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Gods & Monsters #3
The Wicked Within
Ancient lore leads to present danger in the final book in the dark and sexy paranormal romance trilogy about a descendent of Medusa, set in a richly reimagined New Orleans.
Her fate is not set in stone.
Having temporarily defeated Athena, Ari races to break the gorgon curse that has plagued the women in her family for centuries. Her one lead sends her on a quest for the Hands of Zeus, an ancient relic last seen in the charge of New 2’s ruling elite, the Novem. But if there is one thing that Athena desires as much as revenge, it’s the Hands of Zeus—and Athena always gets what she wants.
Before either can locate the Hands, the statue goes missing, and a trail of blood follows those who once protected the relic’s secrets. Ari knows that her city, her friends, Sebastian—her life—depend upon her finding the statue before Athena. And with rumors an ancient power is on the rise, that may not be her only concern…
- See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Dar...
Her fate is not set in stone.
Having temporarily defeated Athena, Ari races to break the gorgon curse that has plagued the women in her family for centuries. Her one lead sends her on a quest for the Hands of Zeus, an ancient relic last seen in the charge of New 2’s ruling elite, the Novem. But if there is one thing that Athena desires as much as revenge, it’s the Hands of Zeus—and Athena always gets what she wants.
Before either can locate the Hands, the statue goes missing, and a trail of blood follows those who once protected the relic’s secrets. Ari knows that her city, her friends, Sebastian—her life—depend upon her finding the statue before Athena. And with rumors an ancient power is on the rise, that may not be her only concern…
- See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Dar...
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2013
62 people are currently reading
4921 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Keaton
10 books1,333 followersKelly loves ancient history, fantasy, and mythology. She dreams of one day attaining magical powers, discovering the secret to immortality, ridding her home of pet hair, and being crowned Mardi-Gras queen. As Kelly Gay, she writes the popular adult urban fantasy series, Charlie Madigan, for Pocket Books. While she calls Raleigh, NC, home, she can also be found chatting about books and life on Facebook and Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
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May 19, 2013Okay this is so simple if ari doesn't turn 21 then she doesn't become a gorgon.so just have Sebastian turn her in to a vampire so she doesn't age.
Want to read
March 30, 2013All I want is to read this book. I can't wait until September to be reuinted with Sebastian.
WHYYYYYYY?!
WHYYYYYYY?!
December 6, 2013
Yeah, so I devoured this series. They were original and unique and romantic and exciting and complicated and mysterious and well, all the things I love about a good book. I tore through them, practically inhaling the words and found myself staying up late to get in just one more chapter and then another and another. New Orleans is already a mysteriously beautiful city. When you walk through the streets you can feel the history seeping into your soul. So when Kelly Keaton sets her books in a post-hurricane New Orleans that has been abandoned by the American Government and sold off to the 9 wealthiest families of New Orleans you know, she has a great backdrop for her paranormal romantic series. This book has something for everyone. You like vampires? It has them. You like Gods? Yep, those are covered as well. You like the supernatural, that's here too. Kelly Keaton has created a unique world where she mixes beings that typically don't get lumped together in one series. It could have gone terribly wrong if she hadn't really thought out her plot line and her world, but I felt like she did a superb job in creating her world and defining it. I'd love for her to do a follow-up series from Sebastian's point of view as to what happens next. Here's hoping!!!
December 19, 2018
I was happy to get sucked back into the world of New 2 with Ari, Sebastian, and most importantly Violet and Pascal... I loved that Violet played a bigger role in this book.
I really enjoy this series, the setting, and the characters. The end wrapped up a little too prettily for my taste, but that's really the only negative thing. Looking forward to reading the next installment!
I really enjoy this series, the setting, and the characters. The end wrapped up a little too prettily for my taste, but that's really the only negative thing. Looking forward to reading the next installment!
October 17, 2013
Review Posted on Reading Lark 10/16/13: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2013/...
It's over? Say it ain't so. I love this series and have enjoyed the crazy twists and turns. Kelly Keaton's series is one of my favorite paranormal reads. I love the way she combines supernatural elements with mythology elements. This installment doesn't just include Greek deities, but an Egyptian god will be awoken from a long slumber. All hell is breaking loose in New 2; Ari and her crowd are right in the thick of the action. Do NOT read past this point if you haven't read the first two novels in the series. It is impossible to talk about this novel without mentioning some items that could spoil the books for you. If you're into paranormal stories, get these books NOW.
The Wicked Within is non-stop action. Ari is racing against time and the Novem to find the Hands. Athena has promised that she will grant her immortality to anyone who brings her the Hands. Ari is desperate to be the one who finds the Hands because Athena will lift her gorgon curse if Ari can bring Athena's child, Archer, back to life. The child has been frozen in stone for thousands of years so it's a long shot, but Ari is willing to do pretty much anything to get rid of the curse that has plagued her family for thousands of years.
In addition, we get some chapters from Sebastian's perspective this time around. I loved these moments because he has been one of my favorite characters in the series. It was nice to get his perspective - especially as he is dealing with so many changes and emotions. Without these chapters, readers wouldn't be able to experience Sebastian's internal anguish first hand. I liked knowing that he wasn't as perfect and strong as he appears on the outside. He's vulnerable which makes him more realistic. I also really enjoy his relationship with Ari.
One of the things I love about this series is the relationships among the characters - particularly those between the kids who live in the house. Crank, Henri, Violet, and Dub are characters that will steal your heart and have you laughing. I've come to care deeply for all of them. I'm sad to let them go, but I know I will revisit them in rereads from time to time.
I appreciated that all those loose ends (like finding out what exactly Violet is) are resolved. I did enjoy that the prophecy for the Blood Wars leaves a direction for future novels if Keaton ever decides to write that spinoff. I would certainly want to read that story. I'm curious to find out how things turn out for Archer once he's older.
I love the New Orleans of Keaton's imagining and the rich characters. I loved picturing the New Orleans I have seen as New 2. If any city was going to be home to vampires, witches, and other supernatural beings, New Orleans would be it. The city has such an amazing gothic, creepy air about it. Keaton's writing has an addicting quality. This is a perfect read as the days get shorter and the witching hour approaches.
One Last Gripe: I was frustrated that I started to see Athena as a sympathetic character after disliking her so much in the previous books.
My Favorite Thing About This Book: I loved the fast paced plot.
First Sentence: The crunch of our shoes on asphalt, leaves, and debris was loud in the quiet of Coliseum Street.
Favorite Character: Ari
Least Favorite Character: Dora
It's over? Say it ain't so. I love this series and have enjoyed the crazy twists and turns. Kelly Keaton's series is one of my favorite paranormal reads. I love the way she combines supernatural elements with mythology elements. This installment doesn't just include Greek deities, but an Egyptian god will be awoken from a long slumber. All hell is breaking loose in New 2; Ari and her crowd are right in the thick of the action. Do NOT read past this point if you haven't read the first two novels in the series. It is impossible to talk about this novel without mentioning some items that could spoil the books for you. If you're into paranormal stories, get these books NOW.
The Wicked Within is non-stop action. Ari is racing against time and the Novem to find the Hands. Athena has promised that she will grant her immortality to anyone who brings her the Hands. Ari is desperate to be the one who finds the Hands because Athena will lift her gorgon curse if Ari can bring Athena's child, Archer, back to life. The child has been frozen in stone for thousands of years so it's a long shot, but Ari is willing to do pretty much anything to get rid of the curse that has plagued her family for thousands of years.
In addition, we get some chapters from Sebastian's perspective this time around. I loved these moments because he has been one of my favorite characters in the series. It was nice to get his perspective - especially as he is dealing with so many changes and emotions. Without these chapters, readers wouldn't be able to experience Sebastian's internal anguish first hand. I liked knowing that he wasn't as perfect and strong as he appears on the outside. He's vulnerable which makes him more realistic. I also really enjoy his relationship with Ari.
One of the things I love about this series is the relationships among the characters - particularly those between the kids who live in the house. Crank, Henri, Violet, and Dub are characters that will steal your heart and have you laughing. I've come to care deeply for all of them. I'm sad to let them go, but I know I will revisit them in rereads from time to time.
I appreciated that all those loose ends (like finding out what exactly Violet is) are resolved. I did enjoy that the prophecy for the Blood Wars leaves a direction for future novels if Keaton ever decides to write that spinoff. I would certainly want to read that story. I'm curious to find out how things turn out for Archer once he's older.
I love the New Orleans of Keaton's imagining and the rich characters. I loved picturing the New Orleans I have seen as New 2. If any city was going to be home to vampires, witches, and other supernatural beings, New Orleans would be it. The city has such an amazing gothic, creepy air about it. Keaton's writing has an addicting quality. This is a perfect read as the days get shorter and the witching hour approaches.
One Last Gripe: I was frustrated that I started to see Athena as a sympathetic character after disliking her so much in the previous books.
My Favorite Thing About This Book: I loved the fast paced plot.
First Sentence: The crunch of our shoes on asphalt, leaves, and debris was loud in the quiet of Coliseum Street.
Favorite Character: Ari
Least Favorite Character: Dora
January 22, 2015
I freaking loved this series. Awesome characters, awesome plot and plot twists, and awesome descriptions.
I can’t believe how much I loved this series. I wish I had a boxed set I could cuddle while I sleep :3
You know, for a second, I thought maybe I’ve been going too easy on books lately, and tried to find some flaws in ‘The Wicked Within’ for a change, but I came up empty handed. Nada.
Maybe, there are flaws, dozens of them, but I just can’t see them past all the things that I liked about this book.
The first thing, (yes, I took notes :P) was that the plot starts right away. Not right away as in ‘what the hell is going on here?’ but is paced well enough so that I didn’t have to wade through pages and pages of meaningless filler to get to the real story.
Also, unlike other female leads, Ari won’t be pushed around by a love interest that continues refusing to pull his own weight in their budding relationship, even if said love interest is gorgeous, and also is going through a lot. She is honest and lays out how she feels about him not allowing her to help him.
The secondary characters almost didn’t feel like it. They all actively participated in the story and weren’t just part of the setting -which, by the way, is brilliantly described as well.
And lastly, just the way Ari thinks, her principles and how she feels about herself inspires me and had me thinking like ‘wow, we need more of this in the world.’
Can’t believe how much I’m going to miss these books. Well, I’ll let some months go by and then I’ll re read them! :D
I can’t believe how much I loved this series. I wish I had a boxed set I could cuddle while I sleep :3
You know, for a second, I thought maybe I’ve been going too easy on books lately, and tried to find some flaws in ‘The Wicked Within’ for a change, but I came up empty handed. Nada.
Maybe, there are flaws, dozens of them, but I just can’t see them past all the things that I liked about this book.
The first thing, (yes, I took notes :P) was that the plot starts right away. Not right away as in ‘what the hell is going on here?’ but is paced well enough so that I didn’t have to wade through pages and pages of meaningless filler to get to the real story.
Also, unlike other female leads, Ari won’t be pushed around by a love interest that continues refusing to pull his own weight in their budding relationship, even if said love interest is gorgeous, and also is going through a lot. She is honest and lays out how she feels about him not allowing her to help him.
The secondary characters almost didn’t feel like it. They all actively participated in the story and weren’t just part of the setting -which, by the way, is brilliantly described as well.
And lastly, just the way Ari thinks, her principles and how she feels about herself inspires me and had me thinking like ‘wow, we need more of this in the world.’
Can’t believe how much I’m going to miss these books. Well, I’ll let some months go by and then I’ll re read them! :D
October 1, 2013
I wanted so badly to love this series, but love is just not a thing that happened between us. Specifically, I am let down that the final chapter of the final book in the trilogy wasn't even from the main character's point of view. More generally, I disliked that much of this particular installment felt rushed, like the author was listing plot points instead of telling me a story. I would have loved to get to know these characters and their city better. The story seemed to leave open the possibility of another book, or series even, but I don't think I'd want to read it at this point. I'm just so disappointed. Still three stars though because, apparently, I grade my goodreads reviews on a curve.
December 24, 2014
FOR MORE REVIEWS AND GIVEAWAYS, DO CHECJK OUT MY BLOG:
The Wicked Within
Cover: 5
Plot: 5
Characters: 5
OVERALL RATING: 5 VIOLET STARS!
This was a spectacular ending to a great trilogy! Though there were some unanswered questions in my mind, it was still an epic read.
This is the conclusion to the series "Gods and Monsters". After rescuing her father and Violet from the wrath of Athena, Ari now tries to find a way to lift her curse. Her lead directs her into finding Zeus' hands and resurrecting Athena's baby. An epic battle ensues with Ancient gods and with her romance with Sebastian still unstable, what's a girl going to do?
This is the kind of book that would make you question what id right and what is wrong and make you realize that a Mother's love is above all else.
Since Athena's baby was stolen, she sends out an all out war. Her ways may be demented, but she was just a mother who lost her child so I guess that is pretty understandable.
The romance between Sebastian and Ari wasn't given much highlight until the very last pages and I really liked that.
After I finished reading this book I am now wishing a series would be dedicated for Violet.
A very spectacular read, one you should never miss!
The Wicked Within
Cover: 5
Plot: 5
Characters: 5
OVERALL RATING: 5 VIOLET STARS!
This was a spectacular ending to a great trilogy! Though there were some unanswered questions in my mind, it was still an epic read.
This is the conclusion to the series "Gods and Monsters". After rescuing her father and Violet from the wrath of Athena, Ari now tries to find a way to lift her curse. Her lead directs her into finding Zeus' hands and resurrecting Athena's baby. An epic battle ensues with Ancient gods and with her romance with Sebastian still unstable, what's a girl going to do?
This is the kind of book that would make you question what id right and what is wrong and make you realize that a Mother's love is above all else.
Since Athena's baby was stolen, she sends out an all out war. Her ways may be demented, but she was just a mother who lost her child so I guess that is pretty understandable.
The romance between Sebastian and Ari wasn't given much highlight until the very last pages and I really liked that.
After I finished reading this book I am now wishing a series would be dedicated for Violet.
A very spectacular read, one you should never miss!
October 31, 2013
I won't give much details of the book itself because I feel it would ruin it for other readers. With that said:
This last book in this series was not a disappointment! Most series tend to drift towards dull and/or just drop right off at the end as if the Author either wants to hurry up and finish it or they run out of things to say. But Kelly did a great job in not only picking up right where she left us hanging in the last book, but she keeps you hanging on by your nails til the very end. All the same players are here and doing their same thing. Well, are they really?? There are a few twists and turns in this last book that will have you guessing about who is really the one to trust and if you are trusting the wrong one or NOT trusting the right one. Some of the characters grow in this. You will laugh, get pissed off, get anxious and even have your heart hurting for a few of the characters and what they have to deal with. Of course you also have the love interest(s). Ooooh, did I just say that in PLURAL??? hee hee. You will definitely be amazed of what Kelly gives you in this final book and you will NOT be disappointed. Well, except for the fact that the series had to end. Uhhh, or did it??? :-)
I definitely recommend this book, but only if you have read the other ones in the series first. You would be missing out a great deal if you skip the other books. If you have already read her other books from Darkness Becomes Her, then what are you waiting for? The Wicked Within was extremely well worth the wait we had for it to finally get here!!
This last book in this series was not a disappointment! Most series tend to drift towards dull and/or just drop right off at the end as if the Author either wants to hurry up and finish it or they run out of things to say. But Kelly did a great job in not only picking up right where she left us hanging in the last book, but she keeps you hanging on by your nails til the very end. All the same players are here and doing their same thing. Well, are they really?? There are a few twists and turns in this last book that will have you guessing about who is really the one to trust and if you are trusting the wrong one or NOT trusting the right one. Some of the characters grow in this. You will laugh, get pissed off, get anxious and even have your heart hurting for a few of the characters and what they have to deal with. Of course you also have the love interest(s). Ooooh, did I just say that in PLURAL??? hee hee. You will definitely be amazed of what Kelly gives you in this final book and you will NOT be disappointed. Well, except for the fact that the series had to end. Uhhh, or did it??? :-)
I definitely recommend this book, but only if you have read the other ones in the series first. You would be missing out a great deal if you skip the other books. If you have already read her other books from Darkness Becomes Her, then what are you waiting for? The Wicked Within was extremely well worth the wait we had for it to finally get here!!
May 30, 2014
*Genre* Young Adult Paranormal
*Rating* 3.5-4
*MY Thoughts*
The Wicked Within, the final installment of the Gods & Monsters Trilogy, puts Ari, Sebastian, her father, her Novem allies, and friends on a final collision course with Athena. Athena may have been temporarily defeated, but she isn't out of the game just yet. In fact, she makes things even more interesting for the NINE oldest families of New 2 (aka New Orleans) which leaves the Novem struggling with itself to remain viable.
**SEE MORE OF MY REVIEW**
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Released: September 17th 2013 by Simon Pulse
*Rating* 3.5-4
*MY Thoughts*
The Wicked Within, the final installment of the Gods & Monsters Trilogy, puts Ari, Sebastian, her father, her Novem allies, and friends on a final collision course with Athena. Athena may have been temporarily defeated, but she isn't out of the game just yet. In fact, she makes things even more interesting for the NINE oldest families of New 2 (aka New Orleans) which leaves the Novem struggling with itself to remain viable.
**SEE MORE OF MY REVIEW**
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Released: September 17th 2013 by Simon Pulse
April 30, 2015
I want... no, I need... no, I demand... no, I REQUIRE a spin-off/sequel series about the Blood Wars. I REQUIRE that Ari, Bastian, Henri, dubs, Crank, Menai, Archer, Michel, and theron to all be there. They can be older, and they don't have to be main, but they must be THERE. They also must be paired up correctly. Make it hapen, Keaton!
June 1, 2017
I liked it enough to read it in just two days. There are elements I thought were unique, but then there were some that's just too much, plain weird, or completely unnecessary. Still, a good wrap-up. :D
December 24, 2014
3.5 stars.
I am glad to have finally finished this series. This book has been languishing with me for quite sometime but for some reason, I just couldn’t get around to reading it. I did try once earlier and ended up putting it aside for later. But this time, when I finally started, once I really got into it, I found that I couldn’t stop reading. It is really quite enjoyable.
This is the final chapter of Ari’s fight with Athena and this time the entire city of New 2 is at stake (along with the lives of everyone Ari cares about) I read the first two books a very long time ago and didn’t refresh my memory before starting this so there was a bit of a disconnect but I soon overcame that. I was just not as invested in these characters as I might have been had I reread the previous instalments. This time around, Ari and her friends are approached by Athena’s (unwilling?) henchwomen, Menai and Melinoe, with a proposition: if she can find the Hands and bring her child back to life (he was turned into stone a very very very long time ago) then she will lift Ari’s curse and leave her and her friends alone. Sound too good to be true? Well, Ari had the same concerns, she doesn’t trust Athena and judging by her previous track record, I can’t say I blame Ari for her cautiousness. Of course, she soon discovers that a similar offer was made to the Novem with the minor difference where she offered to make one of them immortal with all her powers thrown in for good measure. Being the goddess of wisdom and battle strategy, Athena knew exactly how to cripple the Novem so that they couldn’t unite against her and it worked like a charm. Soon all hell was breaking loose with Athena attacking a city, an ancient Egyptian god rising from his Sleep and a whole bunch of other crazy stuff.
Part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much was that it was fast paced. The action started fairly late in the book and didn’t let right up until the very end. But the initial part was also fun because it was laying the groundwork of the big fight to come. The quiet moments were nice and they didn’t slow the narrative in the slightest. It was a very satisfying conclusion to the series. It is still Ari’s narrative with bits from Sebastian’s perspective, which I thought, worked well. Plus, I was also glad to see some very annoying characters meet their end.
I liked Ari, she was kick ass and didn’t waste time second guessing herself or whining about her life. What I also liked about her was that when she had doubts, she spoke about them instead of wallowing in them. And with regard to Sebastian, she was supportive of him without being a doormat and when he was acting like a jerk, she wasn’t afraid to call him on it. I like straightforward heroines and Ari was certainly that. I also liked that she wasn’t afraid of asking for help, which was such a welcome relief.
Sebastian acted like an ass sometimes but having his POV certainly helped in that regard. And he was quick to apologise (and mean it) He was going through the transformation into a vampire and for some reason he was afraid that if he let Ari in, she would see him differently and he didn’t want that. Of course, he soon realised that this approach wasn’t going well and worked hard to repair the damage. But when Ari needed him, he was always there. Also, he didn’t take her for granted.
The rest of the gang was back of course but I didn’t really connect to them apart from Violet and Henri. There were some nice moments with Ari, Crank and Violet. Violet is someone who really stood out from the rest group, perhaps because she was so different from the others but also very lovable. We finally find out about her origins and I certainly didn’t see that coming. So that was unexpected.
And now on to Athena. I love Greek mythology and Athena is among my favourite goddesses so it’s always tough to see her as the out and out villain. But I’m glad that Keaton made her a more sympathetic character in the end. She was still batshit crazy but it was nice to read that she had been good and kind once and it was a crippling loss that started her on this destructive path. That the reason Artemis and Apollo stuck with her was because they still loved her and she loved them. That it wasn’t borne out of blackmail, as it was earlier implied (I do remember some stuff from the second book, yaay )
It was nice to see more of Ari’s father and that they were starting to bond. Bran is around as well and as hard ass as ever. We also meet his daughter, Kieran and she’s just as kickass as her father. Menai and Melinoe were as ambiguous as ever, though I quite like the two of them (I would have liked to see more of them, maybe a spin off about the two of them wreaking havoc together?)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was a lot if fun. Once I really got into it, I ended up reading till 2 in the morning. Good fun…
I am glad to have finally finished this series. This book has been languishing with me for quite sometime but for some reason, I just couldn’t get around to reading it. I did try once earlier and ended up putting it aside for later. But this time, when I finally started, once I really got into it, I found that I couldn’t stop reading. It is really quite enjoyable.
This is the final chapter of Ari’s fight with Athena and this time the entire city of New 2 is at stake (along with the lives of everyone Ari cares about) I read the first two books a very long time ago and didn’t refresh my memory before starting this so there was a bit of a disconnect but I soon overcame that. I was just not as invested in these characters as I might have been had I reread the previous instalments. This time around, Ari and her friends are approached by Athena’s (unwilling?) henchwomen, Menai and Melinoe, with a proposition: if she can find the Hands and bring her child back to life (he was turned into stone a very very very long time ago) then she will lift Ari’s curse and leave her and her friends alone. Sound too good to be true? Well, Ari had the same concerns, she doesn’t trust Athena and judging by her previous track record, I can’t say I blame Ari for her cautiousness. Of course, she soon discovers that a similar offer was made to the Novem with the minor difference where she offered to make one of them immortal with all her powers thrown in for good measure. Being the goddess of wisdom and battle strategy, Athena knew exactly how to cripple the Novem so that they couldn’t unite against her and it worked like a charm. Soon all hell was breaking loose with Athena attacking a city, an ancient Egyptian god rising from his Sleep and a whole bunch of other crazy stuff.
Part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much was that it was fast paced. The action started fairly late in the book and didn’t let right up until the very end. But the initial part was also fun because it was laying the groundwork of the big fight to come. The quiet moments were nice and they didn’t slow the narrative in the slightest. It was a very satisfying conclusion to the series. It is still Ari’s narrative with bits from Sebastian’s perspective, which I thought, worked well. Plus, I was also glad to see some very annoying characters meet their end.
I liked Ari, she was kick ass and didn’t waste time second guessing herself or whining about her life. What I also liked about her was that when she had doubts, she spoke about them instead of wallowing in them. And with regard to Sebastian, she was supportive of him without being a doormat and when he was acting like a jerk, she wasn’t afraid to call him on it. I like straightforward heroines and Ari was certainly that. I also liked that she wasn’t afraid of asking for help, which was such a welcome relief.
Sebastian acted like an ass sometimes but having his POV certainly helped in that regard. And he was quick to apologise (and mean it) He was going through the transformation into a vampire and for some reason he was afraid that if he let Ari in, she would see him differently and he didn’t want that. Of course, he soon realised that this approach wasn’t going well and worked hard to repair the damage. But when Ari needed him, he was always there. Also, he didn’t take her for granted.
The rest of the gang was back of course but I didn’t really connect to them apart from Violet and Henri. There were some nice moments with Ari, Crank and Violet. Violet is someone who really stood out from the rest group, perhaps because she was so different from the others but also very lovable. We finally find out about her origins and I certainly didn’t see that coming. So that was unexpected.
And now on to Athena. I love Greek mythology and Athena is among my favourite goddesses so it’s always tough to see her as the out and out villain. But I’m glad that Keaton made her a more sympathetic character in the end. She was still batshit crazy but it was nice to read that she had been good and kind once and it was a crippling loss that started her on this destructive path. That the reason Artemis and Apollo stuck with her was because they still loved her and she loved them. That it wasn’t borne out of blackmail, as it was earlier implied (I do remember some stuff from the second book, yaay )
It was nice to see more of Ari’s father and that they were starting to bond. Bran is around as well and as hard ass as ever. We also meet his daughter, Kieran and she’s just as kickass as her father. Menai and Melinoe were as ambiguous as ever, though I quite like the two of them (I would have liked to see more of them, maybe a spin off about the two of them wreaking havoc together?)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was a lot if fun. Once I really got into it, I ended up reading till 2 in the morning. Good fun…
November 2, 2013
OH MY GAWD!!!!!!!!!!! Kelly Keaton I take back what I said before about being disappointed this book was enchanting. It is very rare that I read or like three book series, they don't have enough action in them. But you Kelley made this book worth while, from the first book to the last it was eventfully and full of everything I ever dreamed a book would have, I love the book. it was one of the most unpredictable, exciting book I have ever read in my whole life and you know what?...I would not mind if a fourth book way written (don't listen to me:) this is a perfect ending). you are amazing and keep writing or else I am going to star stalking you.
NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL TALENT TO ITS FULLEST:)
NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL TALENT TO ITS FULLEST:)
September 18, 2013
Thanks to my freaky fast reading power, I have finished The Wicked Within. The wait was worth it; I am a little sorry that I finished so fast. I can honestly say I did not expect any of the twists that have finished this wonderful trilogy. I am left with the feeling that there may be more story to tell. Reviewing this book is very difficult without spoilage occurring, so... Ari, Sebastian, Violet, Pascal, Henri, Dub, and Crank are back. Athena is the Big Bad (mostly). New 2 is still a fascinating place. And all hell breaks loose.
October 7, 2013
After temporarily defeating Athena, Ari knows it's only a matter of time before she comes for her. The only way to protect herself, her friends, and to be free of her curse is to find the one thing Athena wants most. The hands of Zeus were hidden in the Novum libraray, but have since gone missing. If Ari is going to survive, she has to find them before Athena.
January 24, 2015
3.5 stars Gillar hela vinklingen på myter, men själva boken kändes lite... meh.
Read my full review at Book Obsession
Read my full review at Book Obsession
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December 28, 201219 months in between book two and book three release dates!?! Seriously? I'm hoping this is a mistake and the book will be out a heck of a lot sooner.
October 7, 2013
I've really enjoyed this take on the Medusa myth and various gods/goddesses. I hope this isn't the end of the story for Ari, Sebastian, and company - I want more!
June 21, 2015
This series was fantastic and i cant wait till she writes the next book
May 30, 2016
Rating: 4.2 of 5 stars
February 28, 2024
"The Wicked Within" by Kelly Keaton is the third book in the Gods & Monsters series. It follows the story of Ari, a girl with supernatural powers as a descendant of Medusa, who discovers she's the key to ending a war between gods and monsters. Throughout the book, Ari navigates treacherous alliances, battles, and personal challenges as she embraces her destiny and confronts the darkness within herself. Alongside her friends and allies, Ari fights to save both the human and supernatural worlds from destruction.
Review:
1. **Plot and Storytelling:** 3/5 I found the plot to be intriguing, although not quite as captivating as the previous two books. While it was enjoyable, it didn't stand out significantly.
2. **Characterization:** 4/5. Ari and those around her experienced significant growth throughout the book. We delved deeper into their backstories and witnessed some compelling changes that added depth to the story.
3. **Writing Style:** 4/5 Keaton's writing is solid, maintaining a good pace throughout. I particularly appreciated her skillful blend of descriptive passages and engaging storytelling, as well as the lively banter between characters.
4. **Originality:** 5/5 The novel presents a fresh take on god-centric narratives, situated within an alternate Earth setting with humans. It skillfully combines various elements to create a unique reading experience.
5. **Emotional Impact and Resolution:** 4/5 While the book didn't evoke strong emotions from me, it certainly had the potential to do so. I also felt that the series could have concluded with the fully fleshed-out resolution presented in this book. I'm curious to see where the next installment takes the story.
Overall score: 4/5
I found “The Wicked Within” to be a generally enjoyable read, despite some minor criticisms. Therefore, I would recommend this book with some caveats. If you enjoy supernatural stories with unique twists, well-developed characters, and engaging writing, you would likely appreciate this novel. However, if you are looking for a completely groundbreaking plot or deeply emotional narrative, you might not find it as satisfying. Overall, it's a solid addition to the series and worth recommending to fans of the genre.
If you enjoyed "The Wicked Within" by Kelly Keaton, I recommend diving into Cassandra Clare's "The Mortal Instruments" series, which follows Clary Fray's discovery of her role as a Shadowhunter, tasked with battling demons. I have not read it but I understand that Sabaa Tahir's "An Ember in the Ashes" series presents a narrative of oppression, rebellion, and magic in a fantasy world inspired by ancient Rome. Both of these series promise captivating storytelling, rich world-building, and unforgettable characters for fans of supernatural fantasy.
Review:
1. **Plot and Storytelling:** 3/5 I found the plot to be intriguing, although not quite as captivating as the previous two books. While it was enjoyable, it didn't stand out significantly.
2. **Characterization:** 4/5. Ari and those around her experienced significant growth throughout the book. We delved deeper into their backstories and witnessed some compelling changes that added depth to the story.
3. **Writing Style:** 4/5 Keaton's writing is solid, maintaining a good pace throughout. I particularly appreciated her skillful blend of descriptive passages and engaging storytelling, as well as the lively banter between characters.
4. **Originality:** 5/5 The novel presents a fresh take on god-centric narratives, situated within an alternate Earth setting with humans. It skillfully combines various elements to create a unique reading experience.
5. **Emotional Impact and Resolution:** 4/5 While the book didn't evoke strong emotions from me, it certainly had the potential to do so. I also felt that the series could have concluded with the fully fleshed-out resolution presented in this book. I'm curious to see where the next installment takes the story.
Overall score: 4/5
I found “The Wicked Within” to be a generally enjoyable read, despite some minor criticisms. Therefore, I would recommend this book with some caveats. If you enjoy supernatural stories with unique twists, well-developed characters, and engaging writing, you would likely appreciate this novel. However, if you are looking for a completely groundbreaking plot or deeply emotional narrative, you might not find it as satisfying. Overall, it's a solid addition to the series and worth recommending to fans of the genre.
If you enjoyed "The Wicked Within" by Kelly Keaton, I recommend diving into Cassandra Clare's "The Mortal Instruments" series, which follows Clary Fray's discovery of her role as a Shadowhunter, tasked with battling demons. I have not read it but I understand that Sabaa Tahir's "An Ember in the Ashes" series presents a narrative of oppression, rebellion, and magic in a fantasy world inspired by ancient Rome. Both of these series promise captivating storytelling, rich world-building, and unforgettable characters for fans of supernatural fantasy.
January 6, 2021
As with the first two books in this series, The Wicked Within was a quick, easy read. I find myself disappointed though. In my reviews for the first two books I kept saying what kept me reading was the overall premise for the series - I love the mythology and the reimagined New Orleans - but I feel like it was all a bit... superficial? As in this series barely scrapped the surface of what it could have been with this premise. The author could’ve gotten way more into it, developed the relationship between Ari and Sebastian, the setting, the mythology. Any of it really.
I’m beginning to realize it was such an easy read more because it didn’t get complicated. It was all very simple and straightforward. There weren’t many twists after the main one of Ari’s gorgon curse. It’s a fast read because it reads with all the emotional investment of baking instructions on the back of a box of muffin mix. It wasn’t necessarily boring in the moment, but it didn’t grab me either. The interest I had in the setting and world of the book isn’t holding me any longer. I won’t be reading the next book because I simply don’t care about the story anymore. It’s not boredom or dislike. It’s just apathy and it so disappointing.
I’m beginning to realize it was such an easy read more because it didn’t get complicated. It was all very simple and straightforward. There weren’t many twists after the main one of Ari’s gorgon curse. It’s a fast read because it reads with all the emotional investment of baking instructions on the back of a box of muffin mix. It wasn’t necessarily boring in the moment, but it didn’t grab me either. The interest I had in the setting and world of the book isn’t holding me any longer. I won’t be reading the next book because I simply don’t care about the story anymore. It’s not boredom or dislike. It’s just apathy and it so disappointing.
November 27, 2022
Loved this series when I first read discovered it about a decade ago despite never really being into Greek Mythology but I was definitely into this. Description says it’s dark and sexy but all I remember is passionate make outs (which was sexy for a 14 year old at the time lol) and less darkness. I don’t know, just didn’t seem very dark to me and I actually admired Athena in her villainous role alone with the other interesting characters. Plus the bit with her son? Who knew the most evil woman (probably not more than Zeus but yk, mythology) had a heart? Can’t even remember if she was frozen at one point (probably her son) but I’ll definitely give it another go since I’ve only read this once a long time ago. Aside from this book (and the originals) making me want to go to New Orleans I especially want to go during Mardi Gras or the masquerade ball. Once again, gorgeous cover and I was pretty satisfied with the ending so I’m gonna pretend this is still a trilogy rather than a tetralogy lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2020
This book had some of the intensity, mystery, and lore bending that made the first one so good. The second half of the book when we move past some of the fall out of the previous book (Bastian why must you be so stupid about all this? Take the advice of someone with ten years of life on you, every thing is better when you talk to your significant other) is when the threads Keaton has laid throughout the previous books really start to shine and suck you in. It's intense, the stakes are high, and while she's left breadcrumbs throughout the books as to how things might be wrapped up you don't see the significance of those crumbs until she's ready to make her big reveals. And that's what makes everything so fun.
January 21, 2018
This was an excellent book in this series. I loved all the mythology and monsters that come out to play. This book does an excellent job in wrapping up the storyline followed in the first couple books.
There is a new storyline hinted at involving Athena's son at the end of this book. However, given the reviews I am reading of Heart of Stone (book 4, and the majority of reviews are poor) I am going to consider this book the last in the series and move on. There is a rather large gap in time between The Wicked Within and Heart of Stone, so it seems like Heart of Stone was kind of an add-on maybe?
I enjoy Keaton’s writing style and the darker more edgy tone this series has when compared to other YA urban fantasy series out there. I also love how deeply mythology is woven into the story.
Overall this was an excellent conclusion to the storyline started in book one. I really enjoyed the world-building, the characters, the action, and the mythology. I would recommend to those who enjoy darker YA urban fantasy. This series reminds me a lot of the Demon Trappers series by Jana Oliver in tone.
There is a new storyline hinted at involving Athena's son at the end of this book. However, given the reviews I am reading of Heart of Stone (book 4, and the majority of reviews are poor) I am going to consider this book the last in the series and move on. There is a rather large gap in time between The Wicked Within and Heart of Stone, so it seems like Heart of Stone was kind of an add-on maybe?
I enjoy Keaton’s writing style and the darker more edgy tone this series has when compared to other YA urban fantasy series out there. I also love how deeply mythology is woven into the story.
Overall this was an excellent conclusion to the storyline started in book one. I really enjoyed the world-building, the characters, the action, and the mythology. I would recommend to those who enjoy darker YA urban fantasy. This series reminds me a lot of the Demon Trappers series by Jana Oliver in tone.
October 5, 2018
Kind of a weird ending that isn't really an ending since there is so much foreshadowing for a continuation what with the blood wars and Athena's baby.
It wasn't bad but I found that it also wasn't very good. The amount of Gods and creature, vamps, shifters, gorgons, titans etc makes the story hard to follow in some places and that's a shame because the plot is pretty Okidoki.
It just feels to me like the author used any and all figures that she could find and stuffed them al in the books. Like over stuffing your suitcase until you have to lie on it to stand a chance of closing it.
Not a bad story at all but just too crowded.
It wasn't bad but I found that it also wasn't very good. The amount of Gods and creature, vamps, shifters, gorgons, titans etc makes the story hard to follow in some places and that's a shame because the plot is pretty Okidoki.
It just feels to me like the author used any and all figures that she could find and stuffed them al in the books. Like over stuffing your suitcase until you have to lie on it to stand a chance of closing it.
Not a bad story at all but just too crowded.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2018
This was mostly a big ol soap opera for the gods and also about Sebastion's figuring out his "vampire" changes. I was bored. I read for Ari and Violet. I love Violet! We get to find about a bit more about who Violet is. We also finally get that damn cure for the Medusa curse. This all ended on a happy note with things tied up nicely.
I am surprised to find there is a book 4 out there. No idea what that will be about, but I'll go read it.
I am surprised to find there is a book 4 out there. No idea what that will be about, but I'll go read it.
April 19, 2019
This is, I think the best book in this series. Ari, after rescuing Violet is preparing for the final battle against the goddess Athena and still searching for a way to undo the Gorgon curse on her family. This book has lots of action but also has, finally, some of the character development I felt was lacking in the previous books. And that makes me glad that Keaton chose to continue the series which was originally planned as a trilogy.
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