Persephone Plus

Persephone Plus
By  Stevie Rae Causey

ISBN: 9798742133803
67 Pages
Available in Paperback, on Audible, and on Kindle

Synopsis:

After a year of banishment in the modern world Persephone must convince Olympus that love comes in many forms.

Persephone and Aphrodite must settle an old rivalry regarding their shared lover, or forfeit them to the mortal realm forever in this LGBTQ+ romantic fantasy short story. As their time runs out and the Goddess of Love shows no sign of wavering, it is up to Persephone to find a way to save the mortal she loves, without hurting the immortal she married.

If you like old myths with modern twists and complicated romance, you'll love Persephone Plus.

My Thoughts:

Persephone Plus is a short story adaptation of the tale of the relationship dispute between Persephone, Adonis, and Aphrodite that is told in a modern high school setting. I listened to the audiobook version, which was just under 37 minutes long. It's definitely a quickie read, but I think it could have benefitted with a little more time to flesh out the story more.

The story is full of imagery and emotion, but lacking in exposition in some key areas. For starters, it felt like you jumped in mid-narrative. The way the characters are talking, you feel like you should know what is going on, but you don't. There is backstory about the characters being banished from Olympus that is never properly covered or elaborated on. As you listen, you start to figure out some of the intricacies of the existing relationships, but other parts remain unclear if you do not know the mythological history behind the characters.

Persephone Plus is marketed as a LGBTQ+ romantic fantasy, but I find that label to be slightly misleading. The main theme of the story is that of polyamorous relationships, which typically do not by default fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. The only LGBTQ+ aspect occurs in the form where, for whatever reason, the writer chose to have Adonis identify as they/them. Historically, there is no case for this. In fact, Adonis was very much male - so much that "adonis" has long been used as a term for extremely handsome men. It feels more like an attempt to emphasize the "wokeness" of the writer and shoehorn the book into a LGBTQ+ classification. If it was an original story with original characters, it would be less questionable, but to take well established characters and change something so drastic just makes little sense. 

If you are a mythology lover like me and are familiar with the lore behind the Adonis & Persephone story and maybe I am more critical because of this, then you will notice several other changes. Persephone Plus is clearly written to make Persephone out to be the champion, solver of problems, and a caring person, while painting Aphrodite as your typical vapid "mean girl". Whereas, in the mythos, Persephone was the one who stole Adonis. Aligning with this noticeable change in narrative is the fact that when the contract is settled Adonis chooses to split his year equally between Persephone and Aphrodite, whereas in the original story he chose Aphrodite and spent his remaining 4 months that were previously unallocated with her. 

It also seems like the story is written to lift up the concept of polyamorous relationships, when in truth it is a really bad example of polyamorous relationships because Persephone's decision is forced on Hades rather than being made with his consent. It also appears that Adonis has been trapped into making a decision and Aphrodite is being coerced to agree to something they clearly do not want. The reality is that Persephone Plus is trying to romanticize a toxic situation, but is not really succeeding. Overall, the substance is lacking, but the storytelling is creative. It makes for a okay short read if you want a fluff tale to waste some time. 

In regards to the narration: The audiobook is narrated by Brenda Scott Wlazlo. The narrator has a nice clear voice and she was capable at distinguishing between the characters and portraying believable emotion in the characters. The reading pace was decent and the storytelling was engaging enough to keep you interested in listening.

I received a complimentary audiobook copy of Persephone Plus from StoryOrigin in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions stated are mine. The book is currently available available on Amazon.

Parent's Guide:

Persephone Plus is a tame tale and set in a relatable high school setting. There isn't a lot of exposition, so if the reader isn't familiar with Greek mythology they may get confused, but overall there isn't anything that is really inappropriate for pre-teen or teen readers. If your child likes mythology, they will probably enjoy this fresh and relatable perspective on an old tale.

