melinda%20Salisbury%20Review%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As you can tell from the title, I am starting with Her
Dark Wings by Melinda Salisbury I think I appreciated this book so much more
during this reread. That doesn’t mean I didn’t like the book when I read it
back in 2022 in fact it was one of my top books of the year, I just loved it a
lot more during this reread. I am just going to share my love for the cover as its
one of my favourite covers on my bookcase and is one of the books on rotation
to face out.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I never thought I could be friends with Alecto, Tisiphone,
and Megaera but here we are. I am under no illusion that they are nice they are
after all the goddesses of vengeance. Please don’t mistake me saying I would be
their friend by thinking that Melinda has turned the furies into fluffy barn
owls. Melinda has kept them terrifying, but somehow humanised them and it gives
you false sense of security. I mean being a fury is a great career prospect for
me like no more allergies minus the whole Goddesses of vengeance bit can I be
like the fury that’s the Goddess of the RBF.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>This book is full of emotions and heart, and it explores
growth and betrayal, finding yourself, learning to love yourself, how hard it
is finding your place in the world and the blurred lines of good and bad. This is unlike most of the Hades and Persephone that I
have read not only because it’s not smutty. The love story takes a back seat in
this retelling this book is about Corey finding her power, Hades is a side
character, and it was perfect for this retelling.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I’m going to try make this not overly complicated what me
mess this up dear Reader. Corey is our protagonist; Ali is her boyfriend and
Bree is her best friend in the entire world and they have been inseparable for
years. You know it’s about to hit the fan from that besties build up well Bree
and Ali become a thing and yes there is a little cross over between the besties
dating the same guy. Before Corey has a chance to really process anything Bree
dies…<br /> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br /></span>Corey is complicated and I love how Melinda wrote Corey.
Corey is rightfully angry at the beginning, and she lashes out. One thing that
is horrible about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies, it comes
from those closest to you and for Corey it was through her chosen
sister. Corey feels the furies judge to harshly but has no remorse for
about the fury she feels towards Bree for her betrayal. I love that Melinda
didn’t give Corey and Bree a happy ending not everything has to end with
butterflies and rainbows and that type of ending would have ruined this book
for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved seeing Corey come to
terms with what happened and how she learns to accepts her fury as part of her
but doesn’t let it consume her like a fury.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Hades is reserved in this retelling, and it was perfect
in this story he was willing to do anything to get Corey to stay with him
without forcing her hand. Super nerdy I know but I like the nod to the orginal
myth when Hades mentions that there might be unknown rules about eating things
that grow in the underworld. Hermes is just the best and I want him to be in my
friendship circle.<br /><o:p> <br /><div style="text-align: center;">The only fault I have is I want more please.</div></o:p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-77336611245438077602024-03-22T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-22T07:00:00.244+00:00Athena's Child by Hannah Lynn<div style="text-align: left;">Hello Readers,<br />Of course, I have snuck another Medusa Myth retelling
into Greek mythology march before we look at Hades and Persephone retellings
next week. This review contains spoilers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNqO_PM6luAIcmmLhB7Jtb0PI38pJ1NKTps8m2j5Zwq5q8gFYedZHNdvKQWJb9J1oW6qxRuQH6cdbgZ-kZv6HrZiYZI-h2Rg08kQHirmWZo5WsZVM_FhVVEJDgUjtBJPR0GWWdDw7OZt0iuMJ2VIvQuIRsNRA2DGtRuEbanoRyEIV6ARk_LA5_enjV4zT/s4032/Athena's%20Child%20by%20Hannah%20Lynn%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNqO_PM6luAIcmmLhB7Jtb0PI38pJ1NKTps8m2j5Zwq5q8gFYedZHNdvKQWJb9J1oW6qxRuQH6cdbgZ-kZv6HrZiYZI-h2Rg08kQHirmWZo5WsZVM_FhVVEJDgUjtBJPR0GWWdDw7OZt0iuMJ2VIvQuIRsNRA2DGtRuEbanoRyEIV6ARk_LA5_enjV4zT/s320/Athena's%20Child%20by%20Hannah%20Lynn%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Just a quick reminder of the myth of Medusa she was raped
by a Poseidon in the temple of Athena (Athene). Instead of enacting revenge of
the perpetrator Athena took away Medusas beauty and turned her into a snake
haired gorgon and Athena made it so anyone who locked gaze with Medusa was
turned into stone. Medusa removed herself from being a problem she moved to a
secluded island with her sister’s so she wouldn’t turn anyone to stone, and you
know what the Gods sent people after her. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>If you think you know the truth about the Myth of Medusa wait
till you read this retelling. Heads up Hannah is going to make you feel all the
emotions. I loved this book it was a quick read, perfectly paced and beautiful written.
I adored that this retelling felt more of a true origin story of Medusa. In my
head this book is spilt into three sections the first is focused on Medusa and
her sisters the second on Danae and the birth of Perseus and the third well we
know how this myth ends.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>At the risk of angering the Goddess of wisdom and
military victory, I loathed Athena by the end of this book. The way Athena helps
Perseus in this book is just rage inducing she sits and completely twists the
narrative of what happened to poor Medusa and even says “She is not human. She
has never been human.” I’m sorry Athena but why are you lying you did this to
your own priestess. Also, Athena pushing the narrative of how much of a monster
Medusa is… SHE PUT HERSELF ON AN ISOLATED ISLAND SO SHE WOULDN'T HURT ANYONE! Can
you tell I’m mad? Sorry for shouting.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>This is one of the most heart-breaking Medusa retellings I
have read… I cried. Final spoiler warning… I think this is the first retelling
that I have read where Euryale and Stheno despise Medusa because they blame
Medusa for them being turned into gorgons and over time, they have isolated her
and even mock Medusa by calling Poseidon Father. Euryale and Stheno not liking Medusa
hurts after reading multiple retellings where they protect her and help her
some to terms with being a gorgon.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I cant wait to read my books by Hannah Lynn and I already
have A Spartan's Sorrow downloaded from Kindle Unlimited.<o:p><br /></o:p><o:p> <br /></o:p><span class="contributorlinkname">Other Books I’ve read
about Medusa.<br /> </span><a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2023/03/medusa-by-jessie-burton.html">Medusa by Jessie Burton</a><br /><a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2024/03/medusas-sisters-by-lauren-ja-bear-gifted.html">Medusa's Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear </a>(Gifted)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-8896357363229405342024-03-21T07:00:00.006+00:002024-03-21T16:19:14.006+00:00Ithaca by Claire North<div style="text-align: left;">Hello Readers,<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>I went into this book with a little knowledge of who Penelope was,
but I loved reading this book and seeing her for the Queen that she is. Ithaca gives
women the spotlight, and the men of myth are just side characters.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfZdXhjSJLe0mHEEiVK_uygipFCeHJMqyeRyIXogmTsiLeduWytnOOMDvNwDz0uScQV2oXD0np6vMzDmZrQi8cuuoXO0Cdj9hA50ybBG5mdfIZK_FuDKseF2oWYMhRatE-xNmsoL2gA-vaU66Qtxs3xe3H_8FAbVoeB6LNjYSbQOgoyG5Dyojn4xQvOhr/s4032/Ithaca%20by%20Claire%20North%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfZdXhjSJLe0mHEEiVK_uygipFCeHJMqyeRyIXogmTsiLeduWytnOOMDvNwDz0uScQV2oXD0np6vMzDmZrQi8cuuoXO0Cdj9hA50ybBG5mdfIZK_FuDKseF2oWYMhRatE-xNmsoL2gA-vaU66Qtxs3xe3H_8FAbVoeB6LNjYSbQOgoyG5Dyojn4xQvOhr/s320/Ithaca%20by%20Claire%20North%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Just a quick little bit of the lore of Penelope. Remember
Helen and all the suitors well It was Odysseus who produced the idea of the
Oath of Tyndareus, the oath was to protect the chosen husband of Helen. Tyndareus in
turn used his influence to ensure that Odysseus would marry his niece,
Penelope. Penelope and Odysseus would live happily together in a palace in
Ithaca, and Penelope would give birth to Telemachus. The Oath of
Tyndareus was invoked by Menelaus, and Odysseus, despite his hesitation,
would have to assemble a force and travel to Troy, to fight for the return of
Helen. Ten years of fighting and multiple detours on the way home would ensue that
Penelope and Odysseus were separated, and during this time, Penelope ruled her
husband’s kingdom in his place.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Readers we have a version of Hera I like. Claire’s Hera
is sarcastic, at times cheeky and outright hilarious at points. Hera is the goddess
of women, marriage and childbirth and she narrates this story. Hera narration is
great and not something I expected when I picked up this book. At times Hera starts
to rage about her position amongst the gods, her conflict with Athena and how pathetic
men can be. It was nice to see Hera façade fade a little and I loved seeing have
a little a soft spot for scheming queens.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p> Through Hera’s eyes, we get the perspective of not
only Penelope, but Clytemnestra, Elektra, and Penelope’s maids. Penelope is
intelligent and I do not envy here having to navigate the hordes of suitors
plaguing her home, Clytemnestra is fiercely unremorseful, and Elektra is intelligent
and articulate. We also get see parts of the story thought the eyes of son
Telemachus, and though several of the suitors. Please don’t be put off by the multiple
points of view at not point while reading Ithaca was I confused or unsure who’s
POV I was in.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Ithaca is set in the aftermath of the Trojan War: we
follow Penelope on Ithaca while her husband Odysseus is on one of the many detours
the God’s send him on during the Odyssey. Penelope’s husband fought in the war
for ten years, and then went missing on his was back for ten years more. Penelope
does not waste time and sit sidle while waiting for Odysseus' return, as
everyone thinks he’s been dead. So, she must entertain a hall of suitors,
contend with a teenage son, and keep the western isles of Greece safe from Mycenae.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Claire’s writing was incredibly she managed to utilise the classical storytelling used by Homer. The writing style is
fantastic each sentence flows into the next in lovely descriptive and poetic
style that just makes you want to keep reading. In my opinion Claire perfectly balanced
respecting the material while adding another layer of snarky and sarcasm that didn’t
ruin the story but instead added a brilliant layer, I didn’t know the Odyssey
needed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-26731224424878478432024-03-20T07:00:00.003+00:002024-03-20T07:00:00.358+00:00Ariadne by Jennifer Saint <div style="text-align: left;">Hello Readers,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The myth of Ariadne is another Greek tragedy. Ariadne is
sadly another woman who falls victim to the hero of the story. She fell in love
with <span class="jpfdse">Theseus</span> and helped in in the Labyrinth by giving
him a ball of thread that helped him his path and escape the Labyrinth after
killing the monster. After Theseus abandons Ariadne there are multiple legends does she hang herself or does <span class="jpfdse">Theseus</span> carries her to Naxos, where she either dies or
marries the god Dionysus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYA70LZ8XU30kQAyM30bl4IaObosDXUyTsBojgQcCSF9WdyKqrpEAknHdRNZoqQkaS9sxeDSuW4Ld1pbx_5o75GwBioEUqjAZ6A6MVNgOiGeVKGfoILj9KbQ_rtVEnVMo4Q3dWcoQPtdkHzYGF4VBHCCnN0HExSOighaJ9ZqKqT373EPxLpsS5mhywmVj/s4032/Ariadne%20by%20Jennifer%20Saint%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYA70LZ8XU30kQAyM30bl4IaObosDXUyTsBojgQcCSF9WdyKqrpEAknHdRNZoqQkaS9sxeDSuW4Ld1pbx_5o75GwBioEUqjAZ6A6MVNgOiGeVKGfoILj9KbQ_rtVEnVMo4Q3dWcoQPtdkHzYGF4VBHCCnN0HExSOighaJ9ZqKqT373EPxLpsS5mhywmVj/s320/Ariadne%20by%20Jennifer%20Saint%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As it turns out dear Reader this was Jennifer’s first book,
and it is a stunning debut. I might be slightly bias as had read Atalanta
first. Once again, I enjoyed Jennifer writing style; it was easy to follow and
inspired me to learn more about Ariadne and Phaedra, Theseus can go sit on a cactus.
