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The Divine Masquerade #1
The Gods Among Us
Pallas is a friendless teen from a backwater village on a forgotten shore. She really doesn't believe in the gods except to peevishly blame them for drowning her mother. But she's forced to shelve her moody cynicism when she accidentally rescues an obnoxious cat.
Suddenly caught in a celestial war, Pallas must do the unthinkable - champion the very goddess she hates. Masquerading as a mythic princess, she convinces everyone she's a child of Atlantis.
Yet nothing can save her from certain doom, when the Volcano god reaches out to slay her. For how can a mortal fight a god?
Suddenly caught in a celestial war, Pallas must do the unthinkable - champion the very goddess she hates. Masquerading as a mythic princess, she convinces everyone she's a child of Atlantis.
Yet nothing can save her from certain doom, when the Volcano god reaches out to slay her. For how can a mortal fight a god?
268 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2011
13 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
About the author
D.C. Belton
3 books20 followersD.C. Belton travels internationally and is an elected state legislator from Buckhead, Georgia. When a constituent’s son accidentally killed himself texting-while-driving, Belton spearheaded the successful passage of two safety laws to prevent future tragedies. Belton has a passion for literacy and female empowerment.
"I wrote these books for my daughters, to share with them my love of mythology.
But as C.S. Lewis once wrote about his own Goddaughter, “I had not realized that girls grow up quicker than books. As a result, you are too old for fairy tales.”
My daughters are grown now; off to live their lives in their own bold adventures. But as they face the world before them, I know the experience that Pallas has given them will hearten their spirits, as my love for them strengthens their esteem."
"I wrote these books for my daughters, to share with them my love of mythology.
But as C.S. Lewis once wrote about his own Goddaughter, “I had not realized that girls grow up quicker than books. As a result, you are too old for fairy tales.”
My daughters are grown now; off to live their lives in their own bold adventures. But as they face the world before them, I know the experience that Pallas has given them will hearten their spirits, as my love for them strengthens their esteem."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 4, 2013
The author was kind enough to give me a free review copy.
You know those books that you just don't wanna put down? Not because there's something exciting happening in the story or it is a good story...not only that but mostly because the writing flows and the story is being told so smoothly that you just read on and on. This book was such a book.
The parts I loved the most began when Pallas is aboard the ship and meets the crew. Their humor, lightheartedness and loyalty towards each other made them lovable.
I also liked that we're set up to hate Elena in the beginning of the story but we find out she has more depth and understands political intrigue much better than her younger sisters give her credit for.
Othello, I feared and hated just like I was supposed to. Even when I laughed at his antics, I wasn't less creeped out by him!
About the gods and their machinations: a) I'm not yet sure if they're actually deities and not humans who know what opposable thumbs are, b) they just don't care whose life they ruin, do they? Even Pallas who claims not to believe in gods & goddesses can't escape their schemes!
Pallas keeps mentioning how her father must miss her and I couldn't shake the feeling that there's something wrong there. Poor Pallas!
What would have made the book even better was a little more world building, maybe? Or a map, so we could understand what this world is like even better.
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2013
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
The story is about a teen slave girl (Pallas) who finds herself in a new land, hailed as a child of Atlantis set to bring on the dawning of the Age of Aquarius (yep, like the song). Aided by her talking cat (Othello), she tries to play the part, all the while cursing the goddess Aegeia for drowning her mother.
The author does a decent job of painting a picture of a teen girl - slightly whiney, self-involved, conflicted, and desperate to belong. I wish there had been a bit more about her missing her father, in order to increase the conflict and sympathy factor. Despite having left home suddenly (and rather accidentally), there is only a passing mention of Pallas wanting to leave the new land to reunite with her dear old dad.
This book seems to be laying the background for books to come, rather than being much of a story in itself. There was very little action, and virtually no buildup to what little action there was. Grammar and punctuation mistakes were more frequent than they should have been, including the use of "you're" instead of "your," randomly placed commas, and, in one instance, the use of "chard" instead of "charred." Quibbles, perhaps, but enough to take me out of the story every time they occurred.
All said, I would be interested in reading future stories about Pallas (and Othello) to find out how the "Age of Aquarius" turns out in the end.
The story is about a teen slave girl (Pallas) who finds herself in a new land, hailed as a child of Atlantis set to bring on the dawning of the Age of Aquarius (yep, like the song). Aided by her talking cat (Othello), she tries to play the part, all the while cursing the goddess Aegeia for drowning her mother.
The author does a decent job of painting a picture of a teen girl - slightly whiney, self-involved, conflicted, and desperate to belong. I wish there had been a bit more about her missing her father, in order to increase the conflict and sympathy factor. Despite having left home suddenly (and rather accidentally), there is only a passing mention of Pallas wanting to leave the new land to reunite with her dear old dad.
This book seems to be laying the background for books to come, rather than being much of a story in itself. There was very little action, and virtually no buildup to what little action there was. Grammar and punctuation mistakes were more frequent than they should have been, including the use of "you're" instead of "your," randomly placed commas, and, in one instance, the use of "chard" instead of "charred." Quibbles, perhaps, but enough to take me out of the story every time they occurred.
All said, I would be interested in reading future stories about Pallas (and Othello) to find out how the "Age of Aquarius" turns out in the end.
June 15, 2012
I was given this book through the We Love YA Books ARR Readers’ Corner, thank you.
July 16, 2013
A truly magical and enchanting children’s story…
Book 1 of the divine masquerade ‘the gods among us’ is a fresh, new fantasy story that beautifully blends historical and detailed mythology in an inventive way. ‘The Zoo’ is an extraordinary world consisting of five different realms (the elements; water, fire, air, earth and life) that is governed by Gods and ruled by magic. Based on the Greek God Athena and Atlantis, this tale brings ancient myth and legend vibrantly to life with a uniquely singular twist. Within this world creatures called Drones reside upon the Earth, as well as all kinds of beings such as Magi, Elders and Goddesses. Magic flows through the writing in such a mystical way as to dazzle and intrigue. Unlike anything I have encountered before this compelling read was unexpectedly surprising, and ideally tailored towards the younger reader with a vivid imagination!
Pallas is a Drone from the Water realm, who leads an unremarkable life and yet is unknowingly destined for great things. She has always longed for something more, with her curiosity and fascination leading her into the path of a rather peculiar cat. Othello the Cat and Pallas (similarly to Alice and the Cheshire cat) are both talkative and intelligent. Their chance meeting forms the catalyst for change, with a mighty celestial war and the fight between mortality and eternal life springing up before them. Despite loathing the Gods and blaming Aegeia for the death of her mother, Pallas must defend the goddess and undertake the unthinkable. This is a story of courage and fighting for all that is good and true. Ultimately it is a tale that explores the meaning of life and love, whilst revealing to its reader their own personal journey of the heart.
I was greatly impressed by the in-depth world-building and creation as a whole, which is incredibly detailed and inspired. Full of such originality and distinctive flair, this is something that certainly stands-out on the bookshelf. The use of colloquial language (i.e whatdya) reflected the ages of the main characters and was only one of the many combined elements that make this credible as a children’s story, rather than something perhaps for the older young adult. Cindy and Pallas’ divergence as they grew up brought nostalgic memories to the fore, as I was reminded of how different my outlook on life was when I was younger to now. Swept off on an exciting adventure into a vast universe, this spellbinding story had me glued to the pages in intense rapture. 3.5 rating.
