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Mythologica: An Encyclopedia of Gods, Monsters and Mortals from Ancient Greece
An illustrated encyclopedia of Greek mythology like no other, Mythologica features startlingly beautiful and exquisitely otherworldly portraits of mythological characters in eye-popping color from artist Victoria Topping and authoritative text from Classics scholar and Greek mythology expert Dr. Stephen Kershaw.
Uncover the colorful lives of 50 powerful gods and goddesses, earth-dwelling mortals, and terrifying monsters as you journey back in time to ancient Greece. From the fearless Athena and her meddlesome ways to the brave and bold Odysseus and his remarkable journey home, discover why these incredible stories are still a part of our culture today.
Listed alphabetically, each boldly designed spread presents a figure from the myths, including their name in Greek, their defining attributes, and a summary of their story, along with multiple sidelights that provide additional facts. Interspersed with the profiles are summaries of famous mythological tales and historical events, like the Odyssey, the Trojan War, and the story of the Argonauts.
An electrifying visual portrayal of each figure transports you directly into their wild world. Victoria Topping’s artwork is a fusion of technological and traditional techniques that combines photography, painting, and cut-paper collage to perfectly express the blending of human and fantastic traits from which mythical beings are made.
The thrilling images and digestible text provide the perfect introduction to the lively world of Greek mythology. Prepare to be amazed as you uncover the epic, heroic, and sometimes terrible lives of mortals, monsters, and gods.
Uncover the colorful lives of 50 powerful gods and goddesses, earth-dwelling mortals, and terrifying monsters as you journey back in time to ancient Greece. From the fearless Athena and her meddlesome ways to the brave and bold Odysseus and his remarkable journey home, discover why these incredible stories are still a part of our culture today.
Listed alphabetically, each boldly designed spread presents a figure from the myths, including their name in Greek, their defining attributes, and a summary of their story, along with multiple sidelights that provide additional facts. Interspersed with the profiles are summaries of famous mythological tales and historical events, like the Odyssey, the Trojan War, and the story of the Argonauts.
An electrifying visual portrayal of each figure transports you directly into their wild world. Victoria Topping’s artwork is a fusion of technological and traditional techniques that combines photography, painting, and cut-paper collage to perfectly express the blending of human and fantastic traits from which mythical beings are made.
The thrilling images and digestible text provide the perfect introduction to the lively world of Greek mythology. Prepare to be amazed as you uncover the epic, heroic, and sometimes terrible lives of mortals, monsters, and gods.
112 pages, Hardcover
Published September 3, 2019
32 people are currently reading
628 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
September 11, 2019
Mythologica: An encyclopedia of gods, monsters, and mortals from ancient Greece is as the title suggests, an illustrated encyclopedia of Greek mythology. Mythologica features stunningly beautiful portraits of mythological characters from the Greek Mythology
The book covers 50 myths covered in alphabetical order. All of the major gods and mythological figures including Zeus, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Poseidon, Midas, Cyclops, Chimaera, Medusa, Pegasus among others are covered
Listed alphabetically, each spread presents a mythological figure, their attributes, and a summary of their story, along with some additional trivia. Along with them, popular mythological stories like Pandora's box, The Odyssey, and The Trojan War and the Argonauts. are also covered.
Artist Victoria Topping’s artwork is a blend of modern and traditional techniques and the result is quite stunning. Each character has a unique and colorful visual portrayal which has added a unique dimension to the book.
The text accompanying the artwork is brief but informative. The facts and stories are entertaining but overall it does feel a bit too short. The authors should have tried incorporating more details/stories for each character. This book is a wonderful way to introduce children to mythology. (Though a couple of stories may not be suitable for children)
Overall, this is an absolutely gorgeous book on legendary characters and creatures from Greek mythology. The book is both exciting and informative and it will make you want to learn more about Greek Mythology.
Many thanks to the publishers Quarto Publishing Group - Wide Eyed Editions and NetGalley for the ARC. All images from Amazon
The book covers 50 myths covered in alphabetical order. All of the major gods and mythological figures including Zeus, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Poseidon, Midas, Cyclops, Chimaera, Medusa, Pegasus among others are covered
Listed alphabetically, each spread presents a mythological figure, their attributes, and a summary of their story, along with some additional trivia. Along with them, popular mythological stories like Pandora's box, The Odyssey, and The Trojan War and the Argonauts. are also covered.
Artist Victoria Topping’s artwork is a blend of modern and traditional techniques and the result is quite stunning. Each character has a unique and colorful visual portrayal which has added a unique dimension to the book.
The text accompanying the artwork is brief but informative. The facts and stories are entertaining but overall it does feel a bit too short. The authors should have tried incorporating more details/stories for each character. This book is a wonderful way to introduce children to mythology. (Though a couple of stories may not be suitable for children)
Overall, this is an absolutely gorgeous book on legendary characters and creatures from Greek mythology. The book is both exciting and informative and it will make you want to learn more about Greek Mythology.
Many thanks to the publishers Quarto Publishing Group - Wide Eyed Editions and NetGalley for the ARC. All images from Amazon
September 29, 2019
5★
“Greek mythology is everywhere.
Superstar athletes have the Midas touch, fashion designers have their muses, we undertake Herculean tasks, we make personal odysseys, and we all have our Achilles heel. This book gives you a selection of some of the greatest mortals, immortals, and monsters in Greek mythology.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. What that doesn’t say is how fantastically imaginative and stunning the illustrations are! And they aren’t just odd sketches to flesh out a bit of narrative text, they are full-blown works of art of such a modern style, that young people will relate to the gods and goddesses as they would rock stars. This is the stuff of album covers – the ones that end up in art galleries, I mean.
I was instantly reminded of David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust incarnation. See what you think.
Narcissus, gazing at himself in the pool
His name is in everyday use when we speak of narcissistic behaviour (self-love), but so are the names of a surprising number of other gods and goddesses.
“Greek names can be really difficult, and there are lots of different ways of spelling them in English. Achilles is really Akhilleus in Greek; Clytemnestra is actually Klytaimnestra; and Oedipus is called Oidipous. Sometimes the Greek gods and heroes are given Roman names too, so Odysseus becomes Ulysses, and Zeus becomes Jupiter or Jove! So we’ve chosen the most familiar spellings, but given you their names in real Greek too!”
The king of them all is Zeus, and the author doesn’t mince words about his colourful history – married to his sister, children with many other women – quite the player! Tell me he doesn’t look a bit like a bikie gang-leader here!
