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Emily Roberson
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Lifestyles of Gods & Monsters Kindle Edition

by Emily Roberson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 108 ratings

Greek mythology meets the Kardashians in Emily Roberson's Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters, a fresh, fast-paced debut young adult novel about celebrity culture, family dynamics, and finding love amidst it all.

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?

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  1. Print length
    343 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Farrar, Straus and Giroux
  4. Publication date
    October 22, 2019
  5. Reading age
    14 - 18 years
  6. Grade level
    9 - 12
  7. File size
    1.3 MB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Roberson largely sticks to the original myth, and its more twisted aspects fit neatly into the cutthroat contemporary reality TV universe, where exploitation is the name of the game and ratings are everything. . .A fresh new twist on an enduring myth.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Roberson expertly modernizes Greek mythology with a very Kardashian twist.” ―Publishers Weekly

“A creative and fast-paced retelling of the Minotaur myth that is both loyal to the original story and rife with thoughtful commentary on the modern phenomena of social media, celebrity culture, and surveillance. . .The concept is endlessly intriguing and its execution is dark, salacious fun. A novel mix of The Hunger Games, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and Greek mythology that will draw in former Percy Jackson fans looking for a more grown-up read.” ―School Library Journal

“This myth with modern trappings will have no trouble hooking an eager audience.” ―Booklist

“Readers familiar with the myth will appreciate updated revisions to old characters and the book’s empowering twist in Ariadne’s heartbreak. . .Brings a modern, engaging humor to the ancient classic.” ―The Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books

“A reimagining that could engage a new generation of readers to appreciate Greek mythology and re engage readers familiar with the stories to appreciate the story from Ariadne’s perspective.” ―Tor.com

“Steamy, witty and heartbreaking, Emily Roberson has given us a fast-paced love story and family chronicle set in a world that ingeniously marries Greek Mythology with today's celebrity culture.” -Marit Weisenberg, author of Select and Select Few

“An absolute must-read...Roberson’s retold Myth is a beautiful combination of modern and classic, reinterpreting and shifting the meaning of the term ‘monster.’” ―Paperback Paris

About the Author

Emily Roberson has a master’s degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, with her family. Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters is her debut novel.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07K6CWYBF
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrar, Straus and Giroux (October 22, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 22, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 343 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 108 ratings

About the author

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Emily Roberson

Emily Roberson

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Emily Roberson has a master’s degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, with her family. Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters is her YA debut.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
108 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and easy to read, with one mentioning it makes for interesting class discussions. They appreciate its unique approach to mythology, with one review highlighting its modern retelling of the Minotaur myth. The plot receives positive feedback for its intriguing twists and turns.

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9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and fun to read, with one mentioning it makes for interesting class discussions.

"Crazy, Incredible, Insane, Beautiful, Masterful, Breathtaking, Bonkers, and well I don't know what else to say about this book...." Read more

"...Bend to the will of the gods or chart their own path? It is great fun to read if you know the myths and a super cool way to encounter one of them..." Read more

"...This book has enough Greek mythology to make it educational and will be perfect for students to use to compare and contrast...." Read more

"...darker grittier side of her characters which makes this a great book for adult readers as well as YA! I can’t wait for a sequel🤞..." Read more

7 customers mention "Retelling"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's unique approach to mythology, with one customer highlighting its modern retelling of the Minotaur myth.

"...This book has enough Greek mythology to make it educational and will be perfect for students to use to compare and contrast...." Read more

"...your family tried to capitalize on that. I love that the story is modern. I am not a big mythology reader but this story made me love it...." Read more

"Loved this! Thoroughly enjoyed the retelling if the myth, and was pleasantly surprised by the plot twists...." Read more

"A modern retelling of the myth of the Minotaur - complete with paparazzi, romance, and reality TV in the context of a story of loving against..." Read more

5 customers mention "Plot"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as intriguing and crazy, with one customer particularly appreciating its twists and turns.

"Crazy, Incredible, Insane, Beautiful, Masterful, Breathtaking, Bonkers, and well I don't know what else to say about this book...." Read more

"...I enjoyed the twists and turns the book took and look forward to my students reading it as well...." Read more

"...The characters are well thought out, the plot is great, and you can tell Emily Roberson did her research to stay along with the actual mythology-..." Read more

"...Thoroughly enjoyed the retelling if the myth, and was pleasantly surprised by the plot twists...." Read more

5 customers mention "Reading requirement"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book smartly written and easy to read, with one customer noting it serves as a great middle school reading requirement.

"Crazy, Incredible, Insane, Beautiful, Masterful, Breathtaking, Bonkers, and well I don't know what else to say about this book...." Read more

"As an educator of teenagers, I appreciate the descriptive writing and the intriguing plot...." Read more

"...It's rare to find a book that's such a light and easy read, yet at the same time so dark and juicy!..." Read more

"...This book would be a great reading requirement for middle or high school English courses...." Read more

Modern Greek Mythology for the win
5 out of 5 stars
Modern Greek Mythology for the win
I happened to catch Emily Roberson at. A book signing in Barnes and Noble and overheard the premise of her book. I bought it on the spot, was thrilled to have her sign it, and devoured the whole thing in 3 days. I *love* Greek Mythology and this modern twist was incredibly well written, fun and clever. One other review mentioned how easy to read and yet dark and complicated the story is, and I feel like that is the best way to describe this book. I loved every minute of reading it. And will definitely pick up to read again soon!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Crossroad Reviews
    5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ!!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Crazy, Incredible, Insane, Beautiful, Masterful, Breathtaking, Bonkers, and well I don't know what else to say about this book. Roberson took the myth of the Minotaur, set it with out technology, and turned that sucker on its head. And the weird thing is it worked SO WELL!! I was blown away with how well this story blended in with todays society. I was then blown away again when I found out that this was her debut!! I mean look out readers because this is an author to keep an eye out for!!!

