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The Sons Of Echidna
Welcome to the family.
In a disheartened attempt to get her life back on track, Lucy takes up a live-in nanny position only to realize that the advert was misleading, sending her world spinning violently out of control.
She was meant to look after kids and animals, not a menagerie of mythical monsters––of human and beast kind alike.
Little does her mysterious new employer know Lucy has her own dark secrets, and faced with the realisation that she needs to grow her abilities to survive, she pushes herself too far, destroying the delicate balance between magic and technology.
To seize control of her new world and save herself Lucy must choose––Her life, or her humanity.
***
Athena M. Bliss's debut novel, THE SONS OF ECHIDNA, is a fast paced blend of The Umbrella Academy meets A Series Of Unfortunate Events . A non-stop series of toppling dominoes, this book promises to keep you on your toes from the first page to the last. A hefty dash of spice brings the diverse and colorful cast to vivid life, along with exquisitely detailed illustrations sprinkled liberally throughout the book.
The first in the series, THE SONS OF ECHIDNA will be followed shortly by THE SIRIN SISTERHOOD and THE GOD GENOME.
In a disheartened attempt to get her life back on track, Lucy takes up a live-in nanny position only to realize that the advert was misleading, sending her world spinning violently out of control.
She was meant to look after kids and animals, not a menagerie of mythical monsters––of human and beast kind alike.
Little does her mysterious new employer know Lucy has her own dark secrets, and faced with the realisation that she needs to grow her abilities to survive, she pushes herself too far, destroying the delicate balance between magic and technology.
To seize control of her new world and save herself Lucy must choose––Her life, or her humanity.
***
Athena M. Bliss's debut novel, THE SONS OF ECHIDNA, is a fast paced blend of The Umbrella Academy meets A Series Of Unfortunate Events . A non-stop series of toppling dominoes, this book promises to keep you on your toes from the first page to the last. A hefty dash of spice brings the diverse and colorful cast to vivid life, along with exquisitely detailed illustrations sprinkled liberally throughout the book.
The first in the series, THE SONS OF ECHIDNA will be followed shortly by THE SIRIN SISTERHOOD and THE GOD GENOME.
447 pages, Paperback
Published August 14, 2023
38 people are currently reading
1045 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
August 25, 2023
I need a second book right now 😅😂 So freaking good omfg 😍
August 7, 2023
Really interesting book. It's such a cozy read and loved the fantasy creatures woven into it. The relationships were so nicely developed honestly could've read about this characters for so much longer
Such a complex world and characters which were hard to follow at times, but definitely an enjoyable read. The artwork throughout was stunning 🤩
Such a complex world and characters which were hard to follow at times, but definitely an enjoyable read. The artwork throughout was stunning 🤩
August 25, 2023
I have been waiting for this book for months and it did not disappoint!
This easy to read, engaging, cozy fantasy was everything I wanted and more.
It gave off similar vibes to House in the Cerulean Sea which is one of my favourite books of all time!
This book also had found family, 🌶️ and mythical creatures of all sorts!
Amazing job Athena, I can see how much work went into this book and for a debut YA fantasy novel, it was perfect.
No pressure, but I need book two like asap 😂❤️
This easy to read, engaging, cozy fantasy was everything I wanted and more.
It gave off similar vibes to House in the Cerulean Sea which is one of my favourite books of all time!
This book also had found family, 🌶️ and mythical creatures of all sorts!
Amazing job Athena, I can see how much work went into this book and for a debut YA fantasy novel, it was perfect.
No pressure, but I need book two like asap 😂❤️
July 2, 2023
A great story, if you love mythical creatures, a tiny bit of spice, intriguing characters and a badass MC. Thank you Athena for the arc of this one, I read it in a day and a half!
November 10, 2023
Loved this so much!!! I cannot wait for the next one!!!!
August 25, 2023
◦ I've received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ◦
⮞ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 ⮜
Lucy - Her life is definitely a mess, but I loved the way she eventually fit into this family like a glove. And what I've enjoyed the most was the fact she wasn't submissive, she only pretended to give control when in fact she was a bad bitch who took control! That scene with Aris, was chef kiss and I didn't think I could get so many feelings when she !!!
Lai - I had some issues with him, because towards the end of the story I saw how evil he can be, but in the same time you could see there's so much trauma behind him that he doesn't know how to actually manage it other than being, either extremely friendly or extremely evil and bringing chaos wherever he goes. He's definitely controversial and I loved how unique was.
Aris - He's definitely the alpha male outside the bedroom, but inside of it we all know what he likes ;). I want to see more of him in the next book, I want to see his past story because he also comes from a pretty messed up family and had to do plenty of questionable things, but I want to know about his scars and tattoos and his whole story because is definitely captivating.
Klein - Deserves better!! I loved him so much, he's such a gentle soul and everyone needs to learn to treat him better and appreciate him. He's basically the heart of that family but no one is grateful for him. It legit broke my heart how low his place on the family was. I hope he gets better things in the next books.
