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Goddess Girls #7
Artemis the Loyal
It's time for the annual Olympic Games, and the four goddessgirls are not happy--especially Artemis. Even though she's better at sports than most of the godboys, she can't compete because rules say the Games are boys-only. No fair!
Led by Artemis, Athena, Persphone and Aphrodite, the ladies of Mount Olympus hatch a plan to get Zeus to open up the games to everyone. Will they succeed--or end up watching from the sidelines again?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2011
About the author
Joan Holub
384 books1,242 followersNY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
November 2, 2014
Well, it did not hold my daughter's interest. After suggesting we read something else for a few days, she finally admitted she'd like to abandon it. That may not reflect badly on the story per se, because my daughter is younger than my students (and even they may be younger than the book's intended audience), but I have to admit that I wanted to abandon it almost from the first or second chapter.
The characters are the Greek gods and most of them are high school students. Zeus is the principal. Artemis tells the story. Her brother Apollo gets mad at her for intervening when some giants pick on him… There is more to it than that, but nothing before chapter 8 really brings it to life, I'm afraid. In fact, it was a bit clunky.
The characters are the Greek gods and most of them are high school students. Zeus is the principal. Artemis tells the story. Her brother Apollo gets mad at her for intervening when some giants pick on him… There is more to it than that, but nothing before chapter 8 really brings it to life, I'm afraid. In fact, it was a bit clunky.
December 4, 2011
This is yet another excellent addition to the Goddess Girls series. The entire gang of Goddess Girls is back in this story told from Artemis' point of view.
This installment really explores Artemis' relationship with her twin brother, Apollo. Artemis wants things to be like they always have been, but Apollo is starting to need his own space. Artemis tries to understand that just because Apollo wants to see if he can succeed on his own and do things for himself instead of relying on Artemis, it doesn't mean that they have to grow apart.
I like that Artemis has a crush, but she also has a boy who is just a friend. It's nice to see boys and girls as friends but not in a romantic way. Of course, there's a cute romance too, with plenty of pitfalls.
The main conflict in the book is that girls aren't allowed to participate in the Olympics at school. It's great to Artemis fired up about equal rights for girls. Hopefully, it will encourage girls to speak up for themselves in their own lives.
Another fantastic installment of one of my favorite series. The Goddess Girls are such great role models for girls.
book sent by the authors in exchange for an honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
This installment really explores Artemis' relationship with her twin brother, Apollo. Artemis wants things to be like they always have been, but Apollo is starting to need his own space. Artemis tries to understand that just because Apollo wants to see if he can succeed on his own and do things for himself instead of relying on Artemis, it doesn't mean that they have to grow apart.
I like that Artemis has a crush, but she also has a boy who is just a friend. It's nice to see boys and girls as friends but not in a romantic way. Of course, there's a cute romance too, with plenty of pitfalls.
The main conflict in the book is that girls aren't allowed to participate in the Olympics at school. It's great to Artemis fired up about equal rights for girls. Hopefully, it will encourage girls to speak up for themselves in their own lives.
Another fantastic installment of one of my favorite series. The Goddess Girls are such great role models for girls.
book sent by the authors in exchange for an honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
July 18, 2011
Goddess Girls series, ages 8-12, Aladdin paperbacks
#1 Athena the Brain
#2 Persephone the Phony
#3 Aphrodite the Beauty
#4 Artemis the Brave
#5 Athena the Wise (April 2011)
#6 Aphrodite the Diva (August 2011)
#7 Artemis the Loyal
#8 Medusa the Mean
http://series.simonandschuster.com/Godde...
From the Back Cover
The Goddess Girls series by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams puts a modern spin on classic Greek myths! Follow the ins and outs of divine social life at Mount Olympus Academy where the most privileged godboys and goddessgirls in the Greek pantheon hone their mythical skills.
#1 Athena the Brain
#2 Persephone the Phony
#3 Aphrodite the Beauty
#4 Artemis the Brave
#5 Athena the Wise (April 2011)
#6 Aphrodite the Diva (August 2011)
#7 Artemis the Loyal
#8 Medusa the Mean
http://series.simonandschuster.com/Godde...
From the Back Cover
The Goddess Girls series by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams puts a modern spin on classic Greek myths! Follow the ins and outs of divine social life at Mount Olympus Academy where the most privileged godboys and goddessgirls in the Greek pantheon hone their mythical skills.
January 28, 2022
➳ 4 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
this one was cute! i didn’t remember this one as much while rereading it and i enjoyed it. i liked how this one focuses more on a sibling relationship instead of a romantic one. i enjoyed seeing apollo’s character a bit more and i loved spending time with artemis again.
this was another adorable, simple, greek mythology-filled gem from this series and i can’t wait to continue reading them.
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
this one was cute! i didn’t remember this one as much while rereading it and i enjoyed it. i liked how this one focuses more on a sibling relationship instead of a romantic one. i enjoyed seeing apollo’s character a bit more and i loved spending time with artemis again.
this was another adorable, simple, greek mythology-filled gem from this series and i can’t wait to continue reading them.
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
June 16, 2024
war is over
July 12, 2023
Personally I thought Apollo, Artemis’s bother was rude the whole book and he just wasn’t supportive of anything Artemis was doing. He was obviously jealous because Artemis is a better athlete than him so he said it’s a good things that girls are not allowed in the Olympics in the book! (Because he wants to win instead of her) Then at the end he secretly helps her petition to get the girls Olympics but Artemis doesn’t find out from her brother, she finds out from someone else because of course Apollo could never actually admit to her that it’s only fair girls can compete in an Olympics. The other annoying part is they say the girls Olympics should be separate from the boys because the boys might injure the girls🙄🙄🙄🙄
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April 3, 2012I enjoyed the book, Artemis the Loyal. Artemis is trying to help her brother, Apollo, beat the Python in a battle, while trying to get a second Olympian games for girls only. She faces many struggles with friends and family when attempting these goals. Artemis needs the help of her three goddess friends: Aphrodite, Athena, and Persephone, to convince Zeus (their dad and principal) those girls should have Olympian games too. She also has a hard time convincing Apollo, her twin brother that the python is too dangerous to fight. Along the way Artemis meets twin giants and becomes friends with and unexpected mortal. Artemis is an outgoing and hardworking goddess girl, who stands up for herself. Apollo is caring and trying to look out for his sister, he is also very responsible. He also wants Artemis to stop treating him like a little kid. This book is not truly based on mythology, but instead shows the gods and goddess’s growing up in a fictional and playful way, at their high school. This fun-loving book will keep you interested and will to turn the page.
March 10, 2012
The story begins at Mount Olympus Academy where the Olympic games are about to begin. Just like years in the past it is a "no girls" allowed competition. This doesn't sit to well with Artemis so she strives to develop her own games and convince principal Zeus that he should change his mind. I love how the authors explore every day issues in a fun, upbeat way. They delve into the relationship between Artemis and her brother Apollo and the need to feel like you fit in. The plot always has a nice message and the stories are very entertaining. Can't wait to see what is in store for Medusa next.
October 27, 2017
i didnt really enjoy this book my friend recommened this book and it was like reading a begginers chapter book not very intersting and the plot was very dull i was very dissapointed at how this book turned out
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May 1, 2025Artemis the Loyal
Artemis and her brother Apollo decide to race to the sports field. Practice for the Olympic Games on Saturday are underway. Talented athletes from all over Greece, Mount Olympus and other magical realms will be competing. They take off. She’s in the lead with him a few feet behind. We find out that even tho she’s a little better it doesn’t matter. No girls are allowed to compete in the games. He starts to gain on her. Until Ares yells “You can beat her! She’s a girl!” This gives her the extra determination she needs and she beats him. She’s happy to tell this to Ares. “I may be a girl but I won.” He’s like whatever. Artemis notices that whenever a girl is good at sports, the boys lost interest.
Apollo o*thanks* her for embarrassing him in front of his friends. Artemis thinks to herself really. So, I’m just supposed to lose, just so you can save face? Please! Artemis then goes to sit with her friends. They’re watching the godboy Atlas practicing disc throwing. The other boys cheer him. Artemis thinks they would cheer a *boy*. Artemis complains to her friends that it’s not fair that only boys get to compete in the Olympics. She’s a good athlete and so are some other girls. Aphrodite says maybe the boys are afraid the girls would win. Artemis says maybe they would.
Athena says there’s no way. Her father decided a long time ago the Olympics were just for boys. Always have been. Always will be. Artemis knows she’s right. Once Zeus made up his mind there was no changing it. She asks the other girls if it makes them mad. Aphrodite says not really. She’s rather watch the boys. Athena says she never thought of it but the girls should be able to compete if they want to. But then she gets distracted watching Hercules. Artemis throws a ball to her dogs. Actaeon calls to her she has a good throw … for a girl. She doesn’t take it as a compliment and asks him what he means by it, but he doesn’t hear her. The attention is now on Ares who’s now in a footrace.
Then Persephone joins them to watch Hades. Artemis wonders if it matters to any of them that they can just cheer the boys on. A rumbling is heard and then she sees two giants and they’re coming there way. Everything comes to a stand still. They say they’re there for the wrestling. The godboys don’t really trust the giants. The war goes way back to when the Olympians overthrew a group called the Titans. Some aren’t happy to see them, but Artemis points them in the right direction.
One introduces himself as Otus and says his brothers name is Ephialtes. Artemis notices their identical. Ephialtes starting talking ish about how girls shouldn’t be allowed to play in the games. Artemis gets mad and throws a ball so far it lands in another field. Otus tells his brother don’t sweat it. She’s just a girl and it was probably a “lucky throw.” Artemis says it landed where she meant it to land and says she’s a good thrower and so are some of the other girls. In fact, they could win the Olympics if they were allowed to be in it. Which just makes the giants laugh in amusement
The boys hop to the girls defense -although they probably feel the same way-. Then a fight breaks out. Ephialtes picks up Apollot, but drops him after Artemis rushes to his defense and basically calls him a punk and tells him he’s not worth fighting. This makes Apollo again mad at his sister and embarrassed. The giants laugh and so do some of the godboys.
Actaeon teasingly calls for Artemis help to come save him, but ends up accidently knocking her into the pool. She tries to return the favor but ends up getting knocked back in. Her friends help her out but on her way back to the dorm, she turns him into a stag. Then Ephialtes and the dogs chase after him. Artemis reverses the spell and turns him back to a boy just as the giant is about to reach for his antler.
Apollo later tells rips into her and asks if she thinks she can embarrass him anymore. He can take of himself and maybe she should stay off the field. She’s not a boy. Stop trying to act like one. He says what she did to Acteon was inexcusable and he thinks she just did it because he likes her. She says he doesn’t and what she did to him she did because he deserved it. She says she only came to his rescue but he *needed* it.
Hercules interrupts them and comments on Coach saying he didn’t sign up for an event yet. He suggests wrestling. Apollo says thanks but it’s not this thing. He tries to make a joke that’s it’s a good thing Artemis can’t try out and Apollo can’t try out for archery. She’d be his only competition. Besides it’ll be tough with the giants as competition. After he leaves, Artemis tries to tell Apollo that he probably didn’t mean it the way it sounded. He suggests they start to do their own thing. Starting now. When she tries to follow him he tells her don’t.
