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Temping Fate
Until she stumbled upon the Divine Relief Temp Agency, Ilana Newhouse was having a hard time finding a summer job. Apparently, a T-shirt that reads "Orc: The Other Green Meat" isn’t appropriate for an interview. But when she reports for her first day as a temp, Ilana discovers why Divine Relief isn’t shy about hiring someone a little left of ordinary. Ilana is temping for the extraordinary, life-controlling, Greek mythological goddesses, the Fates. Now her summer is going to be less about surviving a stuffy office and more about avoiding being turned into a pig, or worse!
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
6 people are currently reading
555 people want to read
About the author
Esther M. Friesner
264 books710 followersEsther M. Friesner was educated at Vassar College, where she completed B.A's in both Spanish and Drama. She went to on to Yale University; within five years she was awarded an M.A. and Ph.D. in Spanish. She taught Spanish at Yale for a number of years before going on to become a full-time author of fantasy and science fiction. She has published twenty-seven novels so far; her most recent titles include Temping Fate from Penguin-Puffin and Nobody's Princess from Random House.
Her short fiction and poetry have appeared in Asimov's, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Aboriginal SF, Pulphouse Magazine, Amazing, and Fantasy Book, as well as in numerous anthologies. Her story, "Love's Eldritch Ichor," was featured in the 1990 World Fantasy Convention book.
Her first stint as an anthology editor was Alien Pregnant By Elvis, a collection of truly gonzo original tabloid SF for DAW books. Wisely, she undertook this project with the able collaboration of Martin H. Greenberg. Not having learned their lesson, they have also co-edited the Chicks In Chainmail Amazon comedy anthology series for Baen Books, as well as Blood Muse, an anthology of vampire stories for Donald I Fine, Inc.
"Ask Auntie Esther" was her regular etiquette and advice column to the SFlorn in Pulphouse Magazine. Being paid for telling other people how to run their lives sounds like a pretty good deal to her.
Ms. Friesner won the Nebula Award for Best Short Story of 1995 for her work, "Death and the Librarian," and the Nebula for Best Short Story of 1996 for "A Birth Day." (A Birth Day" was also a 1996 Hugo Award finalist.) Her novelette, "Jesus at the Bat" was on the final Nebula ballot in the same year that "Death and the Librarian" won the award. In addition, she has won the Romantic Times award for Best New Fantasy Writer in 1986 and the Skylark Award in 1994. Her short story, "All Vows," took second place in the Asimov's SF Magazine Readers' Poll for 1993 and was a finalist for the Nebula in 1994. Her Star Trek: Deep Space Nine novel, Warchild, made the USA TODAY bestseller list.
She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two children, two rambunctious cats, and a fluctuating population of hamsters.
Her short fiction and poetry have appeared in Asimov's, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Aboriginal SF, Pulphouse Magazine, Amazing, and Fantasy Book, as well as in numerous anthologies. Her story, "Love's Eldritch Ichor," was featured in the 1990 World Fantasy Convention book.
Her first stint as an anthology editor was Alien Pregnant By Elvis, a collection of truly gonzo original tabloid SF for DAW books. Wisely, she undertook this project with the able collaboration of Martin H. Greenberg. Not having learned their lesson, they have also co-edited the Chicks In Chainmail Amazon comedy anthology series for Baen Books, as well as Blood Muse, an anthology of vampire stories for Donald I Fine, Inc.
"Ask Auntie Esther" was her regular etiquette and advice column to the SFlorn in Pulphouse Magazine. Being paid for telling other people how to run their lives sounds like a pretty good deal to her.
Ms. Friesner won the Nebula Award for Best Short Story of 1995 for her work, "Death and the Librarian," and the Nebula for Best Short Story of 1996 for "A Birth Day." (A Birth Day" was also a 1996 Hugo Award finalist.) Her novelette, "Jesus at the Bat" was on the final Nebula ballot in the same year that "Death and the Librarian" won the award. In addition, she has won the Romantic Times award for Best New Fantasy Writer in 1986 and the Skylark Award in 1994. Her short story, "All Vows," took second place in the Asimov's SF Magazine Readers' Poll for 1993 and was a finalist for the Nebula in 1994. Her Star Trek: Deep Space Nine novel, Warchild, made the USA TODAY bestseller list.
She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two children, two rambunctious cats, and a fluctuating population of hamsters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
December 17, 2007
"Temping Fate" by Esther Friesner is, conventionally, what a chick lit novel usually looks like. The story has a misfit female protagonist, cute guys, and relationship-related mayhem. Happily, the story also fits into my more encompassing, feminist-informed, definition of chick lit in that the heroine of the novel is funny, smart and independent.
Ilana Newhouse is desperate for a summer job. Any summer job. So, she doesn't worry too much when the temp agency that hires her proves to be a little . . . strange. It turns out that Ilana is temping for The Fates of ancient Greek fame.