Devil on Her Shoulder

 

Devil on Her Shoulder (Volume 1: The Bruja Is Missing!)
By Cédric Mayen, Art by Sandra Cardona

ISBN: 9791032812310
49 Pages
Available on Kindle & Comixology

Synopsis:

Hell and damnation! The Bruja is missing! When the most powerful witch alive disappears without a trace, Norah, her 17-year-old niece, decides to investigate. But upon entering her aunt's manor, she interrupts a summoning ritual and finds herself face to face with the devil... Or half of him, anyway, as he has been cut in two and is now stuck in a pentagram. Unable to return to Hell without Norah's help, Lucifer agrees to assist her in finding the Bruja—a devilish task when you're the most feared and hated being on the planet!

My Thoughts:

For starters, I just have to say that the art in Devil on Her Shoulder is stunning. The artist is extremely talented and the pictures are colorful, creative, and downright beautiful. The imagery used is mature but at the same time somewhat cutesy. It has a little bit of a Hayao Miyazaki Spirited Away vibe. But at the same time, the demons kind of make me think of  Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas.

The text style compliments the art very well. My only complaint was that it was a bit difficult to read on my tablet screen, but that could merely be the limitations of the Net Galley app and my device, which has a narrow 7 inch screen. In print format or on a large screen Kindle or a full computer screen, I doubt it would be as much of an issue.

The characters have moments where they are most serious, but also share a good deal of sarcasm and witty banter, which delivers quite a few laughs. The lead characters are all quite likeable. Yes, even the devil! The situation he has found himself in, while serious, is also pretty comical and his semi-frequent shapeshifting is fun. (Even if his Ryan Gosling isn't quite convincing...)

The overall story is original, clever, and inviting. Once I started reading Devil on Her Shoulder, I did not want to put it down and I was sad when I came to the end - which was a total cliffhanger! I can't wait for volume two to be released. I will absolutely be following this series.

I received a complimentary digital ARC of Devil on Her Shoulder from NetGalley and publisher EuropeComics in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Parent's Guide:

Devil on Her Shoulder is a relatively easy read, and with the lead character being a teen I feel like it is relatable to younger teen readers. Obviously, it discusses heaven and hell and has a great deal to do with fictionalized witchcraft, so if those things are an issue than that is something to consider. But there are no images that are risqué, gruesome, or severely off-putting. I think this is a great option for teens.

September Reading List

Did I up my reading goal again? You bet I did! This month's reading list includes a few books picked up from a trip to the local library, but mostly review requests and NetGalley selections. 

This is about half of my goal for the month. Which means
I will be done with them in a week at the rate I have been going.

This is what my September reading list looks like:

Would You Like to be a Family? by Koyama

A Secret Scottish Escape by Julie Shackman

Kiss and Spell by Shanna Swendson

Séances are for Suckers by Tamara Berry

My Dad is a Russian Spy by Candy Berg

Devil on Her Shoulder (V1) by  Cédric Mayen

Deep Space by Milo James Fowler

There are still reviews incoming for some of my August reads as well. I have quite a backlog to post, but will get them all up as soon as possible. Ideally, I am aiming for 2 posts a week, but being careful to not get burned out again. But there are a lot of posts coming! So remember to check back.

And, as always, I am open to and love discussion, so I invite you to grab a book and read along!

August Reading Selections

I forgot how good it feels to spend all day lost in a book! I have already had to up my reading challenge goal twice in the last month. This month's reading list includes mostly books picked up from a trip to the local library, but also some past review requests and LibraryThing wins. 

This is what my August reading list looks like:

Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan (Omnibus, Vol. 1 & 2) by Gaku Kuze

It Takes Two to Tumble, A Gentleman Never Keeps Score, & Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian 

Damsel Under Stress, Don't Hex with Texas, & Much Ado About Magic by Shanna Swendson

Captain Bartholomew Quasar: Starfaring Adventures by Milo James Fowler

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

There are also reviews incoming for my July reads, including:

The Turners series by Cat Sebastian (I had only intended to read the first book that I picked up, but once you read one book in a series you have to read them all asap. Same thing happened with the Seducing the Sedgewicks series on the August list. Her books are addictive!)