I know I might be a little bias as I love running off and doing my own
research.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I enjoyed getting to know more about Ariadne and I found
her relationship with Dionysus fascinating. I’m not ashamed to admit that I will
blame my current preconceptions of Dionysus on Mr D in Percy Jackson. I immediately
found Ariadne to be a fascinating protagonist. She is well fleshed out and she
displays her strength and resilience in the face of adversity. I also found her
relationship with her sister Phaedra heart-warming to read. Even though I said Theseus
can go sit on a cactus I did kind of like his alternate perspective.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Ariadne tells us the story of Minos’ daughters Ariadne
and Phaedra. I will be completely honest I knew more about Ariadne than Phaedra.
Jennifer brings the girls story to the forefront so they’re not just a footnote
in a tale about the heroics of men, but rather how they are the champion of their
own story. I loved how Jennifer depicted the complex relationships within a
family, lovers, and children.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I loved the way the two sisters, Ariadne and Phaedra were
portrayed to be the opposite of each other but in a way that complimented them
as sisters. The story continues to follow their separate lives after Ariadne
and Phaedra part ways abruptly but it’s clear the two sisters never stopped
caring for each other. When they reunite it is clear that both Ariadne and
Phaedra sadly bear the scars of sorrow, love, and disloyalty.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br />Like any great Greek myth this story is beautiful, raw, and shocking. It would
be naïve to think that a retelling might soften the blow dealt to Ariadne but
as with any Greek myth tragedy is just lurking around the corner and this book
is no different. This book is sadly no different and now Ariadne and Phaedra suspicion
of each other a threatens to pull them apart.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-28106230099693856432024-03-19T07:00:00.000+00:002024-03-19T07:00:00.139+00:00Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati <p>Hello Readers,</p><div style="text-align: left;">I’m not saying I agree with all of Clytemnestra’s life
choices…But if my husband lied to me and sacrificed our daughter to a God while
telling me he was taking her to meet her new husband. I think I would have
spent 10 years plotting his death too.<br /> <o:p> </o:p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfRAKQx7wfSJTpnqwzww_eOZU-CYR55GJNrY1snlzIFmYs8iy7DQAjnhzCPkRTu2RCkaZciOKZ1j6cPR6diGDS1V7o0aV3dWIHcXol6lSXB6eKGytqopZCyebU21ai4VjvmEGHFC9reqnQCM-qii7NFDMJoGT2AsNKf6-0SyQt16FVpjcdFExyvZYepon/s4032/Clytemnestra%20by%20Costanza%20Casati%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfRAKQx7wfSJTpnqwzww_eOZU-CYR55GJNrY1snlzIFmYs8iy7DQAjnhzCPkRTu2RCkaZciOKZ1j6cPR6diGDS1V7o0aV3dWIHcXol6lSXB6eKGytqopZCyebU21ai4VjvmEGHFC9reqnQCM-qii7NFDMJoGT2AsNKf6-0SyQt16FVpjcdFExyvZYepon/s320/Clytemnestra%20by%20Costanza%20Casati%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><o:p> <br /></o:p>I think Clytemnestra can be accredited as being one of first
villainesses in literature. Unlike medusa and the other gorgons, the vengeful goddess,
Clytemnestra is just a vengeful human woman. She is the only human villainesses
I can recall in Greek mythology; her identity is not hidden away by being a “monster”
or being a powerful goddess or mythical being. Clytemnestra is known for murdering
her husband, King Agamemnon, after he had fought in the Trojan war for ten
years. But that’s not her only link to the Trojan war she's the sister of Helen
of Troy.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Just like Medusa and Medea and many other women in Greek
myth, Clytemnestra is criticised without second thought “she’s a murderess” but
she is so much more than that. In this retelling, Costanza starts at the
beginning of Clytemnestra childhood, Starting with her early life as a Princess
of Sparta. Costanza shows Clytemnestra as a fiercely strong and protective
woman who will gladly defends her siblings. Clytemnestra was raised with the
training of a spartan warrior but had to live her life according to the notions
of men. From her tyrannical father her first husband, her forced marriage to
Agamemnon and her life as his wife and mother to his children and the events
that follow.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>We see the trauma she suffers at Agamemnon hand; I know I
have given this spoiler away in the opening of this post, but after everything
she faced at the hands of Agamemnon. I think the sacrifice of her eldest
daughter so that Agamemnon’s ships could catch a wind to Troy was the final
straw. Clytemnestra endures and perseveres through abuse, loss, and grief,
including the senseless murder of her first husband and infant son. It’s not
hard to picture why she plotted revenge and took it when the chance was offered.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />I love how we got to see Clytemnestra at different stages
of her life. She could easily have been described as conniving, or a bitter
woman scorned once again. But Costanza shows us how Clytemnestra occasionally
crumbled and at times hardened, but always battled her way through. Clytemnestra
is a woman of dimension there is no denying that she is conniving but she’s
also fierce and strong and resilient. She was a powerful woman in a world that
didn't want her to be one.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>This is Costanza debut novel, and it is a brilliant first
book. The fact that Costanza manages to humanise a woman who can be called the
first villainess is a compliment to her writing style. The writing is beautiful
and fascinating and laced with mythology that hook’s you in. Costanza helps us
as the reader understand the vilified Queen and her motivations through her knowledge
of the ancient Greeks and ancient Greek literature. As this book follows Clytemnestra
from childhood to adulthood there is a lot of time covered in this book so
there are some time jumps but Costanza manages to show us the significant
events that shaped Clytemnestra into the fierce and vengeful character she is
known to be. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without it getting over
complicated and muddy and it doesn’t detract from the overall story. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-54389439527870129742024-03-18T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-18T07:00:00.243+00:00Greek Myths Original vs Retelling <p>Hello Readers,</p><div style="text-align: left;">Today I thought I would share some of my favourite Greek
myths and if I prefer the orginal myth or the retelling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEQGj5dX_WK-fjaaLDM49GhjmVggWrY1RKYIzCjCbvw4VqhOqGHMXnPQAMnxrtItHMt5nQ7eGspk_xmSZqGbyVkPT1NYkCZApJ34_sCS-rSGxlotmv4TZHCwm6fzh14LugZYIK4ekhTdiZkbSIlGQF_YdyhFfKEmXVFqTDghlClOSZ49niM79UyqygMs2/s840/Greek%20Myths%20Original%20vs%20Retelling%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEQGj5dX_WK-fjaaLDM49GhjmVggWrY1RKYIzCjCbvw4VqhOqGHMXnPQAMnxrtItHMt5nQ7eGspk_xmSZqGbyVkPT1NYkCZApJ34_sCS-rSGxlotmv4TZHCwm6fzh14LugZYIK4ekhTdiZkbSIlGQF_YdyhFfKEmXVFqTDghlClOSZ49niM79UyqygMs2/s320/Greek%20Myths%20Original%20vs%20Retelling%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">The Myth of Medusa</span></b><br /> I think I prefer the retellings that have allowed Medusa
to regain her story. Without going into too much detail the story of Medusa as
it is not a nice myth. Medusa was raped by Poseidon in the temple of Athena
(Athene). Medusa was never a monster and I think this is one of the mountains I
am going to die on. Instead of enacting revenge of the perpetrator Athena
turned Medusa into a snake haired gorgon who could turn people into stone. Medusa
removed herself from being a problem she moved to a secluded island with her
sister’s so she wouldn’t turn anyone to stone, and you know what the Gods sent
people after her. Let the woman live in peace. At the risk of
angering the Goddess of wisdom and military victory but to add insult to injury
Athena gives Perseus her mirrored shield to use so he can look through the
shield at Medusa instead of directly upon her so he could chop of her head. So
not only did Athena turn Medusa to stone she helped behead her… like didn’t Medusa
suffer enough.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Hades and Persephone</span></b><br /> I prefer the retellings of this myth where it’s not so
kidnappy. In the orginal myth Hades fell in love with Persephone and decided to
kidnap her. The myth says that Persephone was very unhappy, but eventually she
came to love the cold-blooded Hades and lived happily with him. I am a Hades
groupie I adore this man in retellings. A couple of years ago I read the Hades
& Persephone Series By: Scarlett St. Clair and I was hooked I have read
countless Hades and Persephone retellings some smutty and some regular books
that I found on Kindle Unlimited. At one point I was like I need to move past
Hades this is a slight obsession. But then I think everyone was down the same
rabbit hole I was as more retellings were released from Her Dark Wings by
Melinda Salisbury to Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald. It wasn’t long
before I found myself back under the thralls of the King of the Underworld.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Jason and the Argonauts</span></b><br />I don’t think it matters how many retellings of this
story I read the original myth will always hold a special place in my heart. Determined
to reclaim his throne, Jason agrees to retrieve the Golden Fleece. Jason
assembles a team of great heroes for his crew, and they sail aboard the Argo. I
have tried to listen to the Argonautica, but I just can’t seem to get into it. I
have fond memories of watching the film from 1963 with Mother Goose on bank
holidays and I think it’s the nostalgia that would stop me enjoying a
retelling. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br /></span><o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Orpheus and Eurydice</span></b><br /><span class="jpfdse">Orpheus</span> was a musician in
ancient Greek<span class="jpfdse"> mythology</span>. He went to the underworld to
fetch his wife, Eurydice, who had died. When Orpheus failed to follow the
instructions of <span class="jpfdse">Hades</span>, the god of the
underworld, he lost Eurydice forever. I have a little understanding about this myth,
but I am more familiar with the musical Hadestown. Hadestown is a retelling
that takes us to the underworld and back, intertwining two mythic love stories
that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and his wife
Persephone.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>What is your favourite Greek Myth? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-82669958830777642822024-03-15T07:00:00.000+00:002024-03-15T07:00:00.253+00:00Greek Myth Retellings on my TBR<p>Hello Readers,</p><div>Today I thought I would share some Greek mythology books
that are still on MY TBR pile. I have loved jumping back into Greek myths but
the books are good reads and I love them, but they are long. I will confess I think
I may have slightly over indulged but in the words of Anne Boleyn sorry not sorry.<br />
<o:p> <br /></o:p>For each book I have mentioned I am including the number
of pages, the blurb, and a link to goodreads in case you want to the add the
book to your TBR. I am using cover images I have found through google I do not
own any rights and am using the image purely for review purposes (Fair use
under the copyright act sections 29 and 30 under use for a review).<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Hera by Jennifer Saint</span></b></div><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHaPdqfxK9MraDSj0AxLAumud6KrLKH-Js3gjOTj-Yzv1GhylokrwSE-Ujktdx0k1vPYDoTBkHPFr5e4HWc95lxFrnhGMb-64fh2vVSafzDvHvSLTNtDHyx2q7ibBrTdbC5osTounEi1guvJdvxMLaE038w_X97BSCITrC5H1wY4VyrqNelI-Yw9TWpnC/s600/Hera%20by%20Jennifer%20Saint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="390" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHaPdqfxK9MraDSj0AxLAumud6KrLKH-Js3gjOTj-Yzv1GhylokrwSE-Ujktdx0k1vPYDoTBkHPFr5e4HWc95lxFrnhGMb-64fh2vVSafzDvHvSLTNtDHyx2q7ibBrTdbC5osTounEi1guvJdvxMLaE038w_X97BSCITrC5H1wY4VyrqNelI-Yw9TWpnC/s320/Hera%20by%20Jennifer%20Saint.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><b><br /></b></span>When Hera, immortal goddess and daughter of the ancient
Titan Cronos, helps her brother Zeus to overthrow their tyrannical father, she
dreams of ruling at his side. As they establish their reign on Mount Olympus,
Hera suspects that Zeus might be just as ruthless and cruel as the father they
betrayed. She was always born to rule, but must she lose herself in
perpetuating this cycle of violence and cruelty? Or can she find a way to forge
a better world?<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Often portrayed as the jealous wife or the wicked
stepmother, this retelling captures the many sides of Hera, vengeful when she
needs to be but also compassionate and mostly importantly, an all-powerful
queen to the gods.<br /><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Publication Date:</span> May 23rd 2024 <span style="color: #c27ba0;">Pages:</span> 352 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205956482-hera">Goodreads</a><o:p><br /></o:p><o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes</span></b></div><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBzaXiZ652S0MaJuBZg1t52_K8yvEy2vrLH5HIX8N500zF8mwYpg-9B4S2wwKnrFIzrLPtbW_qS8g9wFV-_Ds7P0JE0d8oq1_va3AAUk4893Nm_XgOiyJQXi6LyB34aUMSgwUu015KPcZFVV1dw7HQgLY-4jaM9IU55KehxFKhKyh4yL5p0Nql6qrB75H/s400/A%20Thousand%20Ships.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBzaXiZ652S0MaJuBZg1t52_K8yvEy2vrLH5HIX8N500zF8mwYpg-9B4S2wwKnrFIzrLPtbW_qS8g9wFV-_Ds7P0JE0d8oq1_va3AAUk4893Nm_XgOiyJQXi6LyB34aUMSgwUu015KPcZFVV1dw7HQgLY-4jaM9IU55KehxFKhKyh4yL5p0Nql6qrB75H/s320/A%20Thousand%20Ships.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><b><br /></b></span>This was never the story of one woman, or two. It was the
story of all of them.</div><div><br />In the middle of the night, Creusa wakes to find her
beloved Troy engulfed in flames. Ten seemingly endless years of brutal conflict
between the Greeks and the Trojans are over, and the Greeks are victorious.
Over the next few hours, the only life she has ever known will turn to ash..<br />The devastating consequences of the fall of Troy stretch
from Mount Olympus to Mount Ida, from the citadel of Troy to the distant Greek
islands, and across oceans and sky in between. These are the stories of the
women embroiled in that legendary war and its terrible aftermath, as well as
the feud and the fatal decisions that started it all. . .</div><div><br />Powerfully told from an all-female perspective, A
Thousand Ships gives voices to the women, girls and goddesses who, for so
long, have been silent.<br /><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Pages:</span> 368 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53487148-a-thousand-ships?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=6istY0beWI&rank=2">Goodreads</a><o:p><br /></o:p><o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller</span></b></div><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6YgnQZGbJ-aH4RzZL7tqD__pOrtamC4kGFUHTu5wr9mHQhyphenhyphenHz-Ey8xemtUi4FDTy5ydkhoD6pH2EXj99ztlqhdIWesiOQk5dZG3dUUUQc5liREd5squF_uiqpKehIoZSilCrxdPvymQZLj6CmcZ6G3tKFd8KiBxXmjmi7t1oFYnzQY0x1_0ep_f8G8ag/s2339/The%20Song%20of%20Achilles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1530" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6YgnQZGbJ-aH4RzZL7tqD__pOrtamC4kGFUHTu5wr9mHQhyphenhyphenHz-Ey8xemtUi4FDTy5ydkhoD6pH2EXj99ztlqhdIWesiOQk5dZG3dUUUQc5liREd5squF_uiqpKehIoZSilCrxdPvymQZLj6CmcZ6G3tKFd8KiBxXmjmi7t1oFYnzQY0x1_0ep_f8G8ag/s320/The%20Song%20of%20Achilles.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>Achilles, "the best of all the Greeks," son of
the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift,
and beautiful, irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young
prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought
together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods'
wrath.</div><div><br />
They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but
when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of
Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise
of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and
fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates
will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.<br /><span style="color: #c27ba0;">
Pages:</span> 408 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58028296-the-song-of-achilles">Goodreads</a><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div> <o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson</span></b></div><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66Mkc8y24Q1bjYQBkFbLbm0tWf2popBybp_U6-dd86a_czGZ2__w9DJ4Pk9PfG6AVBspQHpXML_JDVQjGTs6OH3rFWg21IQYJYQzbsVv5CSNENK7ZZlA4KhJVSbAKL08MklknxFosjA7dTGf5M2XeCnOe6Kcx-_NSveiejugBDqq45nX8u8Zrmr6jKvoK/s400/Herc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66Mkc8y24Q1bjYQBkFbLbm0tWf2popBybp_U6-dd86a_czGZ2__w9DJ4Pk9PfG6AVBspQHpXML_JDVQjGTs6OH3rFWg21IQYJYQzbsVv5CSNENK7ZZlA4KhJVSbAKL08MklknxFosjA7dTGf5M2XeCnOe6Kcx-_NSveiejugBDqq45nX8u8Zrmr6jKvoK/s320/Herc.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><b><br /></b></span>This should be the story of Hercules: his twelve labours,
his endless adventures...everyone's favourite hero, right? Well, it's not. This
is the story of everyone else:<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Alcmene: Herc's mother (She has knives everywhere)<br />
Hylas: Herc's first friend (They were more than friends)<br />
Megara: Herc's wife (She'll tell you about their marriage)<br />
Eurystheus: Oversaw Herc's labours (He never asked for the job)<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>His friends, his enemies, his wives, his children, his
lovers, his rivals, his gods, his victims. It's time to hear their stories. Told
with humour and heart, Herc gives voice to the silenced characters, in this
feminist, queer (and sometimes shocking) retelling of classic Hercules myth.<br /><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Pages: </span>384 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91274442-herc">Goodreads</a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-25382094357110183892024-03-14T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-14T07:00:00.354+00:00Atalanta by Jennifer Saint<div style="text-align: left;">Hello Readers,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> I am excited for Hera to be published in May and I can’t
wait to see the see the different sides of The Queen of the Gods. I thought I
would refresh my memory of Jeniffer’s writing style and reread Atalanta. I know
Atalanta isn’t on my goodreads for last year, but it was one of them books I
read while reacting and I didn’t want to publish a review that was just word
salad.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTXuoXjjqzrgBAY8fA4zl1idAP2zhXuJ3NyVRJ-CrgEVWM5ny-BbN7oEP7hCOEnxtIyMkZx21_Pq_FCudn59sEae_v0eH5tUSdV6m9u_LYqlZvhXZPS2ncPFnnn5Sz1RJ0lNhJHu_MXMtBeBRsWg_TvOXZXeftg2CPDzOOJ2vaWlHCEkpa5GJoH14posj/s4032/Atalanta%20by%20Jennifer%20Saint%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTXuoXjjqzrgBAY8fA4zl1idAP2zhXuJ3NyVRJ-CrgEVWM5ny-BbN7oEP7hCOEnxtIyMkZx21_Pq_FCudn59sEae_v0eH5tUSdV6m9u_LYqlZvhXZPS2ncPFnnn5Sz1RJ0lNhJHu_MXMtBeBRsWg_TvOXZXeftg2CPDzOOJ2vaWlHCEkpa5GJoH14posj/s320/Atalanta%20by%20Jennifer%20Saint%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I grew up watching Jason and the Argonauts (1963) and it
was what inspired me get interested in Greek myths when I was younger, and it
wasn’t till I was an adult I realised there was a character missing not just
any old character but I kind of main character. Why did the film miss out
Atalanta. I was listening to podcast when I heard the name Atalanta mentioned
and jumped down the rabbit hole.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Turns out being born a princess isn’t always as fun as
you would think as Atalanta was left on the side of a mountain because she had
the audacity, nerve and the gumption to be born a girl… I know! She was then
raised by bears because why wouldn’t that be the next step. Atalanta was taken
under the wing of Artemis and the nymphs. Just a side note Artemis is a
demanding custodian and in my opinion is way too harsh with her expectations.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>However, thanks to this “character building” Atalanta
grows into a strong woman who in her adult life will take on a whole ship of
doubtful men on what she can accomplish. Atalanta becomes a skilled bowman and
huntress; Atalanta even takes a vow of chastity to Artemis who in turn gives
her the gift of swiftness and guides her arrows with accuracy. One thing I
loved that despite the forces against her Atalanta is always true to herself
and never apologised for who she is.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I liked Jennifer writing style; it was easy to follow and
inspired me to learn more about the characters. I know I’m a little bias as I
love running off and doing my own research. Jennifer does an incredible job of
knitting together all the myths about Atalanta. I couldn't put this book down
because the worldbuilding was gorgeous and Jennifer created a version of
Atalanta that reader can relate too. You can’t help but get invested in the overlooked
story that accompanies Jason on the Argo. I think this book not only appeals to
Greek myth fans, but to fans of mythological retellings, fantasy readers and
anyone who love a strong female character.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-12185449876609105752024-03-13T07:00:00.003+00:002024-03-13T07:00:00.164+00:00Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold by Stephen Fry<div style="text-align: left;">Hello Readers,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> Just a little note this book is just over the 15 free
hours you get free on Spotify premium for audiobooks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me there was no other option than to have Stephen
narrate this book to me, I think it might have been for the nostalgia.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeP040Frah9Boceoxp9mYpJZkWWn32mwkoE3ulHfLkgQyrAMVnVMQX81U1Nrc3jysQrsRZvrhEocaJmFj72lTs7od6jk5ezq5hpwVi0p_ohprtg3x1Ynwi9ZsfKDiIkoM98QADLguM8YGjPODQYF0opMkVNm1onMJK-v0tO7oVOBlBwSG0u78F77wqtw2/s1051/Mythos%20The%20Greek%20Myths%20Retold%20by%20Stephen%20Fry%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="643" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeP040Frah9Boceoxp9mYpJZkWWn32mwkoE3ulHfLkgQyrAMVnVMQX81U1Nrc3jysQrsRZvrhEocaJmFj72lTs7od6jk5ezq5hpwVi0p_ohprtg3x1Ynwi9ZsfKDiIkoM98QADLguM8YGjPODQYF0opMkVNm1onMJK-v0tO7oVOBlBwSG0u78F77wqtw2/s320/Mythos%20The%20Greek%20Myths%20Retold%20by%20Stephen%20Fry%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Stephen Fry’s narration was simply perfect for me, but I will
admit I am bias as I have a nostalgic love for his narration. There is no
denying that Stephen is a good narrator and he effortlessly it feels like you
are being read a simple story, and not just not having the myths told to you
with no character. Stephen’s narration makes these Gods, Goddesses, demigods,
and everyone they encounter come alive.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The book is witty and gripping but also extremely
interesting without getting too dumpy. Mythos is a beautiful retelling of a
couple of well-known myths. It’s pretty clear that Stephen is extremely knowledgeable
in the myths and history that you can’t help but feel his enthusiasm for these
myths, and it’s a little contagious. Stephen depicts each myth in a light and
easy-to-listen-to manner.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Let’s be honest the Greek Gods are known for being mean, vindictive,
and cruel. However, Stephen’s take on the Gods personalities of the gods made
the slightly less horrid. Greek myths are timeless tales of love, lust,
jealousy, power struggles and so much more. Stephen makes it clear that his
goal with this book is simply to relate the stories, not to interpret them,
but its obvious that he has thoroughly researched this book and has not undertaken
this project lightly.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The book takes us readers rapidly through the family tree
of Ouranos and Gaia, which is filled with Gods and Goddesses some you may
recognise as well as some well-known mythical beasties. I will honestly say I <u><b>NEVER</b></u> thought I would hear Stephen Fry say “Kronos had flung the Sky Father’s
junk” I don’t think I need I complete quote for you to want to read this book.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest
about ancient Greek mythology no matter their previous knowledge of Greek
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it will not be the last dear Reader. I will admit dear Reader I listened to the
audiobook of this on Spotify using the free audiobook hours you get allocated a
month. I loved that Natalie narrated the audiobook as you could tell how passionate
she was telling this story and it’s hard to not get as excited. In fact, I
loved the audiobook that much that I went out and got a physical copy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZYz9N2eRCW7wsltxbB3o3GGNiieOOLKh6tuWMzPUcdKtVJ8OY_zcnBDlwlrcpqHgSlOL_fcgFn0TLVxeMrCHtkOL6rPXeLSzaB2D6bB6VR6knbOd5LxXXBzTus3vJO06YQmVy3hyf9yb8mX0V2Vp0g5vwxt-uzCZYWgTWv1Fj5N65gppH4-OcZvNBrLG/s4032/Pandora's%20Jar%20by%20Natalie%20Haynes%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZYz9N2eRCW7wsltxbB3o3GGNiieOOLKh6tuWMzPUcdKtVJ8OY_zcnBDlwlrcpqHgSlOL_fcgFn0TLVxeMrCHtkOL6rPXeLSzaB2D6bB6VR6knbOd5LxXXBzTus3vJO06YQmVy3hyf9yb8mX0V2Vp0g5vwxt-uzCZYWgTWv1Fj5N65gppH4-OcZvNBrLG/s320/Pandora's%20Jar%20by%20Natalie%20Haynes%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Pandora’s Jar tells us the story of the women in Greek
myths who are often misunderstood or misrepresented and how their roles have
changed over the years and how their stories have changed though modern
interpretations. Each woman gets her own chapter, but many others get mentioned
due to the cross overs between their stories. I thought I knew my Greek Myth not
enough to give a whole lecture but enough to pass by, but I learnt so much in
this book.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Natalie starts with telling us the most popular version
of the myth and then goes back to the earliest available versions of these stories.
