Heaven Sent (Goddesses Series #1)

Publishers Weekly

Hantman's (Hey, Day!) flighty tale (which begins, "Oh, poop!") launches the Goddesses series, starring a trio of Zeus's daughters. They, along with six other sisters, are known as the Muses. At the prodding of their vindictive stepmother, Hera, Zeus banishes practical Polly, innocent Era and headstrong Thalia from the heavens as punishment for a prank. Though the aging god intends to send them to the Athens of 423 B.C., he bumbles his order and instead the teens land in Athens, Ga., in 2001. Tapping the comical potential of their predicament, sassy narrator Thalia gets the story off to a spirited start, as the sisters initially confront clothing fads, modern appliances and the lifestyle and lingo of contemporary mortal high school students. The author successfully interjects several incidents reminiscent of slapstick alien routines (on the first day of school, ravenous Era bites into a candy bar without removing the wrapper), yet the gag soon grows old and the narrative becomes repetitious and sluggish. Thalia discloses her relationship with her best friend and suitor, the love-smitten Apollo, in flashbacks, and intermittently offers flippant snippets of Greek mythology ("I have eight sisters total, so there are nine of us. We're Goddesses of inspiration, Goddesses of the arts, and a real kick at parties"). Unfortunately, they may not be enough of a kick to hook readers on subsequent installments of their earthly exploits. Ages 10-up. (Feb.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

This refreshing book brings mythology into modern day and at the same time, helps teach a life lesson. Thalia, Era and Polly are the daughters of Zeus. They have been sent to earth in Athens, Georgia, year 2001, as a punishment for some events that occurred on Olympus. In order for each of them to return home, they must learn the life lesson that their father has created for each of them and go to high school. However, they are not the only ones going to earth—thanks to Hera who sends the evil Furies. When the girls begin school, Polly meets Tim, is smitten and a friendship develops between them based on their love of poetry and music. This friendship is quickly ruined because a group of snotty girls nicknamed the "Backroom Betties" have created a plot to take Tim's attention away from Polly by embarrassing her in front of the whole school. Polly is miserable, so Thalia and Era take her to the local hangout to cheer her up, which is quickly spoiled because the "Backroom Betties" are there and so is Tim. He sings a song that Polly wrote for him, which upsets Polly. Thalia is mad about this and has a feeling that she has seen the "Backroom Betties" before, then discovers that they are the Furies. A game of control begins between Thalia and the Furies with their magic, which causes Tim's voice to sing and then not sing. Polly decides to help Tim and realizes she has met her challenge to make decisions for herself and feels good about it. The angry Furies leave to plot out their next nasty plan. The author creatively incorporates two storylines into one throughout, which helps explain why Thalia, Era and Polly are sent to earth. This well written book is not too deep, is enchanting andlight-hearted. It is sure to generate reader enthusiasm for the next book in the "Goddesses" series. 2001, 17th Street Productions, $4.99. Ages 10 up. Reviewer:Christy Oestreich

VOYA

How did three of the Greek Muses ever end up as high school students in Athens, Georgia? This first book in a new series, Goddesses, is as cute and frothy as its characters, Era, Polly, and Thalia. Thalia, betrothed to Apollo, has no desire to marry and spoil all her fun. She devises a plan that promptly backfires, infuriating Hera and Daddy Zeus. As punishment, Zeus banishes the three conspirators to Earth. Unfortunately, he makes a slight miscalculation and the girls are propelled forward in time to 2002, ending up in the wrong Athens. Hera sends the Furies along to create trouble and tension, and they do it well. High school scenes are believable; all the requisite groups are represented. Many denizens of Olympus are mentioned, giving a quick introduction to Greek mythology. The story starts in the middle, with some chapters depicting the current situation, while italicized chapters, narrated by Thalia, fill in all the background details. Goddesses #2: Three Girls and a God will continue the story as Apollo follows the Muses into the future. Younger teens intrigued by Greek mythology will get a kick out of this light yet engaging new series. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P M J (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2001, HarperCollins, 192p, $4.99 pb. Ages 11 to 15. Reviewer: Roxy Ekstrom SOURCE: VOYA, February 2002 (Vol. 24, No.6)

KLIATT

Greek mythology enters the 21st century. Based upon a contemporary premise (three girls trying to survive Athens, Georgia's Nova High in 2002) and sprinkled with fantasy (time travel from Ancient Greece to the present), this captivating series stars Era, Polly and Thalia. They are three of the nine Muses of Greek mythology, otherwise known as Erato (goddess of love poetry), Polyhymnia (goddess of sacred poetry) and Thalia (goddess of comedy), daughters of Zeus, and Mnemosyne (Titan goddess of memory). In the first volume, Heaven Sent, the trio plots to foil Thalia's arranged marriage to Apollo (leader of the Muses). Not that the humorous, prank-pulling Thalia dislikes Apollo, but she would rather remain single, become a huntress and go to battles. Marriage to Apollo would stand in the way, unless Thalia puts The Book of Hades' Secret Spells (which she stole from her wicked stepmother, Hera) to good use. How can she resist? With universal conflicts, such as how to get along in a crowd, what to wear, father problems, stepmother interference, puppy love, sibling rivalry, peer competition and more, Goddesses transcends time. The thoroughly modern Muses continue to tear up the 21st century in Three Girls and A God. Banished from Ancient Greece as a result of a prank in Vol. 1, Era, Polly and Thalia haven't yet earned their return home to Olympus. None of the muses have mended their ways; they broke the rules by using magic and are in jeopardy of failing high school. What's worse, the Furies (disguised as the Backroom Betties) report the Muses' every move to their stepmother Hera, who is ready to commit them to Hades forever if they slip up once more. Unfortunately, thegirls are too caught up with dreamy-eyed boys and the latest fashions to keep their eyes on the Furies. Seeing that his daughters need a little help from above, Zeus allows Apollo to appear in disguise. Can Apollo be any match for the Furies? Once again, Clea Hantman captivates with a fantastic combination of mythical and modern characters and a plot with age-old, yet universal problems. (Goddesses series, #1). KLIATT Codes: J—Recommended for junior high school students. 2002, HarperCollins, Avon, 172p.,
— Lynne Remick

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-Three Muses, Thalia, Era, and Polly, give their deity Daddy, Zeus, a rough ride after hexing their stepmother, Hera, with a "makeunder" from Hades. Zeus doles out severe punishment by banishing his girls to time out in Athens, GA, as modern-day high school students. The only way back is for the teens to pass their father's test and defeat age-old arch enemies, the Furies, who have likewise enrolled in Athens High. This tale, winding teenspeak around Greek choruses and legends, will appeal to hip adolescents up for a new take on an old tale. The story, while modest, develops easily around its simple plot and promises follow-up titles in the series. Characters are engaging and footnotes help update readers on classical genealogy. Blending magic with girl power, this novel is a clever marriage of two genres-myth and contemporary teen novel-and a fresh addition to YA collections.-Lisa Denton, Oneida-Herkimer School Library System, Utica, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.