Zeus, King of the Gods. God of the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order, and justice
I can see that as a poster on a wall that would rival those from rock concerts. The next is a goddess whose name has been adopted by both environmentalists and new-age alternative lifestylers to cover their concept of Mother Earth. Gaia.
“In the Golden Age, the earth was so fertile that there was no need to plow or plant the fields because Gaia freely gave all her riches to mortals, who were happy to gather wild strawberries on the mountainside, pick cherries and berries, and eat acorns from the oak trees.”
The stories are explained and illustrated in marvellous detail. The Odyssey, Jason and the Argonauts – it’s all here.
Absolutely stunning! I can see this reproduced as posters, fabrics, and multiplied as spin-offs. As it stands now, it is a remarkable work of art and a very entertaining telling of the myths, modernised enough to appeal to today’s jaded youth, and I enjoyed this version.
I just keep wanting to share illustrations, but I’d better limit myself, so here’s a page about The Odyssey, to give you an idea of the breadth of the stories. I realise you’d be going some to see the details, but you may see the brown Cyclops asleep and the ship and the other challenges they faced.
The story of The Odyssey
Great thanks to NetGalley and Quarto’s Wide Eyed Editions for the preview copy, and I commend authorSteven Kershaw and inspired illustrator Victoria Topping for producing this beautiful book. Her own website is here. https://www.victoriatopping.com/
Just one more. This illustration is Artemis - how fantastic! The other pages are the whole double-page spread, but I singled out Artemis just to give you an idea of the detail.
Artemis
“Greek mythology is everywhere.
Superstar athletes have the Midas touch, fashion designers have their muses, we undertake Herculean tasks, we make personal odysseys, and we all have our Achilles heel. This book gives you a selection of some of the greatest mortals, immortals, and monsters in Greek mythology.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. What that doesn’t say is how fantastically imaginative and stunning the illustrations are! And they aren’t just odd sketches to flesh out a bit of narrative text, they are full-blown works of art of such a modern style, that young people will relate to the gods and goddesses as they would rock stars. This is the stuff of album covers – the ones that end up in art galleries, I mean.
I was instantly reminded of David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust incarnation. See what you think.
Narcissus, gazing at himself in the pool
His name is in everyday use when we speak of narcissistic behaviour (self-love), but so are the names of a surprising number of other gods and goddesses.
“Greek names can be really difficult, and there are lots of different ways of spelling them in English. Achilles is really Akhilleus in Greek; Clytemnestra is actually Klytaimnestra; and Oedipus is called Oidipous. Sometimes the Greek gods and heroes are given Roman names too, so Odysseus becomes Ulysses, and Zeus becomes Jupiter or Jove! So we’ve chosen the most familiar spellings, but given you their names in real Greek too!”
The king of them all is Zeus, and the author doesn’t mince words about his colourful history – married to his sister, children with many other women – quite the player! Tell me he doesn’t look a bit like a bikie gang-leader here!
Zeus, King of the Gods. God of the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order, and justice
I can see that as a poster on a wall that would rival those from rock concerts. The next is a goddess whose name has been adopted by both environmentalists and new-age alternative lifestylers to cover their concept of Mother Earth. Gaia.
“In the Golden Age, the earth was so fertile that there was no need to plow or plant the fields because Gaia freely gave all her riches to mortals, who were happy to gather wild strawberries on the mountainside, pick cherries and berries, and eat acorns from the oak trees.”
The stories are explained and illustrated in marvellous detail. The Odyssey, Jason and the Argonauts – it’s all here.
Absolutely stunning! I can see this reproduced as posters, fabrics, and multiplied as spin-offs. As it stands now, it is a remarkable work of art and a very entertaining telling of the myths, modernised enough to appeal to today’s jaded youth, and I enjoyed this version.
I just keep wanting to share illustrations, but I’d better limit myself, so here’s a page about The Odyssey, to give you an idea of the breadth of the stories. I realise you’d be going some to see the details, but you may see the brown Cyclops asleep and the ship and the other challenges they faced.
The story of The Odyssey
Great thanks to NetGalley and Quarto’s Wide Eyed Editions for the preview copy, and I commend authorSteven Kershaw and inspired illustrator Victoria Topping for producing this beautiful book. Her own website is here. https://www.victoriatopping.com/
Just one more. This illustration is Artemis - how fantastic! The other pages are the whole double-page spread, but I singled out Artemis just to give you an idea of the detail.
Artemis
August 12, 2019
I'd buy it as a coffee table book.
Mythologica's illustrations are bold, striking, and imaginative. These renderings of the Greek gods and goddesses encouraged me to question the stereotypical images of these figures that have formed in my head over time.
On the other hand, the text and layout both need some tweaking. The text is broken into different unrelated blocks. The intended audience is children, and it would be much easier for them to read one continuous narrative.
Some pages are quite crowded with objects and text. The crowding limits the space available for text, so some of it is written in a thin, tiny font that is *really* difficult to read. I'd suggest removing some of the secondary objects and cutting the amount of text so that it can be laid out in a way that is much more readable.
I'd also cut down on the number of fonts used--the numerous changes in typeface make my eye jump around the page, and I'd imagine that a child would have the same problem.
Amazon has Mythologica listed for 7-10 year olds, and to me, that range seems way off. The vocabulary is going to be over the heads of most younger readers. (For example, I'm not sure many parents/teachers are going to want to explain to 7 year olds what an "illegitimate child" is!) I'd say ages 10+ is probably closer to accurate.
3.5 stars rounded up--I'd buy Mythologica for the artwork, but I'd probably turn to another source to help a tween gather information about Greek mythology.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wide Eyed Editions for my DRC of this book, which will be available for purchase on September 3rd.
Mythologica's illustrations are bold, striking, and imaginative. These renderings of the Greek gods and goddesses encouraged me to question the stereotypical images of these figures that have formed in my head over time.
On the other hand, the text and layout both need some tweaking. The text is broken into different unrelated blocks. The intended audience is children, and it would be much easier for them to read one continuous narrative.
Some pages are quite crowded with objects and text. The crowding limits the space available for text, so some of it is written in a thin, tiny font that is *really* difficult to read. I'd suggest removing some of the secondary objects and cutting the amount of text so that it can be laid out in a way that is much more readable.
I'd also cut down on the number of fonts used--the numerous changes in typeface make my eye jump around the page, and I'd imagine that a child would have the same problem.