All the characters in the book were really beautiful and so nicely fleshed out. Their voices are unique and you don't have to second guess yourself who's speaking now + the story has multi-pov but they're so really nice made, each chapter you know who's story is now.
⮞ 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝-𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 ⮜
The whole action happens in the same place, but it's like an entire fantasy world in one single space. You've got a possessed forest, or so I call it because it was pretty evil and gave me the creeps lol. You've got mythological creatures, shifters, and two griffins that were definitely a bit crazy lol. I loved the world-building and how fitting it was for this family and story.
⮞ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝/𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 ⮜
I liked the pace of the story. The vibes, the characters, and how unique everything felt. If you have the feeling you're reading The Umbrella Academy well this is a bit vibing on that side, but is definitely totally different with unique characters and lots of reps, from mental illnesses such as depression and hoarding, trans rep, trauma rep. The family is one of the misfits in general, and Lucy fits just perfectly into them, with a messed up life and no place to go she just found her own place with them so the found family trope in this book just hits perfectly. I loved it.
⮞ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞/TW ⮜
The romance is not clean, there are two sexual scenes, they're not overly descriptive to go on the smutty, smutty side of things but they're definitely not clean. There are also darker subjects like mental illnesses, murder, abuse, trauma, killing, and broken bones - that scene sadly triggered me because the scene was so perfectly detailed and I've been there, done that, and reading it, it triggered me so I found another trigger to add to my list lol, but other than that scene the story didn't trigger me or made me feel a bad way.
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⮞ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 ⮜
Lucy - Her life is definitely a mess, but I loved the way she eventually fit into this family like a glove. And what I've enjoyed the most was the fact she wasn't submissive, she only pretended to give control when in fact she was a bad bitch who took control! That scene with Aris, was chef kiss and I didn't think I could get so many feelings when she !!!
Lai - I had some issues with him, because towards the end of the story I saw how evil he can be, but in the same time you could see there's so much trauma behind him that he doesn't know how to actually manage it other than being, either extremely friendly or extremely evil and bringing chaos wherever he goes. He's definitely controversial and I loved how unique was.
Aris - He's definitely the alpha male outside the bedroom, but inside of it we all know what he likes ;). I want to see more of him in the next book, I want to see his past story because he also comes from a pretty messed up family and had to do plenty of questionable things, but I want to know about his scars and tattoos and his whole story because is definitely captivating.
Klein - Deserves better!! I loved him so much, he's such a gentle soul and everyone needs to learn to treat him better and appreciate him. He's basically the heart of that family but no one is grateful for him. It legit broke my heart how low his place on the family was. I hope he gets better things in the next books.
All the characters in the book were really beautiful and so nicely fleshed out. Their voices are unique and you don't have to second guess yourself who's speaking now + the story has multi-pov but they're so really nice made, each chapter you know who's story is now.
⮞ 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝-𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 ⮜
The whole action happens in the same place, but it's like an entire fantasy world in one single space. You've got a possessed forest, or so I call it because it was pretty evil and gave me the creeps lol. You've got mythological creatures, shifters, and two griffins that were definitely a bit crazy lol. I loved the world-building and how fitting it was for this family and story.
⮞ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝/𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 ⮜
I liked the pace of the story. The vibes, the characters, and how unique everything felt. If you have the feeling you're reading The Umbrella Academy well this is a bit vibing on that side, but is definitely totally different with unique characters and lots of reps, from mental illnesses such as depression and hoarding, trans rep, trauma rep. The family is one of the misfits in general, and Lucy fits just perfectly into them, with a messed up life and no place to go she just found her own place with them so the found family trope in this book just hits perfectly. I loved it.
⮞ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞/TW ⮜
The romance is not clean, there are two sexual scenes, they're not overly descriptive to go on the smutty, smutty side of things but they're definitely not clean. There are also darker subjects like mental illnesses, murder, abuse, trauma, killing, and broken bones - that scene sadly triggered me because the scene was so perfectly detailed and I've been there, done that, and reading it, it triggered me so I found another trigger to add to my list lol, but other than that scene the story didn't trigger me or made me feel a bad way.
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June 24, 2023
Athena!
First off thank you so much for letting me get an ARC copy of your work!
It was definitely a wild ride for sure. At first, I was a bit hesitant but I could not put the book down. The characters, the wit and banter, the plot twists, the smut, the creatures, and the ethereal element of the whole set were perfect. Refreshing. Gave me Fantastic Beast x House In The Cerulean Sea x Addams Family vibes. I loved the found family trope and I thoroughly enjoyed the morbidity of the book. Overall I would say this is ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ star read for me. 🪄 🌶️ 🍿 🎥 🦑
Also... I have to say the cover is gorgeous and one of a kind! Knowing now you created it, makes it even more awesome! 🎉
First off thank you so much for letting me get an ARC copy of your work!
