What do you think?
Rate this book
The Gods Were Greek #1
Of Wisdom
‘Sing, goddess…’
Born in silence and shrouded in secrets, Athena’s questions about her mother Metis are met with lies, and her search for the truth threatens the fragile peace of the gods. When a betrayal forces her exile to the mortal world of Gaia, she discovers a dangerous prophecy: one day, she will overthrow Zeus himself.
As ancient powers stir and loyalties fracture, Athena must survive among mortals, confront the past the gods buried, and decide if she will become the weapon they fear.
For readers of Madeline Miller, Jennifer Saint, and Natalie Haynes - Of Wisdom is a sweeping, subversive reimagining of Athena’s untold origin story.
Born in silence and shrouded in secrets, Athena’s questions about her mother Metis are met with lies, and her search for the truth threatens the fragile peace of the gods. When a betrayal forces her exile to the mortal world of Gaia, she discovers a dangerous prophecy: one day, she will overthrow Zeus himself.
As ancient powers stir and loyalties fracture, Athena must survive among mortals, confront the past the gods buried, and decide if she will become the weapon they fear.
For readers of Madeline Miller, Jennifer Saint, and Natalie Haynes - Of Wisdom is a sweeping, subversive reimagining of Athena’s untold origin story.
334 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2025
11 people are currently reading
1605 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Bashir
1 book15 followersHannah Bashir is a classicist and author. Inspired by the classic tales of ancient Greece and Rome, Bashir seeks to rewrite the Greek myths many know and love in a way that both pays homage to the original, and reinvents them for a new audience. She hopes Homer and Ovid don’t mind too much. Of Wisdom is her first novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 17, 2025
“One day – one day when our deeds are no more than myth, and our names are no more than memory, you will be remembered, Athena."
Of Wisdom is a reimagining of the origin story of one of the most famous Greek goddesses, the goddess of wisdom and war, Athena. When we first meet her in this book, she is a young goddess living a happy life on Olympus with her family. But her life is torn apart when her father appears one night, telling her she must leave and go into hiding. Why was she sent away? Why is a god sending warriors after her? What has all of this got to do with her mother, Metis, who died when she was born?
Of Wisdom was an engaging, moving origin story – or the beginning of what will be multiple books long origin story – that blended original ideas with well-known myths in a satisfying and believable way. I liked the way the author filled in the gaps of the mythology, wove together different myths and characters, and created a version of the Greek mythological world that feels both her own and familiar to anyone who knows and loves the myths. It was always fun seeing a familiar face – for example, when Minos and his family pop up, I was thrilled – but it was also equally fun to see what Bashir had come up with and how she chose to interpret Athena and her story. Though this book was not perfect for me, I was left, after that banger of a last page, eagerly anticipating the sequels.
Athena is a goddess I like but have never loved quite as much as I do, say, Artemis or Hestia, but I still really liked this novel. I thought Bashir did a good job of making Athena feel relatable and human despite her being a literal goddess, and I appreciated the complexity she gave her. In this novel, Athena is put through the wringer and it was interesting seeing her navigate not just her banishment from her home into the world of the mortals which leaves her weary, powerless and physically challenged, but also her first experiences with self-doubt and regret, and completely new-to-her threats, such as death and sexual violence. Before she is exiled, her life has been good. She has never had to think about what dying actually means nor has she ever had to fear men. I thought Bashir captured Athena's slowly but surely building frustration, grief and anger with the world she has been thrust into and all the cruelties she has to face very well. This book is also, for her, a story of facing ugly truths, having her worldview utterly shattered and having to rebuild from the ground up. She is not yet the goddess we know from mythology – she is not yet wisdom personified, nor has she fought wars – but the reader gets to see tantalising glimpses of her future: she encounters a mysterious owl, she wields a spear, she begins to understand what true wisdom means and we get to see why she becomes known as Pallas Athena. I am excited to see this version of Athena develop further.