Amazon has Mythologica listed for 7-10 year olds, and to me, that range seems way off. The vocabulary is going to be over the heads of most younger readers. (For example, I'm not sure many parents/teachers are going to want to explain to 7 year olds what an "illegitimate child" is!) I'd say ages 10+ is probably closer to accurate.
3.5 stars rounded up--I'd buy Mythologica for the artwork, but I'd probably turn to another source to help a tween gather information about Greek mythology.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wide Eyed Editions for my DRC of this book, which will be available for purchase on September 3rd.
August 28, 2019
I requested this book because my daughter is very into Greek mythology right now and I thought this book had the potential of being a good Christmas gift for her. 🎄 And it definitely is that. 🙌
This book is just utterly gorgeous. 💕 It would make a fantastic coffee table book. 🎨 It is also filled with interesting and easy-to-read information. 👍 I honestly can't think of a single negative thing to say about this book. 👀
February 7, 2021
I held off on this eARC to see a print copy as I feel like these 'coffee table' books require tangible touch to really feel their value. Sadly this one didn't do it for me. Not only was it an awkward large size (even for a book of this type it was odd); but the art in it is not engaging for children at all. I'm not sure why anyone would think that a modern, deco look would appeal to a child.
That's not to say the art isn't gorgeous; because it is. This is just the wrong medium for it in my mind. Now if you are marketing this book to adults and to give a new spin on some classic Greek mythos that might be different; but my library lists this in the children's section as do most bookstores. And I'd still argue that changing a classical artistic time period's look and feel is the wrong choice to make.
It gets even more confusing when you realize that much of the imagery, some of the beasts and people described are not Greek at all. Who writes a book, markets it as Greek mythology and then has no Greek influences in the art and design; and then adds in beasts like the Phoenix? It's just all very confusing.
In a market with many gorgeous books, especially on Greek mythology, I would say this one is at the bottom of the lot based on it's lack of homage to Greek art. I really can't imagine why anyone would want to (or think it appropriate to) not use the classic Ancient Greece look in a book about Ancient Greek gods, monsters and mortals.
While the writing content itself is quite good, the reality is that children will infer more from art and look than they will the actual words. It's just like how if you give a person the word 'green' in red type and ask them to read the word they will tell you it says red. Even though inherently their brain knows the word is green; humans almost always default to the look and feel before they read words.
I'd personally find any other gorgeous Greek mythology book to gift a child. This one is just confusing and feels completely mistargeted. For me it's not a stereotype of art if we have proof that it's a classic artistic time period.
You wouldn't change Van Gogh's art to look like Thomas Kinkade; so why change Ancient Greek style to like anything other than what it is.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
That's not to say the art isn't gorgeous; because it is. This is just the wrong medium for it in my mind. Now if you are marketing this book to adults and to give a new spin on some classic Greek mythos that might be different; but my library lists this in the children's section as do most bookstores. And I'd still argue that changing a classical artistic time period's look and feel is the wrong choice to make.
It gets even more confusing when you realize that much of the imagery, some of the beasts and people described are not Greek at all. Who writes a book, markets it as Greek mythology and then has no Greek influences in the art and design; and then adds in beasts like the Phoenix? It's just all very confusing.
In a market with many gorgeous books, especially on Greek mythology, I would say this one is at the bottom of the lot based on it's lack of homage to Greek art. I really can't imagine why anyone would want to (or think it appropriate to) not use the classic Ancient Greece look in a book about Ancient Greek gods, monsters and mortals.
While the writing content itself is quite good, the reality is that children will infer more from art and look than they will the actual words. It's just like how if you give a person the word 'green' in red type and ask them to read the word they will tell you it says red. Even though inherently their brain knows the word is green; humans almost always default to the look and feel before they read words.
I'd personally find any other gorgeous Greek mythology book to gift a child. This one is just confusing and feels completely mistargeted. For me it's not a stereotype of art if we have proof that it's a classic artistic time period.
You wouldn't change Van Gogh's art to look like Thomas Kinkade; so why change Ancient Greek style to like anything other than what it is.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
October 17, 2019
4.5 stars.
Reading mythology is always a fun read for me and this book was great! The artstyle is stunning and I love that it has some techno vibes with the modern art (check the cover to have an idea of the artstyle).
I'm shocked everytime of what and who Zeus slept and had a child with.
The book was concise with general information. The only thing I hated was the quoted text since it's the same information as the one in the paragraph so I didn't see the point of it there repeated. Another problem for me was how some parts were worded since I wasn't sure who they were talking about exactly. Also, the sypnosis mentioned that it's alphabetical but my ebook copy wasn't so... I'm not sure?
Overall, it was an amazing read with a mesmerizing art for each god that was featured. I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes mythology to add this beautiful piece to their collection solely for the art.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.
Reading mythology is always a fun read for me and this book was great! The artstyle is stunning and I love that it has some techno vibes with the modern art (check the cover to have an idea of the artstyle).
I'm shocked everytime of what and who Zeus slept and had a child with.
The book was concise with general information. The only thing I hated was the quoted text since it's the same information as the one in the paragraph so I didn't see the point of it there repeated. Another problem for me was how some parts were worded since I wasn't sure who they were talking about exactly. Also, the sypnosis mentioned that it's alphabetical but my ebook copy wasn't so... I'm not sure?
Overall, it was an amazing read with a mesmerizing art for each god that was featured. I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes mythology to add this beautiful piece to their collection solely for the art.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.
September 22, 2020
| Read on Reader Fox |
I love Greek Mythology, but I did not really love Mythologica by Stephen P. Kerhshaw. Illustrated by Victoria Topping, this book exists as an introductory encyclopedia to Greek Mythology and the important figures throughout its stories. From mighty Zeus to the not as mighty as he thinks King Midus, this book features a broad spectrum of the characters of ancient Greek mythology. The thing that really stuck with me through this one, though, is that I'm not really sure who it's intended for.
Knowing Your Audience
I don't feel like Mythologica really knows its audience. On the one hand, it's suggested that the book is marketed for middlegrade readers. That said, I don't really imagine this age group really finding any reason to want to read this story. The text is too small and crowded to hold a child's interest and, on top of all that, the artwork is far too outlandish.
So, teenagers then? This is perhaps the only age group that I could really see. The material is far too introductory for this to be a worthwhile read for most adults, especially adults who already know about Greek mythology. At best, I could see this as a great book for an Aunt to gift to a niece or nephew who is interested in these kinds of stories--one who is closer to the ages of 12-15. Still, that artwork, though.
And, at the end of the day, I just don't see this as a book meant for adult readers. There are far better and more informative texts out there to satisfy that curiosity.
The Artwork
I was gonna have to comment on this sooner or later, but what is with the artwork? I won't say that it's bad, because it's not. But it is so out there that it definitely isn't to my tastes. It's also the last thing that I would ever expect to depict the characters of Greek mythology. The style of it all just doesn't match. This is not an art style befitting of these stories. It doesn't fit and I don't care for it.
And, at the end of the day, it's just very out there. I don't feel like I'm reading a book about Greek mythology when I pick up this book and look at the illustrations. And it took me out a bit.
So...
In the end, I think the best thing I have to say about this book is that it's not bad...but it could have been much better.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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I love Greek Mythology, but I did not really love Mythologica by Stephen P. Kerhshaw. Illustrated by Victoria Topping, this book exists as an introductory encyclopedia to Greek Mythology and the important figures throughout its stories. From mighty Zeus to the not as mighty as he thinks King Midus, this book features a broad spectrum of the characters of ancient Greek mythology. The thing that really stuck with me through this one, though, is that I'm not really sure who it's intended for.
Knowing Your Audience
I don't feel like Mythologica really knows its audience. On the one hand, it's suggested that the book is marketed for middlegrade readers. That said, I don't really imagine this age group really finding any reason to want to read this story. The text is too small and crowded to hold a child's interest and, on top of all that, the artwork is far too outlandish.
So, teenagers then? This is perhaps the only age group that I could really see. The material is far too introductory for this to be a worthwhile read for most adults, especially adults who already know about Greek mythology. At best, I could see this as a great book for an Aunt to gift to a niece or nephew who is interested in these kinds of stories--one who is closer to the ages of 12-15. Still, that artwork, though.
And, at the end of the day, I just don't see this as a book meant for adult readers. There are far better and more informative texts out there to satisfy that curiosity.
The Artwork
I was gonna have to comment on this sooner or later, but what is with the artwork? I won't say that it's bad, because it's not. But it is so out there that it definitely isn't to my tastes. It's also the last thing that I would ever expect to depict the characters of Greek mythology. The style of it all just doesn't match. This is not an art style befitting of these stories. It doesn't fit and I don't care for it.
And, at the end of the day, it's just very out there. I don't feel like I'm reading a book about Greek mythology when I pick up this book and look at the illustrations. And it took me out a bit.
So...
In the end, I think the best thing I have to say about this book is that it's not bad...but it could have been much better.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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September 5, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
I'll admit that I skimmed most of the actual text of this book, but that is only because I am so familiar with Greek mythology that it was all pretty much a recap at this point. That isn't to say that there is anything wrong with the text here, I think it is really useful as an introduction or reference and it is written in a simple way that I think will appeal to both children and adults, but it is mostly stuff I know at this point. The art however is absolutely AMAZING and definitely the high point of this book. Every page is gorgeous and I think this would make a great coffee table book or something to have around for people to flip through. The whole thing has a very modern art / collage style that you don't often get with books about ancient mythology and I think that it actually worked really well. Definitely something you would want to buy a physical copy of.
I'll admit that I skimmed most of the actual text of this book, but that is only because I am so familiar with Greek mythology that it was all pretty much a recap at this point. That isn't to say that there is anything wrong with the text here, I think it is really useful as an introduction or reference and it is written in a simple way that I think will appeal to both children and adults, but it is mostly stuff I know at this point. The art however is absolutely AMAZING and definitely the high point of this book. Every page is gorgeous and I think this would make a great coffee table book or something to have around for people to flip through. The whole thing has a very modern art / collage style that you don't often get with books about ancient mythology and I think that it actually worked really well. Definitely something you would want to buy a physical copy of.
October 14, 2019
Mixed medium and in-depth Greek mythology.
August 9, 2019
This is an amazingly illustrated book, which head shots of the major Greek gods, with all their symbolism in the illustration.
At first, I was going into this book thinking, ho-hum, another book about Greek gods. But from the first page I was captivated.
Each description gives the Greek spelling of the name of the god, as well as background to explain why each was drawn the way they were.
This book gives a good, brief introduction to Greek Mythology, which is important to know about, when reading Western literature, which borrows heavily from the mythology.
I would love to see this treatment done to other mythologies from around the world.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
At first, I was going into this book thinking, ho-hum, another book about Greek gods. But from the first page I was captivated.
Each description gives the Greek spelling of the name of the god, as well as background to explain why each was drawn the way they were.
This book gives a good, brief introduction to Greek Mythology, which is important to know about, when reading Western literature, which borrows heavily from the mythology.
I would love to see this treatment done to other mythologies from around the world.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
January 18, 2020
This encyclopaedia of gods, monsters, and mortals from Ancient Greece serves as a fantastic entry point or reference guide for those at all interested in mythology. The book highlights 50 key figures, and though the text for each character isn’t exactly exhaustive, we’re given a condensed snapshot of their role within the canon, and a few interesting facts about them. Seasoned myth enthusiasts are unlikely to learn anything new, as such, but having been written by a Classics scholar and Greek mythology expert, the information is succinct and reliable.
The real draw here is undoubtedly going to be Victoria Topping’s stunning artwork. Each figure is given a full-page portrait that cleverly draws on iconography from that particular character’s story. Topping’s style is bold, stylised, and perfectly suited to the powerful yet enigmatic nature of her subjects. It really is one of those ‘I could happily have every page of this framed on my wall’ kind of books, and I know I’m going to flick through it time and time again, in awe of just how gorgeous it is.
It would make a fantastic gift for any lover of mythology, but by all means treat yourself!
The real draw here is undoubtedly going to be Victoria Topping’s stunning artwork. Each figure is given a full-page portrait that cleverly draws on iconography from that particular character’s story. Topping’s style is bold, stylised, and perfectly suited to the powerful yet enigmatic nature of her subjects. It really is one of those ‘I could happily have every page of this framed on my wall’ kind of books, and I know I’m going to flick through it time and time again, in awe of just how gorgeous it is.
It would make a fantastic gift for any lover of mythology, but by all means treat yourself!
August 11, 2019
I think that this book will fall into the category of book that you love or hate. I'm in the second... The mythology encyclopedia is nothing new and this part was okay, a bit easy and simple on the information but alright. What bother me was the artwork, it might sound weird to be bother so much by it, but it brings a 80s vibes in the illustrations of the Gods that just seem weird and inappropriate for me...
