Downcast by Cait Reynolds Pages: 274
Published by Booktrope Editions on May 28, 2015
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Love & Romance, mythology, Young Adult
Source: eARC from Publisher
What would you do when faced with an impossible truth? Written with heart and passion, Downcast by Cait Reynolds is ripe with twists you never saw coming and love that defies the odds in this intense new Paranormal Romance retelling one of mythology’s greatest love stories.
It’s the start of Stephanie Starr’s senior year of high school, but sadly, this is no life of the prom queen. Stuck at the bottom of the high school social totem pole, Stephanie is forced by her domineering mother to wear lumpy linen dresses and eat organic tofu for lunch in a world of mini-skirts and pizza.
What Stephanie doesn’t anticipate is gorgeous and cocky Haley Smith who breaks social convention and pursues her with a determination that is both terrifying and flattering. Afraid that Haley is simply trying to set her up for massive humiliation, Stephanie does her best to push him away. But the more attention he pays to her, the more she runs, and the more everyone else begins to notice.
Instead of a loving family to support her as the mean girls make their play, Stephanie’s mother begins to unravel mentally, her possessiveness of Stephanie spiraling to new and frightening extremes. Stephanie is forced to grow up, find herself, and learn the truth about her past in order to save her mother, her friends, and her town. When the truth is revealed, nothing can prepare her for the outrageous reality of her existence…and nothing can save her from her fate.
Except Haley.
Downcast is the first book in the young adult mythology series called Olympus Falling. You all know how much I love young adult and new adult mythology, so I was super excited for Downcast. And further, it is about one of my very favorite stories- Persephone and Hades. I loved this reimagining of the story of Persephone. I thought it was well done and a great read.
Downcast features something for everyone; romance, mythology, action and adventure. I thought some of the gods were portrayed in what I like to refer to as friendly god syndrome. Zeus and Hades for example got along great in this story, and honestly, I loved that author Cait Reynolds wrote it like that. I thought it was fun to see them on the same team, and it was nice to not have either one of them be the “villain” god in the story. I do wish we got a little more information on this deal the gods made. It was only mentioned in one or two scenes and I wanted a bigger explanation, but that might still be to come.
I absolutely loved Haley. He was so cute in his persistence of Stephanie. And I can’t wait to see what is in store for them next in installment. Downcast left off alluding to a something brewing in the near future. This is going to be one of my favorite YA mythology series. It is heavy on the romance and heavy on the myth, and that is a winning combination in my book. Fans of the Abandon trilogy by Meg Cabot and the Daughters of Zeus series by Kaitlin Bevis have another great series to add to their TBR piles. The Olympus Falling series is going to be one to watch out for. I loved it and am anxiously awaiting the next book.
Looking for a great #YA Mythology? Check out Downcast by @caitreynolds @Booktrope @BookBriefs #Favorite Click To Tweet
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
kindlemom1
Okay seriously love the cover for this! Gah! I’m going to have to grab this one!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I love the cover too. you should check this one out Ali!
Lekeisha
I love Greek Mythology so I can see myself reading this book. I’m so glad that you enjoyed it!!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I am a greek mythology fantatic. I want to read every single book that deal with myths and this is a great one!