Bashir did a good job with all the gods, not just Athena. I loved her flashy, dramatic and energetic pretty blonde Apollo, and her fierce Artemis who feels more at home in the woods than in a banquet hall. Hermes didn't appear much but he had a spark to him that I liked, and I was living for Ares being a grumpy, proud mama's boy who thinks he is better than the rest because he is Hera and Zeus's son. I loved this quote about Hestia, my fave goddess: “Her eyes were gold too, and her smile kind. Always kind. Our theía was soft-spoken, her dresses simple. She wore no jewels and patted the spot next to her. But Apollo was quicker than me and leapt over his twin’s head and cuddled up to our theía with a smile that made her chuckle. Hestia was Mater to us all who had none on the mountain.” Zeus didn't appear much on page but his presence is known throughout the story and, as we all know, Zeus's presence is never anything positive. Metis is another looming presence and I was living for the mystery of what happened to her, what did she feel for Zeus and why she died. Athena is so often portrayed as motherless – in fact in the Oresteia, she declares herself born only of her father, completely denying Metis – so I was thrilled to read a story about her where her mother is an important player and where Athena does not solely define herself through her dad. Bashir writes Metis back into his story, and I appreciate it so much. Triton was a surprising favorite of mine, as he is just this cute, loving girl dad who valued love and family more than godly power.
Bashir does not shy away from the cruelty of the gods. As Athena begins to see over the course of the story, the gods can be capricious, cruel and downright sadistic. Not all of them are bad, but even the good ones are part of the problem, as they wield power over mortals and, often, look the other way when other gods do nasty shit. While her glossy, happy-happy view of her home, Olympus, begins to shatter, Athena is also forced to witness the cruelties of But while reading about the gods' cruelties was a bit tough at times, those scenes never felt exploitative or simply there for the drama. They forced Athena to see the realities of the mortal world and the gods' impact on humanity, the unfairness of the way so many of them wield their power. As someone who is very interested, when it comes to myth, in the relationship between the mortal world and the realm of the divine, all that was very interesting to read about. I liked the scene near the end where I am eager to see how Athena's relationship with humanity develops. Also, as a lover of prophecies in ancient myths, let's just say I was happy and intrigued by one of the key aspects of Athena's storyline.
One of my most anticipated aspects of this book was the relationship between Athena and Pallas, daughter of Triton, whom she meets at Okeanos. You don't often see Pallas in Greek myth retellings, or at least I haven't encountered her before in as substantial a role as this one. I appreciated the friendship that grew between them and I loved how they, as these two outsiders in Okeanos, are able to relate to one another in a way no-one else there can. It was fun seeing Athena, for the first time ever, deal with not being liked and not knowing how to approach someone, as was seeing her feelings for Pallas develop into something other than simple friendship. I didn't know whether the author would go down a sapphic route with these two, and while I don't know if I'd call their relationship a romance, I would definitely call them queer. But despite my enjoyment of them and their fierce protectiveness of each other, I did have some issues with how they were written, mainly that I didn't feel like we were given enough of them. As it is now, it feels like they go from strangers to besties super fast: I would've loved to see more of that growth. Also, the way
There were other interesting relationships too. As I already mentioned, I loved how central Metis and Athena's relationship is in this book, but I, on the whole, enjoyed Athena's relationship with her family. In this book, the gods truly feel like a family unit. When we first meet Athena, Apollo and Hermes are helping her sneak into Zeus's private rooms. We then see the young gods having lessons with their auntie Hestia, giggling at parties and being, in general, true siblings. I appreciated all those scenes, as it made Athena being forced away from Olympus feel that much crueler cause these weren't just fellow gods she lived with, these were her family. Most of the time in myth retellings Athena is not depicted as particularly close with any of her siblings – she tends to be this more aloof figure, not close like Artemis and Apollo often are – and so it was actually really charming to see her have a great time with her fam. Reading about how Apollo and Artemis sometimes sneak into her room so they can all lie in bed together and look at stars was super cute. Also, I have to mention, Apollo and Artemis walking hand in hand was just too adorable. I'm eager to learn whether
I don't have any major gripes with the book, apart from Pallas and Athena's dynamic feeling a bit too underdeveloped considering its vital importance to Athena's character and the plot. There were some recurring typos that bothered me and made the book feel unedited. But other than that, I had a great time. I liked the central mystery and while we get some answers, plenty are left open and unanswered, which of course makes me excited for book two which I hope will come soon. I think Of Wisdom is a solid debut novel and an intriguing look into Athena as a character. I would recommend it happily.
