Thank you Isamar Miranda Colón for my advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
When I was approached by the author about this book, I had high expectations right off the bat from reading the synopsis alone. I am a huge fan of greek mythology so a reimagining of Greek myths through a modern lens, with gods, power, and intrigue sounded amazing! I am so glad that’s exactly what I got.
The novel pulls you in from the first page with its well-constructed universe. I couldn't put it down because I desperately needed to know what would happen next and solve the puzzle of what the characters were going through. I do have to say that sometimes I do feel that the world building was so well constructed or present that the author went a little too in depth into the society and its rules, that it could become overwhelming. Sometimes an author on their debut novel will want to suck their audience into the universe they've constructed and fall into the saying instead of showing. Yet I feel that the mix of dystopia and mythology gave the story a fresh and original feel.
The characters are complex, with motivations and flaws that feel real which caused a lot of intrigue in wanting to follow along in their adventures. Many scenes had me questioning their morality: there’s no black and white here, only tough choices, divided loyalties, secrets, betrayals. Everything that I love in a fantasy. Obviously the characters still have a lot of room to grow and I don't expect any less since this is the first book in a trilogy. One thing I wished was done better was the keeping of the tenses in the writing. Sometimes it changed from third to first and it could become confusing. Or assuming we know who the characters are talking to, but with jumping through multiple timelines and POVs (Katerina, Joseph, and Zeus) it had me having to go back to confirm certain details.
Side characters like Jezebelle, Jasmine, Rhia, Nik, Ares, and Eris really added to the story and challenged some of our main characters to continue in their hero journey. There were many many more side characters that added to the story and I felt intrigued by them and how they interacted and added to the plot, but there were so many it was hard to keep up with their names.
The plot moves at a good pace, though like I mentioned before, at times the density of names, services, roles, and world rules can feel a little overwhelming, especially early on. But with some patience, the payoff is worth it. Trust me!
What fascinated me most is that just when you thought you had it all figured out or you were starting to understand a character, something shifted and had you questioning all over again. Keeping me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
But overall, Olympus: A New Order left me wanting more. This story is a thrilling multiple POV adventure, full of mythology, interesting characters, and a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Do I recommend it? Yes, especially if you enjoy fantasy with dystopian notes, reimagined mythology, and morally grey characters with cracks.