Having been a fan of P.C. and Kristen Cast’s House of Night series, I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about trying out any of P.C. Cast’s other books. For the most part, I love the House of Night series – would I feel the same way about her other books? While I do try to read many of my books in an objective format that allows me to see the good parts in each individual piece, I was afraid that if I became disenchanted with Cast’s adult books, it might ruin her young adult ones for me as well.I am pleased to announce that I should have just thrown my worry to the ground and squished it under my shoe. While definitely having a different feel to them than the House of Night books do, the Goddess of Partholon books are turning out to be pretty spectacular. The first in the series, DIVINE BY MISTAKE follows Shannon Parker, a school teacher loving the freedom of summer break, as she discovers an ancient vase that will turn her world upside down - literally. Where there were once cars, there are now horses. Jeans and a cashmere sweater? Nope, let’s try a lovely wrapped piece of silk and some strappy sandals. What’s a girl to do with no mall, no teenagers to teach, and a world where the impossible walks before her very eyes? Barely awake for more than a few hours, Shannon – or Rhiannon, as she’s known in Partholon – finds herself a key player in a handfast ceremony. Before she can say “Whoa there,” Shannon is married to a horse (centaur) and thrown into a wild adventure.I’ll admit that the beginning of the book was a little hard to get into. I almost put it down to take a break, but decided to keep on going. You’ll remember that I said the same thing about Stephenie Meyer’s The Host. The beginning was slow but the rest of the book was phenomenal. In this case, it seemed like the beginning of DIVINE BY MISTAKE almost went by a little too quickly. Some things didn’t seem fully explained and other didn’t make sense. I had to ignore my mind as it tried to figure out the spatial aspect of the story as it didn’t always seem like the shapes and sizes of things in the story were described the same as the way they were used. Once I was able to get past this, however, I realized what a great book this really is.If there is anything new I have discovered about P.C. Cast’s writing it’s that this author is incredibly funny. The House of Night series can be humorous, but in general Zoey and her posse follow a fairly dark path. While there were certainly very dark and very graphic scenes in DIVINE BY MISTAKE, Ms. Cast was able to throw quite a bit of humor in their to lighten up the mood of the book. I can honestly say that Shannon is one of my favorite characters in the stories I have read thus far this year. The author has imbued her with a sense of humor, a modern personality that clashes beautifully with the old-fashioned world she has been transported to, and a set of quirks that just make her adorable. While we’re discussing wonderful characters, let’s visit ClanFintan, shall we. I can honestly say that I had never read a story that included any form of romance between a centaur and a human. I didn’t know how it would work and it if would be weird, but the way Ms. Cast created her world and the way she developed her characters made this aspect of the story one of the best. ClanFintan is like any tall, dark, and handsome man we dream of. Only difference is that he has the hindquarters of a horse. What could be better for those of us that never grew out of our princess and horse-lover phase? The author’s descriptions of ClanFintan, his mannerisms, and the personality she gives him really helped to make this one heck of a book.Fair warning: There are adult scenes and adult themes.I would recommend this to any lovers of Fantasy, Romance, or any combination of the two. I would recommend this to adult readers as there are some scenes that may be disturbing to younger readers.