Chaos ensues as Ilana tries to navigate the complexities of her new job with the Fates while helping prepare for her Bridezilla-sister's upcoming wedding. Add in some fun co-workers, spastic gods and goddesses and this book has all the makings for an entertaining read. Happily, at the same time, the story does have some twists and turns to keep things interesting.
This book gets major points for putting ancient Greek gods (and some other myths from other countries) into a modern setting and preserving their integrity. The gods that we meet in the story are convincing characters and they work perfectly in the modern environment. It's the first book I have read in a while that can claim as much.
Furthermore, the story is hysterical. Ilana is a true oddball and following the plot through her point of view is a lot of fun. Friesner had me laughing out loud several times during the reading of this story. Some of the characters come off more like cartoons than "real" people, but that's probably to be expected of a story like this. Friesner introduces some great characters in a fun, upbeat story that readers will definitely want to see again.
Ilana Newhouse is desperate for a summer job. Any summer job. So, she doesn't worry too much when the temp agency that hires her proves to be a little . . . strange. It turns out that Ilana is temping for The Fates of ancient Greek fame.
Chaos ensues as Ilana tries to navigate the complexities of her new job with the Fates while helping prepare for her Bridezilla-sister's upcoming wedding. Add in some fun co-workers, spastic gods and goddesses and this book has all the makings for an entertaining read. Happily, at the same time, the story does have some twists and turns to keep things interesting.
This book gets major points for putting ancient Greek gods (and some other myths from other countries) into a modern setting and preserving their integrity. The gods that we meet in the story are convincing characters and they work perfectly in the modern environment. It's the first book I have read in a while that can claim as much.
Furthermore, the story is hysterical. Ilana is a true oddball and following the plot through her point of view is a lot of fun. Friesner had me laughing out loud several times during the reading of this story. Some of the characters come off more like cartoons than "real" people, but that's probably to be expected of a story like this. Friesner introduces some great characters in a fun, upbeat story that readers will definitely want to see again.
March 27, 2011
Fun, light YA novel with greek mythology. Ilana starts working for the Divine Relief Temp Agency without realizing it is temping agency for gods. Her assignment is to help the Fates. She is also dealing with her older sister's imminent wedding and feeling like an outsider.
What I enjoyed:
* The interactions with the gods (and seeing them have human problems).
* The other temps.
* Arachne.
What could have been better:
* I would have liked more interaction with her sister.
* Her parents were practically non-existent.
* It doesn't look like there is a sequel, and I enjoyed the characters and would have liked to have read more.
*
What I enjoyed:
* The interactions with the gods (and seeing them have human problems).
* The other temps.
* Arachne.
What could have been better:
* I would have liked more interaction with her sister.
* Her parents were practically non-existent.
* It doesn't look like there is a sequel, and I enjoyed the characters and would have liked to have read more.
*
May 27, 2009
Ilana's parents are constantly harping on the need for her to have a well rounded resume for her college applications, and her sister has turned into a raging bridzilla, so she's kinda desperate to get out of the house for the summer. Problem is, her snarky sarcasm has made her somewhat unhirable in her hometown. She tries a temp agency, gets a placement ... and then finds out the agency caters to an rather exclusive clientele - gods.
Ilana is freaked at first to realize she's doing paperwork for the actual three fates, and that her fellow temp workers are working for people like Athena, Demeter, and Apollo, but quickly goes with it because a) hey, even gods need assistants, b) the pay is really good, and c) she really needs to get out of the house.
A hilarious modern takes on the Greek (and some Norse, Do NOT ignore the squirrel!) myths. All of the gods, goddesses, and assorted demi-gods first into the modern era quite well. My favorite was Circe's coffee shop and the hilarious appearence of the three furies as tweens.
Ilana is freaked at first to realize she's doing paperwork for the actual three fates, and that her fellow temp workers are working for people like Athena, Demeter, and Apollo, but quickly goes with it because a) hey, even gods need assistants, b) the pay is really good, and c) she really needs to get out of the house.
A hilarious modern takes on the Greek (and some Norse, Do NOT ignore the squirrel!) myths. All of the gods, goddesses, and assorted demi-gods first into the modern era quite well. My favorite was Circe's coffee shop and the hilarious appearence of the three furies as tweens.
May 20, 2011
Temping Fate is the funniest novel I've read in ages. This is the book I was searching for when I read book after book of mythological/theological fiction in the wake of finishing Neil Gaiman's American Gods. I don't mean to give the impression that the two books are particularly similar in tone or theme. They're not. The two novels share only surface similarities -- both deal with ancient gods in modern times, both feature a protagonist suddenly thrust into dealings with beings previously believed to be only myth. But while American Gods is dark and complex, Temping Fate runs towards the sweet and humorous. However, I believe that I could have satisfied my post-American Gods reading binge much sooner had this book been out. Having found the far end of the spectrum, my sudden taste for gods in novels might have been fulfilled.
