Ariadne by S.D. Hines

Ariadne
by S.D. Hines

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Published: 2013
Publisher: Story Merchant Books
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, YA
ebook: 143 pages
Rating: 4

Heroines of Classical Greece series:
Medusa
Ariadne: A Tale of the Minotaur

Three thousand years before The Hunger Games, a conquered nation was forced to send their finest youths to fight and die, facing an invulnerable creature they had no chance of defeating.

ARIADNE: A Tale of the Minotaur--one of Hines' Heroines of Classical Greece series--is a contemporary retelling of the classic tale of Theseus and the Minotaur, a story with more twists and turns than even the Labyrinth holds.

Prophesied in lost Atlantis, the Grand Conjunction is rapidly approaching, the day when a unique astrological alignment makes all things possible. But more is at stake than the fate of young Theseus, prince of Athens, and his fellow Athenian tributes. This single day will decide the destiny of nations, a vanished people's resurrection--and give birth to a god.

It is also the story of Daedalus and Icarus, of an immortal yearning for love, and the greatest and basest that humanity offers. A power will soon be released that will destroy the world unless it is tamed by the newborn god who is born of a man and monster. But who is the man, and who is the monster?

The secret lies not only in the Labyrinth, but IS the Labyrinth.

And the only person who can save two worlds and tame the monster is the weakest and meekest of all: Ariadne, the beautiful daughter of Minos, king of Crete.

My two-bits:

Great way to get into Greek mythology.

I was not too familiar with the Ariadne story other than her part with helping Theseus in the Labyrinth. This story gave some good background and character development of Ariadne who is a heroine, indeed.

I also liked learning about the Minotaur and watching his character and person evolve throughout the story. Fascinating.

And, this story's perspective of Theseus makes a more well-rounded version - one who is not as golden as portrayed in other retellings.

~*~
* review copy courtesy of publisher

* added this to my Bookish Bingo challenge

Bookish Bingo Challenge: Summer

Bookish Bingo Challenge
Summer: July to September 2014
hosted by Great Imaginations
details here
Just joined this book challenge again!

The Rules:

Sign-ups close on July 14th here

One square per book. For instance, Mockingjay starts with M and is also a series finale, but can only count for one square.

All reading must be done during the months of July, August, and September.

There will be a giveaway again!

Extra entries will be awarded for multiple bingos and a fully covered card earns +5!

Books read:

Square - magical realism
The Future for Curious People
by Gregory Sherl
my review

Square - A Middle Grade Novel
Bone by Jeff Smith
(graphic novel)
my review

Square - Asian MC
The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco
my review

Square - MC is LBGTIA
The Red Sheet by Mia Kerick
my review

Square - Road Trip
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
my review

Square - Music theme
Rock Angel by Jeanne Bogino
my review

Square - Pink Cover
The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
my review

Square - Thriller
Until You're Mine by Samantha Hayes
my review

Square - Set on an Island
The Vacationers: A Novel by Emma Straub
-set in Mallorca
my review

Square - A Retelling
Ariadne by S.D. Hines
my review

Square - Set during the Summer
This One Summer
by Mariko Tamaki
my review

Square - Water on Cover
Serenade
by Emily Kiebel
my review

Square - Sky on Cover
These Broken Stars
by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
my review

Square - Set in Europe
-France
The Penny Thief
by Christophe Paul
my review

Square - Starts with M
My Last Kiss
by Bethany Neal
my review

Square - Featuring an animal companion
Hot Chocolate
by Dawn Greenfield Ireland
-Lila Mae's dog, Louie
my review

Square - Strong Sibling Relationship
Bitter Chocolate
by Dawn Greenfield Ireland
-three sisters
my review

Square - Blue Cover
I Become Shadow
by Joe Shine
my review

Square - Summer Release
Burning Bright
by E.J. Stevens
my review

Square - Stand Alone
The One and Only
by Emily Giffin
my review

Stacking the Shelves - 5.10.14

Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

~*~
Free from Kindle: beware some free offers are limited

All for a Story
by Allison Pittman
-1920s, christian fiction
For Review:

Ariadne
A Tale of the Minotaur
(Heroines of Classical Greece)
by S.D. Hines
-fantasy, mythology
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Ken!

Love and Other Foreign Words
by Erin McCahan
-coming of age
courtesy of BookSparks Summer Reading Challenge 2014
Thanks Janay!

