KEEP CALM AND LOVE BOOKS: goddess

Pages: 404

Publication Date: October 7th 2003

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

ISBN: 0425226883 (ISBN13: 9780425226889)

On the night of her twenty-fifth birthday, alone in her apartment, Air Force Sergeant Christine Canady wished for one thing: a little magic in her life. After drinking way too much champagne, she performed, of all crazy things, a goddess-summoning ritual, hoping that it would somehow make her life a little less ordinary...but she never believed the spell would actually work.

When her military plane crashes into the ocean, CC's mission overseas takes an unexpected turn. She awakens to find herself in a legendary time and place where magic rules the land—occupying the body of the mythic mermaid Undine. But there is danger in the waters and the goddess Gaea turns this modern, military gal into a beautiful damsel so that she can seek shelter on land.

CC is soon rescued (literally) by a knight in shining armor. She should be falling in love with this dream-come-true, but instead she aches for the sea and Dylan, the sexy merman who has stolen her heart.

Now, What I Thought:

WOW. WOW. WOW. WOW. I was so not expecting to like this book. I couldn't believe how hooked I got!! Immediately I thought our protagonist, CC, was weird and that I was not going to like her at all. Yep. As you guessed it, I was 100% wrong. It took a couple chapters (maybe up to 4) for me to really start to realize how great this story was. It's not a regular, stereotypical siren/mermaid love tail (no pun intended) but instead, the love was magical and CC's transformation between a strong, Air Force and independent women to this love filled, desperate mermaid was incredible!! There are 7 books in this series and when I saw that, I was immediately confused. The novel ended beautifully and I couldn't imagine continuing CC and Dylan's story anymore but then I realized they're all different plots!!! Every book in P.C. Cast's series has different settings, plots, God's and characters. I can definitely say I will be reading more of her works because she is a fantastic writer. Now, just for reader's discretion, this should be labeled Rated R considering there is sexual content in this. I've definitely read worse but some people might find the sex scenes in here a little too much. I truly didn't mind it at all, I found it fitting because it showcased Dylan and CC's love perfectly! I will admit I did not get how Dylan and CC had sex. Sorry, I'm just going to put it out there... It didn't make sense to me but oh well.

CC was incredible. She was brave, strong, independent and hello! An Air Force Sergeant!!! I love anything with a strong female lead, especially one in the army, so this was perfect. She really knew when to stand her ground and make herself known to the empowering men. CC goes into a realm and world where on land, women are looked down upon and beauty is considered a sin and evil, especially a women's beauty. So of course, CC in this beautiful body of Undine, demands attention by her very existence. The abbot running the monastery where she resides, does not take to her and instantly hates her. Lot's of drama transpires but I managed to stay so impressed with CC and her strong will and not giving up even though the situations were SO degrading to women, I wanted to scream.

"I did so enjoy learning the Poultry Dance," Gwenyth said, waving a hand in front of her heated face.

"Chicken Dance," CC corrected with a giggle.

"Chicken Dance," Gwenyth repeated. The old woman's eyes sparkled."

Dylan was just sooooooo fine. He was perfect. From the moment we met him to the very end was amazing. He was such a good match for CC and I loved that he made sure to mention from the beginning that he loved CC for CC, not Undine's body. He really, truly loved her and it was love at first sight. I liked that we got his P.O.V sometimes because it allowed us to see his true intentions and make us fall in love with him even more! Gaea was so sweet. She was just so lovely to read about! I loved her immediate love and protection for CC, even though her own daughter was away from her. She really was a great mother and Goddess. I liked when we met Lir in the end. Lir was definitely not what I was expecting though! Usually with Greek mythology novels, I detest when an author makes God's and Goddess's nice and sweet, because in myth and legend, they were brutes that loved to kill and have sex. Cast really held that balance with Gaea and Lir, whom is Poseidon by the way, and we really saw that they were capable of in the last couple chapters. Let's not forget Lynelle. I knew from the beginning they would be close friends. Lynelle really shown through on her trust and support for CC even after she found out what she was. I liked that Cast gave Lynelle character growth as well!

“True love is not a potion one person can swallow and another refuse to drink. It happens only when the souls of two join together to form one."

There were a lot of moments in this book where I wanted to scream at the abbot, Andres, Sarpedon and many more characters but that was just the thrill to see the judgment get passed onto THEM in the end. Really guys, this was a wonderful book and I assure you I will be reading the others in this series because I can't get enough of Cast's writing!

P.S. Yes, the original cover was just so boring I had to use the 2008 paperback edition one because it's clearly more interesting. The ISBN is of that edition, just to be clear.

air force - 2:22:00 AM

Goddess of the Sea (Goddess Summoning #1) by P.C. Cast | Review

Pages: 404 Publication Date: October 7th 2003 Publisher: Berkley Sensation ISBN: 0425226883 (ISBN13: 9780425226889 ) On t...

Pages: 352

Publication Date: September 20th 2011

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

ISBN: 1408816032 (ISBN13: 9781408816035)

Genre: Historical Fiction & Greek Mythology

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their difference, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles' mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess.

But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

Now, What I Thought:

Wow. Just wow. I literally just finished this masterpiece 5 minutes ago and knew I had to write a review on it! I stopped reading The Winner's Curse and ACOMAF just to read this quickly. I love Greek Mythology. Especially the famous Trojan War!!! This novel is basically a new take on Homer's Iliad, and it was amazing. I first heard that this book was going to be following Achille's best friend Patroclus through his journey in meeting Achilles and finally, his death. This book really was like Romeo and Juliet in a way, we all knew what was going to happen so to add a romance in this!!?? Damn. I first handedly thought this would turn into some over-kill fan fiction of a love between Patroclus and Achilles but boy was I wrong. It was so sweet. The romance in this was lovely! I wouldn't have it any other way. It was perfectly paced, some might say slow even. Yet, all I could think about was the fact they were both going to die. I really liked how Miller wrote it though. She made their deaths so comforting and I didn't feel like they were gone at all. A lot of this novel is true to fact. I was quite impressed with the accuracy of the mythology in this! We get some pretty big mythological characters such as, Odysseus, Apollo, Chiron, and Thetis was pretty big in this. I liked how Miller portrayed the Gods, she made them true. The world in Greek mythology is not a nice one and the Gods and Goddesses go with that statement as well. Too often in mythology books we get them with a caring side or a less-brutish aspect to their personality. Like. No. That is not how they were. Half of them were warriors, mean warriors that killed in battle and wars. The other half used other wits and attributes to get what they want and most of said things are not mortal-friendly. They were above mortals and they knew and showed it. Miller captured that and I was really grateful for it!

My favourite character had to be Patroclus, and not just because he was the main character. He was impulsive and unimpressive and really boring with what he can do. He brought nothing to the table and that was why his father hated him. I loved the fact that our protagonist was someone, even a prince, oppressed and unliked just because he wasn't a fast runner, good fighter etc. There were times when he would self-pity himself but that's when Achilles would come in and make sure he knew he was worth something. The romance between Achilles and Patroclus was just magical. I loved it from start to finish. They were inseparable and truly loved each other. I liked how Miller took us through their youth and manhood while they experimented with each other. It brought a vulnerability to the characters that I liked having because I felt like I could trust them more. Patroclus made an excellent narrator.

It's difficult to say anything about Achilles because I didn't feel like I knew him well enough. I knew he loved Patroclus with all his heart but he was written in a way that was closed off. Unless we got a P.O.V chapter from him, I didn't know what he was thinking most of the time. I did like reading about him though, through Patroclus's view. Miller made a brutish legend of myth and story turn into a well paced romance that payed tribute to mythology. It was well balanced and even then the romance did come on a shorter stick sometimes but it was always there. Whether it was a simple line with Patroclus saying, "Achilles hesitated and his eyes went to me, just the barest glance." You knew Achilles was always in love with Patroclus, maybe even from the moment he first saw him. Speaking of lines, there are some great quotes that are literally game changers.

"Instead, he rang each syllable: Pa-tro-clus."

"I conjure the boy I knew. Achilles, grinning as the figs blur in his hands. His green eyes laughing into mine. Catch, he says. Achilles, outlined against the sky, hanging from a branch over the river. The thick warmth of his sleepy breath against my ear. If you have to go, I will go with you. My fears forgotten in the golden harbor of his arms."

“Name one hero who was happy."
I considered. Heracles went mad and killed his family; Theseus lost his bride and father; Jason's children and new wife were murdered by his old; Bellerophon killed the Chimera but was crippled by the fall from Pegasus' back.
"You can't." He was sitting up now, leaning forward.
"I can't."
"I know. They never let you be famous AND happy." He lifted an eyebrow. "I'll tell you a secret."
"Tell me." I loved it when he was like this.
"I'm going to be the first."

That last one got to me. WOULD YOU NOT SWOON IF SOMEONE SAID THAT TO YOU!??!? In conclusion, the novel was simply amazing. I can't express how glad I am that I read this. It does not have a sad ending. I was worried that I would read this and go into mourning like usual YA books leave me in but it was sweet and a perfect end for Achilles and Patroclus. If you are a lover of Greek mythology, read this. Instantly. Now. Go. NOW, PLEASE. You will not regret it.