Although I've recommended this book to many on its not-inconsiderable humor factor, humor alone won't get me through a book, even a short one. Fortunately, the characters in this story really are brilliant. Any assumptions made by readers about Ilana's personality and behavior based on her clothes and appearance are certain to be wrong. She is not maladjusted nor does she affect to be so to be cool. She is both stubborn and kind, and she has a good work ethic and a desire to be just. And as the story progresses and more of Ilana's history is revealed, she only grows more interesting. Her older sister, Dyllin, similarly begins the story as bride-zilla, only to reveal more facets and become more sympathetic over the course of the book. Ilana's friends from school and the agency all bring something to the story. Often this something is in the form of humorous dialogue, but not one of them is only glib.
And wait until you meet the Furies. I love the Furies.
Readers who like a little mythology mixed into the everyday will love this book. Readers who like coming of age and family-centered stories may want to give this book a shot as well. Readers who like humor -- well, they've probably already picked up a copy based on the title wordplay alone.
And speaking as a former temp -- yes, temping is exactly this weird.
Although I've recommended this book to many on its not-inconsiderable humor factor, humor alone won't get me through a book, even a short one. Fortunately, the characters in this story really are brilliant. Any assumptions made by readers about Ilana's personality and behavior based on her clothes and appearance are certain to be wrong. She is not maladjusted nor does she affect to be so to be cool. She is both stubborn and kind, and she has a good work ethic and a desire to be just. And as the story progresses and more of Ilana's history is revealed, she only grows more interesting. Her older sister, Dyllin, similarly begins the story as bride-zilla, only to reveal more facets and become more sympathetic over the course of the book. Ilana's friends from school and the agency all bring something to the story. Often this something is in the form of humorous dialogue, but not one of them is only glib.
And wait until you meet the Furies. I love the Furies.
Readers who like a little mythology mixed into the everyday will love this book. Readers who like coming of age and family-centered stories may want to give this book a shot as well. Readers who like humor -- well, they've probably already picked up a copy based on the title wordplay alone.
And speaking as a former temp -- yes, temping is exactly this weird.
March 6, 2015
How can I even describe how much I love this book without becoming a geeky fangirl? It’s impossible.I’ve read this book about 6 times. I can’t help it – it’s so adorable. I love a book that doesn’t take itself seriously, and Temping Fate is one of those books. It’s kind of like Gilmore Girls + cute high school flick + mythology. There is snark. Lots and lots of snark.
It’s a quick read, and it has adventure. And mythology (mostly Greek, but some others). When I have a slow afternoon and I want to feel relaxed and productive at the same time, I read Temping Fate.
The reason I first fell in love with this book is in the first chapter, when Ilana goes to an interview with a skull pseudo-accidentally colored on her face. The premise is so simple: teen girl can’t stand her crazy wedding-/college-driven sister and parents, so she heads out to find a job. Only problem is…she’s weird. And normal jobs just don’t get her.
Enter the Divine Relief Temp Agency, workplace of – surprise! – the Fates.
The world created by Esther Friesner in Temping Fate is great. It's fun and lighthearted, but it also has a few deeper moments. Even when things are serious and you think the world is probably about to blow up, it’s fun. If you don’t know mythology, don’t worry. Friesner does a great job of giving the reader just enough background info to know what to expect. Of course, knowing the stories of Circe and Arachne just makes things even more hilarious. Ilana is a fantastic protagonist and I find myself rooting for her from the first sentence to the last.
It’s a quick read, and it has adventure. And mythology (mostly Greek, but some others). When I have a slow afternoon and I want to feel relaxed and productive at the same time, I read Temping Fate.
The reason I first fell in love with this book is in the first chapter, when Ilana goes to an interview with a skull pseudo-accidentally colored on her face. The premise is so simple: teen girl can’t stand her crazy wedding-/college-driven sister and parents, so she heads out to find a job. Only problem is…she’s weird. And normal jobs just don’t get her.
Enter the Divine Relief Temp Agency, workplace of – surprise! – the Fates.
The world created by Esther Friesner in Temping Fate is great. It's fun and lighthearted, but it also has a few deeper moments. Even when things are serious and you think the world is probably about to blow up, it’s fun. If you don’t know mythology, don’t worry. Friesner does a great job of giving the reader just enough background info to know what to expect. Of course, knowing the stories of Circe and Arachne just makes things even more hilarious. Ilana is a fantastic protagonist and I find myself rooting for her from the first sentence to the last.
