by Emily Roberson
October 22, 2019
352 pages
Goodreads Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Ariadne’s whole life is curated and shared with the world. Her royal family’s entertainment empire is beloved by the tabloids, all over social media, and the hottest thing on television. The biggest moneymaker? The Labyrinth Contest, a TV extravaganza in which Ariadne leads fourteen teens into a maze to kill a monster. To win means endless glory; to lose means death. In ten seasons, no one has ever won.
When the gorgeous, mysterious Theseus arrives at the competition and asks Ariadne to help him to victory, she doesn’t expect to fall for him. He might be acting interested in her just to boost ratings. Their chemistry is undeniable, though, and she can help him survive. If he wins, the contest would end for good. But if she helps him, she doesn’t just endanger her family’s empire―the monster would have to die. And for Ariadne, his life might be the only one worth saving.
Ariadne’s every move is watched by the public and predestined by the gods, so how can she find a way to forge her own destiny and save the people she loves?
Sixteen-year-old Ariadne’s whole life is curated and shared with the world. Her royal family’s entertainment empire is beloved by the tabloids, all over social media, and the hottest thing on television. The biggest moneymaker? The Labyrinth Contest, a TV extravaganza in which Ariadne leads fourteen teens into a maze to kill a monster. To win means endless glory; to lose means death. In ten seasons, no one has ever won.
When the gorgeous, mysterious Theseus arrives at the competition and asks Ariadne to help him to victory, she doesn’t expect to fall for him. He might be acting interested in her just to boost ratings. Their chemistry is undeniable, though, and she can help him survive. If he wins, the contest would end for good. But if she helps him, she doesn’t just endanger her family’s empire―the monster would have to die. And for Ariadne, his life might be the only one worth saving.
Ariadne’s every move is watched by the public and predestined by the gods, so how can she find a way to forge her own destiny and save the people she loves?
Review
I was looking for something different when I picked up Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters and did it ever deliver. I don't think I've ever read something quite like this one and I mean that in a good way.
What an odd but interesting story. Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters follows mythical characters who are the stars of reality television. It was jarring to be reading about legendary Greek characters under such a different light but it was also highly entertaining. The antics of basically every person in the book had me cringing and shaking my head. It was honestly hard to turn away.
The most popular reality show in Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters was one where heroes were sent to fight a famous monster to their death. I believe this is a retelling of a specific myth though I confess I'm not familiar with it. This actually had a positive effect for me since it had me turning pages wanting to know what came next.
Ariadne and Theseus's relationship was a plotline I looked forward to but I was ultimately disappointed. It was a whole lot of insta-love which just couldn't be saved by the explanation given later in the story. They were sweet but just a little too much for me (though I guess that's reality tv for you). However, I did like how Theseus' s appearance pushed Ariadne into action. She'd been quiet and compliant for far too long. Everything she did during The Labyrinth Contest showed exactly how much she can be in control of her own life.
Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters and Gods will definitely appeal to fans of Greek mythology and readers who like a different take to the usual tale(s). But really, the book's modernized twist will open the eyes of any reader.
*I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the ARC I received.
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