Review by Booklist Review
O'Connor kicked off the Olympians graphic-novel series with Zeus: King of the Gods (2010) and now follows up with the story of Zeus' forehead spawn. Top-notch artwork and design values are used to tell five myths involving Athena, including complementary (or conflicting) stories of how she gained the Pallas moniker along with quick treatments of Perseus and Medusa and the weaver Arachne. O'Connor's take on mythology is well researched, synthesized, and presented, yet it still maintains a stupendous superhero appeal. The next 10 planned books in the series can't come out fast enough.--Chipman, Ian Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Following the first book in the Olympians series, Zeus: King of the Gods, this volume begins with a quick summary of the previous tale, before moving on to the story of the goddess of wisdom. O'Connor does a nice job of using the three Fates to do the serious storytelling of the myth, while incorporating casual, fun dialogue between characters and making the portrayal of the difficult friendship between Athena and her best friend, Pallas, daughter of Triton, relatable to modern readers. In the emotional scenes in which the two fight in a tournament and Athena accidentally stabs her friend, the two girls' faces are expressive and clear, showing all the love, fear, and guilt they feel. The necessarily episodic story moves lightly from one narrative to another, with endnotes that give concise and clear explanations of the myths and their characters. O'Connor also gives some information about the lives of women in ancient Greece, noting, "I'm glad I live in a time when girls can be more like Athena," thus bringing the story into the here-and-now for its readers. Ages 9-up. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up-These riveting graphic novels balance carefully researched retellings with strong characterizations, satisfying humor, and superhero-style action. Stunning artwork and compelling scripts relate five thrilling stories about the headstrong Athena; provide fresh perspective on Hera and her role in the fraught-with-trials tale of Heracles; and introduce world-shaking Zeus, from sheltered boyhood to Titan-toppling melees to ascendance to the throne. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In this graphic novel, the Fates narrate a collection of myths featuring the Greek goddess, including the story of her birth from Zeus's skull, the Olympians' battle with the Gigantes, and Medusa's betrayal of Athena. The lively format brings a modern sensibility to the ancient myths and makes them accessible to a wide audience. Reading list. Bib. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Following the series opener that chronicled Zeus's origin story, O'Connor's next relates the details of his daughter Athena's birth and some of the stories about her. The three Fates narrate in stately language, briefly recapping the rise of the Olympians before turning to Zeus's relationship with Metis, which ends when he eats her to avoid his prophesied overthrow by their child. Following Athena's miraculous emergence from his head, fully grown, she struggles to find her place in the world and among the gods. The Fates go on to recount how she adopted the first name Pallas and acquired the components of her Aegis, which includes the story of Perseus and Andromeda, and Athena's confrontation with Arachne. While less unified in narrative structure than the previous book, this nevertheless shares its strengthsa balance between heightened narration and colloquial dialogue, superb graphic storytelling with extended wordless action sequences, energetic backmatter and a palpable fondness for the subject matter. Up next? Hera. (author's note, character profiles, "G[r]eek Notes," discussion questions, bibliography) (Graphic mythology. 8-14)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
