Review: Oh My Gods by Alexandra Sheppard
10:00
Series: None
Author: Alexandra Sheppard
Published January 3rd 2019 by Scholastic UK
Goodreads Synopsis
Life as a half-mortal teenager should be epic.
But, for Helen Thomas, it's tragic.
She's just moved in with her dorky dad and self-absorbed older siblings - who happen to be the ancient Greek gods, living incognito in London!
Between keeping her family's true identities secret, trying to impress her new friends, and meeting an actually cute boy, Helen's stress levels are higher than Mount Olympus.
She needs to rein in her chaotic family before they blow their cover AND her chances at a half-normal social life.
Or is Helen fated for an embarrassment of mythical proportions?
Goodreads
Review
I hadn't really heard anything about this book until I was browsing Waterstones one day, and decided to treat myself to celebrate getting a new job. And my god, am I glad I picked it up! Anything to do with mythology is automatically a book for me, being a Classics graduate and all, and this book did not disappoint at all. Helen is a demi-god - half human/half god - who has had to move in with her absentee father, who also happens to be Zeus, and her half siblings (Aphrodite, Apollo, and Eros), after the death of her mother. Between dealing with all that, and navigating a new school, Helen really didn't need a love interest being thrown into the mix, but that's what happens. However, the real world is starting to discover that the gods are real, and Helen needs to do everything she can to keep it a secret, lest her and her family be thrown out of Olympus, for good.
I really enjoyed Helen as a character. She seemed so real, and her mixed race heritage was explored in a way that didn't seemed forced. Both sides of her family, both mortal and immortal, and their heritage and traditions were cherished by Helen, and you could see how she was discovering herself, and where she stood in the world, as I think most teenagers try and do at the same age. She was really fun too, and no part of the plot was boring. The twist was slightly predictable, but still enjoyable, and I liked how the mythology was woven into the modern life of a teenager in London, navigating all that that brings with it. If you're a fan of Percy Jackson, and want something similar set in England, or a bit more modern, this is definitely one for you.
Dates Read:
January 18-19, 2019Rating
5 Stars
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