*I won a copy of D.C Belton’s book 1 of the divine masquerade: the gods among us, through a GoodReads first-read giveaway*
Book 1 of the divine masquerade ‘the gods among us’ is a fresh, new fantasy story that beautifully blends historical and detailed mythology in an inventive way. ‘The Zoo’ is an extraordinary world consisting of five different realms (the elements; water, fire, air, earth and life) that is governed by Gods and ruled by magic. Based on the Greek God Athena and Atlantis, this tale brings ancient myth and legend vibrantly to life with a uniquely singular twist. Within this world creatures called Drones reside upon the Earth, as well as all kinds of beings such as Magi, Elders and Goddesses. Magic flows through the writing in such a mystical way as to dazzle and intrigue. Unlike anything I have encountered before this compelling read was unexpectedly surprising, and ideally tailored towards the younger reader with a vivid imagination!
Pallas is a Drone from the Water realm, who leads an unremarkable life and yet is unknowingly destined for great things. She has always longed for something more, with her curiosity and fascination leading her into the path of a rather peculiar cat. Othello the Cat and Pallas (similarly to Alice and the Cheshire cat) are both talkative and intelligent. Their chance meeting forms the catalyst for change, with a mighty celestial war and the fight between mortality and eternal life springing up before them. Despite loathing the Gods and blaming Aegeia for the death of her mother, Pallas must defend the goddess and undertake the unthinkable. This is a story of courage and fighting for all that is good and true. Ultimately it is a tale that explores the meaning of life and love, whilst revealing to its reader their own personal journey of the heart.
I was greatly impressed by the in-depth world-building and creation as a whole, which is incredibly detailed and inspired. Full of such originality and distinctive flair, this is something that certainly stands-out on the bookshelf. The use of colloquial language (i.e whatdya) reflected the ages of the main characters and was only one of the many combined elements that make this credible as a children’s story, rather than something perhaps for the older young adult. Cindy and Pallas’ divergence as they grew up brought nostalgic memories to the fore, as I was reminded of how different my outlook on life was when I was younger to now. Swept off on an exciting adventure into a vast universe, this spellbinding story had me glued to the pages in intense rapture. 3.5 rating.
*I won a copy of D.C Belton’s book 1 of the divine masquerade: the gods among us, through a GoodReads first-read giveaway*
March 5, 2012
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one in the series. The Gods Among Us speaks of the different gods and goddess.
The start of the book was a little hard for me to follow simply because there was so many different gods and goddesses. However the book soon pulled me along on Pallas's adventure.
The story follows a 16 year old drone by the name of Pallas. Drones are the lowest station of humans and there job is to feed the gods. Pallas is causing or finding trouble everywhere she goes in this story, but she stands up for what she believes in. She is much smarter than the other drones in the story because her father taught her various things that no other drones really understands. She later learns to read and is schooled on how to act among the more noble class of people.
Pallas lost her mother to the sea when she was younger and she blames Aegeia (goddess of the sea) for it. On her 16th birthday she is strolling on the beach wishing to escape when she sees something floating in the sea. She decides to swim out to see what it is and her life is never the same. She makes it to the egg as she calls it and climbs in with the help of some dolphins. There she meets a cat named Othello who is able to talk.
Othello and Pallas have many adventures in this book and encounter many dangers including Pallas almost becoming a sacrifice and later is believed to be the one to fulfill a prophecy "The Age of Aquarius". The book leaves you waiting for the next installment of The Divine Masquerade series called Whom the Gods Destroy.
Overall I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I wish we had been able to meet the father of Pallas. Also maybe in the second book we will find out more about Pallas's mother? I hope to see a little romance blossom in the next one. I like the cover on this book. I liked how the book ended. It left it ready for the next book but it did not leave this book unfinished either.
Source: I received a copy of this book from the author to provide an honest and fair review.
The start of the book was a little hard for me to follow simply because there was so many different gods and goddesses. However the book soon pulled me along on Pallas's adventure.
The story follows a 16 year old drone by the name of Pallas. Drones are the lowest station of humans and there job is to feed the gods. Pallas is causing or finding trouble everywhere she goes in this story, but she stands up for what she believes in. She is much smarter than the other drones in the story because her father taught her various things that no other drones really understands. She later learns to read and is schooled on how to act among the more noble class of people.
Pallas lost her mother to the sea when she was younger and she blames Aegeia (goddess of the sea) for it. On her 16th birthday she is strolling on the beach wishing to escape when she sees something floating in the sea. She decides to swim out to see what it is and her life is never the same. She makes it to the egg as she calls it and climbs in with the help of some dolphins. There she meets a cat named Othello who is able to talk.
Othello and Pallas have many adventures in this book and encounter many dangers including Pallas almost becoming a sacrifice and later is believed to be the one to fulfill a prophecy "The Age of Aquarius". The book leaves you waiting for the next installment of The Divine Masquerade series called Whom the Gods Destroy.
Overall I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I wish we had been able to meet the father of Pallas. Also maybe in the second book we will find out more about Pallas's mother? I hope to see a little romance blossom in the next one. I like the cover on this book. I liked how the book ended. It left it ready for the next book but it did not leave this book unfinished either.
Source: I received a copy of this book from the author to provide an honest and fair review.
July 24, 2013
Was very excited when I received this book in the post today. I won it through first reads
Goodreads. This made my day today so thank you will post a full review when finished :)
Update 12/07/2013
Would just like to start this review by thanking D.C Belton for sending me this book through first reads on goodreads :)
Right to start with I really loved the front cover of this book im a sucker for illustrations and it is a very unique front cover made me excited to read this book. Another thing that made me excited for this book was that it was to do with god mythology. Which I love and thought it was executed really well in this book. The author puts her own spin on god mythology which I really liked. I loved Pallas as the main female lead she is a very stubborn free spirited young girl who I can see becoming a very strong character. She made me laugh in several bits with her stubbornness. Also loved othello the very sarcastic cat sidekick you are never sure what is real intentions are.
The writing was very good you can tell the author knows how to write well it flows nicely. The story is of a good pace only wished a little more had happened but I suppose it is setting for the series.
Loved the god mythology aspects of this book made it a very interesting read cant wait to read the next book and find out what happens.
Overall very good book if you are into adventure and mythology you will like this book :)
Thank you again for sending me this book
Goodreads. This made my day today so thank you will post a full review when finished :)
Update 12/07/2013
Would just like to start this review by thanking D.C Belton for sending me this book through first reads on goodreads :)
Right to start with I really loved the front cover of this book im a sucker for illustrations and it is a very unique front cover made me excited to read this book. Another thing that made me excited for this book was that it was to do with god mythology. Which I love and thought it was executed really well in this book. The author puts her own spin on god mythology which I really liked. I loved Pallas as the main female lead she is a very stubborn free spirited young girl who I can see becoming a very strong character. She made me laugh in several bits with her stubbornness. Also loved othello the very sarcastic cat sidekick you are never sure what is real intentions are.
The writing was very good you can tell the author knows how to write well it flows nicely. The story is of a good pace only wished a little more had happened but I suppose it is setting for the series.
Loved the god mythology aspects of this book made it a very interesting read cant wait to read the next book and find out what happens.
Overall very good book if you are into adventure and mythology you will like this book :)
Thank you again for sending me this book
June 21, 2012
Although this is not the kind of story I would typically read, I am glad I did. I really enjoyed it. The main characters, Pallas and Othello were unique and well developed. Their personalities kept the story moving nicely. Pallas had me remembering my stubborn teenage years, giggling away at the resemblances. She is a typical teenage girl wanting to do everything on her own with no help from others.
