Skies of Olympus
Eliza Raine
(Skies of Olympus, #1)
Publication date: May 11th 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Young Adult
Twelve deadly Trials. A race for immortality. Her last chance for revenge.
Olympus is a beautiful but dangerous place, controlled by twelve Gods wielding unlimited power. Now they have devised the ultimate entertainment; a chance for their favourites to compete in twelve trials to win the ultimate prize – immortality.
Lyssa didn’t think the Gods knew who she was, until she was chosen to try out for the Trials with the crew of her old but beloved smugglers ship, the Alastor. For her the Trials are about much more than an eternal life. They’re about stopping the monster from her past gaining the one thing that would put her revenge out of reach forever. Can she face her murderous father and stop him from becoming immortal?
Join Lyssa and her crew alongside giants, centaurs, satyrs and Gods in the first of twelve episodes of this brand new YA Fantasy retelling. This is Greek mythology like you’ve never read before.
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My Review:
4 Out Of 5 Stars
Genre: Another-World, Heart-Wrenching, Retelling, Royal-Court, Supernatural, Suspense--
Lyssa enjoys her life as a smuggling captain, taking care of her crew and doing her own things. When the goddess Athena shows up on her ship and requests Lyssa compete in an ultimate competition for immortality, all of the baggage of the past comes racing forward. But Lyssa has no choice but to compete in the trials because she must stop the ultimate evil from winning and spreading his hatred and violence for ever.
This is hands down the most interesting version of the Greek mythology that I have ever encountered. What you thought you knew about the Greek Gods and Hercules is completely thrown away, and instead something completely new replaced it and boy did I enjoy this version! The world building took bits and pieces of the classic mythology and then created a whole other place with new kinds of magic, relationships and even locations while weaving those tid-bits in. There was also flying ships which had kind of a steampunk feel to them, and we all know my feelings about anything steampunk! I think there was also a timeless quality to the story as well, it could be ancient Greece, or it could be modern day, it works either way.
The story is predominantly narrated by Lyssa, so let's just call her the main character. Lyssa has tried to escape her past, running away until she was able to create her own future as a captain, as well as staying far, far away from the destruction her father Hercules causes. I will admit it was crazy to see this version of Hercules, instead of the hero we all know he was a monstrous murderer who wanted nothing but glory. I appreciated Lyssa and her even personality, how mellow she tried to stay even in the face of some scary situations and how she tried to do the right thing even when she was afraid she was not enough.
The book was also occasionally narrated by random side characters for a different perspective, such as Eryx the earnest half giant who is on another crew competing for the immortality spot; Evadne the young and beautiful crew member to Hercules who would do anything for him, even if that means she is a perpetual target for his hostility; as well as Hercules the terrible himself. It was interesting seeing some of the book told from the villain's point of view, there was zero redemption to be had with him, he legit was pure evil.
This book was actually three books in one, more like three novellas that picked up right where the last left off, each a different leg of the overall adventure of the story. I can't wait to see what Lyssa and her crew will encounter next.
I am voluntarily reviewing a complimentary copy of this title.
Author Bio:
Eliza Raine lives near Reading in England with her husband, three cats and outrageously cute puppy. She has a BA Hons in History and has a deep-rooted passion for all types of mythology and stories about women who don’t need rescuing.
She can usually be found reading fairytale retellings, playing board games or binge-watching Netflix shows.
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I love greek myth and this one sounds very well done and intriguing! Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteIt was such a cool twist on what I thought I knew!
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