Protogenesis

Protogenesis felt fresh despite relying on some plot tropes that have been overused in YA literature (the love triangle, the mysterious bad guys, the missing parent) and I think that is because is flows so well in terms of the writing and also the pacing. I was swept away, and long books like this usually make me distracted (though I do think it could be shorter in general.) The purple-eyed narrator avoids cliche and has some interesting and progressive views on being a teenage these days, including refreshingly direct outlooks on sex, dating, and feminism. Some of my favorite moments are what I'd call the book's most feminist--when the narrator carefully considers what SHE wants, what she's comfortable with.

This book was a request from Netgalley.
The synopsis for this one sounded really interesting, which is why I wanted to read it. The cover is also beautiful. The book is sort of "Percy Jackson-ish" and I really wanted to like it.
I think this book has great potential. It's just that the chapters were a bit long winded in my opinion. To much Bach story, to much time spent on getting to know Vani. I just got very bored and had to push myself to read on which takes the enjoyment away.
On the the plus side, I like Helene and Ever. The authors world building skills were good.
I really wanted to like this one, it just fell short for me.

This is my come back to YA books. I used to read them a lot.
I was not disappointed by this story, even with a lot of cliches from the genre. This story in few places seems a little too "distracted" by not important side-story things. Aside from that this was a greatly written and enjoyable story.
RECOMMENDED!!

This book is about a teenage girl by the name Helene Crawford. One day her mother disappeares and now she must figure out what has happened to her.

I liked this book and how it’s written. It’s keep you interested and keep you wondering what is going to happen next.

17 year old Helene Crawford is a California girl struggling to fit in with her peers, she lives with her mother and their hoard of cats. After a day at school like any other, Helen comes home to chaos, her mother is missing presumed dead and in the space of just a few hours, she goes from school girl to running for her life - the only person Helene can go to is a Godfather she has never met or even heard of before.......who lives in Greece. When Helene arrives she is swept up into a world of myths and legends whilst trying to find out what really happened to her mother and balancing that with rebuilding her life in a new Country.

There is a ton to love about Protogenesis and for the most part I didn't want to put it down. It's a fantastic adventure full of mysteries to be solved, hidden rooms, strange portals, Gods and Monsters. There is a seamless science fiction element woven into the mythology which I really enjoyed. Helene is a difficult character to pin down though, at times I really enjoyed her snark and her willingness to boldly jump into all sorts of situations to help her in her quest. But she is also incredibly ditsy and I often struggled to reconcile the fact that she was so easily distracted from her task of finding her mother. Granted, her search is hampered by her Godfathers insistence that she attend school but her all encompassing distraction by the "Greek boys and their eyes" gets a little tiresome and is one of my biggest pet peeves - what I did enjoy however is that the author herself has a little tongue in cheek dig at this, which was refreshing. I enjoyed the school element however, it really drove the plot forward and I liked seeing Helene being able to open herself up in way she never could in her old school, it brought balance to her life and I found this more believable than a 17 year old being allowed to run amok in a strange country on her own.

I sometimes found it difficult to put an appropriate age bracket on this book and I'm mindful that I am not the target audience, in light of that I found it easy to forgive a lot of the angst and bratty elements but there was one paragraph that was filled with really bad language which was really out of tone and felt a bit forced.

The start was shaky but once we got to Greece this book really comes into it's own, it gives you a nice little reminder of Greek mythology and I found the world building nicely paced with just enough information to really have you wanting more for the next book in the series. Keep an eye out for Bestat, she is a bit of a scene stealer! This is a really light and easy read which quickly pulls you in and despite the bits which weren't really for me (it's quite tropetastic in places) I found it actually quite a joy to read and it's a series that i will want to stick with!

If you enjoyed the Percy Jackson books, this would be a good book for you. Police officers come to Helene's house to tell her that her mother has died in a fire, and a lawyer shows up and says she is to go to Greece to stay with a godfather she never knew she had. Then gun fire erupts. As Helene travels to Greece and starts school with cute boys at every corner, she must try to solve the mystery of why her mother was killed and why some one is after her. Throw in some mysterious Greek Gods and quantum wormholes and you have an exciting adventure. Good book for a mythological mad reader who wants some romance.