As Natalie discusses versions of the myths and how they changed overtime, she
also brings up how those changes reflect the dynamics in our society at the
time. Natalie also shares her depth of knowledge as she analyses the different
kinds of media that mentions the women from Greek myths.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Natalie gave a lot of interesting insights and was just
funny at points. Natalie referenced Jason and the Argonauts and The Clash of
the Titans, and I will say it is true it is mandatory viewing every British
bank holiday. My little black heart couldn’t take the nostalgia at the mention
of Bubo the owl. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>We are back talking about my favourite Gorgon. It wasn’t
until this book that I really thought about if Athena did the “Right” thing
turning Medusa into a Gorgon. Did Athena do this horrific thing to Medusa so no
man could ever hurt her again but then I remember she gave Perseus her mirror shields
to use so he didn’t turn to stone… even with this fact I do keep debating the
ifs, buts and what ifs. Natalie gave Medusa a long chapter and discussed the
many alternate Medusa portrayals, through history.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I honestly can’t wait to read more of Natalie’s work. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-10804486970754825832024-03-11T07:00:00.007+00:002024-03-21T15:45:04.145+00:00Medusa's Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear (Gifted)<p>Hello Readers,</p><div style="text-align: left;">I would like to say thank you to Olivia, and Titan for
sending me a physical copy of Medusa's Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear for free in
exchange for an honest review. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7ClUbeO7PlBEKwf2fZ2G65RS_cwr_5y2ETrzLaxVYeeLK0TcfdDZY4HrzhVdJa9d6wdD8_FehdIfinq3kBWs9lEEPVrVOlnqW-Cexm38ynWFM7FuEw0LO-F92GwezZPqrO4foD5Rv_Pa8NYnipbkMZvSK7j8HLA1DtUH7sTkFsAxyyD1Hgi2_B1tTVNR/s4032/Medusa's%20Sisters%20by%20Lauren%20J.A.%20Bear%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7ClUbeO7PlBEKwf2fZ2G65RS_cwr_5y2ETrzLaxVYeeLK0TcfdDZY4HrzhVdJa9d6wdD8_FehdIfinq3kBWs9lEEPVrVOlnqW-Cexm38ynWFM7FuEw0LO-F92GwezZPqrO4foD5Rv_Pa8NYnipbkMZvSK7j8HLA1DtUH7sTkFsAxyyD1Hgi2_B1tTVNR/s320/Medusa's%20Sisters%20by%20Lauren%20J.A.%20Bear%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>First off, this cover is stunning, and I still have the
book facing out on my bookcase. I am a little late reviewing this book, but I
am so happy I waited till I had stop reacting and had my brain back to full
power to read this book. As an adult I have gained a lot more respect for
Medusa and with my love of Greek mythology growing the past couple of months I
have realised how much not only Medusa, but her sisters have been stigmatised. <br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Medusa was never a monster and I think this is one of the
mountains I am going to die on. She was raped by a God (Poseidon) in the temple of
Athena (Athene). Instead of enacting revenge of the perpetrator Athena took
away Medusas beauty and turned her into a snake haired gorgon and Athena made
it so anyone who locked gaze with Medusa was turned into stone. Medusa removed
herself from being a problem she moved to a secluded island with her sister’s
so she wouldn’t turn anyone to stone, and you know what the Gods sent people
after her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let the woman live in peace.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>This is one of my favourite Greek retelling not only as
this book features Medusa but because Lauren brings Medusa lesser-known sisters
Euryale and Stheno to the forefront as the book is told from their point of
view. This book is beautifully written and full of heart, it was a delight to
watch the sisters grow and grieve together. I felt for Medusa and her
tragic tale, as well as her sisters for being “tainted” for simply being
Medusa’s sister. how can that be a crime? Due to Lauren’s writing style, it was
easy to grow close to each of the sisters and even though we know how medusa’s
story ends you can’t help but get attached them and wish you could change their
story.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>As much as I love the mythological retellings that focus
on the forgotten stories of women, at the expense of men. One thing I loved
more about this retelling is that Lauren brings up that women can be complicit
in these actions including Athena in the Medusa-Athena-Poseidon triangle, and
Euryale's involvement and jealousy. Athena’s motivations for cursing Medusa
made a little more sense in this story to me and how Lauren shows that women in
power can be as rotten as men.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>The storytelling, prose, characters, and plot in this
novel are beautiful and I was captivated from the very first chapter. Without
going into too much detail most of us know the story of Medusa and I brought up
what happened above, but I won’t be going into more detail than that, but I
will say the part in Athena’s temple… its truly gut wrenching in this story. One
of my favourite moments in this book is when Euryale steals Athena's shield
aegis and paints Medusa's likeness upon it. It might be petty, but this retribution
felt especially satisfying as it is a reminder for Athena's transgression and
the legacy she left for Medusa. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-86098259509392493132024-03-09T07:00:00.004+00:002024-03-09T07:00:00.134+00:00Rereading Percy Jackson as an Adult<div style="text-align: left;">Hello Readers,<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>I loved the Percy Jackson series on Disney+ that much I
had to reread the book series. I have not read The Chalice of the Gods yet as I
am waiting for it to be released on paperback. I did reread the first book just
before the series was released back in December, but I did end up reread the
first book again for this week’s reviews. I am also resharing this line from my
review of the tv series but another shout out for the episode titles being the
chapter titles.<br /> <o:p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrerr2XgWOJc5cV1vMlv22_0l6Yu-WzPW-iiV23BLfuAgQ-5fXJz2nwki2a5j4CTFONbBAsyB9o36J33G68SIBORCF0D6HvaDWuc5p3-ja_Wra9dIaEK7iO8kw-2MPvsr0wa8q6_1mJkWeTHwaX1Ko8IA-hjim2VMRTi6j8PdDw4g7SAGgJpnZn5qbulAZ/s2048/Re-reading%20Percy%20Jackson%20as%20an%20Adult%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrerr2XgWOJc5cV1vMlv22_0l6Yu-WzPW-iiV23BLfuAgQ-5fXJz2nwki2a5j4CTFONbBAsyB9o36J33G68SIBORCF0D6HvaDWuc5p3-ja_Wra9dIaEK7iO8kw-2MPvsr0wa8q6_1mJkWeTHwaX1Ko8IA-hjim2VMRTi6j8PdDw4g7SAGgJpnZn5qbulAZ/s320/Re-reading%20Percy%20Jackson%20as%20an%20Adult%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></o:p><o:p> <br /></o:p>I originally reread this series back in 2013 and I still
remember hunting down The Last Olympian in the yellow cover (Hades, I feel OLD)
so it would match the rest of my book covers for my second set complete set.
Yes, I am already side eyeing The Chalice of the Gods for not matching my
collection.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I will say rereading these books as a 31-year-old is
completely different experience also rereading these books after watching the
series was completely new as seeing <span class="heroprimary-text">Walker Scobell</span> as
Percy reminded me that Percy is a lot younger than how I pictured him during my
2015 reread as I pictured Logan Lerman the whole time. I think it might be my
age now but during this reread I think it really hit me that they are just
kids.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I love how Rick has written the whole series as the books
done in a way where you as the reader learn about Greek mythology without
realising it right away. It wasn’t till this reread that I really appreciated
the inside jokes for the people who are well-versed in Greek mythology that
doesn’t mean the books aren’t funny and just all inside jokes the books are
still hilarious at points.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I think this series is worth a reread or even a first as
an adult the book are a good read, and they can act as a soft introduction to Greek
mythology.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Books<br /> <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2024/03/percy-jackson-and-lightning-thief-by.html">Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief</a><br /> <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2024/03/percy-jackson-and-sea-of-monsters-by.html">Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters</a><br /><a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2024/03/percy-jackson-and-titans-curse-by-rick.html">Percy Jackson and The Titan's Curse</a><br /><a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2024/03/percy-jackson-and-battle-of-labyrinth.html">Percy Jackson and the Battle of Labyrinth</a><br /><a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2024/03/percy-jackson-and-last-olympian-by-rick.html">Percy Jackson and The Last Olympian</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-78472895764978711952024-03-08T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-08T07:00:00.136+00:00Percy Jackson and The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">We have made it to the last Percy Jackson book. I know The
Chalice of the Gods came out in September, but I am waiting for the paperback
copy or for the kindle copy to not cost as much as a book (Currently £8.99
while the hardback is £8.49 Side-eye). We also finally get to hear the prophecy
that has been haunting Percy since book one.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_w9cqAb5AhtxyZwcMWCQ4QvQMUitgT07Hv1vklVO1bnHgYL2PA1pCDwADxTbBFMhcDtVcOgIYm98A7eoDtZiXYGjSBIIGzTGEAxvtX_5ii3NwBmzHIlyyXyrV7tQ1PYfDgbg5BQ3pTQpJnnLMlKIAV3p_DlLZFnvwCzbceRzPZwuLev59CSJczmNa3wvz/s4032/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20The%20Last%20Olympian%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_w9cqAb5AhtxyZwcMWCQ4QvQMUitgT07Hv1vklVO1bnHgYL2PA1pCDwADxTbBFMhcDtVcOgIYm98A7eoDtZiXYGjSBIIGzTGEAxvtX_5ii3NwBmzHIlyyXyrV7tQ1PYfDgbg5BQ3pTQpJnnLMlKIAV3p_DlLZFnvwCzbceRzPZwuLev59CSJczmNa3wvz/s320/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20The%20Last%20Olympian%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“A half blood of the eldest gods,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Shall reach sixteen against all odds,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And see the world in endless sleep,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A single choice shall end his days,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Olympus to preserve or raze.”</i></div><p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;">I mentioned during my review of The Titan's Curse that from
then on, the story gets much darker, and this is where we were heading to the
battle of Manhattan or as it is also known The Second Titan War and it is heart
breaking. I don’t know how I will cope if the TV series gets this far.<br />Once again, the way Rick interlinks Greek mythology with
modern world is truly magical and a big part of what makes this series so extraordinary.