January 13, 2011
Ilana Newhouse needs a summer job, and she’s not having much luck. For some reason, potential employers are put off by the little skull she drew on her face in ink, or the t-shirt reading ORC: The Other Green Meat, or her unfortunately sardonic sense of humor, or maybe just her hazy acquaintance with punctuality. Things aren’t looking good until she finds a business card in her sister’s room, and calls the Divine Relief Temp Agency.
It’s very disorienting when she finds herself temping for the Three Fates—Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. Oh, and Arachne hangs around the office, too. Weekly meetings with her fellow temps, at a coffee house run by Circe, also add variety to her life, and the only damper on what’s turning out to be a good summer is all the disruption caused by her sister Dyllin’s upcoming wedding. When Ilana learns that she and the other temps can borrow the powers of the gods they temp for, she can’t help trying to fix just one or two little things, and Ilana starts to get acquainted with the meaning of the word “chaos.” (This is apparently a sequel to an earlier book, but not having read it didn’t seem to be a problem.)
Great fun.
It’s very disorienting when she finds herself temping for the Three Fates—Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. Oh, and Arachne hangs around the office, too. Weekly meetings with her fellow temps, at a coffee house run by Circe, also add variety to her life, and the only damper on what’s turning out to be a good summer is all the disruption caused by her sister Dyllin’s upcoming wedding. When Ilana learns that she and the other temps can borrow the powers of the gods they temp for, she can’t help trying to fix just one or two little things, and Ilana starts to get acquainted with the meaning of the word “chaos.” (This is apparently a sequel to an earlier book, but not having read it didn’t seem to be a problem.)
Great fun.
November 21, 2008
Fun, quirky, quick read that plays off Greek Mythology (with a smattering of Norse) nicely. Ilana may not be as bad as she seems, but that makes her all the more real and dealing with over achieving parents, a "perfect" older sister, and the family's upheaval over said sister's upcoming marriage, Ilana is desperate for a summer job--ANYTHING to get her out of the house and out of the "something" her parents have said they'd "come up with" if she couldn't find one. Problem is, she is out of options in her small (and rather conservative) town. When the opportunity comes along for a job with a temp agency, she's ready to jump on it--except that maybe it's not what it first appeared to be.
October 18, 2008
Normally I love "silly" but this book was just a little too silly and not quite enough clever. Maybe I'm just in the wrong mood. Who knows?
July 16, 2025
amazing as the first time I read it and still hoping for a second novel !
May 31, 2012
Friesner, E. (2006). Temping Fate. New York: Speak.
279 pages.
Appetizer: Ilana Newhouse is desperate for a summer job. But when she first arrive at the D.R. Temp agency, it sets off a few alarms, like, why isn't anyone else working in the building? But it turns out the Divine Relief Temp Agency isn't a typical work place and it may be the perfect place for a teenage with such "attitude."
On her first day of work, Ilana discovers that she and the other temps actually work for the gods of myth (mostly those from Greek mythology) and Ilana has been assigned to work for The Fates, seeing the strings of human lives. Can she handle the pressure of such an unusual job and come to terms with her perfect sister, Dyllin who was a temp before her.
At first I really enjoyed Temping Fate. It's a very fun twist on dealing with the tensions and power issues of being the new employee at a job. There's a lot of fun off the cuff humor and sarcasm and a touch of feminism. All of these things should be a recipe for me to fall irreversibly in love with a book. There's also lots of fun, realistic dialogue (as realistic as can be when characters are dialoguing about their bosses, The Fates or gods of myth).
While I initially liked Ilana's characterization as a bit of a fantasy and sci-fi nerd and how tough and sarcastic she could be, I started to get annoyed with her about one-third of the way into the book. She made a lot of decisions I didn't like. The kind where you want to yell, "Don't go in there, you idiot!!!!!!" But she would do it. Then I would have to spend the next two chapters reading the fall-out of her less than stellar choices. Then I started to get annoyed with the book. What had at first had fun light joking dialogue became a time-waste. I just wanted something to happen! Then, about fifty pages from the end of the novel, BAM! there was a threat to the world as the characters know it. And I was left wishing that the plot and threats had made themselves obvious just a liiiiiiiiittle sooner.
Overall, despite some moments of frustration, I did enjoy Temping Fate. It was a fun approach to presenting myth in the modern world. I'm not ashamed to admit that I would love to work at that temp agency. I think I'd work harder than Ilana did. Jut tell me where to send my resume!
Also, when I first picked up this book, I drove myself crazy trying to figure out where I knew Esther Friesner's name from. Well, not too crazy. But crazy enough that I did have to figure out what else she had written. Friesner has published numerous feminist retellings of ancient myth and history in her Nobody's Princess and Sphinx series. They've been on my to-read lists for a while. It's good not to be crazy.
(No matter the time, one thing is clear, these rebellious ladies will give you the cold shoulder.)
And apparently she's also authored a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine novel. Ahahaha! Amused!
