Mythos 2: Daughter of the Sea by Celina Summers

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Mythos 2: Daughter of the Sea
Author: Celina Summers

Author Site

Buy Link 
Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Mythology

Length:104 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 3

Presentation: 4

Editing: 3

Story: 4

Writing Ability: 3.5

Reviewed by: Violet Harper

About The Book: The young gods of Olympus have pursued the sea god Nereus’ daughters, Amphitrite and Thetis, since they grew to maturity. The sisters are used to the adoration of immortal men and like the attention they receive. But when the imprisoned Titan, Prometheus, makes a prophecy that Thetis’ son will be greater than his father, the gods shun the beautiful nymph. Thetis hides herself away from Olympus, leaving her sister Amphitrite angry and in no mood to deal with the fickle tastes of men.

When the King of the Ocean, Poseidon, watches Amphitrite dance at a feast upon Olympus, he falls instantly in love with her. His attempts to court Amphitrite end in disaster; she flees to the one place in the three realms where no Olympian can go. Can Poseidon find some messenger to break through her anger and win her heart? Or will the great god of the oceans be spurned by this daughter of the sea?

The Review: In school, I remembered being required to read myths in my literature books.  They were factual, meant to inform, not to entertain.  Their appeal lay in the romanticism of the ideals presented.  The story of Poseidon and Amphitrite is ripe for a modern retelling.  I was very excited to read this. The vocabulary is rich and the sentences are extremely well-constructed. 

Some of the story is told from Amphitrite’s point of view, some from Poseidon’s and the rest is told from Pan’s point of view.  Since this is a series, my guess is that Pan’s presence is there to hold the series together.  I don’t think he was necessary.  His presence and his point of view were intrusive.  I would have rather spent more time getting to know Poseidon or Amphitrite.

The novel is true to the original myth.  There is no liberty taken with the characters’ personalities or their motivations, and there is no attempt to modernize their morals.  It’s an examination of the ideas of free will and fate, of the alpha male tempered by the love of a gentle woman.  It’s a good, rich plot and an informative read.  If you enjoy myths, you will enjoy this novel.

Pagan Elements: The book is based on the myth of Poseidon and Amphitrite, but it is surprisingly bereft of Pagan elements.

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Bride Of Death by Celina Summers

PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Bride of Death
Author: Celina Summers

Author Site

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Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press

Genre:Historical/Paranormal/Romance

Length: 102 pgs., plus the author's biography and an exerpt from her new book
Other: M/F

Reviewed by: Keri Stratton Alley

About The Book: When the mischievous god of love targets Hades, the god of death falls hopelessly in love with the spring maiden Persephone--the one immortal most ill-suited for his dark domain. Her mother, Demeter, will never allow the lord of the Underworld to court her beloved daughter. The king of the gods proposes an unconventional solution: Hades may kidnap Persephone and take her to the Underworld to woo her. If Persephone agrees to marry Hades, Zeus will support the match. 

But neither god has reckoned on Demeter's inconsolable grief at the loss of her daughter. If Persephone is not returned to her, the goddess has vowed to destroy all life. Can Hades win Persephone's heart before her mother discovers who has taken her? Or will Persephone make her own wishes known as the intended bride of death? Even in the world of immortals, time is not on Hades' side.

The Review: Simply brilliant. In the world of practicing pagans, who hasn't already heard the story of Hades and Persephone? It's one of the many death/resurrection stories my circle tells at Samhain to illustrate the cycle. But usually when it's told, the focus is on Persephone's kidnapping and subsequent rescue by her mother. Hades remains personified as a stereotypical chauvinistic bad-guy who kidnaps pretty children.

Ms. Summers puts a spin on every aspect of the classic myth. Hades is portrayed as the dark, handsome, mysterious, overly-serious black sheep of the family who sneaks out to watch sunrises with Pan and longs for a wife. Persephone may be young, but she's a willful young woman who knows what she wants, and how to get it. Demeter is not heroically rescuing her despoiled daughter from Hades evil clutches - she's an over-protective, interfering, future mother-in-law who doesn't know when to let go.

Such an interesting perspective makes for an entertaining read. Plus, Ms. Summers is an excellent storyteller, leading the reader through a fast-paced romantic romp, with some steamy love scenes once Persephone admits to her attraction to Hades. This is not a very long book, so it can easily be devoured in one decadent sitting. I was quite pleased to discover that it was the first of several retellings of classic myths; I look forward to reading more of Ms. Summer's work.

Pagan Elements: Based on a classic Greek myth, Ms. Summer's story features many of the Greek pantheon, including Hades, Persephone, Demeter, Zeus, Styx, Pan, and Aphrodite.

Cover (Rated 1-10): 8-I thought the mix of classical statuary and modern photography was inspired. I would definitely have picked this book up to read the blurb on the back, based solely on the cover art.

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.