Author: P.C. Cast
Publisher: September 1st 2006 by Luna (first published 2001), January 15th 2010 by Mira Books
From: UK Publicity Company
Synopsis: (Per Goodreads) The most excitement teacher Shannon Parker expected on her summer vacation was a little shopping. But then her latest purchase--a vase with the Celtic goddess Epona on it--somehow switches her into the world of Partholon, where she's treated like a goddess. A very temperamental goddess…
It seems that Shannon has stepped into another's role as the Goddess Incarnate of Epona. And while it has some very appealing moments--what woman doesn't like a little pampering now and then?--it also comes with a ritual marriage to a centaur and the threat of war against the evil Fomorians. Oh, and everyone disliking her because they think she's her double.
Somehow Shannon needs to figure out how to get back to Oklahoma without being killed, married to a horse or losing her mind….
Review: 4 Stars - I’d had this series on my wish list for awhile now, and was lucky enough to be asked to review the series for the UK release of the books. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but being that I love the House of Night Series, I knew I was bound to enjoy this one as well. The first book may look daunting due to its size, but don’t let that stop you from reading it.
From the first page to the last I can say that I was extremely entertained by the story. Shannon, our main character is witty, sharky and written perfectly for someone so out of place in this world she’s sucked into. I could almost picture the other characters faces when she spoke so unlike they did. From hearing about Rhiannon from the other characters within Partholon and getting such a vivid picture of who Shannon was - Cast did a great job at writing two people who have so much in common, yet are polar opposites.
There’s a little bit for everyone in this book. Fantasy… I mean there’s beautiful and perfect Centaurs…. in this book! To the landscape and scenery that makes up Partholon, to the castles, to the evil that lurks…. To the love and romance that forms throughout the story. It’s a match made of so many things that each reader should be able to find one or two things in it that they could like, love or relate to.
Something I found interesting while reading was the way people could forgive each other and understand why characters had to do certain things. How most people from Partholon so easily gave one another a second chance. There are so many books and well, real people out in the world that hold grudges and it’s nice to read something that there’s actual understanding and forgiveness that comes through. Well, for this reader.
Another thing I should mention is… only part of this series is considered Adult. Three books – Divine By Mistake, Divine By Choice and Divine By Blood. While the other two books – Elphame’s Choice and Brighid’s Quest are both Young Adult titles. The thing about this first book in the series is even though it was an adult book there was little sex, and even the sex scenes that were in the book weren’t much, if maybe even only a couple sentences and nothing graphic in the slightest. It’s more flirting, suggestive talk and innuendos and a little bit of cursing that makes this more of an adult title. Well, other then the fact that all our main characters are very much adult. *Note: For my younger readers, please don’t by any means judge weather or not you’re allowed to read this book based on what I’ve just said. As always, that’s something that is between you and you parents.
All in all, I enjoyed this book and didn’t want it to end. I’m thankful that I have the rest of the books in the series here waiting for me to read them. I can’t wait to see what adventure/trouble Shannon/Rhea, ClanFintan and everyone else, new characters and old face next.
FTC Disclaimer: I did not pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this review..
Great review. I found you on Goodreads
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