September 13, 2019
This is a fantastic insight in the myths of Ancient Greece. the summaries are quick and to the point highlighting the important or most fantastical parts. I loved loved the art work in this book! Especially Gaia! it was so beautiful!
Overall a great read! Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC for an honest review.
Overall a great read! Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC for an honest review.
December 15, 2023
Short and sweet description’s of famous Greek legends. STUNNING pictures! This would be a great coffee table book.
January 8, 2020
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous
September 17, 2019
Illustrations are gorgeous
December 15, 2020
Oh, this book is beautiful! The art style is so loud and fun. Greek mythology has never looked better. It's also very informative! I learned a lot about the Greek gods and heroes!
December 19, 2021
Loved the art so much
June 1, 2022
We used this book as the core text for our topic this term. Our big question was 'Who were the Ancient Greeks?' We studied it in-depth during our reading and art lessons. The children absolutely loved the writing and the beautiful illustrations!
January 16, 2021
Description:
Profiles fifty Greek gods, goddess, heroes, and monsters, including Athena, Odysseus, Persephone, the Amazons, Medusa, and the Minotaur.
"An illustrated encyclopedia of Greek mythology like no other, Mythologica features startlingly beautiful and exquisitely otherworldly portraits of mythological characters in eye-popping color from artist Victoria Topping and authoritative text from Classics scholar and Greek mythology expert Dr. Stephen Kershaw. Uncover the colorful lives of 50 powerful gods and goddesses, earth-dwelling mortals, and terrifying monsters as you journey back in time to ancient Greece. From the fearless Athena and her meddlesome ways to the brave and bold Odysseus and his remarkable journey home, discover why these incredible stories are still a part of our culture today...Each boldly designed spread presents a figure from the myths, including their name in Greek, their defining attributes, and a summary of their story, along with multiple sidelights that provide additional facts. Interspersed with the profiles are summaries of famous mythological tales and historical events, like the Odyssey, the Trojan War, and the story of the Argonauts. An electrifying visual portrayal of each figure transports you directly into their wild world. Victoria Topping's artwork is a fusion of technological and traditional techniques that combines photography, painting, and cut-paper collage to perfectly express the blending of human and fantastic traits from which mythical beings are made...Prepare to be amazed as you uncover the epic, heroic, and sometimes terrible lives of mortals, monsters, and gods."--From publisher's description
Contents:
Gods --
- Zeus
- Hera
Myth - The twelve labours of Heracles --
- Athena
- Apollo
- Artemis
- Poseidon
- Aphrodite
- Hephaestus
- Hermes
- Dionysus
- Hades
- Demeter and Persephone
- Ares
- Gaia
- The Muses
- The Fates
- Prometheus
- Pan
- Eros
Mortals --
- Eros
- Penelope
Myth - The Odyssey --
- Narcissus
- Oedipus
- Pandora
- Icarus
- Midas
- Cassandra
- Orpheus
- Helen
- Achilles
- Hector
Myth - The Trojan War --
- The Amazons
- Jason
- Medea
Myth - The Argonauts --
Monsters. Gods --
Mortals --
Monsters.
- Cyclops
- Argos
- The Hydra
- The Centaurs
- Typhon
- The Griffin
- the Giants
- Chiamaera
- The Hundred- Handers
- Medusa
- the Minotaur
- Cerberus
- The Sirens
- the Harpies
- the Phoenix
- Talos
- Pegasus
Subjects:
Mythology, Greek -- Juvenile literature.
Gods, Greek -- Juvenile literature.
Goddesses, Greek -- Juvenile literature.
Monsters -- Greece -- Juvenile literature.
Heroes -- Greece -- Juvenile literature.
Mythology, Greek.
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Social Science / Folklore & Mythology.
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Reference / Encyclopedias.
Goddesses, Greek.
Gods, Greek.
Heroes.
Monsters.
Greece.
Classical mythology -- Juvenile literature.
Gods and goddesses -- Juvenile literature.
Monsters -- Juvenile literature.
Heroes and heroines -- Juvenile literature.
Classical mythology.
Gods and goddesses.
Reactions:
Modern illustrations of the Greeks Gods, Mortals and Monsters. It looks like Andy Warhol drew them.
Profiles fifty Greek gods, goddess, heroes, and monsters, including Athena, Odysseus, Persephone, the Amazons, Medusa, and the Minotaur.
"An illustrated encyclopedia of Greek mythology like no other, Mythologica features startlingly beautiful and exquisitely otherworldly portraits of mythological characters in eye-popping color from artist Victoria Topping and authoritative text from Classics scholar and Greek mythology expert Dr. Stephen Kershaw. Uncover the colorful lives of 50 powerful gods and goddesses, earth-dwelling mortals, and terrifying monsters as you journey back in time to ancient Greece. From the fearless Athena and her meddlesome ways to the brave and bold Odysseus and his remarkable journey home, discover why these incredible stories are still a part of our culture today...Each boldly designed spread presents a figure from the myths, including their name in Greek, their defining attributes, and a summary of their story, along with multiple sidelights that provide additional facts. Interspersed with the profiles are summaries of famous mythological tales and historical events, like the Odyssey, the Trojan War, and the story of the Argonauts. An electrifying visual portrayal of each figure transports you directly into their wild world. Victoria Topping's artwork is a fusion of technological and traditional techniques that combines photography, painting, and cut-paper collage to perfectly express the blending of human and fantastic traits from which mythical beings are made...Prepare to be amazed as you uncover the epic, heroic, and sometimes terrible lives of mortals, monsters, and gods."--From publisher's description
Contents:
Gods --
- Zeus
- Hera
Myth - The twelve labours of Heracles --
- Athena
- Apollo
- Artemis
- Poseidon
- Aphrodite
- Hephaestus
- Hermes
- Dionysus
- Hades
- Demeter and Persephone
- Ares
- Gaia
- The Muses
- The Fates
- Prometheus
- Pan
- Eros
Mortals --
- Eros
- Penelope
Myth - The Odyssey --
- Narcissus
- Oedipus
- Pandora
- Icarus
- Midas
- Cassandra
- Orpheus
- Helen
- Achilles
- Hector
Myth - The Trojan War --
- The Amazons
- Jason
- Medea
Myth - The Argonauts --
Monsters. Gods --
Mortals --
Monsters.
