Review Detail

The gorgeous cover caught my eye months ago and I’ve been anxious to read Curse of the Sphinx ever since. (And I was delighted to see the interior of the book is just as beautiful.) I wasn’t sure what to expect from this author, but I adore Greek mythology and I was absolutely captivated by Wagner’s fabulous world where the ancient gods—and their children—still walk among us.

Every month Hope Nicholas and her mother transform into the sphinx (I so want to be a sphinx btw). But even in a world where the ancient gods are alive and well, Hope and her mother are truly extraordinary. When Hope finds herself completely alone and uncertain of her future, she doesn’t let her circumstances define her. She rises to the challenge and she protects herself from the dangers around her.

I found Hope to be an exceedingly realistic heroine (despite the fact that she turns into a monster once a month). She acted her age, but she was smart and cautious. She took charge of her own life when others might have fallen apart. She was strong when she needed to be, but she had her weak moments. And throughout her journey, she showed tremendous growth. Curse of the Sphinx provided one of the best strong-girl heroines I’ve seen in a long time and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Hope—and her handsome demigod boyfriend, Athan in the sequel, Demigods and Monsters.

There were a few areas where the world building and descriptions could have been better. Several moments left me confused, but overall, Curse of the Sphinx was an outstanding and refreshing read. I would highly recommend this series for any YA fans who enjoy mythology, urban fantasy or shifter themed stories.