[Review + Giveaway] The Mortal Gods by Kendare Blake

Title: Mortal Gods
Series: Goddess Wars #2
Author: Kendare Blake [ Facebook | Twitter | Website]

Publisher: Tor Teen, an imprint of Macmillan 

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Fantasy, Mythology

Release Date: October 14, 2014

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

Ares, God of War, is leading the other dying gods into battle. Which is just fine with Athena. She's ready to wage a war of her own, and she's never liked him anyway. If Athena is lucky, the winning gods will have their immortality restored. If not, at least she'll have killed the bloody lot of them, and she and Hermes can die in peace.

Cassandra Weaver is a weapon of fate. The girl who kills gods. But all she wants is for the god she loved and lost to return to life. If she can't have that, then the other gods will burn, starting with his murderer, Aphrodite.

The alliance between Cassandra and Athena is fragile. Cassandra suspects Athena lacks the will to truly kill her own family. And Athena fears that Cassandra's hate will get them ALL killed.

The war takes them across the globe, searching for lost gods, old enemies, and Achilles, the greatest warrior the world has ever seen. As the struggle escalates, Athena and Cassandra must find a way to work together. Because if they can't, fates far worse than death await. - via Goodreads

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I forgot he died... wahhh!
Apollo is gone and Cassandra is mourning his death with weekly visits. I'm still shocked and saddened that he died at the end of book one. Cassandra shows resolve, strength and determination as she seeks to avenge his death. This comes across as refreshing compared to the mourning and hermit reaction that could be.

Athena is a Goddess and lest you forget it!
To me this has always been Athena's story versus Cassie's. Athena journeys across the world to search for her family, the good and the bad, and to save them all before time runs out. Her love for her brother Hermes is enduring, while she hides her own discomfort as the feathers become more frequent. Her relationship with Odysseus is tender and painful, I'm shipping them so hard!!!!!!!

You know that annoying itch on your back that you can't reach... she has a name.

EVIL! This trio (can't tell you all the players without being spoilery) makes for an awesome group of evil who think they might have a weapon on their side. This family feud does not sell you short in drama or action. I need book three to let me know how it's all going to play out. I can almost promise you heads will roll. 

All the trips!

Book twos are known for the journey feel. Kendare Blake does an excellent job with the pacing and breaking up the journeys that take place. The action is described so vividly there's a scene that almost made me queasy. I can feel each immortal as their bodies continue to betray them since the pain and discomfort is spelled out in realistic detail. 

But that ending... 

It all blew up and hit the fan in the end. OMG!!!!!!!! Actually it's technically still blowing up as the book wraps up.  All I can say is that this is a very strong second book in a series where you usually experience a sophomore slump. I cannot wait for book three and I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed in hope that some things happen. :P

4 Stars - CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!!!! Literally, there's a cliff involved.

The publisher was nice enough to send an extra copy so...

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