- Cyclops
- Argos
- The Hydra
- The Centaurs
- Typhon
- The Griffin
- the Giants
- Chiamaera
- The Hundred- Handers
- Medusa
- the Minotaur
- Cerberus
- The Sirens
- the Harpies
- the Phoenix
- Talos
- Pegasus
Subjects:
Mythology, Greek -- Juvenile literature.
Gods, Greek -- Juvenile literature.
Goddesses, Greek -- Juvenile literature.
Monsters -- Greece -- Juvenile literature.
Heroes -- Greece -- Juvenile literature.
Mythology, Greek.
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Social Science / Folklore & Mythology.
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Reference / Encyclopedias.
Goddesses, Greek.
Gods, Greek.
Heroes.
Monsters.
Greece.
Classical mythology -- Juvenile literature.
Gods and goddesses -- Juvenile literature.
Monsters -- Juvenile literature.
Heroes and heroines -- Juvenile literature.
Classical mythology.
Gods and goddesses.
Reactions:
Modern illustrations of the Greeks Gods, Mortals and Monsters. It looks like Andy Warhol drew them.
July 13, 2020
Mythologica is simply incredible. It is a fully illustrated guide to the gods, goddesses, mortals and monsters of Greek mythology and is like nothing I have ever seen before. It is a superb introduction to the world of ancient Greece and a is book that will be pored over for many hours. It is as incredible and as wondrous as the gods and goddesses it is written about.
Journey back to ancient Greece to a time when Gods and Goddesses ruled and where monsters were terrifying. Over one-hundred-and-eleven glorious pages readers will learn about how Pandora was both unbelievably pretty and unbelievably dangerous. Will uncover what happened to Icarus when he didn’t follow his father’s advice. Come face to face with the almighty Zeus and stare into the eyes of Aphrodite, the most beautiful woman in the Universe. They will also meet some truly terrifying monsters; including the multiple-headed Hydra; Argos - the hundred-eyed giant; and Typhon - the most deadly creature of all. It’s not all doom and gloom though, the Phoenix and the Pegasus are truly divine creatures. Meet all of these and forty-one other personalities from Greek mythology in Mythologica.
Presented over fifty double page spreads, the book is separated into three sections; Gods, Mortals and Monsters. Each double spread is stunningly presented with out-of-this-world illustrations by the talented Victoria Topping. One page is taken up with a deliciously drawn portrait and the other is adorned with both text and illustrations. The text, written by Steve Kershaw, is easily accessible and is broken down into the name of the god, goddess, monster or mortal with a brief description of their key attributes and/or characteristics and where they lived or could be found. A written overview explains their story and extra snippets of information and facts are dotted around the page. In addition to the fifty double page spreads there are a further four spreads that detail the Twelve Labors of Heracles, The Odyssey, The Trojan War and The Argonauts.
This book is an absolute must for any child with an interest in Greek mythology. It is published as a large format coffee-table sized book with thick, shiny pages that will hold up to endless hours of exploration. “Prepare to be amazed as you uncover the epic, heroic and sometimes terrible lives of mortals, monsters and gods.”
Recommended for 8+.
Journey back to ancient Greece to a time when Gods and Goddesses ruled and where monsters were terrifying. Over one-hundred-and-eleven glorious pages readers will learn about how Pandora was both unbelievably pretty and unbelievably dangerous. Will uncover what happened to Icarus when he didn’t follow his father’s advice. Come face to face with the almighty Zeus and stare into the eyes of Aphrodite, the most beautiful woman in the Universe. They will also meet some truly terrifying monsters; including the multiple-headed Hydra; Argos - the hundred-eyed giant; and Typhon - the most deadly creature of all. It’s not all doom and gloom though, the Phoenix and the Pegasus are truly divine creatures. Meet all of these and forty-one other personalities from Greek mythology in Mythologica.
Presented over fifty double page spreads, the book is separated into three sections; Gods, Mortals and Monsters. Each double spread is stunningly presented with out-of-this-world illustrations by the talented Victoria Topping. One page is taken up with a deliciously drawn portrait and the other is adorned with both text and illustrations. The text, written by Steve Kershaw, is easily accessible and is broken down into the name of the god, goddess, monster or mortal with a brief description of their key attributes and/or characteristics and where they lived or could be found. A written overview explains their story and extra snippets of information and facts are dotted around the page. In addition to the fifty double page spreads there are a further four spreads that detail the Twelve Labors of Heracles, The Odyssey, The Trojan War and The Argonauts.
This book is an absolute must for any child with an interest in Greek mythology. It is published as a large format coffee-table sized book with thick, shiny pages that will hold up to endless hours of exploration. “Prepare to be amazed as you uncover the epic, heroic and sometimes terrible lives of mortals, monsters and gods.”
Recommended for 8+.
August 29, 2019
Mythologica is a book of truly unique, bright, and beautiful artwork depicting the gods, people, and monsters of Greek mythology. Each page is an explosion of colour, and I have to say I absolutely loved the colour schemes used.
The bios of each mythological character were summarised well. Some slightly bizarre juxtaposition between mature themes of incest and virginity and the phrasing 'totally awesome' in my opinion though. Also a weird bit where Pandora is described as being dangerous to men since she wore nice clothes. I understand that this is going from myths, but the way it was written just felt really weird to me, like it's still a thing, and not really the message I would want my daughter to take away (if I had one). I just think it could have been worded a little better. I also used think more could have been done to make sure the differences between persons and gods with the same name were clear. One of my other criticisms is perhaps the arrangement of text sections was a little bit weird; my eyes didn't easily know where to go next. But I did think the order that the mythological characters were introduced made a lot of sense.
Overall, it was a little repetitive in places, but a good attempt at summarising the Greek myths. Especially of stories such as the Odyssey. I would definitely recommend this book as a coffee book, or for a child who's into mythology! I myself love mythology and was aware of a lot of these stories already, but still learnt a thing or two. I think this book is also a great introduction to Greek mythology to newbies too!
I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
The bios of each mythological character were summarised well. Some slightly bizarre juxtaposition between mature themes of incest and virginity and the phrasing 'totally awesome' in my opinion though. Also a weird bit where Pandora is described as being dangerous to men since she wore nice clothes. I understand that this is going from myths, but the way it was written just felt really weird to me, like it's still a thing, and not really the message I would want my daughter to take away (if I had one). I just think it could have been worded a little better. I also used think more could have been done to make sure the differences between persons and gods with the same name were clear. One of my other criticisms is perhaps the arrangement of text sections was a little bit weird; my eyes didn't easily know where to go next. But I did think the order that the mythological characters were introduced made a lot of sense.