It was definitely a wild ride for sure. At first, I was a bit hesitant but I could not put the book down. The characters, the wit and banter, the plot twists, the smut, the creatures, and the ethereal element of the whole set were perfect. Refreshing. Gave me Fantastic Beast x House In The Cerulean Sea x Addams Family vibes. I loved the found family trope and I thoroughly enjoyed the morbidity of the book. Overall I would say this is ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ star read for me. 🪄 🌶️ 🍿 🎥 🦑
Also... I have to say the cover is gorgeous and one of a kind! Knowing now you created it, makes it even more awesome! 🎉
August 10, 2024
This book was just an amazing ride! I loved every second of it!
Full review too come 🥰💋
Full review too come 🥰💋
March 19, 2024
Don't waste your time reading this book
August 4, 2025
In Short: Go and buy this right now! What a whirlwind of a story this one is and I can guarantee you'll fall in love with all of the rather eccentric characters along the way!
In slightly more length:
The Sons of Echidna is a story, that I for one, have never encountered before. The premise of this story revolves around our main character, Lucy, who accepts (out of desperation) a job as a babysitter, very quickly she realises the job description was not... entirely accurate.
What does this rundown mansion not have? If your guesses include lesbian griffins; murderous unicorns; corpse disposal; entrance to the river Styx; and a couple of sketchy birds, you would be wrong.
The characters are 100% the most captivating part of the novel, all of whom are eccentric and loveable (even those with many faults). The banter between characters and the personal inner monologues had me laughing throughout the entire book, I couldn't get enough.
The illustrations throughout The Sons of Echidna were stunning. It was so unique to see whilst reading, and being someone with no inner eye (Aphantasia) it was helpful to know as I was reading what the characters were supposed to look like. I think it's extremely obvious how incredibly talented this author is.
I adore this book and its author so much. I'm just itching to get my hands on book 2, so I can dive right back into this world that Athena has so marvellously built.
In slightly more length:
The Sons of Echidna is a story, that I for one, have never encountered before. The premise of this story revolves around our main character, Lucy, who accepts (out of desperation) a job as a babysitter, very quickly she realises the job description was not... entirely accurate.
What does this rundown mansion not have? If your guesses include lesbian griffins; murderous unicorns; corpse disposal; entrance to the river Styx; and a couple of sketchy birds, you would be wrong.
The characters are 100% the most captivating part of the novel, all of whom are eccentric and loveable (even those with many faults). The banter between characters and the personal inner monologues had me laughing throughout the entire book, I couldn't get enough.
The illustrations throughout The Sons of Echidna were stunning. It was so unique to see whilst reading, and being someone with no inner eye (Aphantasia) it was helpful to know as I was reading what the characters were supposed to look like. I think it's extremely obvious how incredibly talented this author is.
I adore this book and its author so much. I'm just itching to get my hands on book 2, so I can dive right back into this world that Athena has so marvellously built.
December 6, 2023
4.75⭐️
I really enjoyed this book! Such an incredible debut novel!
I wasn't rooting for one of the relationships but that's ok- maybe it will grow on me in the next book!
I really enjoyed this book! Such an incredible debut novel!
I wasn't rooting for one of the relationships but that's ok- maybe it will grow on me in the next book!
November 13, 2025
If I had to describe "The Sons of Echidna" in one word: Zany.
The story starts out slow as it introduces the main character, Lucy. It felt like the set up of a middle grade adventure if I am honest. Lucy is thrust into a world of weird and easily accepts most without question. She jokes and compares to her life before in the service industry, but doesn't have any true moment acknowledging of the seriousness of her situation. She is more so happy to go along with it. While I enjoyed her open personality, this made it a little difficult to accept the story when it turned more mature. It felt like a complete 180 degree turn in tone. That said, once the story develops and I realized more of what it was going for, it still was an enjoyable read.
The story was interesting. Different, but in a good way. It mixes old Mythology with technology. Updating character tropes to be colorful and whimsical. Exaggerated but fun.
This is a book meant for mature audiences. Spice level of about 3. Clearly open language and scenes that leave nothing to the imagination.
The story starts out slow as it introduces the main character, Lucy. It felt like the set up of a middle grade adventure if I am honest. Lucy is thrust into a world of weird and easily accepts most without question. She jokes and compares to her life before in the service industry, but doesn't have any true moment acknowledging of the seriousness of her situation. She is more so happy to go along with it. While I enjoyed her open personality, this made it a little difficult to accept the story when it turned more mature. It felt like a complete 180 degree turn in tone. That said, once the story develops and I realized more of what it was going for, it still was an enjoyable read.
The story was interesting. Different, but in a good way. It mixes old Mythology with technology. Updating character tropes to be colorful and whimsical. Exaggerated but fun.
This is a book meant for mature audiences. Spice level of about 3. Clearly open language and scenes that leave nothing to the imagination.
