The premise of this book immediately intrigued. While I don’t love reality TV show, I thought reading about it would be interesting. You have to give Emily Roberson creativity points for her ability to mix the modern vanity with the brutality of the myths and reveal how they overlap. Ariadne felt a little too “not like other girl’s” and her relationship with Theseus felt a little too “instalove” for my tastes. These initial feelings were ultimately balanced by the dramatic plot and suspense. Most of the characters were difficult to like in the same way viewers dislike reality television stars. Viewers hate them but they can’t help but continue watching. In my opinion, Roberson delivered an intriguing story and that is what matters. I would be interested in a sequel which I think is a good sign of a story well told.

A super fun, perfectly weird read. It's unlike any YA fantasy I've read in a long time. For the originality alone, I gave it 5 stars, but it was a fast, light read with a sweet romance subplot that I know will appeal to a lot of teens.

I’m not sure how many people have gone through their Greek Mythology Phase, but I definitely had one. I gobbled up the myths and heroic tales as fast as I could get my hands on them, so this book, and it’s a hot modern take on a classic myth really drew me in.

Roberson’s faithfulness to the original myth is always present. In her author’s note she does mention that she switched some of the order of events, but that she tried to stay as true to the story as possible, and it’s clear that she wrote “Lifestyles” with the original story in mind.

As I was reading, I kept on thinking about the sensationalism of the love story between Ariadne and Theseus. But what I really loved about this book is how humanizing it was for the Minotaur. Because the Minotaur is the product of a torrid love affair between Ariadne’s mother and white bull sent by the gods, we know that the Minotaur is Ariadne’s little brother, but that's always glossed over in the myth. Knowing this creates a connection with the monster. It humanizes him in a way the original myth can’t and makes the death of the minotaur all the more tragic.

Roberson takes the time to carefully craft a modern telling full of fake reality television and what would happen if social media existed in the times of heroes and legends. However, while the setting is rich and admirable, Ariadne falls flat, and too an extent so does Theseus. Ariadne's passive status in the book makes it really hard to fully root for her and Theseus despite the fact that you should want to root for them to come out on top in the end.

Overall, it's a good story, but its change to modern reality TV keeps it just interesting enough for you to read. Overall, I'll recommend it to readers who find that the Greek Myths are excellent fodder for drama and angst.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My reviews are spoiler-free and unaffected by the free copy.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to put this on my DNF pile at 52%. I honestly wasn't expecting to do that. I love re-imaginings and re-tellings of classic stories. I love Greek mythology. This book sounded like it was going to be perfect for me. And at first it was pretty interesting. But as I got farther into the story the more I started to dislike what was going on and disengaging from the material. I didn't want to read anymore, and I don't like forcing myself to keep going when I'm not enjoying a book.

The book was pretty promising at first. It put a lot of humanity into this classic myth, especially concerning the relationship with Ariadne and the Minotaur. I felt that the updates were interesting because it made some commentary on reality television and social media fame while also staying true to the spirit of these kinds of myths.

But unfortunately that's also where it started to lose me. I know that this is a pretty common theme in Greek mythology, but it was still not great reading when Ariadne had no choices when it came to anything. She had no choice in her attraction toward Theseus, or to her role in the maze competition. And since I'm familiar with this myth, that made me lose interest super fast. Maybe something new is done with this later in the book, but I just couldn't muster up the desire to keep going and find out.

I feel like if this was a more original idea, I would've stayed invested to see what would happen. Or if Ariadne was a more interesting character. At the point I stopped, she was pretty bland. Her connection with her brother was probably the most interesting thing about her. Since this is in her perspective, none of the other characters are fleshed out enough to make them compelling. Again, this might change later, but it sucks when halfway through the book none of the characters really draw you into the story except for the Minotaur, who I know isn't going to be featured until later.

It's certainly an interesting way to re-tell this myth. But if anyone wanted to read a good re-telling of Greek myths, I'd tell them to go to Rick Riordan.

What a creative, fun, and unusual book! With an over-the-top social media focused game show (both gruesome and glamorous) combined with the myth of the Minotaur and its elaborate labyrinth, Emily Roberson led Ariadne and Theseus to their fates in a way that was true to the myth while creating an entirely new world for them. Additionally, Ariadne's relationship with the Minotaur was so well developed, full of tenderness and heart, which made the story all the better (and unexpectedly sad in certain moments). Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters was such an enjoyable and unique read.

OMG, I love Greek Mythology, and the modern retellings of the myths. This book was great, it follows Ariadne and the reality tv show Labyrinth Contest. I usually do not enjoy reality TV, however this book tackles this subject very well, the book brings the characters into life with the tv show. Love it, I can't wait to introduce it to my book club.

This book was such a fun and innovative take on the story of Theseus, Ariadne, and the Minotaur! I loved the anachronistic updates to the myth, and I think teen readers will be drawn in by the exciting twists and turns of this story.

I just finished this book lastnight. I enjoyed it alot! This retelling of The Minataur in a modern setting is a must read. The story is complex and follows the myth closely. Ariadne finds herself wrapped up in in her family reality tv stardom and there are momets where the story touches on the darker sides of tv stardom. The meshing of Modern and Myth andI would highly recomend this book!

I'm a big fan of reimagined mythology/fairy tales, and Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters was definitely a fun read. Retelling the story of Ariadne through the (almost literal) lens of a reality show, this novel made me think of a combination of Keeping up with Kardashians/Hunger Games but more centered on Ariadne herself and her love of her brother. An easy book to devour in a couple of hours, I'd recommend it for anyone interested in a light retelling of a mythological story. I'd read another book by Ms. Roberson anytime :)

Ariadne is a princess of Crete, younger sister of two of the biggest reality stars in the world, and the masked Keeper of the Maze on the world's most famous show--the Labyrinth Contest. Every year, fourteen of the bravest and most beautiful teens from Athens are sent to find their way through the maze and face the Minotaur at its center--all for the people of the world to watch. Ariadne has managed to keep herself out of the limelight her whole life--until she starts falling for Theseus, prince of Athens, and son of Crete's greatest enemy.

Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters was a fun, quick read that teens will enjoy whether or not they already know the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Some of them will be unsatisfied by the insta-love between Theseus and Ariadne, but that's how it goes in the myth (on Ariadne's side, at least), so it didn't bother me too much. The author's worldbuilding was great, and the debauchery of Greek myth meshed perfectly with the debauchery of modern reality television. I know a lot of patrons who will LOVE this, and it's a definite purchase for our collection.

I absolutely flew through this novel inspecting Greek mythology through a reality tv lens. Seriously, how brilliant is framing the Minotaur and the Labyrinth as a deadly game show? Not to mention the layers shown in Ariadne's sisters, who serve as pawns in their own Kardashian type show. Definitely one you'll want to hand to your book club.

Greek Mythology has never felt more relevant than in this modern retelling. Everything that is extreme is entirely believable in our modern paparazzi and celebrity culture. The king and queen of Crete, their three daughters, and the Minotaur feel like the Kardashian family. Nothing is too strange as long as their TV show ratings are up. Even the queen’s brief obsession with a bull, 13 years ago.

Ariadne is the youngest princess and not at all interested in being exploited by the media for money like her two older sisters (from sex tapes to a reality tv show). Or participating in the family’s annual tournament where 14 contenders face the Minotaur and die—every year. But she has to, because to save someone she loves, she has to please the gods.

Theseus is one of the contenders from Athens and a prince. His back story is just as twisted (and believable). He’s there to kill the Minotaur and stop the yearly deaths of the contenders. He’s attracted to Ariadne and asks for her help. But can she betray her family?

Hunger Games meets Percy Jackson in this unforgettable retelling, where the old feels entirely new.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review #LifestylesofGodsandMonsters.
The Greek Mythology of the book was one of my favorite parts. Using these myths as a family that is entertainment value for a contest and incorporating monsters, mazes, and danger made it fresh with a creative spin. The main character is faced with many choices along the way, but tends to not really make any choices until it comes down to her father. It made me a little sad how she has great flair in the book, but lets circumstances dictate the choice rather than herself. Overall, I think that it is a interesting take on Greek myths and legends. Young adults will enjoy the competition and adventure aspects of the novel.

I was super into this concept. Reality TV isn't something I personally enjoy, but I'm endlessly fascinated by the concept and the culture surrounding it. So when I heard that there was a Kardashian-esque retelling of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, I was all in baby.

Roberson created a unique world in Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters. A fantasy world with modern technology is something that not a lot of book are willing to tackle, but I think Roberson did a really great job at. The world of Crete was familiar, but accentuated to the point of parody. The royal family as reality stars, games shows that double as death matches, kings that are CEOs of media conglomerates. It was all very creative and developed to the point where I could've read about this world for hours at end. Or, at least I thought I could.

Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters has the same problem for me as Once and Future by Cori McCarthy and Amy Rose Capetta had. It feels like it's constrained by the mythology rather then growing within it. It felt like Roberson was too focused on sticking to the plot points of the myth rather then building the actual story. And at the end of the day, this is literally just the Theseus and the Minotaur myth with a unique world and a female perspective.

Speaking of female perspective, I found Ariadne to be...bland I guess. She's the same character model we see in almost all stories centering around a famous family. She doesn't want to be in the spotlight, she misinterprets her family's love of fame, she thinks it's all frivolous and stupid, and I just found it tiresome. Ariadne starts and finishes the book with the same mentality, just an additional hatred for her parents. She doesn't really go through substantial change and most if not all her actions are made for her. She doesn't choose to help Theseus. She doesn't choose to help kill the Minotaur. She doesn't even choose to leave. She makes no choices throughout the book, which is odd considering one of the main themes and plot points is her being forced into a situation she doesn't want. She's a particular brand of passive character. Active enough for readers to be engaged, but after a few days of thought realize she's a largely passive individual. Her only real action was actually betraying her father, but only after it became the only option.

Personally, I found her sisters more interesting if only because they seemed a bit more layered then Ariadne. Trapped between their very real love of what fame gives them versus the cost it takes to maintain their lifestyle.

Regardless, I'd recommend Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters solely for the unique world, but be wary of the passive main character and the stranglehold the mythology has on the story.