As for the minor characters, I wish there had been more development. Some of them were intriguing, and I hope some of them (Oliver) plays more of a role in the next book.
The POV changes slowed the pacing, but in the end, the overall adventure and plot was well done and keeps you wanting more.
The Gods Among Us was a well-written story, and I look forward to reading the next one in this series.
As for the minor characters, I wish there had been more development. Some of them were intriguing, and I hope some of them (Oliver) plays more of a role in the next book.
The POV changes slowed the pacing, but in the end, the overall adventure and plot was well done and keeps you wanting more.
The Gods Among Us was a well-written story, and I look forward to reading the next one in this series.
March 21, 2012
I finally found the time to be able to finish this book, hard to do when my little one is sick.
Although it was hard to get into in the beginning, it didn't disappoint. I was rewarded with an adventure unlike no other, that I've read to date. The characters are hard to understand at first, at least to me, but as you read further on, things become much clearer.
I love Pallas and her innocence, Othello I'm still in limbo over. Read the book and find out why. I do hope to find some type of romance between Pallas and Oliver, as I really like him.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and didn't want to put it down. I can't wait to read the next book titled "Whom the Gods Destroy".
Thank you D.C. Belton for this book!
Although it was hard to get into in the beginning, it didn't disappoint. I was rewarded with an adventure unlike no other, that I've read to date. The characters are hard to understand at first, at least to me, but as you read further on, things become much clearer.
I love Pallas and her innocence, Othello I'm still in limbo over. Read the book and find out why. I do hope to find some type of romance between Pallas and Oliver, as I really like him.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and didn't want to put it down. I can't wait to read the next book titled "Whom the Gods Destroy".
Thank you D.C. Belton for this book!
July 17, 2012
For more reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book has not affected my rating. This review reflects my honest opinions.
As a huge fan of mythology, I am probably a little biased towards this book. Basically, any good use of mythology in a book automatically rates highly in my head. It's just a factor that I love exploring, and The Gods Among Us explores it perfectly. That being said, one can probably tell that my favorite part of this book is its mythology! I loved learning about the various gods and houses, as well as the concept of the four elements and their alliances! The world that the author describes and explores is simply enthralling and definitely brings back good memories of when I was even more fascinated with mythology than I am now.
Another plus for me was Othello! Even though Pallas may not necessarily enjoyed his company, I loved reading about him and his thoughts! I would love to have a cat like him(: He was a clever and interesting character, poking fun into the story. In a way, however, Othello also seems complex - on one hand, he's the pet of Mulciber's daughter, the very house that's hunting Pallas down. He also definitely seems annoyed at her at times. However, on the other hand he does care for her deeply, considering all the things that Othello teaches her! Definitely a clever cat.
The relationships between the characters was also well developed. I liked seeing the loyalties form between Lucy & Casey with Pallas, the "Old Man" and Pallas, Elena and Pallas, etc., as well as older relationships maybe being repaired or strengthened. Elena, in particular, was an interesting side character, regarding her attitude towards Lord "Bore-us-loads" and her family. However, even though The Gods Among Us is set in a mythical world, these relationships are definitely present today, which is another plus for me!
My only complaint is probably regarding the plot. Don't get me wrong - the plot's definitely interesting and moves at a reasonable pace. There were a few plot holes regarding the summary on the back of the book vs. the plot (I think I saw this in another review, but I wanted to point on that Pallas is not friendless, and she didn't accidentally rescue Othello). Moreover, compared to the other wonderful aspects in the book, I felt the plot was a bit lacking action, which I probably always look in a book, but was rather focused on world building and relationship development. Again, don't get me wrong - it wasn't bad per se, but thinking back on it, due to my personal tastes, I felt it was a bit lacking.
Overall, The Gods Among Us is a great magical and mythical read! I can't wait to read the next book (I'm actually trying to track down a paperback copy right now since I love this series so much, although the only ones I found are $50 including shipping!) to find out more about Pallas and her heritage, as well as the fate of the Houses. I would recommend this book to fans of mythology or something along the lines of high fantasy - the world is amazingly vivid and will definitely appeal to you.
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book has not affected my rating. This review reflects my honest opinions.
As a huge fan of mythology, I am probably a little biased towards this book. Basically, any good use of mythology in a book automatically rates highly in my head. It's just a factor that I love exploring, and The Gods Among Us explores it perfectly. That being said, one can probably tell that my favorite part of this book is its mythology! I loved learning about the various gods and houses, as well as the concept of the four elements and their alliances! The world that the author describes and explores is simply enthralling and definitely brings back good memories of when I was even more fascinated with mythology than I am now.
Another plus for me was Othello! Even though Pallas may not necessarily enjoyed his company, I loved reading about him and his thoughts! I would love to have a cat like him(: He was a clever and interesting character, poking fun into the story. In a way, however, Othello also seems complex - on one hand, he's the pet of Mulciber's daughter, the very house that's hunting Pallas down. He also definitely seems annoyed at her at times. However, on the other hand he does care for her deeply, considering all the things that Othello teaches her! Definitely a clever cat.
The relationships between the characters was also well developed. I liked seeing the loyalties form between Lucy & Casey with Pallas, the "Old Man" and Pallas, Elena and Pallas, etc., as well as older relationships maybe being repaired or strengthened. Elena, in particular, was an interesting side character, regarding her attitude towards Lord "Bore-us-loads" and her family. However, even though The Gods Among Us is set in a mythical world, these relationships are definitely present today, which is another plus for me!
My only complaint is probably regarding the plot. Don't get me wrong - the plot's definitely interesting and moves at a reasonable pace. There were a few plot holes regarding the summary on the back of the book vs. the plot (I think I saw this in another review, but I wanted to point on that Pallas is not friendless, and she didn't accidentally rescue Othello). Moreover, compared to the other wonderful aspects in the book, I felt the plot was a bit lacking action, which I probably always look in a book, but was rather focused on world building and relationship development. Again, don't get me wrong - it wasn't bad per se, but thinking back on it, due to my personal tastes, I felt it was a bit lacking.
Overall, The Gods Among Us is a great magical and mythical read! I can't wait to read the next book (I'm actually trying to track down a paperback copy right now since I love this series so much, although the only ones I found are $50 including shipping!) to find out more about Pallas and her heritage, as well as the fate of the Houses. I would recommend this book to fans of mythology or something along the lines of high fantasy - the world is amazingly vivid and will definitely appeal to you.
July 3, 2012
The Gods Among Us by D.C. Belton was a very interesting fantasy story depicting a world of waring factions loyal to the different Gods and Goddesses of the four elements: Water, Fire, Earth and Air. Changing loyalties of the elements causes conflict amongst the people in the world. The story focuses on a sixteen year old slave-girl named Pallas and the adventure she embarks on after meeting a white cat named Othello with the ability to speak.
Possible spoilers ahead:
I was a tad confused about what was happening at the very beginning of the novel and it was a little slow, but once the story shifted to Pallas, I couldn't wait to see what happened next.