Dinner Conversation:
"Ilana Newhouse checked the business card in her hand one more time, then looked at the gleaming office door in front of her. The letters on the frosted-glass panel--big, black, outlined with gold--left no room for doubt. This was the place.
D.R. TEMPS, INCORPORATED
R. ATATOSK, MGR.
Ilana glanced at her wristwatch: 10:45 A.M. Her appointment was at eleven o'clock. She nibbled her lower lip and sighed. Dad said it was good to arrive early for a job interview. It showed your prospective employer that you were a willing worker, eager to be hired, eager to please.
Willing? Eager? More like last-ditch, all-other-bridges-burned desperate. So pathetically desperate to get this summer job that she wondered if maybe she should have shown up for this eleven o'clock even earlier. Like, oh, say, nine o'clock. Yesterday." (pp. 3-4).
"We're not so different from you mortals, you know," Tabby [one of the fates] told Ilana. "When you get tired on the job, you get careless and make all sorts of little mistakes."
"What's a 'little' mistake for you three? The Black Death?" Ilana asked. "I'm not going to pretend I understand everything that's going on here. I don't know why three of the most powerful beings in the universe chose a flyspeck town like Porlock's Landing to set up shop, and I don't care. All I wanted was a summer job. I got this one, and Mrs. Atatosk gave me my pay in advance, so I promise I'm going to earn it." (p. 42)
"Well, well, I see someone's got an attitude problem." The spider tried to stay angry, but its scowl twisted into a smirk. "Get you mad enough and you forget about everything else. Attitude like that, maybe it'll help you do this job. On the other leg, it could blow up in your face." (p.47)
279 pages.
Appetizer: Ilana Newhouse is desperate for a summer job. But when she first arrive at the D.R. Temp agency, it sets off a few alarms, like, why isn't anyone else working in the building? But it turns out the Divine Relief Temp Agency isn't a typical work place and it may be the perfect place for a teenage with such "attitude."
On her first day of work, Ilana discovers that she and the other temps actually work for the gods of myth (mostly those from Greek mythology) and Ilana has been assigned to work for The Fates, seeing the strings of human lives. Can she handle the pressure of such an unusual job and come to terms with her perfect sister, Dyllin who was a temp before her.
At first I really enjoyed Temping Fate. It's a very fun twist on dealing with the tensions and power issues of being the new employee at a job. There's a lot of fun off the cuff humor and sarcasm and a touch of feminism. All of these things should be a recipe for me to fall irreversibly in love with a book. There's also lots of fun, realistic dialogue (as realistic as can be when characters are dialoguing about their bosses, The Fates or gods of myth).
While I initially liked Ilana's characterization as a bit of a fantasy and sci-fi nerd and how tough and sarcastic she could be, I started to get annoyed with her about one-third of the way into the book. She made a lot of decisions I didn't like. The kind where you want to yell, "Don't go in there, you idiot!!!!!!" But she would do it. Then I would have to spend the next two chapters reading the fall-out of her less than stellar choices. Then I started to get annoyed with the book. What had at first had fun light joking dialogue became a time-waste. I just wanted something to happen! Then, about fifty pages from the end of the novel, BAM! there was a threat to the world as the characters know it. And I was left wishing that the plot and threats had made themselves obvious just a liiiiiiiiittle sooner.
Overall, despite some moments of frustration, I did enjoy Temping Fate. It was a fun approach to presenting myth in the modern world. I'm not ashamed to admit that I would love to work at that temp agency. I think I'd work harder than Ilana did. Jut tell me where to send my resume!
Also, when I first picked up this book, I drove myself crazy trying to figure out where I knew Esther Friesner's name from. Well, not too crazy. But crazy enough that I did have to figure out what else she had written. Friesner has published numerous feminist retellings of ancient myth and history in her Nobody's Princess and Sphinx series. They've been on my to-read lists for a while. It's good not to be crazy.
(No matter the time, one thing is clear, these rebellious ladies will give you the cold shoulder.)
And apparently she's also authored a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine novel. Ahahaha! Amused!
Dinner Conversation:
"Ilana Newhouse checked the business card in her hand one more time, then looked at the gleaming office door in front of her. The letters on the frosted-glass panel--big, black, outlined with gold--left no room for doubt. This was the place.
D.R. TEMPS, INCORPORATED
R. ATATOSK, MGR.
Ilana glanced at her wristwatch: 10:45 A.M. Her appointment was at eleven o'clock. She nibbled her lower lip and sighed. Dad said it was good to arrive early for a job interview. It showed your prospective employer that you were a willing worker, eager to be hired, eager to please.
Willing? Eager? More like last-ditch, all-other-bridges-burned desperate. So pathetically desperate to get this summer job that she wondered if maybe she should have shown up for this eleven o'clock even earlier. Like, oh, say, nine o'clock. Yesterday." (pp. 3-4).
