Carolyn Hennesy

Demi-god Pandora Atheneus Andromaeche Helena – you can just call her Pandy – is quite the procrastinator, a trait that most people can relate to. With only a day until her project is due, Pandora still hasn't found the perfect idea yet. For this project, she had to find an object that illustrated the enduring presence of gods in everyday life. Pressed with time and pressure to do well, she decides to bring a forbidden box belonging to her father, Prometheus. Prometheus was entrusted with show more this box by Zeus. If the seal of this box is opened, all the evils will flood into the world and cause immediate devastation. Pandy didn't think of the harm that could happen. After all, all she had to do was make sure that the box is never opened, right? Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario did happen, and now it is up to Pandy to capture all the evils before all humans are wiped out forever.

The story of Pandora's box was actually one of the first Greek myths I've ever read. I've never read a retelling of a Greek mythology before, but this was wonderful to read. For a retelling of a classic myth, the story was fresh and unexpected as well as effortlessly humorous. Pandy's voice gives it a fun and adolescent edge. She may be foolish at times, but she is determined to right her wrongs and take responsibility for her actions. Now, that is a character I can admire. The Greek gods became less formidable and more relatable after I was done reading; their witty banter with each other made them more humane. I also love how the author incorporated Greek terms into modern language, such as when straight-A students were described as straight-alpha students. This is a novel that completely hooks you in and doesn't let you go until the end, a must-read for Greek mythology lovers.

*Note: This was also reviewed for Book Divas. show less

Okay, this book was a lot better than I expected. The author takes quite a few liberties with Greek mythology, but you have to to write a story like this, and the important parts are there. Whether or not you like the story may depend on how much tolerance you have for the modern touches Hennesy sprinkles throughout the story ("Finally Pandy stood up, took off her school toga, and put on her sleeping garments. Now that she was a maiden, she was beginning to detest her combed cotton show more night-robes with the face of Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow, and the little multicolored arches splashed all over them."). The story is pretty lighthearted, although there are some darker notes: Pandy's relationship with her mother is strained and her parents' marriage is a bit shaky. And of course, having seven evils loose in the world is causing chaos everywhere, but the author avoids saying anything really scary about that.

I hope that in later books, Pandy's friends Iole and Alcie are developed further. And I admit I was disappointed that Hennesy made Hera the villain—Hera is always the villain: it's trite. But it's a strong start, and I liked this book enough to want to read more of the series. show less

Fans of the daytime ABC soap-opera General Hospital (of which I am), will not be disappointed with this hilarious parody starring Jackal P.I. (AKA techie-goofball Damian Spinelli). Carolyn Hennesy (Diane Miller) uses her extraordinary use of description to give Jackal Spinelli the best possible mannerisms. From her different sources of inspiration, one of which was "Some Like it Hot", the collection of tales is told in a series of flashbacks (17 to be exact) sort of like "Interview with a show more Vampire" where the protagonist is talking to a reporter (Jackal to Diane, and is being recorded). Some liberties were taken with the back-stories of the main GH characters – Carly, Sonny, Jason, Jax, and Maxie (who was described as sleeping with every man under the sun) – so that they have to rely on Jackal Spinelli to get them out of harrowing situations. show less

I thoroughly enjoyed disappearing into Carolyn Hennesy's world of young Pandora. I am tempted to go back and read through all of the greek mythology I can get my hands on.
I was intrigued by the fact that this actress that makes me laugh with every appearance on General Hospital had written a young readers' series called the Pandora Series.
This first book in the series introduces us to Pandora, her family and her best friends, Iole and Alcie. Ms Hennesy rehashes the history of Prometheus show more and Pandora's box and adds her own inventive interpretations. The twists on phrasing made me laugh out loud. For instance, throughout the book rather than exclaiming "Oh, God" as a reaction to even the slightest travail, the girls intone their own curse - "Oh Gods!"
Even as a well-beyond-her-young-reader-years adult, I loved the book and look forward to reading the next in the series. show less