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Scott Reads It!
I blog over at Scott Reads It! I'm a reader, a writer, a blogger, and a humanitarian. I'm prone to fanboying about the latest nerdy films and books on a consistent basis! I'm nerdy and I know it.
Review: Antigoddess by Kendare Blake
Antigoddess is delightfully strange and imaginative with a plot that is sure to appeal to fans of mythology. Kendare Blake's Antigoddess is a completely original take on classic Greek mythology and I loved seeing the Greek gods in a new light. Antigoddess was an extremely pleasant surprise, I really never really expected that Blake would follow up Girl Of Nightmares with something that is just as horrifying and engaging, if not more.
The horror in Antigoddess is definitely not as obvious as it was in Blake's Anna Dressed In Blood novels; this time around, the horror is a bit more subtle. I just might have a new fear of feathers, if I dream of being internally murdered by feathers--I know who to blame. It really takes an extremely talented writer to make something as beautiful and delicate as a feather into something truly terrifying.
These aren't the mythological beings of legend that you know from books like Percy Jackson. The gods and goddesses are more brutal in Antigoddess than in most depictions that I have seen to date and it seems that these gods have an endless capacity for deceit and cruelty. Despite the fact that the gods and goddesses aren't exactly the most likeable motley, Blake manages to instill a sense of protectiveness into her readers. I slowly grew to really like Athena and Hermes, even if their actions didn't always perpetuate them in the best manner.When it came to the action scenes, I was truly scared that Blake would endanger their lives somehow. Readers will really come to understand the gods and goddesses and how they must feel when their existence is threatened after thousands of years.
Of all the characters in Antigoddess, I really felt like Cassandra really grew and developed the most. By the end of Antigoddess, Cassandra has really undergone a complete transformation and I really hope she continues to be such a likeable character in following books. I wasn't a huge fan of Cassandra's relationship with Aidan as the book progressed because it seemed to teeter on the fine line of being too angsty. I really did enjoy their romance, it was just a bit too much for me to handle at times.
I'm not knowledgeable about The Trojan War by any stretch, but Blake manages to explain with ease. This novel will best be enjoyed by those with a taste for mythology, but I really think that newbies to the world of Greek myths will be easily ensnared. All of the Gods are easily distinguishable and iconic in their own way in this novel making it a perfect introduction for those unfamiliar with the myths.
Antigoddess by Kendare Blake is clever, action-packed, and sure to capture the heart of mortals everywhere. This the type of book that will stay with you long after you finished, I don't think I'll be forgetting Blake's depictions of Athena and Hermes anytime soon. Antigoddess was definitely worth the wait and I hope I can say the same thing for the sequel!