Book Review: Murder on Olympus by Robert B. Warren

Murder on Olympus (A Plato Jones Novel )
by Robert B. Warren
Release Date: March 1st, 2011
Publisher: Dragonfairy Press
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: ARC paperback, 376 pages
Source: Publisher
ISBN: 978-0-9850-2306-5
Get a Copy: B&N | Amazon | Kobo

Goodreads Summary: At first glance, the Gods of Olympus are as different from one another as salt is from sugar. Despite their bickering, they share a universal bond, a thread of commonality that unites them. 

They’re all jerks. 

After a stint with the Olympic Bureau of Investigation, Plato Jones is through with the Gods and their political games. Against his protests, he's drawn into a murder investigation, where the murderer's targets are the Gods themselves.

Plato has cracked some tough cases: exposing cheating spouses, capturing treasonous heretics, hunting three-headed dogs. But this time he’s in over his head. How can he solve a crime that’s impossible to commit? And what chance does Plato—a mere mortal—have against something powerful enough to kill a God?

Cindy's Review: 
Thank you Dragonfairy Press for sending me the ARC~ ;D

"Mortals are so adorable."
Oh. Are they? You're so funny.....

The Cover:
I think the Olympus building is pretty cool. ;D But it looks scary, like it's going to collapse any second. The Police Lines are smart. ;) Since this is like a mystery. 

"I thought she was going to be a sex-crazed lunatic...."
LOL. Me too. 

The Characters: 
Plato Jones - Plato is a detective who used to work for Zeus. The one thing that confuses me in this book is that if the Greek gods and goddesses are known by netizens and common people. In Percy Jackson, Greek mythology is like a big myth to the world but it seems like in this book, normal people know about them. Plato is kind of cocky. He's funny and stuff. Although at times, he seems like a perv.  

"Is she hot?
It's a man, sir."
LOL. Jonesy~

Anyways, there were a series of murders. Someone was murdering gods and goddesses.  And Zeus believes Plato Jones would be a big help. 

"She did have a nice ass though."
Omg. This part. Kind of creepy. But it's such a guy thought.

Hercules - You guys heard of  Hercules, right? And the myths say he's scary and giant. But in this case, Hercules is a friendly giant. A big teddy bear. He calls Plato Jonesy. LOL. 

"Vice President Poseidon, the mighty God of the Sea, was having a temper tantrum."
Yep. I heard of the temper tantrum part, but not the Vice President part. ;D

Hermes - Hermes appeared in this book quite a lot. Hermes seems so mean-ish. And old-ish. I get the vision of Hermes being a young adult in the other retellings.

"A box of my oatmeal cookies. For the road."
I thought you weren't supposed to take any food from the Underworld? But I guess it's different here. ;) 

Apollo -  Okay. Apollo didn't appear. But Apollo's so hot~ LOL. Can't believe I'm fangirling. I think only Hera, Zeus,Poseidon,  Hades, Persephone, Aphrodite, and Ares appeared. 

"Other than the fact that you're brother is a deranged lunatic? "
Haha. Hades is always the bad guy in books. Or he's just evil. 

Ares - Ares had the same aggressive attitude he had in other books.  But overall, this book gives such a new feeling. 

"I wonder if she was looking at my abs or...."
Way to compliment yourself, Jonesy. LOL.

I really like the fun feeling this book gives. I love re-tellings of Greek mythology. Especially when the guy character is funny. I can't say he's hot though, since he's way over my age limit. :D There is also a bit romance n this. But I like the adventure better.

"When in doubt, go simple."
Well, thanks for that fashion tip. ;D 

The Extras:
Yay. If you love Greek mythology and/or Percy Jackson, be sure to check out this book. It's awesome~ ;D And I'll bet you have reading it. 

The Rating: (1-10): 9~ 

Happy Reading~ 

Book Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test (Goddess Test #1)
by Aimee Carter
Release Date: April 19th, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Format: ebook, 293 pages
Source: ePubBud
ISBN: 978-0-3732-1026-8
Get a Copy: 
      Barnes and Nobles
      Amazon

Goodreads Summary: EVERY GIRL WHO HAS TAKEN THE TEST HAS DIED.

NOW IT'S KATE'S TURN. 

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear that her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she suceeds, she'll become Henry's future bride and a goddess.

IF SHE FAILS...

Cindy's Summary: I first saw this book in Goodreads and I was reading everyone's reviews. They were all so good and encouraging I decided to go check it out. 

The Cover: 

I didn't have much time to analyze the cover though, because just the book title makes me want to start reading immediately. The good reviews and the catching plot. Yep. No time to even look at the picture. LOL.