"We're not so different from you mortals, you know," Tabby [one of the fates] told Ilana. "When you get tired on the job, you get careless and make all sorts of little mistakes."
"What's a 'little' mistake for you three? The Black Death?" Ilana asked. "I'm not going to pretend I understand everything that's going on here. I don't know why three of the most powerful beings in the universe chose a flyspeck town like Porlock's Landing to set up shop, and I don't care. All I wanted was a summer job. I got this one, and Mrs. Atatosk gave me my pay in advance, so I promise I'm going to earn it." (p. 42)
"Well, well, I see someone's got an attitude problem." The spider tried to stay angry, but its scowl twisted into a smirk. "Get you mad enough and you forget about everything else. Attitude like that, maybe it'll help you do this job. On the other leg, it could blow up in your face." (p.47)
May 2, 2009
Many years ago, I read two or three Esther Friesner books. One was the movie adaptation of one of the Back to the Future films, the others were about a fantasy kingdom and a magical talking cat (or something... my memory fails me on details).
At the time, I laughed as much reading her books as I did reading Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. Back then, my embryonic humour sensors still believed that all humor is equal. With hindsight, I believe I was wrong.
Temping Fate is not a bad book. It is mildly amusing, and rich in American Sarcasm (which, to my surprise, is noticeably different from British Sarcasm) and physical comedy. It's a book which feels like an animated TV show for kids - the gags are a bit meek and formulaic, but they vaguely bemuse. On the downside, the book is not likely to win accolades for dry wit.
The story is about a teenage girl who gets a temp job working for the fates, and meets other temps working for other (mostly Greekl) gods. For the majority of the story, the girl is finding out stuff by being told stuff. It's a book of exposition, which, if the pace slackens, adds new characters with new (American, slapsticky) quirks and more exposition.
It's quite "nice", but unexciting, and a bit mediocre.
At the time, I laughed as much reading her books as I did reading Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. Back then, my embryonic humour sensors still believed that all humor is equal. With hindsight, I believe I was wrong.
Temping Fate is not a bad book. It is mildly amusing, and rich in American Sarcasm (which, to my surprise, is noticeably different from British Sarcasm) and physical comedy. It's a book which feels like an animated TV show for kids - the gags are a bit meek and formulaic, but they vaguely bemuse. On the downside, the book is not likely to win accolades for dry wit.
The story is about a teenage girl who gets a temp job working for the fates, and meets other temps working for other (mostly Greekl) gods. For the majority of the story, the girl is finding out stuff by being told stuff. It's a book of exposition, which, if the pace slackens, adds new characters with new (American, slapsticky) quirks and more exposition.
It's quite "nice", but unexciting, and a bit mediocre.
July 11, 2014
This is one of my pre-goodreads books and out of all of them Temping Fate is a tough one for me to review now just because I remember so much about it. At the time I read this I enjoyed it for what it is, a light take on Greek myth in a modern day setting. I was interested in the plot and the way Friesner found ways to weave the epic nature of Greek mythology into a modern day setting. But what really made this book for me was how I related to the main character Ilana and everything about who she is. She is the driving force behind the story and if you don't connect with her connecting with the rest of it will be hard. I know that if I were to read this now, I probably wouldn't like it as much as I did then. 2009 me would be raving about it right now, whereas 2013 me is a bit more tepid.
If you liked Oh. My. Gods., then you definitely should at least check this out. I would almost say that this would be perfect for middle grade or younger YA readers because the story doesn't have a lot of weight to it and it is a pretty easy read.
If you liked Oh. My. Gods., then you definitely should at least check this out. I would almost say that this would be perfect for middle grade or younger YA readers because the story doesn't have a lot of weight to it and it is a pretty easy read.
September 27, 2010
Ages 11+ (nothing overtly offensive, someone ALMOST gets called a bitch) After spending several years in Africa, during which time she barely squeaked out of a smallpox epidemic alive, Ilana and her family are back in Connecticut. Her sister Dyllin (who stayed in the states for college) is going bridezilla and her parents are harping on her to get a job, so when Ilana finds the card for "D. R. Temps" in her sister's belongings, she checks it out. Turns out, she's wound up in the one and only temp agency servicing the Gods - Greek, Norse, and everything in between. Ilana ends up working for the three Fates, typing death receipts. Despite implausibility in Ilana's personal life (smallpox scars were eradicated by a dermatologist who can't seem to remove a permanent marker drawing of a skull, her supposedly goth appearance that prevents her from getting a job anywhere else, her caricature of a sister, the African friend whose death she's 'dealing' with) the interactions with the Gods are good fun. Hand it off to girls who enjoyed The Lightning Thief or 'Sparrow Delaney'
September 4, 2014
Check out my full review HERE: http://escapingrealitybookreviews.wor...