One of the things I appreciate in this series is how Rick gets us as the reader
to see all angles and we discover why some of the demigods would choose side
with Kronos. Furthermore, we learn how nobody not even the Gods themselves are
free from blame.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>I know it was considered the last book in this series for
a long time but this book hits you in all the feels. I honestly couldn’t have
asked for a better ending to this series. This book is filled with action,
tough choices, betrayals, and heart, what more could you want for a finale. This
is the longest book in the series but not by much however this book was a quick
read. If I didn’t know the ending of the book, I think I would have read the
book in one go but you know I had to prepare for the emotional damage that I knew
was coming. Sorry for the spoiler but I cried again at the ending of this book
there are two bits that always break me in this book, and it is Silena
Beauregard and the quote "Family Luke, you promised!".<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>The book pretty much starts off with a bang and doesn't slowdown.
We finally get to see how the prophecy plays out, Luke's past, and many other
secrets are revealed. Olympus is under threat and Kronos' attack is imminent. However,
the Gods can't protect Olympus as they are preoccupied battling the Titian, Typhon.
So, Percy and his campmates try to protect Olympus. We are reunited with so
many people from the series that your heart can’t help but feel a little full including
The Hunters of Artemis and The Party Ponies to mention a few. The unrevealing of
the prophecy is heart breaking and its not what you think. The final show down
with Kronos hurts how Rick manages to pack so much of a punch this late in the
story is a testament to his writing and storytelling.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>The gods return to Olympus and reward the
heroes for their courage and valour. They promote Tyson to the rank
of General of the Cyclopes. They instate Annabeth as the official
architect for the redesigning of Olympus. They award Grover the empty seat in
the Council of Cloven Elders. The we get to Percy, the Gods offer Percy
immortality, but he declines and makes three requests.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Firstly, Percy makes the Gods swear on the River Styx
that they will claim all demigods they have sired as soon as they reach
thirteen or as soon as they have reached camp. Secondly Percy asks that Hades
and the minor gods are shown the respected they deserve and given a cabin for
their children at camp. Finally, Percy also asks for the Big Three Pact to dissolved
as its not worked and cause more hassle.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>There is something about Percy making the Gods claim all their
children that feels my little black heart with joy and I love how he hold the
Gods accountable for their roll in rise of Kronos. I know I need to read the
other books in this series and I think I will get round to it sooner rather
than later. Thank you for joining me on Percy Jackson week and I hope you enjoy
the rest of Greek Mythology March.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>From Greek Myths<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Prometheus </li><li>Hyperion </li><li>Typhon</li><li>Morpheus </li></ul> <o:p> <br /></o:p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Did you think we were done with prophecies? <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>To storm or fire, the world must fall,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>An oath to keep with a final breath,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div></div>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-84686351394195626712024-03-07T07:00:00.009+00:002024-03-07T07:00:00.245+00:00Percy Jackson and The Battle of Labyrinth by Rick Riordan<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Poor little baby Nico… <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDqMbuPgzzbpmDb17iavMzeqOzeaBb9XCalRVjpqq-pOE6mMNTd6HZOgOoMB1HuY8mbDp9IBl056bneQSYShL6plEDVyjOE0JIiAqnzUDB-3TvtI40NltVSmGOxq3x_l3Sli7BKr0uJIaVhObBJ73osAZf0eIgvi0JfFM63AdtX0IEEZAcsebx5AiMhbu/s4032/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Battle%20of%20Labyrinth%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDqMbuPgzzbpmDb17iavMzeqOzeaBb9XCalRVjpqq-pOE6mMNTd6HZOgOoMB1HuY8mbDp9IBl056bneQSYShL6plEDVyjOE0JIiAqnzUDB-3TvtI40NltVSmGOxq3x_l3Sli7BKr0uJIaVhObBJ73osAZf0eIgvi0JfFM63AdtX0IEEZAcsebx5AiMhbu/s320/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Battle%20of%20Labyrinth%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“You shall
delve in the darkness of the endless maze,<br />The dead, the
traitor, and the lost one raise.<br />You shall rise
or fall by the ghost king's hand,<br />The child of
Athena's final stand.<br />Destroy with a
hero's final breath,<br />And lose a love
to worse than death.”</i></div><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The opening of this book tries to lighten up the mood
from the events that happen at the end of Titans Curse. As the book begins
with Percy going to a freshmen orientation class at Goode High
School, a school where his mom's boyfriend Paul Blofis teaches. What
could go wrong for the Son of Poison well he bumps into Rachel Elizabeth Dare
and things just go downhill from there and of course the school ends up on
fire.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This time around Annabeth oversees the quest as the
oracle selected her. For their quest, they must find Daedalus, the creator of
the Labyrinth. Percy and Annabeth accidently stumble upon an opening into the
labyrinth while training at Camp Half-Blood. The labyrinth can lead you to
anywhere, however it is very easy to get lost. Now that Camp Half-Blood has a
vulnerable spot, the camp is in even more danger.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The labyrinth itself and Daedalus were remarkably
portrayed, and I loved the twists that both contain. I really liked how
the Labyrinth was designed in this book as without you really knowing, you could
be coming out of one of the Labyrinth’s entrances on the opposite side of the
world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also adored Mrs O'Leary the
hell hound and the new issue of having a giant dog such as giant chew toys. I
will quiet happily volunteer as tribute to walk Mrs O’Leary and Cerberus.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Poor little baby Nico… he is having a hard time grieving
the loss of his sister. Nico ran way at the end of the last book and has been camping
in the Underworld along the banks of the River Styx, with Minos.
Yes that Minos the one that was a King of Crete and son of Zeus. After his
death, Minos along with his brothers became Judges of the Dead. Minos is
taking advantage of Nico’s grief and the fact he is a Son of Hades. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Nico is still angry with Percy because he blames him for
Bianca's death, but when they raise the spirit of Bianca, she tells
him it was her own fault she died, and that Percy wasn’t to blame. Bianca had
warned Percy about Nico’s plan to try raise her from the dead by sending Percy
Iris messages.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I hope we get all the books adapted to the screen on
Disney+ but I’m not sure how I’m going to feel about seeing this book on the
screen. In the last book the whole mood of the books changed but for me from
here the books feel claustrophobic, I don’t know if its hindsight, being in the
Labyrinth or if it’s the writing.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">From Greek Myths <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Briares (Hekatonkheires)</li><li>Kampe </li><li>Telekhines</li><li>Sphinx</li><li>Geryon</li><li>Orthrus</li><li>Empousai </li><li>Antaeus</li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Happy World Book Day</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-91721517620486684242024-03-06T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-06T07:00:00.248+00:00Percy Jackson and The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This is the book where everything changes slight spoiler
dear Reader but from this book on the story is much darker. We do get to meet more
of my favourite characters we meet Rachel Elizabeth Dare and Nico di
Angelo or as he’s been referred to while reading poor little baby Nico.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6hxwM3qO_AQpUZleX68mOVxYX2EWTK2Tlmqrag-U7Li1Zqf6j1ra8yfMMuvjDWR963ksA3xNmNSbGIzYJqiWeR0Ho8pvZdNvxP-5pF5dlEqsj2VvWX2x41y2yi_2yeJUPPa5l-Yd3YfKsa8X5n_YSikGcGNezWaz01pSwpBHj6w8ZdiQp7FQv0aluNCk/s4032/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20The%20Titan's%20Curse%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6hxwM3qO_AQpUZleX68mOVxYX2EWTK2Tlmqrag-U7Li1Zqf6j1ra8yfMMuvjDWR963ksA3xNmNSbGIzYJqiWeR0Ho8pvZdNvxP-5pF5dlEqsj2VvWX2x41y2yi_2yeJUPPa5l-Yd3YfKsa8X5n_YSikGcGNezWaz01pSwpBHj6w8ZdiQp7FQv0aluNCk/s320/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20The%20Titan's%20Curse%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“Five shall go west to the goddess in chains,</i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>One shall be lost in the land without rain,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The bane of Olympus shows the trail,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Campers and Hunters combined prevail,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Titan's curse must one withstand,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And one shall perish by a parent's hand.”</i></div></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As I have already stated this is the book where
everything changes and with full spoilers this is the book our heroes luck runs
out and we not only have one death but two. Up until this book death is skirted
around and just mention as something that only happened off to the side of the story
or to the monsters.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I loved that in this book we get a proper introduction to
Thalia. At the end of Sea of Monsters, the Golden Fleece works a little too
well and Thalia is fully healed, and the books ends before we really get to
meet her. In fact, she only gets to say her name on the last line of the book. Thalia
is a daughter of Zeus, yes, the big three shouldn’t have kids but here we are
they are all full of rubbish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The story starts out like you would expect Percy,
Annabeth, and Thalia are trying to assist Grover as he is attempting to sneak
out two half-bloods from a private military school. Things obviously get messy
(I’m not pointing fingers, but Percy listen to Thalia) and during the battle
Annabeth is stolen away. Artemis and her hunters save the day. Not only do we
meet Artemis we meet her lieutenant Zoë who plays an important role as she is
the person given the prophecy by the oracle.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As you can tell from the prophecy the Hunters and the
campers must work together. As you can probably guess there is more than one
quest afoot the Goddess Artemis has been captured and something had happened to
Annabeth. It isn’t long till they realise that both Annabeth and Artemis have
been abducted by the same forces. Despite Zoë best efforts Percy ends up sneaking
his way to assist the quest.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In this book we get introduced to so many new characters,
but they are all distinct and unique with their own motives and distinct
personalities, and lovable in their own way. We algo get to meet Artemis and
her Hunters and we have appearances from Artemis, Apollo, Aphrodite, Ares, and
Athena, among other gods and we even meet the Titan Atlas.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In my review of the Tv series I mentioned a cannon event
that was confirmation by showrunners when we can hear the name “Bianca” in “We
Take a Zebra to Vegas” this is the book where we as the readers find out that Bianca
and her brother Nico were at the lotus hotel the same time as Percy, Annabeth,
and Grover in the lightening thief.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">From Greek Myths <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Manticore </li><li>Ophiotaurus </li><li>Skeleton Warriors </li><li>Nemean Lion</li><li>Erymanthian Boar </li><li>Talos </li><li>Ladon </li><li>Atlas </li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Poor Little Baby Nico <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-39394907738951859692024-03-05T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-05T07:00:00.135+00:00Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">We are continuing my love for the Percy Jackson series
today by reviewing book two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love Sea
of Monsters and it is the book that made me fall in love with the character
more, I don’t mean any shade to the first book, but I think everyone develop
more in this book.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12KaXN0zCkpjR3Zsrv6kh9BJa80RY5OX0nDook-h6-XufE5uW9VGA3yCLJTewyL2D43P4jUeffAlX3W9ZvJbncjaLbvknE7jxeEP_ZKwmwMY9vijY82hTX6vlyk7ora9MeIQDJnQwuJOdy2UHEiZU33sbCevqxisPky4nbz1evrFReiKrVCx4JEQtI2yZ/s4032/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Sea%20of%20Monsters%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12KaXN0zCkpjR3Zsrv6kh9BJa80RY5OX0nDook-h6-XufE5uW9VGA3yCLJTewyL2D43P4jUeffAlX3W9ZvJbncjaLbvknE7jxeEP_ZKwmwMY9vijY82hTX6vlyk7ora9MeIQDJnQwuJOdy2UHEiZU33sbCevqxisPky4nbz1evrFReiKrVCx4JEQtI2yZ/s320/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Sea%20of%20Monsters%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"You shall sail the iron ship with warriors of bone,</i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You shall find what you seek and make it your own,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But despair for your life entombed within stone,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And fail without friends, to fly home alone!"</i></div></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Camp half-blood is in trouble the magical boundary that
protects Camp Half-Blood is weakening and deadly monsters are breaching the
boarder. The boundary isn’t jutting a boundary the boundary was technically a
gift from Zeus. When Thailia’s daughter of Zeus was mortally wounded Zeus
transformed his daughter into a pine tree on Half-Blood Hill to
stop her from dying and the boundary was created to protect the camp.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Thalia's Pine Tree has been poisoned and
the magical borders around camp are failing the camps only choice is to send a
hero on a quest to find the Golden Fleece. The Fleece is located in the Sea of
Monsters aka the Bermuda Triangle (Side eye). You would think that a child of
Poseidon would be the automatic choice for such a quest, but Tantalus and
Dionysus chose Clarisse La Rue… a child of Ares. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Percy wants to go on the quest for the Fleece as he has
been having dreams about his friend Grover the satyr, who has been captured by
a Cyclops that just happens to be living on an island in the Sea of Monsters.
