Mortal Gods: The Goddess War    by Kendare Blake Order:  USA  Can Tor, 2014 (2014) Hardcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Mortal Gods follows Antigoddess as the second in Kendare Blake's gripping Goddess War series. It's YA urban fantasy with elements of Greek mythology, reincarnation of key figures from the Trojan War, imaginative horror, violent action, and romantic triangles. The first episode introduced immortal Greek gods and goddesses whose power has declined through the ages. But now they are slowly dying in horrific ways. Athena (with an affinity for owls) has feathers sprouting within her body. Her beloved brother, Messenger god Hermes is wasting away. Their search for answers took them, along with the wily Odysseus, to Kincade, New York, where they found Cassandra Weaver, once Cassandra of Troy. Her fate was to always have her true predictions of disaster ignored. Once again she has disturbing visions. Other Olympians (including Hera and Aphrodite), desperate to prolong their lives, cause horrific collateral damage to humans - which continues in this episode. Both sides seek the legendary Achilles as a key ally in this war of fading gods and goddesses. But which side will the invincible hero be on? And what do the Fates ('gods of the gods') want with both Achilles and Cassandra? Cassandra, who has discovered the ability to kill gods and is determined to finish Aphrodite (who killed her boyfriend), starts to realize that she likes the act of destruction a little too much. As she tells Odysseus, 'The difference between you and me is that you slid into your old life like it was a pair of shoes. Mine has toes filled with razor blades.' This episode ends on an Olympian confrontation and a cliffhanger with the fates of key characters as yet unknown. It will leave series fans anxious for more of The Goddess War. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews