Solstice

by P.J. Hoover

Where Mythology and Dystopia meet...

Piper’s world is dying. Global warming kills every living thing on Earth, and each day brings hotter temperatures and heat bubbles which threaten to destroy humanity. Amid this Global Heating Crisis, Piper lives with her mother who suffocates her more than the chaotic climate. When her mother is called away to meet the father Piper has been running from her entire life, Piper seizes an opportunity for freedom.

But when Piper discovers a world of mythology she never knew existed, she realizes her world is not the only one in crisis. While Gods battle for control of the Underworld, Piper's life spirals into turmoil, and she struggles to find answers to secrets kept from her since birth. And though she’s drawn to her classmate Shayne, he may be more than he claims. Piper has to choose whom she can trust and how she can save the people she loves even if it means the end of everything she’s ever known.

SOLSTICE is P.J. Hoover's debut YA novel.

Genres: Dystopia, Mythology, Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction

382 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2013

About the author

P. J. Hoover first fell in love with Greek mythology in sixth grade thanks to the book Mythology by Edith Hamilton. After a fifteen year bout as an electrical engineer designing computer chips for a living, P. J. decided to take her own stab at mythology and started writing books for kids and teens. P. J. is a member of THE TEXAS SWEETHEARTS & SCOUNDRELS. When not writing, P. J. spends time with her husband and two kids and enjoys practicing Kung Fu, solving Rubik's cubes, and watching Star Trek.

Reviews

[Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies · Rating 1 out of 5]

Actual rating: 0.25 stars

I didn't think it could be done, but apparently the impossible has been accomplished: I've found a book that's worse than The Goddess Test.

"What's that?" You say? "How is that even possible?!" You ask? The Goddess Test has random-ass Greek mythology that's probably 0.67% true to the original myths, a martyred Mary Sue of a heroine...how can this book possibly be worse than that? Simple. I'll tell you how. With the addition of excruciatingly painful insta-love between not one guys, but two, and the inclusion of the most random dystopian setting ever. Oh, and a batshit crazy mom. At least Kate's mom was a sweetheart. I should have known when I read the summary. "An imaginative melding of mythology and dystopia." I really should have known better. Piper just displaced Kate on my trifecta of TSTL female characters.

The book sounded decent enough when I decided to start it; they always sound deceptively benign. Initially I was just confused, not too unfamiliar a circumstance while reading an YA attempt at a dystopian world. The premise isn't too far of a stretch, in the near future, Earth is going through a Global Heating Crisis. The temperatures have been terribly high, and everyone's panicking and freaking out.

"Someone shouts, “we’re all gonna die,” and people start screaming and crying. The sirens are still blaring, and the thermometer on the wall reads ninety-two...Maybe this will be the end of the world."

Ninety-two. Terrifying. The people living in Las Vegas are laughing at you right now. Actually, the temperature can reach as high as 120-ish. It all sounds terrible, until in real life I turn on the news and read that the Southwest area of the United States is going through a massive heat wave of ~130 degrees Fahrenheit. But I digress, because really, global warming is a serious, serious matter, although the way it is portrayed in this book makes it sound more comical than anything. The beginning pages is mostly about the panic that Piper's school and city is going through, and the oppression that she's suffering under her psycho-batshit protective mother, and it sounds decent enough until the insta-love begins, and doesn't stop for the rest of the book.

I have never read a book in which the insta-love and the overdramatization of it is as bad as it is in this book. Trust me, I am not exaggerating. It is excruciating, it is embarrassing, it is even more unbelievable than it usually is, simply because Piper is such a fucking dramatic whiny moron. She doesn't fall into insta-love with one character, but two. This comprises the majority of the plot for the first 100 or so pages. If I had not read the summary of the book, I wouldn't have the slightest idea of what direction this book was trying to accomplish because for the good beginning of the book. There. Was. No. Plot. Other than Piper notices cute guys, two of them! They both fall in love with her! They're really cute! Her best friend likes one of the guys! Oh! The dilemma! OVERPROTECTIVE MOM SUDDENLY GOES AWAY! YIPPEE! TIME TO GO OUT ON DATES!!!!!!!!

With Shayne: "When I walk into Social Sciences, there’s a new guy sitting right where I normally sit near the windows. His face turns to me, and his eyes are the first thing to catch my interest. They’re dark like chocolate and filled with shadows...He makes me think of mysteries and secrets...I stare at him because I have no idea how to respond. He’s looking into my soul and seeing my exact thoughts. It’s like he knows me. But I have no clue who he is."

With Reese: "'We're perfect for each other. I knew it the day we met.' He points at me. 'You and me…we're the same. Misunderstood. We’re like soulmates.'"

Keep in mind, these are quotes taken from right after she had met either of them. Looooooooooove.

"'Nice tattoo.'
Shayne is there outside the classroom. Waiting for me. I almost drop my backpack I’m so shocked by the sound of his voice. The way he says nice sounds like it holds a thousand different meanings, all of which I like. But the best part is he’s saying it to me."

ARG! I have a permanent bruise on my forehead right now from banging it against the desk as I read this book. Piper is so, so DUMB. She can barely string together two coherent words, and these guys just fall for her. They see into her soul! They claim to be her soul mates! They say they love her! WITHIN THE FIRST 50 PAGES. She is also ridiculously dramatic. Any little thing is interpreted as love, or rejection. There is nothing but black and white. Reese drops her off at her house after their date and drives off abruptly...Piper's reaction?

"I’m not two steps away from Reese’s car when it drives off. He’s left me, and now I stand alone in the darkness. I can’t help the tears that spring to my eyes. It’s like I’ve been dumped. He really left."

WELL, NO SHIT. HE DROPPED YOU OFF. SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY, GIRL? Ok. Back to the Goddess Test comparisons.

1. Randomized Greek mythology insertions. Hades is now Shayne. And he's terrifying. "His eyes light up, and sunshine bounces inside them, mixing with the red flecks, making them glow. They seem to pour out love. But not just love for me. Love for the people around him. Joy from the Elysian Fields." Excuse me, I feel the need to vomit.

Ares is now Reese. And Piper...Pipersephone? Things are so ridiculously random in this book. The weird setting of dystopia, the oddness of the mythology, it's not so much mythology as the author saying, oh, ha ha, I think I feel like using the name Hades in my book somewhere, let's bend the mythology to make it fit my needs. At least in The Goddess Test there was an actual cast of characters and a plot surrounding the myth, even if the myth is not true to the original. It feels like the plot and all portions of it were randomly drawn from a hat here. There is no reason and rationality to anything in this book. Oh, and apparently the Elysian Fields looks like a Lisa Frank drawing.

"The Underworld is a rainbow of unadulterated color.
Trees and bushes grow on rolling hills, and flowers of every size and color fill the spaces in between. Meadows of them—purples and yellows and even my favorite reds. Set underneath the tree tops are tree houses and hobbit holes and stone cottages."

2. Martyrdom. If I had a penny for every time Piper blames herself for her friend's death, I could buy a Frappuccino. I wish I could reach into the book and use a giant mallet to whack some sense into her head. I've said it a million times in books of these sorts: unless you are a serial killer and you actively had a hand in someone's death, their death is not your fault. Get it into your fucking head. Then she gets upset because a certain bully isn't going to paradise. Even if he's been a jerk to her, for the entire time they've known each other, "He’d been taking care of his sister when he died, and if that isn’t something that deserves paradise, then I don’t know what is." Because she knows so much better than the god whose job is to judge souls as they die.

[oliviasbooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

*** Oh, yes! There will be plenty of spoilers. *** But first, let’s have an authentic taste of the story:
"'I'm Shayne. Remember?' [...] 'We've been sitting by each other all year,' he says. I glance around the room and notice half the girls in the class staring at him. But he either doesn't notice them or doesn’t care. It’s like he only has eyes for me." ... and ...
"'I would do anything for you, Piper. Anything you want'. Reese won't take his eyes off me. 'If I can’t have you, it'll kill me.' My mind tells me this is not the standard first date conversation." ... and ...
"Tanni tightens the grip on my wrist. 'Only you can stop Global Warming, Piper.'"

