This was a 3.5 rounded up to 4, I'd say... as a huge fan of Hercules (favorite disney movie growing up, and still to this day), I have always loved the muses and appreciated a book dedicated to their backstory. Something in the end didn't make sense to me, given how many times I've watched the movie so that irked me but for the most part, it was a good story (especially for actually-young-adult readers. I am an almost 40 year old who still loves YA, but I appreciate when they can still appeal to an older audience. I think this one leads to an actual younger audience and nothing wrong with that. I think I could get behind it more as a fan of the movie, but may have been less invested otherwise. Overall, good story. Thank you for the opportunity to have an early copy!!

I'm very picky with Greek mythology (my culture) and unfortunately this one didn't land. The mythological aspect wasn't too bad compared to others--with the caveat that this IS Disney, after all, not original fiction per se--and my main issue lay with the actual sisters. Most of them felt the same whilst the author/Disney not giving them enough time to flesh them out. The writing was passable, but not standout in YA. At times the plot dragged whilst also feeling very shallow. An entertaining read for some, but recommended for those who aren't likely to look too close when it comes to culture and mythology. Would've liked Disney to have chosen a Greek author for this to do it justice properly.

To start Rochon. Can she write a bad book? no.

Hercules? Are you kidding me? I know this isn't about him but a pre-part of the story that brought us his story.

THE MUSES?? Shriek and dance! yes!

So I love all of the above and we get a story on the not so well known muses. This book has already been ordered and will be on my HS library's shelf as soon as possible.

I loved this book, getting to dive in and get more of a back story on the sisters and what they had to go through after their mother had been taken by Hades. All the things they had to face as sisters.

If you love Disney, Greek mythology, back story, sisterhood, and beautiful writing THIS book needs to go on your TBR list today. Or just forget the TBR and read it today.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

This was a story that didn’t really need to be told, and I don’t think it was told well either. I’ve really enjoyed some of Farrah Rochon’s other work, but this was a miss. It has the feel of an after school special, and the character voices are all over the place (with the exception of Thalia).

Farrah Rochon does it again! I loved her previous Disney books so I knew this one would be excellent. It’s so fun, and each muse clearly has her own personality and character. Pain and Panic were perfect too! I know I would have been obsessed with this as a kid.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Easily a new favorite Disney book!

Rochon perfectly captures the muses we know and love from Hercules the movie, and let's us see them in a new light. When their mother is taken by Hades, the girls have to work together to get her back. They face trials and tribulations where they will need each of their unique gifts to succeed.

I adored this story and related the most to Calli. Being the eldest sister, having to become the leader, the parental figure at times and most of all a role model - I understood her. Each of the sisters had such bright and vibrant personalities! I loved getting to know each one. I really hope Disney decides to add more books for these beautiful young women, there is so much more story to tell!

This was a cute throwback to my childhood, however I'm not sure the book could stand on its own. The story was rather predictable and the characters were pretty basic. While it was and nostalgic I'm not sure it really added anything to the original movie's storyline.

I don’t think I could have asked for a more beautiful book. Taking five beloved characters that there is very little known about and giving them such a dynamic story is just perfection. I love Greek mythology so getting to learn a little bit more about the muses was something I was really excited about, and this book didn’t disappoint. I love how each sister’s voice comes through so distinctly, and how they find out they are stronger together, but find ways to still be unique and true to themselves and talents. I hope readers fall in love with this book just as much as I did.
Thank you to Disney Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

A titan and the goddess of memory, Mnemosyne erased the gods’ memory of her. She created five daughters: Calliope the storyteller, Clio the inquisitive history buff, Mepomene the empath, Terpischore the dancer, and Thalia the comedian. For their mother’s birthday, the five daughters stage a public birthday performance for their mother. As Mnemosyne tries to explain the danger, they are all in, Panic and Pain, Hades’ minions, kidnap her. Putting aside their differences, the five sisters must use their strengths and their mom’s special journal to ask the gods for help. Why did Hades take their mother? Why did Mnemosyne not want the gods to know where she was? Can the five sisters save their mother?

The plot is well developed, engaging, and full of adventure. The characters are well developed with distinct temperaments. The author’s writing style and narrative does a great job of bringing a lesser-known mythology story to life. Readers who like mythology, Hercules, fantasy, and adventure will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections. 4 stars, Gr 7 and up

I cannot even express how much I loved this amazing twist on the Hercules story about the Muses. The perspective, the curiosity, the back story, it was all phenomenal. I need to look more into this author!

I’ve never been one for origin stories, but this is one I could never pass up. And yeah, it was so good. The muses have always been my favorite part of Hercules’ movie, so this was a no brainer. I knew I had to read this one ASAP.

Ok so the one thing I loved about this was the characters. As we know, all the Muses had their own thing and they all got to showcase them in the book. And I loved even more that they had no idea that these were their gifts. They were so naive and it was almost comical. I had to keep reminding myself that they were teens because all this happened to their mother and like, kids, listen to your parents. Even when it seems annoying lol And I also really loved the portrayal of Hades. He was terrible and also hilarious. Just like in the movie. I hope this is how they make him in the live action too if we ever get there.