It was wonderful to see the smart, curious and rebellious character of Pallas get swept into a world where she could learn new information and see the hidden magic/technology of the "Gods". In order to protect herself and the father she left behind, Pallas is forced to pretend she came from the mysterious Golden Egg as a token of the Water Goddess Aegeia, who she despises and believes is responsible for killing her mother. A possible prophecy about herself compels Pallas to reevaluate her belief in the Gods. I enjoyed seeing her character develop from a young, naive slave-girl into the mysterious princess of Atlantis that is able to somehow hold her own amongst all the people she comes across. Pallas' love/hate relationship with her cat companion Othello leaves many secrets and knowledge to uncover. I look forward to seeing her character develop more in the next installment of the series while also hearing more of her back story and more information about what really happened to her mother.
The characters of the House Catagen act as allies and supporters for Pallas. The Commodore's loyal support and protection of Pallas gives her a great opportunity to learn more about the world. The interactions between Pallas and the sisters Elena, Lucy and Casey lead to moments for Pallas to show her intelligence and bravery while also be reminded that she is still a young girl with much to learn. The sisters' father, Captain Dewey Catagen is another very interesting character and I really hope to learn more about him after seeing the glimpse of his birth and how he saved House Catagen when he was very young. Pallas' time with the House Catagen also leads to the hint of a romance with the midshipman Oliver that will hopefully be explored in the next novel.
The climax of the novel introduces the dangerous fire God Mulciber who has been trying to capture/kill Pallas and indicates there is a spy among Pallas' allies. The novel ends at a nice moment, leaving you with plenty of mysteries to learn more about in the next book.
I was given this book through the We Love YA Books ARR Readers’ Corner. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to read it and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Possible spoilers ahead:
I was a tad confused about what was happening at the very beginning of the novel and it was a little slow, but once the story shifted to Pallas, I couldn't wait to see what happened next.
It was wonderful to see the smart, curious and rebellious character of Pallas get swept into a world where she could learn new information and see the hidden magic/technology of the "Gods". In order to protect herself and the father she left behind, Pallas is forced to pretend she came from the mysterious Golden Egg as a token of the Water Goddess Aegeia, who she despises and believes is responsible for killing her mother. A possible prophecy about herself compels Pallas to reevaluate her belief in the Gods. I enjoyed seeing her character develop from a young, naive slave-girl into the mysterious princess of Atlantis that is able to somehow hold her own amongst all the people she comes across. Pallas' love/hate relationship with her cat companion Othello leaves many secrets and knowledge to uncover. I look forward to seeing her character develop more in the next installment of the series while also hearing more of her back story and more information about what really happened to her mother.
The characters of the House Catagen act as allies and supporters for Pallas. The Commodore's loyal support and protection of Pallas gives her a great opportunity to learn more about the world. The interactions between Pallas and the sisters Elena, Lucy and Casey lead to moments for Pallas to show her intelligence and bravery while also be reminded that she is still a young girl with much to learn. The sisters' father, Captain Dewey Catagen is another very interesting character and I really hope to learn more about him after seeing the glimpse of his birth and how he saved House Catagen when he was very young. Pallas' time with the House Catagen also leads to the hint of a romance with the midshipman Oliver that will hopefully be explored in the next novel.
The climax of the novel introduces the dangerous fire God Mulciber who has been trying to capture/kill Pallas and indicates there is a spy among Pallas' allies. The novel ends at a nice moment, leaving you with plenty of mysteries to learn more about in the next book.
I was given this book through the We Love YA Books ARR Readers’ Corner. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to read it and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 24, 2013
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway!
The Gods Among Us by D.C. Belton follows a young girl named Pallas who though born a slave finds she may be much more than that. This story is set in the background of Greek mythology where all citizens belong to one of four houses; Air, Water, Fire and Earth, each represented by a series of Gods.
Pallas' mother disappears when Pallas is quite young and while she blames Aegeia, a God of the sea, she soon learns that she is much more connected to the Gods than she knows. Through a series of circumstances Pallas soon finds herself mistaken for a representative of the God she so hates. She is rescued from Capro Bay (an Earth House) and taken in by Lord Catagan, head of the House of Catagan (a Water House) and Commodore of the Three. She is aided by Othello, pet of the daughter of Mulciber, a fire God and enemy of Aegeia. Not knowing whether to trust him or not, she is forced to rely on him to ensure her secret remains a secret. She is assisted also by Lucy and Casey, the boisterous granddaughters of the Commodore, and is shown great reverence from all in the Catagan House who believe it is there duty to Aegeia to ensure Pallas' safety and well being.
At times in the beginning the story is difficult to follow. We are introduced to a new world organization and the characters can be challenging to keep straight. However, as Pallas enters the world of nobility we are learning alongside her. Pallas is an intriguing lead and someone whom we cheer to succeed.
I really enjoyed the Greek mythology background for this story, and I feel that Belton has offered her own interpretation of this style. She writes with such descriptive visuals that it is very engaging to read. She writes her characters with such detail that they really come alive and seem real.
I would absolutely recommend to read this book. It is a refreshing take on Greek mythology and doesn't follow the typical story mold. The author envisions a unique path for Pallas which keeps us guessing along the way right up until the end.
The Gods Among Us by D.C. Belton follows a young girl named Pallas who though born a slave finds she may be much more than that. This story is set in the background of Greek mythology where all citizens belong to one of four houses; Air, Water, Fire and Earth, each represented by a series of Gods.
Pallas' mother disappears when Pallas is quite young and while she blames Aegeia, a God of the sea, she soon learns that she is much more connected to the Gods than she knows. Through a series of circumstances Pallas soon finds herself mistaken for a representative of the God she so hates. She is rescued from Capro Bay (an Earth House) and taken in by Lord Catagan, head of the House of Catagan (a Water House) and Commodore of the Three. She is aided by Othello, pet of the daughter of Mulciber, a fire God and enemy of Aegeia. Not knowing whether to trust him or not, she is forced to rely on him to ensure her secret remains a secret. She is assisted also by Lucy and Casey, the boisterous granddaughters of the Commodore, and is shown great reverence from all in the Catagan House who believe it is there duty to Aegeia to ensure Pallas' safety and well being.
At times in the beginning the story is difficult to follow. We are introduced to a new world organization and the characters can be challenging to keep straight. However, as Pallas enters the world of nobility we are learning alongside her. Pallas is an intriguing lead and someone whom we cheer to succeed.
I really enjoyed the Greek mythology background for this story, and I feel that Belton has offered her own interpretation of this style. She writes with such descriptive visuals that it is very engaging to read. She writes her characters with such detail that they really come alive and seem real.
I would absolutely recommend to read this book. It is a refreshing take on Greek mythology and doesn't follow the typical story mold. The author envisions a unique path for Pallas which keeps us guessing along the way right up until the end.
April 4, 2012
The Gods Among Us is the first book to the Divine Masquerade Series. The book tells the story of Pallas, a young slave girl. She hates the gods, especially Aegeia (Water Goddess) because she believes her mother died in the sea. One day, while strolling along the seashore where her mother died, she found a weird boat full of amazing gadgets, a talking cat and some dolphins that can understand her! The boat soon lands on the other side of the shore she's from and the people from Capro Bay thinks she's a child from Atlantis, a goddess that they should praise and protect. Pallas soon catches the attention of one of the gods - Mulciber, the Volcano god and now he wants to slay her.
The first quarter of the book was a slow read. I also couldn't keep track of the names of all the gods and goddesses plus the human characters mentioned in the story. The pace picked up after Pallas was introduced. I liked Pallas - she's not a typical slave girl who whines at everything. She lost her mother at an early age and because of this, she became a brave and smart girl. I loved her relationship with her dear father. I loved Othello, the talking cat, my favorite character in the story. Othello's lines were funny, I tremendously enjoyed the story because of this character. I was also intrigued by why Aegeia and the other gods took notice of Pallas when she is just a slave girl. I was thinking maybe Pallas' parents did something bad to the gods or maybe her mother is a goddess too. I loved the book and can't wait to read the second book "Whom the Gods destroyed". A must read book for lovers of Greek mythology.
The first quarter of the book was a slow read. I also couldn't keep track of the names of all the gods and goddesses plus the human characters mentioned in the story. The pace picked up after Pallas was introduced. I liked Pallas - she's not a typical slave girl who whines at everything. She lost her mother at an early age and because of this, she became a brave and smart girl. I loved her relationship with her dear father. I loved Othello, the talking cat, my favorite character in the story. Othello's lines were funny, I tremendously enjoyed the story because of this character. I was also intrigued by why Aegeia and the other gods took notice of Pallas when she is just a slave girl. I was thinking maybe Pallas' parents did something bad to the gods or maybe her mother is a goddess too. I loved the book and can't wait to read the second book "Whom the Gods destroyed". A must read book for lovers of Greek mythology.
July 17, 2012
I signed up for a free copy of this book to review honestly through the group We ♥ YA Books on goodreads.
I love the world the author has built as well as the characters he has created. The main character, Pallas, was easily likable though she can be stubborn at times. I really felt for her since she has lost her mom, was born a slave, and ends up in much danger; however, she is very strong and never feels sorry for herself. She accepts the challenges thrown her way and meets them head on, and I really admired that about her.
There were so many quotes from this book that I found to be so beautiful and poetic and have really stayed with me even after finishing reading. I absolutely flew through this book, hooked on the action and wanting to find out how Pallas gets herself out of the situations she finds herself in.
I was torn between liking and despising the cat she ends up rescuing. It's a mystery as to whether he's helping Pallas stay alive, or if he has devious plans and is secretly plotting against her. Also, it's very nerve wracking to watch Pallas pretend she is a princess and a child of Atlantis. I'm so afraid something is going to go wrong! Especially since I don't believe the cat can be trusted.
After reading this first book in the series, I absolutely have to read the next one. I've just got to find out what happens next!
I love the world the author has built as well as the characters he has created. The main character, Pallas, was easily likable though she can be stubborn at times. I really felt for her since she has lost her mom, was born a slave, and ends up in much danger; however, she is very strong and never feels sorry for herself. She accepts the challenges thrown her way and meets them head on, and I really admired that about her.
There were so many quotes from this book that I found to be so beautiful and poetic and have really stayed with me even after finishing reading. I absolutely flew through this book, hooked on the action and wanting to find out how Pallas gets herself out of the situations she finds herself in.
I was torn between liking and despising the cat she ends up rescuing. It's a mystery as to whether he's helping Pallas stay alive, or if he has devious plans and is secretly plotting against her. Also, it's very nerve wracking to watch Pallas pretend she is a princess and a child of Atlantis. I'm so afraid something is going to go wrong! Especially since I don't believe the cat can be trusted.
After reading this first book in the series, I absolutely have to read the next one. I've just got to find out what happens next!
March 29, 2012
I won this books through Goodreads Firstreads.
Possible Spoilers!
What can I say about this book? I really enjoyed it!
My main concern was if I would be able to follow the complexities of Gods and Godesses, Houses of each element and Members of the Zoo etc, which I wondered about from the table at the start of the book! Thankfully the book is so well written I found myself picking everything up as we went along without having to use the guide and I even seemed to retain the information which is impressive in itself given my dodgy grey matter.
I got completely caught up with the drama and enjoyed getting to know all the characters. As well as the overall plot of Pallas VS the Gods, there were lots of other plots to capture the attention and I'm eager to read more.... Whats the deal with Othello, is he a spy? What will happen between Pallas and Oliver?
I would definately reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read. The style flowed really well and I say the book just keeps pulling you in with different dramas and curiosities as you go along.
Many thanks Firstreads!
Possible Spoilers!
What can I say about this book? I really enjoyed it!
My main concern was if I would be able to follow the complexities of Gods and Godesses, Houses of each element and Members of the Zoo etc, which I wondered about from the table at the start of the book! Thankfully the book is so well written I found myself picking everything up as we went along without having to use the guide and I even seemed to retain the information which is impressive in itself given my dodgy grey matter.
I got completely caught up with the drama and enjoyed getting to know all the characters. As well as the overall plot of Pallas VS the Gods, there were lots of other plots to capture the attention and I'm eager to read more.... Whats the deal with Othello, is he a spy? What will happen between Pallas and Oliver?
I would definately reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read. The style flowed really well and I say the book just keeps pulling you in with different dramas and curiosities as you go along.
Many thanks Firstreads!
April 3, 2012
I won this book through a GoodRead giveaway.
Like any first book that sets up for a series, The Gods Among Us has lots to explain in the first few chapters. I had some starts and stops where I turned to the Chart of Houses in the front to figure out who was what and where they belonged. However, as the excitement began and the plot moved ahead, all the pieces fell into place.
Pallas is like any frustrating/frustrated teen. She knows everything and nothing. She doesn't want any help and has no idea what she's doing. When she meets Othello, her talking tutor of a cat, her life takes a big 180 and the adventure begins.
I thought the writing was well done and drew me into the story. At the end, you are looking forward to book 2! This is written for young adults, however I think readers of all ages will enjoy it.
Like any first book that sets up for a series, The Gods Among Us has lots to explain in the first few chapters. I had some starts and stops where I turned to the Chart of Houses in the front to figure out who was what and where they belonged. However, as the excitement began and the plot moved ahead, all the pieces fell into place.
Pallas is like any frustrating/frustrated teen. She knows everything and nothing. She doesn't want any help and has no idea what she's doing. When she meets Othello, her talking tutor of a cat, her life takes a big 180 and the adventure begins.
I thought the writing was well done and drew me into the story. At the end, you are looking forward to book 2! This is written for young adults, however I think readers of all ages will enjoy it.
August 18, 2012
I really liked and enjoyed this book. It was a new look at gods and what they did when they still roamed the earth. I think that some parts could have been described a little more, but the parts that were described were perfect, they showed you and created the ideal image in my head. It also focused on more things than just love and betrayal. This book looked at everything besides love and betrayal, it shows you different lives, and that anything could be possible. The characters were wonderful and very different from each other, but mostly they could have been real. You could tell that each character probably has their own back story, and that everything they have learned has made them how they are. All in all it was a magical journey to a past era where everything wants to be equally balanced.
July 15, 2013
I am not an English major or a proofreader. I am just a woman who loves to read. I don't care about comma placement or any punctuation, for me it's all about the story and I really liked this story. It was a bit confusing for the first chapter but after that things became clear.
The story revolves around a sixteen year old slave-girl named Pallas, a talking cat named Othello and the Gods and Goddesses of the four elements: Water, Fire, Earth and Air.
The characters intrigued me, the scenery was well described and the adventure was riveting. It is a fast paced read with lots of detail. I loved the ending and can't wait to see what happens to Pallas and Othello next.
If you enjoy mythology, magic and action then you will enjoy this book.
The story revolves around a sixteen year old slave-girl named Pallas, a talking cat named Othello and the Gods and Goddesses of the four elements: Water, Fire, Earth and Air.
The characters intrigued me, the scenery was well described and the adventure was riveting. It is a fast paced read with lots of detail. I loved the ending and can't wait to see what happens to Pallas and Othello next.
If you enjoy mythology, magic and action then you will enjoy this book.
June 9, 2012
This is an exciting fantasy story full of clever wit and contrasting characters. The plot is filled with energy and interesting twists - to me like a combination of many doctrines spliced together to shape a new world which has been brilliantly depicted. The complexity of characters (including the gods and animals) and their relationship to the main teenage character, Pallas, adds thrill and adventure to this story. Both younger and mature readers alike will enjoy this vibrant read. The story is written in first person giving it a personal here-now feeling. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 20, 2012
At first I did not understand why Pallas could be so stubborn with the way things were. To be frank, I even found it childish an boring. That is until Pallas met the cat, Othello.
Once she was engaged in her adventures, I could not put the book down. I only decided to stop when I have to go to school. I found myself craving to finish the book, only to find out that I have already finished the book.
Though I must say that somehow you must imagine the settings, the characters and everything to make the story more realistic I will be waiting for more of Pallas' adventures! :)
Once she was engaged in her adventures, I could not put the book down. I only decided to stop when I have to go to school. I found myself craving to finish the book, only to find out that I have already finished the book.
Though I must say that somehow you must imagine the settings, the characters and everything to make the story more realistic I will be waiting for more of Pallas' adventures! :)
June 20, 2013
I LOVED this book! It was very well written, so much so that it was hard to put down. The characters, the Gods, and the politics were all very fascinating.
I loved how CLEAN of a YA book this was. I wouldn't feel very comfortable allowing my daughter to read a lot of the YA stuff that's out there when she's a teen, but this book is very clean and safe for that age group.
I'm excited to read the rest of the books in the series!
I loved how CLEAN of a YA book this was. I wouldn't feel very comfortable allowing my daughter to read a lot of the YA stuff that's out there when she's a teen, but this book is very clean and safe for that age group.
I'm excited to read the rest of the books in the series!
July 3, 2012
This book is fantastic! People who enjoy reading books about mythology are sure to love this one of a kind book. It is a bit confusing in the beginning but once you get into it it is rather enthralling. I especially enjoyed the talking cat Othello, he is a really witty character who adds much life to the book. I can't wait to read the sequel!
June 17, 2012
Sorry if my review is short but simple and easy... THE GODS AMONG US was entertaining and divine like it's 'sub-title' I was already caught in the twist and turns of fiction created by the author, D.C. Belton :)
August 26, 2012
A captivating start to a series of books that takes you another realm of reality. The characters are engaging. There is some mystery surrounding who could be spying. It makes you want to find out what happens next. Since i read book 2 first, I will anxiously wait for book 3.
June 26, 2013
This book is so good! It's about a mischievous and curious girl named Palace. Her adventure starts with a golden egg and a sneaky cat, who might be a spy. There's fighting, romance, and a fire god that wants to make Pallas a sacrifice. You'll love it-it's a definite read. (Kylie-age 9)
July 31, 2012
This book was really good. I stayed up reading it and can't quite think coherently about it just yet. Full length review to come.
April 4, 2014
Pallas doesn't have much of a life. She's a slave with no mother and a father who's ridiculed by the townsfolk. In a primitive, religious village, it's hard to be the only one who doesn't believe in the Gods; the only time Pallas considers that there may be higher beings is when she's blaming Aegeia for drowning her mother when she was a small girl. But when going for a swim, Pallas meets a talking cat who turns her world upside down. Suddenly, she's whisked off to foreign shores, being treated as a water goddess. The only problem is, there as as many people who want her dead as there are striving to keep her alive. When a prophecy is uncovered, suddenly not only the humans want Pallas to die; the Fire God, battling against Water, sees Pallas as the perfect key to unlock victory. Pallas will have to fight to stay alive and undercover, but it's not easy to win a war against the Gods...
I entered the Goodreads First Reads draw for this book because I thought the synopsis sounded good. After reading a few books that I'd won from Goodreads, I made sure to only enter for ones I was sure I'd like. I'm sad to say that although the summary was amazing, the book wasn't as good as it was made to seem. It took me 6 months to read this book. Half a year! It's not even that the writing's bad; it's just that it's written for a more juvenile mind, and could never keep my attention. I read 18 books (that I can think of off the top of my head) in between this one, not to mention countless magazines. I'm sure some people would enjoy this book, especially if they're younger than me. But I just couldn't get my mind involved enough in this book enough to really enjoy it.
This book wasted so much paper; I hate when authors do that. Not only was the font in this novel probably 12 or larger, but the words were left-aligned, as opposed to justified. Also, every time the 'Enter' key was pressed for a new paragraph, it skipped a line. This book would probably be a third of its size if it were formatted properly. I also found little errors. Every book has them, but I only mention them if there are so many that they distract from the storyline. There were many times when 'its' didn't need an apostrophe but had one anyway; I also found that 'charred', as in 'the wood was charred from the fire', was spelled like the fish. Little errors like these, when repeated over and over, begin to drive me crazy. I also found that all elements were capitalized, simply because of the Gods. 'The air was knocked out of me' would have been written as 'The Air was knocked out of me'. 'I warmed up by the Fire.' 'I took a sip of Water.' I didn't think this was at all necessary. Maybe if they were capitalized when referring to the Gods, but in everyday life, this is not needed.
Although this book was based in a setting where only the Gods had technology and were able to read, I found some things didn't add up. For example, they had makeup. Not only berry-stain lipstick, but eyeshadow and mascara. I seriously doubt mankind could have invented that if they hadn't yet invented electronics or books or anything. Little discrepancies added up to an unbelievable plot - as in, I didn't believe it could really be true. If I'm to read a story, I want to become immersed in the world of the book, believing and feeling everything right alongside the main character. I wasn't able to do that with this book.
I was quite confused by all of the characters. This could have something to do with the fact that it took me half a year to finish the book, but my memory's pretty good, so I doubt that was the main cause. The fact is, there were simply too many characters, all of whom were introduced only once, and all at the same time. Then the characters weren't seen again for some time in the story, and when they were, only their name was mentioned, not their relationship to other characters or a memory Pallas had of being with them. I never enjoy a book when I can't remember who a certain character is.
Overall, the book wasn't bad; it just wasn't good. I found that I would've enjoyed it a lot more (and been able to read it more quickly) if just slight things were fixed. I'm not saying these adjustions would have made the book my favourite, but they certainly would've livened it up a bit. I am giving this book a rating of two stars. I can never give a book one star unless the storyline is awful (which is wasn't in this novel) and the author put next to no effort into the writing (which I can tell isn't true in this case). However, I have to enjoy reading the book to give it three stars, which is my 'good' rating. Therefore, this book falls under my 'okay/alright' section. I would recommend this story to anyone looking for a long adventure, the Gods, and talking animals.
I entered the Goodreads First Reads draw for this book because I thought the synopsis sounded good. After reading a few books that I'd won from Goodreads, I made sure to only enter for ones I was sure I'd like. I'm sad to say that although the summary was amazing, the book wasn't as good as it was made to seem. It took me 6 months to read this book. Half a year! It's not even that the writing's bad; it's just that it's written for a more juvenile mind, and could never keep my attention. I read 18 books (that I can think of off the top of my head) in between this one, not to mention countless magazines. I'm sure some people would enjoy this book, especially if they're younger than me. But I just couldn't get my mind involved enough in this book enough to really enjoy it.
This book wasted so much paper; I hate when authors do that. Not only was the font in this novel probably 12 or larger, but the words were left-aligned, as opposed to justified. Also, every time the 'Enter' key was pressed for a new paragraph, it skipped a line. This book would probably be a third of its size if it were formatted properly. I also found little errors. Every book has them, but I only mention them if there are so many that they distract from the storyline. There were many times when 'its' didn't need an apostrophe but had one anyway; I also found that 'charred', as in 'the wood was charred from the fire', was spelled like the fish. Little errors like these, when repeated over and over, begin to drive me crazy. I also found that all elements were capitalized, simply because of the Gods. 'The air was knocked out of me' would have been written as 'The Air was knocked out of me'. 'I warmed up by the Fire.' 'I took a sip of Water.' I didn't think this was at all necessary. Maybe if they were capitalized when referring to the Gods, but in everyday life, this is not needed.
Although this book was based in a setting where only the Gods had technology and were able to read, I found some things didn't add up. For example, they had makeup. Not only berry-stain lipstick, but eyeshadow and mascara. I seriously doubt mankind could have invented that if they hadn't yet invented electronics or books or anything. Little discrepancies added up to an unbelievable plot - as in, I didn't believe it could really be true. If I'm to read a story, I want to become immersed in the world of the book, believing and feeling everything right alongside the main character. I wasn't able to do that with this book.
I was quite confused by all of the characters. This could have something to do with the fact that it took me half a year to finish the book, but my memory's pretty good, so I doubt that was the main cause. The fact is, there were simply too many characters, all of whom were introduced only once, and all at the same time. Then the characters weren't seen again for some time in the story, and when they were, only their name was mentioned, not their relationship to other characters or a memory Pallas had of being with them. I never enjoy a book when I can't remember who a certain character is.
Overall, the book wasn't bad; it just wasn't good. I found that I would've enjoyed it a lot more (and been able to read it more quickly) if just slight things were fixed. I'm not saying these adjustions would have made the book my favourite, but they certainly would've livened it up a bit. I am giving this book a rating of two stars. I can never give a book one star unless the storyline is awful (which is wasn't in this novel) and the author put next to no effort into the writing (which I can tell isn't true in this case). However, I have to enjoy reading the book to give it three stars, which is my 'good' rating. Therefore, this book falls under my 'okay/alright' section. I would recommend this story to anyone looking for a long adventure, the Gods, and talking animals.
January 13, 2013
In a world where gods are distant and seen as cruel, Pallas is caught in a web of lies and must battle her own disbelief to find out her purpose.
This book does have some potential. That was probably the most painful part of it. Othello is slightly redeeming (if very much like Garth Nix's cat in the Abhorsen Trilogy). The characters, while mostly skin-deep, had potential. The pacing of action scenes was pretty good. The climax did not disappoint.
But that's the most I can say for this book. It read like an early-in draft of a manuscript. What it seriously needed was a good critique or edit and a lot of revisions. Even down to the formatting of the pages itself, the book felt amateur. I thought the book was self published, but looking online I find it's published by Flying Lion Press. It blows me away that a professional publisher would format the pages so poorly.
But enough of that. Here are four points:
1) The prologue and random backstory. The prologue is painful--introducing characters with little or no development or depth. They deliver a baby (named Dewey). End prologue. Though a character named Dewey shows up later, there's never an allusion to the prologue again. Nothing more happens. With the backstory happens often in flashbacks, which used almost at random. Same character Dewey gets several pages devoted to a flashback in which he battles for his brother's life as a child--a battle which there has been no build up to, which is so out of the blue that I thought it was a different Dewey character. I think the only reason the flashback is in at all is to develop the political tension around the present time. It's clumsily done. (Also: The MC's reoccurring nightmare, which is exactly the same bulk of text just pasted throughout the book. No amplification. No development. Just the same block of text.)
2) The language of the characters alternated between awkwardly modern ("'Yeah, I said. 'OK'"), awkwardly British ("blimey" and "bloody" being thrown around), and awkwardly archaic (thee/thy), almost at random and almost with no point.
3) The writing quality itself is painfully awkward in places. Comma crimes are everywhere. In an effort at world building, any word related to one of the four elements is capitalized. So when a character's cheeks flame in embarrassment, they "Flame." The best lines of the book are when characters quote real books and literature, which is so often it seemed like a crutch.
4) The female characters. The MC, Pallas, is a girl. What struck me as weird is that literally every single other female in the book is a snobby, mean, catty, shallow or drugged up. There are absolutely no good examples of mature, educated women (I wouldn't even count Pallas here, since we're told about her ignorance so often). Pallas never interacts with another female without there being some animosity or meanness between them (with perhaps a slight exception for her friend in the beginning, who is about as shallow as they come). All the girls are sly, artful little actresses, there to try and twist out her secret in one way or the other. On the other hand, the men in the story are dog-like--loyal, courageous, kind and unassuming. Aside from the baddies, Pallas is literally surrounded by "strong men" who just want to protect her (as she observes herself near the end). I was somewhat appalled. What an interesting representation!
I will close with an excerpt:
I roughly pulled away. "Get off!"
"We need to talk," he growled.
"We can talk later."
"We'll talk now."
I brandished a malevolent stare, sure it would cow the reverent boy.
He didn't flinch.
"Fine," I said. "Talk."
"You will respect Elena's wishes."
"Why?"
"Because... she's the daughter of the House of Catagen, and that filth you waylaid is the son of House Gemello."
"So?"
"If the Commodore finds out, he'll probably kill Borelo."
"Good."
-----
This goes on for another half page. Keep in mind that this is supposed to be a tense scene between the main character and an important minor character.
If you can overlook these things, you might enjoy the book. I don't know. But I'm not going to worry about catching the sequels.
This book does have some potential. That was probably the most painful part of it. Othello is slightly redeeming (if very much like Garth Nix's cat in the Abhorsen Trilogy). The characters, while mostly skin-deep, had potential. The pacing of action scenes was pretty good. The climax did not disappoint.
But that's the most I can say for this book. It read like an early-in draft of a manuscript. What it seriously needed was a good critique or edit and a lot of revisions. Even down to the formatting of the pages itself, the book felt amateur. I thought the book was self published, but looking online I find it's published by Flying Lion Press. It blows me away that a professional publisher would format the pages so poorly.
But enough of that. Here are four points:
1) The prologue and random backstory. The prologue is painful--introducing characters with little or no development or depth. They deliver a baby (named Dewey). End prologue. Though a character named Dewey shows up later, there's never an allusion to the prologue again. Nothing more happens. With the backstory happens often in flashbacks, which used almost at random. Same character Dewey gets several pages devoted to a flashback in which he battles for his brother's life as a child--a battle which there has been no build up to, which is so out of the blue that I thought it was a different Dewey character. I think the only reason the flashback is in at all is to develop the political tension around the present time. It's clumsily done. (Also: The MC's reoccurring nightmare, which is exactly the same bulk of text just pasted throughout the book. No amplification. No development. Just the same block of text.)
2) The language of the characters alternated between awkwardly modern ("'Yeah, I said. 'OK'"), awkwardly British ("blimey" and "bloody" being thrown around), and awkwardly archaic (thee/thy), almost at random and almost with no point.
3) The writing quality itself is painfully awkward in places. Comma crimes are everywhere. In an effort at world building, any word related to one of the four elements is capitalized. So when a character's cheeks flame in embarrassment, they "Flame." The best lines of the book are when characters quote real books and literature, which is so often it seemed like a crutch.