Of Wisdom is a reimagining of the origin story of one of the most famous Greek goddesses, the goddess of wisdom and war, Athena. When we first meet her in this book, she is a young goddess living a happy life on Olympus with her family. But her life is torn apart when her father appears one night, telling her she must leave and go into hiding. Why was she sent away? Why is a god sending warriors after her? What has all of this got to do with her mother, Metis, who died when she was born?
Of Wisdom was an engaging, moving origin story – or the beginning of what will be multiple books long origin story – that blended original ideas with well-known myths in a satisfying and believable way. I liked the way the author filled in the gaps of the mythology, wove together different myths and characters, and created a version of the Greek mythological world that feels both her own and familiar to anyone who knows and loves the myths. It was always fun seeing a familiar face – for example, when Minos and his family pop up, I was thrilled – but it was also equally fun to see what Bashir had come up with and how she chose to interpret Athena and her story. Though this book was not perfect for me, I was left, after that banger of a last page, eagerly anticipating the sequels.
Athena is a goddess I like but have never loved quite as much as I do, say, Artemis or Hestia, but I still really liked this novel. I thought Bashir did a good job of making Athena feel relatable and human despite her being a literal goddess, and I appreciated the complexity she gave her. In this novel, Athena is put through the wringer and it was interesting seeing her navigate not just her banishment from her home into the world of the mortals which leaves her weary, powerless and physically challenged, but also her first experiences with self-doubt and regret, and completely new-to-her threats, such as death and sexual violence. Before she is exiled, her life has been good. She has never had to think about what dying actually means nor has she ever had to fear men. I thought Bashir captured Athena's slowly but surely building frustration, grief and anger with the world she has been thrust into and all the cruelties she has to face very well. This book is also, for her, a story of facing ugly truths, having her worldview utterly shattered and having to rebuild from the ground up. She is not yet the goddess we know from mythology – she is not yet wisdom personified, nor has she fought wars – but the reader gets to see tantalising glimpses of her future: she encounters a mysterious owl, she wields a spear, she begins to understand what true wisdom means and we get to see why she becomes known as Pallas Athena. I am excited to see this version of Athena develop further.
Bashir did a good job with all the gods, not just Athena. I loved her flashy, dramatic and energetic pretty blonde Apollo, and her fierce Artemis who feels more at home in the woods than in a banquet hall. Hermes didn't appear much but he had a spark to him that I liked, and I was living for Ares being a grumpy, proud mama's boy who thinks he is better than the rest because he is Hera and Zeus's son. I loved this quote about Hestia, my fave goddess: “Her eyes were gold too, and her smile kind. Always kind. Our theía was soft-spoken, her dresses simple. She wore no jewels and patted the spot next to her. But Apollo was quicker than me and leapt over his twin’s head and cuddled up to our theía with a smile that made her chuckle. Hestia was Mater to us all who had none on the mountain.” Zeus didn't appear much on page but his presence is known throughout the story and, as we all know, Zeus's presence is never anything positive. Metis is another looming presence and I was living for the mystery of what happened to her, what did she feel for Zeus and why she died. Athena is so often portrayed as motherless – in fact in the Oresteia, she declares herself born only of her father, completely denying Metis – so I was thrilled to read a story about her where her mother is an important player and where Athena does not solely define herself through her dad. Bashir writes Metis back into his story, and I appreciate it so much. Triton was a surprising favorite of mine, as he is just this cute, loving girl dad who valued love and family more than godly power.
Bashir does not shy away from the cruelty of the gods. As Athena begins to see over the course of the story, the gods can be capricious, cruel and downright sadistic. Not all of them are bad, but even the good ones are part of the problem, as they wield power over mortals and, often, look the other way when other gods do nasty shit. While her glossy, happy-happy view of her home, Olympus, begins to shatter, Athena is also forced to witness the cruelties of But while reading about the gods' cruelties was a bit tough at times, those scenes never felt exploitative or simply there for the drama. They forced Athena to see the realities of the mortal world and the gods' impact on humanity, the unfairness of the way so many of them wield their power. As someone who is very interested, when it comes to myth, in the relationship between the mortal world and the realm of the divine, all that was very interesting to read about. I liked the scene near the end where I am eager to see how Athena's relationship with humanity develops. Also, as a lover of prophecies in ancient myths, let's just say I was happy and intrigued by one of the key aspects of Athena's storyline.