The plot was good too. It was an origin story so I wasn’t thinking there would be a lot of action, but there was. From finding a labyrinth to having something that would be akin to a comedy show back in the day. It reminded me of all the things that make me happy in real life. It was so funny that I was reading this because I never thought of myself artsy before, but then I read this. All of the muses are me rolled up in one, so I loved this. This really was a lot of fun.

After reading this I can’t wait to see what Disney decides about the live action remake. I REALLY hope this is going to show them that this is the one we need next. I wish we had more of a look into their future than just the ending, but I get why Rochon didn’t. She wanted to give them their own shine. Which they deserved. (It’s me. I’m the problem. Because I just wanted more nods to the movie lol) And while we’re here talking about the movie…. Stop playing with my girl Amber Riley’s top! If I hear ANYONE ELSE sing, “Bless my soul, Herc was on a roll!” I’m going to lose it. But for now, this Disnerd Adult is happy with this!

I loved this origin story of the Muses! It was such a joy to see these iconic characters written with care and creativity. The mix of Disney nostalgia, Greek mythology, and sisterhood made it feel like a love letter to fans. The story was adventurous and heartfelt, with just the right touch of magic. Highly recommend this for anyone who adores Disney, grew up loving Hercules, or is just looking for a fun, empowering read!

At 20% of the way through the book...barely anything has happened. The teenaged muses are angsting over various things. Mnemosyne is angsting over hiding them. Hades is angsting over taking over Olympus. And the event that sets the rest of the story into motion has just barely taken place.

Additionally, I was SUPER annoyed by anachronisms and inaccuracies. I know, this is a tie-in to a Disney animated movie. I get that. But when you're writing for children, I believe there's an implicit responsibility to get history at least somewhat correct. For example, there's mention of one of the girls finding information in a "tome" found in their "small village library." [insert record scratch sound here] One minute of googling taught me that in ancient Greece, scrolls were used, literacy was about 10%, and libraries were for scholars in big cities.

Don't even get me started on Terpsichore ("Ree") opening a village dance studio. If Calliope is the eldest and about to turn 18, By the author's own timeline, that makes Terpsichore about 12 when she opens a dance studio and starts flirting with the son of an olive farmer.

I don't buy it.

DNF.

This is an origin story of the 5 Muses from the Disney animated Hercules movie. The Titan goddess Mnemonsyne, the Goddess of Memory, left Mount Olympus after erasing everyone’s memory of her existence, to create her daughters without any divine interference. Each daughter was created with a special and unique gift. For nearly 2 decades, it worked, until a fateful concert where the girls’ beautiful voices attracted the attention of Hades, God of the Underworld. Hades has his own devious plans for Mnemonsyne to help him dethrone his brother, Zeus. The girls must search, using their various talents, to find their mother before it is too late.
I was excited to read the book, I loved Hercules and the backstory of the muses was an entertaining read. I think that students will love this book. I look forward to purchasing this for our library.
Thank you to NetGalley for this e-ARC to preview.

A book about my favorite characters from Hercules....what's not to love!?

This book follows the Muses from Hercules in their younger years. They each have their own ambitions and dreams, but their mother is very protective of them. After a concert where their lovely voices catch the attention of Hades, they realize that things aren't what they were led to believe growing up. When their mother is kidnapped, the girls have to band together and use their individual talents to find her and save Olympus.

I enjoyed this book thoroughly and cannot wait to suggest it to others.

Thank you to Disney Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a joy it was to delve into the history of the muses from Hercules! Farrah Rochon has created a world that exists within the film we all know and live, but that can also survive without it as something wholly realized and completely fleshed out. I loved the myth behind the Muses' creation, and I loved the opportunity to connect with them as individuals. Rochon took great care to adhere to the canon while still making the story her own, and I think this is one of the most successful "behind the story" Disney releases I've read in a while. And that's the gospel truth!!

This story of the Hercules muses is wonderfully written. I loved knowing more about them and their story. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley & Disney Press for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I DNF'ed at 40% of the way through.

I didn't feel like the sisters had distinct enough personalities to be interesting and it was just...really slow yet fast? A lot of stuff happened quickly but it wasn't really all that interesting. The author did nail the Hades voice, but his chapters were short and few. :(

This is such a fun twist on one of my childhood favorites ….. Hercules. I loved reading about the story of the Muses and their background outside of the story I knew.

Thank you to Disney Press and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is an origin story of the 5 Muses from the Disney animated Hercules movie. The Titan goddess Mnemonsyne, the Goddess of Memory, left Mount Olympus after erasing everyone’s memory of her existence, to create her daughters without any divine interference. Each daughter was created with a special and unique gift. For nearly 2 decades, it worked, until a fateful concert where the girls’ beautiful voices attracted the attention of Hades, God of the Underworld. Hades has his own devious plans for Mnemonsyne to help him dethrone his brother, Zeus. The girls must search, using their various talents, to find their mother before it is too late.

I thoroughly enjoyed this back story of the Muses. This book stands fine by itself but I did enjoy the callbacks to the movie. It is a great choice for those who have finished the Percy Jackson series, like Greek mythology, or just love Disney! I wholeheartedly recommend this YA book for readers in grades 6 and up.
#Bemused #NetGalley