ARC Review: The Dig by Audrey Hart

GENRE

YA Fiction / Fantasy (208 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

Zoe Calder has always been an outsider. Stashed away in boarding schools since her parents died, Zoe buries herself in the study of ancient worlds. Her greatest thrill is spending her summers with her archaeologist aunt and uncle on digs around the world. And one day, while investigating a newly unearthed temple in Crete, Zoe discovers a luminous artifact that transports her to ancient Greece.

As Zoe quickly learns, the Olympian Gods are real, living people—humans with mysterious powers… Powers that Zoe quickly realizes she has come to possess, as well. However, when the people of ancient Greece mistake Zoe for an Olympian, the Gods must restore the balance of the ancient world… No matter what.

Zoe is forced to play a confusing and dangerous game as Hera rallies the gods against her—all except for Zeus, the beautiful, winged young god who risks everything to save her.

MY REVIEW

This book was sent to me by the author, Audrey Hart, as an ARC ebook. After I read the synopsis, I knew this book was going to be right up my alley.

I've always held a fascination with Ancient Greece. I think it's the whole god-human interaction. The myths of Greece tell of many instances where the gods fall in love with mortals, which always intrigued me. It's almost like the gods had some unquenchable desire for humans, even though they were all-powerful and immortal.

Anywho, I absolutely loved this book! This was really the first book in a very long time to make me laugh out loud. Not just a little chuckle, but a big booming laugh that probably made my mother think that I was crazy. There's so much humor in this novel, it's really impossible not to crack a smile.

I have to say my favorite part of this novel was its heroine, Zoe. Really, she was one of the most well-written leading females I've read in quite a while! It was so incredibly easy for me to relate to her. I think a lot of younger readers out there will really connect with Zoe and her "outsider" status and awkwardness with boys. I certainly did! Zoe has such an amazing voice throughout the novel, it's really very hard not to connect with her.

I also really like the perspective Audrey Hart takes on the gods of Ancient Greece. When it comes down to it, the gods are really nothing more than immortal humans. Audrey reminds us that we are all human, especially when it comes to a thing like love. No one is really truly perfect, so why don't we all just embrace it?

Another thing I quite enjoyed was that when Zoe first travels back to Ancient Greece, she realizes that even though the people speak Greek, it's an archaic form of the language she can't understand. The history geek in me totally ate this up. It made her time travel all the more believable.

The story was really fast-paced and had me turning pages like a maniac. I really couldn't put it down! It was very well-written, without any over-complicated plot to confuse readers. It was a very easy read, but that doesn't mean it was any less exciting. There are many references to modern pop culture, which keep the book current and refreshing.

All in all, this was a really great book. Like I said before, I haven't had a book make me smile in a very long time! This was a really great read, with an exceptionally great heroine. Don't pass this up!

Oh, and I will definitely be reading the sequel, as the end of the book is a semi-cliff hanger!

MY RATING

4.5****/*

(This book is available on Amazon.com)

Sphinx's Princess by Esther Friesner

GENRE

Y.A. Historical Fiction (365 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

Although Nefertiti is the dutiful daughter of a commoner, her inquisitive mind often gets her into situations that are far from ordinary, like recieving secret lessons from a scribe. And her striking beauty garners attention that she'd just as soon avoid, especially when it comes to her aunt, the manipulative Queen Tiye, who has set her sights on Nefertiti. The queen wants to use her niece as a pawn in her quest for power, and Nefertiti must leave her beloved family and enter a life filled with courtly intrigue and danger. But her spirit and mind will not rest as she continues to challenge herself and the boundaries of ancient Egyptian society. With control of a kingdom at stake and threats at every turn, Nefertiti is forced to make choices and stand up for her beliefs in ways she never imagined.

MY REVIEW

Esther Friesner has slowly but surely become one of my favorite YA Historical Fiction authors. And once again, she delivers the goods in this story of yet another famous female historical figure.

I was really enchanted by Nefertiti's character in this novel. She's not just another cookie-cutter YA Historical Fiction female protagonist... she has flaws, which make her extremely believeable and likeable as a person. Esther Friesner gives a soul, a voice to the famous historical name, and I love how she does that. Now, when I read another boring passage about Nefertiti in a history book, I can think of Esther Friesner's Nefertiti, and a whole new person comes to life on the pages in front of me.

Ms. Friesner also succeeds in writing a killer plot! Wow! There are twists and turns, lots of court intrigue, and deceptions that literally had my jaw dropping. I really enjoyed having an exciting plot... I mean come on, what reader doesn't?

All of Friesner's characters are extremely well-written, as usual. She gives a unique voice to each of them. From Nefertiti's manipulative Aunt Tiye, to the deceitful Prince Thutmose, to the kind and loving Amenophis, each character has a voice, and an important role to play in the story. Esther Friesner does not cut corners here.

But the one thing I love most about Esther Friesner's writing is the historical accuracy. My goodness, it doesn't get any better than this. By far one of the best novels I've read from a historical stand point. The settings are lush and beautiful. I am in ancient Egypt. Esther Friesner also does a great job at helping the reader to understand the complicated Ancient Egyptian religious system. I actually didn't fully understand it up until I read this book. But wow, the descriptions and history are spot on.

Ancient Egypt has always fascinated me from when I was a small child. This is the ultimate historical fiction novel for Ancient Egypt lovers. The history is truly amazing. Once again, Esther Friesner delivers a powerful historical fiction novel jamp packed with a great female protagonist, believeable characters, dramatic plot twists, and amazing setting. A truly great read!

MY RATING

4.5****/*