I love mythology - any kind really, but Greek holds a special place because of Xena back in the day. So I was excited for this book, which looked like a good primer for introducing my niece into the branch (which is a short stop away from then getting her hooked on Xena with me).

This is gorgeous - the pictures are well done and bright, in a pleasing style. There's not A LOT, unless the e-ARC I received to review only had some of the pictures, but the book itself isn't very long.

The tone of the book is appealing as well, flowing well and not noticably stilted like some translations can feel. And the stories/myths weren't...terrible retellings.

My main problems lay in how the stories didn't feel tied together exactly. As this is meant to be a collection, not a comprehensive overview, I expected some sort of theme. A grounding constant. There wasn't any and I found myself with odd questions throughout since again this is a short book so it takes some dramatic liberties to get thru the stories (14 I think in all?).

In all, I'd love prints of the art, but see no reason to pick up or recommend this when there are so many others that reflect the stories better. ( )

Seemed very promising, too bad the copy I received was illegible beyond the first chapter. I particularly liked the style of illustrations.

I received a copy through Netgalley. ( )

Honestly, I jumped at reviewing Mortals and Immortals of Greek Mythology by Françoise Rachmuhl just by looking at the cover! The art is beautiful and I, wrongly, assumed that it featured Hades on the cover at first glance. It doesn’t and I just, the two stars I’ve given this book are solely for the artwork. The art is gorgeous and Charlotte Gastaut is an amazing illustrator!

The writing itself, well, I will say other readers may really enjoy this, but I simply couldn’t. I don’t know if it’s because I studied classics at Uni, including role of religion in antiquity, or if it is because I am biased, but the book fell so very short for me. For starts, to have a book and say it will focus on the main twelve gods, then purposely omit Hades? He is relegated to brief mentions in the stories of other gods and doesn’t even get a portrait in the family tree. I don’t understand how you do this? It’s bad enough that so many people conflate him and the Christian idea of Satan, but then to purposely disregard him?

My second major concern were the heroines chosen by Rachmuhl toward the end of the book – Helen and Atalanta. I can’t understand how Helen was chosen as a heroine as it seemed Rachmuhl’s sole intent in placing her was to recount the Trojan War, and even then, Helen remains a pretty bystander who is then miserable to be taken back by Menelaus. If we were going with different interpretations, and this is to focus on Helen as a heroine, why not stick with the abduction narrative in which she was a loving wife to Menelaus and was forcefully abducted and tricked by Paris and Aphrodite?

A better alternative to Helen would have been Penelope and Rachmuhl could still have included information about the Trojan War. Including Penelope would have depicted the happy, loving wife AND how clever a woman she was in preparing the archery contest.

Atalanta’s inclusion as a heroine I would not have minded in the slightest had the forward for the heroines section not indicated Atalanta was included as “a great example of an independent woman.” She was, until she was punished for desecrating a temple and then turned into lions, ending Atalanta’s tale on a sad note, “She longed to once again run free.” You can’t build up a story saying independent woman!!! only to have her end up on a leash and miserable – that’s a horrible message to send!

If we’re going to have an unhappy ending for heroines, why not choose Cassandra who ultimately was rewarded after death with spending the afterlife in the Elysian Fields for her faith and duty in the gods?

Mortals and Immortals of Greek Mythology by Françoise Rachmuhl was expertly illustrated but fell flat when it came to the featured myths, gods, and heroines. Might appeal to beginners only just beginning to learn of mythology, but even then, beware.

// I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title. // ( )

Greek Mythology provides an endless wealth of inspiration for graphic novels, children’s books and every form of fiction. Most of the times, however, the results are not encouraging. This book narrates the stories of the Olympians, of legendary women and men, of mortals and immortals that may or may not have existed but have gained their immortality in our civilization. The sad thing is that the writer managed to produce a book that contained significant mistakes. Unacceptable, if we take into consideration the fact that these are myths known to every decent reader.

Zeus and the story of his birth. Hera and the pigeon, her sacred bird. Aphrodite and the golden apple of Discord. Athena and the competition with Poseidon over the protection of the city that came to be known as ‘’Athens’’. Artemis and Actaeon. Hermes and the creation of the lyre. Hephaestus and the revenge against Hera. Demeter and Persephone. Ares and his followers. Dionysus and his adventures. Poseidon and Amphitrite. The Latin versions of their names, their symbols and the values they protected.

The heroes that are in the spotlight are Theseus, Jason and Achilles. The man credited as the creator of Democracy. The prince who brought the Golden Fleece from Colchis. The greatest hero of the Trojan War. Medea, Helen of Sparta, Atalanta, the women who graced some of the most striking and most terrifying moments in Greek Mythology.

The illustrations are beautiful, a combination of lively and moody colours and atmospheric depictions of the deities and the mortals. The writing is adequate but let us be honest. The myths are so powerful that do not need a writer’s talent to reach out to the reader. Which is exactly why I was disappointed with the mistakes and omissions that demonstrated a poor research and perception. Where were Hades and Hestia? Hestia was the protector of the home and hearth, one of the most important goddesses in the Greek and Roman culture. Including Hades and Persephone’s story isn't enough. Excluding these deities from the Pantheon was a major omission, in my opinion.

Helen of Sparta did NOT have a son. Her union with Menelaus produced a daughter, Hermione. Later, the writer refers to her so coherence issues are a given. Almost the entire section dedicated to Helen’s story is inaccurate, ignoring the established legends and weaving plots and dialogue that seem to have been inspired by horrible and trashy Hollywood films and TV series. The problems continue in the story of Achilles. The discovery of the disguised young warrior by Odysseus is not correct, crucially deviating from the legend. The legendary Minotaur was the offspring of Pasiphae, Minos's wife, and a white bull sent by Poseidon as an act of revenge against the Cretan king. Minos was NOT the Minotaur’s father…

The book ends abruptly. No epilogue or last word dedicated to the deities and the mortals that are a part of the vastly rich Greek Mythology. Yes, the illustrations were attractive but the blatant inaccuracies in myths that are known to almost every citizen of Europe are unforgivable.

2.5 stars that become 3 because I am generous today…

Many thanks to Lion Forge and Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com ( )