This was a really interesting read because it didn't take the path I thought it would. I really enjoyed having an adventure story involving greek mythology that put a young woman as the protagonist. I'm a big fan of Percy Jackson, and this book fell in the same vein. While I found the main character to be at times insufferable and unrealistic, there were genuine relatable pieces to her that made her a tolerable protagonist. I would recommend this to fans of teen greek mythology reads.

Protogenesis has it's foundation in Greek mythology with god's, goddesses, and such. Helene is thrust into the great city of Olympus past and present, deals with people trying to kill her, lies, and secrets. And of couple she's torn between two guys, the proverbial good guy bad guy romance.

Helene Crawford has been told that her mother died in a fire at work. Helene can't believe it. Her mother's lawyer appears to tell her that she is to go Greece to live with her godfather that she didn't know about. When she arrives at her godfather's place, she discovers what a mess he lives in. He does suggest that her mother is still alive but doesn't know where she is. She goes to school where she discovers feelings for the guy named Ever but she also has feelings for a guy next door to her Godfather's home. It confuses her.

So much action, mystery and more are in this novel. There are twists and turns that surprised me an kept my interest in the novel never faded. It's a great read. Don't miss it!

Kept me on the edge of seat. Full of adventure and great writing! Loved it!

Great for a true teen reader. Easy to follow and great story.

This book was good and I enjoyed the characters a lot.

The book was a bit longer than it needed to be to tell the story. Helene outbursts of rudeness really bugged me. It seemed to happen a lot in instances it didn't need to happen. Also didn't like the love triangle. She really played both boys and flip flopped too easily. She treated both of them awful most of the time. In the beginning the ballerina part was played up but then it dropped off after her change, that was a bit confusing. Now the mythology part of the story I loved. Even if Helene would be with Ever alone it would have been better. Nick could have just been a friend. I received an ARC and voluntarily provided an honest review.

This book was so wonderful and interesting. I love Greek mythology and this story had my interest from beginning to end. The writing was great and I loved Helene. The Greek mythology and modern day time were interwoven beautifully and I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book so much!
This book is about Helene Crawford who loses her mom in the beginning of the book. Than she learns that there is a possibility that her mom is still alive, and that she has to look for her in Greece, where her godfather lives who she has never heard of before. As soon as she arives in Athene the adveture begins. She does her best to find her mom, while also going to a new school, meets new friends and potential boyfriends.
I loved this story, it was a good mix between greek mythology and culture, fantasy and romance and mystery!
I won't give the book 5 stars because of some tropes (missing parent, love triangle..)

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own**

I love Greek mythology, so this books was definitely something I enjoyed. It looked at Greek mythology in a whole new perspective, actually making it seem as if the “mythology” aspect was actually humans versions of the stories of the Greek Gods.
I liked some of the side characters, but the main characters were a little harder to like. I felt that Helene was a little self centered at times (I mean, don’t get me wrong, she was worried about finding her mom but she could lighten up just a little bit). The whole thing with Ever and Nick was just confusing. Helene could have been a strong female heroine, but instead relied a lot (and thought a lot) about those two boys. (The love triangle is another aspect that I don’t think I can even explain adequately. I was way too confusing).
The story idea is great, but the characters just ruin it a bit for me. A lot of things were repetitive, which made the books seem boring at parts. I just felt things were explained a thousand times over sometimes.
It was a good book though and I can’t wait for the next ones, because I’m excited to see where the story will go.