June 23, 2025
I haven't read a book that had me this hooked from chapter one. I loved every second of this book, maybe not the cliffhanger it left me with, but I'm obsessed! I can't wait to read more from this author
June 8, 2024
Reading TSOE was like boarding a train with no idea where you were heading, but by god was the ride there just as fun as the destination. This book is in all its glory, chaos. And I mean that in the best way possible. This is for the folks who have never quite fit in, and need a ragtag family to open their arms and welcome them home.
Each character is so unique and well thought out, it felt like throughout the read I became friends with them and came to love them like family (especially Klein, though I’d rather not marry a family member so he’s more of a… friendly neighbour who i’m in love with?)
I usually struggle to picture anything in great detail when I’m reading, but the constant gorgeous illustrations throughout this book, along with the writing, helped me bring this to life in my head 💗 You can tell that so much love and thought has been put into these characters and this world, and you can really tell just how much Athena adores each and every one of them.
Each character is so unique and well thought out, it felt like throughout the read I became friends with them and came to love them like family (especially Klein, though I’d rather not marry a family member so he’s more of a… friendly neighbour who i’m in love with?)
I usually struggle to picture anything in great detail when I’m reading, but the constant gorgeous illustrations throughout this book, along with the writing, helped me bring this to life in my head 💗 You can tell that so much love and thought has been put into these characters and this world, and you can really tell just how much Athena adores each and every one of them.
September 2, 2023
3.75 stars
I was really excited for this one because of the beautiful artwork, and the fact that Athena put a lot of thought and effort into representation and accessibility; even taking into consideration readers with aphantasia (like me!), and that's something that needs to be celebrated and appreciated.
As far as the writing goes it's self, this was incredibly well written, beautiful in fact. I found next to no errors, the language and words flowed, the inclusion of images was timed perfectly to the content given as well. All in all it lead to a good reading experience. My gripe here however was that I felt like it was missing a little oomph. It felt like Athena was holding back a little. The scenes themselves felt quite structured, like they were clear steps instead of bleeding together. It was blindingly clear that X occurred purely to support Y, which is great because it keeps things consistent and sensical, but I did think the structure was a tiny bit too obvious. This does of course speak volumes for the amount of thought and planning that went into the book, but it did kind of dampen the journey for me.
The characters were diverse and hashed out in so much detail! This was impressive not only because of the effort that went into them, but at the sheer volume of characters that were built up as well! On the down side, I did find it hard to track all the characters often mistaking Lilly for Lucy, forgetting if it was Ari, Aris or Aries..etc. BUT on the positives (of which there are more than I can possibly list), the characters were a strange and eclectic bunch, making them all that much better. I think Ryan (subtly but naturally transgender) was my favourite. The addition of giving the creatures their own personalities was also wonderful. Who could complain about a sullen old Kraken who just wants to hold hands, or a pair of grumpy lesbian griffins with strong maternal instincts, and a dark man-hating unicorn?
All in all this was actually quite a cosy read, one I dived into after particularly long and mundane days.
I don't think I would reread it, but it's definitely one I would reccomend to anyone needing a read that brings warmth with it.
I was really excited for this one because of the beautiful artwork, and the fact that Athena put a lot of thought and effort into representation and accessibility; even taking into consideration readers with aphantasia (like me!), and that's something that needs to be celebrated and appreciated.
As far as the writing goes it's self, this was incredibly well written, beautiful in fact. I found next to no errors, the language and words flowed, the inclusion of images was timed perfectly to the content given as well. All in all it lead to a good reading experience. My gripe here however was that I felt like it was missing a little oomph. It felt like Athena was holding back a little. The scenes themselves felt quite structured, like they were clear steps instead of bleeding together. It was blindingly clear that X occurred purely to support Y, which is great because it keeps things consistent and sensical, but I did think the structure was a tiny bit too obvious. This does of course speak volumes for the amount of thought and planning that went into the book, but it did kind of dampen the journey for me.
The characters were diverse and hashed out in so much detail! This was impressive not only because of the effort that went into them, but at the sheer volume of characters that were built up as well! On the down side, I did find it hard to track all the characters often mistaking Lilly for Lucy, forgetting if it was Ari, Aris or Aries..etc. BUT on the positives (of which there are more than I can possibly list), the characters were a strange and eclectic bunch, making them all that much better. I think Ryan (subtly but naturally transgender) was my favourite. The addition of giving the creatures their own personalities was also wonderful. Who could complain about a sullen old Kraken who just wants to hold hands, or a pair of grumpy lesbian griffins with strong maternal instincts, and a dark man-hating unicorn?
All in all this was actually quite a cosy read, one I dived into after particularly long and mundane days.
I don't think I would reread it, but it's definitely one I would reccomend to anyone needing a read that brings warmth with it.
January 8, 2024
For this being a debut novel, I'm very impressed with this book. The main reason I wasn't particularly interested in this was probably just the genre and the premise, so that's entirely to blame on my personal taste, but in general, it was actually a pretty good book.
I thought the characters in this were good. They weren't too one-dimensional, and there was some amazing representation. The author is also a part and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, and when reading this it was very noticeable in a positive way with a lot of characters just having casual but necessary representation. The writing was also nice and enjoyable - it didn't particularly stand out, but it wasn't bad. Sometimes, they didn't feel fully developed, but this really is me nitpicking.
Having that said, there is some things I would like to note: First off, the pacing. I can't exactly put a finger on it, but it just felt off in this book. There were times where it felt like nothing was happening at all, and then suddenly everything was happening super fast. It was a bit confusing for me to read and at times I even had to go back and reread parts because I was just confused.
Also, another major thing I noticed is that the story seemed a bit random. Yes, it did follow what the synopsis said it would, but there didn't seem to be any structure and obviously, books shouldn't be entirely predictable but this felt like it was written without any planning of the timeline/story beforehand, which also went hand in hand with the factor of the pacing being off that I mentioned earlier. I'm not directly saying that the author did write the book like this, just that it felt like it a little bit, and if that's their writing style that's also something I'll respect but personally not something I enjoyed. The romance between the MC and the "love interest" also felt incredibly random and flat, which did not make it very enjoyable.
Overall, this was an okay read, but probably not a book I'd recommend to others, maybe only people where I specifically know that they'd enjoy something like this. This also took me actual ages to read, so maybe that was also part of the reason I couldn't really get into it that much.
I thought the characters in this were good. They weren't too one-dimensional, and there was some amazing representation. The author is also a part and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, and when reading this it was very noticeable in a positive way with a lot of characters just having casual but necessary representation. The writing was also nice and enjoyable - it didn't particularly stand out, but it wasn't bad. Sometimes, they didn't feel fully developed, but this really is me nitpicking.
Having that said, there is some things I would like to note: First off, the pacing. I can't exactly put a finger on it, but it just felt off in this book. There were times where it felt like nothing was happening at all, and then suddenly everything was happening super fast. It was a bit confusing for me to read and at times I even had to go back and reread parts because I was just confused.
Also, another major thing I noticed is that the story seemed a bit random. Yes, it did follow what the synopsis said it would, but there didn't seem to be any structure and obviously, books shouldn't be entirely predictable but this felt like it was written without any planning of the timeline/story beforehand, which also went hand in hand with the factor of the pacing being off that I mentioned earlier. I'm not directly saying that the author did write the book like this, just that it felt like it a little bit, and if that's their writing style that's also something I'll respect but personally not something I enjoyed. The romance between the MC and the "love interest" also felt incredibly random and flat, which did not make it very enjoyable.
Overall, this was an okay read, but probably not a book I'd recommend to others, maybe only people where I specifically know that they'd enjoy something like this. This also took me actual ages to read, so maybe that was also part of the reason I couldn't really get into it that much.
July 8, 2023
This was such an interesting read, and an incredibly brave undertaking for a debut! Thanks to the author for the advance copy.
The characters were easily the highlight of this story; it’s an eclectic, quirky cast that seeks to steal your heart. I do wish it delved just a little more into the family’s backstories, especially Lai’s because he was a riot with a sheen of mystery (and I NEED to know what was up with the memories Lucy saw 👀) and I wanted to know everything about him! I also really appreciated the range of representation in the characters’ sexualities, mental illnesses, and family structures.
Gaia especially was such a compelling and interesting thread — I love when technology and magic collide and I have a lot of theories about the mysterious tech corporation which I’m assuming will become more important in the subsequent books.
Though I was left with a lot of questions at the end, the lovable characters, zany humor, and beautiful illustrations made this an overall fun & fantastical romp. And while I didn’t love it, it definitely stands out from the masses!
The characters were easily the highlight of this story; it’s an eclectic, quirky cast that seeks to steal your heart. I do wish it delved just a little more into the family’s backstories, especially Lai’s because he was a riot with a sheen of mystery (and I NEED to know what was up with the memories Lucy saw 👀) and I wanted to know everything about him! I also really appreciated the range of representation in the characters’ sexualities, mental illnesses, and family structures.
Gaia especially was such a compelling and interesting thread — I love when technology and magic collide and I have a lot of theories about the mysterious tech corporation which I’m assuming will become more important in the subsequent books.
Though I was left with a lot of questions at the end, the lovable characters, zany humor, and beautiful illustrations made this an overall fun & fantastical romp. And while I didn’t love it, it definitely stands out from the masses!
August 31, 2023
OH MY GOSH.
I received this book as an ARC (thank you Athena) and I can’t believe how much I loved the story. This book was not something I would normally choose, but I’m so glad I received and ARC of it. Within the first 30 pages, I was honestly hooked, all the characters and mysterious back stories. There were twists and turns around every corner, keeping me on the edge of my seat. I love how diverse the characters are, and how in the book it’s not a big deal they are diverse, they are all accepted straight away by the FMC. I honestly cannot wait for the next book, I can’t wait to see what happens. If you want a fast paced, medium burn, mysterious book with a bit of spice, I would definitely recommend this!!!
I received this book as an ARC (thank you Athena) and I can’t believe how much I loved the story. This book was not something I would normally choose, but I’m so glad I received and ARC of it. Within the first 30 pages, I was honestly hooked, all the characters and mysterious back stories. There were twists and turns around every corner, keeping me on the edge of my seat. I love how diverse the characters are, and how in the book it’s not a big deal they are diverse, they are all accepted straight away by the FMC. I honestly cannot wait for the next book, I can’t wait to see what happens. If you want a fast paced, medium burn, mysterious book with a bit of spice, I would definitely recommend this!!!
December 26, 2024
This book has so many magical elements and charm to it! The humour was epic & the concept was totally unique! Klein is my favourite!
I found the structure of the writing hard to follow at times which has resulted in my star rating. But I also want to say that this is very likely a me problem as a bunch of people read this with me and didn't have the same issues with following the story as I did! As this was Athenas debut I look forward to her future work as her writing grows! Definitely still recommend giving this book a go!
I found the structure of the writing hard to follow at times which has resulted in my star rating. But I also want to say that this is very likely a me problem as a bunch of people read this with me and didn't have the same issues with following the story as I did! As this was Athenas debut I look forward to her future work as her writing grows! Definitely still recommend giving this book a go!
July 24, 2023
I am happy that I was able to receive an ARC of this book. It starts of with a misplaced moment that as a reader it doesn’t make sense but so long as you follow the clue of the magpie it will make sense. Then we meet Lucy who has no family left and is in search of a job and in her way to an interview as a nanny. From her arrival everything is strange including the members of the family. From them on it is non stop craziness and strangeness. The family is made up of a father and four sons. The family is losing their money and the father is attempting to try and gain their fortune back by resuming their previous business of selling supernatural pets. How he gets those exotic pets was a total twist I did not see coming. The family lives in a run down, falling apart mansion that is set in a bubble per say that has its own mechanism that controls the weather and how time moves within in. When it starts to malfunction the family with Lucy need to find a way to solve it and Lucy may be the solution.
I liked all the characters including one that is part of the LBGTQ and how each has their own things that they need to work through. The story set up was amazing. I felt as though I was the one getting a tour of the property with how well it was written. The faeries were really fun to read about and made me smile. As well as the other creatures like the old kraken, the two griffins constantly kidnapping the youngest son, and the hellhounds. My favorite was when our character who turns into a wyvern is described as a ‘gargoyle drag queen’, had me chuckling because it is a great description of this character with their personality. What I also loved was all the art that was done by the author. I thought that was such a nice touch. I can’t wait to read the next one.
I liked all the characters including one that is part of the LBGTQ and how each has their own things that they need to work through. The story set up was amazing. I felt as though I was the one getting a tour of the property with how well it was written. The faeries were really fun to read about and made me smile. As well as the other creatures like the old kraken, the two griffins constantly kidnapping the youngest son, and the hellhounds. My favorite was when our character who turns into a wyvern is described as a ‘gargoyle drag queen’, had me chuckling because it is a great description of this character with their personality. What I also loved was all the art that was done by the author. I thought that was such a nice touch. I can’t wait to read the next one.
March 13, 2025
A fun, hilarious, cozy, feel good read that will have you laughing out loud, questioning wtf is going on and falling in love with some very questionable characters.
Our FMC Lucy gets a lot more than she bargained on when she responded to an ad for a nanny job, desperate for money and to make it on her own.. instead she gets.. Lesbian griffins, a murderous unicorn, an elderly kraken and a HOT, grumpy asshole boss. SOE is hectic in the best possible way.
The characters are so diverse but in a way that feels natural and completely genuine giving excellent representation and inclusivity.
They may be deranged but the bunch of misfits make the perfect group and give Lucy a sense of home, a found family she didn't know she was looking for and her power back.
This book has it all- top tier banter, loveable chaotic characters, gods, monsters, magic, unexpected twists, sprinkles of spice and angst (one word COLLARS). But also something no other book I've ever seen has- AMAZING ARTWORK that really adds to the immersive story and is such a gift to experience.
I want to be Lai when I grow up - absolutely unhinged, very questionable decisions but unapologetically themselves and the funniest person I"ve ever met. I think highlighted almost everything he said.
The plot although bananas made perfect sense for the story and characters and it built nicely with discoveries and revelations and a biting crunch point and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
A book like no other that had me nose diving face first into the chaotic world and enjoying the fall.
Our FMC Lucy gets a lot more than she bargained on when she responded to an ad for a nanny job, desperate for money and to make it on her own.. instead she gets.. Lesbian griffins, a murderous unicorn, an elderly kraken and a HOT, grumpy asshole boss. SOE is hectic in the best possible way.
The characters are so diverse but in a way that feels natural and completely genuine giving excellent representation and inclusivity.
They may be deranged but the bunch of misfits make the perfect group and give Lucy a sense of home, a found family she didn't know she was looking for and her power back.
This book has it all- top tier banter, loveable chaotic characters, gods, monsters, magic, unexpected twists, sprinkles of spice and angst (one word COLLARS). But also something no other book I've ever seen has- AMAZING ARTWORK that really adds to the immersive story and is such a gift to experience.
I want to be Lai when I grow up - absolutely unhinged, very questionable decisions but unapologetically themselves and the funniest person I"ve ever met. I think highlighted almost everything he said.
The plot although bananas made perfect sense for the story and characters and it built nicely with discoveries and revelations and a biting crunch point and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
A book like no other that had me nose diving face first into the chaotic world and enjoying the fall.
July 11, 2023
First of all, I want to thank Athena for allowing me to read an ARC of her debut book. It was a journey packed with eccentric characters, intriguing creatures, an engaging plot, and incredible illustrations that bring the characters to life.
I loved the cast of quirky characters, mysterious backstories, and a developing MC. I was stoked to see the LGBTQ+ inclusivity in this book. I would love to see some more character development for Louis and would love an explanation of the memories Lucy saw.
As a huge fan of mythology, I was delighted to read this unique and refreshing take on the myths and especially one based on monsters. The Creatures, I can not say how MUCH I loved them. The Magpie, I think might be my favourite.
I thought the writing style flowed and the more you read the more it draws you in. There are SO many aspects of the plot and the world that I can’t wait to see explored. The Illustrations! I loved them. I found it so disappointing when I started reading adult books that hardly any had illustrations, so it's awesome to read a book that has them.
Honestly, I cannot wait for book 2!
I loved the cast of quirky characters, mysterious backstories, and a developing MC. I was stoked to see the LGBTQ+ inclusivity in this book. I would love to see some more character development for Louis and would love an explanation of the memories Lucy saw.
As a huge fan of mythology, I was delighted to read this unique and refreshing take on the myths and especially one based on monsters. The Creatures, I can not say how MUCH I loved them. The Magpie, I think might be my favourite.
I thought the writing style flowed and the more you read the more it draws you in. There are SO many aspects of the plot and the world that I can’t wait to see explored. The Illustrations! I loved them. I found it so disappointing when I started reading adult books that hardly any had illustrations, so it's awesome to read a book that has them.
Honestly, I cannot wait for book 2!
July 14, 2023
The Son of Echidna by Athena Bliss was one of the most captivating novels I've read this year. Athena's characters were enthusiastic, charming, and enthralling With no character left in the dust. Her attention to detail and description made me lose myself in her writing. Within the chapters, was humor, an amazing storyline, and no-strings-attached smut. Fans of She-ra will love the aspect of highly advanced technology and world-building, along with mythology both created and already established. I devoured this great read in 2 days. This debut novel is not one to miss. You can count on my return for the author's future work.
March 23, 2025
This is the first book that I've read by this author and I have to say I'M A FAN!!
This book is fast paced which I just so happen to love
the story kept hooked and it was brilliant!! The plot, characters and every aspect of this book was very well thought out!!! The cover is just as gorgeous!!
Lucy is phenomenal!! At some points I disagreed with her but overall she was a delight!!
This is a spicy book and its a sort of enemies to lovers. Greek mythology fans, this one is for you!!! So excited for book 2!!
More thoughts and spoilers will be on my socials, stay tuned☁️🍒
This book is fast paced which I just so happen to love
the story kept hooked and it was brilliant!! The plot, characters and every aspect of this book was very well thought out!!! The cover is just as gorgeous!!
Lucy is phenomenal!! At some points I disagreed with her but overall she was a delight!!
This is a spicy book and its a sort of enemies to lovers. Greek mythology fans, this one is for you!!! So excited for book 2!!
More thoughts and spoilers will be on my socials, stay tuned☁️🍒
May 22, 2025
So sad that this book too me so long to read but also love that I waited for V2!!!
I absolutely loved this book. Was so easy to read and adored the illustrations. As a person that finds it hard to imagine with characters or creatures it was so cool to have the illustrations to help.
I loved the banter between the characters. Lai and Lucy are def faves.
I found this story so captivating. It held me hostage in the story from the first page right up until the last..
I cannot wait to dive into book 2.
I absolutely loved this book. Was so easy to read and adored the illustrations. As a person that finds it hard to imagine with characters or creatures it was so cool to have the illustrations to help.
I loved the banter between the characters. Lai and Lucy are def faves.
I found this story so captivating. It held me hostage in the story from the first page right up until the last..
I cannot wait to dive into book 2.
March 1, 2025
Wow, what a ride! I was not expecting this story when I started this book, assuming that it was more of a contemporary fantasy based on Greek mythology. However, what you do get is both an incredibly wholesome story that is slightly more gritty than a TJ Klune novel, and some very unexpected spice.
I think my favourite parts were those that involved the mythical creatures like Martha the Kraken, And although there were some strange science-fiction elements to the story, I enjoyed the book and it’s unexpected chaos.
I think my favourite parts were those that involved the mythical creatures like Martha the Kraken, And although there were some strange science-fiction elements to the story, I enjoyed the book and it’s unexpected chaos.
dnf
February 28, 2025February 2025 DNF at 32%
March 5, 2025
This was an ARC read of the updated second edition. It was a cosy, fun read with loveable characters, mythical creatures and LBGT rep. A story of found family I couldn’t help but fall in love with.
It was FULL of banter, I found myself giggling out loud multiple times. There is beautiful artwork scattered through out the story for those of us that sometimes find it hard to visualise inside our heads (there is a term for it, I can’t recall off the top of my head)
I really feel like the author is onto something here 🫶 I didn’t read the first edition so can’t compare on that front, but I’ll definitely be reading the next book in the series!
It was FULL of banter, I found myself giggling out loud multiple times. There is beautiful artwork scattered through out the story for those of us that sometimes find it hard to visualise inside our heads (there is a term for it, I can’t recall off the top of my head)
I really feel like the author is onto something here 🫶 I didn’t read the first edition so can’t compare on that front, but I’ll definitely be reading the next book in the series!
August 5, 2024
Loved the banter and friendship between Lucy and Lai, the art was stunning and I loved the addition of that. Athena is incredibly talented.
I was so excited to read this, the premise was fun, and the thought and effort put into representation and diversity is refreshing. The characters were well-detailed, but you did have to rely a bit on the art to picture the character rather than the writing. I didn't realise who was who for a long time, and that Klein only had one eye until the very middle of the book. I was picturing him very differently.
Unfortunately for me, it just felt choppy and all over the place. I felt as though the ideas were good but just thrown in without context and editing; It was lacking a little oomph. You can tell a lot of thought has gone into the planning, but that has come at a cost of some things having a lot of detail where-as others need more. The first half was well-hashed, and then it felt rushed and confusing for the second.
This left me feeling more confused and lost with each chapter.
It was hard to track who was who, as fun as the names were they were very simmilar and i was getting everyone mixed up. They were all strange, eclectic and had very varying personalities, and their relationships with one another were entertaining.
I could see the intent of the love interest happening, but it felt a lack of lead-up and tension; it was more of a random addition that I didn't particularly enjoy as I hadn't been made to feel the tension, the lead-up and it was just sudden.
I hope in the next book the family history is more explored, and more things connect up.
With good editing, this will become a great story, and I hope it gets that opportunity to be fleshed out.
All in all, while I didn't overall love it. It's a refreshing take on a fun fantasy, and who doesn't love some art.
Thank you for exploring that Athena, I can't wait to see you continue to grow with your writing.
I was so excited to read this, the premise was fun, and the thought and effort put into representation and diversity is refreshing. The characters were well-detailed, but you did have to rely a bit on the art to picture the character rather than the writing. I didn't realise who was who for a long time, and that Klein only had one eye until the very middle of the book. I was picturing him very differently.
Unfortunately for me, it just felt choppy and all over the place. I felt as though the ideas were good but just thrown in without context and editing; It was lacking a little oomph. You can tell a lot of thought has gone into the planning, but that has come at a cost of some things having a lot of detail where-as others need more. The first half was well-hashed, and then it felt rushed and confusing for the second.
This left me feeling more confused and lost with each chapter.
It was hard to track who was who, as fun as the names were they were very simmilar and i was getting everyone mixed up. They were all strange, eclectic and had very varying personalities, and their relationships with one another were entertaining.
I could see the intent of the love interest happening, but it felt a lack of lead-up and tension; it was more of a random addition that I didn't particularly enjoy as I hadn't been made to feel the tension, the lead-up and it was just sudden.
I hope in the next book the family history is more explored, and more things connect up.
With good editing, this will become a great story, and I hope it gets that opportunity to be fleshed out.
All in all, while I didn't overall love it. It's a refreshing take on a fun fantasy, and who doesn't love some art.
Thank you for exploring that Athena, I can't wait to see you continue to grow with your writing.
September 14, 2025
Take a bunch of loveable eccentrics, a dash of magic, Greek mythology, and a menagerie of magical creatures, throw them all into a house, and what do you get... a whole lot of fun.
My favourite thing about this book was the characters; each one was so distinctive, and the character art included in the book was amazing. Lai was a standout to me for his quirkiness. I could see him swanning about in his silky robes, and Aris, we love a grumpy dilf. And Klein... ❤️ He might be my favourite after Lai.
On top of that, this beautiful paperback book from my fellow New Zealand author came with gorgeous golden sprayed edges.
My favourite thing about this book was the characters; each one was so distinctive, and the character art included in the book was amazing. Lai was a standout to me for his quirkiness. I could see him swanning about in his silky robes, and Aris, we love a grumpy dilf. And Klein... ❤️ He might be my favourite after Lai.
On top of that, this beautiful paperback book from my fellow New Zealand author came with gorgeous golden sprayed edges.
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