When someone not so content with my uncommented one-star-rating accused me of being a jealous wannabe writer (it's true that I am still mourning the inexplicable disappearance of my masterwork, a novel in verse about flowers and blood-red rain composed and illustrated when I was three), an author basher (I have no reason to assume that P.J. Hoover is anything but perfectly nice) and an altogether horrible person in general (well, maybe, but I do love books and fluffy kittens), I noticed that I had promised to bash this very book a long time ago. I will to proceed to do so, and I have to emphasize, that my view on fiction is a very personal one and reflects only my very own taste in novels.

When I started reading the low-price e-version of Solstice, I had not read a single review and knew only what the Amazon blurb told me about it: I would be facing paranormally tinted dystopian young adult fiction about global warming, parallel worlds, triangle romances and a girl who has the power to change things. Well. Apart from the triangle hair in the broth I felt optimistic and thought: Mrs. Hoover, bring it on. And in the beginning she did bring it on. The setting in fact kindled my interest:

High School senior Piper lives an almost normal life in Austin, Texas. It’s approximately the middle of the 21st century and exactly 18 years after the official beginning of the GHC (Global Heating Crisis) had been proclaimed. Whereas the remaining population of the African continent has relocated to underground settlements, the Americans still try to survive on the surface. They spray themselves with heat-regulating gels, have a good, working emergency-shelter-system for smaller heat waves and large steel beams that support the growths of protein-based, glass-like domes, which keep whole cities under the lethal temperature level for days when necessary. Piper’s mother is a unhealthily clingy control freak, who calls in the middle of random lessons to keep tabs on her daughter’s whereabouts and safety. Piper herself has a "green thumb" – plants bloom and burst with seed like mad around her -, which is convenient since a lot of plants have gone almost extinct, plants in general struggle to thrive, and Piper’s mom makes as living by selling herbs and other rare vegetative stuff via mail-order – although she keeps moving herself and her daughter and her huge, tree-filled greenhouse "Botanical Haven" from place to place in order to avoid getting caught by Piper’s dad, a supposed eco-terrorist.

You might have noticed: By now we have crossed the barrier between a believable climate apocalypse and "paranormal-as-usual". After that all brakes fail and the novel runs full throttle into a superhuman-double-instant-love sequel of the Persephone myth featuring reincarnated and remodelled Greek gods: Piper opens a mysterious wooden box and releases a secret and slowly tickling, forgotten memories, two new, irresistible guys appear at school and fight successfully for Piper’s attention, strange women try to warn Piper concerning her fate as the planet’s savioress, people die, people resurrect, and Piper makes the occasional trip to the underworld.

I have to admit, the times Piper aka Perserphone explores Tartarus, Elysion and the Asphodel Meadows are actually rather vividly depicted and tickle the reader’s imagination the right way. If the author had written a non-anachronistic retelling, I possibly would have enjoyed it as much as Radiant Darkness, for example.

But, alas, the dystopian rehash included three major obstacles that made me passionately despise the novel as a whole: A) a set of intolerably obnoxious main characters, B) a web of gross, unhealthy and destructive interpersonal relationships sold as friendship, love or motherly care and C) the dirty – but admittedly elegant – trick of excusing the looming, manmade climate catastrophe as the reversible result of a personal feud between deities. The latter is, to me, an absolute, fat no-no in a work of teen-targeted fiction, because getting rid of our guilt and our environmental responsibility is an attractive idea which should never gain the slightest foothold in our minds.

A) A Spot in My Top-5-List of Disgustingly Weak Heroines
Piper is a very self-centered, whiny girl, who likes to sulk and to disregard urgent warnings. Other people’s happiness means very little to her when her own comfort is challenged. In addition, she is too stupid to understand that the souls living a tormented never-ending afterlife in Tartarus would actually have the means and the motivation to seriously harm her – her, the wife of the person responsible for their damnation. On top of that she is the shining poster child for a double-standard-girl: While she doesn’t muster the slightest hint of guilt after going on dates and indulging in heavy petting-orgies with her best-friend Chloe's crush Reese/Ares, because she had been seduced into wanting him by his superhuman pheromones, she is willing to resume her relationship to 'soulmate' Shayne only after the rumors about his supposed infidelity during the 18 lonely years, which she spent as a child who had no recollection of her real identity, prove to be unfounded. Piper’s mother Demeter is a frightening maniac. Spare love interest Reese/Ares is a jerk so mean, slimy, manipulative, condescending and vile that the heroes of Obsidian, Hush, Hush and Evermore appear harmlessly angelic in comparison to him. Shayne/Hades is the good guy, but oh so proud, bland and colorless. My pretty elastic imagination could not stretch far enough to imagine the combo of uncharismatic Shayne and spineless Piper deciding every single soul’s eternal future, being busy having sex or overseeing sand castle competitions in the Elysian Fields in between.

B) In the Name of Love and Friendship
My guess is that it is pretty impossible to transport the strange behavior, the exaggerated emotions and the dysfunctional relationships which are the norm in Greek mythology into a modern day setting. I snickered, when I consumed the rather ridiculous effort Starcrossed, but failed to see anything funny in Solstice. Here every relationship is founded on pure selfishness, but has the gall to call itself love or friendship. Demeter just wants to be always and forever with her daughter instead of just during the summers as had been negotiated with Zeus. The reason is not clear and not relevant. She risks her daughter’s life and the survival of a whole planet to reach her goal and she even stages the prerequisites for Piper’s rape by Reese to ensure that she gets what she wants; her daughter's unhappiness or her daughter's wish to be with her husband are completely inconsequential to her. Piper delays her best friend’s death because she herself would be lonely without her although she is told that Chloe's shot at receiving a place in paradise (Elysion) will be gone afterwards. Reese is one of those guys who are perfectly charming on the outside, but ruthless, unconcerned and violent behind closed doors. He manipulates his victim by magical pheromones and does not accept refusal. He says things like "I swear I'm in love with you" or "I’ll never stop. You are everything to me" and forces himself on Piper, who is a bit puzzled, but again and again flattered, thrilled and turned on. While the sexual encounter with Shayne is covered by the vague phrase "I’m with Shayne then and it’s wonderful", the kissing and the incidents of almost-sex with Reese amount to the romantic highlights of the novel. Everyone demands eternal commitment from Piper. Even 'soulmate' Shayne. I cannot say how many times I have read sentences like "Promise you’ll never leave me." In Solstice love is a concept firmly intertwined with the idea of possession instead of all the good things I would like it to represent. And I wondered how somebody like Persephone, who has a painful history of being bossed around by her mother and being imprisoned in her garden, is willing to give her word without hesitation. Still, the worst blow to me was Piper’s dad Zeus who tried to coax his daughter into finally giving in to Reese's/Ares' advances. Why didn’t she mate with her half-brother although he had lusted after her since the moment she was born? And if she wasn’t interested there was another handful of sons to choose from in the family. The term incest is never ever mentioned, not even by the conventionally brought up Piper.

C) Demeter’s Everlasting Summer Blues
I had already mentioned the "clever twist": Demeter managed to create uninterrupted summer in order to keep her daughter by her side and hid her from Zeus and Hades by burning and resurrecting her and by locking away her memories in a wooden box. And voilá: Humanity has a climate crisis to deal with. Usually I would be willing to applaud creativity regardless if the outcome was believable or not. But nowadays there are in fact people who deny that the melting polar caps are caused by our blatant abuse of the planet’s ressources. That makes me furious. Certainly, believing in fate or in inevitable warm periods and ice ages is much easier than the decision to change the way of things. Letting some gods take the blame suggests resuming blissful passivity. Especially, since these gods can make the problem disappear with a flick of their fingers. Maybe I am obstinate, maybe I sound like a party pooper. Yet, in my eyes this is not acceptable.

I do not recommend this book. But if you – unlike me - are addicted to stories featuring manipulative jerks, guy-dependent heroines, love triangles, utterly strange parents and horrible paranormal solutions to realistic problems, gorge yourself. You have the right to read what pleases you, not me.

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

P.J. Hoover has created a frightening dystopian world, and paired it with a plot full of fascinating mythological elements. It is unlike any other dystopian or fantasy novel I have ever read. This is a book that readers will have trouble putting down. You will find yourself craving the same answers Piper is searching for and unable to stop reading until you discover them alongside her.