Greek Mythology and anything fantasy related is right up my alley. I really enjoyed this book as well as the characters. Helene must figure out on her own what happened to her mother and a lot of secrets is kept from her. The beginning of the book was a bit slow and not well developed for me but the author quickly found her feet and the book soon had a nice flow to it. I would recommend this book to all YA readers as well as lovers of fantasy. A great debut novel as well as a great start to a new series

When Helene's mom dies under suspicious circumstances, she's sent to live with her godfather, Janus, who she has never met or even heard of. Worst of all, she's being sent halfway around the world to Athens, Greece. Once she arrives, she finds herself surrounded by mysterious people, gorgeous men and an all-powerful crime organization. 

I initially picked up this book because of it's link to Greek mythology. I've studied mythology a lot through History and through my Latin studies. The title was also intriguing. You don't often see a mix of science and myth, especially in Young Adult Fantasy novel. 

With the setting of Greece, this book was interestingly unique for this genre. Clearly, the author has a personal connection to the country and as I researched her and her previous novels, it definitely seems like she has experience here. Her descriptions of the political and economic climate of the country really added to the story and enhanced the main characters interactions with others. It was interesting to see her navigate this foreign country in about the same way I would, with wonder, excitement and wariness. I give the author full marks for her choice of setting and how it contributed to the plot. 

The plot of this novel was intricate and complex. There are a lot of moving parts and I can tell the author works hard to line everything up to work the reader towards the eventual climax. We work through Helene's coping with her mom's death or potential disappearance, as well as learning about a new city, falling in love, dealing with criminal organizations, and discovering the power she has within herself. There was so much going on, that the book did at times feel exhausting or confusing, but the pieces are cohesive and I'm not sure if there is any specific element I'd recommend taking. 

The biggest struggle I had with Protogenesis was with the characters. The main character, Helene was difficult to like as she was judgmental and unreliable. While this is a great example of a well rounded character it was difficult to cheer for Helene and want to follow her throughout her journey. The side characters, such as Helene's love interest were more one-dimensional, flat and predictable. I wish they'd been more dynamic and original, rather than stereotypes that I've seen in many other stories and novels. 

Protogenesis by Alysia Heming has a beautiful setting and complex plot but the characters fall short. This would be a perfect quick read for a plane flight or while you're on vacation. The love triangle and intrigued is great in this novel, making it a perfect quick, fun read. Just go in, knowing your characters will be fairly predictable.

Unfortunately I read this immediately after a much better Greek gods book which may have made my thoughts a little colored. It wasn't bad. I really liked the fact that magic = advanced tech. The characters seemed a little too advanced for their age - I don't know any teenagers with that much sense or freedom. Overall, I liked the story, liked the page, like the way everything was explained. Janus was a rather obvious name, that was one gripe, and if Bastet is real then other pantheons must also exist and it would have been nice to have them included more.

I absolutely loved this book! Protogenesis, the first of a series of books, is an interesting mix of romance, science fiction and Greek mythology. I am such a fan of Greek mythology and fantasy, so this book was a great read for me. The writing is very easy and enjoyable so from the very first chapter you get into the story. It is set in US, Greece and in another dark dangerous world.

I can't wait to read more from this author!

Recieved from Netgalley. As a lover of Greek and Egyptian mythology, I was really excited when I got this book. The beginning is brilliant, building a strong base and a beautiful world blending the Greek gods with the modern world. The plot itself continues to strengthen throughout the story and keeps you guessing. I like the idea and how well everything is co-ordinated.

There were two issues I found with the story, which would’ve ruined it for me if the plot wasn’t so good. The first would be the yelling/screaming that every character seems to be doing when they’re standing right next to each other. The second would be the love triangle and how the main character handles her problems. But she is a teenager and it is her first love, so there need to be mistakes etc etc.

My favourite character was Bastet (if I’ve spelt that wrong my sister will kill me) I liked how she was basically the catalyst for everything. I hope to see more of her in the next book and I’m curious if she has a more human form. In the beginning I really liked Janus and his complete lack of parental skills.

All in all it was a fun read and I will happily read the next one and probably the entire series. Oh and the cover artwork is beautiful.

I enjoyed this book so much!
The Greek Gods & Goddesses come to life in this thrilling YA book, that's perfect for adult readers too! Author Alysia Helming has creatively interwoven the perfect story of Greek mythology and modern day life.
Helene's mother is missing and someone is trying to kill her. She is told to trust no one as she makes her trek to Greece to stay with a Godfather named Janus she doesn't know while she tries to figure out what happened to her mother.

I couldn't put it down! It was a delightful and engaging read from beginning to end.

Helene Crawford has never really fit in anywhere. Awkward with a fascination with Greek mythology, Helene’s closest friend is her mother. But when Helene’s mother suddenly vanishes, Helene is whisked off to Greece to live with her godfather she never met. In Greece, Helene is desperate to unlock the secrets of her mother’s disappearance. But things are not what they seem. The Greek gods and goddesses from the myths Helene adores might actually be real, and one of them might want her dead.
Overall, this was an exciting story of a teenage girl’s journey to Greece to find her mother while getting caught up in a love triangle. There’s Ever, mysterious, alluring, rich and handsome. Then there’s Nick, handsome, a tour guide, and a bit of a bad boy. Usually, I find love triangles annoying, but somehow I found myself rooting for both Nick and Ever. I assume that there will be more drama between Nick, Ever and Helene in the books to come. It will be interesting to see how this love triangle will progress.
For those who are not too keen on young adult romance, rest assured, romance is not the only dimension of this book. Behind Helene’s mother’s disappearance, there is a world where the Greek gods and goddesses are real. I was expecting something along the lines of the Percy Jackson series, but Protogenesis takes a completely different path with parallel universes and secret relics, which I found interesting. There was also a considerable amount of world building that I hadn’t expected. Although I know only a basic amount of Greek mythology, it seemed as if the author did her research while writing Protogenesis.
Unfortunately, the plot development is extremely slow paced and it takes a long time for any secret to be revealed. While I do love the mystery aspect of Protogenesis, it was just too slow to keep me fully entertained. Helene spends a lot of her time wandering around aimlessly before she stumbles upon anything substantial to advance the plot. I constantly found myself putting this book down because the story had become slightly stagnant. Although there is a lot of originality, the plotline seems to be imitating a young adult romance novel instead of carving out its own territory. Ever and Nick, Helene’s love interests, appear to be only two dimensional characters. They seemed to be only in the story for Helene to fall in love with. Sure, they each have their own backstories and history, but when they are with Helene, they turn into a carbon copy of a potential boyfriend material.
Although I found the book to be a slow paced and hard to get into, I have hope for the rest of the series. There is still something engaging and redeemable within Protogenesis. I await the next book to see how the relationship dynamic will play out between Helene and her two love interests, and also if more secrets will be revealed about the Greek gods and goddesses.

This book was one of my favorite reads this year so entertaining. I couldn't put it down. It is so unique and well written with the world building being just fantastic. all the characters were just great and I'm really excited to read more from this author

I love love love Helene! I can only wish I was that much of a strong woman at that age. She is tough, yet emotional and very feminine in her ways. I love me a good love triangle. And the mysterious bad boy element, love. While those elements are rather cliche as some would say in YA books, I love it and it brings another dynamic to the story. What the author focuses on is who Helene is as a woman, her beliefs, dreams, goals, and desires. I can't wait to read more and am excited for you to read it as well.

I really liked this, but didn't love it. The story and characters were good, but not great. I wanted to love this one, as I'm a big fan of mythology, but I felt something was missing in this one.

I hate that I can’t give this a higher rating, but 3 is the best I can do. I love reading Mythology books and this one had so much promise, but I couldn’t get past the characters. Helene had just way to many mood swings. I can understand trying to make a character dramatic, but it was just bad. I also thing that the love triangle was just unnecessary and confusing. So even though the plot was great, the characters and writing just weren’t that great.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, I really did not know what I started with this book. It is so different and really refreshing. I loved the hidden rooms and dreams and Greek mythology. While it was a bit slow throughout the book, I liked the plot and I'm really looking forward to the next one in the series.