Customer Reviews

Persephone the Phony (Goddess Girls)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Less than a month into school at MOA, the illustrious Mount Olympus Academy that is, most of the godboys and goddessgirls had formed friendships, except of course those like Hades who couldn't even buy one. Guys from the Underworld just didn't seem to be on anyone's "wanna be my pal" list. Aphrodite, Artemis, Athena, and Persephone were all going to put on their "winged sandals" and head to the Immortal Marketplace, otherwise known as the mall. They all were psyched and ready to go. Well, at least three of them were. PersePHONY, who "lacked the guts to say how she really felt about even the smallest things," would probably rather walk Artemis's gnarly dogs than go there, but she was going. Can you spell P-H-O-N-Y?

One thing led to another and before you know it an out-of-control ball of yarn, go figure, landed Persephone in a cemetery, the last place she'd expect to meet a hot godboy . . . named Hades. Just as they were getting acquainted, her mother Demeter, a "chariot mom" supreme, swooped down yelling, "Stay away from my daughter, godboy!" Persephone was almost thirteen-years-old and was no child, but even her friends were against her on this one. Even Athena the Brain agreed that Hades was "trouble with a capital T!" He wasn't. He just wasn't. Persephone tried again to see him by shape-shifting into a dove, only to be ratted out by her busybody friends. There was only one thing to do . . . she had to figure out when Charon's boat was leaving. Little did she know, she was in for one HOT adventure she wouldn't forget any time soon!

The reader will find a full dollop of Greek mythology 101 in these pages and will be dying to find out more about Hades and the rest of the godboys and goddessgirls at Mount Olympus Academy. I enjoyed getting to learn a bit more about this crowd of youngsters and certainly wasn't disappointed. This book had just the right amount of drama, humor, and of course, just the right amount of extra-ordinary goings on at MOA to satisfy my interest in this mystical mythical tale. Needless to say, I ended up being quite charmed by Persephone, even if she was a tad devilish. After reading this one I can truly attest to the fact that both young and old goddessgirls are going to LOVE this series!

Persephone the Phony is my favourite of the first two books, as I liked Persephone slightly more than Athena, and this one even had a little sprinkling of romance, with none other than bad boy Hades! Well, he's not bad really, everyone just thinks he is. Instead, he's a sweet, thoughtful guy with an interest in Persephone, and a kick-ass black stallion that he rides around on. Life's great if you're a God of the Underworld, eh?

I really like how these books incorporate Greek mythology into the everyday trials and tribulations of growing up. It's such a cool way to learn about history, and I wish there had been something like this when I had to snooze my way through boring lessons in primary school. Although each story seems quite short to me, I think they're just the right length for tweens, and would be a great pick for reluctant readers.

I'm looking forward to reading the other 2 books in the series later in the year, and then I think I'll move on to Percy Jackson. These Greek types are cool!

In Greek mythology PERSEPHONE is the goddess vegetation and the wife of Hades, ruler of the Underworld, and therefore Queen of the Underworld. (Wikipedia.org)

Persephone feels like such a phony. Her mother is always telling her to "go along to get along", and it's just not working for Persephone. She finds herself doing, saying, and buying things she doesn't want to. She wants to speak up and tell her friends the truth, but she's afraid she'll hurt their feelings. One day Persephone accidentally stumbles upon a cemetery. She's never been to one before (Goddess are immortal), and she finds it a very calm and intriguing place. Then she meets Hades. Word around school is that he's trouble with a capitol T because he's from the Underworld. Despite the warnings and disapproval from her friends and mother, Persephone befriends Hades and discovers that he's not a bad guy after all. Obviously, conflict arrives as Persephone struggles with defining who the REAL Persephone is and deciding what she really wants to do (but everything works out alright in the end). As the book says, it all boils down to the fact that sometimes going along to get along really is the better choice. But there's a time for anger too.

My knowledge of goddesses and godboys is extremely limited and all derived from watching Hercules (Disney Gold Classic Collection) one time fourteen years ago. I've always thought that Hades was a bad guy-villain type. After all, he IS from the Underworld, the place where bad people go. But I was surprised to learn that Hades was actually a good guy - and Zezus' brother (in Greek mythology, not the book)! It was a little hard to wrap my head around, but once I did, I thought it was actually cute!

Although I didn't like Persephone disobeying her mother to see Hades and run away to the Underworld, I'm not sure was ever in any real danger since she's immortal. I was again surprised by the fact that I actually liked Hades, but I really liked him because of the way he treated Persephone - with respect. He didn't let her get away with lying to him like she did her friends. He knew the Underworld was no place for her to live so he sent her back home. It was great to see a relationship where the couple was together because they got along and felt they could be themselves with each other, as opposed to being together because he's cute or they aren't supposed to be together. Persephone was a bit of a flip-flop at times, but that's also part of figuring yourself out. Persephone finds out that even though she's different from her friends they can still get along, and she doesn't have to lie to make her friends like her.

Overall I really enjoyed the story of Persephone and Hades' budding relationship and I can't wait to read more about them in the future. Persephone the Phony is just as great as Athena the Brain (Goddess Girls), and if rest are just as good, then the Goddess Girls series is a real gem.

I absolutely love this middle grade series! Not only is this a great way to introduce younger readers to greek mythology, but Joan and Suzanne have a wonderful message with each story. What I loved about Persephone is that she learns to not only find her own voice, but she teaches her friends that you can't always judge someone by how they look or where they live. I liked the interaction between her and Hades. I highly recommend picking up this series and I'm really looking forward to sharing my reviews for the other books in the series.

Started reading this series with my daughter. She requested this one for Easter, if it is like the other GG books it is a great read!

when i read the first book i could not wait for more. i went to a bookstore found this book. i read it pronto.

It is interesting not having the traditional family relationships one normally get with Greek myths. Reading this modern vision of Hades would like to see more of his relationship with Persephone in future books of the series.

Persephone is your traditional shy girl who keep her mouth shut and goes along with what others want even if it isn't want she really want to do. Then why day after school when she is dragged shopping when she didn't want to go her shopping bag breaks and her yard ball rolls from Heaven down an earth where she meets Hades for the first time. Rather than being the monster out to rule the universe as he seen in Kevin Sobo's Hercules legendary Journey or even Disney Hercules, he just as shy and misunderstood as Persephone. The two get along well but all the Gods and Goddess can't see past his bad reputation. at least not before Persephone runs away from home to the under world where several of the classic Greek punishment is represented. When Hades return her home Persephone's mother is a little more impressed and can't say know when it Zues' idea that Hades should take her to the school dance.

Persephoney the Phone buts a fun twist on the classice story of Hades and Pershehones love. Its a great twist to a great mith. Anyone looking for a story to read for fun this seris is right for you. And heres a litte heads up. If the kindel reads it to you it prononses goddessgirl wrong

Presephone the Phony was an awesome book! I strongly recomend this book for tweens.
I loved the whole series and I can't wait to read Aretimis the Brave!

There is a lovely new series of books about the Greek goddesses as young girls entitled Goddess Girls. My review of ATHENA THE BRAIN is below. Please note although I haven't read this book I can tell you that in my school library this book is checked out constantly. I have multiple copies now and the word of mouth recommendations by the students themselves is amazing. Someone asks for it every day. I am so thrilled that Joan Holub is writing more Goddess Girls books. Having young girls excited about a new series is exciting for me.

The first one is Athena the Brain and it is adorable. Athena is living on earth being raised by mortals until she is summoned to Mount Olympus by her dad, Zeus. It is time for her to attend the academy and so she bids her best friend farewell and heads off to Olympus. There she meets Persephone, Aphrodite and Artemis ( each will have their own book) as well as Zeus, Poseidon, Pandora and more. Filled with mythology and creative earthy inventions (Athena invents olives in a science fair) this book is perfect as a prequel to The Lightning Thief series and for younger kids.