Mythology by Helen Boswell

Welcome to Jenuine Cupcakes!

 Today, I'm talking all things Mythology the unique and engaging debut by Helen Boswell!

(Be sure to enter the giveaway to win a signed paperback copy.)

 

 

About the book:

Author: Helen Boswell

Publication: July 27, 2012

By: CreateSpace

Cover Artist: Brian Hoover

4 Stars!

 

Hope Gentry doesn’t believe in Fate. Born with an unusual power to see the dark memories of those around her, Hope just wants to be a normal teenager. But on the first day of her senior year of high school, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to a transfer student named Micah Condie. At first glance, Micah seems like a boy that most girls would dream about. But when Hope's powers allow her to discover Micah's darkest secret, she quickly becomes entangled in the lives of mythical entities she never dreamed existed. Was this her destiny all along? And will her powers help her survive the evil of the Demon Impiorum?

Mythology isn’t just for English class anymore.

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My Thoughts:

Thank you Helen Boswell for providing a copy for review!

What I loved:

I really enjoyed this. It's unlike any other mythology inspired book I've read because it takes into account free will in addition to the good and evil that resides in all of us. The detailed world building makes you feel as if you've just stepped into the story and Hope and Micah are both strong, well developed characters. They both have interesting abilities that when combined, add an extra level of uniqueness to the storyline. I'm really looking forward to seeing where their journey takes them next!

I usually like my book boys tall, dark and snarkilicious but occasionally a blond will sneak in. *coughs* Micah *coughs* ;D

What left me wanting: More Micah please. *bats eyelashes*

Final verdict: Refreshing and unique take on not just mythology but also how we view good and evil.  

*Review also posted at YABC.
 

Interview:
Recently, I had the chance to chat with Hope and Micah, two of the fabulous characters from Helen Boswell's, Mythology and here's what they had to say. 

Welcome Everyone!  *hands out cupcakes* 

Helen, let me start with you.  Where did the idea for Mythology come from?
Thanks for hosting us, Jen. And THANKS for the cupcake! 
Two winters ago, I was people-watching at a Christmas party and thinking about how much of what we see in a person actually represents what they truly are. Essentially, the story began with the idea of Micah: he's beautiful on the outside, but what is he really like as a person? And after Hope discovers his secret, the question becomes even more interesting. *Ahem* No spoilers on this one for anyone who hasn't read it. Also, I've always been a huge fan of Greek mythology and so tied in the central theme of The Fates/The Moirai, but that developed within the story later. Note that Micah also likes people-watching, so I suppose I ultimately owe the idea of the story to him. ;)

Next question is for Hope and Micah. Tell the readers a little bit about yourselves and what your favorite thing about each other is.
Hope: I guess Micah wants me to go first. I've had my fair share of punches in life, but I see no point in letting any of those things get me down. My main goal right now is to go to college for art and design - to combine my love of photography with graphic design. I used to be pretty low-profile at school, but that all changed when I started dating Micah. He has a bit of a reputation and that comes from some of his past (and probably his cool motorcycle adds to what people think of him, too). What I love most about him: his loyalty to and love for the people in his life, especially his family. And the color of his eyes, no matter what they are.

Micah: I'm going into pre-law next year. Hope's right - I owe much of what I am to my adoptive family. My favorite thing about Hope? The way she looks at me, the way she tastes, the way she smells, the feel of her hair, how soft her skin is, the way she's sassy and stands up for things she believes in, the way she believes in me. Sorry. I couldn't narrow it down to just one thing - she drives me crazy. And what do you mean by a reputation, angel?

I'm a huge fan of kissing and Mythology does not disappoint. *winks*  Micah, tell me about the first time you kissed Hope.
Micah: Really, Jen? You want me to kiss and tell?  Dude, just be glad I'm not asking for a first hand demonstration m'kay? Wait, did I say that out loud? *blushes*
It was the first day I met her, which sounds crazy to think about because I'm not like that - I hardly even dated anyone before I met Hope. But we had hung out after school that day - she missed the bus, or it might not have ever happened - and we just clicked, you know? I dropped her off at home and she was so cute and nervous, fumbling with her house keys. (Okay, Hope is rolling her eyes at me right now, but it's the truth.) I touched her arm before she could go into the house, and when she turned around, we were standing so close. Her lips were just a little bit parted, and honestly, I couldn't help myself. *grins* Totally forgot we were standing on her front porch until she broke away, and then I couldn't wait for the next kiss. And the next.

Hope, if you had to choose a song that best describes Micah, what would it be and why?
Hope: I'm going to pick "The Resistance" by Muse because it's a very passionate song, and that's the kind of person that Micah is. Also, it reminds me of how he had to learn to deal with being who he is. Here are a couple of lines that struck me, like these would be what Micah was thinking and feeling during his time of transition:

"Is our secret safe tonight
And are we out of sight
Or will our world come tumbling down?

If we live a life in fear
I'll wait a thousand years
Just to see you smile again

Kill your prayers for love and peace
You'll wake the thought police
We can't hide the truth inside"

*fist bumps* Hope - BIG Muse fan over here!  

Hope and Micah, you guys go through a lot in this book and you're still in high school!  What do you see as your next big challenge? Finals? Prom? Graduation? The "Rules"?
Hope: Finals, for sure. As you might have been able to tell, I am not a huge fan of precalculus. And prom? I think it's kind of overrated, but I'm sure Micah will try to persuade me to go. Big picture-wise though, given what happened to me at the end of Mythology, I think my next big challenge will be figuring out what I really am. I'm pretty excited to see what I can do.

Micah: And that's exactly why my next big challenge will be making sure that Hope doesn't get too overzealous and get us into even more trouble. Sorry, Hope. I love you, but you know it's true. My other personal challenge is to learn more about my heritage. School isn't stressing me out too much, to be perfectly honest. And Hope, you might have just ruined my invitation to go to prom. That's all I'm going to say.

Hope: *interjects* You know those kids who can get good grades and never study? Yeah, that's Micah. So. Unfair. *kisses Micah on the cheek*

Helen, what do you hope readers will take away from Mythology?
Fate was one of the themes of the story, and I wanted to pit the notion of Fate with that of the choices that we make in life. It's interesting to me to see reader's interpretation of this - some think that Fate played the bigger role and others think that it was choice. I think it's always a bit of both - if not "Fate" directly, then life circumstances.
I also placed my characters in challenging situations and allowed them to grow and learn - in that way, I feel like it's very much a coming-of-age story for both Hope and Micah. And you hit it right on earlier when you said it gives a different take on good versus evil. I wanted to break away from stereotypes, both human and not-so-human.
 

Favorite band...
Hope - Arcade Fire
Micah - The Fray
Helen - The Killers

Favorite book...
Hope - Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver
Micah - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Helen - Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Favorite dessert...
Hope - Tiramisu or Baklava...are you really going to make me pick? No, you can have both. :)
Micah - My mom's homemade cannolis
Helen - Anything with chocolate (especially cupcakes! with frosting) <- I knew I liked her! ;)

Thanks so much guys!
Hope, Micah, and Helen: THANK YOU, JEN!!!!

You can find out more about Helen Boswell and Mythology at the following links:

website | Twitter | Facebook

 

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