Clarisse doesn’t pick Percy or Annabeth and instead they go on a sperate
quest that is given to them by the God Hermes.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In this book we get to see how messy it is being part of
the Greek pantheon family. In this book we learn how easy it was for Luke to
give his allegiance to Kronos as the Gods treat their children terribly. It’s
heart breaking seeing how Hermes tried to reach Luke indirectly through Percy
to get him to turn back to the light. We got to see more of Luke's childhood and
understand how he feels the way he does and the reasoning behind his choices.
Seeing this different side to the Greek Gods' family was a refreshing.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Clarisse La Rue existence annoys me during the first book
she nothing but a bully and is just there in the way. However, in Sea of
Monsters she becomes a better fleshed out character and you understand her
more. This is also the same for our golden trio of Percy, Grover, and Annabeth.
In this book we are introduced to another one of my favourite characters Tyson
who is Percy's half-brother and a cyclops. Tyson is such a pure being and I am
all for helping a team protect him from everything.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I don’t know if it’s because I’ve read the Lighting thief
too many times or watched the movies too many time but for me the story picks
up better in book two. That doesn’t mean I hate the first book I just like it a
little less. The plot wasn't as predictable as the first book and we get
introduced to more Gods, new creatures from myths and multiple new characters. This
book is also slightly more hectic than the first, but I think that might be due
to the story being more of an epic adventure.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Join me tomorrow for my review of The Titans Curse</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">From Greek Myths <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Polyphemus </li><li>Tantalus</li><li>Laistrygonian Giants</li><li>Colchis Bulls</li><li>Stymphalian Birds</li><li>Charybdis and Scylla</li><li>Circe</li><li>Scythian Dracaena</li><li>Agrius and Oreius</li><li>Sirens</li><li>Hydra</li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-42928903613948557162024-03-04T07:00:00.030+00:002024-03-04T07:00:00.132+00:00Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I loved the <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2024/03/percy-jackson-and-olympians-review.html">Percy Jackson series </a>on Disney+ that much I had
to reread the book series. I reread the first book just before the series was
released back in December, but I did end up rereading the first book again for
this week’s reviews. I am also resharing this line from my review of the tv
series but another shout out for the episode titles being the chapter titles.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xMsij8TmwgcdTF_LA7y2fdxWh3CGfGrfzW0D11ynVj4jDoYBEnYh3YfJ0KjwXZ2KmW2WArOXHDrPUtLDI0K3jts9HfhlWr1k8XctwUds-GlzFOl1zUtqe8jcrmlVGRZVTEcCFsVtXd32eXxo2AH_MkMr3iBCKZ3gJB7fjqFZs3cjKYgMOlYnJN-iH1bE/s4032/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Lightning%20Thief%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xMsij8TmwgcdTF_LA7y2fdxWh3CGfGrfzW0D11ynVj4jDoYBEnYh3YfJ0KjwXZ2KmW2WArOXHDrPUtLDI0K3jts9HfhlWr1k8XctwUds-GlzFOl1zUtqe8jcrmlVGRZVTEcCFsVtXd32eXxo2AH_MkMr3iBCKZ3gJB7fjqFZs3cjKYgMOlYnJN-iH1bE/s320/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Lightning%20Thief%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>"You shall go west, and face the god who has turned,<br />
You shall find what was stolen, and see it safely returned,<br />
You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend,<br />
And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end."</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><br /></i></p></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Don’t get me wrong I love Greek mythology but one thing I
don’t love about the original Greek myths is how long winded they can be like The
Iliad is an epic poem in 24 books and takes a while to get going. The
Lightning Thief jumps right into action there isn't a long winded warm-up or introduction.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The Lightning Thief is beautifully written, we have
action, touching moments, plot twists, creatures from Greek mythology and Greek
Gods and Goddesses. Rick has created the book in a way where you as the reader learn
about Greek mythology without realising it right away.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I don’t know if it’s because I have recently watched the
TV series and the films, but it was hard to put this book down and I read it in
a day. One thing I will say that if you have only ever seen the films it was
during this reread that I realised how different the two are. Once again, I am
not saying the movie is bad in fact, I liked the movie but compared to the
source material its different.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">There are so many lovable characters in this book and
great character development which can be hard to show with such young characters.
One think that I have always loved about this book is that Percy is not a
perfect kid or the perfect protagonist who gets everything right the first time.
He makes mistakes and he learns from them. As well as Percy our book follows
his friends Annabeth and Grover. Annabeth is a strong and knows her own mind I mean
what more do you expect for a daughter of Athena and Grover is the best friend
everyone wishes they had oh and he is a satyr.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I loved the references to famous landmarks in the USA and
the light-hearted humour between Percy, Grover, and Annabeth. I am nerdy enough
to say I created a map and crossed of the landmarks Percy wrecked during this series.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I don’t think I am ever going to get tired of this series. Check
back tomorrow for my review of The Sea of Monsters. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">From Greek Myths <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Furies</li><li>Chiron</li><li>The Fates</li><li>Minotaur</li><li>Hellhound</li><li>Medusa</li><li>Echidna</li><li>Chimera</li><li>Procrustes</li><li>Charon</li><li>Cerberus</li><li>Pit Scorpion</li></ul><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-21237840546565869152024-03-01T07:00:00.003+00:002024-03-03T14:13:49.741+00:00Percy Jackson and the Olympians Review <p>Hello Readers,</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="pzpzlf">It’s been a month since the season
finally aired and this review is going to contain spoilers. I adored this
series it was everything I could have wanted in a screen adaption I think this
is because Rick </span>Riordan <span class="pzpzlf">was so hands on. </span>I
have no rights to the poster image below (Fair use under the copyright act
sections 29 and 30 under use for a review).</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="pzpzlf"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VGdUtMuFi_9-q5CCmP_41XvITndHmur77soTZ5o88HySfE_dgMLp2a7fmEO8yXyMLicAXRuYWRuRNZy5PO4Ozm2nCtX9haGwVwpaXRpOALuAr0sJLhbzae0ZgDXyKkygTHbUvX6GtJ1099ckP2-LGZmoJeAoNT9BCQmdZWy6HaH8MEeaLosP9BUW2Nji/s2223/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Olympians%20Review%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2223" data-original-width="1791" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VGdUtMuFi_9-q5CCmP_41XvITndHmur77soTZ5o88HySfE_dgMLp2a7fmEO8yXyMLicAXRuYWRuRNZy5PO4Ozm2nCtX9haGwVwpaXRpOALuAr0sJLhbzae0ZgDXyKkygTHbUvX6GtJ1099ckP2-LGZmoJeAoNT9BCQmdZWy6HaH8MEeaLosP9BUW2Nji/s320/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Olympians%20Review%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.webp" width="258" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="pzpzlf">This series has not only inspired me
to reread the Percy Jackson series reignited my love for ancient Greece to the
point I have read enough books to do a whole month of Greek Mythology books. I hope
you enjoy Greek Mythology March. I did reread the first book just before the
series was released and I am such a nerd that noticed the episode titles were chapter
titles and my little black heart couldn’t take it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="pzpzlf">I think it’s my age dear Reader but seeing
</span><span class="heroprimary-text">Walker Scobell</span> as Percy was a completely
different feeling to when I saw Logan Lerman. This isn’t shade to Logan or the
films as I like both of them but seeing <span class="heroprimary-text">Walker</span>
was like oh, he’s just a baby the poor thing is in for so much and as much as I
want to, I can't change his story. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slight spoiler
dear Reader but the cannon and confirmation by showrunners of hearing “Bianca”
in “We Take a Zebra to Vegas” just broke my heart poor baby Nico.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The books are steeped in family and friendship, and
without the right casting, all of that could’ve been lost and was a concern I had
when found out the books were getting a tv series. In my opinion I think that every
member of the cast is perfect for their role whoever cast <span class="heroprimary-text">Jason Mantzoukas as </span>Mr. D needs a raise. The main three of Percy, Grover, and Annabeth were
simply perfect and its clear they have great chemistry together which is
important for these rolls.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I know that some people haven’t liked this adaption of the
book and obviously that’s okay. For me this is kind of how book to screen adaptions
should be done. It’s clear this series has been made with love and care for the
source material and is a genuine retelling of The Lightning Thief that has been
updated slightly from when the books were published.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">While the writers have stuck closely to the source
material, the third episode (‘We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium’) marks the
biggest change. This is a change I am grateful for as this episode gives us a
fascinating glimpse at the tragedy of Medusa. I am over Medusa being a monster she
never was. I loved the change in her portrayal as her motivation in wanting to
‘aid’ Percy have changed and it better into the key themes of the series, where
we start to question the gods’ murky motives and morality.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">There are so many bits from this series that live rent
free in my head <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Cerberus</li><li>Mr D</li><li>Annabeth’s look of betrayal </li><li>Grover is my spirit animal</li><li>The box</li><li>Hermes </li><li>Hephaestus</li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-65091909704677111142024-02-29T07:00:00.001+00:002024-02-29T07:00:00.138+00:00The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C L Miller<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Thank you, NetGalley for giving access to an eBook copy
of The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C L Miller for free in exchange for
an honest review. As this is a publication day review my post will be spoiler
free. The eBook I received from NetGalley doesn't do the cover justice, so I am
using a cover image I have found through google (Fair use under the copyright
act sections 29 and 30 under use for a review). </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Happy Publication Day</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Title: </span></b>The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Author:</span></b> Murder by C L Miller<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Genre: </b></span>Mystery, Cosy mystery, Thriller, Crime
Fiction, Humorous Fiction<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Pages: </span></b>331<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Cover Image:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="color: #45818e;"><b></b></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRvy0nMtFnB7SRoxFEsavS2vDQM_o75ntpL7X9h-OGXa0qttWL2QfTF07ESHUddP4RjRmsXnx7U2HtB84HX8DSmBgIq0J0RnbSAUcU-1UPhpALU7hmsZaZuBaOIXA3dYKjycUR6x2of0idl7sFxJKafRQreAK10t_vR1RHMCpXod-0Jtz98j5_iygOwLG/s392/The%20Antique%20Hunter's%20Guide%20to%20Murder%20by%20C%20L%20Miller%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRvy0nMtFnB7SRoxFEsavS2vDQM_o75ntpL7X9h-OGXa0qttWL2QfTF07ESHUddP4RjRmsXnx7U2HtB84HX8DSmBgIq0J0RnbSAUcU-1UPhpALU7hmsZaZuBaOIXA3dYKjycUR6x2of0idl7sFxJKafRQreAK10t_vR1RHMCpXod-0Jtz98j5_iygOwLG/s320/The%20Antique%20Hunter's%20Guide%20to%20Murder%20by%20C%20L%20Miller%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.png" width="208" /></a></b></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Synopsis:</b></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="a-text-italic">Freya, it’s down to you to
finish what I started . . .</span> Freya Lockwood has avoided the quaint
English village in which she grew up for the last 20 years. That is until news
arrives that Arthur Crockleford, antiques dealer, and Freya’s estranged mentor,
has died . . . and the circumstances seem suspicious.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="a-text-italic">You will uncover an invitation;
I implore you to attend . . .</span> But when a letter from Arthur is
delivered, sent just days before his death, and an ordinary pine chest
concealing Arthur’s journals are revealed, Freya finds herself sucked back into
a life she’d sworn to leave behind.<br />
<br />
<span class="a-text-italic">But beware, trust no-one. Your life depends on it . .
