I'm always a sucker for alternate/expanded/'what if' stories, and this one didn't fail to deliver! It definitely kept the tone of the Disney film, which is overall lighthearted with scenes of genuine emotion and peril. I've seen some complain that the story is "too juvenile", and while it's certainly on the younger end of YA, I didn't have a problem with it. The film is geared towards younger kids (and is most assuredly NOT a genuine retelling of the Greek myths), so why shouldn't the book be as well.

I greatly appreciated Meg finally being given more of a backstory than just being a scorned girlfriend; Calonita took that trope/cliche and twisted it (see what I did there ^_^) to flesh Meg out and give her real human emotion, drive, desires, and reasons for doing the things she does. Trauma can mess people up where they sabotage themselves but don't know how to stop and accept the fact that the world isn't out to get them, that there are people who truly care about and love them for who they are, faults and all. That's something Meg has to come to terms with through a lot of emotional pain throughout the story.

I did feel that there were some things missing from the overall story (i.e. how Hades' new relationship got started and how it may have affected the events of the film if it had already been established beforehand), but it's already difficult to take adult stories and shape them into things suitable for kids without being 800+ pages and going off track from the focal main character, so I'm not going to quibble about that. There were also a few times where something was explained, then almost immediately forgotten only to be brought up much later as a big revelation; on the flip side, there were a couple of times something seemed like it was going to be explained or made into at least a minor plot point, but was never mentioned again. Kinda odd.

If you enjoyed the Disney film without tearing its "accuracy" apart (yes, in the myth Hercules killed Megara [who was actually a princess] and their children after being driven temporarily insane by Hera [who was not Hercules' birth mother and actually really hated him], but that's not exactly good Disney material, so shut up), you should enjoy this expanded alternate ending/continuation.

Go the Distance - A Disney Twisted Tale
By Jen Calonita
Release Date April 6, 2021
3.5 stars/5

Ever wonder what happened with Meg and Hercules after the 1997 Disney movie? (Tied for my fav Disney movie of all time, btw) In this Twisted Tale, Hercules is required to stay a god on Mount Olympus, and Meg is offered a chance to join him as a god *if* she can complete a heroic quest. (If, if is good)

I really really really wanted to absolutely love this book, and while I really enjoyed the overall plot, a few things got in the way for me. The cutesy nicknames instead of the character’s actual names started to annoy me after the first few chapters. The writing skews a little young for me - which is fine, since that is the market for this type of book - but for a book that deals with past grief and death, I expected something a little more YA feeling than Middle Grades.

That being said, I have always loved Meg, and I devoured this book in 3 hours of reading time! Hearing Meg’s backstory, especially learning more about selling her soul to Hades for her first love, was super interesting to me. At its core, this tale is about a girl learning to forgive herself and others - and that’s a story worth telling and reading, IMO.

Thank you so much for the chance to read this ook, NetGalley and Disney Hyperion!

What if Meg had to become a Greek God? This is how the story starts and it's absolutely brilliant and thrilling! Meg is a wonderful main character, I loved the setting, so lush and evocative and the mission, the plot twists and everything is great and I totally recommend it!!!

Title: Go the Distance
Author: Jen Calonita
Pub. Date: April 6, 2021
Rating: 3

This will be a spoiler free review. Thank you to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. The moment I learned that there was going to be a Twisted Tales novel based on Hercules, I knew I needed to read it. Despite the amazing tagline, I honestly didn’t know what to expect, and ultimately, I enjoyed this one.

I will say that I have a sort of love/hate relationship with these books. I don’t ever find them actually “twisted”. I don’t know. I get that the authors are taking the well known and loved movies and altering the plots to be something slightly different. But to me “twisted” has almost a darker connotation. I’m always left having enjoyed it, but also feeling a little bereft.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, Meg felt a little out of character – I didn’t quite get the sass she has in the movie. But I did appreciate the backstory and how her character was shaped. I think I still like Movie Version Megara over this version but having more depth to her character is really nice. She was always capable in the movie, and you care about her, but you can really get behind her and her actions in this book.
And yes, I wish Hercules – aka Wonder Boy – had a little bit bigger of a role, but it’s fine.

I will say the most shocking element in this book – and I really wasn’t expecting it – was the Hades and Persephone plot line. Maybe it’s just me, but the Disney version of Hades never came across like he would care about anyone – like, he was the stereotypical rendition of Hades. Like, actual evil, hell bent on causing chaos, Hades. Not, soft, tortured, morally grey, in desperate need of a hug and good conversation, Hades. I just found it weird, and I didn’t really like it.
Also, on the note of the Gods – they felt like they came out of PJO.

As long as I turned my brain off and just enjoyed the story for what it was – Meg’s journey to become a God – then I had no problems. It was a pretty quick read, enjoyable and endearing at times. But if I started thinking too much, I started comparing and then I wasn’t necessarily enjoying it. I’m also quickly realizing that these books are 100% geared towards a younger YA crowd – which also might lend to my different interpretation of “twisted”. I still want to read the other books in this series, because I want to see the various takes.

You can check out Go the Distance when it hits shelves next week!

Meg fell for man after trying to betray him then he became a god. What’s a girl to do with that except become a god herself. It’s not that simple but it is so fun.
Meg is strong, honest, independent and nearly fearless in reaching her goals. I loved her strength and her ability to question herself.
This is not the classic hero movie where the guy sweeps in to save the girl. This girl saves the boy, and can stand on her on in a fight. When presented with a quest that would end with her being a god, she grabs it. She doesn’t do it because she can’t live without the wonder boy but because she can do it for herself. Woot Woot ! Girl power activated !
Seriously fun read, excellent characters.

I think the thing I enjoy about these Twisted Tales is that they usually skew a little more grown up. Meg's view on life is harder. She doesn't want to rely on anyone, is definitely more cynical than she was in the movie. Seeing more of her backstory is sad. Parts of the story are a little obvious, but it is for kids.

3 STARS

I have mixed feelings about The Twisted Tales series. Jen Calonita wrote some books that I enjoyed, i liked some parts of this book, but it’s still not overly great. It sometimes felt like the author got lazy and took dialogue straight from the movie rather than create her own. I was looking forward to reading this one, but sadly this is another disappointment from the Twisted Tales series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

First of all, thank you to Disney books and NEt Galley for an EARC of Go the Distance in exchange for an honest review!

What if instead of Hercules going back to Earth to live with Meg as a mortal, Zeus demans he stay in Olympus as a God? Meg has finally learned to love and trust another man despite having betrayed him because of her deal with hades.

But Hera sees the way they look at one another, and doesn't want to deprive Hercules of his love, so she promises to make Meg a God if she can succeed at the tasks put before her in the alotted length of time. To become a god, Meg must face her past and the man that drove her to trade her soul for his life.

There's a bit of a suspension of disbelief with this book because the disney version of Hercules is highly inaccurate, but overall I really enjoyed it! I like Meg as a character, and I love that despite her interacting with a few characters, this really is her story. I even teared up a bit at the end. IT does read rather young, but that's not surprising considering its a twisted tale based off a Disney movie! Either way overall enjoyed it!

I enjoy this twisted tales and while this was not my very favorite, I still thought it was a good twisted take on a classic tale. Like others I expected it to be about Hercules, but was surprised and quite enjoyed the fact it was instead about Meg. I think it was a good book to add to the fantastic twisted tale series. It was well written, but I also haven’t read as much as some about the characters, so I may be missing things others caught. I think kiddos will enjoy it though, and it will definitely give them a twist to untangle in their brains, comparing it to the classic story they likely are familiar with. I would definitely recommend to those who enjoy the series, but likely not those who have attachment to the classic tale or characters involved!

Will buzz around platforms and use low Amazon reviewer number on release date!

This is my first Twisted Tale, and while I was excited to try one out, I'm sure I'll continue. This book is labeled as Teens and YA, but it's more pre-teen. It deals with some grown up themes in marriage, but otherwise the action, dialogue, and writing is very young.

Like I expected, the story carries on where the animated movie ends and has the same spunk we grew up with in the movie. It vacillates between silliness and true to the story. It was hard to decide whether I liked it or not...

Thank you NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. Growing up I loved the movie Hercules, and even now still have an affinity for Greek Mythology. This book had the nostalgic details and characters from Hercules, while having a fresh and new twist and plot. I loved the fact that this also touched on the Persephone myth, and also the fact that we got to see the character development of Meg. Overall I think this book is absolutely magical and is a book for all age ranges. It truly is appropriate enough that I think children would enjoy, but it also has enough to it that an adult would also enjoy it. Overall we got to see a new side to characters we already know and love, but we are also introduced to new characters who really add to the story. Overall this was a fun and adventurous read that I think most would enjoy.

When your favorite underrated Disney movie finally gets the Twisted Tales treatment, you can't pass it up!

As with the rest of the titles in this series, Twisted Tales provide readers with an alternate take on happily ever after. "Go the Distance" picks up the action of 1997's Hercules where the final moments of the movie leave us: Hercules has proven his worth and becomes a full god on Mount Olympus. The catch provided by this book? Megara has to do the same to stay with him. After striking a deal with Hera, Meg starts out on her own heroic quest, joined by Philoctetes and Pegasus. However, to ensure her immortal happiness with Hercules, Meg has to make peace with the pain of her past.

This is only the second of the Twisted Tales books that I've read, and I enjoyed it much more than the first one. The layers to Megara's character aligned with her portrayal in the film, and her backstory made her an even stronger and more relatable protagonist. That said, there wasn't quite enough detail on her relationship with Hercules to make readers seem truly invested. (I've read several of Calonita's books in the past and liked them, but they typically don't get rereads from me.) This book will likely appeal to fans of mythology and the Percy Jackson series in addition to those who have already been keeping up with Twisted Tales. However, I think that someone who hasn't seen the 1997 movie will miss a lot of the references and may not be as invested in Meg's story. As a Hercules fan, I give this a 4.5/5, but casual readers may score it a bit lower.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing an ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and Disney Hyperion for the opportunity to read and review this book So the Twisted Tale books have been stories I have been interested in but I wasn't sure where to start. This story though, was perfect for me because it gave more depth to Megara's background and character development. It also gave some nods to the original mythology and the Disney movie without feeling too dumbed down or too advanced for younger readers. I think also it showed a lot of life lessons in love and not being a damsel in distress to make the story very appealing and not feeling like the story was taking too long or meandering too much. Overall, as a huge fan of Hercules and Greek Mythology otherwise, this is a fantastic story to add and if you're a huge fan of Megara you need to check it out. My only issue was that there were a couple of minor issues that made it a bit much. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

A fun retelling of Disney's Hercules from the perspective of Meg. Great storytelling that is a fast paced read. A YA feel that will appeal to niche audience. A great addition to the twisted Disney tales.

After Hercules rescues Meg from the Underworld, she’s hoping for a happy ending and thinks she’s about to get it when Hercules turns down immortality to be with her. But then Zeus says no, and the tale that Disney told in the 1997 movie gets a twist. Luckily, Hera presents Meg with a solution that could change everything: go on a ‘simple’ quest to retrieve her ex-boyfriend’s wife from the Underworld in just ten days and become a god so she can be with Hercules forever. The problem? That’s the guy Meg sold her soul to Hades for who then moved on almost immediately. There’s more to the story than Meg realizes, though, and if she wants a chance to be with Hercules, she’ll have to face her past—and the Underworld—to forge a future with Wonder Boy.

I love retellings, and Jen Calonita’s third addition to the A Twisted Tale series definitely delivers. Meg is as feisty, fierce, and fun as she is in the movie. Of course, reading a book about her is different than watching a movie about her, but I enjoyed the chance to hear her thoughts and experience the story at her side. And speaking of the story, it’s such a riveting plot that I read it in a single day! Great pacing, great setting, great characters…what more could you want? Even the themes are excellent, as readers will be able to identify with Meg’s journey of learning to trust others, her fight for family, and her indecision about the future (or maybe that last one is just me…college senior here!). With so many amazing elements, Go the Distance is perfect for fans of the A Twisted Tale series, Disney’s Hercules, and retellings in general. Unlike Meg’s popular song from the movie (and one of my personal favorite Disney numbers of all time), I will say I’m in love with this book!

