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nickyskene's review
5.0
A brilliant read! A story of a young prince who learns of his true ancestry, his world is turned around when he learns that the gods are real and that they have plans for the humans that worship them. Contains triggers
alwroteabook's review
5.0
Finally, here's the review - https://www.alwroteabook.com/2019/01/05/athenas-champion-by-david-hair-and-cath-mayo/
dravxn's review against another edition
Overall the book couldn’t really hold my interest despite forcing myself to read until around the halfway point. I was spending more time questioning choices made by the author/editor than actually enjoying the plot
mina_reads_30's review against another edition
5.0
It's the first time I hear a book. Found out it's not my thing. I had a hard time keeping track of the story. I had to pick up the book and read it myself at my pace to enjoy it.
I like that we see Odysseus as a young man and adds a mystical/fantasy/political twist to the story. The story also intertwines other mythological heroes, like Theseus - who teaches Odysseus how to fight and trains with him.
Great book and a new favorite!
I like that we see Odysseus as a young man and adds a mystical/fantasy/political twist to the story. The story also intertwines other mythological heroes, like Theseus - who teaches Odysseus how to fight and trains with him.
Great book and a new favorite!
maidofbees's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this one! It's doing something interesting with the Greek gods and the nature of worship, and wasn't afraid to make changes to the established myths to make a captivating story. I wasn't sure about the love interest, but that was a small part of the book.
aerith's review
1.0
there's a point in this book where Hades is referred to as "the god of death" and immediately all I could think was
annarella's review
5.0
What a wonderful book if you like Greek mythology. I loved the mix of fantasy and mythological characters.
Odisseus was well written and interesting as well as the other characters.
The plot was engagin and entertaining, keeping you hooked till the last page.
A must read for both mythology and fantasy lovers.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC
Odisseus was well written and interesting as well as the other characters.
The plot was engagin and entertaining, keeping you hooked till the last page.
A must read for both mythology and fantasy lovers.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC
spookshow's review
3.0
You can find this review and all of my others over at www.readbookrepeat.wordpress.com
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Canelo, and the authors via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Prince Odysseus of Ithaca is about to have his world torn apart. He’s travelled to the oracle at Pytho to be anointed as heir to his island kingdom; but instead the Pythia reveals a terrible secret, one that tears down every pillar of his life, and marks him out for death.
Outcast by his family, hunted by the vengeful gods, Odysseus is offered sanctuary by Athena, goddess of wisdom, and thrust into the secret war between the Olympians for domination and survival. Only his wits, and his skill as a warrior, can keep him ahead of their power games – and alive.
When one of Athena’s schemes goes drastically wrong, and the young Helen of Sparta is kidnapped, Odysseus must journey past the gates of Hades to save her. Falling in love with a Trojan princess, a bewitching woman who poses a deadly threat to both his homeland and Athena, won’t make his task any easier…
I have always had a fascination with Greek mythology, though I must admit, I don't know it all that well. I know the players and the rough idea of everything but I'm not completely up to date with all the happenings. So when I saw this title available for request, I hit that button as fast as I could. Then I left it sitting in my TBR pile along with around 200 other titles I haven't quite got to yet. So I thought I'd start from the bottom of my netgalley request list and work up to the most current one so I can clear out a bit of backlog and appease the netgalley review Gods.
I found the first half of this story rather slow. I understand the point of everything that happened in that part of the story, I understand why it was slow, but it doesn't change the fact that that first half of the book was a pretty hard slog for me. It was all the set up for Odysseus and what was to come. Once the book hit the halfway mark though, the pacing of the story picked up a lot and just flew by, action all the way. This was great. I really thoroughly enjoyed the second part of the book, but the first half had me wondering if I should bother to continue and contemplating DNFing it.
If you're not completely on the up and up with your Greek mythology and all of the players, it can be a little bit of a task to get your head around the locations and the names. 90% of the names in the story were familiar, though there were a few, I'm not afraid to admit, I was spelling out in my head to make sure I was pronouncing them right. So this could have had something to do with the pacing problem I experienced as I felt like I had to slow down to make sure I was reading things right hahaha.
