Goddess Girls Series by Joan Holub & Suzzanne Williams

Goddess Girls Series by Joan Holub & Suzzanne Williams ~V^^^^^V

I am going to review the whole series here in one post. While covering all the books individually. The series as a whole gets my highest rating. I just love the concept, the writing and the newness of the whole thing.

Athena the Brain
Introduces us to Mount Olympus Academy (MOA) and Athena, Zeus' daughter. She learns of her heritage, meets all the other "goddess girls and boys" and begins her education on being a goddess. In this book the myth of Odysseus unfolds as does the interaction of the other gods and goddesses within said myth.

I originally got this book for my daughter, but due to varying tastes, she decided she wasn't interested so I picked it up. I have to say that after reading it I, requested all the others and tore through them. I recommend this for not only children but for other adults with a passion for mythology. It really is a fun and interesting retelling of some very old stories.

Perpesphone the Phony

Once again this book was fabulous. The myth in this book covers Persephone and Hades. It is told in a more child friendly manner and with a modern twist. Persephone is afraid to upset the apple cart, as it were, and very rarely ventures her own opinions. She meets Hades and wants to be friends even though her mother and friends tell her he is bad. This cute story teaches a lesson about standing up for yourself and in any light that is a great lesson. 
 

Aphrodite the Beauty 

Perhaps a lesser know myth; Hippmenes and Atalanta. Atalanta was one of the fastest humans on Earth. She didn't want to marry and asked her father, King Schoeneus, to help her. He decreed that only one who could beat her in a foot race, was worthy of marrying his daughter. A human boy, Hippomenes, seeks Aphrodite's help to win the race and be with his love Atalanta. Of course there is a lesson to be learned for our goddess girl Aphrodite along the way. Again I loved this book. 

Artemis the Brave

Another great one. This book cover Orion and Sirius, for fans of the night sky you will be familiar with this constellation. Artemis develops her first crush, only Orion isn't liked by any of her friends and she doesn't understand why. Soon she learns to not let boys get in the way of friends and family. There is brief mention of Apollo and Daphne, but you would have to be well rehearsed in Greek Mythology to catch the irony. I seriously enjoy these books even though I am not 8-12 anymore. 

 

Athena the Wise 

The 12 Trials of Hercules. How did this boy become a Hero? Well with the help of the wisest of all the goddess girls of course. This book teaches about friendship, brains before brawn and sometimes brawn is necessary. However this book isn't just Hercules we also have side story of Athena and Arachne. If you haven't heard this one yet, check it out.

Aphrodite the Diva 

Why does everyone think Aphrodite is all beauty and no brains? She is out to prove she is more than just a pretty face. In this book the myth of Pygmalion is told. An amazing sculptor who has asked the Goddess Girl of Love to help him find his true love. He in inadvertently asked BOTH Goddesses of Love for help. A competition ensues between Aphrodite and Isis. I loved the introduction of some Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, it also helped extend the original myth into a longer tale. Again this is a...more Why does everyone think Aphrodite is all beauty and no brains? She is out to prove she is more than just a pretty face. In this book the myth of Pygmalion is told. An amazing sculptor who has asked the Goddess Girl of Love to help him find his true love. He in inadvertently asked BOTH Goddesses of Love for help. A competition ensues between Aphrodite and Isis. I loved the introduction of some Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, it also helped extend the original myth into a longer tale. Again this is another, I highly recommend. 

Artemis the Loyal  

Artemis is upset that her twin brother and all the boys at Mount Olympus Academy get to compete in the Olympics while she can not. It's BOYS Only! She decides that it would only be fair for girls to compete as well, and takes action. I liked the lesson about making new friends, standing up for your opinions and being loyal doesn't mean being bossy. As a side story, we get the myth of Artemis and Actaeon, told much more innocently than the original. I am having so much fun with these book. 

 

Medusa the Mean 

Medusa is the class bully, in a way. All she really wants is to be popular, sadly she has built up some very strong defensive walls. Believing that the only way she will have a better life is if she can become Immortal like all the over popular gods and goddesses at school, she sets out to make it a reality. Seeing Medusa's side of things helped to make her a little less hateful and sometimes you are able to feel sad for her as well. Again this book wouldn't be a Goddess Girl story without some...more Medusa is the class bully, in a way. All she really wants is to be popular, sadly she has built up some very strong defensive walls. Believing that the only way she will have a better life is if she can become Immortal like all the over popular gods and goddesses at school, she sets out to make it a reality. Seeing Medusa's side of things helped to make her a little less hateful and sometimes you are able to feel sad for her as well. Again this book wouldn't be a Goddess Girl story without some mythology. In this story we learn of Andromeda and the Sea Nymphs, Thetis and Amphitrite. Also there is some mention of Dionysus' involvement with Aridne, the daughter of King Minos. Soon Perseus will be battling the Minotaur in Crete. I do hope they continue this series, it is just too fun. ~Michelle