I'm always so excited when a new volume of Lore Olympus is published. I truly love this series and the artwork. The characters are beautifully drawn aI'm always so excited when a new volume of Lore Olympus is published. I truly love this series and the artwork. The characters are beautifully drawn and developed. The conflict is ramping up and the relationship between Hades and Persephone is blooming into such a beautiful garden of love, respect, and support. The story speaks to a very modern audience, but also an audience which loves the original Greek myths. I love the blending of modern stories with the classic ones - Rachel Smythe is so good at what she does. ...more
Mechanika travels to Spain to help an Englishwoman whose son is possessed. Either that or he’s being preyed upon by a monster. The woman’s husband is Mechanika travels to Spain to help an Englishwoman whose son is possessed. Either that or he’s being preyed upon by a monster. The woman’s husband is very religious and a nobleman, so his treatments for his son cross the line into abuse. Mechanika goes on the hunt to discover what truly ails the young man. Is he sick in body or mind? Is he prey of a monster or is the predator really protecting him from a true monster?
Sangre surprised me quite a bit! I hadn’t realized that there was a guest artist on this one. Brian Ching is a wonderful artist but it isn’t the same flavor as Joe Benitez. And I love Benitez! I definitely was nostalgic for Benitez’s artwork and panel formatting. I tried to get over the differences and enjoy the story, which was really good.
The story is an interesting take on the world of monsters according to Benitez. I enjoyed hearing the history and seeing the connection to previous volumes. I don’t want to give the details or connections away because they are lovely to experience firsthand. This world is developing further and creating more layers that add to the overall mythos. I really do adore these stories and hope his next volumes appear sooner rather than later....more
I absolutely enjoyed every part of this collection! The art work is stellar and the storytelling is also well done. This collection has a variety of sI absolutely enjoyed every part of this collection! The art work is stellar and the storytelling is also well done. This collection has a variety of stories about the attempted infinity stone-grab by Parker Robbins, post-Civil War issues between Cap and Tony, Wonder Man’s attack on the Avengers and so many more. It’s a great collection that has so many avengers assembled. It’s fun to see so many different ones work together. The humor is great, as always. The conflicts are interesting and every “bad� guy has a smidge of truth about him that makes a reader think about things. I really enjoyed this collection so much!...more
Volume 4 of Lore Olympus is fantastic. I have been reading the series on Webtoons and it’s nice to go back and revisit these early episodes. It puts aVolume 4 of Lore Olympus is fantastic. I have been reading the series on Webtoons and it’s nice to go back and revisit these early episodes. It puts a lot of the story into perspective. You can see the foreshadowing and the attention to detail Smythe puts into her story line. We get a few more hints that something bad has happened in Persephone’s past but we don’t yet know what it is. We see more of the history between Hades and Hera. The flashbacks are solid storytelling that shows more about who the characters are and why they act the way they do. I love the unique way Smythe blends current issues and the modern world with the myths of long ago. Persephone deals with a lot from the fallout of what happened with Apollo. The abusive relationship between Minthe and Hades is awful as well. The trigger warnings at the beginning are very important because these are very real problems and trauma. The details Smythe gives her characters - whether physical attributes, personality traits, or symbolic details - are beautifully rendered and make her characters more layered. The backstories are interesting. These episodes certainly make a reader want to know more about Persephone, the Six Traitors, Ares, Eros, Ampelus, Metis, Nyx, and so many more. She could easily give it all away but she does a slow reveal, which keeps a reader hooked. I love the playful sense of humor that balances the mysterious undertones and difficult subject matter. There are a few panels that always make me smile or even burst out laughing.
I do wonder about some parts of the overall story. The gossip is pretty strong on Mt. Olympus and at least a couple people know what Persephone really is (besides the goddess of spring). However, no one gossips about that. I suppose because those who know want to use it for their own designs. Semele was not how I imagined her. Her story is rather sad since she was tricked into asking to see Zeus in his godly form. She always seemed a tragic figure. Here, she’s a little kooky. I still have so many questions about how the Six Traitors took out Kronos because it’s important for later story lines.
I do love these books and I am excited to see volume five come out in a few months. ...more
Moon Knight has a license to protect and serve so to speak. He really seeks retribution in the most violent ways. Until someone starts signing their wMoon Knight has a license to protect and serve so to speak. He really seeks retribution in the most violent ways. Until someone starts signing their work just like him. Now everyone is up and arms - including Tony Stark, who can’t figure out how Moon Knight got a license in the first place - about Moon Knight’s most violent kills.
Moon Knight is very much like a crazy version of the Punisher. Marc is definitely trying his best to be good and fight the uglier desires of Khonshu. I feel for Marc, who truly wants to be a hero and has quite a fight ahead of him. No one believes he can be a hero. The artistry is intense and horrifically beautiful. I have enjoyed this series so far. I’ve read the free ones on Kindle Unlimited so far. There are two more that I would need to purchase in this series of five. It very well may be worth it. ...more
It seems some time has passed since vol 1. Marc has donned the suit and he is definitely making some noise on the street. Khonshu won’t give him any pIt seems some time has passed since vol 1. Marc has donned the suit and he is definitely making some noise on the street. Khonshu won’t give him any powers because Marc refuses to give over to him completely. Something is wondering the streets, making a mess. To the cops, it looks like a copycat of the Midnight Man. Marc isn’t so sure and he’s definitely afraid that his old nemesis is back. All of this is happening at the same time as Captain America and Tony Stark are battling it out over superhero registration.
I enjoyed digging further into Moon Knight’s world. The cameos from Steve Rogers, Frank Castle, Tony Stark and Spider-Man are awesome! I’m glad to see Marc find more people on his side. Unfortunately, Marlene has definitely moved on and it’s causing Marc some problems. Jeff Wilde is an interesting character. His final scenes felt a bit confusing and rushed. There are definitely parts where you see the psychosis and other times you can see the otherworldly magic. There are a couple of added short chapters that aren’t really a part of the overall narrative but they add a great deal to Marc’s story. Hoping to find my equilibrium in vol 3. ...more
Miller reinvents Ovid's Pygmalion story. As the myth goes, Pygmalion is horrified by the local prostitutes and shuns all female companionship. He is aMiller reinvents Ovid's Pygmalion story. As the myth goes, Pygmalion is horrified by the local prostitutes and shuns all female companionship. He is a sculptor by trade, so he creates a perfect woman out of ivory. She is so perfect that he falls in love with her, becoming sick in his grief of not being able to truly have her. Venus takes pity on Pygmalion and makes his statue come to life. They live happily ever after.
The myth has always made me very uncomfortable. Was this a story of real love or one of possession? Are women only perfect because of their good looks and compliant subjugation? Why does Pygmalion deserve a reward for his behavior?
Miller seems to have had many of the same questions. She picks up the tale after their "happily ever after" has ended. The sculptor/husband has his wife, Galatea, put into a hospital because she is unwell. Nothing is wrong with her, except that she has tried to run away from her abusive and possessive husband. She wishes to think for herself and raise a strong, intelligent daughter. She is very perceptive and deeply understands people in a way that makes her husband uncomfortable. During her stay in the hospital, he often visits and acts out the moment she became a real woman. She plays along so she can find the right time to escape. When she hears that he is in the process of making another statue - this time in the image of their daughter - she knows that she must act to save herself and her daughter.
In a lyrical style, Miller creates a beautiful, intelligent, emotional heroine in Galatea. You can feel her pain and the uncomfortable truth to her story of abuse. I love that Miller has named her statue in contrast to Ovid's story (where she is simply called "the woman") and also strips Pygmalion of his name (now referring to him as "husband"). She has turned the original myth around on itself and given more strength and courage to Galatea, making her more of a real woman than Pygmalion ever could do. While it is a short story, it is packed with emotion and a strong voice. I have been wanting to read Miller's other words, Circe and The Song of Achilles, but my TBR pile is quite high. I'm so glad I came across this little gem and now I'm so excited to read her other novels....more
I’m very new to the world of Moon Knight. I watched the Marvel series and was very interested in the complexity of his character. I have found a greatI’m very new to the world of Moon Knight. I watched the Marvel series and was very interested in the complexity of his character. I have found a great many free comics on my Kindle Unlimited account and this one popped up. Obviously, I’m not reading in order, which can be bothersome. Marc has been stripped of his connection to the Egyptian god, Khonshu. He is a broken man who breaks everything around him, including his friendships and love life. A secretive group seeks to end him completely, using a villain from Marc’s past to bond with Khonshu and disrupt Marc’s life. The artistry is beautiful and savage. Moon Knight and his enemies are equally violent. The villains- all of them - are dangerous on many levels. Marc has much to contend with: his lack of confidence, his broken spirit, his failure as a friend and lover. He must prove worthy again in order to be the vessel of Khonshu. I was impressed with the story; although, I didn’t understand everything, there is enough for me to piece things together. Hints of backstory and the hidden personalities are there and help a beginner reader infer what has happened and how it shapes the current storyline. I hope to find more Moon Knight issues to read. I find him highly intriguing and complex. ...more
Gorgeous as always! Persephone and Hades� story continues in volume 3. Persephone is finding the aspects of Olympus that interest her. She’s been so sGorgeous as always! Persephone and Hades� story continues in volume 3. Persephone is finding the aspects of Olympus that interest her. She’s been so sheltered for way too long. As she explores her new world and the Underworld, Persephone finds new friends and makes some enemies along the way. She is learning to deal with her trauma at the hands of Apollo, which is confusing and isolating for her. Her friendships are deepening with Artemis, Hecate, and Eros. Her connection with Hades is also growing. They are so lovely together. While the relationship is still in the early stages, I can see the slow build and the adorable moments that will become cornerstones of their relationship. The artistry is beautiful and I love the details she puts into her drawing, background, storytelling, and character arcs. Smythe’s work is a favorite!...more
Crown of Crimson picks up where River of Shadows left off. Hanna has left Tuoni, the God of Death to be reunited with her father. Her betrayal stings Crown of Crimson picks up where River of Shadows left off. Hanna has left Tuoni, the God of Death to be reunited with her father. Her betrayal stings and Tuoni isn’t too happy that he trusted her. In his pursuit of Hanna, she meets more creatures of the underworld, including his ex-wife who is one scary lady with bat wings. Hanna and Tuoni reconcile eventually and have a creepy wedding from hell (haha). But something strange is happening in the underworld, Hanna’s power is growing and Tuoni must prepare for an inevitable battle to retain his crown.