.</span> Joining forces with her eccentric Aunt Carole, Arthur’s staunch best
friend, Freya follows both clues and her instincts to an old manor house for an
‘antiques enthusiasts weekend’. But not is all as it seems; the antiques are
bad reproductions, and the guests all have something to hide. <span class="a-text-bold">Can Freya and Carole solve the mystery and unearth the killer
before they strike again?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="color: #45818e;">Miniature Review</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I absolutely loved this murder mystery story. This is a brilliant
debut its incredibly clever set in a country house mansion. Where are my Saltburn
fans at. This book is well-written even hilarious and out right sassy at points,
well plotted and not everything is as it seems.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The pacing was perfect for me, the clues were clever, and
nobody could be trusted. This book was exceptionally structured and didn’t get
muddy at any point. A lot of whodunnits cosy crime novels have been published recently
and it can feel like they are all becoming a little bit samey, but that thought
didn’t even cross my mind while reading this book. Without giving too much away
this book has an edge which helps it stand out.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This book is filled with forgeries, past histories, and
murders have to be solved. I am stupidly excited that this is the first book in
this series, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for C L Miller and she is now
on the auto buy list. We all know the antiques world can be worth a fortune,
but there is a darker side to the antiques business.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Our main protagonist Freya is a former antique hunter who
has kept herself to herself and avoided her past and the village of Little
Meddington for over two decades. Freya is braver and smarter than she thinks,
and I enjoyed seeing her confidence start to bloom and seeing her reclaim her
identity. The story is mostly told from Freya's point of view, however there
are occasional chapters that are told from the points of view of other
characters. This was a clever tool used by C L Miller as it gave us as the
readers the chance to know what was going on without having to know a great
deal about antiques and antiquities.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I can't wait to see what happens next. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-34006087903955465262024-02-28T07:00:00.001+00:002024-02-28T07:00:00.134+00:00York Ghost Merchants <p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Last weekend I was lucky enough to go to York and visit
the Ghost Merchants. The main shop is currently shut but I was lucky enough to
visit the dispensary please don’t be mad Dear Reader I forgot to take photos
inside of the Dispensary itself. The Shambles shop is currently closed for
maintenance and will re-open on the 29th of February and currently the Dispensary
is open 10am-5:30pm till the main shop reopens.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJ1ue_ml8K6XWE68s1jJKQ9zFmocFRF_epiaE_9HZmz3W5s3lW70VmG_K9zC_Jdz3MDh7iOK5W6ZY0eDQ2A2p-R4F1T-KVLYhnleELszUJ7EeexESrXNH3GaNEnKfOmkVCEoorZz4nt3SEMgwVTKG_914HrugEJA1ahderhYNXV8d0Oqewm4N4V7hboCl/s2167/428409440_936870624713877_1818828092908183300_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2167" data-original-width="2043" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJ1ue_ml8K6XWE68s1jJKQ9zFmocFRF_epiaE_9HZmz3W5s3lW70VmG_K9zC_Jdz3MDh7iOK5W6ZY0eDQ2A2p-R4F1T-KVLYhnleELszUJ7EeexESrXNH3GaNEnKfOmkVCEoorZz4nt3SEMgwVTKG_914HrugEJA1ahderhYNXV8d0Oqewm4N4V7hboCl/s320/428409440_936870624713877_1818828092908183300_n.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #45818e;">What is The Ghost Merchants?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The ancient city of York is well known for its ghosts and
has a reputation for being the most haunted city in Europe, perhaps even the
world. A turbulent and torturous past has given rise to a collection of ghostly
happenings across various locations in York and have become a huge part of
York’s legacy like the Vikings and Romans. Or Dear Reader it could be that there
is a rich tradition in York of telling ghost stories that stretch back for centuries.
There is no denying that ghosts are an integral part of York's history.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This is where the Ghost Merchants comes in, they are the
makers and sellers of the original York Ghosts. Each ghost is handmade in their
workshops either above the shop on the Shambles or around the corner at the Georgian
townhouse on St Saviourgate. The ghosts are handmade to ensure that each York
Ghost is unique, and each ghost is completed with an embossed maker’s mark.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #45818e;">What is The Dispensary?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The Dispensary is a trading booth sited in St Anthonys
Garden just 5 minutes’ walk from the main shop on the Shambles. The Dispensary was
created to try and help reduce waiting times during busy periods away from the
hustle & bustle of the Shambles. The Dispensary stocks a smaller selection
of the Original and Little York Ghosts, and they only take card payment. Just a
quick note usually The Dispensary isn’t usually open every day and they don’t keep
regular hours.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-o7peqVT_EtaZAKKL7QUV47AlUq12SUDViXJ4BDU-u8Alj6cyP6VwGV3fxvvOZCVTuoN5SLO_mwTzHHq-mKcdXjV385Z2K4MyL57K3g2lj05_LjyO0_PA-Juuni6PQ3PegzbbXAzhEPNYW0-eUMoh_qLjkwU5JXyox5ulAUIIeVMOeCMbazFY1p-tJ-0/s4032/428433745_1371442203575823_3107563122924869203_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1962" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-o7peqVT_EtaZAKKL7QUV47AlUq12SUDViXJ4BDU-u8Alj6cyP6VwGV3fxvvOZCVTuoN5SLO_mwTzHHq-mKcdXjV385Z2K4MyL57K3g2lj05_LjyO0_PA-Juuni6PQ3PegzbbXAzhEPNYW0-eUMoh_qLjkwU5JXyox5ulAUIIeVMOeCMbazFY1p-tJ-0/s320/428433745_1371442203575823_3107563122924869203_n.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">A lot of thought has gone into everything at The Ghost
Merchants and The Dispensary. I know I didn’t go into the Ghost Merchants but
from the shop window I could see everything was themed perfectly to fit the aesthetic
of being down the shambles. While the Dispensary is in the shadow of a 15th
century church, a medieval guild hall and the city walls. Both locations also have little photo booths where you can photograph the ghost you have chosen to take home.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As well as being set in a perfect location the Ghosts Merchants
packaging is exquisite. The boxes feature a hand drawn Ghost Merchants shop, the
Original York Ghost is wrapped in an 1852 map of York. While the Little York
Ghost comes in the “Boo” box with an oval gilt-edged viewing window which I have
seen on social media, and it looks so cute. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4ovEemJDo1dvzRYOZRONIjGhq-rS4aRwWIwEnaMd1DlIrBA-3UMPQRKWojgiF2cVtVhqMXCbllGuQRT0nSf6eptejE7WX-TBX3VeJlyLQPNY12pDTfHOB4iDPThiDrfOtfSOpDyq6wfbmIfZOb9A3PLdNnIc8uJszlQoeyzROBw-vrfFSjwvFfxqwdi-/s3656/428478761_1119370095741447_5024723033803282531_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3656" data-original-width="3022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4ovEemJDo1dvzRYOZRONIjGhq-rS4aRwWIwEnaMd1DlIrBA-3UMPQRKWojgiF2cVtVhqMXCbllGuQRT0nSf6eptejE7WX-TBX3VeJlyLQPNY12pDTfHOB4iDPThiDrfOtfSOpDyq6wfbmIfZOb9A3PLdNnIc8uJszlQoeyzROBw-vrfFSjwvFfxqwdi-/s320/428478761_1119370095741447_5024723033803282531_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-22587905581737625172024-02-27T07:00:00.005+00:002024-03-07T14:59:39.998+00:00Books on my Goodreads TBR<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today I thought I would share some books on my Goodreads to
be read list. I have gone on a bit of an adding binge dear Reader. For each
book I have mentioned I am including the number of pages, the blurb, and a link
to goodreads in case you want to the add the book to your TBR. I am using
poster images I have found through google I do not own any rights and am using
the image purely for review purposes (Fair use under the copyright act sections
29 and 30 under use for a review). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Evocation by S.T. Gibson </b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5roIAfbnt-wfoIbBS9HObEictHVZuBWh_Z6KMIUy-xDhmloXPIkFgP-NUHHoj_YGu_IhSc07F4UPCC5VZNC3xG0QsW3WyV-DYZaRJpeODpEhiMX6Tsp1-PqSPziriuMB_vjPKT5L_gau776jr9x1Yep9LytOkhJR7JKuwL2QOhZFlZdaSkZOyD7ddbd4/s1500/Evocation%20by%20S.T.%20Gibson%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="981" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5roIAfbnt-wfoIbBS9HObEictHVZuBWh_Z6KMIUy-xDhmloXPIkFgP-NUHHoj_YGu_IhSc07F4UPCC5VZNC3xG0QsW3WyV-DYZaRJpeODpEhiMX6Tsp1-PqSPziriuMB_vjPKT5L_gau776jr9x1Yep9LytOkhJR7JKuwL2QOhZFlZdaSkZOyD7ddbd4/s320/Evocation%20by%20S.T.%20Gibson%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="209" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a teen, David Aristarkhov was a psychic prodigy,
operating under the shadow of his oppressive occultist father. Now, years after
his father’s death and rapidly approaching his thirtieth birthday, he is
content with the high-powered life he’s curated as a Boston attorney,
moonlighting as a powerful medium for his secret society. But with power comes
a price, and the Devil has come to collect on an ancestral deal. David’s days
are numbered, and death looms at his door. Reluctantly, he reaches out to the
only person he’s ever trusted, his ex-boyfriend and secret Society rival Rhys,
for help. However, the only way to get to Rhys is through his wife, Moira.