One of my most anticipated aspects of this book was the relationship between Athena and Pallas, daughter of Triton, whom she meets at Okeanos. You don't often see Pallas in Greek myth retellings, or at least I haven't encountered her before in as substantial a role as this one. I appreciated the friendship that grew between them and I loved how they, as these two outsiders in Okeanos, are able to relate to one another in a way no-one else there can. It was fun seeing Athena, for the first time ever, deal with not being liked and not knowing how to approach someone, as was seeing her feelings for Pallas develop into something other than simple friendship. I didn't know whether the author would go down a sapphic route with these two, and while I don't know if I'd call their relationship a romance, I would definitely call them queer. But despite my enjoyment of them and their fierce protectiveness of each other, I did have some issues with how they were written, mainly that I didn't feel like we were given enough of them. As it is now, it feels like they go from strangers to besties super fast: I would've loved to see more of that growth. Also, the way
There were other interesting relationships too. As I already mentioned, I loved how central Metis and Athena's relationship is in this book, but I, on the whole, enjoyed Athena's relationship with her family. In this book, the gods truly feel like a family unit. When we first meet Athena, Apollo and Hermes are helping her sneak into Zeus's private rooms. We then see the young gods having lessons with their auntie Hestia, giggling at parties and being, in general, true siblings. I appreciated all those scenes, as it made Athena being forced away from Olympus feel that much crueler cause these weren't just fellow gods she lived with, these were her family. Most of the time in myth retellings Athena is not depicted as particularly close with any of her siblings – she tends to be this more aloof figure, not close like Artemis and Apollo often are – and so it was actually really charming to see her have a great time with her fam. Reading about how Apollo and Artemis sometimes sneak into her room so they can all lie in bed together and look at stars was super cute. Also, I have to mention, Apollo and Artemis walking hand in hand was just too adorable. I'm eager to learn whether
I don't have any major gripes with the book, apart from Pallas and Athena's dynamic feeling a bit too underdeveloped considering its vital importance to Athena's character and the plot. There were some recurring typos that bothered me and made the book feel unedited. But other than that, I had a great time. I liked the central mystery and while we get some answers, plenty are left open and unanswered, which of course makes me excited for book two which I hope will come soon. I think Of Wisdom is a solid debut novel and an intriguing look into Athena as a character. I would recommend it happily.
September 5, 2025
A huge thank you to the author for the beautiful ARC I received of this book!
Bashir’s debut takes the story of a goddess who has for too long been overshadowed by the glories of mortal men and gives her a thrilling and humanising backstory. I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to see Athena learn and grow, not as the imposing Goddess of Wisdom and War that we later know her to be, but as a young girl and woman who is capable of making mistakes, of wanting to give up, and who is capable of such joy and sadness. Bashir’s Athena is both a loveable and relatable protagonist, and I look forward to seeing how she continues to grow across the ‘The Gods Were Greek’ series.
Not only was the protagonist incredibly well written, but the cast of characters she meets, loves, and depends on are all incredibly intriguing and well developed. Bashir has captured the very essence of the Greek gods and Titans perfectly – their selfishness, their dismissal of mortal life, and of course, their seemingly blind belief in prophecies! In contrast, the characters who subvert these proven-true stereotypes are made all the more loveable to the reader!
My favourite characters have to include Pallas, whose story was so heartwarmingly (and heartbreakingly) depicted, Daemon, an original character who slots into the Pantheon with great precision, and Triton, one of the most ‘human’ gods Bashir depicts. I also enjoyed the depictions of the various Olympian gods, and I certainly hope we will see more of Apollo and Artemis in future books!
‘Of Wisdom’ is a beautiful, enchanting, and heartwarming retelling, and one that all Greek mythology fans should have on their bookshelves!