Not only is the world in Solstice wonderfully developed, although a little nightmare inducing, but the characters are top notch. Piper is a protagonist that I liked even though I was a little put off by the initial bitching about her mom. Blame it on the mom in me. We never want to think we’re smothering our kids ;) As the plot progresses Piper’s bitching quickly becomes justified, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her because of the isolation her mother seemed content to keep her in. A little rebellion on Piper’s part is only expected. Plus mom was acting kinda creepy at times.


Over the course of Solstice there are also two boys competing for Piper’s affections. Reese who is much more aggressive about what he wants, and Shayne who seems content to let Piper set the pace. I’m usually all about the bad boys, but Reese scared the bejesus out of me! As I read I discovered this was for a very good reason. Love triangle? Yes. Typical YA love triangle? Not even close!


The writing in Solstice was also absolutely wonderful. The author did such an excellent job of painting a picture in this reader’s mind of the different places Piper was seeing and experiencing. It was so easy to conjure an image of Solstice’s backdrop, and most definitely heightened my reading experience.


I really loved Solstice and totally recommend it to fans of dystopian, fantasy or books with mythological elements. I look forward to seeing more from P.J. Hoover in the future! Solstice does contain scenes that might be a little mature or frightening for younger teens.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man oh man. I never thought I'd fall in love with the Lord of the Underworld, but I certainly did. I'm always up for a great twist on mythology, and Solstice was a hot (literally), sexy, exciting, and original story that kept me turning the pages--well, hitting the NEXT button on my Kindle--until the end.

[Maja (The Nocturnal Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Well this was a rather pleasant surprise! In Solstice, P. J. Hoover fascinatingly combines Greek mythology with a natural disaster/dystopian scenario. Her idea is breathtakingly original and her execution, for the most part, superb. There were times when the transitions between the two worlds weren’t as smooth as they should have been and they required a bit more patience and good will, but overall, worldbuilding is Solstice’s strongest quality by far.

On the outside, Paige’s world is in ruins. The global warming has reached alarming levels and the world is in the middle of Global Heating Crisis. Nothing functions as it used to and protecting people from the sun is everyone’s biggest concern. Heat bubbles regularly form over cities and cause people to suffocate.

But Paige isn’t just a girl in the middle of a natural disaster. Her ties to Greek gods and the Underworld are strong, even though she doesn’t realize it. It isn’t until she finds out the truth that the story really picks up. She then takes us bravely into the Underworld, across the river with Charon and straight into Hell in Hades’ arms.

Once we arrive in Hell and Elysian Fields, we are overwhelmed by vivid imagery P.J. Hoover provides. She has a great talent for succinct but effective descriptions that have a certain cinematic value. Paige’s first arrival to the Underworld was by far my favorite part of the book.

At first, Paige seemed far too bland for me to really like her, but as she discovered the truth about herself and the people around her, she became stronger and her personality really shone through, which made it possible for me to like her. I did struggle a bit with how she reacted to Greek gods showing up around her. She just took everything in stride, believed what she was told without a hint of disbelief. Hades and Ares, Charon and Cerberus, she accepted them all in a heartbeat, never doubting that they were real.

I also honestly think Solstice would have been a much better book without the love triangle, but for those of you who despise them as much as I do, I should point out that this one wasn’t as bad as most. Things were pretty clear from the start, and the third person was more of a nuisance than an actual threat.

Refreshingly enough, Solstice is a standalone, and it has one of the most satisfying endings I’ve come across in a very long time. After a lovely epilogue, we even get a bonus chapter that will leave an even bigger smile on your faces. I love it when authors do this since there are very few things I love more than basking in the happy endings of characters I’ve grown to love.

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books about Greek Mythology. To me it's all about capturing the ideas and beliefs of an ancient civilization. The stories have always held a particular spot in my imagination. It's been great for me to see books coming out that capture the Greek myths and bring them into modern civilization.

Piper lives sometime in the near future where the world in in perpetual summer. The temperatures soar and threaten all life. Many of the creatures and plants have died. Life revolves around escaping the heat and surviving it.

Piper lives with a very controlling mother. He mother doesn't want her to ever leave. She monitors who she is with and where she is at. They have moved many times to keep her away from her father. Piper has been lead to believe that he is a terrorist and a threat to her.

Of course, as in all good books, things are never as they seem. Piper is given a gift on her 18th birthday from one of the customers who come to their botanical nursery. She opens it and finds a feather. From that point on her world changes.

Two young men suddenly appear at her school and vie for her affections. They are both immortals in disguise. There is something about Piper that they want. She is not sure what it is, but is determined to find out. She is brought into a world of secrets and lies. Her future depends on unlocking her past.

P.J. Hoover's book is well written with a solid plot. I loved turning the pages and finding out what she had up her sleeve next. The romance seemed a bit creepy and obsessive, but I still liked it. The mother would have driven any person insane quickly. She kept the book moving at a quick pace that kept my interest. I must admit that I didn't start figuring out what was happening with Piper and her role in the mythology aspect until about 2/3 of the way through the book.

There is one section of the book in the Underworld that is a bit graphic for younger readers dealing with genatalia. That is my only caution to readers.

[Jen Bigheart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is HOT, like slap your goat hot! I literally drank like 27 water bottles while reading this story. I was completely swept away into Piper's scorching world from the words "buy now with 1-click." The Global Heating Crisis is in full swing and there is a looming threat that at any moment every single thing on Earth will die. Piper lives in Austin, Texas *fistpump* and the city is under a giant heat bubble. Temperatures rise to 130+ and the town is in panic mode. Piper's mother sits on the city council and she is called away on "business." You know what they say, When mamma's away, the only child without a father figure will play! Within a matter of days someone ends up dead, the heat dome collapses, and Piper gets a tattoo then lands smack dab in the middle of a good ole fashion love triangle.

We can call this a retelling or a mashup, but regardless, this book is awesome! You've got your romance, mystery, suspense, and even mythology. What's not to love? Well, certainly not Piper's controlling mother, but hey....nothing is perfect. We have two smoking boys, Shayne and Reese, that are hot after Piper. I love that she isn't sure which one to choose and basically follows her heart whenever she is in the moment with each of them. She makes mistakes with each and the steamy moments make Piper more real and believable. I also love Piper's devotion to her best friend, Chloe. Without spoiling anything, those two go through thick and thin with each other and it nice to see two girls putting their friend first.

I'll be honest, I am not a mythology buff so the story of Hades and Persephone was completely new to me. Does Hades really have a three-headed dog? Not so sure. Because I haven't read the original I can't compare to Solstice. Does it make me want to read more about Hades and Persephone? Yes! Does is make me want to run out and rent the 1981 version of Clash of the Titans? Done.

4 Stars!

[M.L. John · Rating 3 out of 5]

