Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I had low expectations of this book, but I was quickly immersed in the story, loving the characters and the humour. Well written and I look forward to reading the 2nd book.
I really wanted to like this more, but I found myself zoning out during some of the story. The parts of the story that I really enjoyed were the bits about his grandfather, which bumped it up to 3 stars. Not sure that I'll read the second instalment
4.5 stars
Fun, queer fantasy story that was light but still a good and sometimes serious read
Fun, queer fantasy story that was light but still a good and sometimes serious read
Too much happening way too quickly. And the characters barely even question what's going on around them. I'm just not motivated enough to finish this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Violence, Car accident
Minor: War
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I found this novel to be a strange but intriguing premise. I mean it is set in Australia and when I look at the cover, it has somewhat Greek overtone (the statues and Greek pillars etc). I guess it was just a bit jarring however I note author's Greek descents and his tendency to write in with his culture background. As I have seen him at events and have also followed him on social media, I feel strongly that he was writing himself into this story. That this is one of those "book-I-wished-I-had-when-I-was-a-teen" for him; the protagonist called himself "super gay" and another character also regrets that he didn't come out earlier.
An easily likeable protagonist despite the slightly sad start for him but it is a novel full of adventure and growth. The prose is very lighthearted and quite humourous at parts however I'm just not a fan. It made an easy and fast read but it just didn't really "call" to me. I did like the plot & twists at the end though as with time travel in play, things get a little mind bending.
An easily likeable protagonist despite the slightly sad start for him but it is a novel full of adventure and growth. The prose is very lighthearted and quite humourous at parts however I'm just not a fan. It made an easy and fast read but it just didn't really "call" to me. I did like the plot & twists at the end though as with time travel in play, things get a little mind bending.
It was so good to finally get a ya fantasy set in Australia and be able to picture the places in the book because I’ve been there.
Also I was super keen to read this because I love Will Kostakis, who (unsurprisingly) remains an icon
Also I was super keen to read this because I love Will Kostakis, who (unsurprisingly) remains an icon
this!! book!! i binged it over two nights and like,,, woah. some parts were confusing with the whole timeline/s but the humour!!! there were some golden lines in this. it's ownvoices for the gay and greek rep, and these are both integral threads to connor's character. (also!! the fact that this book is set in australia.... yeah that checks out re: literally everything about connor and the way he just goes along with it)
overall a really sweet read, and i can't wait for the next one !!!
overall a really sweet read, and i can't wait for the next one !!!
Spoiler
the other thing i adored was the way connor went to that place and could only think of olly and this is an insight into how!! powerful!! friendships!! and losing them!! can be!! i just,,,, this meant a lot to me and i almost teared up because i have places like this with someone and it's like..... MORE PLEASE I WANT MY HEART TO JUMP OUT OF ITS PLACE
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
All sixteen-year-old Connor wants is his best friend back, until he discovers a trapdoor to a hidden god’s Sanctuary under his Sydney high school. When fellow trespasser Sally draws him into her quest to uncover the other hidden gods, the Monuments, it’s a distraction too good to refuse. As his adventure across Sydney and through time unravels, Connor is unsure who – himself and new love interest Locky included – can be trusted to protect humans from the powerful knowledge and malevolent powers the Monuments have kept at bay for so long.
The story winds through Sydney’s oldest schools, which are rendered with such honest detail that the reader finds the sudden appearance of the Monument’s Sanctuaries in their basements and underground study centres both plausible and all the more magical for their place amongst the familiar. In the vein of Rick Riordan and Neil Gaiman, Kostakis’s world is deeply embedded in its setting, allowing his fantastical elements to shine.
It's the characters who really make this novel. Bantering dialogue is present from the very first chapter and Connor’s narration drips with laugh-out-loud humour that brings his loose attitude to the forefront, grounding the Monuments’ lofty conflicts in real-world stakes and visions. Even Darroch, the huge rock-bodied Monument of the earth, has moments of dry humour and charming cluelessness about the world he helped create which bring the god to life on the page. The teenagers the true drivers of change and action, as Sally, Connor, and Locky are thrust into a web of enormous decisions, plots, and betrayals that affect their entire world. As Locky puts it, ‘The gods built the world and now we have the power to change it,’ and change it they do.
Although there are moments of exposition-heavy lore-dumping which slow the plot, this is an accessible and fast-paced story, perfect for new fantasy readers. The lore-dumping means every character’s motivations are made clear in their introductions – with the Monuments’ histories etched into the Sanctuaries – but Kostakis still manages to pull the rug from under the reader with unexpected twists and tangled timelines.
Overall, this is a vibrant, funny, hopeful novel in which a new generation shoulders the responsibility and power to change the world for the better and, despite their differences, manage to step up to the challenge together. It is a hopeful romp of a book.
slow-paced
A fun, romping adventure book! This felt more like a middle grade book than a YA to me, and would be perfectly fine for 8-12 rather than the 12+ age bracket. The main reason I say this is because there were a few things that were simplified and skimmed over that I felt would have been delved into a bit more, if this was aimed at a slightly older audience.
I liked the casual queerness of the main character and how his sexuality wasn't a Big Deal, and the love interest was adorably sweet and the relationship was cute to see unfurl. I would have liked to see a few of the plot points explored in more depth - everything felt a bit cartoon-ish with how quickly we jumped from event to event, and it would have been nice to linger more in some areas.
I enjoyed the author's previous novel more than this one, but I still thought this was some great fun and will definitely be picking up the next one!
I liked the casual queerness of the main character and how his sexuality wasn't a Big Deal, and the love interest was adorably sweet and the relationship was cute to see unfurl. I would have liked to see a few of the plot points explored in more depth - everything felt a bit cartoon-ish with how quickly we jumped from event to event, and it would have been nice to linger more in some areas.
I enjoyed the author's previous novel more than this one, but I still thought this was some great fun and will definitely be picking up the next one!