I stumbled upon George O'Connor's Olympians graphic novel series as I was browsing the graphic novel section at work. As readers of this blog know, I'm a big fan of Greek Mythology and I couldn't resist picking up this series. O'Connor's attention to details, meticulous research, incredible artwork, and great storytelling makes the Olympians an enthralling read and a must have series in libraries. Please note that this review is based on the advanced reader's copy that I received from First Second via Netgalley. Olympians: Apollo the Brilliant one will be published and available on January 26th at libraries and bookstores.
Description: Mighty Apollo is known by all as the god of the sun, but there's more to this Olympian than a bright smile and a shining chariot. 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.
Review: Unlike the previous installments of the Olympian series, Apollo's graphic novel is narrated by the nine Muses who were also worshiped along with the Greek deity. Each muse tells a different story featuring Apollo and they all paint him as a tragic hero "who has had many loves, but whose loves seldom prosper."
O'Connor successfully shows different aspects of Apollo's personality through a variety of myths, some of which I was familiar with before and a few others that I did not know. We witness Apollo the hero when he goes off to avenge his mother, Leto, by defeating Python, the humongous serpent who had harried Leto at Hera's instigation, with fiery arrows. We also watch Apollo's ill luck with finding love as he lusts and chases after the nymph Daphne who would much rather be transformed into a laurel instead of being with him, kill his lover Hyacinth, the Prince of Sparta, who was killed by a misguided discus he threw and was led by the winds of a jealous Zephyr, and have his sister shoot the unfaithful mother of his own not-yet born son, Aklepios.
In addition to theses heartaches, we also see the majestic Apollo as he reminds everyone that he is indeed the greatest musician ever created after he gruesomely skins the hubris satyr Marsyas and wears it as his cape. Perhaps out of all of these different sides to Apollo, what struck me the most was the parental side of Apollo as he watched helplessly as his gifted son who healed many mortals be killed for upsetting Hades. As we wrap up the graphic novel, we can't help but think that the Muses maybe right in stating that Apollo is the most human out of all of the Greek gods and goddesses.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: Though not graphically depicted, there are strong violent allusions in the myths and mature themes. Recommended for Grades 4 and up.
If you like this book try: Greek Gods and Monsters by Bernard Evslin, Mythology by Edith Hamilton, or any of the Olympians series by George O'Connor
Description: Mighty Apollo is known by all as the god of the sun, but there's more to this Olympian than a bright smile and a shining chariot. 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.Review: Unlike the previous installments of the Olympian series, Apollo's graphic novel is narrated by the nine Muses who were also worshiped along with the Greek deity. Each muse tells a different story featuring Apollo and they all paint him as a tragic hero "who has had many loves, but whose loves seldom prosper."
O'Connor successfully shows different aspects of Apollo's personality through a variety of myths, some of which I was familiar with before and a few others that I did not know. We witness Apollo the hero when he goes off to avenge his mother, Leto, by defeating Python, the humongous serpent who had harried Leto at Hera's instigation, with fiery arrows. We also watch Apollo's ill luck with finding love as he lusts and chases after the nymph Daphne who would much rather be transformed into a laurel instead of being with him, kill his lover Hyacinth, the Prince of Sparta, who was killed by a misguided discus he threw and was led by the winds of a jealous Zephyr, and have his sister shoot the unfaithful mother of his own not-yet born son, Aklepios.
In addition to theses heartaches, we also see the majestic Apollo as he reminds everyone that he is indeed the greatest musician ever created after he gruesomely skins the hubris satyr Marsyas and wears it as his cape. Perhaps out of all of these different sides to Apollo, what struck me the most was the parental side of Apollo as he watched helplessly as his gifted son who healed many mortals be killed for upsetting Hades. As we wrap up the graphic novel, we can't help but think that the Muses maybe right in stating that Apollo is the most human out of all of the Greek gods and goddesses.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: Though not graphically depicted, there are strong violent allusions in the myths and mature themes. Recommended for Grades 4 and up.
If you like this book try: Greek Gods and Monsters by Bernard Evslin, Mythology by Edith Hamilton, or any of the Olympians series by George O'Connor
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I love Greek mythos, and I think I would have loved it even more as a kid reading a graphic novel like this one. I think this sounds so good! Brilly review!
Ooo, this sounds pretty good! I haven't read any graphic novels before, mostly because I don't know where to start, but I like that there's a lot of personality expressed through the pages. Great review!
I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology as well and I think this is one graphic novel I would love to get my hands on too. Glad it was a good one!
I didn't know these graphic novels existed. They sound interesting, and I like the Greek and Roman Gods and all the myths involving them.
Majanka @ I Heart Reading
We have Aphrodite from this series as my son is all about mythology thanks to Rick Riordan. I actually seem to never tire of it either so we'll have to check the library for the rest of the series. Thanks for reminding me about this series.