Review: Oppression (Children of the Gods #1) by Jessica Therrien

Title: Oppression

Series: Children of the Gods #1

Author: Jessica Therrien

Genre: YA, paranormal, Greek mythology

Publication date: February 28, 2012

Published by: ZOVA Books

Source: For review

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Synopsis:

Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She's been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than the average person, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she's closer to eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal. For Elyse, these things don't make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she's been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability. Or so she thinks. Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her for a long time. Among so many of her kind, she should not be very remarkable--except for the prophecy. Some believe she will put an end to traditions, safeguarded by violence, which have oppressed her people for centuries. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning--and she's not entirely willing to play by their rules.

My rating: ★★★★★
Elyse is not a normal 18-year-old girl. In fact, she isn't even 18! She is 89 years old but looks 18. Why? Well, its simple, really: she ages slower than a normal human. Plus, she has the very cool ability of healing! At first, Elyse doesn't know why she is the way she is, her parents never explained it to her before they died. And then she meets William...the lovely, charming William *sigh*

Thanks to him, she learns that she is not the only one with these rare gifts...there are a lot of others out there just like her! They are known as Descendants...descendants of the gods and goddesses from ancient Greece. Pretty darn cool, right?

However, this isn't the only thing she learns about herself. Elyse also learns that she is part of a very important prophecy that will change the world and the way the Descendants live. Elyse doesn't know what to do...she was just thrust into this world she didn't know about and now they expected her to save them?? That's a bit too much to ask of her.

On top of that, Elyse has a very sick human friend. Yes, Elyse can heal, but to heal her friend means to give up her own life. Will Elyse risk her life, future and her newly found love for someone she really cherishes? Elyse has a tough decision to make, but which one will it be?

Oh this book...well, what can I say, I'm a total sucker for anything Greek mythology and this book was just amazing!

I liked how we learned about Elyse and her world along with her, about all the different (and cool) powers each individual possessed. I've always said that if I were to have some superpower it would be healing, which makes sense since I want to go into nursing...plus my favorite Greek god is Apollo, the god of medicine and healing (plus several other things!) I loved seeing all the familiar (to me) Greek god names. However, there was one I had never heard of! She was the Greek goddess of safety and I already forgot her name, lol. I know it starts with an S though!

Anyway, William's power is pretty cool too. I totally knew who his ancestor was, hehe.

Oh William...anyone know where I can get a William just for myself?? He such a great guy, sweet, charming, gorgeous... *sigh* Elyse is very lucky to have him.

One character that really surprised me was Kara. At first I thought she was going to kill Elyse because, well, that's what she does. But through out the whole book she was a conflicting character. Both Elyse and I were debating whether she was a friend or not. And then at the end...what she did...wow.

Romantic, suspenseful, funny, and action-y...a story definitely worth checking out! I sooo cannot wait for book 2!

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a comment! :)