Go the Distance A Twisted Tale

This book makes me so happy

Hercules is a Disney film that doesn't get enough attention. Well, I don't think so. You have the Classics like The Little Mermaid and Cinderella that get all of the hype and merchandise, and then there's good ol' Hercules that just... exists? I don't see Meg dolls at the stores! It's all Elsa and Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. Get me more sass and get me it now! Well, this book provided! Go The Distance is one of my new fave Disney inspired tales. It's a fun, fast paced book that gives Meg the attention she deserves. I highly recommend it if you're seeking some fairy tale spins that also include your favourite Disney films. This cute story happens after the Hercules movie has ended. Hercules is going to be a god and Meg is just... well, Meg. She upsets some of the gods (is anyone surprised?) which will split her and Hercules up together. But don't fret folks! Hera is here to the rescue... kind of? She informs Meg she has a mission for her, that if she chooses to accept would give her the opportunity to be a god. That means she can be with Hercules forever! But does she truly love him? Will she take this path? Especially since it involves her ex-boyfriend whom she gave up her soul for... This book is fun, fast paced and light hearted. It reads as a pre-teen level book, but I absolutely loved it! The book wasn't dark, slow or boring. All of our fave characters are back - Pegasus, Phil, The Fates, Hades - and we see a lot more of the Gods and Meg's back story. It's a truly lovely tale for a character that deserves so much more hype. Hercules is also in it, but he takes a back seat. I think this book works really well, and Disney lovers will dig it. This book isn't as twisted or dark as some of the others in this series, so buyer beware. I think it's a lot of fun and is exactly what I want in a fairy tale romp. Four out of five stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Disney Publishing Worldwide and Disney Hyperion for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

(minor spoilers)

entertaining story. i really liked how we got to learn more about meg’s past and the guy who broke her heart. also fun to see the hades persephone storyline.

that was cute & cheesy

Could be better, it's a light story. I thought this would be sassyer, but still a good read. The back story is good, but I was expecting something else, so maybe that's why I didn't love it

It was a quick read. However, I expected a little more which is why I gave it 3 stars. The ending was nice because everything came together. But that was the only time I really felt something while reading this book. Hades was definitely the best written character.

This was a light and fun read. Honestly, reading it had the same feeling as watching the Disney movie. The flow, the imagery, very much felt like I was witnessing a proper continuation of the story I know and love. In that regard, I loved it. That said, based on the "Twisted Tale" description, I was expecting something at least moderately darker. I know that it's Disney, so it wont ever be DARK DARK. But there was nothing in this book that was any more "twisted" than in the Hercules movie itself. I DID love the presence of the other Gods in the story, and the peek into ANOTHER fan favorite mythology story towards the end.

This was my first book in the Twisted Tales series, and I absolutely loved it! The story was cute and it definitely made me feel a little nostalgic. Most importantly, everything the characters said and did was very true to their personality in the original movie, I could just picture everything in my head.

4.5 stars. I've always loved Hercules (the Greek Mythology obsession started young) and Meg has always been my favorite character from the film. When I heard that the next book in the Twisted Tales series was about her, I had to read it. Go the Distance takes place directly after the events of the Hercules film, with a slight twist. What would've happened if Zeus said no to Hercules giving up the life of a God to be on earth with Meg? Hera, going against her husband's wishes, offers Meg a deal, if she can complete the quest that Hera sends her on in 10 days, Meg will become a God. This quest takes Meg on quite the journey. We see her reunited with two film favorites, Pegasus (whom she calls Peg) and Phil as they help her on her quest for the Gods. I think that Go the Distance was extremely well done. The characterization was so well done. It truly felt like a continuation of the film as opposed to something completely unrelated. I could hear Meg saying these things (obviously it was in Susan Egan's voice) and I loved that we got to see a more vulnerable side to her. Go the Distance also had some important messages that I think audiences of all ages can appreciate. Go the Distance is the perfect read for all fans of the Hercules film.

There are some middle grade books that are written in a way where all ages are able to connect... and then there are others that are written with the one age group in mind. Go the Distance definitely falls in the second category. The story continues from the movie Hercules, but this time Meg is on a quest to become a goddess. She faces trials and tribulations, but learns about what love truly is along the way. It’s a great story for middle schoolers, and I can appreciate that the writing will connect with them. It wasn’t personally my favorite, but I will be adding it to my classroom library when it comes out.

Not this one making me cry at the end! 😭❤️

What if Meg had to become a god? This book was a perfect continuation of the Hercules Disney movie. The author did an amazing job of keeping the characters in character from the movie. I loved it.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved the writing style of this author, it made the story easy to get lost in. I finished this book in a day because I couldn't put it down. I definitely needed to hear the story of Meg and her journey, and this author wrote it beautifully.

"I’m a damsel. I’m in distress. I can handle this. Have a nice day!” Wow. This book made me surprisingly emotional and I’m not even mad about it. *Thank you, Disney-Hyperion, for the free e-arc in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own!* Goodreads synopsis: What if Meg had to become a 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. 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. I really truly enjoyed this retelling of my favorite Disney movie, in the perspective of my favorite Disney character. It’s delightful and fluffy and action-packed, but I have to discuss the thematic depth of this story. I have always seen pieces of myself in Meg, which is why “I Won’t Say I’m In Love” is such a special song to me. And so, to see Meg truly grow into her vulnerable, forgiving, thoughtful, and selfless, well, self was incredibly moving. Pride and independence can only get you so far, especially when it comes to love, and Meg learns this and more during her quest; she has to decide what love means to her and actually re-evaluates her feelings for Hercules against the stereotypes of the hero and the damsel-in-distress they often seem to play out (even despite Meg’s unconventional sass and sultriness). This is my first venture into the Twisted Tales, and I was nervous that the writing would feel young and would play-down Meg’s unique personality. Well, the writing does feel young in some places, but more in a young YA range, not even middle-grade. And there were places where I felt Meg’s snarkiness is lacking, especially in her inner dialogue, and personally I wanted this book to teach on vulnerability in relationships while reaffirming that sass and independence are great and inspiring qualities in her. Not that this book doesn’t do that, because it does? I think I’m still a little conflicted about that, but I honestly believe it’s because I’ve always felt such a connection to Meg; her sarcasm shows me my own is a valuable trait, instead of something that simply comes out of insecurity or meanness. So I think I wanted more of that trademark snarkiness that Hercules fell in love with in the first place. All in all, though, this book actually made me really emotional - like sobbing-crying emotional. the lessons Meg learns speak to my soul, and I will carry her story arc as a reminder that vulnerability is truly strength. “‘But don’t you see? When you find someone worthy of your love, letting them help is also powerful. Just as you, in turn, have helped him… It’s important to remember that when you let someone into your heart, you allow them to see all sides of you - even the vulnerable side. Loving someone does not make you any less strong.’” The themes in this book mean so much to me, but I believe there’s a little in them for everyone. I recommend this book to Disney lovers, but particularly to those who have always seen a piece of themselves in Meg and realized through her that having a bit of sass is a good thing. If you enjoyed this review, you can friend me here on Goodreads and follow my Bookstagram/Pinterest/Twitter @ashton_reads. Thanks for reading!