Reviewed for www.BookChickCity.comThis is a paranormal romance with a real difference, in fact it has quite a fantasy feel about it. School teacher Shannon Parker gets much more than she bargained for when she buys a vase at an antiques sale. Suddenly she finds herself transported to another universe where she is a goddess. A goddess that also happens to be a bit of a b*tch too. I loved the originality of this book, the new world with goddesses, magical powers and mythical creatures. But also the twist of Shannon being transported into this world and only her handmaiden knowing that she's any different. Shannon is a fun and determined character, she embraces her new life and all of the responsibilities this includes. The plot takes a little which to take off, the whole antiques buying thing was a little too long, but once it got into its swing I was absolutely hooked. Shannon soon discovers that life as a goddess is not all gorgeous clothes, beautiful jewels and luxuries. With the threat of war and a small pox outbreak, as well as the bizarre need not her to do a topless ceremony every two weeks (I'm not quite sure what that was all about), the story is engaging and the baddies perfectly, hideously creepy. The other big part of the book is of course the romance. When I first started reading, I was slightly nervous about it. The hero is a centaur - top half man, bottom half horse, and for a while the mind boggled! I'm sure you know what I mean! But thankfully I needn't have worried, it all worked out fine. Actually by the end of the book, I quite fancied a hot centaur of my very own, even if he did have a weird name - ClanFintan. One thing that slightly annoyed me was Shannon's habit of referring to her friends as 'girlfriend', this may be a culture thing, as it's not really an English turn of phrase. There were some superb characters in this book, and Shannon's real world friends and family were cleverly written into her new reality, although often with a twist. The impact of Rhiannon's selfishness (the goddess Shannon had swapped place with), often making Shannon's job a difficult one. But they are written so well you become engaged with many of their fates and not just of Shannon and ClanFintan's. The book is not simply a romance, in fact the impending war with the vile Fomorians, and the reality of their brutality does add a nice horror edge that I very much enjoyed. VERDICT: A really fantastic book, I loved it and was sad when it finished. I hope to be able to read the next two in quick succession. Shannon was a great, witty heroine and ClanFintan the perfect, chivalrous hero any girl would want."Divine by Mistake" is a fab mix of romance, fantasy, paranormal and horror.
What do You think about Divine By Mistake (2006)?
Oklahoma English teacher Shannon Parker finds herself in another world ("a cross between Scotland and ancient Greece") when she purchases a vase at an estate sale. The Goddess Incarnate has cast a spell to trade places with Shannon, so she can visit the modern world and escape from the imminent attack of vampire-like creatures called Formorians (and her centaur betrothed) in her own world. After some initial confusion, Shannon fits right in to her new world, donning the mantle and tiara of Lady Rhiannon, marrying the centaur, and leading her people against the Formorians. This take on the supernatural genre, although a real mish-mash of legends, magical characters, and spiritual traditions both ancient and modern, kinda works. The central conflict is suspenseful, and the sub-plots are used to successfully tie the narrative together and enhance the plot. My only complaint is the "teen-speak" with which Shannon/Rhea tends to talk. She's 35, and yeah, she hangs around teens a lot being a teacher, but it sort of rang unrealistic to me. It didn't sound really genuine. Shannon is a great character, though, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next in Divine by Choice.
—Emily
I enjoyed this book a lot! It was funny, sexy, action-packed. I have to admit the beginning bored me a little with the whole antique sale stuff but apart from that bit I warmed to the book. I couldn't help like Shannon Parker, the only con I have with her is the name. I don't like it. I much prefer Rhea/Rhiannon. I really started to fall in love with ClanFintan. He seemed a little different to your average guy, but maybe thats because I'm a total romantic! I loved all the horsey bits in it as I am a total horse-freak! The centaurs were really a surprise twist. I liked the whole idea of mirroring characters. Like Shannon is the mirror image of Rhiannon. Some parts were very, uh, graphic. But it didn't really matter. The whole concept of the Formorians was very good and was actually based upon a real myth! Which was clever! I am currently reading Divine by Choice and I can't wait to see what's bad thing or troublesome thing is going to happen in it!Its also inspired me to write more!
—Bridge
What gets me about this book is the idea of it has the potential to be a really good story. The whole concept of it, what with the switching between modern day woman and Celtic goddess, is pretty good. However, I found this book incredibly boring. The writing style was alright, don't get me wrong, I thought the main protagonists voice was very witty and pacy although P.C Cast's stereotyping annoyed me somewhat like it had in her House of Night novels- not all Brits have bad teeth, okay? Also, the assumption that all skinny girls throw up and starve themselves to get their figure. Ugh.The switch was interesting but it all dwindled after Shannon experiences her first 'Magic Sleep' and sees soldiers, including her father, being destroyed by hideous creatures. The plot dragged, there seemed to be no actual aim and oh yeah she's married to a centaur, a half human half horse guy. Shannon becomes annoying, whiny and all she seems to think about is sex. Literally, every two pages she is orgasming from pressing herself against her muscly horse guy's chest.*sigh* COULD have been a great book, like I said, quite an original idea on paper but when you come down to it, it is as dull as ditchwater. Had to give up.
—Sarah
