I liked the concept but it was also kind of weird. On one hand, Elyse is close to 80 years old but half the time she acts and has the maturity of a teenager and other times she acts like an adult. I loved the Greek mythology aspect but it would have been nicer to know a little more detail. Maybe the next two books will tell more. It was a pretty good and quick read. ( )

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As a huge fan of Greek mythology, I was excited at the opportunity of reviewing Oppression by Jessica Therrien. I will admit, however, that the synopsis had me worried. I thought it would be a bit too “Mary Jane” and just too saccharine. Thankfully, that was not the case! I think I actually read the entire thing in two sittings (only because I needed to attend class between the start and the end). The mythology aspect was great and fun and seemed pretty sound and correct. The characters were fun, and though some folks may think them too flat, you have to remember, they’re based off Greek myths. Of course love at first sight, or first touch is a possibility!

As a protagonist, Elyse can easily rub readers the wrong way. She seems too perfect almost. Yet, I loved it and found it endearing. Though, there was one part that seemed to really get to me, but I’ll talk about that later. She is sweet even though she has had a fairly foul hand dealt with her parents dying and never being able to fall in love or really make friends since she will outlive them all. Yet, for as much as Elyse tries to keep people away, she still cares — too much so — which is what makes her such a great healer. That’s right, that’s her god descended power. It’s part of the reason she’s at the center of such turmoil once she’s revealed. But, the thing I didn’t like about it, though I understand it from her point of view, is that she is willing to give it all up, her entire life and love, just to prolong a human’s life. Yes, her best friend, but still. Why? I wouldn’t. You know Anna is going to die. She is human. If she doesn’t die now, she’ll die eventually. Why waste your life on that? It seems like something she should have learned early on but hasn’t. This frustrates me, and yet, it’s what makes Elyse a great characters because she fits her role of healer perfectly. A healer, a doctor, can’t just sit back and let someone die if they can stop it.

William, her love interest, is so much fun. He’s cocky and understanding and completely in love with Elyse. I think, without the additional chapter this version (2nd edition) has at the end, I wouldn’t have understood why he loves her so much. The additional chapter shows him when he first meets Elyse and saves her life and shows just how he falls in love. But, being a descendant of Aphrodite, while Elyse’s father was a descendant of Hephaestus, it automatically made sense for me to have them fall in love. I thought it was fantastic too how Therrien sets up the later events with William knowing Elyse will do something stupid and need a back-up escape plan. The fact that she took the time to put that in the middle of the book totally justifies the ending. Without it, I would’ve been disappointed at the use of a deus ex machina escape.

The pacing of the story was fun and steady. It never got too slow, nor did it get overwhelming. I want to know more about the Council and hope in book 2 we’ll get to see more of them and the upcoming fight that will happen. Overall, I absolutely loved Oppression by Jessica Therrien and would definitely re-read it. Well, after I finish the other two (which I will review soon!) If you like the Percy Jackson series, but want a bit more grown up version, definitely pick this up!

// I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title. // ( )

(This review can be found on my blog The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl).

(I hate writing reviews that are under 3 stars, but I told the author I'd write a review, so here goes).

Okay, so I wanted to really like this book, I really did. It was about Greek gods and goddesses which is a subject I like. However hard I tried to get into it, I just couldn't. It actually felt like a chore, and I hated having to read it. I took a little break from it, but when I came back to it, I still couldn't get into it.

Please keep in mind this review is only going to be about the first 9 chapters as I stopped reading when I got to chapter 10.

The title is a fantastic choice for this book. When I stopped reading, it had gotten obvious why the author chose this title.

I'm not really sold on the cover. It's just too boring for my liking. Again, this book has taken the easy way out by just putting a photo on the cover. Whatever happened to imagination!?!

The world building didn't really seem that thought out. I found myself being nagged by so many questions about Elyse's aging process that I couldn't answer. The whole aging thing just did not make much sense. Based on the bit I read of this book, I just didn't see the world building getting any better.

The pacing in this book was so slow!! I found myself becoming easily bored and not caring about anything that happened. As I said previously, I even took a book thinking maybe it was just me, but when I came back to it, I found the pacing to be even slower if that's possible.

The dialogue between the characters was well thought out. It never seemed forced and seemed to flow with the story. Based on what I read of this book, there was no swearing.

The character of Elyse didn't seem very well-developed. She does not act 89 at all but acts like a teenager. Surely she'd act her age regardless of what age she looked like physically!?! That is what mainly put me off the whole book. I liked William based on the little bit I read about him. He seems like a fun character. I would've liked to find out a bit more about Kara but I just really couldn't force myself to read this book anymore.

Like I said, I really wanted to enjoy this book. Even the synopsis sounded promising. I think the idea of the book is a good one, but it wasn't executed very well. I think if the author had maybe worked on the book a bit longer, it could've been really good.

Overall, I wouldn't really recommend this book unless you aren't very fussy with details or unless you're really bored. If you want to take a chance with it (and you may like it), I'd say it's a book for those aged 13 from what I've read.

( )

I almost completely loved this book. The main character comes off a bit annoying after a while, a little too much on the whiny side. She was no Bella in New Moon, believe me (had that been S. Meyer's first book I never would have read the rest!), but it kept me from being 100% over the top. Still I did love the book, read it in two days and am looking forward to the next (clearly a series)

What can I say, I'm a sucker for super powers! It doesn't matter how, descendants of Greek gods, genetic mutations, radioactive goop or supernatural mojo...I just love me some super powers! I have often thought about what mine would/should be. Given my nature IRL, I'm guessing some form of invisibility or chameleon type ability. But, if we could choose? Ah, I could spend a long time pondering the pros and cons of that!

About the end, Ms. Therrien, seriously? You couldn't even ........avoiding spoiler...........? *sigh*

I hate entering a series at the start and having to wait for the next book. Patience is just not a virtue I possess in abundance. But, I am totally looking forward to reading more about Elyse, William & friends! ( )

I received my copy of this eBook in exchange for a fair and honest review.



I am a slut for Greek mythology!!!!! I know the myths, I read them ALL! I know about the gods, their powers, and the allure of all their tales. I know the sensationalized items like Hercules and Xena, and yes I liked them too. The premise of the gods being not only real, but not gods at all but beings with powers unlike our own but appearing human and aging so much slower than us... I LOVED IT!!!!!

Elyse and William are a love story that I can get behind, a destined to be relationship they are stronger together because they will be the parents of the next generation's Oracle. I have this marked as YA - it is and it isn't, it would qualify as a 'Mature' YA because the characters are adults by the end of the first book, but that's the feel it gave me.

I don't know why, the beginning was slow - scratch that, I do know, there was a lot of description at the beginning and flashbacks that really weren't entirely important to the overall plot and they dragged a little. But once William and the other Descendants were in the picture, things started to pick up. When the action starts, this is something that [a:Jessica Therrien|5406182|Jessica Therrien|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/authors/1327974828p2/5406182.jpg] has done exceptionally well! I can feel the urgency and the fear that starts pressing down on them. I can feel how high the stakes are thanks to the expressive writing and description. EXCELLENT!!!!! I cannot wait to pick up [b:Uprising|25729652|Uprising (Children of the Gods #2)|Jessica Therrien|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1434347207s/25729652.jpg|21414247] now and see where this goes.



Four stars, but only because of the slow start. This gets two very enthusiastic thumbs up from me too! Read it, you won't be disappointed! ( )