Eh. So-so. Overall, it was an enjoyable premise, and an enjoyable book, but I did find the protagonist more than a little irritating. I think the author was trying so hard to get a "Strong female character" that she ended up getting a "wimpy, I'm-so-snarky-but-really-kinda-boring female character that bosses guys around".
Aside from a few little things like that, it was a quite enjoyable read. I read it in a day or two, and enjoyed it quite thoroughly. If there was a sequel, I probably would read it, but I highly doubt I'll ever go back and re-read this one. GREAT new twist on mythology, though! I love the whole "temping for the Gods" thing.
I'm 16, and I enjoyed this book.
Eh. So-so. Overall, it was an enjoyable premise, and an enjoyable book, but I did find the protagonist more than a little irritating. I think the author was trying so hard to get a "Strong female character" that she ended up getting a "wimpy, I'm-so-snarky-but-really-kinda-boring female character that bosses guys around".
Aside from a few little things like that, it was a quite enjoyable read. I read it in a day or two, and enjoyed it quite thoroughly. If there was a sequel, I probably would read it, but I highly doubt I'll ever go back and re-read this one. GREAT new twist on mythology, though! I love the whole "temping for the Gods" thing.
I'm 16, and I enjoyed this book.
September 16, 2011
I really loved this book. Esther Friesner is going on my list of authors to read. First of all, "Temping Fate" is correct. (not "Tempting Fate") The story is about a modern American high school girl who gets a summer job for a temp agency. Her first temp job is working for the Fates, yes, the Fates of Greek mythology. The Fates have updated themselves. One could even mistake the oldest Fate for a typical American soccer mom, if it were not for her day job. Anyway, I found the book very funny. The heroine reminds me of one of my daughters. My favorite part was the wedding fiasco scene. The groom gets turned into a gerbil, the flower girl runs off with the gerbil in her basket, and it just gets chaotic and hilarious from there. Recommended for young people.
December 31, 2011
I've known about and enjoyed Esther M. Friesner's books for years and years and years. I found this book last summer in Half Price Books and snatched it up. A new book by a favorite author is always a treasure.
It's a cute story with Esther M. Friesner's usual touch of humor. I didn't care as much for Ilana, the main character, as much as I usually do. I'm just not in the mood to deal well with teenagers but I enjoyed her friends, Ariadne and Helen.
I would steer my female students who are interested in variations on the myth theme in the direction of this book.
It's a cute story with Esther M. Friesner's usual touch of humor. I didn't care as much for Ilana, the main character, as much as I usually do. I'm just not in the mood to deal well with teenagers but I enjoyed her friends, Ariadne and Helen.
I would steer my female students who are interested in variations on the myth theme in the direction of this book.
May 16, 2012
There are so many Greek mythology stories in young adult literature these days. This one stands out for its quirky protagonist and humorous style. It was a quick read and thoroughly lighthearted, just what I needed at the time. Ilana's adventures begin when she is hired by a temp agency that provides summer help for Greek gods and goddesses. The story takes a few twists and turns, some predictable and others pleasantly surprising. There is definitely room for a sequel, but since I cannot find one I will have to check out other books by the same author.
The first copy I got had a publisher's error - repeating pages and four missing chapters at the end. So be sure to check the page numbers before you settle down with the book, or you might be in for a rude surprise.
The first copy I got had a publisher's error - repeating pages and four missing chapters at the end. So be sure to check the page numbers before you settle down with the book, or you might be in for a rude surprise.
October 9, 2008
After seeing this book in a library at which I was not a card-holding member, I was dying to read it. Took me over a year to get my hot little hands on it, and I was happy I did. The idea was fantastic, a new take on modern-mythological beings, and lots of it was executed well. However the ending seemed to fly against all the initial rules the author had set up, and though the story kept trying to climax (trying REALLY HARD) the orgasm was pretty run-of-the-mill.
I'd probably allow myself another reading of this to see if it's better the second time, without all the build-up I'd given it in my head. But Gold Star for the idea - I was thoroughly enamored of that.
I'd probably allow myself another reading of this to see if it's better the second time, without all the build-up I'd given it in my head. But Gold Star for the idea - I was thoroughly enamored of that.
May 2, 2010
I would've given this four stars except for the fact that there was no conflict until the last few chapters of the book. And the conflict was rather, cheesy. Okay, frankly, it was pathetic. The book overall though was funny, entertaining and I liked the idea of temping for mythical gods. Another thing was that I was expecting to see more from the Ilana's temp co-workers. There wasn't much dialogue between them and there wasn't much decription on who they were and their personalities. I think there should've been more mentions of the other gods also. I'm wondering if there's a sequel because I definately think there should and could be.
