REVIEW of "Solstice"

Solstice by P. J. Hoover

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: cross between Dystopian and Greek Mythology
Age recommendation: over 16
Description from Goodreads: 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 and is the first front-list novel to be independently published by an Andrea Brown Literary Agency author.
My thoughts:
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 genitalia. That is my only caution to readers.

I received this book to review through my participation with Pump Up Your Books blog tours. 

Come back tomorrow where I will be having an Author Interview with P.J.!