Bashir’s debut takes the story of a goddess who has for too long been overshadowed by the glories of mortal men and gives her a thrilling and humanising backstory. I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to see Athena learn and grow, not as the imposing Goddess of Wisdom and War that we later know her to be, but as a young girl and woman who is capable of making mistakes, of wanting to give up, and who is capable of such joy and sadness. Bashir’s Athena is both a loveable and relatable protagonist, and I look forward to seeing how she continues to grow across the ‘The Gods Were Greek’ series.
Not only was the protagonist incredibly well written, but the cast of characters she meets, loves, and depends on are all incredibly intriguing and well developed. Bashir has captured the very essence of the Greek gods and Titans perfectly – their selfishness, their dismissal of mortal life, and of course, their seemingly blind belief in prophecies! In contrast, the characters who subvert these proven-true stereotypes are made all the more loveable to the reader!
My favourite characters have to include Pallas, whose story was so heartwarmingly (and heartbreakingly) depicted, Daemon, an original character who slots into the Pantheon with great precision, and Triton, one of the most ‘human’ gods Bashir depicts. I also enjoyed the depictions of the various Olympian gods, and I certainly hope we will see more of Apollo and Artemis in future books!
‘Of Wisdom’ is a beautiful, enchanting, and heartwarming retelling, and one that all Greek mythology fans should have on their bookshelves!
October 29, 2025
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway and I’m so glad I entered! I had zero expectations going in, but WOW, this totally blew me away! I don’t usually read Greek myth retellings (or leave reviews tbh), but I’ve always loved Athena, and Of Wisdom gives such a unique take on her story before she becomes the Goddess of Wisdom and War 🏛️⚔️
The writing is beautifully done and honestly kind of addictive, it really feels like your watching it all play out. I really enjoyed how the author has created Athena and made her voice so relatable, you almost forget who she’ll become. Her relationship with Pallas (🥲) really grounds her and I loved the scenes between the two of them!💕
I’m already excited for the second book!
The writing is beautifully done and honestly kind of addictive, it really feels like your watching it all play out. I really enjoyed how the author has created Athena and made her voice so relatable, you almost forget who she’ll become. Her relationship with Pallas (🥲) really grounds her and I loved the scenes between the two of them!💕
I’m already excited for the second book!
December 27, 2025
I absolutely loved reading this book, and was very invested to the story between Athena and Pallas! Having very little Greek mythology knowledge myself prior to this book, I was anxious I might find it hard to follow, but I found Hannah’s telling of the story of Athena extremely captivating and easy to follow. Hannah writes beautifully in this novel, and clearly shows and deep understanding and knowledge on Greek mythology. I would highly recommend reading Of Wisdom, and I can’t wait to read what this emerging author has to share next!
November 7, 2025
Not terrible but not great either.
I feel like the relationship between Athena and Pallas was surface level. Also Pallas was killed off way too quickly imo.
I thought this would be a romance between the two of them and it isn’t so im disappointed in that respect.
The myths are all over the place. Don’t quite understand the whole Hades trying to kidnap her thing, I found that extremely weird.
Just overall unhappy with this book. It felt like a lot of words but not much substance.
I feel like the relationship between Athena and Pallas was surface level. Also Pallas was killed off way too quickly imo.
I thought this would be a romance between the two of them and it isn’t so im disappointed in that respect.
The myths are all over the place. Don’t quite understand the whole Hades trying to kidnap her thing, I found that extremely weird.
Just overall unhappy with this book. It felt like a lot of words but not much substance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2025
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for choosing me.
Definitely well written, engaging and interesting. I found the dictionary at the beginning of the novel extremely helpful. Loved the story and would definitely recommend.
Definitely well written, engaging and interesting. I found the dictionary at the beginning of the novel extremely helpful. Loved the story and would definitely recommend.
October 8, 2025
I devoured this book. I have been reading greek retellings for years, and this one was raw and powerful. It was my first time reading a retelling of Athena, and it didn't disappoint. I can't wait to read the next installment in this series.
Rating 4.2/5.
Rating 4.2/5.
October 30, 2025
signed up just to rate this - well done, Han! 🩶🩶
August 18, 2025
Thank you to the author for the ARC of Of Wisdom!
This reimagining offers a fresh take on the mighty Athena. I really enjoyed seeing her not only as the serious, intelligent, and sometimes distant goddess we usually know, but also as a young girl still growing and is curious about herself, her surroundings, her relationships, and what more she could become as a goddess.
The author brings Athena to life by making her deeply relatable. We see her journey unfold: from an affectionate 👀 daughter and sibling, to a keen student, to a loyal friend, and finally to the beginnings of her legendary reputation. As a reader, I could really feel and somewhat relate with her emotions, her being scared of being away from family, the uncertainty of independence, experiencing devastation, and her growth into bravery and loyalty. The author was able to write these beautifully.
There is repeated use of the words Ela, Pater, and sometimes Khaire and it kinda stood out to me but you’ll get use to it as it is part of and blended naturally on the storytelling. (TMI, I may have noticed it more since I’m currently on my Assassin’s Creed Odyssey rerun 🫢)
I tried to keep this review spoiler-free as I wanted you to enjoy this book as much as I did, Of Wisdom is an easy yet enchanting read and I am truly excited for this series! Thank you again, Ms. Hannah Bashir, for sharing your incredible work with us! 🩷
This reimagining offers a fresh take on the mighty Athena. I really enjoyed seeing her not only as the serious, intelligent, and sometimes distant goddess we usually know, but also as a young girl still growing and is curious about herself, her surroundings, her relationships, and what more she could become as a goddess.
The author brings Athena to life by making her deeply relatable. We see her journey unfold: from an affectionate 👀 daughter and sibling, to a keen student, to a loyal friend, and finally to the beginnings of her legendary reputation. As a reader, I could really feel and somewhat relate with her emotions, her being scared of being away from family, the uncertainty of independence, experiencing devastation, and her growth into bravery and loyalty. The author was able to write these beautifully.
There is repeated use of the words Ela, Pater, and sometimes Khaire and it kinda stood out to me but you’ll get use to it as it is part of and blended naturally on the storytelling. (TMI, I may have noticed it more since I’m currently on my Assassin’s Creed Odyssey rerun 🫢)
I tried to keep this review spoiler-free as I wanted you to enjoy this book as much as I did, Of Wisdom is an easy yet enchanting read and I am truly excited for this series! Thank you again, Ms. Hannah Bashir, for sharing your incredible work with us! 🩷
July 20, 2025
This is a well-written book for a debut author and I highly recommend it to someone who wants a reimagined world involving Athena. It is intense, bingeable and exhilarating at some points.
Hannah's writing style fits a YA author and the dictionary in the beginning is helpful as words like Ela or Pater are used regularly to the point it can become a bit overused. You will most definitely know what they are by the end of it. I enjoyed this book as I did laugh, hysterically cry, and binge-read 10 chapters. It was easy to read and has a very intense plot that will make you gasp if you know the original myths.
My only complaint is that I wish it were more harmonious in its density as some parts seem heavier than others. Relationships that you feel need to be more discovered arent and you feel at some points you yearn for more between some scenes and actions. I also wish the world were more developed as some parts did seem a bit rushed which could have been explored a bit more. I hope to learn and read more in part two.
However all in all a very good read. I wouldn't compare this to a retelling but more so a story using the characters and the ideas of ancient Greek myth. I really enjoyed this original story.
.
.
May contain Spoilers to some who wish to go in blind:
The trigger warnings in the beginning were vital to some parts of the story as it continued, to show the aspects of the gruesome nature of mythology and ancient history throughout. This book wraps together multiple origins of Athena including her appearance in Libyan myth and where she got the name Pallas from. (at least one version, my personal favorite.)
The description of the book matches with the writing however if you are looking for a romance between Pallas and Athena it will not be as you thought. You will instead find tears, a bit of frustration, and a yearning for more between them, Triton and the world of Libu.
I believe a lot more will be said about how Athena feels in further chapters as you can see Athena's development from the beginning to the end of this first book. Especially with her view of Gaia and the beings around her.
Definitely give this a read!