After eighteen years of endless summer, Earth is dying a slow, hot death. Oceans are wastelands of dead fish, deadly heat bubbles threaten to wipe out entire cities, and the soil is so desiccated
that plants are in danger of extinction. This is Piper’s reality, and her domineering,
overprotective mother makes it even more suffocating.
Piper’s best friend Chloe is her only outlet from the bleak reality within and without. However,
when Piper rebels by secretly opening a mysterious birthday present and getting a tattoo with
Chloe, she just exchanges her Global Heating Crisis nightmare for a mythological one.
Suddenly, Piper’s world teems with murderous, deceitful gods, legendary monsters, and
criminals damned to suffer eternal torments in hell. A creeping moss that only Piper can see
coats the skin of the people around her, and a woman with fog-filled eyes stalks her, insisting
that Chloe is about to die. As if all that isn’t enough, two gorgeous guys show up at her school,
both claiming to know her, and they both pursue her. And, strangely, they might be the key to
this mythical mystery.
The trouble is, Piper can’t resist either of them, even though they seem to be sworn enemies.
She’s falling for brooding, passionate Shayne and for seductive, rebellious Reese. Piper needs to
make a decision, and the stakes are high in ways she can’t even begin to guess.
Choose the wrong guy, and the uneasy boundary between the mythological world and the human
world will disappear, Piper will never learn the truth about herself or her family, and … all hope
for the future will be lost.
I actually finished this one a few days ago and didn’t write this review until today because I wanted to get my thoughts in order before I started it. To be honest, I beganreading it a long time ago, put it down, and then rediscovered it. When I picked it up the second time, I wondered why I had ever stopped. It was really an excellent read. But there was something about it I couldn’t read through.
The beginning of the book is hard science fiction. The world is post-apocalyptic in a way that my deep fears tell me the world could really end. Piper’s life is about heat and fear, with her cloying mother choking her as much as the Global Heating Crisis. When the book changes into a Greek myth based in the future, it happens with the same dreamy unbelievability with which such a turn would happen to a real girl. The setting is vividly built and the mythology is expertly woven. The way P.J used myth to explain trouble in the future the same way people explained trouble in the past was truly phenomenal. I think my real problem is with the boys and Piper’s relationship with them.
At the beginning I could see the appeal. Both gents were physically lovely and Piper’s mother was, to say the least, overprotective. A girl like that would love the freedom and attention such boys could promise. It was obvious to the reader, if not to the naive young protagonist, that these boys had something pretty unusual going on. And for quite a while that was interesting and fun. But when one boy was basically using magic to control Piper’s mind and the other one was blaming her for having her mind controlled, it left a very uneasy feeling in me. It reminded me a little of a rape victim being blamed for her victimization by the one who should most empathize with her. It is true that Piper got a little angry about that, but not as angry as she got about theoretically being cheated on. This whole thing should have, in my mind, been a lot darker and more outraged. The way she was treated by the villain was unforgivable, but the way she was treated by her “soulmate” was, in my opinion, even worse.
I’m having a hard time scoring this book, and I’ll tell you why. Without the romance plot I would have loved this. I can’t think of another book that made a modern myth work so well. The world was so, so good, and the twist ending was very well done. But the romance plot and its dysfunction was just about enough to turn me off of an otherwise great read. I want to recommend a talented writer to the world, but I do not want to recommend a sexist message to young girls. This kind of thing was rampant in Greek mythology, but why would we bother to set a book in a modern age if we aren’t going to drop some of those distasteful biases? I’m going to give it three stars out of five because of my own internal conflict.
In conclusion, I guess I will say this: if your kids are going to read this, please read it with them. There is a lot of value in this book, but it is missing one value that is very important to me. That value is a heroine with self-respect. I’d like to think that parental guidance will improve on the entertainment value I found here.
If you are interested in Solstice, the Amazon link is here: http://www.amazon.com/Solstice-ebook/...

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nose Graze — Young Adult book reviews

Excuse me, folks, black sheep coming through.

The first quarter of Solstice left me in a constant state of confusion. Very suddenly, the main character is develops not one—but two—insta-love relationships. I figured there was some bigger picture at work, but it was annoying because the relationships reminded me of those books where there's the plain, 'normal' girl and every guy in a 2 mile radius is obsessed with her. Because in Solstice Piper had never dated ANYONE, and suddenly the two hottest guys she's ever seen are asking her out and fighting for her affection, and she's so madly obsessed with both of them. I was just like, "Really?" And this went on for so long that I was starting to seriously wonder if this was going to be the entire book (and in a way it kind of was).

More than anything, I'd say that Solstice is a romance book, with mythology and sci-fi twisted in (rather than the other way around). Once you get to the end of the book, you realize that everything revolves around the romance. And for me, that became a huge problem because I wasn't sold on the romance. I didn't feel the chemistry between Piper and Hades and the other love interest was such a massive douchebag. I think the biggest problem was that the nature of the romance made it very un-relatable. Piper and Hades had been in love and married for years and years. But the Piper's true identity (Persephone) was lost and she became reborn, with no memory of Hades. So when Hades finally finds her again, he's still madly in love with her, but Piper doesn't remember who he is. But since they have all this history, they are sort of madly and 'instantly' in love.. but as a reader, I never saw that past relationship so when they started developing strong feelings for each other really quickly, I just saw it as annoying and dreaded insta-love.

I also think that Piper accepted the existence of the Underworld and the reality of Greek Mythology way too easily. It's like she got taken into the Underworld and just turned to Hades and said, "Oh I've heard myths about this place! It's real? Cool!" And that was it. Maybe in some way it does make sense, because deep down she already knew about the existence of the Underworld... but still.

And then almost every part of the story of Solstice was just so predictable and obvious. Like once we figured out that Reese was Ares, the God of War, I thought it was so obvious that Piper's mom knows him (and Shayne). But it took so long for Piper to catch up to that fact. When she finally did, I was just like, "Way ahead of you, girl." And then there's the whole thing with Piper truly being Persephone. Once again, I figured that out WAY before Piper did. As soon as I realized Hades was the main god in the book, I guessed that Piper was Persephone. Because let's be honest, a story with Hades in it is going to be about Persephone as well. But Piper didn't figure that out until the last quarter of the book. I just felt like I was constantly waiting for Piper to catch up to me.

Overall I'm massively disappointed by Solstice. It sounded like a fantastic book and got so many great reviews, and I'm so bummed that I'm a black sheep here. I wanted to love this book, and I thought I would because it combines so many elements that I love (Greek mythology, global warming, sci-fi, romance..). But I think the whacky insta-love-y triangle just ruined the book for me. It started so suddenly and was way too strong, and then dominated the whole book. I was put off by it from the very beginning. I literally think my face was contorted with confusion for the first half of the book, as I tried to figure out why we were dealing with two crazy cases of insta-love.

[Katie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper lives in a dystopian world where global warming is an uncomfortable reality. All things green and lush are now dead. Cooling gels are sprayed in public areas to keep body temperatures down; even though many people can get severe allergic reactions to it.

Piper's mom is pretty overprotective. She doesn't want Piper to get a boyfriend, have a boy over to do homework with, etc. Inevitably, Piper wants to rebel.

Shayne and Reese go to Piper's school. Seemingly, they've been there all year, yet Piper can't remember seeing them up until now. Shayne has a quiet, honest sense of mystery about him. He's laid back and cute. Really cute. Reese smells awesome, is completely irresistible and over all pretty amazing.

There're some weird things going on, too, though. Like, what's up with that box Melina gave Piper for her birthday? And what about Tanni, who doesn't have eyes and says some pretty creepy things? How come, out of nowhere, Piper's mom goes on an indefinitely long trip without Piper? And what's with these two amazing-looking guys (Reese and Shayne) who only have eyes for Piper?

Solstice was a book I could not (virtually) put down. I love Piper's world where mythology and reality coexist so naturally. And I definitely love the pace of the novel, the mystery, the urgency to see what comes next. It will always remain one of my favorites.

[Kristin]

Solstice is fascinating! This was recommended to me and I really didn't know what to expect. It completely surprised me. I got pulled in from the very beginning. Great writing, CLEVER story--a fantastic mix of dystopian and greek mythology that I recommend to fans of either.

[Bonnie (A Backwards Story)]

Check out a guest post from PJ Hoover regarding the dystopian elements in SOLSTICE at my blog here!

Love them or hate them, dystopian novels are what’s in. SOLSTICE, while dystopian, is the sort of book that even dystopian haters will enjoy. Because the dystopian setting is just that—the setting, not the focal point. Because it’s also a fantasy novel. Because it’s also a retelling of Persephone and Hades. Because it’s an epic romance. Because there’s something magical about it that doesn’t quite exist in any other dystopian novel. Even if you dislike the genre (or are just sick of it), SOLSTICE is a stand-out that shouldn’t be ignored.

One of the most remarkable aspects of SOLSTICE’s journey to publication is the non-traditional route it took. While sold exclusively as an e-book at a very affordable $2.99 price-point, the novel is NOT self-published. Yes, you read that right. P.J. Hoover has written several traditionally-published novels, including the middle-grade trilogy THE FORGOTTEN WORLDS, which revolves around Atlantis (Yes, Atlantis!!) and will be re-released with new covers in e-book and paperback format later this year or in early 2012. Hoover was the first Andrea Brown Literary Agency author to have a book launch solely as an e-book. If they had waited to traditionally publish, the novel wouldn’t be out until 2013, but it’s right NOW that both dystopian novels and mythology-influenced ones are hot and selling. Hoover has a great two-part interview talking about why SOLSTICE took this route (Part 1!, Part 2!). Because of the way this book was published, it still went through normal rounds of editing and received a professionally-designed cover, so it’s not riddled with errors the way some straight-to-e-book novels are. In fact, SOLSTICE is one of my Ton Ten Novels so far this year. It’s that good.

