Coffee2words

Charis: Journey to Pandora's Jar was an epic let down for me. Especially when so many reviewers had rated it so favourably, including some friends that I normally agree with.

Generally, I struggled to want to read this book. I didn't feel any sort of connection to any of the characters, this was especially disheartening when it came to Charis and Gabe. I should have wanted to go along for the ride with them, but I just didn't care enough. Add to this the very juvenile style of writing and I was bound to be out of this one from the get-go.

The way this was written was an issue for me too, this was especially an issue when it came to Mr. Al Ecto (Alecto posing as an esteemed guest to the gallery) sometimes he was a he when being referred to, and other times she was a she. It got quite confusing. Overall, the POV seemed to chop and change with the wind, which left me feeling like I didn't know who was speaking and whose point of view we were following.

The story can be cut substantially, just by removing some of the retellings of Pandora's story. I didn't keep count officially, but I can remember at least three times it was retold in detail. We didn't need to be told the same story over and over again.

I was surprised, given Charis is a child from an interracial marriage, she didn't come across as anything other than a stock standard Caucasian child to me. Perhaps I missed some of the nuances of the character due to some of my skimming (after about 40%).

Ultimately this book failed on so many levels for me I doubt I'll revisit anything by the author. That's not to say this won't be perfect for other readers and/or their children, particularly if there's an interest in Greek Mythology and the Greek Gods.

One thing I noticed:
6% - ...they drug(dragged) guilty...

**Note: I was provided an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review**