When she comes back there’s a notice about a new event. It’s called a Python-othon. The prize is a temple of their own. You have to answer two questions. At the bottom someone added no girls allowed. Medus says she wishes she can enter. Snakes don’t scare her. Artemis tells her she *should* be able to enter and she’s going to go talk to Zeus about it. In front of Zeus tho, Artemis loses her nerve. He asks if there’s a problem with the Olympics? He heard about a scuffle on the field and he hates poor sportsmanship. The Games were meant to being harmony and unity. She asks if he heard another rumor about girls wanting to play in the games, but he thinks she’s joking.
He says why would she want to. She says because their just as good. Zeus says the rule was made for a reason and that’s to keep them from getting hurt. Artemis says not only the events are dangerous, but Zeus says he made the rules years ago and doesn’t see any reason to change it. Hera then knocks on the door and Zeus invites her in and says Artemis was just leaving. As she leaves, Artemis starts to think maybe Zeus is right. It’s probably to late in the year for the girls to catch up. But then she has an idea.
She tells her friends that they can start their own all girls Olympics and they won’t tell Zeus about it. They’ll throw there’s months later. Athena says maybe her dad will listen to reason if he sees how committed they are. Artemis finds Apollo in the Field of Beast on Earth. He’s training for the Python-othon. Artemis says it’s a bad idea. Apollo says that’s why he didn’t tell her. He says he wants to prove himself in something without her. Apollo wants a temple because it means RESPECT! Apollo says he appreciates Artemis. She’s the most loyal person he knows. Only could she *not* be so helpful.
Sometimes she acts like his mother other than his sister. He asks her did she ever stop to think sometimes he doesn’t need her help. She says fine. She’ll never help him again. They go back to the school in silence. When she gets back, the girls talk about how cool the twin thing is that they do. (They can locate each other). Then they talk about the games. Aphrodite wants to have a relay race where they pass teddy bears and sparkly pink sand on the long jump with a number that shows the score. Artemis isn’t so sure. They all think tho it’s a good idea to have a petition. Aphrodite wants to call it the HER-lympics. They decide it’ll do for now and start on the petition. Then they make copies and posters.
They wonder if any of the boys will sign. Persephone says Hades will. Athena says Heracles will. Aphrodite says Ares might take some convincing but he will if he knows what’s good for him. Artemis doesn’t know if Apollo will or not but even if he’s not for it she hopes he won’t work against them. There’s another fight between the Giants and Areas the next day. Athletes are invited to attend classes during the games. Poseidon sneaks up behind one of the Giants and pokes him in the butt with his trident. The Giant picks up Posideon and twirls him around. Medusa tries to stone the giant with her eyes but it doesn’t work. Mr. Cyclone breaks up the fight. (This was Ephialtes). Ares and Posedon get sent to the principal’s office. Medusa says Mr. Cyclops only sided with the giants because he is one.
Medusa wants to know what happened with Zeus and she tells her he said no to the Olympics but their starting their own and she tells her about the petition and spreading the word. In class, Artemis and Otus talk. He recognizes her as the girl with the magic touch. She says she wouldn’t have used it if she’d known what his brothers reaction would be. He says if there’s one thing his brother can’t resist it’s a hunt. She tells him about her twin brother but says their not identical. Otus points out the way they aren’t (he has a scar from colliding with his brothers’ teeth during wrestling). People are frowning at Artemis for talking to Tous. After class, he invites her to watch him and his brother wrestle at practice. She wonders why he singled her out and if he’s crushing on her.
At lunch, Artemis sees Actaeon and she scowls. He trips up and drops his tray. Artemis realizes it wasn’t her but someone must have bumped into him. Her friends bring up him liking her. She says he has a funny way of showing it. They say he might have bumped into her just like someone bumped into him. Artemis says he still shouldn’t have laughed. She doesn’t want to amdit she was wrong so she changes the subject. Then they talk about Poseidon (rescuing Ares) and Medusa (and why her stone glare didn’t work on the giant).
In class, Hera leads a discussion on fairness in how it relates to the Olympic Games. A boy says he doesn’t think it’s fair that the giants are there. Hera says he’d do well to remember all the athletes there are their guest. Artemis says she’s referring to girls and it’s not fair that they can’t compete. Atlas wonders why they’d even want to go up against *all this* and all the other boys agree. Apollo is also nodding. Aphrodite asks which one of them would like to challenge Artemis in archery. A godboy argues archery isn’t an Olympic event and asks how far she can throw a disc. She says she doesn’t know she hasn’t been allowed to try.
Apollo says girls can’t compete with them. They’d get hurt. Artemis says they’d rather have their own games and have their own events. One boy says like what cheerleading. One of the girls says cheerleading takes a little of stamina and they couldn’t do it. Then they discuss the definition of fairness. Atlas says something is fair if it’s in accordance with the rules. One of the girls says it might mean not showing favortisim. Apollo says rules are rules deal with it. Artemis says they will. Just he wait, She says they should their own dreams. One of the boys tells her to dream on. She tells him it’s not just a dream. Come out to the court yard and he’ll see.
Artemis gets about 16 signatures. Actaeon comes to Athena’s line and teases her about what he’d rather she turn him into next time. He’s about to ask her something when some of the boys come over and ridicules her petitions and not having any boys names on it. Actaeon then signs their petition after hesitating a minute. Of course, the other boys give him a hard time about it. Then Otus comes over and also signs the petition and tells the other boys to get lost. The boys say big deal a mortal and a giant that doesn’t go there and they take off. Again Otus asks her to watch him wrestle and she agrees to come.