I think what draws me into the world of SOLSTICE the most is the fact that all of the characters feel so real, so alive. The romance is gorgeous and at the novel’s conclusion, I just wanted more books. I wasn’t ready to leave Hoover’s world. There have been a lot of books revolving around the Persephone and Hades myth this year, including much-buzzed about teen novels ABANDON by Meg Cabot (reviewed here) and THE GODDESS TEST by Aimee Carter (reviewed here). Both of those novels are the first in a trilogy that will explore the myth upon which they’re based. Some parts are truer to their mythological roots than others. But in both cases, the “Persephone” character was very by the book. She was forced to be with “Hades” against her will. SOLSTICE, on the other hand, offers a new way of looking at the classic myth. What if Persephone hadn’t been kidnapped? What if she’d gone to Hades willingly? What if the couple had been truly in love and there was a reason for her mother Demeter’s murderous rampage whenever her daughter went to the Underworld for half the year? This is the heart of SOLSTICE.

SOLSTICE takes place in a world where global warming has affected our climate to the point that it’s now referred to as the Global Heating Crisis. There is now year-round summer. Night-time is a “cool” 99 degrees (Fahrenheit) and an average day might be 113 degrees. After suffering this past week’s 100-106 degree heat wave, I would HATE living in a world where that’s the norm…at night. I’d melt faster than an ice-cream cone. It’s not until the temperature hits upward of 123 degrees that citizens have anything to worry about. There are designated cooling areas, a special cooling gel that gets sprayed throughout the day. There are also scary heat-bubbles. For example, “A real heat bubble means we could be stuck with deadly temperatures for weeks. The last time one of the pockets of hot air formed, the city was evacuated, and even then, almost a thousand people died. An evacuation is going to be nothing short of a disaster.” (Page 10)

There are special missiles to pop the heat bubbles, but they further damage the atmosphere and can kill. Piper (The novel’s “Persephone”) and her mother are against the use of these missiles, and we really get insight into her mother’s personality. She’s ultra-protective of Piper and doesn’t let her out much; she’s a true representation of Demeter in today’s world. She wants to keep her daughter at her side forever, despite everything, refusing to let her have a life of her own. When Piper starts noticing a boy in her class named Shayne, one she’s sat next to for a year but doesn’t recall previously meeting, her world changes and life as she knows it will never be the same again. Suddenly, she’s the center of a deadly love triangle between immortals, being courted by Fate, and in a world she never believed to exist.

Hoover twists familiar mythology together at a breath-taking pace for a page-turning adventure. Readers never quite know what’s coming next, and there’s always a new surprise in store. The mythology is flawless; I have nothing to nitpick about in that regard. The romance is deep and genuine. Shayne is Hades in a way that other novel retellings are unable to capture. SOLSTICE is officially my favorite version of Persephone and Hades, and one of my favorite mythological-retellings PERIOD. It’s that good. Even if you’re not a fan of e-books and don’t have an e-reader or tablet, this is one worth downloading and reading on your computer or your phone, especially at the $2.99 price point. Solstice is that good. I promise you won’t regret it!

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: This book is CALIENTE! HOT… HOT… HOT….

My Rating:5 Hot Blazing Suns!

My Cover Thoughts: The artist for this cover really kicked BUTT! There is this beautiful girl standing over earth looking into the horizon. You get this feeling like she is talking the sun and asking why it is so hot here on earth. The sun is shining on her face and you get a glimpse into what she is thinking.

My Thoughts/Review: Okay let me first start out by saying I really did not think I was going to like this book. I read the blurb and thought okay Global warming crisis in a book? WTH! But boy oh boy does P.J. surprise you with a story of a lifetime! I so loved it from the moment I opened the first page to the very end. The neatest part of the book was that it wrapped Greek mythology with a dystopian twist! This book is caliente and for those of you who don’t know that word it is hot…hot…hot…

The ultimate question you have to ask yourself is what would you do for love? How far would you go, to the ends of the earth? Would battle someone or something to get that love back?

Okay so here goes the review, Piper is a girl who is sheltered by her mom. She lives a life of loneliness except for her best friend Chloe. Then on her eighteenth birthday things change for Piper. She gets rebellious and gets a tattoo with Chloe of a Greek word standing for Sacrifice, θυσία (thysía). Soon after she gets her tattoo with Chloe she meets Shayne which she knows she has never seen before but she feels like she has known him her whole life. She is instantly attracted to him and wants to kiss him. Then comes along Mr bad boy Reese who is HOT times 100 and bad to the bones. Reese asks her out on a date and she says yes. She is afraid because her mother told her she can not date so she will have to sneak out and Reese says he will help her do that. There’s only one problem Chloe is in love with Reese and wants him all to herself. What is a girl to do?

This is a story of love and loss and finding your true self. It’s about sacrafices friends make for one another and how true love can stand the test of time. You will not be disappointed after reading this book. In fact it left me wanting more and I just have to find out what happens between Piper and Shayne and also Piper and Reese. Happy Reading because I know I did.
Memorable Quotes: Page 39 Reese and Piper are on a date. “You’re smiling.” Reese reaches across the table and takes my hand. I’ve set my wine glass down, freshly filled and only a sip taken.
He’s right. I am smiling. “Is that okay?”
Reese flashes his teeth, and in his face, I see Shayne. I try to bring Shayne into my thoughts,but he won’t come. He’s slipped out of my mind; there’s not room for both of them, and right
now, I’m totally occupied with the overpowering presence of Reese.
“You are totally sexy when you smile.”
I know my face must be bright red, but his comment only makes me smile more. “You’re not
so bad yourself.” And it’s true. Reese has been perfect. Funny. Gorgeous. Reckless.
“I love you.”
His words stop my breath.
“I swear I’m in love with you.”
My eyes manage to find his and lock onto them. I’m sure he’s joking. But his eyes aren’t
laughing. The blue’s darkened, and the emotion behind them makes me hold my breath until I
realize I’ve stopped breathing.

Advice: Hot Summer Must Read!

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

ETA2: At bottom of review.

ETA1: Originally reviewed on Touch the Night in June 2011.

Solstice has a pretty interesting setup. The world is basically on fire. They've had to learn to live with 113 degree Fahrenheit days, barely getting relief at all at night. This is where we're introduced to Piper. A young woman, seventeen, still in high-school, Piper is raised alone by her mother - never knowing her father.

When she meets two young men at school, who make her feel things she's never experienced before, things really start to change. Shayne shows up in one of her classes - saying he'd been there all year - and Piper feels an instant connection. She meets Reese through a mutual friend, and is irresistibly drawn to him, even losing a bit of her better common-sense when he's around.

I don't want to give away too much, because the story is pretty intricately tied to the mystery of who everyone is. Though this is set up as a dystopian/mythological story, and I can definitely appreciate how P.J. Hoover was trying combined them, it's much more a mythology or paranormal story.

The beginning is firmly entrenched in the dystopian aspect of the world though - a world dying from global warming, and that's really the impetus that drives it. It's fascinating seeing what humans in Hoover's world have come up with to combat and survive the heat. I wanted to know more, dig deeper, understand better.

It does begin to get bogged down a bit, losing some of the interest when we're put more through the paces of introducing the mythological aspect. And without saying anything to spoil what it is essentially a retelling of, I will say that if you have even a rudimentary knowledge of classic myths you'll recognize these characters fairly early on. What kept me reading from that point was to see if there were going to be any unexpected twists thrown in. There weren't.

Solstice is an interesting story that sometimes gets lost in the details. I would recommend it for younger readers (middle-school and up) as I do think it's an interesting way to retell this particular myth (which has always been one of my favorites). I look forward to reading more of Ms. Hoover's work in the future.


**ETA**
Something I completely missed on my first reading, but have since realized - thanks to my friend Khan's review - is that though the dystopian world is interesting the author hasn't taken it through to its completion. The character talks about extreme heat...of 92ºF, or 121ºF. Um, I've experienced heat like that. Hell, it can hit the 100s in Wisconsin. Trust me, if we can handle that here, with our 30ºF below zero winters, anyone should be able to. I'll still give it 2-stars, mostly for the attempt.

[Julie Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about this book other than it is one of my favorite books of 2011!! It's definitely one of the best books dealing with mythology that I have read. I never thought I would say this, but I really want to meet Hades, the King of the Underworld! PJ Hoover makes the Underworld sound like the best, most happening place in the world!

From Goodreads: "Piper’s world is dying. Global warming kills every living thing on Earth, and each day brings hotter temperatures and heat bubbles which threaten to destroy humanity. Amid this Global Heating Crisis, Piper lives with her mother who suffocates her more than the chaotic climate. When her mother is called away to meet the father Piper has been running from her entire life, Piper seizes an opportunity for freedom."

Piper has always been controlled by her domineering, uber-overprotective mother, and now that she is 18, she has had enough. She starts to rebel, with the help of her best friend Chloe, starting with getting matching Greek tattoos that Chloe picks out for them both. And then things start getting really weird, really quick. She meets two very hot guys (both of whom have apparently been at her school all year, although she has never noticed them before), and they are both vying for her attention. She has no idea that they are both Gods, and while Earth is suffering from global warming, the Underworld is in chaos as well. She has some part to play in all of this, but all she is interested in is finding out who she really is and why all of this is happening to her. Everyone else seems to know, but nobody will tell her.

This is a truly awesome book full of mythology and a girl trying to discover her own identity in a world that is dying. PJ Hoover has a way of giving you everything that you want, and tons more that you didn't even know you wanted! This is a quick, easy read because it keeps your interest from the very beginning, and it moves from one thing to the next seamlessly. The pace is perfect, and the characters are very well developed. There is definite character growth, which is missing in a lot of books that are quick reads. The characters are not sacrificed for the plot, which is a definite pet peeve of mine. There are some great twists and turns, and I was constantly kept guessing about what was going to happen next.

In summary, this is a really great book that I highly recommend to all lovers of YA, fantasy, and mythology. I give it an enthusiastic 5 stars :D

Of note, there is one part of the book that mentions the male genitalia, something to keep in mind for the younger readers out there.

[Emily Loveall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I stumbled upon this author on a blog (The Bookshelf Muse), and the first thing that caught my eye was that cover. Great job to whoever did that! I read a couple sentences of the blurb and got the sample from Amazon.com. But I really had no idea what it was about other than the dystopian setting of the global heating crisis. So, going in, I had pretty much no idea where it was going, and it was really cool reading it that way! Reading without any preconceived notions, just enjoying the book for what it was - great writing!

Enough about me - onto the book. It starts off as a "typical" dystopian, introducing the reader to the world of the future. Piper's world is stuck in the Global Heating Crisis. It's been summer for eighteen years and there's no end in sight. There heat bubbles, cooling gels, little air conditioning, missiles to dispel the heat bubbles, domes to protect people. It's a fascinating world that probably could have been a novel in and of itself, but then we start to see inklings that there's more to Piper and her family than meets the eye. She receives a mysterious box for birthday present. She meets a guy who says he's known her for a year. P.J. Hoover soon pulls you into a world of mythology with finely crafted language that constantly kept me wanting more.

This book was addicting! When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about when I'd have time to. When I was reading it, I was forcing myself to slow down. The world is so vivid; it's like I could feel the heat. There were lots of twists, and it kept you guessing (although I knew what was up about two thirds of the way through, and I was yelling at Piper to get it). It's so imaginative, too. I want to see this on film. I think it would be awesome. I'm definitely not an expert in Greek mythology, but my high school was pretty big on it, and I loved revisiting some of those myths and also seeing a new take on them.

There were times when Piper seemed to passive, but overall, I liked her. She grew into herself, for sure. There were some great characters and concepts. I liked the author's take on the Underworld.

I really, REALLY liked this story. I recommend it for any young adult or dystopian or mythology or Indie readers. Or just anyone, really. It's a very enjoyable read, and I can't wait for more from this author. I hope she writes a sequel. I'd be all over that.

[starryeyedjen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review also appears on my blog: The Starry-Eyed Revue.

Wow. I was really excited to read this story, but I'll admit that I had doubts as to how the author was going to tie mythology into a dystopian-themed novel. Consider those doubts assuaged. This is more of a mythology-themed novel with a dystopian setting, and the author threaded the mythology into the storyline seamlessly.

Ah, the setting. How apropos is it that I started reading this story on my Memorial Day trip to Austin, TX -- my second home after Dallas -- the very city that is home to the main character? And how very clever for the author to use the overwhelming Texas heat as the apocalyptic threat. I felt right at home from the very first chapter. But the heat isn't just limited to Texas or even the U.S.; no, it's a global threat, one that no one knows or understands how it came to pass.

The author also created a very relatable character in Piper. In the beginning, she's just an average girl who's led a very sheltered life thanks to her overbearing mother and lack of a father figure, but that all changes when she opens a mysterious gift on her 18th birthday and learns that things are not as they seem and that her life is not what she once thought.

If you remember your mythology from school, you'll probably be quicker to figure out what actually happened to the Earth and even to Piper. The author provides hints, but even with those, I felt the overwhelming desire to reference my copy of Edith Hamilton's Mythology. I think the mythology of this novel, rather than the dystopian elements, were what pulled me in and kept me reading late into the night.

This novel is thrilling, full of secrets, desires, choices, and danger. It left me completely satisfied but still hoping to learn more about Piper's world and the choices she makes.

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading dystopian novels and when I found out this book had Greek mythology in it, a topic I'm fascinated and in love with also, I jumped at the chance to read/review and be a host in P.J. Hoover's Blog Tour. I have to admit, this book is more Greek mythology than dystopian world, but it ties in together nicely and you can see the result of one due to another.

It's been so long since I've studied mythology I had to go back and read the tale that this story retells. Hoover does a great job of bringing a classic Greek tale into modern light, sharing this story with new and young fans. I loved all the references to mythology and how she stayed true to their stories, while adding her own twist to it. She turned all the classic gods into modern day people that we wouldn't give a second thought about, but could easily be swayed to love or hate either way. I also highly enjoyed the intimate, steamy moments that Piper shares with Shayne.

One thing I didn't really get was how quickly everything unfolded. The book has over 40 chapters, but they are relatively short and everything unravels in a matter of pages. It was a bit slow at first, as most novels tend to go, but once Piper's past is revealed, things come spilling out of the woodwork. It doesn't really deter you from the book, and it's a good book, one that left me wanting to revisit the world of mythology and rediscover all the ancient tales of the gods.

P.J. Hoover did a great job for her first leap into the Teen/Young Adult realm and I'm looking forward to a sequel to this great book!

[Laura Pauling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the combination of mythology with global warning. I found it a unique premise and I loved the world building of the Underworld.

At the start, I was a little put off by the instant attraction that seems so prevalant in YA these days. But as the story moved on, I really enjoyed Piper and her voice. Piper has plenty of mysteries in her life and as she tries to figure them out, she makes decisions - and not always the right ones. I love that those decisions come back to haunt her. By the end, Piper is so deep into dealing with her own mistakes that the internal and external conflict is sky high!

A well written and well plotted story that you won't regret reading.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've mastered the art of skimming now.

[Crystal ✬ Lost in Storyland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solstice is the best mythological-based book that I’ve read all year!

The events of Solstice take place in the future of Austin, Texas, where 99 degrees is the new low. The effects of global warming are becoming a reality with heat bubbles taking large numbers of lives and Austin’s government worsening the global warming issue instead of helping. Piper’s mom is on the council and disproves of the way the council handles the situation, but she doesn’t speak up. Instead, she’s satisfied working with her plants at Botanical Haven, their private greenhouse, and overshadowing Piper in her obsessive desire to monopolize her daughter.

As the story progresses, Piper realizes that there are secrets surrounding her identity. She has always believed that her father is a criminal, but now she learns that her mom lied to her. Melina, a frequent customer at Botanical Haven, gives her a mysterious box for her birthday. And the two new guys at school? Well, everyone else believes that Reese and Shayne have been there all year, and so do they, so she goes along with their ideas.

When I learned Shayne’s true identity (the first that you’ll discover), I’ll admit that began to think that this book would turn out to be just another one of the up and coming mythology books. However, P.J. Hoover introduces yet another twist to her dystopian novel: the fact that Piper is one of the gods.

Once the gods step in, this story becomes less dystopian and more mythological/paranormal as Piper uncovers clues as to whom she really is. I’ll tell you this. While I was disappointed that there wasn’t more focus on impending world doom, it made me fall in love with the story all over again. Piper doesn’t go on action-filled quests to save the world, but she does discover her identity—and along with it, she finds love. It’s not destiny, nor is it not forbidden love (excluding Mom’s daughter complex). It’s pure love.