Enchanted, Inc. & Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson

Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer

Reviews will be posted over the remainder of the month and well into the next one. So remember to check back. A lot of this month's and last month's reads are books in the same series, so I will try to stagger the reviews with other ones in between them. 

And, as always, I am open to and love discussion, so I invite you to grab a book and read along!

The Goddess is in the Details

The Goddess is in the Details: Wisdom for the Everyday Witch
by Deborah Blake

ISBN: 9780738714868
228 Pages

Available in Paperback, Kindle, and Audiobook


Synopsis:

Deborah Blake shares with you the life of one who embraces the craft - being a Witch in every aspect of daily life. She includes helpful advice, practical suggestions and yes, even a few spells, to help out those hoping to enrich their spiritual walk.

My Thoughts:

With me, new age and Pagan books are often hit or miss. There are many good books out there for people who wish to learn about Paganism, yet at the same time, there are many that are a big heaping literary mess. When I first spotted The Goddess is in the Details on the library shelf, I was optimistic. The cover art is appealing. It is warm and colorful - much like the subjects who may read it.

According to the introduction, this book was written "primarily with more experienced Witches in mind" and the target audience is "any Witch who has mastered the fundamentals." I have to strongly disagree with this sentiment. I think The Goddess is in the Details is a must read for anyone who wants to learn more about Pagan beliefs. Not just practicing Witches, but their loved ones as well. Sure, they may not understand right off what an athame is, or what calling quarters means, but they will get the important information - like the pagan views on attitudes, love, tolerance and relationships with nature. Things that may very well shatter any negative preconceived notions that they may harbor.

While it does suggest a few spells to help you out, The Goddess is in the Details is by no means a spell book. If you are looking for spells to get rich quick or win someone's love, you are looking in the wrong place. Or maybe, you aren't, since this book will explain to you why those spells will not work.

One of the things I absolutely loved about this book is the writing style. It is not stiff and impersonal like many other books I have read. Miss Blake writes in a very friendly and welcoming manner, often using humor, which makes it seem more like a conversation than a lecture. You feel as though she is talking directly to you.

While reading The Goddess is in the Details, I experienced several moments where the ideals and stories really hit home, and was inspired to reflect on how these things related to me personally.

For instance, after reading the chapters titled "The Healthy Witch" and "Mindful Eating" I stopped to think about my eating habits, and how the stresses I have faced over the past year have led to me not care about my eating habits as much as I used to. In the last week, I have been more cautious in what I have been eating, and I really can tell the difference.

In the chapter about cleaning, Miss Blake reminds you of the old saying that "cleanliness is next to godliness" and really hits the nail on the head with the statement "it is hard to be pure of spirit if you live in a pigsty." As she points out - "If your home is truly your temple, it only makes sense that you would want to treat it in a positive and respectful way." I will be the first to admit that when cleaning up after the kids, I often get overwhelmed and just don't want to bother with it all, but after reading this I look at it differently.

Perhaps the chapter that got to me most of all was the one on the power of words. I have always been against the use of the word "hate" and have been cautious to only put out the energies that I would like in return, but I still often find myself saying things that aren't one hundred percent nice. After reading this book, I have found that I am being more aware of what I say to people, and even to myself. I am more focused on positive affirmations and not becoming angry when one of my kids does something they shouldn't.

It is possible that I would take these lessons away from any other book I read that covered the same topics, but I feel that it is the casual and friendly writing style that makes you really take it to heart. Miss Blake writes in a compassionate way that shows that she really cares about the readers and wants them to be happy. She knows how to turn phrases that make you feel secure. For example - and this is probably my favorite line in the book - when talking about prayer, she reminds you that "[The gods] may not answer your prayer in the way you want, but if you open yourself to it, their love is always there to wrap around yourself like a warm blanket."

Eating, cleaning, and words are only a few of the broad array of topics that The Goddess is in the Details covers, quite sufficiently, in it's 228 pages. However, just in case you want to go more into depth on any of the topics covered, Miss Blake included a wonderful list of recommended reading books that specialize on the topics covered.

At the end of each chapter, there is a portion labeled "Something to Think About" or "Something to Try" which gives you ways to further reflect on what you learned in that chapter. These are faintly reminiscent to the chapter reviews in old textbooks, but a lot more friendly. Rather than asking you to remember what you learned in the chapter, they are suggesting ways that you can take what you learned and utilize it.

I believe that this is a wonderful book that anyone who feels the need to learn more about Pagans can enjoy.  Displaying such warmth and wisdom, Deborah Blake is really in her element here. She is quite possibly my new favorite Pagan writer. I hope to own for myself a copy of this book soon, and I look forward to reading her other works.

Parent's Guide:

Miss Blake says in her introduction that this book is intended mostly for the more mature and experienced crowd. Does this mean you should ban your teen from reading it? Absolutely not. The Goddess is in the Details is a rich resource of moral and ethical lessons for a practicing Witch, and is written at a level that most teens can understand. In fact, if you discover that your child is interested in Paganism, this is a book that I would recommend for them to read. And you as well, so that you understand the feelings they are having and their beliefs do not seem so alien. You could even make it a moment of bonding, by reading it together and discussing the topics, or working together on end of chapter "projects."

May Reading Selections and Tea Party Madness!

Okay, so I didn't get near as far with my April list as I expected to. I don't think I was too ambitious - I normally read more than I did last month. However, I did forget to take into account the other projects I had to work on before this summer hits. Because of this, some of my April list got bumped to May.


So now, this is what my May reading list looks like:

Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet
Magyk by Angie Sage
The Ale Boy's Feast by Jeffery Overstreet
Rumpelstiltskin vs. Miller by Michael H. Brandt
The Light Inside the Dark by John Tarrant
 
In recognition of Beltane, I set aside Auralia and read The Goddess is in the Details by Deborah Blake, but have been so busy I haven't had a chance to finish the review, so that should be up tonight.


I know, what could be more interesting than reading and writing? The answer is: nothing! But - there are things that can be equally as interesting! One of the other hobbies I participate in is a phenomenon called cosplay. This is where people dress up in costumes of their favorite characters from Japanese cartoons and video games. I love sewing, so I enjoy costuming events. In fact, I help out with and run cosplay events at anime conventions, and I run a cosplay group.

This past weekend my cosplay group hosted a lolita fashion themed tea party and luncheon. Which was awesome, because not only did I get to dress up, but I also got to cook, which is another love of mine!

My delicious contribution - Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Scones, and Onigiri

After staying up all night preparing food and modifying my dress, it was off to the park. We met at Hermann Park in Houston, which is always beautiful, and the nice weather made it even better. Unfortunately, there was some kind of fund raising benefit going on, so it was more crowded than we expected. That didn't keep us from having a great time.

Me and two friends at the beginning of the day

The tea party was a success. We all made new friends and got some great photos. The group is already eager for the next one to be scheduled. This is how it often is for me. So, chances are if I go a few days without posting, it means I am sewing and preparing for an event, like a faire or a con.

April Reading Selections - Let's Discuss!

A new blog is a perfect opportunity for a new start, so I decided that I wanted to start with some fresh reads. After a quick trip to the local library, I have decided on my reading list for April.

Dreaming Anastasia by  Joy Preble
Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet
The Goddess is in the Details by Deborah Blake
Magyk by Angie Sage
The Light Inside the Dark by John Tarrant
 
I am excited to start reading. Reviews will be posted over the next month. so remember to check back. And, as previously stated, I am always open to discussion, so I invite you to grab a book and read along!