The Characters:

Kate Winters is the main character of the story. With her mom dying and a girl from school dead, she had no idea what to do. When a mysterious guy she saw at the mansion up on the hill gives her a chance for her to spend more time with her mom and for Ava to live again, Kate accepts, but there is a catch. Kate will have to spend six months in a year with Henry inside the mansion. 

Henry is a mysterious guy who owns the mansion up that hill by that river. Yeah. All I remember is that it's in Eden, because I have bad memories. LOL. Henry turns out to be Hades and apparently Hades is going to fade into nothingness if he doesn't find a girl who can survive and pass the seven tests given the Council for immortality. And Kate is his final chance of ruling the underworld. Even Henry (Hades) is way old, he's apparently on 22 in this book and apparently, he's also virgin. 

There are like so much other characters I would introduce you to, but that means I'll give away the ending. 

The Plot:

Kate is given seven tests to pass in order to live as Hades wife and help him rule the underworld. But someone in the palace wants her dead. Someone is trying to kill her, like how all the other girls had died. So while trying to pass the tests, which Kate has no idea what they are, she also needs to stay alive. So Kate goes through twists and turns and up and downs of emotions, even finding herself attracted to Henry. Do I make sense here? LOL.

Book Comparisons: 

Okay. I love book comparisons. So this book reminds me a little of the Percy Jackson series. Not because of the plot. I mean, the plot is way, way different. Truthfully, just anything having to do with Greek mythology reminds me of Percy Jackson LOL. 

And the name Henry reminds me of Harry. I don't know where that came from. Now when I think of Harry, it's either from One Direction (even though I am NOT a Directioner) or Harry Stephens from a book that isn't even out yet, Incend. LOL. Btw, Incend is not being written by me, just so you know. 

Xander. Just the name Xander reminds me of the perfectness of Matched by Allie Condie. I honestly don't understand the ending of that series, but it's probably because I never read the book. 

The name James just reminds me of this annoying guy whose in my 5th period class. That's not even a book. Omg. Idk. James just reminds me of somthing. Irene reminds me of Liana's sister. Ella. Well, Ella Enchanted? LOL. Dylan. Okay. Dylan reminds me of that guy from The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. But Dylan barely appears in this book.

The Ending:

Normally, I don't have to say during these last three topics, but I sure do have a lot this time! The ending was quite magnificent. I really didn't expect that surprising twist in the last few chapters. I really think this book wasn't that bad, despite some few bad ratings on Goodreads. Certainly enjoyable ending that leaves me sighing in relief, but also with a strip of anxiety, waiting for what will happen in the next book. 

The Bad:

Okay. I have to admit, because of Percy Jackson, I just love Greek mythology. But in this book, everything just don't connect like normal Greek mythology does. I mean, Ella and Theo being twins that connects. And Ava just being beautiful and is out dating guys. Yes. I get that too. But Ava and Theo? Ew. No. In Percy Jackson, definitely a big no-no. In Percy Jackson, Theo is hot, okay? Well, the god that Theo is, is hot. Um. Ava and Xander? No no too. The god that Xander is in Percy Jackson is pretty cool, even though he's kinda of a jackass. 

Also, I thought Zeus was the most powerful in Greek mythology, but in this book, Zeus barely say a word. I mean, it seems like Demeter is the powerful wave that enters the room instead of Zues. But if Zeus entered the room, I wouldn't feel the powerful wave LOL. Because, in this case, Demeter is special. 

I understand that it's hard to connect everything. I mean, if it were up to me, I would have quit a  long, long time ago. 

Another thing I think is that could be better is the tests. The tests aren't bad or anything, but I think there should be twelve tests instead of seven, because there are twelve Olympians and all. I also think the tests should be harder, not that it was easy to begin with, but it seems that if Kate has to be perfect to past the tests and really, Kate seems like a normal girl to me. Not that special or outstanding. 

But you know, there has to be something bad in order for something good to happen. I mean, if nothing is bad, than nothing is good either. ;)

The Good:

Even though not everything connected, I think this was a really smart plot. I like how everything is twisted up and made in to a new shape. It's pretty cool. I can say this was the best book I've read since Percy Jackson. But nothing ever beats Percy Jackson though. You can't deny how hot Percy Jackson is. Not just because of Logan Lerman, but just Percy Jackson from the book is hot. And I love how Annabeth is a strong, female lead. Okey. Heading back to The Goddess Test.

I really love the title. I think it fits really well with the book and you know, this book is a pretty big hooker with a sharp hook that would keep you from laying down on your bed and sleep at night. ;D If you get what I mean. 

Rating: (1-10) 9.6

Overall, very enjoyable book! I totally recommend!!

Happy Reading~