Sherrilyn Kenyon: Author Goddess

What some of you may or may not know, Sherrilyn Kenyon is one of my favorite favorite favorite authors. I started reading her novels back in 2004-ish and have had a healthy obsession ever since. Fantasy Lover is the book that drew me in, Night Pleasures is the one that hooked me.

What I love about Sherrilyn's novels is that she takes well known myths and makes them her own, makes them real. She focuses mainly on the Greek gods, but she has also touched on Egyptian, Celtic, Native American, and numerous other Parthenons. She has even incorporates Atlantean god as Atlantis is a place that in her world actually existed.

These gods exist. They are real. They are still toying with the lives of mortals. But they are Sherrilyn's. For example, Eros (do not call him Cupid) and Psyche dress like bikers. Persephone loves Hades and hates the six months she has to spend with her mother. Parthenons mingle with each other, both for good and evil. They're all "friends" with an understanding of "you stay in your area and I'll stay in mine." There are so many fascinating connections, but telling you more would lead to major spoilers.

Not only does she have gods, but she has the Fates, the Furys, Oneroi (children of the gods of sleep that protect humans and immortals while we sleep), Arcadian and Katagaria (her special version of were-animals), and Daimons (her own little brand of not vampires).

Just as a side note, Sherrilyn's "vampires" are not the vampires you're used to. She weaves such an intricate mythology behind them and ties them to Greek gods in an incredibly unique way. Same goes for here "were-animals."

Each book in the Dark-Hunterverse is connected in intricate ways and each book drops a bombshell that you never saw coming. If I were to sum her series into one sentence, it would be this: You think you know, but you have no idea.

Are you already a fan of Sherrilyn and want to gush over how fabulously amazing she is? Or are you new to the world of Kenyoun and need a recommendation? Not sure where to start? Let me know in the comments and I'll be sure to point you in the right direction!

For more reviews, author features, discussion posts and giveaways, click on the banner to see the full MERMAIDS & MYTHS schedule!

What is a Myth?

Before some of you run at us with pitchforks, here us out. We are not advocating for one religion or another, or religion in general. We are not trying to sway your beliefs in anyway. We all have our own beliefs and we respect yours and one anothers. Nor are we saying that this is what we think and you must conform or get out. This is merely a perspective on mythology and how it could differ to the billions of people in the world. Please keep in mind the wise words of Evelyn Beatrice Hall: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

It's Mermaids & Myths here at Bookish and it's time we discussed what exactly constitutes a myth.

While some of us had no trouble finding books to review for this month's theme (namely Tiffany, our resident mermaid expert), others of us had a bit more difficulty finding books. We bounced book titles of one another. "Is this a myth?" "What about this?" "Do you think this would qualify?" And then Evie made an excellent point when the question of angels and demons was brought up: "Angels and demons are actually christian mythology . . . I guess it's a matter of perspective?"

And she's so right.

Mythology is tricky. It is about perspective. Yes, there are the myths everybody accepts (dragons, mermaids/sirens, fairies, etc - though I'll fight you on the existence of mermaids . . . 95% of the ocean is unexplored, you can't tell me there aren't mermaids out there somewhere). However, there is also the Christian mythology, Jewish mythology, Chinese mythology, or any other religion for that matter - there is a great deal of modern mythology out there. Just because a large group of people believe it to be true, doesn't mean that everybody does. And vise versa.

For instance, look at the Greek mythology. Thousands of years ago, that was a religion. They weren't myths, they were the stories of their gods. Or banshees. For a while I flirted with the idea of doing Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series. I believe in souls, but not everyone does. My friend studied abroad in Ireland one semester and she told me there are people there who believe in banshees and others who consider them myth. So while the whole series isn't beating you over the head with mythology (like Aimee Carter's Goddess Test series - which I love, by the way, that is all about the Greek gods), there are mythological elements and facets throughout the series.

If you've ever watched the television series Bones (and you should cause it's awesome), you'll know the titular character, Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel), is an atheist and a firm believer in science while her partner, Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) is a strong Catholic. Throughout that series she'll refer to religion as a version of mythology, to which Booth will quickly inform her that it's not a myth, but something he believes in.

In season 6, episode 18, "The Truth in the Myth," "the remains of a mythbuster television show host are found in the wilderness appearing to have been killed by the mythic Chupacabra, a reptile-mammal hybrid creature whose existence has not been confirmed" (Fox Publicity), Brennan and Booth have the following exchange:

Booth: On the show Coleman would go out and he would debunk different myths and legends. You know the Loch Ness Monster, the Yeti, psychic healers, yadda yadda.

Brennan: I’m not familiar with the yadda, yadda, yadda myth, but the rest of them don’t need disproving because they don’t exist.

Says who, Brennan? One of the things I like about this dynamic is that Booth is able to go beyond the science and the factual evidence to envision the possibilities. While at the same time, Brennan shoots back with "Just because you haven't seen something doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. I mean, you haven't seen the backside of the moon, but you believe in it."

Who is right? Neither can prove that they are right and the other is wrong. Booth cannot prove they exist; Brennan cannot prove that they don't. The same goes for any mythological, paranormal, and religious character out there. I am a believer that some of these things exists, you may be a believer that they don't. Your friends/family may believe in some, but not all.

While mythology as a whole is subjective, it was ultimately decided that for Mermaids & Myths we wanted to stick closer to the mythology of mermaids/sirens, dragons, selkies, and ancient gods & goddesses. We are also straying away from vampires, shape shifters, and fairies as they are exceptionally common and we want to give notice to those myths that are not.

What kind of stories do you consider to be myths? Do you have a favorite myth that you want to sure with us? How about a favorite mythological creature?

Personally, I'm a fairy: "Positively enchanting! You’re naturally adorable, but your enemies are in for a nasty surprise if they think that means you’re helpless. You’re feisty and quick to act, and you’re a bit of a trickster and enjoy practical jokes. You know how to enjoy yourself. From appreciating a sunny day to standing up for what you think is right, you carpe the diem, always." Sounds about right! What are you?

For more reviews, author features, discussion posts and giveaways, click on the banner to see the full MERMAIDS & MYTHS schedule!

Socratic Seminar: Weirdest Fictional Crushes

I came across this post the other day regarding unconventional (weird) fictional crushes and it got me thinking. We all talk about the conventional crushes: Mr. Darcy, Carswell Thorne, Nikolai Lantsov, Daniel Sheridan. Okay, maybe those are mine and not necessarily yours, but you get the idea. But what about those minor characters? The ones that typically don't get the love of reader's everywhere?

Mercutio, Romeo and Juliet

He drops some of my favorite one liners and, as much as I love him, has one amazing death scene. Side note, "A plague on both your houses" is my absolute favorite Shakespearean line.

Khal Drogo, Game of Thrones

Heeey. I'll be your Khalessi. 

Beast (in prince from), Beauty and the Beast

The library is just a bonus.

Loki, Thor

I'm sure he's seen the error of his way and we can work it out. No problem.

Louis, Interview with a Vampire

Duh. (Bonus points for not sparkling in the sun)

So tell me. Who are your fictional crushes? Do we share some similar tastes? Or are we going to agree to disagree?

Socratic Seminar: Spoiled Endings

For those of you who are unaware, Socratic Seminars are defined as "collaborative, intellectual dialogue facilitated with open-ended questions about a text." I use these in my classroom to get my students engaged in the text we are reading/discussing. It works much better than just having them stare at me for 45 minutes.

I was talking with one of my girlfriends the other day about books. One of the things I brought up with my inability to read a book if I know the ending. And I don't mean in terms of rereading a book - I can reread a book with ease. I'm talking about when I know the ending/twist of a book I haven't read yet.

For instance, The Fault in Our Stars. I'd had the book on my TBR for a while, but it was the hype with the movie that made me want to pick it up sooner rather than later. However, while reading through blog posts a few weeks ago, I came across a major spoiler. I mean, major major. And if you've read the book, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

And I wasn't looking for it. I wasn't. The spoiler wasn't labeled. A huge pet peeve of mine. There was zero warning. Nothing. I don't understand how people can just post things like that. I've come across most spoilers in Top Ten Tuesdays. And it's not Top Ten Tuesdays fault. It's the people who feel the need to go into depth on certain topics. For instance, Top Ten Books that Brought on the Feels - or whatever.  (I love participating in TTT and do so pretty much weekly, so I am in now way blaming this wonderful meme. I'm blaming the people who don't know when enough is enough.)

The blogger give the books, which is fine, some go into detail, which is fine. But some go into too much detail, which is not okay. Example: "I balled my eyes out when XXX died!" "I ugly sobbed when XXX happened." "I couldn't believe that XXX was the bad guy/girl the whole time!" or "I hugged my book when XXX and XXX got together - hooray for my ship!" (this example applies mostly to love triangles)

Anyway, that's what happened to me with The Fault in Our Stars. I don't know if it was a TTT or just a random post - I'm thinking it was a random post - but I was so, so mad. I finally got my copy in from the library last week and I just stared at it. I wanted to read it, but did I still want to after I knew the ending?

This is where the conversation with my girlfriend came into play. I told her my situation and asked her I should read it or just see the movie - I know, a cardinal sin of readers everywhere. But something about the book had lost its novelty. I just didn't have the drive to read it that I did before. She told me that she enjoyed it, but if I wasn't feeling it to not worry and just read something I was chomping at the bit to read. She made sense. Why force myself to read something I'm feeling "meh" about?

Like I said, I love rereading books but something about having the ending ruined a book I haven't read yet is such a turn off. Has this happened to anyone else? Have you been excited to read a book, only to come across a major spoiler and then just shrug it off and not read it? Or has coming across a spoiler done nothing to change your mind about a book on your TBR pile?