Hannah's writing style fits a YA author and the dictionary in the beginning is helpful as words like Ela or Pater are used regularly to the point it can become a bit overused. You will most definitely know what they are by the end of it. I enjoyed this book as I did laugh, hysterically cry, and binge-read 10 chapters. It was easy to read and has a very intense plot that will make you gasp if you know the original myths.
My only complaint is that I wish it were more harmonious in its density as some parts seem heavier than others. Relationships that you feel need to be more discovered arent and you feel at some points you yearn for more between some scenes and actions. I also wish the world were more developed as some parts did seem a bit rushed which could have been explored a bit more. I hope to learn and read more in part two.
However all in all a very good read. I wouldn't compare this to a retelling but more so a story using the characters and the ideas of ancient Greek myth. I really enjoyed this original story.
.
.
May contain Spoilers to some who wish to go in blind:
The trigger warnings in the beginning were vital to some parts of the story as it continued, to show the aspects of the gruesome nature of mythology and ancient history throughout. This book wraps together multiple origins of Athena including her appearance in Libyan myth and where she got the name Pallas from. (at least one version, my personal favorite.)
The description of the book matches with the writing however if you are looking for a romance between Pallas and Athena it will not be as you thought. You will instead find tears, a bit of frustration, and a yearning for more between them, Triton and the world of Libu.
I believe a lot more will be said about how Athena feels in further chapters as you can see Athena's development from the beginning to the end of this first book. Especially with her view of Gaia and the beings around her.
Definitely give this a read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2025
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book and following Athena. Hannah’s prose was both pretty in many cases and extremely readable! She clearly loves the mythology she has based the book around and has made it accessible for those familiar and unfamiliar with Greek mythology.
She provides a map, a glossary, and a family tree to help readers get a grasp on the dynamics and setting ahead of time.
I have a working knowledge of Greek mythology, and always enjoy when books introduce me to myths I don’t know/know a lot about.
I’m looking forward to the next installment as well!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book and following Athena. Hannah’s prose was both pretty in many cases and extremely readable! She clearly loves the mythology she has based the book around and has made it accessible for those familiar and unfamiliar with Greek mythology.
She provides a map, a glossary, and a family tree to help readers get a grasp on the dynamics and setting ahead of time.
I have a working knowledge of Greek mythology, and always enjoy when books introduce me to myths I don’t know/know a lot about.
I’m looking forward to the next installment as well!
October 29, 2025
A while back I was given the opportunity to read this book before it was officially published on September. Originally, I enjoyed reading this retelling because it didn't antagonize Athena and it granted her character the right justice it needed, however during my second reading I realized it had some underlying issues with the plot. First of all, it made Eurynome Metis' sister one of the primary antagonists of the first book by setting up Athena and Pallas to be sexually assaulted by the Potamoi yet Athena and Eurynome never had bad blood in the myths. It is also quite strange that the author wrote Oceanus to have romantic feelings towards Metis yet he had a close relationship with Tethys and never set his eyes on anyone else. Not to mention that humans were non- existent during the time that Athena was staying with Triton and Pallas. Yes, I agree that not all retellings should be entirely accurate towards the book it is a shame that certain characters were villanized as a result. If you are new to Greek myths, this could be a good introduction but it is important to do research and never take retellings as canon to the source material.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2025
Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy 📖
Ok, I LOVED this!
Pallas and Athena? 😭😭😭
Honestly, this is a must read for Greek Mythology fans.
Highly addictive, clever, and the prose is beautiful 🕊️
Ok, I LOVED this!
Pallas and Athena? 😭😭😭
Honestly, this is a must read for Greek Mythology fans.
Highly addictive, clever, and the prose is beautiful 🕊️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2025
This book centers on Athena, but not the cold, all-knowing version we usually see. Hannah gives her depth, Vulnerability and a voice which feels both ancient and incredible human. I was totally pulled into the tension between Divine power and personal doubt. The writing amazing! This book definitely weaves lesser-known myths into its tapestry, giving fresh attention to overlook figures like Athena and Pallas, and even creating original narratives that blend seamlessly with Canon. Of wisdom is more than a methodological novel. It is a meditation on the cost of knowledge, the complexity of choice and the quiet strength found in uncertainty. With this standing debut, Hannah establishes herself as a powerful new voice in the mythological fiction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews