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| My Ex From Hell by Tellulah Darling (Book 2: The Blooming Goddess Trilogy) April 1, 2013 Te Da Media 272 pages Genre: Mature Young Adult, Romantic Comedy, Greek Mythology (contains sexual innuendo) Source: e-copy for Honest review 4 STARS |
Sixteen-year-old Sophie Bloom wishes she’d been taught the following:My Review:
a) Bad boy’s presence (TrOuBlE) + teen girl’s brain (DraMa) = TrAuMa (Highly unstable and very volatile.)
b) The Genus Greekulum Godissimus is notable for three traits: 1) awesome abilities, 2) grudges, and 3) hook-ups, break-ups, and in-fighting that puts cable to shame.
Prior to the Halloween dance, Sophie figures her worst problems involve adolescent theatrics, bitchy teen yoga girls, and being on probation at her boarding school for mouthy behaviour. Then she meets bad boy Kai and gets the kiss that rocks her world.
Literally.
This breath stealing lip lock reawakens Sophie’s true identity: Persephone, Goddess of Spring. She’s key to saving humanity in the war between the Underworld and Olympus, target numero uno of Hades and Zeus, and totally screwed.
Plus there’s also the little issue that Sophie’s last memory as Persephone was just before someone tried to murder her.
Big picture: master her powers, get her memories back, defeat Persephone’s would be assassin, and save the world. Also, sneak into the Underworld to retrieve stolen property, battle the minions of Hades and Zeus, outwit psycho nymphs, slay a dragon, rescue a classmate, keep from getting her butt expelled from the one place designed to keep her safe …
… and stop kissing Kai, Prince of the Underworld.
My Ex From Hell is a YA romantic comedy/Greek mythology smackdown. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book one of this teen fantasy romance series. Compared to Kai and Sophie, Romeo and Juliet had it easy.
I wasn't sure about the start of this one. It began as a bit of a telling, not showing situation, starting with Sophie writing a letter to her birth mother and then describing some events that just happened. I wasn't sure where she was going with it, and wasn't sure if I liked her personality or sense of humor yet. Fortunately, once she got past the telling portion, I felt like the story really started to take off. My worries over too much telling subsided as the story played out. The dialogue of the story actually became a strength and one of my favorite bits.
The characters were fun and intriguing. Some were not cool at all (Bethany), some were super fun and nerdy (Hannah), some were super loyal (Theo), and some were very suspicious (Kai). Sophie herself was quick on her feet, didn't skip a beat, and kept up her humor despite potentially dire situations. She is a strong heroine and a great lead role who will really carry this trilogy. I also loved how these characters interacted with each other, each bringing their own sensitivities to the table. Their banter really drove the book forward.
Not only were the character interactions great, but the storyline and direction were completely engaging and often unexpected. Okay, honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect. But each time the story progressed or modified, I felt like it was going in a place I didn't see coming. Truly impressive. Once I got past my tentative beginnings with the start of this book, probably around 10%, I had a hard time putting it down. Plus, it was nice to get some new Greek gods and goddesses to read about. I loved this new twist on Persephone.
Now, I didn't always love the bawdy humor, and at times the humor felt more mature than necessary. I couldn't always tell who the audience for this book was. The characters spoke with the inflection of high school students, but some of the material was a bit over-the-top, perhaps college-level or even adult-level. Though of course I know high school students can talk like this. But throw in the escapades and indiscretions of the gods and goddesses, and you can run into mature areas beyond YA. It makes me wonder how the rest of the series will play out and if future books will blend into that New Adult arena. We shall see.
This was an exciting start to a new Greek trilogy, with constant action, humorous banter, and an ending that leaves you ready and excited for the next book.
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| My Date From Hell by Tellulah Darling (Book 2: The Blooming Goddess Trilogy) October 31, 2013 Te Da Media 288 pages Genre: Mature Young Adult, Romantic Comedy, Greek Mythology (contains sexual innuendo) Source: eARC for Honest review 4-1/2 STARS |
Sophie Bloom’s junior year has been a bit of a train wreck. After the world’s greatest kiss re-awakened Sophie’s true identity as Persephone (Goddess of Spring and Savior of Humanity), she fought her dragon-lady guidance counselor to the death, navigated mean girl Bethany’s bitchy troublemaking, and dealt with the betrayal of her backstabbing ex, Kai (sexy Prince of Darkness). You’d think a girl could catch a break.My Review:
Yeah, right.
With Zeus stepping things up, it’s vital that Sophie retrieve Persephone’s memories and discover the location of the ritual to stop Zeus and Hades. So when Aphrodite strikes a deal that can unlock Sophie’s pre-mortal past, what choice does the teen goddess have but to accept?
The mission: stop media mogul Hermes from turning Bethany into a global mega-celebrity. The catch? Aphrodite partners Sophie and Kai to work together … and treat this suicide mission as a date. Which could work out for Sophie’s plan to force Kai to admit his feelings for her–if she doesn’t kill him first.
Add to that the fact that BFF Theo’s love life and other BFF Hannah’s actual life are in Sophie’s hands, and suddenly being a teenager—even a godlike one—seems a bit like … well, hell. Whatever happened to dinner and a movie?
The YA romantic comedy/Greek mythology fireworks continue to fly in My Date From Hell. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book two of this teen fantasy romance series. Breaking up is easy; dating is deadly.
I liked this one even more than the first. This book was packed full of action, new characters to add that special something to the story, old characters bringing even more to the table, and twists and turns that kept me focused and eager to see where things would go next. Between the hunt for Sophie's memories, the craziness and "date" between Sophie and Kai, the menace of Bethany, and the new love potential popping up, this was a real page-turner. The conflict that Sophie feels is really well portrayed. We also continue with the humor and banter from before, which also helps drive this story forward. Never a dull moment.
There was terrific character development throughout, both main and minor characters. We get more gems of backstory on some of these characters, who are more than what first appeared, and I love that we are getting these tidbits a little at a time. It is helping my perspective on them. Because let's be honest... the long and illustrious love lives of the Greek gods and goddesses is a little icky for me when we match them up with naïve 16-year-olds, even if said gods/goddesses look like teenagers themselves. So I'm glad we continue to learn more about them and I'm hoping we will be more and more exposed to the good aspects of their pasts, not only the incorrigible parts.
I'm still having a hard time categorizing this series. The tone and setting is young adult, but the innuendo and sexual nature at times of the character's conversations and the god/goddess behavior would push this into the adult category. Not that there is any actual sex happening, and even the kissing is not explicit or graphic. It's just the nature of the sexual innuendo used and the humor there within, which at times would really fall into the New Adult category. So I'll say in general I would place this in the Mature Young Adult category with caution.
The ending has a cliffhanger, but it is a very well-played cliffhanger. It's the perfect set-up for the next book, but not in an obnoxious way. I must give the author props for the well-played twist and subsequent ending in this book. Really wish I had the next book, but the anticipation will not kill me, just make me stronger in my resolve and eagerness to see how it all plays out. Well played, Ms. Darling, well played! Can't wait for the last book!
BOOK LINKS:
MY EX FROM HELL:
MY DATE FROM HELL:
GIVEAWAY!
2 signed copies (1)of My Ex From Hell and (1) of My Date From Hell - International,
(3) eBook copies in mobi or epub – International
Click GIVEAWAY image below to enter:
About the Author:
Tellulah Darling
noun
1. YA romantic comedy author because her first kiss sucked and
she's compensating.
2. Alter ego of former screenwriter.
3. Sassy minx.
Geeks out over: cool tech.Squees for: great storytelling.
Delights in: fabulous conversation.
Writes about: where love meets comedy. Awkwardness ensues.
Sassy girls. Swoony boys. What could go wrong?
Author Social Media Links:
Website:
http://www.tellulahdarling.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/tellulahdarling
FB: https://www.facebook.com/TellulahDarling
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6429243.Tellulah_Darling
Author Contest:
Tellulah is also hosting a contest on her site to give Sophie's power (her vines of light) a cool name because everything she's come up with sucks. The winner will get a signed copy of My Date From Hell, a t-shirt featuring a design of one of Kai's tattoos and will have their power name featured in the final book of the trilogy. Contest runs Oct 21-Nov 7. Details and entry (as of Oct 21) ENTER HERE!
To
see other stops on the tour for reviews, guest posts, and excerpts click here or the AToMR tour button below.
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I really appreciate you taking the time to read and review both My Ex From Hell and My Date From Hell, Jenny! Here's wishing you much yummy Halloween chocolate and good karma. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tellulah! It was my pleasure. Enjoy your chocolate, too :)
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