I've read a lot of reviews for this book saying that Odysseus has never been a favourite of anyone, and sure, he's not my favourite either, but I actually really liked the way Odysseus was portrayed in this story. I really felt for the guy. His whole world is shattered into a million pieces and then he keeps getting kicked in the guts when he's just trying to do the right thing. In a way, I think me not being completely knowledgeable of all the stories worked in my favour here. The character of Bria was interesting, and I liked Eurybates (not sure if I spelled that one right). I also absolutely LOVEDDDD Hades and Persephone. Something about them just made me smile.
The imagery of the world was brilliantly described and set up, the characters were well envisioned and I honestly had no idea what was about to go down which caused Helen of Troy to be kidnapped, I was honestly shocked by that outcome, so that was nice.
All in all, this was an okay story, by the end I did enjoy it but the first half was a major slog. I am interested to see where the story goes from here as this is the beginning of a new series, though I'm unsure at this point whether I will continue.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Canelo, and the authors via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Prince Odysseus of Ithaca is about to have his world torn apart. He’s travelled to the oracle at Pytho to be anointed as heir to his island kingdom; but instead the Pythia reveals a terrible secret, one that tears down every pillar of his life, and marks him out for death.
Outcast by his family, hunted by the vengeful gods, Odysseus is offered sanctuary by Athena, goddess of wisdom, and thrust into the secret war between the Olympians for domination and survival. Only his wits, and his skill as a warrior, can keep him ahead of their power games – and alive.
When one of Athena’s schemes goes drastically wrong, and the young Helen of Sparta is kidnapped, Odysseus must journey past the gates of Hades to save her. Falling in love with a Trojan princess, a bewitching woman who poses a deadly threat to both his homeland and Athena, won’t make his task any easier…
I have always had a fascination with Greek mythology, though I must admit, I don't know it all that well. I know the players and the rough idea of everything but I'm not completely up to date with all the happenings. So when I saw this title available for request, I hit that button as fast as I could. Then I left it sitting in my TBR pile along with around 200 other titles I haven't quite got to yet. So I thought I'd start from the bottom of my netgalley request list and work up to the most current one so I can clear out a bit of backlog and appease the netgalley review Gods.
I found the first half of this story rather slow. I understand the point of everything that happened in that part of the story, I understand why it was slow, but it doesn't change the fact that that first half of the book was a pretty hard slog for me. It was all the set up for Odysseus and what was to come. Once the book hit the halfway mark though, the pacing of the story picked up a lot and just flew by, action all the way. This was great. I really thoroughly enjoyed the second part of the book, but the first half had me wondering if I should bother to continue and contemplating DNFing it.
If you're not completely on the up and up with your Greek mythology and all of the players, it can be a little bit of a task to get your head around the locations and the names. 90% of the names in the story were familiar, though there were a few, I'm not afraid to admit, I was spelling out in my head to make sure I was pronouncing them right. So this could have had something to do with the pacing problem I experienced as I felt like I had to slow down to make sure I was reading things right hahaha.
I've read a lot of reviews for this book saying that Odysseus has never been a favourite of anyone, and sure, he's not my favourite either, but I actually really liked the way Odysseus was portrayed in this story. I really felt for the guy. His whole world is shattered into a million pieces and then he keeps getting kicked in the guts when he's just trying to do the right thing. In a way, I think me not being completely knowledgeable of all the stories worked in my favour here. The character of Bria was interesting, and I liked Eurybates (not sure if I spelled that one right). I also absolutely LOVEDDDD Hades and Persephone. Something about them just made me smile.
The imagery of the world was brilliantly described and set up, the characters were well envisioned and I honestly had no idea what was about to go down which caused Helen of Troy to be kidnapped, I was honestly shocked by that outcome, so that was nice.
All in all, this was an okay story, by the end I did enjoy it but the first half was a major slog. I am interested to see where the story goes from here as this is the beginning of a new series, though I'm unsure at this point whether I will continue.
vandana_onmyshelf's review
4.0
For some time now I have been looking to sink myself in a good Greek Mythology book (I chanced upon Circe late but I do want to read it)and that's when I chanced upon Athena's Champion. The blurb looked interesting and when I began reading I was glad I made the right choice.