Overall, it was a little repetitive in places, but a good attempt at summarising the Greek myths. Especially of stories such as the Odyssey. I would definitely recommend this book as a coffee book, or for a child who's into mythology! I myself love mythology and was aware of a lot of these stories already, but still learnt a thing or two. I think this book is also a great introduction to Greek mythology to newbies too!
I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
September 2, 2019
Mythologica caught my eye because of the striking cover design. When I opened the book, I was blown away. The art is so incredible and one-of-a-kind, it gives the presentation of mythological characters new life. The book, a compendium of major characters, is grouped into three major section: gods, mortals, and monsters including fifty such figures as Zeus, Hera, the Muses, Hades, Penelope, Achilles, Cyclops, Medusa, and Cerberus.
Each spread, vividly designed with bright colors and bold lettering, shows the mythic figure through Victoria Topping’s unmatched artistry. She manages to convey a range of ethnicities and personalities among the included characters in a way I don’t think has been done before in the context of Greek and Roman mythology.
Dr. Stephen Kershaw highlights what the god, mortal, or monster is known for, where they live, and summarizes their biography with two or three interesting details in call out boxes such as information about their animal companions, weaponry, or typical attire. The book also includes a summary of the Twelve Labors of Heracles, the Odyssey, the Trojan War, and the story of the Argonauts.
Although the publishers note the book is geared toward children aged seven to ten, I think anyone interested in Greek and Roman mythology (or illustration and book design) would be delighted with this book. I’d forgotten many of the details and relationships among the Greek gods, monsters, and well-known humans, and this was a refreshing and engaging reminder.
Each spread, vividly designed with bright colors and bold lettering, shows the mythic figure through Victoria Topping’s unmatched artistry. She manages to convey a range of ethnicities and personalities among the included characters in a way I don’t think has been done before in the context of Greek and Roman mythology.
Dr. Stephen Kershaw highlights what the god, mortal, or monster is known for, where they live, and summarizes their biography with two or three interesting details in call out boxes such as information about their animal companions, weaponry, or typical attire. The book also includes a summary of the Twelve Labors of Heracles, the Odyssey, the Trojan War, and the story of the Argonauts.
Although the publishers note the book is geared toward children aged seven to ten, I think anyone interested in Greek and Roman mythology (or illustration and book design) would be delighted with this book. I’d forgotten many of the details and relationships among the Greek gods, monsters, and well-known humans, and this was a refreshing and engaging reminder.
September 14, 2019
Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group - Wide Eyed Editions for granting my wish for a digital edition via NetGalley of ‘Mythologica’, written by Dr. Stephen P. Kershaw and illustrated by Victoria Topping, in exchange for an honest review.
Subtitled ‘an encyclopaedia of gods, monsters and mortals from ancient Greece’, this is intended as an introduction to 50 characters from Greek mythology for children ages 7-10. It was published on 3 September.
Dr. Kershaw is a Classics scholar who has written a number of books on classical civilisations.
His Introduction notes that “Greek mythology is everywhere” and remains relevant in modern society. He also states that given the difficulty of the original Greek names he has provided the most familiar names in English but also included their original names alongside. The text accompanying each entry is short and informative.
Although my digital copy was in low resolution, I have seen a few examples of the artwork and it is visually stunning. Topping’s digital fusion art is bright and multilayered with echoes of modern artists and trends such as Klimt, Picasso, and Art Deco among others. It is looks very fresh and vibrant with gorgeous colours.
‘Mythologica’ provides an excellent introduction to Greek mythology for young readers with beautiful and inspiring art.
As someone who loves art and mythology I would happily buy it as a coffee table book.
Subtitled ‘an encyclopaedia of gods, monsters and mortals from ancient Greece’, this is intended as an introduction to 50 characters from Greek mythology for children ages 7-10. It was published on 3 September.
Dr. Kershaw is a Classics scholar who has written a number of books on classical civilisations.
His Introduction notes that “Greek mythology is everywhere” and remains relevant in modern society. He also states that given the difficulty of the original Greek names he has provided the most familiar names in English but also included their original names alongside. The text accompanying each entry is short and informative.
Although my digital copy was in low resolution, I have seen a few examples of the artwork and it is visually stunning. Topping’s digital fusion art is bright and multilayered with echoes of modern artists and trends such as Klimt, Picasso, and Art Deco among others. It is looks very fresh and vibrant with gorgeous colours.
‘Mythologica’ provides an excellent introduction to Greek mythology for young readers with beautiful and inspiring art.
As someone who loves art and mythology I would happily buy it as a coffee table book.
October 6, 2019
4.5
An illustrated encyclopedia of Greek mythology like no other, Mythologica features portraits of mythological characters in eye-popping color from artist Victoria Topping and authoritative text from Classics scholar and Greek mythology expert Dr. Stephen Kershaw.
The art in this book is incredible. Victoria Topping is exquisite on every page of this book. From the incredible Dionysus that just pops off the page, to Narcissus which is as beautiful as he believed himself to be to the creatures such as Centaurs that are featured in this book, Mythologica is a pandora’s box of wonderful art and so deserves to be taken in for that alone.
However this book is wonderfully fleshed out by Kershaw. Connecting the dots between different gods and giving us a fantastic picture of what these Gods do and their histories, Mythologica is a good gift for anyone with a fascination in classics and mythology - Kershaw uses simple language and defines the words we need to understand perfectly throughout this book.
I feel like sometimes I wanted more in moments, however this is a wonderful book that just captures what you need to know about about the gods of the period and would be a perfect gift for anyone fascinated in the topic, especially with such great art.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for honest review).
An illustrated encyclopedia of Greek mythology like no other, Mythologica features portraits of mythological characters in eye-popping color from artist Victoria Topping and authoritative text from Classics scholar and Greek mythology expert Dr. Stephen Kershaw.
The art in this book is incredible. Victoria Topping is exquisite on every page of this book. From the incredible Dionysus that just pops off the page, to Narcissus which is as beautiful as he believed himself to be to the creatures such as Centaurs that are featured in this book, Mythologica is a pandora’s box of wonderful art and so deserves to be taken in for that alone.
However this book is wonderfully fleshed out by Kershaw. Connecting the dots between different gods and giving us a fantastic picture of what these Gods do and their histories, Mythologica is a good gift for anyone with a fascination in classics and mythology - Kershaw uses simple language and defines the words we need to understand perfectly throughout this book.
I feel like sometimes I wanted more in moments, however this is a wonderful book that just captures what you need to know about about the gods of the period and would be a perfect gift for anyone fascinated in the topic, especially with such great art.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for honest review).
August 13, 2019
*•*ARC copy was provided by netgalley.*•*
•I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.•
I loved this book!
It truly helped me understand mythology.
I’m pretty embarrassed by the fact that I’m 25 and my knowledge of mythology is Percy Jackson lol.
Anyways.. this book is great each page is dedicated to someone a god or goddess, so on.. the pages have beautiful artwork and the basic need to know . Where..A short detailed section on them. I honestly learned so much and this is a book I definitely will reread time and time again!
I could see it being perfect to read to your young so they don’t end up like me ( not knowing much)
My husband and I are fascinated by mythology but he has so much more knowledge than I. I can now hold a conversation on the topic because of this book! It will get you interested and start your research for all information! Also it’s great because it’s very easy to understand some other books I looked at either are so boring I put it down right away or I can’t seem to understand what they are talking about.
This is a great buy.
•I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.•
I loved this book!
It truly helped me understand mythology.
I’m pretty embarrassed by the fact that I’m 25 and my knowledge of mythology is Percy Jackson lol.
Anyways.. this book is great each page is dedicated to someone a god or goddess, so on.. the pages have beautiful artwork and the basic need to know . Where..A short detailed section on them. I honestly learned so much and this is a book I definitely will reread time and time again!
I could see it being perfect to read to your young so they don’t end up like me ( not knowing much)
My husband and I are fascinated by mythology but he has so much more knowledge than I. I can now hold a conversation on the topic because of this book! It will get you interested and start your research for all information! Also it’s great because it’s very easy to understand some other books I looked at either are so boring I put it down right away or I can’t seem to understand what they are talking about.
This is a great buy.
August 15, 2020
'Mythologica: An encyclopedia of gods, monsters, and mortals from ancient Greek' by Stephen P. Kershaw with illustrations by Victoria Topping is a gorgeously illustrated book featuring 50 icons from Greek mythology.
Starting with Zeus and including Achilles, Pandora and Medusa along the way, this book features over 100 items. Also featured are entries on The 12 Labors of Hercules and The Trojan War. Each biography is 2 pages with one page giving information, including the original Greek name or variants in other mythology. The opposing page features a lush interpretation of the icon in eye-popping color.
I've read a few of these greek mythology summaries lately. The summary info is about the same here, but slightly better with the Greek names included. What makes this book stand out among the others is the art. Victoria Topping's designs are visually stunning.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Wide Eyed Editions and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Starting with Zeus and including Achilles, Pandora and Medusa along the way, this book features over 100 items. Also featured are entries on The 12 Labors of Hercules and The Trojan War. Each biography is 2 pages with one page giving information, including the original Greek name or variants in other mythology. The opposing page features a lush interpretation of the icon in eye-popping color.
I've read a few of these greek mythology summaries lately. The summary info is about the same here, but slightly better with the Greek names included. What makes this book stand out among the others is the art. Victoria Topping's designs are visually stunning.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Wide Eyed Editions and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
September 21, 2019
Unfortunately, I didn't take to this book at all. It certainly provides a good coverage of Greek myth, without really nailing any one story down (yes, it lists the labours of Heracles and so on, but you get things through absorbing copious bits and nothing else the rest of the time). It's an encyclopedia then, but that word list crops up too much in my thoughts – each entry is a list of things it's a god of, a list of things it carries, a list of this, a list of that. I found it a struggle to engage with any of the characters as a result. What's possibly even more heinous is to represent all of the entrants as if they were '70s rock stars – the visuals smack of bad LP covers from that era, so Aphrodite is Kate Bush, Apollo is Bowie, Hephaestus Hendrix, Gaia is Grace Jones, Midas is Prince, and so on. This makes for a reasonable reference work, then, for genning up on the stories you learnt elsewhere – but an ugly one. One and a half stars.
August 13, 2019
Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is an absolutely gorgeous who's who of the Gods of Olympus and legendary characters and creatures from Greek mythology and ancient literature.
The infomation and descriptions are presented alphabetically and are accompanied by absolutely stunning artwork. The artwork is modern, vibrant and diverse and will appeal to this book's target audience of those in their tweens/early teens. The information is brief but enough to summarise the main highlights of each of the featured entries. I was sad to see that my girl Medusa has been done wrong again though. Can we just admit that Athena and Poseidon were the bad guys in that situation please?
This is an exciting book with a unique visual take on Greek mythology. I for one will be adding the hardback to my collection.
This is an absolutely gorgeous who's who of the Gods of Olympus and legendary characters and creatures from Greek mythology and ancient literature.
The infomation and descriptions are presented alphabetically and are accompanied by absolutely stunning artwork. The artwork is modern, vibrant and diverse and will appeal to this book's target audience of those in their tweens/early teens. The information is brief but enough to summarise the main highlights of each of the featured entries. I was sad to see that my girl Medusa has been done wrong again though. Can we just admit that Athena and Poseidon were the bad guys in that situation please?
This is an exciting book with a unique visual take on Greek mythology. I for one will be adding the hardback to my collection.
September 4, 2019
This book is one of the most beautiful I've seen this year.
It's a beautiful book to learn about the different Greek (and Roman) Gods. It is a good quick point of reference to the enormous amount of Gods and Monsters.
I did have some problems with the writing. This is considered a children's book, but the writing felt a bit complicated at times, - the words used, the descriptions.. I think it should be more a teenager-age book.
I also felt the placement of the text was confusing at times. There are small quotes that feel a bit odd when placed at the beginning of the page. There were also mentions of people and events that only appeared later in the book, which went by without any reference to their later appearance, nor any good explanation.
I would have also enjoyed seeing a family tree, since there are some curious mixtures, which would be a good point of reference.
It's a beautiful book to learn about the different Greek (and Roman) Gods. It is a good quick point of reference to the enormous amount of Gods and Monsters.
I did have some problems with the writing. This is considered a children's book, but the writing felt a bit complicated at times, - the words used, the descriptions.. I think it should be more a teenager-age book.
I also felt the placement of the text was confusing at times. There are small quotes that feel a bit odd when placed at the beginning of the page. There were also mentions of people and events that only appeared later in the book, which went by without any reference to their later appearance, nor any good explanation.
I would have also enjoyed seeing a family tree, since there are some curious mixtures, which would be a good point of reference.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews