Review- Dionysos: The New God (Olympians #12) by George O'Connor

Title: Dionysos: The New God

Series: Olympians #12

Previous books in this series: Zeus: King of the Gods (#1) | Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (#2) | Hera: The Goddess and her Glory (#3) | Hades: Lord of the Dead (#4) | Poseidon: Earth Shaker (#5) | Aphrodite: Goddess of Love (#6) | Ares: Bringer of War (#7) | Apollo: The Brilliant One (#8) | Artemis: Wild Goddess of the Hunt (#9) | Hermes: Tales of the Trickster (#10) | Hephaistos: God of Fire (#11)

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, fantasy, Greek mythology

Publication date: January 2022

Published by: First Second

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: In the final volume of the New York Times–bestselling Olympians graphic novel series, author/artist George O’Connor focuses on Dionysos, the god of wine and madness.

The Olympians saga draws to a close with the tale of Dionysos, the last Olympian, and maybe, just maybe, the first of a new type of God. His story is told by the first Olympian herself, Hestia, Goddess of the hearth and home. From her seat in the center of Mt. Olympus, Hestia relates the rise of Dionysos, from his birth to a mortal mother, to his discovery of wine, his battles with madness and his conquering of death itself, culminating, finally, in his ascent to Olympus and Godhood.

My rating: ★★★★☆

You thought Athena’s birth was weird? Wait till you read about Dionysos’s. Let’s just say that Athena wasn’t the only one to be birthed from a weird Zeus body part...

Review- Hephaistos: God of Fire (Olympians #11) by George O'Connor

Title: Hephaistos: God of Fire

Series: Olympians #11

Previous books in this series: Zeus: King of the Gods (#1) | Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (#2) | Hera: The Goddess and her Glory (#3) | Hades: Lord of the Dead (#4) | Poseidon: Earth Shaker (#5) | Aphrodite: Goddess of Love (#6) | Ares: Bringer of War (#7) | Apollo: The Brilliant One (#8) | Artemis: Wild Goddess of the Hunt (#9) | Hermes: Tales of the Trickster (#10)

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, fantasy, Greek mythology

Publication date: January 2019

Published by: First Second

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Thrown from Mount Olympus as a newborn and caught by Thetis and Eurynome, who raised him on the island of Lemnos, Hephaistos had an aptitude for creating beautiful objects from a very young age. Despite his rejection from Olympus, he swallowed his anger and spent his days perfecting his craft. His exquisitely forged gifts and weapons earned him back his seat in the heavens, but he was not treated as an equal. His brothers and sisters looked down at him for his lame leg, and even his own wife, Aphrodite, was disloyal, Witness Hephaistos' wrath as he creates a plan that’ll win him the respect he deserves.

My rating: ★★★★☆

If you are familiar at all with Greek mythology then you know how sad Hephaistos’s life was, especially when he was born. Like most other myths, there are a couple of different versions of his birth. Sometimes he is the son of Hera alone, and sometimes his parents are Hera and Zeus. But it doesn’t matter the version, in every one he is thrown off Mount Olympus by Hera because he was deformed. It’s horrible! Such was the case in this retelling. Here, he is the son of Zeus and Hera, but Hera, of course, did what Hera does, and hurled the poor child off the mountain.

Review: Odin (Asgardians #1) by George O'Connor

Title: Odin

Series: Asgardians #1

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, fantasy, Norse mythology

Publication date: March 26th 2024

Published by: First Second

Source: eARC from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis: Following his smash-hit the Olympians series, New York Times bestseller George O'Connor embarks on a new saga about the Norse gods. This first volume tells the story of the warrior god Odin!

Welcome to the Nine Worlds, home of Gods, Valkyries, Dwarves, Jotnar, and more! Travel the burning rainbow bridge to Asgard where Odin, king of the Aesir, surveys his realm. His thirst for knowledge drives him ever onward, but nothing is learned without sacrifice...

In Asgardians, George O’Connor’s highly kinetic illustrations bring these gritty and astonishing tales of war, betrayal, and the quest for enlightenment at any cost to vivid and startling life and provide the perfect companion to his Olympians series.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I really enjoyed this author’s Olympians graphic novel series, so I was very excited when I found out he was going to be starting a Norse mythology series!

Review- Hermes: Tales of the Trickster (Olympians #10) by George O'Connor

Title: Hermes: Tales of the Trickster

Series: Olympians #10

Previous books in this series: Zeus: King of the Gods (#1) | Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (#2) | Hera: The Goddess and her Glory (#3) | Hades: Lord of the Dead (#4) | Poseidon: Earth Shaker (#5) | Aphrodite: Goddess of Love (#6) | Ares: Bringer of War (#7) | Apollo: The Brilliant One (#8) | Artemis: Wild Goddess of the Hunt (#9)

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, fantasy, Greek mythology

Publication date: January 2018

Published by: First Second

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: In volume ten of Olympians, George O’Connor delves into the myth of Hermes, the trickster god. From his infancy, when he bewitches animals and bends them to his will (stealing a herd of Apollo’s prize cattle in the bargain), to his adolescence and adulthood when he becomes father to the equally mischievous Pan, Hermes’s story is wildly entertaining as he brings a little bit of chaos to everything he touches or creates. This volume is sure to be a fan favorite with its wit, charm, and storytelling.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I have loved Hermes’s quips throughout the series, so I was very excited to finally get to this volume! And it was just as fun as I was anticipating!

