Go the Distance - 3 Stars

Go the Distance by Jen Calonita

Welcome to "A Fleeting Thought" where I post relatively short and to the point book reviews.

Book summary at end of review!

This book was cute and fast paced, but I just don't think I'm the target audience for it.

I'm not a Disney adult, at ALL. I've never gotten the hype. But, I do love Greek mythology, so I thought this would be so much fun. Unfortunately, it felt more middle grade than YA and I felt like I should have been reading to an 8 year old at bed time.

I felt this tried too hard to be spunky and witty and it just came off as corny to me. Meg's personality is one I really want to like-- strong and independent. But, throughout her character growth/arc, I just found her whiny. "I want to love someone, but my hearts been broken, but I want to love, but my heart," back and forth, back and forth. Obviously, there'd be no book if she learned her lesson right away, but the same lesson was being shoved in her face over and over and over, and it took her forever to finally learn to do something different.

I also would have liked more development on her story with Hercules on Mt. Olympus. In the beginning, she's worried about spending eternity with him, by the end she (fucking finally) admits she loves him, but we get no glimpse into that love on Olympus.

And HOLY FUCK, WE GET IT! Meg's nickname for Hercules is Wonder Boy! Omg it was said like 60 times in the first 30 pages.

Book Summary:

After Hercules proves he's a true hero and regains his godship, all seems right in the world. That is, until Zeus tells Meg that she can't be with Hercules because she's, well, mortal. Luckily, Hera has a solution, offering Meg a chance to prove herself worthy of a spot on Mt. Olympus--as a god. All Meg has to do is complete a mysterious quest.

The mission? Oh, just to rescue her ex's current wife from the Underworld. The ex-boyfriend she saved by selling her soul to Hades. The ex-boyfriend who immediately moved on to someone else while she was stuck in the Underworld. Can Meg put her past behind her and use her quick-wit to defeat monsters and gods alike, including the nefarious Hades? Will she finally figure out her place and contribution to the world? Or will her fear of commitment have her running away from an eternity of godhood with Herc?