I must say that the ending left me feeling empty. Hoover does give us a feel for how events will turn out: Piper finds her rightful place, and we have a feel for what will happen to the “bad guys.” However, the bad guys have yet to be judged, and anything could happen. She also leaves us the question of whether or not the balance in the world will be righted. The book would have been all right by itself since Piper’s back in her rightful place, suggesting that everything’s all right now, but… there’s a sequel, which means more trouble for Piper. Which means I expect answers in the sequel!!

P. J. Hoover turns the gods and goddesses into very realistic personalities. Hades is moody, mysterious, yet caring and responsible about the Underworld, which he rules wisely and justly. I enjoyed looking at the three areas of the Underworld through Piper’s eyes. Cerberus is so very doggy and lovable. Ares is cruel and arrogant, the very manifestation of the God of War that he is. Aphrodite is manipulative and vain. Zeus is easygoing and open about his affairs. As for Demeter? Well, you see another side to her that you’d never think to see. And it’s interesting, real, and adds spice to this story.

Solstice is a real page-turner of a novel. I couldn’t stop reading it from the moment I read the first lines. I recommend Solstice for readers looking for a good mythological read, a story of true love, the journey of self-discovery, and some steamy scenes with hot gods.

[Yvie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a very big fan of Greek Mythology – so much so that as a kid in high school, I spent weeks making a Medusa mask out of paper, bin liners and paint. So when Solstice landed in my hands and I read the summary, I was very, very excited.

And this book did not disappoint.

We meet Piper in the middle of what could be a very real situation for us all in a few years. Austin, TX is in the middle of a global warming crisis. The temperatures are in their hundreds and there is an appointed committee trying to find ways to solve it – albeit their methods are not always the best ones. Add to that an overprotective mother who calls her numerous times a day, doesn’t let her out of her sight and definitely doesn’t allow her to see boys; and we have a female lead who is close to suffocating in more ways than one. It’s up to Chloe, Piper’s best friend, to help Piper have a bit of normality in an otherwise abnormal lifestyle. Add two very prominent males – the tall, dark and handsome Shayne; and the blue-eyed, blond-haired Reese – to Piper’s life and complicated is taken to whole other level. And when Chloe’s life is threatened, Piper discovers a whole realm of secrets that sends her life into a tailspin.

But where’s the Greek Mythology element? As Piper soon finds out, her life in Austin is far from ordinary and as Chloe is on the brink of death, Piper discovers that the Underworld and the Gods that run it are very much alive and well and fighting their own crisis. Throughout Solstice, we are introduced to some of the most well known characters of the Underworld including Charon, Minos, Cerberus, Radamanthus and of course, Hades. And without giving too much away, we also encounter some of the gods residing in Mount Olympus, some of whom are not quite what they seem.

Piper soon discovers that her connection to the Underworld is far more complex than anyone could imagine and she is the key to not only solving the global warning threat; but also the crisis that is threatening to destroy the Underworld empire. She also has to deal with the the complication of being attracted to Shayne yet unexplicably drawn to Reese, in addition to fighting against her mother’s rather extreme wishes. With three people depending on her to make a decision that could change not only her life, but the future of the ‘world’ itself, the question is, which path will she choose?

There are many elements of this book that gave me what I call an ‘OMG’ moment. I gasped at the unexpected and grinned on many occasions as the story progressed. The twists are in no way predictible, and that’s what gives this book a sense of originality in a highly populated genre. At the heart of the book is a story of love, friendship and betrayal and you don’t have to be knowledgable in the world of Greek Mythology to fall in love with the story or the characters. And like every good book with male love interests, you find yourself wondering which side you should choose – ‘To Die For’ Shayne or ‘Bronzed Adonis’ Reese. Me? I’m Team Shayne all the way.

This is a story that you will simultaneously want to devour in one day, yet savour chapter by chapter. I already have made plans to read it again and again and again.

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review posted at Amaterasu Reads

In Solstice, the world is dying, and Piper's in the middle of the slow devastation of the Earth. She'd seen the horrors of what the extreme heat can do in Austin and everything the government does worsens the Earth's condition instead of helping it get better. On top of that, she's been under the shadow of an overprotective mother all her life, and they're running away from a father she didn't really know. What Piper isn't aware of is that the secrets that surround her may also be the key to saving the world she'd live in all her life. But Shayne and Reese, the two new guys at school hounding her, make it seem like choosing one over the other makes it a matter of life and death not just for her but for her home.

For all her flaws that were made obvious throughout the book, Piper is a likeable character. But I did have a hard time relating to her especially when her feelings just swings back and forth easily between the two guys. When she was with Reese, she longs for Shayne and when she's with Shayne, Reese would randomly pop up in her mind and she would swoon for him. However, her almost instantaneous shifts of feelings shows the readers the struggle within her.

P.J. Hoover was able to mold mythological characters into believable teenagers of today. If Gods and Goddesses were certainly living in modern times, this is how I thought they would behave. The modern Ares still possess the arrogance of the God of War, and Hades retains his somber, withdrawn but strong qualities that made him the Lord of the Underworld no matter what time he is in. I do think I fell in love more with Hades, with the addition of Charon as well as Cerberus who will also charm the readers!

Though I wish for more emphasis on the fact that the world might be ending, to feel more urgency that it was indeed falling apart, P.J. Hoover was able to make it an integral part of the story strong enough to make it a driving force that moves the plot along.

I loved every single moment I've spent as the plot unravels right before my eyes, piece by piece, one secret at a time. Solstice is a page turner, a story that you just can't put down, can't stop reading until you reach the end. Readers will journey through the depths of Hell together with Piper, and face the terrifying fact that the world is on a meltdown of huge proportions.


Reminiscent of P.C. Cast's The Goddess of Spring, Solstice is a Young Adult novel of intense romance in a modern world still surrounded by myths, Gods and Goddesses. The world about to come into an end serves as a great backdrop of an olden tale with a modern twist. Solstice is a fantastic blending of mythology and dystopia and true to its word, they did meet.

I highly recommend this book to fans of mythology based books who are searching for something new, something romantic and intense and hot, with lovely writing and a great flowing pace!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I love to gush about good books but this time you're getting a geyser!

Author P.J. Hoover has written a thrilling, twisting-turning story about Greek gods living in the near future - two of which are fighting for the love of Piper. Piper's seemingly dull, sheltered life erupts into a fast-paced journey back and forth between the Underworld and her present-day teenage life. To say it was a journey of self-discovery is putting it mildly. P.J. Hoover BLASTS you with a shocking surprise about her main character and has you wondering night and day if she'll end up with Shayne or will Reese trick her into his arms? Oh, wait - maybe Reese is who she should be with? Idunno - I'm with Piper, one minute I'm certain, the next not sure. All of creation depends on her choice. And for you adult-teenagers that love YA, Hoover ads just enough steam to keep the romance real and earth-crackin' hot.

And the settings - the seemingly-dystopian world (or is it really suffering a dystopian effect?) Piper keeps you imagining the heat, the protective domes over the city, and the urgency of seeking shelter from the sudden heat waves all give your imagination a work-out. Add to it the other happy/creepy she visits to the Underworld and you will be in fiction-opia yourself!

And the Mythology - while I don't worship Zeus, I always loved Mythology - aren't they really just stories that we share with centuries past? Strong characters built in- imaginative stories passed on for generations to enjoy. I love that P.J. Hoover has resuscitated them and brought them new life - making them relevant in modern times. A refreshing change from vampires and dystopia.

An added thumbs up to the fantastic writing here. She kept me so engaged - I read this on my phone! This was my first experience reading an e-book through and I read it everywhere - at baseball practice, at work during lunch, and even after work at 1:30AM. Dr. Seuss would have write a rhyme about me! I can't believe I got this much entertainment out of a $2.99 download that took me only seconds to purchase.

I can't say it enough don't throw away another $4.99 to rent a movie - download this book! Your summer reading list is begging you to put the cherry on top!

I give Solstice 5 stars ***** in Orion's belt!

You can find Solstice at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and RootsInMyth (pjhoover.blogspot.com) Also, if you are like me and can't get enough - you can sign up to receive a scannable trading card with story-extras. We're talking fun now! You have got to see these cards! Tanni (creepy-girl) and the beautiful Chloe and her beaus Shayne and Reese and more. See RootsInMyth at pjhoover.blogspot.com for a chance to receive a card.

[Sarah Kalaitzidis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I wasn't planning to read it any time soon, but my kobo messed up and poof here it is and I've read it. I knew it was going to be about Mythology, but what I didn't know is that it would be about Greek Myths and that the author would take it on a whole new level. A world going into a massive heating crises and the gods are the cause, with a twist as to who. I was so drawn into this book I even told my friend about it who loves Greek myths.

The Characters are so well written in the terms of the gods, my friend knew what god was which way before I learned it. The way the author describes Ares is hot but can't compare to the Ares from the show Xena. He is so drool worthy, I had a major crush on him when Xena played on tv. To bad he died in a horse accident before the show was over. Though believe me when I say the Ares in the book looks nothing like Ares in Xena.

Anyways Piper the main heroin in the book is both strong but weak towards her mother. She wants to rebel but her mother is so smothering not letting her go out or even date. I hate her mother so much because of how she acts towards her daughter, not letting her breath with how close she hovers. Though you learn later why that's the case. Chole Piper's friend is annoying, she knows the dangers and ignores it. I couldn't stand her at the beginning and I still couldn't stand her at the end. For Hades I had to think hard on not picturing the guy from Xena. The way the author described him he is so hot, especially the eyes. It would be so cool to have his eyes!

The romance is really slow, she had to choose between two boys, which cause her to struggle to pick one. She had a connection with one but the other she felt drawn to him like she couldn't turn away. She had to realize who she is first before anything went further. Though when it does it's sweet and romantic and I would give anything to be in her shoes.

The plot was great, everything fitted well, the plot worked out for the best. Though I gotta say this book went further then I thought a young Adult book should go. A few times when they described Aphrodite, I was just so surprised, not to mention how there was also a penis described in it as well. I just believe it's a bit more then just a normal Young adult book with all the references. Doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it though, I'm just saying the way they described stuff is way beyond a normal YA book hehe!!.

[Mishel Forte · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: 4/5 stars!

I know dystopian novels are becoming a huge trend in the YA genre. But I don’t think I’ve come across any that interweave mythology into its pages. I’m a big fan of mythology related books and I have tons of dystopian novels on my TBR list so I was immediately interested in reviewing Solstice when I was asked. Solistice is a very unique, entertaining, and well written book that I think will be very successful in the YA world.

Global warming is a very real and scary thing and P.J. does a superb job detailing the effects of the Global Heating Crisis happening in Piper’s world. The heat was beyond oppressive and having something similar happening to the Earth was forefront in my mind at all times. I’m not a big fan of heat. I’m not happy with anything really over 85 degrees. With temperatures never really going below 105 in the novel I could only imagine how horrible it was to live in a world where water and a/c use was monitored and rationed and where cooling gel was sprayed on you every time you went outside. I actually don’t know how I myself would adapt to a world like Piper’s.

The mythology part is more closely entangled with the love triangle within the novel. I did have a hard time at first transitioning between Piper’s world and the Underworld when it was first introduced. My brain didn’t really come to terms with putting the dystopian and mythological parts together cohesively. However, I was quick to become engrossed in each part of the book. The love triangle between Shayne, Piper, and Reese is so much more than a typical love triangle. It isn’t just two boys fighting over a girl. There is a huge power struggle between the two boys and Piper’s feelings towards each are passionate and very intense. I loved that P.J. didn’t tip-toe around Piper and her feelings. She’s torn between Shayne and Reese and as the pieces of her past start to come together she’s left feeling confused, frustrated, and afraid.

I loved the characters and I loved how the dystopian part of the novel tied in so well with the mythological part in the end. Solstice is highly original and a really great read that combins so many great elements together. I think a lot of people are going to really enjoy the book and what it has to offer the YA genre!

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first read this was a dystopian meets mythology book, I was so unsure how it would all come down. I'm still not sure I would label it as dystopian because at the beginning, it seemed like it was, but then when you find out what is really going on, it really is more mythological. Right? Because the reasons for the Global Warming have to do with mythology.

Anyway, no matter how you label it, this book turned out to be one of the most compelling books I've read in awhile. Talk about a page turner! I polished it off fast and I've been thinking about it for days. I really loved the face paced nature and the tension in this book. I enjoyed how the story gradually unfolded to me. The underworld was fantastic and I swear I could picture it like a movie in my mind. Having lived in AZ for years, I could even feel the heat! :) I thought Piper was a fabulous character, real and caring, yet strong too.

Here's my trouble with the book, and I realize that I'm not going to be in the majority with this way of thinking. The dude in the underworld that grabs his penis and throws it around? Really? Was that needed? All that talk about it was just unnecessary for me. I didn't even think it needed to be there to accomplish the goal of the scene. The other thing was when it talked about Piper's nipples getting hard when "he" touched them. (wouldn't want to give too much away here) Another thing I just didn't think was helpful to the book's progress. I wouldn't want my young teenager to be reading that. Can't we just leave it at kissing?

Ugh, for me, if you leave out those couple of things, I would be raving love about this book. Those things just make it a bit icky for me. There was also some mild swearing and frequent profanity.

Having said that, I will say that P.J. Hoover has a real talent for writing. Her story here was such a good one and I really enjoyed reading it. I love books that leave me thinking about them for days to come. And I love when a book can pull me into it. Not all books can do that.

[Felicia Chien · Rating 5 out of 5]

E-Book: Solstice by P. J. Hoover
Pages: 189
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Greek Mythology, Romance

Short Synopsis: As the temperature continues to rise, the world is in a global warming crisis. All the while, a young girl named Piper, is caught up in her own problems. She has a controlling mother, two new love interests, and a best friend whose about to die.

My Thoughts: I’m usually not a fan of dystopian literature, but I was totally intrigued by this book, and absolutely adored it!
In this novel, Piper has a best friend named Chloe who convinces her to get a tattoo. While at the shop, Piper encounters a mystical being, otherwise known as fate, who declares that Chloe will die. Piper doesn’t believe it at first and denies she even heard anything. But as the days continue on, she is forced to deal with the horrible truth.
She also meets a boy named Shayne whom she has an immediate attraction to, but is also caught with the attraction of another boy named Reese. As both boys continue to vie for Piper’s attention, Reese shows Piper what it’s like to be on the wild side, while Shayne helps Piper with the situation of her best friend.
But Piper soon finds out that not everyone is who they say they are. Piper must choose between Shayne and Reese while learning that her mother has also been deceitful to her.
This book has it all! Action, romance, drama. I was fascinated by this book from the beginning. It was interesting to see what the world might be like one day, if the issue of global warming got too out of hand. Being a fan of mythology myself, it was also entertaining to see how Hoover described the Underworld. Overall, I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading more from this author.

Would I recommend this book: Totally!

Rating: I give this book a 5/5!

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the statement in the book synopsis "dystopia meets mythology" I wondered how that was going to mesh. The two aren't typical partners. However, the author certainly entwined the two naturally and wonderfully.

I found myself immersed into the dystopian society quite easily. Given that Global Warming is a (no pun intended) hot topic of today, the next level of disaster as a Global Heating Crisis was easy to buy into. The measures taken to combat the heat, the UV etc were imaginative yet seemingly plausible. Once the Mythology portions took root, the story became even more intriguing as I tried to piece together what one might have to do with the other. Greek mythology is a passion of mine so I absolutely enjoyed it being brought into the story.

The relationship between Piper and Shayne seemed to materialize rather quickly, but given the storyline later on, it's no wonder. Quickly I grew to adore them and became invested into their future. Their love was natural and clearly they are soulmates. Surprisingly I adored Charon from the beginning. Charon was written with such a warm, compassionate essence - a father like figure - rather than the cold, repulsive and fearful persona I recall, which I found entirely enjoyable.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. Certainly worth reading!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating is more of a 4.5.

This book was intriguing and once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I loved the mix of the Mythology and the Dystopian world.

The reason I only gave it a 4.5 is I wanted more of the Dystopian world. The world sounded incredibly interesting and while parts f the world were described, the world building was just not quite all the way there. The parts that are described (and some of the technology) is fascinating but parts left me wanting more. There are also places where I don't feel all questions were answered by the end of the book.

The rest of the book was a page turner and kept me hooked. I loved Piper and Shayne together. What I thought was a fast relationship was explained although you have to be patient and go for the ride. Overall a very enjoyable read and I hope P.J. Hoover has more books coming out.