14 new YA books to read during sweater season this October

Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters – Emily Roberson

Greek myths are kind of a big deal right now. Or, at least, retellings of Greek myths are. From Madeline Miller’s bestselling Circe novel to the Tony-winning musical Hadestown, it feels like we all just can’t get enough of fresh perspectives on these classic stories.

And author Emily Roberson’s Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters aims to offer YA fans something similar.

The story combines the myth of the Thesus and Ariadne with the modern age – mixing in social media, reality TV and more to create a sparkly, entertaining soap opera of a story. In this version of the tale, 14 of the strongest Athenian men compete in Crete each year in a reality competition known as The Labyrinth Contest. They must defeat a variety of challenging obstacles and the vicious Minotaur himself, for a chance at fame and fortune and, of course, ratings glory. In this world, sixteen-year old Ariadne is the Keeper of the Maze, and shuns the scandal, parties and social shares the rest of her family seeks out. But when handsome contestant Theseus asks her to help him win, and end the competition forever, Ariadne must make an impossible choice.

The story is chock full of references to all sorts of Greek myths beyond the story of the Minotaur, and will be lots of fun for anyone with a knowledge of and love for these tales.

The synopsis offers a bit more information.

"Sixteen-year-old Ariadne’s whole life is curated and shared with the world. Her royal family’s entertainment empire is beloved by the tabloids, all over social media, and the hottest thing on television. The biggest moneymaker? The Labyrinth Contest, a TV extravaganza in which Ariadne leads fourteen teens into a maze to kill a monster. To win means endless glory; to lose means death. In ten seasons, no one has ever won. When the gorgeous, mysterious Theseus arrives at the competition and asks Ariadne to help him to victory, she doesn’t expect to fall for him. He might be acting interested in her just to boost ratings. Their chemistry is undeniable, though, and she can help him survive. If he wins, the contest would end for good. But if she helps him, she doesn’t just endanger her family’s empire—the monster would have to die. And for Ariadne, his life might be the only one worth saving. Ariadne’s every move is watched by the public and predestined by the gods, so how can she find a way to forge her own destiny and save the people she loves?"

Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters is available October 22.