Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters

by Emily Roberson

Sixteen-year-old Ariadne’s whole life is curated and shared with the world. Her royal family’s entertainment empire is beloved by the tabloids, all over social media, and the hottest thing on television. The biggest moneymaker? The Labyrinth Contest, a TV extravaganza in which Ariadne leads fourteen teens into a maze to kill a monster. To win means endless glory; to lose means death. In ten seasons, no one has ever won.

When the gorgeous, mysterious Theseus arrives at the competition and asks Ariadne to help him to victory, she doesn’t expect to fall for him. He might be acting interested in her just to boost ratings. Their chemistry is undeniable, though, and she can help him survive. If he wins, the contest would end for good. But if she helps him, she doesn’t just endanger her family’s empire - the monster would have to die. And for Ariadne, his life might be the only one worth saving.

Ariadne’s every move is watched by the public and predestined by the gods, so how can she find a way to forge her own destiny and save the people she loves?

• ISBN10: 0374310629
• ISBN13: 9780374310622
• Publish Date: 1 November 2019
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 21 December 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Farrar, Straus & Giroux Inc
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

As penance for the murder of King Minos' eldest son, 14 of Athen's best and beautiful citizens must be sent to compete in the reality show, The Labyrinth Contest, where they would run the maze and attempt to conquer the Minotaur. After, 10 seasons, and lagging ratings, the newly claimed Athenian prince, Theseus, wanted to face the Minotaur in an effort to save his people, but he couldn't do it without the help of the Cretan princess, Ariadne. Would the princess choose her family, or would she choose love?

• Pro: It amazed me how well this fairly savage tale fit into the reality show world. This story from so long ago fit perfectly with our contemporary idea of reality shows.

• Pro: I was impressed with how many elements of the original myth were woven into this tale. Though some things were reshaped, they were very recognizable, and I appreciate the way Roberson was able to make something simultaneously fresh and familiar.

• Pro: Ariadne was my kind of girl. She was smart and sarcastic. She preferred comfy clothes to dressing up, and virtual reality games to parties. I found her very likable and relatable, and found her easy to root for.

• Pro: This book was really fun to read. I enjoyed all the reality show level drama, and found the cast of colorful characters highly entertaining.

• Pro: I did enjoy the romance, and wish there had been more, because these two were great together.

• Pro: What an interesting juxtaposition - someone living the reality show life, which is highly curated, and someone seeking their independence. I know I was rooting for this princess to make her own way.

Overall: A fun and fresh twist on a the story of the Minotaur, which preserved all the important elements of the original.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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