Release Date: August 3, 2010
Publisher: Aladdin
Pages: 224
Series: #3 of the Goddess Girls series
Received: Library
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Page
Product Description:
Aphrodite delights in helping mortals in love, but she's pretty annoyed at the constant attention she gets from the godboys at Mount Olympus Academy. When she decides to give Athena a makeover, she's a bit unprepared for the result. She didn't count on all the interest Athena's new look would get. And she certainly never thought she'd find herself jealous of one of her best friends! Will she be able to put the jealousy behind her?
Aphrodite delights in helping mortals in love, but she's pretty annoyed at the constant attention she gets from the godboys at Mount Olympus Academy. When she decides to give Athena a makeover, she's a bit unprepared for the result. She didn't count on all the interest Athena's new look would get. And she certainly never thought she'd find herself jealous of one of her best friends! Will she be able to put the jealousy behind her?
Like all the books in the Goddess Girls series, Aphrodite the Beauty can be read as a standalone and it is not necessary to have read the previous books.
I liked this book, but not as much as the previous two. The story was solid and continues with the excellent blend of mythology and real-life issues that I have come to expect from this series. The only drawback for me was Aphrodite herself. I didn't relate as well to her as a character and I found her to have a little less depth than Athena or Persephone. I also didn't like the way she treated a certain character, but her actions were consistent with mythology and creatively adapted to a more modern and younger audience. Plus, her feelings and actions, while perhaps not the nicest, were feelings that I'm sure many girls experience (I know I did! And I behaved much the same way when I was that age.) Despite my qualms with Aphrodite herself, her story was cute and I'm sure will ring true with many MG girls (probably not so much boys). Hephaestus makes an appearance as an adorable secondary character.
Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key
Release Date: December 7, 2010
Publisher: Aladdin
Pages: 224
Series: #4 of the Goddess Girls series
Received: Library
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Page
Product Description:
Artemis's friends and classmates see her as the most courageous goddessgirl at school. Little do they know that despite her expert archery skills, teh smelly Geryon, ring-nosed Minotaurs, and scorpions in Beast-ology class scare her as much as they do anyone else! But what's really bothering her now is that funny feeling she has whenever she looks at Orion. She's never had a crush before. Will she find the courage to talk to Orion, to make him see her as more than a pal, and to ace Beast-ology class?
Artemis's friends and classmates see her as the most courageous goddessgirl at school. Little do they know that despite her expert archery skills, teh smelly Geryon, ring-nosed Minotaurs, and scorpions in Beast-ology class scare her as much as they do anyone else! But what's really bothering her now is that funny feeling she has whenever she looks at Orion. She's never had a crush before. Will she find the courage to talk to Orion, to make him see her as more than a pal, and to ace Beast-ology class?
Like all the books in the Goddess Girls series, Artemis the Brave can be read as a standalone and it is not necessary to have read the previous books.
I liked this one! So far I think this book and Athena's book are my favorites. Artemis was a very sweet character who made mistakes and learned from them. I loved her self-reflection and how she tested out new experiences but ultimately settled comfortably in her own skin. Her lessons were very sweet and, again, experiences that I think many MG girls will find easy to relate to. Greek myth is creatively and seamlessly woven into the story. What's so nice about the presentation of Greek mythology in these books is that it isn't necessary to know anything about the myths in order to enjoy the stories, but young readers are still getting a great foundation that will probably help them when they venture into reading the original myths.
Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key
Do you have any questions about the Goddess Girls series that I haven't addressed?
Feel free to ask in the comments!
Feel free to ask in the comments!
Looking for the first two books?
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This review is posted as part of Simon & Schuster Month hosted by Cialina at Muggle-Born.net!
Still haven't read any of the books in this series (YET) but I love the idea of exposing younger kids (well mostly girls it seems) to the classic myths that can serve as a springboard to other Greek mythology. Meanwhile I can't wait to give these books a try.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite so far remains Persephone, maybe because I'm a fan of Persephone and Hades anyway.
ReplyDeleteI think Aphrodite is the one I identify with the least but I still like her, and I thought her book was cute.
Artemis was a bit of a surprise, because I didn't expect to like her so much since she was a bit standoff-ish int he previous books - like he was always thinking about sports and her dogs, and while I understand that, I felt like that kept me from getting to know her at all, before her book.
Anyway, I think the books are CUTE!
And I'm about to start Athena the Wise, I'm excited!
These look like such fun reads even though MG isn't my usual read. And the covers are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI've only read the first book of this but it was adorable. I can see how Athena would be easier to relate to than Aphrodite. I need to keep reading.
ReplyDeleteI love the covers of these books. So darling!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to see if these books are available at my library. It sounds like a really fun series and I'm pretty sure my cousin will enjoy it too.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I can tell, Aphrodite is never a relateable goddess. I don't think I've ever heard of a portrayal that was particularly favorable. I'm unfamiliar with this series, though, and I wonder how it ties in to actual Greek mythology because I though Ares was Aphrodite's main man...even though Hephaestus was her husband. He was ugly and she hated him for that. Maybe I made that up?
ReplyDeleteI havent read the others but I would imagine Artemis the Brave to be my favorite! Too bad the Aphrodite book fell short! I judged that one by its cover thinking I'd love it!
ReplyDeleteGreat reviews on both books, I'm just not so sure these are my style. Always appreciate hearing about new books, though.
ReplyDeleteBookworm1858, They’re so cute! I hope you like them. I agree, they’re a great springboard.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I wonder why Persephone hasn’t gotten a second book yet. I would have thought her second story would come after Athena the Wise, but the one after that is Aphrodite. I was surprised at how much I liked Artemis, too. I had the same feelings about her in the other books so I didn’t think I’d be able to relate to her as well as, say, Athena or Persephone. But I really liked her! Hope you like Athena the Wise!
Nic, They’re very cute, and yeah, the covers are great. :)
Alison, So far they’re all just as good as Athena the Brain (except Aphrodite’s book, but I still liked it almost as much). Hope you like the rest of the series!
Jana, Me too! I put books on display at my library and these covers always seem to draw the most kids to them.
A Canadian Girl, They’re just so feel good. :) I hope you and your cousin like them!
Rubita, Hm, I’m trying to think of a version where I really loved Aphrodite. I can’t really come up with one… The series actually ties in really well with Greek mythology. I wasn’t expecting it to, but I’m really impressed. You’re right about Ares, Aphrodite, and Hephaestus. The Goddess Girls book shows that, but in a way that’s adapted well for modern, younger readers. I thought it was pretty inventive.
Lah, Well, the only reason it fell short for me was because I didn’t relate to Aphrodite as much as I had the other Goddess Girls. Outside of that it was still every bit as cute and fun as the other books.
Gina, Thanks! They definitely are a younger read and very “cute” if you know what I mean. :)
Delicately put, Small!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think I'd have a problem with the Aphrodite story just b/c she's Aphrodite. I mean, I don't think I've heard her as being portrayed as being a real deep goddess. I thought she was shallow. So the fact that you didn't like her character doesn't surprise me at all!
ReplyDeleteBecause the line, " but she's pretty annoyed at the constant attention she gets from the godboys at Mount Olympus Academy." Well that doesn't go over well with a girl like me who would have loved to be in her shoes!
And then there is Artemis! I love her story.
I haven't read any of these because I have boys, but I'm thinking of buying them in the great hopes that one day, I'll have grand daughters and can read them with them. Though I do have a niece that's not even four.....
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