4) The female characters. The MC, Pallas, is a girl. What struck me as weird is that literally every single other female in the book is a snobby, mean, catty, shallow or drugged up. There are absolutely no good examples of mature, educated women (I wouldn't even count Pallas here, since we're told about her ignorance so often). Pallas never interacts with another female without there being some animosity or meanness between them (with perhaps a slight exception for her friend in the beginning, who is about as shallow as they come). All the girls are sly, artful little actresses, there to try and twist out her secret in one way or the other. On the other hand, the men in the story are dog-like--loyal, courageous, kind and unassuming. Aside from the baddies, Pallas is literally surrounded by "strong men" who just want to protect her (as she observes herself near the end). I was somewhat appalled. What an interesting representation!
I will close with an excerpt:
I roughly pulled away. "Get off!"
"We need to talk," he growled.
"We can talk later."
"We'll talk now."
I brandished a malevolent stare, sure it would cow the reverent boy.
He didn't flinch.
"Fine," I said. "Talk."
"You will respect Elena's wishes."
"Why?"
"Because... she's the daughter of the House of Catagen, and that filth you waylaid is the son of House Gemello."
"So?"
"If the Commodore finds out, he'll probably kill Borelo."
"Good."
-----
This goes on for another half page. Keep in mind that this is supposed to be a tense scene between the main character and an important minor character.
If you can overlook these things, you might enjoy the book. I don't know. But I'm not going to worry about catching the sequels.
March 1, 2017
DNFed at 24%. I loved the cover, was very interested in the worldbuilding, and the snarky cat kept me reading for a while, but the main character was irritating and thinly characterized while the dialogue was off-kilter (super modern dialogue combined with fantasy-world descriptions and an illiterate character using very advanced/specific words). Finally just decided I could be reading something else.
July 29, 2012
Review:
I have been told that some authors are afraid of my reviews because I tend to nit-pick spelling, grammar, and proper sentence structure; however, though I do mention these flaws in my review, I don’t often subtract points from the overall rating unless the mistake(s) interfere with my reading experience. For instance, in The Gods Among Us by D. C. Belton I noticed that ellipses (…) were overused, there were a few misplaced commas, and a couple of sentences did not make sense - but these imperfections did not hinder my ability to read and enjoy the book. That said, there were other aspects of the book that hurt the rating. First, I noticed that the character point of view changed without warning from from first-person, to third-person, to I don’t know what person, and with so many characters to keep track of readers can easily become confused. Second, the readability switched from middle school vocabulary to a conglomeration of synonyms straight out of the thesaurus, adding to the confusion. Dialogue should be meaningful, yet succinct, not full of ten-dollar words that the author uses to impress readers. I also disliked the underdevelopment of the secondary characters, but there were also aspects of the book that I really enjoyed. The entire realm created by D.C. Belton is phenomenal, the descriptions are alluring and a welcome break from reality. Just like the Hogwarts campus and the expanse of Middle Earth, the landscape of the Zoo is one that I would like to revisit in subsequent novels. Similarly, I would love to see Pallas and Othello again since I enjoyed reading about their strange dynamics, even though I strongly disliked Othello’s personality at the novel’s introduction. As for the Gods, I wish that there had been more background, but their characters may have more central roles in future books. I cannot complain about the plot, I found it entertaining and well-developed, and the ending, (no spoilers!), left me longing for more. This series has a lot of promise, and if readers can get over the few errors in mechanics they will find a worthwhile read. Recommended for YA and up.
Rating: Bounty’s Out (3.5/5)
*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
I have been told that some authors are afraid of my reviews because I tend to nit-pick spelling, grammar, and proper sentence structure; however, though I do mention these flaws in my review, I don’t often subtract points from the overall rating unless the mistake(s) interfere with my reading experience. For instance, in The Gods Among Us by D. C. Belton I noticed that ellipses (…) were overused, there were a few misplaced commas, and a couple of sentences did not make sense - but these imperfections did not hinder my ability to read and enjoy the book. That said, there were other aspects of the book that hurt the rating. First, I noticed that the character point of view changed without warning from from first-person, to third-person, to I don’t know what person, and with so many characters to keep track of readers can easily become confused. Second, the readability switched from middle school vocabulary to a conglomeration of synonyms straight out of the thesaurus, adding to the confusion. Dialogue should be meaningful, yet succinct, not full of ten-dollar words that the author uses to impress readers. I also disliked the underdevelopment of the secondary characters, but there were also aspects of the book that I really enjoyed. The entire realm created by D.C. Belton is phenomenal, the descriptions are alluring and a welcome break from reality. Just like the Hogwarts campus and the expanse of Middle Earth, the landscape of the Zoo is one that I would like to revisit in subsequent novels. Similarly, I would love to see Pallas and Othello again since I enjoyed reading about their strange dynamics, even though I strongly disliked Othello’s personality at the novel’s introduction. As for the Gods, I wish that there had been more background, but their characters may have more central roles in future books. I cannot complain about the plot, I found it entertaining and well-developed, and the ending, (no spoilers!), left me longing for more. This series has a lot of promise, and if readers can get over the few errors in mechanics they will find a worthwhile read. Recommended for YA and up.
Rating: Bounty’s Out (3.5/5)
*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
June 15, 2012
This YA novel is about a curious intelligent slave(Drone) named Pallas who is swept up in an epic adventure when she sees an unusual egg shaped boat floating out in the ocean. She swims out to see what it is but it is out further than she thought. Exhausted by the time she reaches it, she tries to row and sail the craft to shore but it ends up floating out further and further until she comes to a land that is far down the coast from her town. On the craft is a talking cat named Othello. The two of them concoct a scheme in which Pallas is a Goddess and the story goes from there.
For the most part, I enjoyed this story. Pallas is a refreshing mixture of naivete and innate intelligence besides being rather feisty. Othello is a love/hate character. Sometimes he is so caustic it makes my skin crawl and other times it seems as though he might be growing to care for Pallas. The supporting characters of the Catagen Sisters make great companions for Pallas, and the rival houses with their alliances and rivalries are interesting and well thought out if a little confusing at this part in the series.
As another reviewer commented, sometimes I found she shifting POV confusing as the story is mostly told first person between Pallas and Othello but sometimes mid paragraph the view changes to third person.
The mythology and the Gods draws me in and I wish there was more in the story about them.
I'd give this story a 3.5 because overall it makes me curious to find out more about Pallas' history and the land with its gods and houses. I'd read the next in the series..
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review by Goodreads We Love YA Books ARR Readers’ Corner and the author D.C Belton.
For the most part, I enjoyed this story. Pallas is a refreshing mixture of naivete and innate intelligence besides being rather feisty. Othello is a love/hate character. Sometimes he is so caustic it makes my skin crawl and other times it seems as though he might be growing to care for Pallas. The supporting characters of the Catagen Sisters make great companions for Pallas, and the rival houses with their alliances and rivalries are interesting and well thought out if a little confusing at this part in the series.
As another reviewer commented, sometimes I found she shifting POV confusing as the story is mostly told first person between Pallas and Othello but sometimes mid paragraph the view changes to third person.
The mythology and the Gods draws me in and I wish there was more in the story about them.
I'd give this story a 3.5 because overall it makes me curious to find out more about Pallas' history and the land with its gods and houses. I'd read the next in the series..
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review by Goodreads We Love YA Books ARR Readers’ Corner and the author D.C Belton.
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