REVIEW: Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

Title: Antigoddess
Author: Kendare Blake
Series: The Goddess War #1
Publication Date: September 10th 2013
Publisher: Orchard Books
Rating: 3/5 

The acclaimed author of ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD returns with an incredible story about ancient gods, modern love and an epic fight for survival
He was Apollo, the sun, and he'd burn down anything that tried to hurt her... Cassandra and Aidan are just your average high-school couple. Or so Cassandra believes. Blissfully unaware that she was once a powerful prophetess, Cassandra doesn't even know thats god exist... Until now.
Because the gods are dying - and Cassandra could hold the answer to their survival. But Aidan has a secret of his own. He is really Apollo, god of the sun, and he will do anything to protect the girl he loves from the danger that's coming for her. Even if it means war against his immortal family...
Sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; relentless action and suspense - ANTIGODDESS is the YA novel you've been waiting for.

My Thoughts

Before I read this book, I have read many good reviews about it and I was so keen to start it that I didn't bother reading the bad reviews. For me, this book was, overall, a let down. The beginning was so slow that I was thinking about quitting it not even three chapters through. I hoped for more action, more clearer explanation about the gods and their battles. The prologue literally confused the heck out of me, and after reading it, I felt like I didn't want to carry on. But I did anyway because I'm not a quitter. I had hopes about this book.

The characters surprised me. You know, gods are supposed to be immortal, with special powers that can kill in an instant, you know, that sort of thing. Which then leads us to Athena, Hermes and Odysseus. Hermes and Odysseus was great, their characters were well developed and not at all annoying. They actually acted on their problems and worked as an individual and a team. Whereas for Athena, she is, what, goddess of strength and strategy? Doesn't that mean that she knows how to fight back and be very good at it? Well, for me, in this book, Athena was just...annoying. She threatens other people, showing how strong she is and what she can do, but when it comes down to the fighting scene, it's like she's just a mortal pretending to be a god. Not to mention that she shows off too much. I mean, girl, at least show some emotion towards others especially your freaking brother.

The actual good side of this book was Cassandra and Aidan (also known as Apollo, god of the sun). Cassandra was an amazing character, she took it so well when she finds out who she actually is, and her character and personality actually formed as the story went on. And Aidan was a great boyfriend, and you know it's love when you read it. The story starts with them already in love, so there weren't any flirtatious moments or lingering eyes, that sort of thing. For me, I kinda liked it.

Overall, as the story starts going slow (too slow for my taste), it eventually got more exciting and so good when it got to about three quarters through the book. The action made me stick the to the pages, but I was kind of disappointed how the action only mainly appeared near the end.

The ending did in fact surprised me, and I was left behind like "What the hell is going to happen next?". I will probably try the next book in the series, but I'm not promising anything good. I would recommend this book to anyone who are really into Greek gods and such (and can brush aside annoying characters) :)

About The Author

I tire of writing these things in the third person. So. I write fiction, apparently mostly YA. I didn't know this, but like Stephen King says, writers are the last ones to know what it is they've written. My first novel,Sleepwalk Society is a college story. I guess it falls into that no man's land they call, "New Adult". Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares are teen horror. My short fiction can be found online in numerous places.
But enough about that. When I am not writing or reading, you can generally find me sitting around wondering what the hell I'm going to do with my life. That, or being a gastronome, plotting a new recipe. Perhaps on a run or hike, playing tennis or watching Big Cat Diaries with my feline. This summer I have saved a total of three turtles during attempted road crossings.