    This story about one girls quest to save her brother, stop the killing, and to play video games is one that I just can not stop talking about!! Just over 350 pages Roberson draws you in and locks you up while you learn about the inner working to the old world of Crete and everything to deal with the gods and how they punish those who don't follow the rules.

    Parts of this book will have you hanging your mouth wide open, wondering what in the world. (all in a good way though). It's just that crazy!!! I could not put this one down and I can not wait to pick it up again!!

    This one gave me the feel of the Hunger Games so much. And it worked so well.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Nell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Greek Myth as a Reality Show
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    What if...the gods and goddesses, the heroes and immortals, the virgins and monsters of stories we call the Greek myths were part of modern day reality shows? Ariadne and Theseus, both from wealthy families but every bit as star crossed as the Capulets and Montagues, fall hopelessly in love/lust in front of millions of viewers, their every move captured by the omnipresent cameras. They are beset with obstacles and tasks that they must perform. They must uncover the uncomfortable truths about their families and world. Will they overcome these and complete their journey? Together or separate? Change the narrative? Bend to the will of the gods or chart their own path? It is great fun to read if you know the myths and a super cool way to encounter one of them for the first time.
    Helpful
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  • Nikki (Take Me Away...)
    4.0 out of 5 stars Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2020
    Not going to lie, when I first heard about this book, I was really excited for it. I love anything with a mythology twist. But then I read the synopsis and I was less than thrilled. It sounded like the Kardashians acting out the myth of the labryinth. But it was much more than that.
    Ariadne has led 14 teens to their death in a maze with a minotaur for years. All the while for ten seasons, its been filmed. And no one has won yet. But then Theseus arrives and asks her for help. She knows she can’t help him, but she also doesn’t want to let him go. Does she help him and lose her family, or does she not and continue her life as she knows it.
    This was so much better than I thought it would be. I loved the contemporary twist to the legend. There were cell phones, cameras, and so much more. I thought it was going to be like The Kardashians or something. It was like a really, really muted version of it. And that I didn’t mind.
    As for the writing style and the narration, I really liked this one. I’m always amazed when I just know I won’t like something, but then I give it a try and I do. I always try to figure out why I thought it wouldn’t be great. This one was mainly the synopsis and the cover. Basically shows me not to judge and I know better.
    The mtyh was basically the very best part of this book. There’s hardly any books (if any) on this myth so it’s hella unique. And I really love the way it was told. If you’re aware of the myth (like I was) you may have already knew what would happen, but even knowing what was coming, I still found it enjoyable.
    This book was surprising for me. I’m not a fan of reality tv, but for this to be such a big part of this book, it was still interesting to look at the difference. Definitely isn’t my normal read, but I’m glad I read it nonetheless.
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  • harnh1
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read for all but especially teens
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    As an educator of teenagers, I appreciate the descriptive writing and the intriguing plot. I enjoyed the twists and turns the book took and look forward to my students reading it as well. This book has enough Greek mythology to make it educational and will be perfect for students to use to compare and contrast. I look forward to reading her next book. I hope it turns into a series. I know my students will love the romance and danger.
    Helpful
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  • Pen Name
    5.0 out of 5 stars Epic!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    WOW! This is not your textbook mythology retelling. This story is dark, complex and this is one dysfunctional family! Imagine if we lived in a world where heroes and monsters still existed! Then imagine that your family tried to capitalize on that.
    I love that the story is modern. I am not a big mythology reader but this story made me love it.
    My favorite books always involve characters that engage me- and Emily Roberson excels at bringing them to life. She doesn’t avoid the darker grittier side of her characters which makes this a great book for adult readers as well as YA! I can’t wait for a sequel🤞
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  • kdguice
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good light read with a good dark plot!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely loved this book! It's rare to find a book that's such a light and easy read, yet at the same time so dark and juicy! The characters are well thought out, the plot is great, and you can tell Emily Roberson did her research to stay along with the actual mythology- not just halfway dipping into mythology with a story about a reality show. If you're a fan of Mythology, Percy Jackson, The Hunger Games, or the Kardashians... this book is for you! Can't recommend it enough.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • R. Green
    5.0 out of 5 stars So good! Mythology teachers, take note!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this! Thoroughly enjoyed the retelling if the myth, and was pleasantly surprised by the plot twists. Teachers of mythology should add this text to their curricula; it would make for some interesting class discussions, about Theseus and Ariadne and the Minotaur, and more, about our society’s obsession with celebrity (and the things celebrities do in order to become—and stay—relevant). So good!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Diane Harper
    5.0 out of 5 stars Will make you want to read Greek Mythology!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A modern retelling of the myth of the Minotaur - complete with paparazzi, romance, and reality TV in the context of a story of loving against impossible odds. I couldn’t put it down. It picked up speed as the story unfolded. I couldn’t stop thinking of the characters when I wasn’t reading it. I loved it.
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