Zeus and Hera show up and it looks like their fighting but he says something to her and she sits back down. Artemis after the match tries to track Apollo down and thinks he’s in the library. The librian says he’s not there and won’t tell her much else. She sees a book (Caves of Parnassus) that shows he was trying to find out about the serpent he’s to fight. It says it does horrible things to sheep and their thin legged owners. He’s immortal so he can’t die but he’ll have to stay in its belly until it barfs him up. For now it seems like he’s playing keep away and she decides not to look for him further.
Artemis ends up apologizing to Actaeon and he says he didn’t push her. He was bumped. He didn’t call out to her either. She thanks him for signing the petition. He asks if she needs some company but she says maybe another time. Later, the girls (Athena) got a message from Zeus to stop the petition. They decide it’s one of the boys that told. Artemis hopes it’s not Apollo.
The next day, there are a lot of unhappy girls-after hearing Zeu’s decession-. The good news is a quiz in Hera’s class has been post-poned until Monday. When she sees Apollo in class, he calls her petition dumb and says he bets she doesn’t get any signatures. She says Otus did and he looks horrified. Before she can tell him, Hera comes in and tells them about the quiz being canceled. She says today she’s going to discuss marital customs. Artemis thinks this is weird for Revenge-ology. Artemis goes to Hera and shows her the petitions. She says she’ll see what she can do but … she and Zeus. (but Artemis cuts her off). Hera is her last hope.
There’s talk that Python has arrived. Pheme says she wishes she could stick around but she’s being given a temple and there’s a ceremony, Artemis finds out he’s being held in the gym and decides she wants to take a look at him and maybe try to find out what she can to help her brother. Even tho he said he didn’t need it. On the way she runs into Otis and apologizes for his brother finding out about him signing the petition. He says because of their bond they’ll be ok. He tells her she’s nice and it’s good to know he at least one friend there. Then Hercules calls him over-so he has two-.
She finds the python sleeping and wonders could she have made it a pet. Artemis sneezes, wakes it up, it uncoils, and it snatches her up. Not pet material after all. It says it’ll let her go if she can answer two questions. The first what reason is she there. He tells her don’t lie. He’ll know. She finds out he can read her mind. Artemis asks if he’s hyptnotized her. He just laughs. She tells him she’s there to find out what she can so her brother can beat him tomorrow. He asks what her brothers greatest weakness is. She says he can’t tell a lie.
He's says many thanks, lets her go, and says this will be their little secret. As she leaves, she realizes coming there was a mistake. Whatever chances Apollo had she’s messed it all up for him. She finds him in the olive groves studying philosophy. Then she tells him everything. He gives her a hug and says she’s given him more help than she knows. Then Actaeon finds them and says he needs to talk to Artemis. Apollo finds out about the petition and says he could have told her it was a bad idea. Artemis says she hasn’t given up yet. Actaeon says he admires her. Actaeon walks her back to the dorm and she thinks about how nice he is afterwards.
At the games, Hercules wins his match against Otus. He also wins his match against Ephialtes. Everyone is about to leave when Ephialtes snatches the olive crown off Hercules head. A fight breaks out between the giants and the godboys. Artemis turns herself into a stag, leads him on a chase, the wreath falls into his head, and Athena returns it to Hercules. Otus yells out to her to run and she turns herself into a hawk. The twins bump heads and Otus tooth comes out. Now they’re identical again. Then Otis challenges his brother and encourages him to go home for a meal.
Ares wins all the foot races. Hades wins the long jump. Hycinth wins the disc throwing. Hercules goes up against the python and guesses both riddles but ends up being tricked. Apollo goes up against the python and tricks him into giving him an easy first question. Apollo presents the python with a statement that is neither true nor false and it ties itself in knots. He says it looks like I tied you up in knots. It says who me and that’s it’s second question. It sneaks away defeated. Apollo wins the contest. Zeus announces his engagement to Hera and soon there will be a new competition for girls only. Apollo’s collected all the signatures of the boys Artemis finds out from Hera and that she said she wouldn’t consent to marry him unless he approved the games.
Rating: 5 Even though admittedly it doesn’t matter that much to me about athletic games, I can’t image the Olympics without women athletes and I agreed with the message that if a female wants to participate in anything having to do with sports (or anything else for that matter) she definitely should be allowed. I kind of like that about today’s times where you see teams like the WNBA. I’m looking at Wiki and I see that there are also women’s football leagues and soccer leagues, and hockey leagues. So, I think Artemis did an amazing thing here!
Artemis and her brother Apollo decide to race to the sports field. Practice for the Olympic Games on Saturday are underway. Talented athletes from all over Greece, Mount Olympus and other magical realms will be competing. They take off. She’s in the lead with him a few feet behind. We find out that even tho she’s a little better it doesn’t matter. No girls are allowed to compete in the games. He starts to gain on her. Until Ares yells “You can beat her! She’s a girl!” This gives her the extra determination she needs and she beats him. She’s happy to tell this to Ares. “I may be a girl but I won.” He’s like whatever. Artemis notices that whenever a girl is good at sports, the boys lost interest.
Apollo o*thanks* her for embarrassing him in front of his friends. Artemis thinks to herself really. So, I’m just supposed to lose, just so you can save face? Please! Artemis then goes to sit with her friends. They’re watching the godboy Atlas practicing disc throwing. The other boys cheer him. Artemis thinks they would cheer a *boy*. Artemis complains to her friends that it’s not fair that only boys get to compete in the Olympics. She’s a good athlete and so are some other girls. Aphrodite says maybe the boys are afraid the girls would win. Artemis says maybe they would.
