Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters

Greek mythology meets the Kardashians in Emily Roberson's Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters, a fresh, fast-paced debut young adult novel about celebrity culture, family dynamics, and finding love amidst it all.

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?

“Roberson largely sticks to the original myth, and its more twisted aspects fit neatly into the cutthroat contemporary reality TV universe, where exploitation is the name of the game and ratings are everything. . .A fresh new twist on an enduring myth.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Roberson expertly modernizes Greek mythology with a very Kardashian twist.” —Publishers Weekly

“A creative and fast-paced retelling of the Minotaur myth that is both loyal to the original story and rife with thoughtful commentary on the modern phenomena of social media, celebrity culture, and surveillance. . .The concept is endlessly intriguing and its execution is dark, salacious fun. A novel mix of The Hunger Games, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and Greek mythology that will draw in former Percy Jackson fans looking for a more grown-up read.” —School Library Journal

“This myth with modern trappings will have no trouble hooking an eager audience.” —Booklist

“Readers familiar with the myth will appreciate updated revisions to old characters and the book’s empowering twist in Ariadne’s heartbreak. . .Brings a modern, engaging humor to the ancient classic.” —The Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books

“A reimagining that could engage a new generation of readers to appreciate Greek mythology and re engage readers familiar with the stories to appreciate the story from Ariadne’s perspective.” —Tor.com

“Steamy, witty and heartbreaking, Emily Roberson has given us a fast-paced love story and family chronicle set in a world that ingeniously marries Greek Mythology with today's celebrity culture.” -Marit Weisenberg, author of Select and Select Few

“An absolute must-read...Roberson’s retold Myth is a beautiful combination of modern and classic, reinterpreting and shifting the meaning of the term ‘monster.’” —Paperback Paris