constant2m's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the premise of this book. It was Greek Mythology with a twist, and a nice review of the pantheon, since it has been a while since I’ve studied it. I found the main character, Theodora, very likeable, and while I don’t think she always made the best decisions, she did try to make things right in the end. Her flaws and moments of shallow behavior made her seem more human. And I appreciated the way her character was developed through the story. She had to make the conscious choice to trust the right people, rather than being pulled along in the story, as she was in the beginning. Her love story was also very sweet, and the mystery in the second half of the book was surprising and interesting to follow.
Despite a wonderful premise, I didn’t like the explicit descriptions of sex. I don’t think the story required it, and while we all know that the Greek gods are often full of trickery and up to no good with humans, and allusion to that, rather than great detail (and revisiting that detail) would have been much more tasteful in my opinion. I also never saw it coming, after the first half of the book was very clean. That unfortunately left a negative impression, despite my initial enjoyment of the story and fascination with the characters.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Despite a wonderful premise, I didn’t like the explicit descriptions of sex. I don’t think the story required it, and while we all know that the Greek gods are often full of trickery and up to no good with humans, and allusion to that, rather than great detail (and revisiting that detail) would have been much more tasteful in my opinion. I also never saw it coming, after the first half of the book was very clean. That unfortunately left a negative impression, despite my initial enjoyment of the story and fascination with the characters.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
katherinew's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through Library Thing Early Reviewers.
The blurb I read on the Early Reviewers page unfortunately gave away some of the plot. I would have preferred to figure it out by myself - I think I probably would have guessed the twist, but I'll never know! I recommend reading this book without having read too many reviews (or to only read reviews without any spoilers).
I enjoyed the first third and the last third of the book, and I felt the author set a scene very well. I particularly enjoyed the third part, because the main character, Theo, seemed to develop more courage and independence and take charge. In the first two thirds of the book, I felt that she was a passenger, always responding to other people.
"By Jove" was easy to read, and I got sucked into its world without any trouble. I read it in two days!
I would recommend this book to someone looking for a quick, fun read, especially if they enjoy the world of academia and/or ancient Greece and Rome. It had an almost murder-mystery type feel in some parts, so it could appeal to murder-mystery fans as well. It would be good light relief for a graduate student.
I would be interested in reading other books by Marissa Doyle.
Extremely mild spoiler alert: one of the characters is called Diana Hunter. Does that remind you of anyone?
The blurb I read on the Early Reviewers page unfortunately gave away some of the plot. I would have preferred to figure it out by myself - I think I probably would have guessed the twist, but I'll never know! I recommend reading this book without having read too many reviews (or to only read reviews without any spoilers).
I enjoyed the first third and the last third of the book, and I felt the author set a scene very well. I particularly enjoyed the third part, because the main character, Theo, seemed to develop more courage and independence and take charge. In the first two thirds of the book, I felt that she was a passenger, always responding to other people.
"By Jove" was easy to read, and I got sucked into its world without any trouble. I read it in two days!
I would recommend this book to someone looking for a quick, fun read, especially if they enjoy the world of academia and/or ancient Greece and Rome. It had an almost murder-mystery type feel in some parts, so it could appeal to murder-mystery fans as well. It would be good light relief for a graduate student.
I would be interested in reading other books by Marissa Doyle.
Extremely mild spoiler alert: one of the characters is called Diana Hunter. Does that remind you of anyone?
bookbriefs's review against another edition
4.0
By Jove is a mythology romance that takes place in a Boston University. Theo is a graduate student studying Latin (and greek and roman get woven in through other members of the classics department.) It is a mythology and history nerds dream book. I loved the academic setting, and the mythology buff in my squeed over the idea of a whole classics department being taught by actual gods and goddesses. How cool would that be? I loved guessing who everyone was. Some were easy to figure out, and others were a little tougher, but it all made reading the book more fun. Marissa Doyle did a fantastic job with her attention to detail. Even the clothes and food and drink were added into the story properly. It was excellent. It is just how I would imagine Gods living in the modern world. I loved the opulence of their parties.
Theo is my kind of girl. Nerdy and not at all ashamed by how interested she is in learning. It was such a joy to watch her passion for Latin ooze out of her. Those were honestly the only thing I liked about Julian as well. Julian and Theo did have some interesting conversations about the Gods. I enjoyed watching them in that aspect, but I was a lot like Grant. I just never did trust Julian. But I can understand how easy it was for Theo get swept up in it all.
Grant is an interesting one. It was easy to see that he behaved differently than the rest of the staff and faculty. I thought it was simply because he was new at the university, but as the book went on, I figured out the real reason for his strangeness. It took me a while to figure out who he was, but there were enough clues for me to puzzle it together a ways before it was revealed. Grant is so easy to like. At times, I wished Theo was more patient with him. Their journey together had so many bumps and roadblocks.
I am not going to spoil this book for you at all. The twists and turns make reading this book so much fun. I loved every single page, and at times I genuinely had no idea how it was going to turn out. It has all of the makings of a classic mythology story. There is even a quest. How does the quest end? Who does Theo end up with? Does she end up with anyone? This book is not at all predictable- it is brilliant. By Jove is a must read for fans of new adult/adult mytholgy. I want more Marissa!!
Theo is my kind of girl. Nerdy and not at all ashamed by how interested she is in learning. It was such a joy to watch her passion for Latin ooze out of her. Those were honestly the only thing I liked about Julian as well. Julian and Theo did have some interesting conversations about the Gods. I enjoyed watching them in that aspect, but I was a lot like Grant. I just never did trust Julian. But I can understand how easy it was for Theo get swept up in it all.
Grant is an interesting one. It was easy to see that he behaved differently than the rest of the staff and faculty. I thought it was simply because he was new at the university, but as the book went on, I figured out the real reason for his strangeness. It took me a while to figure out who he was, but there were enough clues for me to puzzle it together a ways before it was revealed. Grant is so easy to like. At times, I wished Theo was more patient with him. Their journey together had so many bumps and roadblocks.
I am not going to spoil this book for you at all. The twists and turns make reading this book so much fun. I loved every single page, and at times I genuinely had no idea how it was going to turn out. It has all of the makings of a classic mythology story. There is even a quest. How does the quest end? Who does Theo end up with? Does she end up with anyone? This book is not at all predictable- it is brilliant. By Jove is a must read for fans of new adult/adult mytholgy. I want more Marissa!!
bethmitcham's review
3.0
It felt strangely old-fashioned; the heroine's attitudes and mindset reminded me of books from the 70's. I wouldn't be surprised to see her with big hair and a ready stock of hair spray. I also prefer a bit more action in my leads; she felt very passive and he encouraged this. But it was readable, and the classical references were fun (if sometimes a bit heavy handed).
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