Athena says there’s no way. Her father decided a long time ago the Olympics were just for boys. Always have been. Always will be. Artemis knows she’s right. Once Zeus made up his mind there was no changing it. She asks the other girls if it makes them mad. Aphrodite says not really. She’s rather watch the boys. Athena says she never thought of it but the girls should be able to compete if they want to. But then she gets distracted watching Hercules. Artemis throws a ball to her dogs. Actaeon calls to her she has a good throw … for a girl. She doesn’t take it as a compliment and asks him what he means by it, but he doesn’t hear her. The attention is now on Ares who’s now in a footrace.
Then Persephone joins them to watch Hades. Artemis wonders if it matters to any of them that they can just cheer the boys on. A rumbling is heard and then she sees two giants and they’re coming there way. Everything comes to a stand still. They say they’re there for the wrestling. The godboys don’t really trust the giants. The war goes way back to when the Olympians overthrew a group called the Titans. Some aren’t happy to see them, but Artemis points them in the right direction.
One introduces himself as Otus and says his brothers name is Ephialtes. Artemis notices their identical. Ephialtes starting talking ish about how girls shouldn’t be allowed to play in the games. Artemis gets mad and throws a ball so far it lands in another field. Otus tells his brother don’t sweat it. She’s just a girl and it was probably a “lucky throw.” Artemis says it landed where she meant it to land and says she’s a good thrower and so are some of the other girls. In fact, they could win the Olympics if they were allowed to be in it. Which just makes the giants laugh in amusement
The boys hop to the girls defense -although they probably feel the same way-. Then a fight breaks out. Ephialtes picks up Apollot, but drops him after Artemis rushes to his defense and basically calls him a punk and tells him he’s not worth fighting. This makes Apollo again mad at his sister and embarrassed. The giants laugh and so do some of the godboys.
Actaeon teasingly calls for Artemis help to come save him, but ends up accidently knocking her into the pool. She tries to return the favor but ends up getting knocked back in. Her friends help her out but on her way back to the dorm, she turns him into a stag. Then Ephialtes and the dogs chase after him. Artemis reverses the spell and turns him back to a boy just as the giant is about to reach for his antler.
Apollo later tells rips into her and asks if she thinks she can embarrass him anymore. He can take of himself and maybe she should stay off the field. She’s not a boy. Stop trying to act like one. He says what she did to Acteon was inexcusable and he thinks she just did it because he likes her. She says he doesn’t and what she did to him she did because he deserved it. She says she only came to his rescue but he *needed* it.
Hercules interrupts them and comments on Coach saying he didn’t sign up for an event yet. He suggests wrestling. Apollo says thanks but it’s not this thing. He tries to make a joke that’s it’s a good thing Artemis can’t try out and Apollo can’t try out for archery. She’d be his only competition. Besides it’ll be tough with the giants as competition. After he leaves, Artemis tries to tell Apollo that he probably didn’t mean it the way it sounded. He suggests they start to do their own thing. Starting now. When she tries to follow him he tells her don’t.
When she comes back there’s a notice about a new event. It’s called a Python-othon. The prize is a temple of their own. You have to answer two questions. At the bottom someone added no girls allowed. Medus says she wishes she can enter. Snakes don’t scare her. Artemis tells her she *should* be able to enter and she’s going to go talk to Zeus about it. In front of Zeus tho, Artemis loses her nerve. He asks if there’s a problem with the Olympics? He heard about a scuffle on the field and he hates poor sportsmanship. The Games were meant to being harmony and unity. She asks if he heard another rumor about girls wanting to play in the games, but he thinks she’s joking.
He says why would she want to. She says because their just as good. Zeus says the rule was made for a reason and that’s to keep them from getting hurt. Artemis says not only the events are dangerous, but Zeus says he made the rules years ago and doesn’t see any reason to change it. Hera then knocks on the door and Zeus invites her in and says Artemis was just leaving. As she leaves, Artemis starts to think maybe Zeus is right. It’s probably to late in the year for the girls to catch up. But then she has an idea.
She tells her friends that they can start their own all girls Olympics and they won’t tell Zeus about it. They’ll throw there’s months later. Athena says maybe her dad will listen to reason if he sees how committed they are. Artemis finds Apollo in the Field of Beast on Earth. He’s training for the Python-othon. Artemis says it’s a bad idea. Apollo says that’s why he didn’t tell her. He says he wants to prove himself in something without her. Apollo wants a temple because it means RESPECT! Apollo says he appreciates Artemis. She’s the most loyal person he knows. Only could she *not* be so helpful.
Sometimes she acts like his mother other than his sister. He asks her did she ever stop to think sometimes he doesn’t need her help. She says fine. She’ll never help him again. They go back to the school in silence. When she gets back, the girls talk about how cool the twin thing is that they do. (They can locate each other). Then they talk about the games. Aphrodite wants to have a relay race where they pass teddy bears and sparkly pink sand on the long jump with a number that shows the score. Artemis isn’t so sure. They all think tho it’s a good idea to have a petition. Aphrodite wants to call it the HER-lympics. They decide it’ll do for now and start on the petition. Then they make copies and posters.
They wonder if any of the boys will sign. Persephone says Hades will. Athena says Heracles will. Aphrodite says Ares might take some convincing but he will if he knows what’s good for him. Artemis doesn’t know if Apollo will or not but even if he’s not for it she hopes he won’t work against them. There’s another fight between the Giants and Areas the next day. Athletes are invited to attend classes during the games. Poseidon sneaks up behind one of the Giants and pokes him in the butt with his trident. The Giant picks up Posideon and twirls him around. Medusa tries to stone the giant with her eyes but it doesn’t work. Mr. Cyclone breaks up the fight. (This was Ephialtes). Ares and Posedon get sent to the principal’s office. Medusa says Mr. Cyclops only sided with the giants because he is one.
Medusa wants to know what happened with Zeus and she tells her he said no to the Olympics but their starting their own and she tells her about the petition and spreading the word. In class, Artemis and Otus talk. He recognizes her as the girl with the magic touch. She says she wouldn’t have used it if she’d known what his brothers reaction would be. He says if there’s one thing his brother can’t resist it’s a hunt. She tells him about her twin brother but says their not identical. Otus points out the way they aren’t (he has a scar from colliding with his brothers’ teeth during wrestling). People are frowning at Artemis for talking to Tous. After class, he invites her to watch him and his brother wrestle at practice. She wonders why he singled her out and if he’s crushing on her.
At lunch, Artemis sees Actaeon and she scowls. He trips up and drops his tray. Artemis realizes it wasn’t her but someone must have bumped into him. Her friends bring up him liking her. She says he has a funny way of showing it. They say he might have bumped into her just like someone bumped into him. Artemis says he still shouldn’t have laughed. She doesn’t want to amdit she was wrong so she changes the subject. Then they talk about Poseidon (rescuing Ares) and Medusa (and why her stone glare didn’t work on the giant).
In class, Hera leads a discussion on fairness in how it relates to the Olympic Games. A boy says he doesn’t think it’s fair that the giants are there. Hera says he’d do well to remember all the athletes there are their guest. Artemis says she’s referring to girls and it’s not fair that they can’t compete. Atlas wonders why they’d even want to go up against *all this* and all the other boys agree. Apollo is also nodding. Aphrodite asks which one of them would like to challenge Artemis in archery. A godboy argues archery isn’t an Olympic event and asks how far she can throw a disc. She says she doesn’t know she hasn’t been allowed to try.
Apollo says girls can’t compete with them. They’d get hurt. Artemis says they’d rather have their own games and have their own events. One boy says like what cheerleading. One of the girls says cheerleading takes a little of stamina and they couldn’t do it. Then they discuss the definition of fairness. Atlas says something is fair if it’s in accordance with the rules. One of the girls says it might mean not showing favortisim. Apollo says rules are rules deal with it. Artemis says they will. Just he wait, She says they should their own dreams. One of the boys tells her to dream on. She tells him it’s not just a dream. Come out to the court yard and he’ll see.
Artemis gets about 16 signatures. Actaeon comes to Athena’s line and teases her about what he’d rather she turn him into next time. He’s about to ask her something when some of the boys come over and ridicules her petitions and not having any boys names on it. Actaeon then signs their petition after hesitating a minute. Of course, the other boys give him a hard time about it. Then Otus comes over and also signs the petition and tells the other boys to get lost. The boys say big deal a mortal and a giant that doesn’t go there and they take off. Again Otus asks her to watch him wrestle and she agrees to come.
Zeus and Hera show up and it looks like their fighting but he says something to her and she sits back down. Artemis after the match tries to track Apollo down and thinks he’s in the library. The librian says he’s not there and won’t tell her much else. She sees a book (Caves of Parnassus) that shows he was trying to find out about the serpent he’s to fight. It says it does horrible things to sheep and their thin legged owners. He’s immortal so he can’t die but he’ll have to stay in its belly until it barfs him up. For now it seems like he’s playing keep away and she decides not to look for him further.
Artemis ends up apologizing to Actaeon and he says he didn’t push her. He was bumped. He didn’t call out to her either. She thanks him for signing the petition. He asks if she needs some company but she says maybe another time. Later, the girls (Athena) got a message from Zeus to stop the petition. They decide it’s one of the boys that told. Artemis hopes it’s not Apollo.
The next day, there are a lot of unhappy girls-after hearing Zeu’s decession-. The good news is a quiz in Hera’s class has been post-poned until Monday. When she sees Apollo in class, he calls her petition dumb and says he bets she doesn’t get any signatures. She says Otus did and he looks horrified. Before she can tell him, Hera comes in and tells them about the quiz being canceled. She says today she’s going to discuss marital customs. Artemis thinks this is weird for Revenge-ology. Artemis goes to Hera and shows her the petitions. She says she’ll see what she can do but … she and Zeus. (but Artemis cuts her off). Hera is her last hope.
There’s talk that Python has arrived. Pheme says she wishes she could stick around but she’s being given a temple and there’s a ceremony, Artemis finds out he’s being held in the gym and decides she wants to take a look at him and maybe try to find out what she can to help her brother. Even tho he said he didn’t need it. On the way she runs into Otis and apologizes for his brother finding out about him signing the petition. He says because of their bond they’ll be ok. He tells her she’s nice and it’s good to know he at least one friend there. Then Hercules calls him over-so he has two-.
She finds the python sleeping and wonders could she have made it a pet. Artemis sneezes, wakes it up, it uncoils, and it snatches her up. Not pet material after all. It says it’ll let her go if she can answer two questions. The first what reason is she there. He tells her don’t lie. He’ll know. She finds out he can read her mind. Artemis asks if he’s hyptnotized her. He just laughs. She tells him she’s there to find out what she can so her brother can beat him tomorrow. He asks what her brothers greatest weakness is. She says he can’t tell a lie.
He's says many thanks, lets her go, and says this will be their little secret. As she leaves, she realizes coming there was a mistake. Whatever chances Apollo had she’s messed it all up for him. She finds him in the olive groves studying philosophy. Then she tells him everything. He gives her a hug and says she’s given him more help than she knows. Then Actaeon finds them and says he needs to talk to Artemis. Apollo finds out about the petition and says he could have told her it was a bad idea. Artemis says she hasn’t given up yet. Actaeon says he admires her. Actaeon walks her back to the dorm and she thinks about how nice he is afterwards.
At the games, Hercules wins his match against Otus. He also wins his match against Ephialtes. Everyone is about to leave when Ephialtes snatches the olive crown off Hercules head. A fight breaks out between the giants and the godboys. Artemis turns herself into a stag, leads him on a chase, the wreath falls into his head, and Athena returns it to Hercules. Otus yells out to her to run and she turns herself into a hawk. The twins bump heads and Otus tooth comes out. Now they’re identical again. Then Otis challenges his brother and encourages him to go home for a meal.
Ares wins all the foot races. Hades wins the long jump. Hycinth wins the disc throwing. Hercules goes up against the python and guesses both riddles but ends up being tricked. Apollo goes up against the python and tricks him into giving him an easy first question. Apollo presents the python with a statement that is neither true nor false and it ties itself in knots. He says it looks like I tied you up in knots. It says who me and that’s it’s second question. It sneaks away defeated. Apollo wins the contest. Zeus announces his engagement to Hera and soon there will be a new competition for girls only. Apollo’s collected all the signatures of the boys Artemis finds out from Hera and that she said she wouldn’t consent to marry him unless he approved the games.
Rating: 5 Even though admittedly it doesn’t matter that much to me about athletic games, I can’t image the Olympics without women athletes and I agreed with the message that if a female wants to participate in anything having to do with sports (or anything else for that matter) she definitely should be allowed. I kind of like that about today’s times where you see teams like the WNBA. I’m looking at Wiki and I see that there are also women’s football leagues and soccer leagues, and hockey leagues. So, I think Artemis did an amazing thing here!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2018
Read this with my daughter. Review is on my blog: https://hergraceslibrary.com/2018/07/...
In Artemis the Loyal, Artemis is on a mission to convince Principal Zeus, King of the Gods and Ruler of the Heavens, that it is not fair that the Olympic Games are for boys only. She is an excellent athlete and wants to compete, as do many other girls. Artemis goes on a mission to convince Zeus to change his mind and allow girls to have their own girls-only Olympics. Simultaneously, he twin Apollo is determined to take on the Python of Parnassus in a battle of wits. Artemis is concerned because the python can read minds and she knows Apollo can’t tell a lie, so she thinks he will lose. She tries to discourage him from entering the contest and inadvertently causes a rift between them, which is heightened when Apollo utterly scorns her attempts to get Zeus to sign off on a girl Olympics. Artemis has to learn when to lean in and when to let others learn lessons on their own in this latest installment of Holub’s GoddessGirl series.
This was a fun and quick read with my daughter at night for a bedtime read. It was a little more progressive and feminist than the other books in the series thus far in that it had a lot of focus on gender equality. I also liked the theme of figuring out when it is ok to be pushy and try to help and when you need to back off and let others figure things out for themselves. That is something a lot of people need to learn.
I still think the books in general are too focused on what other people think and on hetero-normative crushes, but it wasn’t AS big a focus in this one as in others and it provided a couple times to have a good chat with my daughter about a few things.
In Artemis the Loyal, Artemis is on a mission to convince Principal Zeus, King of the Gods and Ruler of the Heavens, that it is not fair that the Olympic Games are for boys only. She is an excellent athlete and wants to compete, as do many other girls. Artemis goes on a mission to convince Zeus to change his mind and allow girls to have their own girls-only Olympics. Simultaneously, he twin Apollo is determined to take on the Python of Parnassus in a battle of wits. Artemis is concerned because the python can read minds and she knows Apollo can’t tell a lie, so she thinks he will lose. She tries to discourage him from entering the contest and inadvertently causes a rift between them, which is heightened when Apollo utterly scorns her attempts to get Zeus to sign off on a girl Olympics. Artemis has to learn when to lean in and when to let others learn lessons on their own in this latest installment of Holub’s GoddessGirl series.
This was a fun and quick read with my daughter at night for a bedtime read. It was a little more progressive and feminist than the other books in the series thus far in that it had a lot of focus on gender equality. I also liked the theme of figuring out when it is ok to be pushy and try to help and when you need to back off and let others figure things out for themselves. That is something a lot of people need to learn.
I still think the books in general are too focused on what other people think and on hetero-normative crushes, but it wasn’t AS big a focus in this one as in others and it provided a couple times to have a good chat with my daughter about a few things.
February 6, 2022
Artemis is about to meet her match...
The tagline itself is intriguing. And even though it's the 7th book of the Goddess Girls series, it made me wanna flip through the pages and drown into the story right away after I read the tagline and blurb. So here we go...
In this story, all the four Goddess Girls are back and the story is told from Artemis's point of view. This time the Annual Olympic Games will be held at Mount Olympus Academy (MOA). Not only godboys can participate in this awesome event, even the giants and mortal boys are also welcomed. Unfortunately, the games are only for boys, so the four goddess girls feel irritated, especially Artemis. Even though she's better at sports than most of the godboys, she can't compete! No fair!
”But doesn’t fairness also mean not showing favoritism to one group over another? [fave quote from page 128]
With the help of her best friends and other goddess girls at MOA, Artemis tries to set up an all-girls event as an act of resistance to the unfairness of the all-boys event, Olympic. Not only does she need to set up a great all-girls event, but she also needs to handle her problems with her twin, Apollo, who asked her to step back from his life.
Will Artemis succeed with her dreams? Can she finally regain trust from her twin?
If you are into middle-grade books and Greek mythology, then this book is worth reading. I love how the authors put a social issue about equal rights through Artemis's point of view. Hopefully, it will encourage the readers (especially girls) to speak up for themselves.
The tagline itself is intriguing. And even though it's the 7th book of the Goddess Girls series, it made me wanna flip through the pages and drown into the story right away after I read the tagline and blurb. So here we go...
In this story, all the four Goddess Girls are back and the story is told from Artemis's point of view. This time the Annual Olympic Games will be held at Mount Olympus Academy (MOA). Not only godboys can participate in this awesome event, even the giants and mortal boys are also welcomed. Unfortunately, the games are only for boys, so the four goddess girls feel irritated, especially Artemis. Even though she's better at sports than most of the godboys, she can't compete! No fair!
”But doesn’t fairness also mean not showing favoritism to one group over another? [fave quote from page 128]
With the help of her best friends and other goddess girls at MOA, Artemis tries to set up an all-girls event as an act of resistance to the unfairness of the all-boys event, Olympic. Not only does she need to set up a great all-girls event, but she also needs to handle her problems with her twin, Apollo, who asked her to step back from his life.
Will Artemis succeed with her dreams? Can she finally regain trust from her twin?
If you are into middle-grade books and Greek mythology, then this book is worth reading. I love how the authors put a social issue about equal rights through Artemis's point of view. Hopefully, it will encourage the readers (especially girls) to speak up for themselves.
December 27, 2022
I am so annoyed by this series. I didn’t like the sixth book, which had been the only one I’d previously read, yet decided to try this one since Artemis is so different from Aphrodite. And yet, we still have a story with rampant misogyny and extreme gender stereotypes. Even Artemis’s “win” in getting the Heraean Games established misses the mark because it was Apollo’s actions (not hers) that convinced Zeus to change his mind and the end result is “separate but equal” sporting events. Not a chance I’ll pick up another of these stories.
May 14, 2017
Ooh, it's always so nice when I get a chance to read a book that isn't riddled with cryptic messages and super deep-read-between-the-lines meanings. It's so...refreshing!
I liked how this book dealt with some sibling issues. I have a sister (not a twin), and I could totally relate!
I liked the riddles Python presented, too! Those were, ugh, tricky to puzzle out, but not in a bad way!
I liked how this book dealt with some sibling issues. I have a sister (not a twin), and I could totally relate!
I liked the riddles Python presented, too! Those were, ugh, tricky to puzzle out, but not in a bad way!
September 18, 2018
I liked this book a lot because the author is writing one of my favorite genres it describes a lot of feelings and emotions, it also showes how the writer expresses really well
I DO NOT recommend this for people who do not like Greek religion, also not for people who see images in their mind very clearly
I DO NOT recommend this for people who do not like Greek religion, also not for people who see images in their mind very clearly
October 20, 2018
I was happy with this book and was satisfied by how it turned out. It shows that no matter how much people argue, they can make up and agree once more. Feeling are what makes the story so good sometimes I was sad and then other times I was happy. When I was having a bad day I just needed to read this book to make me feel better.
Some people may disagree with me and I respect their opinions
Some people may disagree with me and I respect their opinions
September 16, 2019
I read mostly all of the Goddess Girls books. They were my favorite books. In fourth grade I relly loved greek mythology. So I started to read these books. I once got ten of them and finished them all in seven days. The only thing I wanted to do was read them. I didn't want to go outside, and I didn't want to play with my friends. The books made me feel excited. The book made me feel excited because the gods and goddesses were going on all different adventures.
Read
January 8, 2022I remember reading these books when I was on 4th grade and when I saw that my sister brought one from the library I had to reread it. It was a super quick read that was fun and adorable. You can tell that the book was written for a younger audience, the writing, plot and characters are simpler and less developed. But overall it was enjoyable and super nostalgic for me.
September 5, 2023
This book is less interesting than the consequences of it, which show up in the super special. The Goddess Girls are trying to start an all-girl Olympics because the current Olympics are only for guys. A lot of the young godboys, especially Apollo, don’t like that, the sexism is accurate for both Ancient Greece and middle school boys, but I didn’t really like reading that.
June 21, 2021
Another young, feminist-making novel! Excellent! Artemis is fed up with the Olympic Games being strictly boys only, and devises a plan to get a set of games for all the female athletes at MOA. Great start to teaching girls how to dismantle the patriarchy <3.
May 23, 2026
My six year old loved this and I even caught my nine year old listening in. They’re both Greeking Out superfans, so this iteration of Greek myths was a hit. Not the smoothest prose, but there are a lot of fun little references and gags if you’re familiar with the underlying mythology.
January 27, 2019
Great book shows love between siblings and speaking up
May 9, 2019
I don't think I'll ever get tired of these goddesses!!You always learn something about mythology!
January 11, 2020
I love the book it's a fantastic book.💖💟 This is a
favorite. I love Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams.
I feel sad for poor Artemis vs the boys.
favorite. I love Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams.
I feel sad for poor Artemis vs the boys.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2020
Very feminist book. I like. Artemis was OG feminist.
February 28, 2021
I love any story including Artemis and Appollo and this is a good one
April 18, 2021
I had fun reading the whole series, it’s good to see mythology being incorporated into an academy setting which makes it inviting for kids. This one is about Artemis, the loyal!!
June 2, 2021
Me gustan estos libros, son entretenidos y fáciles de leer.
November 23, 2021
3.5 stars
Honestly, it was pretty good. There were parts where you couldn't figure everything out beforehand. It's just not a reread for me. And the longer books feel long - could cut some stuff out.
Honestly, it was pretty good. There were parts where you couldn't figure everything out beforehand. It's just not a reread for me. And the longer books feel long - could cut some stuff out.
Read
February 20, 2022Perfect title for Artemis she is loyal and brave and many more I think Artemis should have her own series of books!
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