Cure for the Common Breakup
by Beth Kendrick
-women's fiction
courtesy of BookSparks Summer Reading Challenge 2014
Thanks Janay!
Library:

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat
by Edward Kelsey Moore
Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat diner in Plainview, Indiana is home away from home for Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean. Dubbed "The Supremes" by high school pals in the tumultuous 1960s, they’ve weathered life’s storms for over four decades and counseled one another through marriage and children, happiness and the blues.

Now, however, they’re about to face their most challenging year yet. Proud, talented Clarice is struggling to keep up appearances as she deals with her husband’s humiliating infidelities; beautiful Barbara Jean is rocked by the tragic reverberations of a youthful love affair; and fearless Odette is about to embark on the most terrifying battle of her life. With wit, style and sublime talent, Edward Kelsey Moore brings together three devoted allies in a warmhearted novel that celebrates female friendship and second chances.

My two-bits:

I listened to the audio version and really enjoyed it. With ups and downs it is a general feel-good story in which you come to love all the characters despite idiosyncrasies.

~*~
* some of these may be offered as giveaways within the next two months

* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers

Medusa by S.D. Hines

Medusa
by S.D. Hines

Visit S.D.:
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Goodreads

Published: 2013
Publisher: Story Merchant Books
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, YA
ebook: 252 pages
Rating: 4

Heroines of Classical Greece series:
Medusa
Ariadne: A Tale of the Minotaur

In one of the most compelling tales from classical Greece since Mary Renault's Bull from the Sea and Fire from Heaven, author Scot Hines retells the legend of Medusa in a way that makes her feel like a contemporary millennial girl with very special problems.

Despite a semi-miraculous birth in the temple of Athena, Medusa is nothing more than a devoted priestess of the goddess, distinguished only by her beauty and piety. But after she is raped by the god Poseidon, her entire world is ripped asunder and she flees Poseidon's wrath through ancient Greece and beyond for the inconceivable crime of resistance.

In her wanderings, she encounters dangers and horrors, but also friends in unexpected places. Pursued by Poseidon's fury and his assassins, she is finally cornered in Egypt with only two choices: fight back or be destroyed with all she loves. But her only hope lies with the father of her children, the great love of her life and the man who is prophesized to kill her: Perseus.

As one in Hines' Heroines of Classical Greece series, MEDUSA will leave you longing for more--and you'll want to move immediately to ARIADNE A TALE OF THE MINOTAUR.

It’s intelligent YA with an emphasis on “A.” You'll want to recommend it to your friends--and especially to your daughters.

A committed bibliophile and neurologist Hines lives in Alaska and helps provide health care to some of the most incredible people in the world, the Alaska Natives. When not working, he is planning some wild adventure to the arctic, Patagonia, or the Himalayas. But more than anything, he loves blending tales of history, mythology, and science, and sees nothing incompatible in the mixture.

My two-bits:

I grew up with the stereotype of Medusa from the movie Clash of the Titans (1986). So, thought she was just an ugly monster with killer looks.

This book brought a better perspective of this mythical creature (so complex) and historical background that puts Medusa in a better light (in my eyes).

The relationship development between Medusa and Perseus was also interesting to read about especially knowing how it would end between them.

~*~
* review copy courtesy of author

* part of Bookish Bingo challenge

Stacking the Shelves - 3.29.14

Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

~*~
For Review:

Always Emily
by Michaela MacColl
-Bronte theme, historical, mystery, YA
-received a 2nd copy
-will give this away with on my review post
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Lara!
fyi: you can download the first three chapters now thru April 7 here:

Amazon/Kindle | Barnes&Noble/Nook
Apple iBookstore | Googe Play | Kobo

Medusa
Heroines of Classical Greece
by S.D. Hines
-mythology
courtesy of author
Thanks S.D. & Ken!

Life Lived Twice
by Sherrie Wouters
-fantasy, new adult, romance
courtesy of author
Thanks Sherrie!

Moon at Nine
by Deborah Ellis
-LGBTQ, Middle East
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Casey!
~*~
Library:

The Golem and the Jinni
by Helene Wecker
-historical fantasyListening to the audio version: This has an interesting mix of Jewish and Arab folklore and mythology.

Jane
by April Lindner
-Bronte theme, gothic romance, YA
I am curious to read this re-telling of Jane Eyre. Also, I wanted to read this before reading the second book in the series, Catherine which is a re-telling of Wuthering Heights. The paperback will be released this August.

Catherine
by April Lindner
-Bronte theme, gothic romance, YA
~*~
* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers