Go the Distance: A Twisted Tale
The 11th installment in the New York Times best-selling A TWISTED TALE series asks: What if Meg had to become a Greek god?
After Hercules proves he's a true hero and regains his godship, all seems right in the world. That is, until Zeus tells Meg that she can't be with Hercules because she's, well, mortal. Luckily, Hera has a solution, offering Meg a chance to prove herself worthy of a spot on Mt. Olympus--as a god. All Meg has to do is complete a mysterious quest.
After Hercules proves he's a true hero and regains his godship, all seems right in the world. That is, until Zeus tells Meg that she can't be with Hercules because she's, well, mortal. Luckily, Hera has a solution, offering Meg a chance to prove herself worthy of a spot on Mt. Olympus--as a god. All Meg has to do is complete a mysterious quest.
The mission? Oh, just to rescue her ex's current wife from the Underworld. The ex-boyfriend she saved by selling her soul to Hades. The ex-boyfriend who immediately moved on to someone else while she was stuck in the Underworld. Can Meg put her past behind her and use her quick-wit to defeat monsters and gods alike, including the nefarious Hades? Will she finally figure out her place and contribution to the world? Or will her fear of commitment have her running away from an eternity of godhood with Herc?
Written by the author of Mirror, Mirror and Conceal, Don't Feel, Jen Calonita's latest twist is sure to delight and surprise.
For more twisted adventures, try the other books in the A TWISTED TALE series:
- A Whole New World by Liz Braswell
- Once Upon a Dream by Liz Braswell
- As Old As Time by Liz Braswell
- Reflection by Elizabeth Lim
- Part of Your World by Liz Braswell
- Mirror, Mirror by Jen Calonita
- Conceal, Don't Feel by Jen Calonita
- Straight On Till Morning by Liz Braswell
- So This is Love by Elizabeth Lim
- Unbirthday by Liz Braswell
- What Once Was Mine by Liz Braswell
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Community Reviews
Originally reviewed on Cyn's Workshop
Go The Distance is the eleventh installment in the Twisted Tale series by Disney-Hyperion asks: what if Meg had to become a god?
Great Storytelling
Hercules is one of my favorite Disney movies. It gets Greek mythology wrong, but the heart, the characters, and the humor within the film make it stand out. Not to mention that musical score.
Honestly, I could not pick up this novel without humming “Go the Distance” (I am listening to it now). Moreover, what impressed me most with this novel was that Calonita managed to recapture the magic of the film while also incorporating elements of the film and actual Greek mythology into the storytelling.
Go The Distance is a heartwarming tale that follows Meg on her journey to prove that she can be a god. However, there is more to it than that. Meg’s journey is deeper than that. With a past filled with heartbreak, Hera and Athena challenge Megara to find the strength within herself, to find the self-worth and love that make her compassionate and strong.
Strong Writing
Showing flashbacks of Meg’s life before she met Hercules before she met Hades, the story highlights the pain in her past. By delving into her past, Calonita gives more depth and attitude to the famous girl who won Herc’s heart. Using classic lines from the film, Calonita gives them more profound value to the reader and Meg. As she goes on this heart-wrenching journey to prove to herself, she is worthy of love to proves to readers that it is okay to open yourself up and be vulnerable.
Of course, Calonita also introduces the plot of Persephone and Hades, fitting it into the mold of the story in a compelling way.
That is what is fresh of Calonita’s writing, the depth of her writing, and how she can effortlessly weave two seemingly different stories.
The story of Hades and Persephone is famous in Greek mythology. In a few pages, Calonita makes the readers believe in the relationship between Persephone and Hades. Moreover, Persephone is not some dainty girl. Instead, the reader sees the spunk and attitude of her characterization, making her the perfect match for Hades.
Their romance is not seen much as the story is not about them, but Calonita makes the readers believe it with few words.
Furthermore, their romance adds to the story instead of feeling thrown in there, which marks a talented writer.
Final Thoughts
Go The Distance is an incredible twisted tale. With solid storytelling that recaptures the film’s heart, giving Meg her time to shine and grow offers readers an intense story of coming to terms with grief and heartbreak and allowing oneself to be vulnerable.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
Go The Distance is the eleventh installment in the Twisted Tale series by Disney-Hyperion asks: what if Meg had to become a god?
Great Storytelling
Hercules is one of my favorite Disney movies. It gets Greek mythology wrong, but the heart, the characters, and the humor within the film make it stand out. Not to mention that musical score.
Honestly, I could not pick up this novel without humming “Go the Distance” (I am listening to it now). Moreover, what impressed me most with this novel was that Calonita managed to recapture the magic of the film while also incorporating elements of the film and actual Greek mythology into the storytelling.
Go The Distance is a heartwarming tale that follows Meg on her journey to prove that she can be a god. However, there is more to it than that. Meg’s journey is deeper than that. With a past filled with heartbreak, Hera and Athena challenge Megara to find the strength within herself, to find the self-worth and love that make her compassionate and strong.
Strong Writing
Showing flashbacks of Meg’s life before she met Hercules before she met Hades, the story highlights the pain in her past. By delving into her past, Calonita gives more depth and attitude to the famous girl who won Herc’s heart. Using classic lines from the film, Calonita gives them more profound value to the reader and Meg. As she goes on this heart-wrenching journey to prove to herself, she is worthy of love to proves to readers that it is okay to open yourself up and be vulnerable.
Of course, Calonita also introduces the plot of Persephone and Hades, fitting it into the mold of the story in a compelling way.
That is what is fresh of Calonita’s writing, the depth of her writing, and how she can effortlessly weave two seemingly different stories.
The story of Hades and Persephone is famous in Greek mythology. In a few pages, Calonita makes the readers believe in the relationship between Persephone and Hades. Moreover, Persephone is not some dainty girl. Instead, the reader sees the spunk and attitude of her characterization, making her the perfect match for Hades.
Their romance is not seen much as the story is not about them, but Calonita makes the readers believe it with few words.
Furthermore, their romance adds to the story instead of feeling thrown in there, which marks a talented writer.
Final Thoughts
Go The Distance is an incredible twisted tale. With solid storytelling that recaptures the film’s heart, giving Meg her time to shine and grow offers readers an intense story of coming to terms with grief and heartbreak and allowing oneself to be vulnerable.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
What if Meg had to become a Greek god to be with Hercules?
This installment in the A Twisted Tale series picks up right where it's Disney movie counterpart, Hercules, ended; with Hercules fulfilling his quest and becoming a true bonafide hero, set to return to his home atop Mount Olympus. Like in the movie, Hercules chooses to instead remain with his lady love, Megara. Unlike in the movie, Zeus does not acquiesce to his request, instead telling his son the earth shattering word no. Hercules will return to Mount Olympus, and Meg back to Earth. As Hercules argues with his father (who is, surprisingly more akin to his mythology equivalent in Jen Calonita's retelling) Hera approaches Meg with a quest, and if she finishes said quest in time, she will be made a god herself, able to spend the rest of eternity with Wonder Boy.
Full of the same wit and quips as the beloved film, the only thing this story is missing is the catchy songs from the Muses. Meg must team up with Pegasus and, to her dismay, Philoctetes, to fight against famed beasts from Greek mythology to finish her quest. Along the way, impetuous and fiery Meg just might learn a few lessons of her own about life and love, as well as the importance of forgiveness and vulnerability.
This installment in the A Twisted Tale series picks up right where it's Disney movie counterpart, Hercules, ended; with Hercules fulfilling his quest and becoming a true bonafide hero, set to return to his home atop Mount Olympus. Like in the movie, Hercules chooses to instead remain with his lady love, Megara. Unlike in the movie, Zeus does not acquiesce to his request, instead telling his son the earth shattering word no. Hercules will return to Mount Olympus, and Meg back to Earth. As Hercules argues with his father (who is, surprisingly more akin to his mythology equivalent in Jen Calonita's retelling) Hera approaches Meg with a quest, and if she finishes said quest in time, she will be made a god herself, able to spend the rest of eternity with Wonder Boy.
Full of the same wit and quips as the beloved film, the only thing this story is missing is the catchy songs from the Muses. Meg must team up with Pegasus and, to her dismay, Philoctetes, to fight against famed beasts from Greek mythology to finish her quest. Along the way, impetuous and fiery Meg just might learn a few lessons of her own about life and love, as well as the importance of forgiveness and vulnerability.
**3.5⭐️**You never get to see how your favorite Disney stories ended. I love that we get to see Meg’s story continue as she embarks on her own hero’s journey.
Meg thinks she has to complete this quest alone, but quickly realizes that the true quest is about asking for help when needed and opening your heart to those around you.
Throughout the quest, Meg tries to figure out if she truly loves Hercules and is prepared to spend eternity with him.
It is only once she’s losing him does she realize her true feelings. Although she did not complete her quest in the given amount of time, Meg makes such an impression on Hera that she becomes a God anyway.
I loved the story and seeing Me push through all her worry and insecurities. The narrator is great, but doesn’t really give off the proper vibe for Meg. I missed the low, sassy drawl of the Disney movie.
Other than the narration, I would still recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Hercules as a child.
Wowowow I loved this book! This is my favorite in the series so far. (I’ve read Part of Your World & As Old as Time.) This story is epic from beginning to end. Incorporations from other Greek myths are made that make my nerd heart VERY happy. (Keep a look out for the Orpheus and Euridice homage!) Definitely recommend!
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