Review: So much fun!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 4, 2013
Wow--I absolutely loved this book! Originally I wanted to read it because of the mythology angle--as a junior high social studies and English teacher, I get to teach all kinds of mythology, and I love to read modern takes on the ancient legends. What originally sold me, though, was the fact that Eris, the goddess of discord was in it--how many novels can make that claim? There just isn't enough fiction out there with any kind of role in it for the deity who started the Trojan War, in my opinion. ;) After a somewhat slow start, I soon found myself absolutely hooked, and then the ending had me anxious for more...The blurb is a little misleading, because this novel is a lot more straight up urban fantasy than urban fantasy romance as it sounds from the description. There are definite romantic aspects to it, but much of the potential Cat/Marius romance remains just that--potential. I've got great hopes for later in the series, but this one is really more about Cat's journey--which just so happens to be with Marius--than their relationship together.Vegas is the perfect backdrop for a story involving immortals, and I thought it was interesting that apparently in this universe (unlike, for example, in Rick Riordan's) the supernatural and immortal world isn't completely shielded from the mortal one. When Cat and Marius are being chased down the Strip by a monstrous giant bird, the "regular" people can see it--and wisely, they flee. At one point, Pele, the volcano goddess, bursts out of the Mirage's waterfall--seriously, this couldn't happen anywhere but Vegas.I loved the blend of mythologies here--the poker game that is being played for Cat's soul includes the gods Eris (Greek), Maui (Hawaiian), Coyote (Native American), Puck (fae), and Loki (Norse). Originally Africa's Anasazi was a  part as well, but he left the table before the story began. Jamie Wyman does a great job of bringing all the different traditions together throughout, making it a really fun read.At times I was a bit lost--I'm not really sure why the players were so casual about handing their chips over to Cat, for one thing, and Cat's backstory drama left me a bit 'meh'--but in the greater scheme of things most of the plot threads were skillfully pulled together at the end, making for a satisfying read overall.Loved. Loki. Even if he looks nothing like Tom Hiddleston's version, he's just awesome in this book.The ending brings Cat a new--and hopefully exciting--beginning. I cannot wait to see where the author is going with this series!I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.