Thrust into each other’s care, emotions once buried deep resurface, and the
trio race to figure out their feelings for one another before the Devil steals
David away for good… <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pages: 400 - Publication Date: May 28 2024 – <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123288408-evocation">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpa-bgohGLknhR1zm7DO8HpGu_tOnrnGU2wrdUu8M7-ksUF5XlUheUz6Ozr0UbJnUmu2DZN0U5xXsF24J_VN1zmWRAoUdU3ZxTAKQ64JX7izceI9f0AaVmKU99d0t_hPYTMOokPUycmnKoa86i5_9m0RSBvUKFLhSkKopnoUGd023hH1j3ZKX18mdUYd48/s1511/Sleep%20Like%20Death%20by%20Kalynn%20Bayron%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpa-bgohGLknhR1zm7DO8HpGu_tOnrnGU2wrdUu8M7-ksUF5XlUheUz6Ozr0UbJnUmu2DZN0U5xXsF24J_VN1zmWRAoUdU3ZxTAKQ64JX7izceI9f0AaVmKU99d0t_hPYTMOokPUycmnKoa86i5_9m0RSBvUKFLhSkKopnoUGd023hH1j3ZKX18mdUYd48/s320/Sleep%20Like%20Death%20by%20Kalynn%20Bayron%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="212" /></a></b></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Only the truly desperate - and foolish - seek out the
Knight, an ancient monster who twists wishes into curses. Eve knows this
first-hand: one of her mothers was cursed by the Knight and trapped in the body
of a songbird. With the unique abilities to communicate with animals and
conjure weapons from nature, Eve has trained all her life to defeat him. With
more and more villagers harmed by the Knight's corrupt deals, Eve believes
she's finally ready to face him. But when Queen Regina begins acting strangely -
talking to seemingly no one, isolating herself, and lashing out at the
slightest provocation - Eve must question if her powers are enough to save her
family and her kingdom. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pages: 352 – Publication Date: July 2 2024 – <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195391717-sleep-like-death">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">The Madness by Dawn Kurtagich <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLUuE5oXywWYrG0Z3zVl_XLSJLDL1szPqaoKhtaCek06g1_7aT0IxR_oVTQEUBpGLSpBDvz9XbzjjNZimuNUrVn0b3zTZI8B4EQwwv8bzGNkPKoZ0rR48Jj7PwWiZr89IfYwVIDBmNpzfR_gP4osEOvbeNzKS3bH4YKJOIHLrLDSWk84-epaDtkdgQpd-/s1500/The%20Madness%20by%20Dawn%20Kurtagich%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="991" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLUuE5oXywWYrG0Z3zVl_XLSJLDL1szPqaoKhtaCek06g1_7aT0IxR_oVTQEUBpGLSpBDvz9XbzjjNZimuNUrVn0b3zTZI8B4EQwwv8bzGNkPKoZ0rR48Jj7PwWiZr89IfYwVIDBmNpzfR_gP4osEOvbeNzKS3bH4YKJOIHLrLDSWk84-epaDtkdgQpd-/s320/The%20Madness%20by%20Dawn%20Kurtagich%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="211" /></a></b></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With one unexpected email from her estranged best friend,
Lucy, Mina Murray’s carefully curated life is turned upside down. Leaving
behind her psychiatric practice in London, along with her routine and the calm
it brings, she returns to the windswept shores of Wales. Faced with everything
she’s left behind, she soon discovers that Lucy’s symptoms mirror those of her
mysterious patient with amnesia hundreds of miles away. With nothing but an
untreatable sickness connecting the two women, and with Lucy’s life on the
line, Mina finds herself asking questions and being drawn ever-deeper into a
web of secrets, missing girls, and the powerful, nameless force at its
center—one that has been haunting her for years. As terrible, ancient truths
begin to reveal themselves, Mina prepares to confront her own darkest secrets,
and with them, an evil beyond comprehension. Together with a group of smart,
savvy women, Mina seizes one last, desperate chance to stop the cycle that
began so long ago. But there are dangers to inviting the attentions of what
might not be a man, but a monster… <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pages: 288 - Publication Date: August 27 2024 – <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199292215-the-madness">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Lucy Undying by Kiersten White</b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0uc7K389LTu8wafweGE5tCmoy8TxJllFrEX5Bm9sqJ_z3N5AauG5LpzawOqidn0omeY8BaK-Ymc-s-26EmBQ6xfY0j0AFdo-qhmtPe21IBZm4nx9FH0n-Hpspn4nF7q6g9GJUi5MmedWeQLwFVT8q9zTmy_TpMHEt6Q0g05iomKmbGlAOMp42CS_Emhr/s1786/Cover%20Coming%20Soon%20Lucy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1786" data-original-width="1276" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0uc7K389LTu8wafweGE5tCmoy8TxJllFrEX5Bm9sqJ_z3N5AauG5LpzawOqidn0omeY8BaK-Ymc-s-26EmBQ6xfY0j0AFdo-qhmtPe21IBZm4nx9FH0n-Hpspn4nF7q6g9GJUi5MmedWeQLwFVT8q9zTmy_TpMHEt6Q0g05iomKmbGlAOMp42CS_Emhr/s320/Cover%20Coming%20Soon%20Lucy.png" width="229" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In this epic and seductive gothic fantasy, a vampire escapes
the thrall of Dracula and embarks on her own search for self-discovery and true
love. Her name was written in the pages of someone else's story: Lucy Westenra
was one of Dracula's first victims. But her death was only the beginning. Lucy
rose from the grave a vampire and has spent her immortal life trying to escape
from Dracula's clutches--and trying to discover who she really is and what she
truly wants. Her undead life takes an unexpected turn when, in
twenty-first-century London, she meets another woman who is also yearning to
break free from her past. Iris’s family has built a health empire based on a
sinister secret, and they’ll do anything to stay in power. Lucy has long
believed she would never love again. But she finds herself compelled by the
charming Iris, while Iris is mesmerized by the confident and glamorous Lucy.
But their intense connection and blossoming love is threatened by forces from
without. Iris's mother won't let go of her without a fight, and Lucy's past
still has fangs: Dracula is on the prowl again. Lucy Westenra has been a
tragically murdered teen, a lonesome adventurer, and a fearsome hunter, but
happiness always eluded her. Can she find the strength to destroy Dracula once
and for all, or will her heart once again be her undoing? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pages: 480 - Publication Date: September 10 2024 – <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203608430-lucy-undying">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Inkheart by Cornelia Funke </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3zEliay53aUwHRS_PRNLiRVyKS8lhlvuvDnkHswz66qjt7W6nRYES1tFUjFyE8gP0dadq-PvaF3QZOVsjhlY_Z6DrPHoY46_k3-eLyNiIS5K2d5mAtjRzzWr5CXeaokENvzrW6M8GTsiIh_U7M6ucrwPekxfLBeBKv6UX1O46CqqyuF3lt4XdUYxDYx1/s461/Inkheart%20by%20Cornelia%20Funke%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3zEliay53aUwHRS_PRNLiRVyKS8lhlvuvDnkHswz66qjt7W6nRYES1tFUjFyE8gP0dadq-PvaF3QZOVsjhlY_Z6DrPHoY46_k3-eLyNiIS5K2d5mAtjRzzWr5CXeaokENvzrW6M8GTsiIh_U7M6ucrwPekxfLBeBKv6UX1O46CqqyuF3lt4XdUYxDYx1/s320/Inkheart%20by%20Cornelia%20Funke%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="221" /></a></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">One cruel night, Meggie's father
reads aloud from a book called INKHEART and an evil ruler escapes the
boundaries of fiction and lands in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie is smack
in the middle of the kind of adventure she has only read about in books. Meggie
must learn to harness the magic that has conjured this nightmare. For only she
can change the course of the story that has changed her life forever. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pages: 563 – <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28194.Inkheart">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-69763293756790548742024-02-26T07:00:00.001+00:002024-02-26T07:00:00.130+00:00The Dead Podcast – Rebirth Full Review <p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Just like I have said for the past four week I would like
to say this post is not sponsored I am just sharing the love of a friend’s
work. It’s also no secret I adore Pixies writing but this is just a whole new
level of awesome. There are going to be SPOILERS in this review.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjn9taewAgum3VrDmewWm_6AeaZiMHMk03QA3qGPy2lrsiaSfXqvmzUWFvxdSF-mvb6LilIbl7-gCWLAX-xbTioZB7PkOvIsnLYnQ6d5e0us38E5Fjk4h_GlGqSoVK0gh7RfFl32aSS4uzXw_v27MnFSBRv8unnierNAC2q3CXWy9C1I-a34KeJ7I9fap/s2048/The%20Dead%20Podcast%20%E2%80%93%20Rebirth%20Full%20Review%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjn9taewAgum3VrDmewWm_6AeaZiMHMk03QA3qGPy2lrsiaSfXqvmzUWFvxdSF-mvb6LilIbl7-gCWLAX-xbTioZB7PkOvIsnLYnQ6d5e0us38E5Fjk4h_GlGqSoVK0gh7RfFl32aSS4uzXw_v27MnFSBRv8unnierNAC2q3CXWy9C1I-a34KeJ7I9fap/s320/The%20Dead%20Podcast%20%E2%80%93%20Rebirth%20Full%20Review%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">There is something about giving birth in a zombie
apocalypse that most people shy away from where Pixie gave us a more realistic representation
of what happens after birth. However, it isn’t until episode two that we learn
that the zombie apocalypse starts while our protagonist is at the hospital
having an appointment to check everything is okay at the 8-month mark of her
pregnancy.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">There are a realistic thought-provoking path Pixie takes
us down in this story and it’s that our protagonist first experience with zombie’s
starts in hospital to the point a line even states there are no doctors, and
they have to leave. I am quite happy that this series was dark and I’m sorry,
but I like how the people in this series haven’t all magical become expert in
everything and how a doctor or in some case even a vet doesn’t magically appear
just as the protagonist is about to give birth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a trope that majorly gives me the ick
Dear Reader I’m sorry, but life doesn’t happen that way.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Can you imagine having to face the reality of the zombie apocalypse
starting 8 months into your pregnancy but then also having your best friend
steal your baby. Imagine looking for your kidnapped baby straight after birth without
having the luxury of postpartum care or a peri bottle or postpartum pads.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In my review for part three, I mentioned that there is an
underlining horror that I think is being revealed under pinning each episode
and I was in the right ballpark was Eve planning on stealing the baby all along
and the zombie apocalypse just added a slight hiccup on her plans.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The story was a little darker than I originally thought
and that isn’t a bad thing it was a realistic addition and not a cheap way to
add tension to the story. It’s not hard to feel the unease during this story it
really does make the hairs on your neck stand up. That’s added layer I mentioned
last week were Pixie stuck another layer onto it in this final episode I really
don’t know what is scarier knowing that Eve was going to take the baby no
matter what or the fact that zombie Eve can still somehow recognise a baby and
try to care for it. Intelligent zombies have always been a guilty pleasure, but
this is a dark path I have been looking down for the past week.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As I said last week I would a full book following this story
in these four episodes I was fully enveloped in the story as it was fully
thought out and well plotted. I know I’ve just stated that I want more from
this story and I am just being greedy as Pixie has done a wonderful job brining
story to a close and tied up the loose ends.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0