Goddess by Mistake by PC Cast is a wonderfully original novel which tells the story of Shannon Parker who finds herself in a world where everything we know as mythology is real.

Shannon purchases at auction an ancient vase which has on it a goddess who bears a striking resemblance to herself. Drawn to the vase the price firstly goes out of her price-range but when it is discovered to be flawed she finds herself with a wonderful bargain. Little does she know that the vase is the catalyst that will send her into the world of Partholon and into the shoes of the High Priestess Epona an evil woman who has engineered the switch.

Shannon finds herself caught up in the strange world where myths are reality and she is in the centre of all sorts of plots. Assisted by Alanna who resembles her friend Suzanne Shannon is forced to take the place of Lady Rhiannon, the High Priestess. Through Alanna, Shannon discovers that Rhiannon has seen into her world and decided that she would prefer to be there than in Partholon. Finding Shannon to be her exact match she switched places with her but did not leave enough of her essence in her own body to assist Shannon in the transition.

Shannon finds herself trapped in this strange world and about to be married to Rhiannon’s betrothed ClanFintan. And if that was not enough of a shock the fact that ClanFintan was a living Centaur was certainly enough to send her over the edge, especially when he bites her during the ceremony. Not to mention the added worry about what would happen on the wedding night itself.

Shannon’s life is further complicated by finding she has some of Rhiannon’s powers, which result in her being able to see the danger in the land through her dreams.

Fleeing to try to save Rhiannon’s father she does not get very far before ClanFintan and his amusing centaur companions catch up with her. Escorting her the rest of the way Shannon soon realises that ClanFintan is not someone she should fear and that Rhiannon was a fool not to like him.

She was also a fool not to want his protection as their people are in danger from the Fomorians, a race of vampire-like creatures who need killing.

Very amusing and very original this book is at times side-splittingly funny. As Shannon finds her place in the Partholon world one can’t help but wonder why Rhiannon ever wanted to leave. Something that will surely come back to haunt her when Rhiannon realises that the modern world is not all it is cracked up to be and wants to return to her own body and all the powers that go with it.

Lots of wisecracking from the heroine and an adorable hero make this a marvellous debut novel.

Oh and one other thing that really made me like the heroine in this novel, she is a Diana Gabaldon fan, need I say more? Any fan of the Claire and Jamie books must be worth rooting for.

The back of the book indicates that there is a second book to come called Goddess by Choice, however the last I heard this was on hold due to a change in publishers for the author and the rights to the Goddess book by her old publisher. Let us hope that this sorts itself out soon so that we can once again enter the world of Partholon.  A fantastic debut novel!

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Also by P.C. Cast:  Elphame's Choice, Goddess of the Sea, Goddess of Spring and Goddess of Light

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