The opening sequence is dramatic and makes for a good movie screenplay. I don't know why but I always imagine scenes in a book playing out like a movie. Do you guys do that? Anyhoo back to the plot, Odysseus, prince of Ithaca discovers that his true parentage comes from Prometheus lineage who is the god punished for sharing fire with mankind. He is brandished as a bastard and exiled. But the Goddess Athena gives him refuge and turns him into Theoi as well as requires him to play a part in a mission that was propelled by the prophecy that revealed Odysseus's true lineage.
Despite such a heavy story they make it look so effortless and even those who have no patience to read such fantasies can do it. I was admittedly apprehensive going in wondering if I will be able to complete it as my patience is unpredictable but I truly emerged satisfied at the other end.
thank you to netgalley and Canelo publishers
full review on www.bibliogyan.com
The opening sequence is dramatic and makes for a good movie screenplay. I don't know why but I always imagine scenes in a book playing out like a movie. Do you guys do that? Anyhoo back to the plot, Odysseus, prince of Ithaca discovers that his true parentage comes from Prometheus lineage who is the god punished for sharing fire with mankind. He is brandished as a bastard and exiled. But the Goddess Athena gives him refuge and turns him into Theoi as well as requires him to play a part in a mission that was propelled by the prophecy that revealed Odysseus's true lineage.
Despite such a heavy story they make it look so effortless and even those who have no patience to read such fantasies can do it. I was admittedly apprehensive going in wondering if I will be able to complete it as my patience is unpredictable but I truly emerged satisfied at the other end.
thank you to netgalley and Canelo publishers
full review on www.bibliogyan.com
jlynnelseauthor's review against another edition
5.0
In 1290 BC, twenty-year-old Odysseus has been cast out by his father after a prophecy unveils a devastating family secret. While on the run and in a life or death struggle, Odysseus is visited by Athena and accepts her as his patron goddess. His life is saved, and Odysseus finds himself in the care of a daemon named Bria who can inhabit different bodies when the situation calls. Previously a skeptic of the uncanny, Odysseus now finds all his beliefs being challenged as he’s pulled into a secret war between the gods. When a mission for Athena goes horribly wrong, Odysseus will need all his intellectual and warrior skills to save the kidnapped Princess Helen from the realm of Hades.
In the vein of The Song of Achilles and For the Most Beautiful, Athena’s Champion explores the Achaean gods through the eyes of a young hero. Odysseus is well-known for his part during and after the Trojan War, but what of his early life? Hair and Mayo take elements that are already known and explore his beginnings, diving into how one becomes a legendary hero. Odysseus faces hard choices and personal sacrifices that will influence his future. Their prose is entrancing, setting the stage within the first few pages for this fantastical and thoughtful journey into a world of myth and mystery. While there are plenty of fantasy elements, there’s also a well-crafted historical backdrop that brings its own enchantment to the narrative. Odysseus has just the right balance of wonder and rationalism to lend credibility to supernatural events happening around him. If you like magic and mayhem wrapped around ancient historical legends, this cup of nectar has your name on it. Recommended.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/athenas-champion-olympus-trilogy/
In the vein of The Song of Achilles and For the Most Beautiful, Athena’s Champion explores the Achaean gods through the eyes of a young hero. Odysseus is well-known for his part during and after the Trojan War, but what of his early life? Hair and Mayo take elements that are already known and explore his beginnings, diving into how one becomes a legendary hero. Odysseus faces hard choices and personal sacrifices that will influence his future. Their prose is entrancing, setting the stage within the first few pages for this fantastical and thoughtful journey into a world of myth and mystery. While there are plenty of fantasy elements, there’s also a well-crafted historical backdrop that brings its own enchantment to the narrative. Odysseus has just the right balance of wonder and rationalism to lend credibility to supernatural events happening around him. If you like magic and mayhem wrapped around ancient historical legends, this cup of nectar has your name on it. Recommended.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/athenas-champion-olympus-trilogy/