(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon publication.)

I really enjoyed this book. It felt face paced, and I liked how it gave Meg a chance to deal with the after effects of the decisions she made before she met Hercules. I also liked that it gave her a shot at redemption and a 'happily ever after'.

4.5 Stars (come on Goodreads, I need .5 to be added.)

If you have ever wondered about what if Meg had become a goddess, this is the book for you.

I loved this book, if only that could be my whole review. Go the Distance was action-packed with romance sprinkled in and was quite possibly my favorite Twisted Tale yet. Calonita really brought out Meg as a character, most especially by bringing out Meg's personality and headstrongness. Meg was such an enjoyable character to read about because of this. She didn't give up with her trials and was willingly to do anything for love, which I found was exactly like her character in Hercules.

You know a books good when you can finish it in one sitting. I absolutely devoured this novel. It was such an amazing read that I had little to no trouble getting through it. There were actually only a few parts where I found that it was dragging on or that I didn't quite understand what was happening. And quite sadly, that was during the beginning. I just felt like the wording dragged on for a chapter or two, but it quickly picked back up when there was a new foe to fight.

Overall, I really found few problems with Go the Distance. (I love this title so much, Go the Distance is my favorite song from the movie) It ties in with movie really, picking up almost right when the movie ends except for a few changes. The characters were exactly the same from the movie, with their altitudes and all. Plus I felt like I got a new perspective of the characters, especially Meg when you learn more about her past love.

One last thing, you will most likely have to have watched the movie to understand what is going on. You can go in without previous knowledge but you may get a little lost. Just a pre-warning.

Thank you to Netgalley and Disney Publishing for giving me a chance to read Go the Distance.

Not my favorite, as it came off a little juvenile for me but I suppose that's what's meant to be with a Disney book. But I have enjoyed other of this series so I know that they don't all come off this juvenile. I did enjoy the story otherwise.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

“Maybe there would never be some huge sign that he was the one. Perhaps it was a bunch of little signs and she just had to decide once and for all to take that leap.”

Thank you to Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for the chance to read and review the new installment in the Twisted Tales series, out in April!

This one follows Hercules and Megara. I’ve only see Hercules once (I know, I know) and really enjoyed it. I always felt that Megara was an underrated Disney character, so this one intrigued me.

This is my third time reading a Twisted Tales and just like the last two, this one was just okay. The writing seemed pretty juvenile to me but the story itself was good. In this one, Meg works on a quest to become a God and live with Hercules forever.

You really see Meg go through some hardship and become vulnerable in the story. She does a lot of learning, but still was written kind of flat to me, which is sad because her character in the movie is so badass. Hercules was written in a way that made him seem dumb to me, and I didn’t think it fully captured his character.

Overall, the story was cute and fun. There’s not much plot and it’s pretty predictable but a fun ride nonetheless. If you are a Hercules fan, I do recommend reading this one.

Also - how gorgeous is this cover?!

“I know now that love means showing up for one another and trusting that the other person always has your back. It means asking for help sometimes, and not thinking that means you look weak. Love means opening your heart to one another, no matter what.”

*I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

I won't lie and say that I didn't want to read this book because of how much I loved Hercules. It was definitely one of my favorites growing up. With that being said, I did enjoy the bits and pieces of that story as it shown through this one. However, this book fell a little flat to me.

I think the main reason for this is pacing. Much of the book felt like exposition and it took me quite a long time to feel connected to Megara. I also didn't feel like her character development was deep. It seemed as though she was going through the motions of what she thought others wanted her to be instead of really changing herself. The story did not feel like it had a possible bad ending, so it felt very light.

I do know that I have students who will like this addition to the Twisted Tales. However, I did not enjoy it as much as I was hoping to.