Divine by Mistake by P.C. Cast - Review

Title: Divine by Mistake (Partholon #1)
Author: P.C. Cast
Source: Self-Purchased
Genre: Fantasy
Length: Novel
Release Date: September 1, 2006
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 3
Sexual - 3

The most excitement teacher Shannon Parker expected on her summer vacation was a
little shopping. But then her latest purchase--a vase with the Celtic goddess Epona on it--somehow switches her into the world of Partholon, where she's treated like a goddess. A very temperamental goddess... It seems that Shannon has stepped into another's role as the Goddess Incarnate of Epona. And while it has some very appealing moments--what woman doesn't like a little pampering now and then?--it also comes with a ritual marriage to a centaur and the threat of war against the evil Fomorians. Oh, and everyone disliking her because they think she's her double.

Somehow Shannon needs to figure out how to get back to Oklahoma without being killed, married to a horse or losing her mind...

Shannon has found herself in a bit of a problem. Sucked through a portal and dumped into a fantasy world where she may just have to marry a horse. She's confused, everyone thinks she's a horrible person, and yes....she may have to marry a horse - well a centaur to be specific. Don't worry, there's no funny animal sex or anything.

This book had a lot of great elements. There's a ton of fantasy creatures and they way the gods and their chosen priestesses were handled was brilliant. The lore was very rich and it seems like a lot of time was put in to make it easy to follow and believable. Shannon handled the strange events perfectly. She freaked the heck out! Who wouldn't?!? The interactions between Shannon and the people of Partholon her first few days there were a great mix of confusion, acceptance, and finding new ways to do things.

Her relationship with the centaur was well written as well. He was a very strong character that really understood what chivalry was. They may be thrown together quickly, but their friendship develops slowly over time into something else. I loved all of the centaurs and they added a wonderful dimension to the story. The Fomorians were suitably scary and totally freaked me out. I definitely do not want to run into one of them anywhere. The battle was huge with lots of fun twists and turns.

There were a few things I just didn't get. Maybe they will tie in better in book two? Certain things were stated as not possible, and then someone managed to do it. Small things, but they could have been left out entirely without the story missing them. I'm hoping a reason for them pops up in book two.

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