While this was still interesting, I didn’t find as much that I loved like the first novel. I wanted more of the Finnish mythology. I wanted more to the relationship. I wanted more to the plot. There was enough to hold my attention but I just felt that there was something missing in the magic of it all. ...more
I love myths! I love reading the original myths. I love retellings of myths. I taught a class on world mythologies. Give me more, give me new. I love I love myths! I love reading the original myths. I love retellings of myths. I taught a class on world mythologies. Give me more, give me new. I love it all!
When I read the summary for River of Shadows, I was beyond thrilled! I didn’t know much about Finnish mythology, so I did some background research while I was reading. The myths are so dark. So many interesting and unique details to their gods. I loved to see how Halle blended these elements - whether major or minor - into her retelling.
She is a highly descriptive writer! The world she creates is intense, dangerous, and gorgeous. Her characters are intriguing. Some are funny. Some are dark. But all are fantastically created. The romance is dark so it matches the rest of the tone really well. There are mysterious elements to the characters, which will hopefully pay off in the future. This one has a cliffhanger, which I don’t love but the second book is already out so I’m able to continue reading and not be too upset.
I never realized that my life was missing Finnish mythology but I’m so glad I’ve found a fun retelling!...more
Volume 2 is just as gorgeous as volume 1! I’ve been reading this series on WEBTOON, but it’s amazing in print! Volume 2 covers episodes 26-49 so it’s Volume 2 is just as gorgeous as volume 1! I’ve been reading this series on WEBTOON, but it’s amazing in print! Volume 2 covers episodes 26-49 so it’s pretty early on in the storyline. I was pleased to read it again and see quite a bit of visual foreshadowing. Nice to know Smyth was definitely planning some key elements later on in the series. Her use of color and design is lovely. The panels have good use of movement, character development, imagery, symbolism, etc. Her dialogue is fun and often funny. Serious topics are handled with utmost care and I appreciate the depth it gives the story. While the story does focus on Hades and Persephone, there are some fantastic secondary characters. I forgot how young Persephone acted in the first set of episodes (first season on WEBTOON). It can be a little off putting since Hades is so much older than she is. However, later episodes will have her grow up more. I love the creativity of this series and can’t wait for volume 3!...more
Greek myth retellings are normally my thing. Sadly, Neon Gods is a “hell no� for me.
I didn’t get this world she created. It’s modern times but in a pGreek myth retellings are normally my thing. Sadly, Neon Gods is a “hell no� for me.
I didn’t get this world she created. It’s modern times but in a place that has its own magic-like barriers. Greek gods that are more like mafia/mob bosses. Gods that are like royalty and pass their title to their children for generations, except for Demeter who is a political appointee. Relationship between Hades and Persephone is built on a ton of tired cliches that made me roll my eyes so hard that it gave me a headache. Seriously, she can take care of herself, so stop picking her up all the time.
A good author would have found a way to blend these two books together. It wasn’t enough plot for two books. The characters grow a bit but their love A good author would have found a way to blend these two books together. It wasn’t enough plot for two books. The characters grow a bit but their love feels forced or maybe the main characters� personalities and development are forced. I’m not sure but it just felt off for me. Every time it got to a good idea, the author just never finished fleshing it out for me. Again, there are interesting elements about her fantasy world and I can definitely appreciate that. ...more
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