September 18, 2007
I was so excited for this book, the premise was just awesome, and yet it didn't do all that much for me. The protagonist, Ilana, spent a lot of time exchanging snarky comments with Arachne (yep, the Greek maiden turned into a spider), and also THINKING about how snarky she is and how everyone hates her attitude. I didn't think she was that bad, and her parents seemed pretty well oblivious to her behavior most of the time, so insisting on every page that she was a bad girl got old fast. If you're looking for a fun time with mythology, check in with Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series.
July 29, 2009
A cute idea - the Fates of Greek mythology need a holiday, and find a mortal to "temp" for them - but unfortunately it's an idea that was largely explored in Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson" books, and, even more, in the "Incarnations Of Immortality" books by Piers Anthony. I read about 1/3 of the way into Temping Fate, and by that point there still wasn't really a compelling storyline coming together, so I set it down. The writing and characters are fun, but there's not enough plot to keep you hooked.
June 30, 2011
This was a cute, quick read about a teenager who gets a summer job at a temp agency - an unusual temp agency. You see, all of the clients come straight out of various mythologies. Ilana's assignment has her working for the Fates (and the Furies make a brief appearance at her work as well). Some of her fellow D.R. (Divine Relief) Temp employees work for Dionysus, Pele the Hawaiian volcano goddess, and Eros.
The story wasn't particularly memorable, but the characters and idea are fun, and I can see this appealing to fans of Percy Jackson.
The story wasn't particularly memorable, but the characters and idea are fun, and I can see this appealing to fans of Percy Jackson.
July 16, 2008
I was simply thrilled to find a book that plays so cheerfully with mythology. None of my summer jobs were ever this cool: temping for the gods and Fates is just better. I love the idea of mythology coming to terms with bureaucracy: it make sense that with an overpopulated world the gods would eventually get overbooked. The central conflict isn't brilliant and is a bit chick-litty, but the characters are anything but.
July 24, 2009
The concept of this book is really cute. The dialogue is a bit Gilmore Girls-y at time, though. It works on screen, but in print it's kind of tedious.
Updated 7/24/09 -- I'm not sure I should say the dialogue is Gilmore Girls-y. That's a bit too clever an analogy for this book. I should say that the author tries a bit too hard at times to sound hip. Still, it was a cute book for teens and tweens.
Updated 7/24/09 -- I'm not sure I should say the dialogue is Gilmore Girls-y. That's a bit too clever an analogy for this book. I should say that the author tries a bit too hard at times to sound hip. Still, it was a cute book for teens and tweens.
March 10, 2010
This is about Alana who is looking for a job and goes to d.r. Temps. There she gets a job temping for tabby fabricant textiles. The people she works for are the fates, the people who decide when you die. This book is amaZing and it is a good book for people ages 10 and up. For People younger than 10 the plot might be a bit hard to follow. Other than that this book Is really great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 23, 2013
I absolutely love the premise of this book (a temp agency for jobs with mythological beings), and it certainly was a quick, fun read. (Couldn't hurt that I read most of it waiting to be called in for jury duty.) But fun as it was, it never got to the really special stage. The characters never really jumped off the page for me, and the plot devolved into a madcap farce toward the end. So... glad I read it, but won't revisit.
June 22, 2015
Writing death receipts, working for fates and stealing goddess powers all set up for a magicial time. But was so disappointed by the overall story/writing.
Ending was the most predictable thing. From the wedding to the temp job, I seen it all coming.
After all that, it was still interesting enough to finish.
Its a tough one to review without giving away everything in between.
If you love greek mythology and girl/family drama, then this is a read for you.
Ending was the most predictable thing. From the wedding to the temp job, I seen it all coming.
After all that, it was still interesting enough to finish.
Its a tough one to review without giving away everything in between.
If you love greek mythology and girl/family drama, then this is a read for you.
November 17, 2015
This is a fun, amusing contemporary fantasy novel. A teenage girl gets a summer job temping for the Fates - the Greek supernatural ones. This is through a temping agency that handles jobs for the gods (only the Greek pantheon is feature here, although there is a reference to Pele). She has to deal with the temptations to use this power while coping with her older sister's wedding. I read it to check its suitability for my niece who will be getting it as a Hanukkah present.
May 29, 2007
An amusing books about a teen who has trouble securing a summer job because of "That Attitude Thing." She finds a business card for a temp agency in her "perfect" older sister's things and makes a call.
Little does she know that the agency specializes in seasonal help for overworked gods and goddesses...
A cute book, I can't wait to see how my kid likes it.
Little does she know that the agency specializes in seasonal help for overworked gods and goddesses...
A cute book, I can't wait to see how my kid likes it.
February 17, 2009
A fun modern teen book about "Temping" for the Fates. There were a few mild swear words. It was a fun story with humor similar to those written by Jeanette Rallison and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It seems like there were a few morals in it about loving those around you and or being yourself thrown in too.
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