1.5 starsThe Greek mythology premise is nothing new here, it's been a trend floating around YA for a while now. When picking up this book, I was hopeful due to all the lovely ratings, but I was disappointed. My review will come off severe, but maybe the problems I am about to list will help future authors avoid this, and I will have a better selection of books to read in the future.This book is lacking serious editing. There was potential here, but it was poorly executed. I'll just list the problems I've noticed in order of how they appeared.In chapter one, we are briefly introduced to Therese's parents right before they die. However, the author decided to add a flashback/memory scene right in the middle of the action to show us just how much Therese loves her dad, and why it's important she save him. Show, don't tell. Just by showing me that she is trying to save him, shows me that he is important to her, and that she loves him. The flashback memory just bogged the scene down. It lost whatever emotion it was trying to evoke in me.Secondly, the "instalove" Therese feels towards Than. Do I really have to explain why that doesn't work? Insta-love gives no substance to their relationship, and I, as the reader, see no reason why I should be invested in their relationship. This next issue, I don't know why any of the author's beta-readers didn't pick up on it (maybe they did). The author proceeds (throughout the whole story) to give us a history lesson on random stories on each of the greek gods, and Hercules' trials and so forth. Now I understand that the author wants to make sure her readers know the gods before they meet them, but what part does Hercules play in the story? He stays a historical figure. In no way does "Hercules" progress the plot forward. This... and the history lessons on the other gods need to be cut out. (For example, if it's important that you need us to know that Hera is a jealous wife, show us, don't give us a history of her actions). This story is about Therese, and whatever doesn't have to do with her story needs to be cut out. It makes for a very messy, loose plot, and weakens the story (a lot).What also didn't work in the plot is mixing teen love and mature adult crime world (I won't go into detail, so as to not give spoilers). The books where the blending of the crime world and the paranormal worked had the main character become not a vigilante, but sort of like a detective (but not really). Those stories had urban settings and mystery. But, here... the two concepts (teen love, and crime world) were poorly mixed. It can be done, but the world building felt a little messy, and more editing needed to be done for the merging to really work. The last problem I had with this book was the author's tendency to give an entire, long paragraph description, all at once, as to what the character is wearing. Like I said, this book needs heavy editing. I loved the story and the characters were great, but the writing was a bit choppy. There were scenes that could have been expanded on and I would have liked it if there had been more of a slow kindling to the romance (it was hardcore insta-love). I'm a big fan of mythology so I'm always drawn to books that delve into the world of Greek gods. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment and finding out how Than is going to keep his promise.
What do You think about The Gatekeeper's Sons (2012)?
This is a great way to enter the well known world of Hades with a fresh perspective!
—Andrea