Review- Artemis: Wild Goddess of the Hunt (Olympians #9) by George O'Connor

Title: Artemis: Wild Goddess of the Hunt

Series: Olympians #9

Previous books in this series: Zeus: King of the Gods (#1) | Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (#2) | Hera: The Goddess and her Glory (#3) | Hades: Lord of the Dead (#4) | Poseidon: Earth Shaker (#5) | Aphrodite: Goddess of Love (#6) | Ares: Bringer of War (#7) | Apollo: The Brilliant One (#8)

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, fantasy, Greek mythology

Publication date: January 2017

Published by: First Second

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Shunned even before she was born and destined to live a life of solitude, Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, finds power through her skilled hunting ability and mighty bow. She slays those who wish to do harm to the innocent and takes care of the young and helpless. She protects women and young girls, helps in childbirth, soothes, and is unrivaled in her hunting abilities.

In the latest volume of Olympians, New York Times–bestselling author George O'Connor continues to turn his extensive knowledge of the original Greek myths into rip-roaring graphic novel storytelling.

My rating: ★★★★☆

This volume focuses on Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon, hunt, wild animals, protector of girls, and so many other things. This goddess has had a very interesting life, even her birth was interesting. She is the twin sister of Apollo and she actually helped her mother deliver Apollo minutes after she was born! It’s insane! But hey, her mother was in a tough predicament because of Hera, of course.

Review- Apollo: The Brilliant One (Olympians #8) by George O'Connor

Title: Apollo: The Brilliant One

Series: Olympians #8

Previous books in this series: Zeus: King of the Gods (#1) | Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (#2) | Hera: The Goddess and her Glory (#3) | Hades: Lord of the Dead (#4) | Poseidon: Earth Shaker (#5) | Aphrodite: Goddess of Love (#6) | Ares: Bringer of War (#7)

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, fantasy, Greek mythology

Publication date: January 2016

Published by: First Second

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: From high atop Olympus, the nine Muses, or Mousai, recount the story of the powerful and quick-tempered Apollo, the Brilliant One. Born of a she-wolf and Zeus, King of Gods, Apollo is destined fro the greatest of victories and most devastating of failures as his temper, privilege, and pride take him into battle with a serpent, in pursuit of a beautiful but unattainable nymph, and into deadly competition with his beloved. Watch closely as Apollo navigates the tumultuous world in which he lives. Will he rise above the rest and fulfill his destiny as the son of Zeus, or will he falter, consumed by his flaws, and destroy all that he touches?

My rating: ★★★★☆

Despite his faults, or perhaps because of them, the most divine god is also the most human.

Apollo is one of my favorite Greek gods, so I was very excited about this volume! And I really liked it!

Review- Aphrodite: Goddess of Love (Olympians #6) by George O'Connor

Title: Aphrodite: Goddess of Love

Series: Olympians #6

Previous books in this series: Zeus: King of the Gods (#1) | Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (#2) | Hera: The Goddess and her Glory (#3) | Hades: Lord of the Dead (#4) | Poseidon: Earth Shaker (#5)

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, fantasy, Greek mythology

Publication date: December 2013

Published by: First Second

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Behold the wondrous beauty of Aphrodite, goddess of love and embodiment of the intangible Eros. A creature born of pure force and destined for power and fame, so lovely that the Earth and all its inhabitants bend to please her.

Pitted against Athena, warrior goddess, and Hera, goddess of the heavens, the lovely, cunning Aphrodite must find a way to outwit her opponents in a high-stakes beauty contest, the outcome of which will affect the destiny of mortals and gods alike. Will she do what she must to succeed? After all, all's fair in love, war, and vanity...

My rating: ★★★★☆

Did I purposely schedule this post about the goddess of love to be published on Valentine’s Day? Absolutely I did 😆

Anyway, in this next volume of the Olympians series, we focus on Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. This goddess has a couple of different birth stories—there sometimes tend to be different versions of the same myth in Greek mythology. Aphrodite, for example, is sometimes said to be the daughter of Zeus and the titan goddess Dione, and other times she is said to have been born from sea foam, hence the famous Venus painting:

Review- Ares: Bringer of War (Olympians #7) by George O'Connor

Title: Ares: Bringer of War

Series: Olympians #7

Previous books in this series: Zeus: King of the Gods (#1) | Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (#2) | Hera: The Goddess and her Glory (#3) | Hades: Lord of the Dead (#4) | Poseidon: Earth Shaker (#5) | Aphrodite: Goddess of Love (#6)

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, fantasy, Greek mythology

Publication date: January 2015

Published by: First Second

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: In the chaos of the Trojan war, Ares arrives in a chariot, armor blazing like fire. Strategy has failed and gore drips from every surface, but the god of war denies his nature and sits on the sidelines as the blood of both mortals and demigods stains the ground red.

Strong, vengeful, and just plain angry, Ares enters the battle, his mind set on one thing: total obliteration. But will he be satisfied with the death and destruction he causes?

My rating: ★★★★☆

One thing I appreciated about this volume is that it starts right off with differentiating him from Athena because they are different. Athena is more the goddess of battle strategy, while Ares is the god of, well, war.

Review- Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory (Olympians #3) George O'Connor

Title: Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory

Series: Olympians #3

Previous books in this series: Zeus: King of the Gods (#1) | Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (#2)

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, fantasy, Greek mythology

Publication date: July 2011

Published by: First Second

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: There's only one thing Zeus, the king of the Gods, is afraid of. It isn't the many-headed Hydra or the towering Gigantes. It isn't his powerful, jealous brother Poseidon, the god of the seas. Monsters, gods, Titans—none of them make the mighty Zeus blink an eye.

The only thing Zeus fears is his wife: Hera. Goddess of the air, the sky, and the heavens, patroness of the cunning Jason, and scourge of the mighty Heracles, Hera rivals Zeus in power—and surpasses him in wrath.

My rating: ★★★★☆

This volume of the Olympians focuses on Hera, the Greek goddess of marriage. For being the goddess of marriage, she really married the worst guy possible...

Review- Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (Olympians #2) by George O'Connor

Title: Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess

Series: Olympians #2

Previous book in this series: Zeus: King of the Gods (#1)

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, fantasy, Greek mythology

Publication date: April 2010

Published by: First Second

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Step into a world of fearsome battle, cruel treachery, and fierce loyalty. Your guides are the three Fates, eerie figures who weave the tale of life. Their subject today is Athena, warrior goddess. Five astonishing tales of brave Athena's adventures lies ahead.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I really liked this series! I love that they’re retold myths in the form of graphic novels! (Also, the kids at the school I work at LOVE this series! Lol.)

Review- Zeus: King of the Gods (Olympians #1) by George O'Connor

Title: Zeus: King of the Gods

Series: Olympians #1

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, Greek mythology

Publication date: January 2010

Published by: First Second

Source: Own paperback

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Synopsis:

Here's Where It All Starts: the beginning of everything - the world, the gods, and even humanity. Might Kronos, the most terrifying of all the Titans, reigns as the unchallenged tyrant of the cosmos...until his son, the god Zeus, stands up and takes on his own father in a battle intense enough to shatter the universe! Who will emerge triumphant?

My rating: ★★★★☆
I LOVE Greek mythology, so the idea of Greek mythology graphic novels sounds amazing to me! It’s basically the myths in condensed form but with pictures! This series focuses on the main twelve gods AKA the Olympians. Hence the series name. Lol. I actually read a couple of the other graphic novels in this series, which is totally okay to read before this one because it doesn’t really tell a linear story, so they can be read as standalones.

Review - Poseidon: Earth Shaker (Olympians #5) by George O'Connor

Title: Poseidon: Earth Shaker

Series: Olympians #5

Previous books in this series: Previous books in this series: Zeus: King of the Gods (#1) | Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (#2) | Hera: The Goddess and her Glory (#3) | Hades: Lord of the Dead (#4)

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, Greek mythology

Publication date: March 19th 2013

Published by: First Second

Source: the publishers via Netgalley (thanks!)

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Synopsis:

In volume 5 of Olympians, author/artist George O'Connor turns the spotlight on that most mysterious and misunderstood of the Greek gods, Poseidon: Earth Shaker. Thrill to such famous stories as Theseus and the Minotaur, Odysseus and Polyphemos, and the founding of Athens—and learn how the tempestuous Poseidon became the King of the Seas.

My rating: ★★★★★
Heh, As I was reading this, I was also half-watching the Percy Jackson movie...can you say mythology junkie? LOL.

Review - Hades: Lord of the Dead (Olympians #4) by George O'Connor

Title: Hades: Lord of the Dead

Series: Olympians #4

Previous books in this series: Zeus: King of the Gods (#1) | Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (#2) | Hera: The Goddess and her Glory (#3)

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, Greek mythology

Publication date: January 31, 2012

Published by: First Second

Source: The publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

"Hades: Lord of the Dead" tells the story of the great God of the Underworld and one of the most famous of all Greek myths: Hades’ abduction of Persephone and her mother’s revenge. Be prepared to see a new side of Persephone in this dynamic adaptation of the story of the creation of the seasons. In Olympians, O’Connor draws from primary documents to reconstruct and retell classic Greek myths. But these stories aren’t sedate, scholarly works. They’re action-packed, fast-paced, high-drama adventures with monsters, romance, and not a few huge explosions. O’Connor’s vibrant, kinetic art brings ancient tales to undeniable life in a perfect fusion of super-hero aesthetics and ancient Greek mythology.

My rating: ★★★★★
I loved, loved, LOVED this book!!

It was a very fun and quick read about the Greek Underworld and its geography, and its residents and deities (including Hades, of course). It also talked about the Abduction of Persephone. In this myth, he is always viewed as the villain…but truthfully, he isn’t! He is really a nice guy! And Persephone sees that, eventually. I even added him to my favorite-Greek-gods list just recently :)