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Goddess Girls #3
Aphrodite the Beauty
Aphrodite, the goddess girl of love, can hardly believe she's jealous! But after giving her best friend, Athena, a makeover, she's definitely feeling a little green. It just doesn't seem fair that the god boys who usually fawn over Aphrodite, are now paying more attention to Athena, who doesn't even care. When Aphrodite finds out the nerdy Hephaestus has a crush on her, she learns that love comes in many forms.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2010
About the author
Joan Holub
379 books1,239 followersNY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
March 7, 2020
This was probably my least favourite in the series so far.
Looking forward to the next one that focuses on Artemis.
Looking forward to the next one that focuses on Artemis.
November 1, 2010
I love reading about the Greek myths and the tales in this series are perfectly told for young readers to learn how fun and exciting the myths are. Each of the characters are lovingly crafted as a young, modern version of the classic figure. The modern twist is there, even while being fully contained on Mount Olympus. The books teach the ancient stories and also teach valuable life lessons to young girls.
After reading the first three books in the series, "Aphrodite the Beauty" was possibly my favorite in the series. It was so much fun while still containing a great message.
Aphrodite has all the boys in school wrapped around her finger. She especially loves the attention from handsome Atlas. Aphrodite decides to give her friend, Athena, a makeover but doesn't really enjoy the result-all of the boys giving Athena attention instead of her. The only boy who still talks to her is Hephaestus, who walks with a limp. She likes Hephaestus but when rumors swirl about them, she starts avoiding her friend. But Hephaestus may be the only one who can help her with a special project.
I loved how this book told the story of Atalanta's race with the golden apples, one of my favorite myths. Hephaestus was such a sweet character, I loved reading about him.
This story was so fun, with crushes on boys and jealousy over other girls getting attention. But the focus was on friendship and being true to yourself before falling for a boy who doesn't deserve your attention. I love the girl power message of these books.
I can't' recommend this series enough, both to young readers, fans of Greek myths, and those who want a sweet, fun read with a great message for girls.
this book was sent by the author in exchange for an honest review
http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
After reading the first three books in the series, "Aphrodite the Beauty" was possibly my favorite in the series. It was so much fun while still containing a great message.
Aphrodite has all the boys in school wrapped around her finger. She especially loves the attention from handsome Atlas. Aphrodite decides to give her friend, Athena, a makeover but doesn't really enjoy the result-all of the boys giving Athena attention instead of her. The only boy who still talks to her is Hephaestus, who walks with a limp. She likes Hephaestus but when rumors swirl about them, she starts avoiding her friend. But Hephaestus may be the only one who can help her with a special project.
I loved how this book told the story of Atalanta's race with the golden apples, one of my favorite myths. Hephaestus was such a sweet character, I loved reading about him.
This story was so fun, with crushes on boys and jealousy over other girls getting attention. But the focus was on friendship and being true to yourself before falling for a boy who doesn't deserve your attention. I love the girl power message of these books.
I can't' recommend this series enough, both to young readers, fans of Greek myths, and those who want a sweet, fun read with a great message for girls.
this book was sent by the author in exchange for an honest review
http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
August 16, 2024
Aphrodite is my favorite of the main goddesses and this one was my favorite book as a kid!
Aphrodite is the goddessgirl of love and gets the most attention from all the godboys at Mout Olympus Academy. She's pretty much over the constant attention and decides to give her bestie, Athena a makeover for the dance! What she didn't expect was that the godboys would stop paying attention to her and now drool over Athena, especially her crush, Ares. Can she put her jealousy behind her?
So so so much fun. This reading rutt I'm in is truly being conquered by rereading this series! On to the next!
Aphrodite is the goddessgirl of love and gets the most attention from all the godboys at Mout Olympus Academy. She's pretty much over the constant attention and decides to give her bestie, Athena a makeover for the dance! What she didn't expect was that the godboys would stop paying attention to her and now drool over Athena, especially her crush, Ares. Can she put her jealousy behind her?
So so so much fun. This reading rutt I'm in is truly being conquered by rereading this series! On to the next!
March 13, 2022
Rating: 4.5 / 5
You know, sometimes I can't make up my mind whether Aphrodite gets a good rap or a bad rap for being the goddess of love. On the one hand, many people look up to her, and women in particular aspire to be like her. But then, on the other hand, Greek mythology treats her as being extremely scary when she's crossed, as well as being an extremely jealous goddess if anyone gets more attention than she does.
This book acknowledges both sides of viewing Aphrodite as she helps Athena with a makeover, which results in a lot of the godboys around the academy paying her more attention than Aphrodite. Match this with a certain race taking place down in the mortal realm that you've got Aphrodite involved in, and the goddess of love quite has her hands full!
Now, myself, I'm not a particular fan of Aphrodite, but I did find it worthwhile to read through her story (since I'm reading through the books in order and all) and see what she's all about. To be fair, she's a good character, and though she is rather shallow and superficial at first, by the end of the story her character does grow and we see how she does take her role of matchmaking seriously.
All in all, I thought it was well-researched, and really adds to her character in this series. I enjoyed it.
You know, sometimes I can't make up my mind whether Aphrodite gets a good rap or a bad rap for being the goddess of love. On the one hand, many people look up to her, and women in particular aspire to be like her. But then, on the other hand, Greek mythology treats her as being extremely scary when she's crossed, as well as being an extremely jealous goddess if anyone gets more attention than she does.
This book acknowledges both sides of viewing Aphrodite as she helps Athena with a makeover, which results in a lot of the godboys around the academy paying her more attention than Aphrodite. Match this with a certain race taking place down in the mortal realm that you've got Aphrodite involved in, and the goddess of love quite has her hands full!
Now, myself, I'm not a particular fan of Aphrodite, but I did find it worthwhile to read through her story (since I'm reading through the books in order and all) and see what she's all about. To be fair, she's a good character, and though she is rather shallow and superficial at first, by the end of the story her character does grow and we see how she does take her role of matchmaking seriously.
All in all, I thought it was well-researched, and really adds to her character in this series. I enjoyed it.
November 15, 2013
when Aphrodite gives Athena a makeover and the godboys are obsessed with Athena.Aphrodite used to be the one everybody was obsessed with and Athena is getting tired of the godboys flirting at her .
December 20, 2011
In this third book in the Goddess Girls series, Aphrodite, goddessgirl of love and beauty, learns that she can't take either one of those specialties for granted. After giving her friend Athena a makeover, Aphrodite finds the godboys overlooking her for her friend, and feels jealousy for the first time, when her handsome crush, Ares, includes himself in their number. The only godboy who is still paying attention to her is Hephaestus, who is sweet but just not her type. In the meantime, the mortal Hippomenes has begged her help in winning the hand of his fleet-footed love, Atalanta, whose father has sworn to execute any suitors who cannot outrace his daughter. As she struggles to cope with her newfound jealousy and the responsibility of helping the two mortals, Aphrodite finds that love appears in many different ways.
Like the first two books in the Goddess Girls series, Aphrodite the Beauty translates classical mythology into a story of schoolyard drama, with perhaps the most famous goddess of all at its center. In a surprising twist, she finds that neither the boy who captures her attention nor the one who showers her with affection is to her taste, and decides instead to enjoy her time with her friends instead. Though the book does not quite live up to the preceding volume (Persephone the Phony), it sends a positive message to young girls and provides an enjoyable story along the way. The prose continues the clear, clever tradition of the series, even if the cover illustration has Aphrodite looking more like a Bratz doll than her friends. Recommended for ages 8-12.
Tags: mythology, transitional readers, tweens, school setting, magic, self-realization, beauty, cosmetics, fashion, romance, crushes, gossip, intermediate school, girls, ages 8-12
Like the first two books in the Goddess Girls series, Aphrodite the Beauty translates classical mythology into a story of schoolyard drama, with perhaps the most famous goddess of all at its center. In a surprising twist, she finds that neither the boy who captures her attention nor the one who showers her with affection is to her taste, and decides instead to enjoy her time with her friends instead. Though the book does not quite live up to the preceding volume (Persephone the Phony), it sends a positive message to young girls and provides an enjoyable story along the way. The prose continues the clear, clever tradition of the series, even if the cover illustration has Aphrodite looking more like a Bratz doll than her friends. Recommended for ages 8-12.
Tags: mythology, transitional readers, tweens, school setting, magic, self-realization, beauty, cosmetics, fashion, romance, crushes, gossip, intermediate school, girls, ages 8-12
February 3, 2011
Aphrodite is used to godboys looking at her and trying to impress her, and though she finds it a bit a annoying on occasion, she isn't prepared for the feelings of jealousy that assault her once she gives her friend Athena a makeover.
Suddenly, all of her male-fans are hanging around Athena, leaving Aphrodite feeling a bit ignored. There is only one guy still trying to get her attenton: Hephaestus. Is not that Hephaestus is not nice or anything - because he is nice, and he's makes the most beautiful things out of metal - but he's nothing like handsome Ares, on whom Aphrodite has a bit of a crush.
At the same time, Aphrodite must attend her duties as goddess of love and help a mortal win the heart of a princess...
Aphrodite the Beauty is the third book of the Goddess Girls series (Though each can be read on its own) and it fits right in with the awesome of it's two predecessors.
I was really looking forward to read this one, partially because Carrie@In The Hammock said it was the one she had liked the most so far; and partially because I wanted to see the authors' take on this goddess whom I've always known to be a bit vain, in fact, I admit I have not always liked her much until I began to read the Goddess Girls books.
I really liked Aphrodite in this book. I love that she sounds like 13-year old and yet is a goddess at the same time. I loved what she learns about herself and how her feelings are portrayed. And I loved that Athena and Aphrodite work at their friendship instead of let misunderstandings -and godboys - get in the way.
Favorite Quote: "...but there was something about the sparkle in his eyes that made him attractive none the less. Inner beauty, she realized. That's what the sparkle was."
Suddenly, all of her male-fans are hanging around Athena, leaving Aphrodite feeling a bit ignored. There is only one guy still trying to get her attenton: Hephaestus. Is not that Hephaestus is not nice or anything - because he is nice, and he's makes the most beautiful things out of metal - but he's nothing like handsome Ares, on whom Aphrodite has a bit of a crush.
At the same time, Aphrodite must attend her duties as goddess of love and help a mortal win the heart of a princess...
Aphrodite the Beauty is the third book of the Goddess Girls series (Though each can be read on its own) and it fits right in with the awesome of it's two predecessors.
I was really looking forward to read this one, partially because Carrie@In The Hammock said it was the one she had liked the most so far; and partially because I wanted to see the authors' take on this goddess whom I've always known to be a bit vain, in fact, I admit I have not always liked her much until I began to read the Goddess Girls books.
I really liked Aphrodite in this book. I love that she sounds like 13-year old and yet is a goddess at the same time. I loved what she learns about herself and how her feelings are portrayed. And I loved that Athena and Aphrodite work at their friendship instead of let misunderstandings -and godboys - get in the way.
Favorite Quote: "...but there was something about the sparkle in his eyes that made him attractive none the less. Inner beauty, she realized. That's what the sparkle was."
October 30, 2010
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Since Percy Jackson hit the big time, I've been combing my library for fun humorous takes on Greek mythology. I'm a big fan of the new Goddess Girls series! These books are perfect for young tweens and early readers wanting some books about Greek mythology but maybe aren't quite ready for the Percy Jackson series yet. Or even if they are older readers looking for more to read, I'm sure they'll enjoy the Goddess Girls.
Each book is fairly short and has plenty of humor. I love the way the authors modernize the characters. Medusa is the mean girl bully at school, Poseidon is the cute crush, Hades is the misunderstood loner. Each book also takes on familiar myths and explains them in a new way. We learn how Medusa got her snakes and how the Trojan War really happened.
Even though there is a series, each book can easily stand on it's own, so there's no need to read them in any particular order. A fourth Goddess Girl book is due out later this year and I can't wait. I'm passing these onto my family friends who are always looking for great books to read and I know they'll have them read in no time-they're going to love them! If you need to add more Greek mythology books to your collection, consider adding these for younger readers.
Book Pairings: These would go great with Kate McMullan's Myth-O-Mania series.
Each book is fairly short and has plenty of humor. I love the way the authors modernize the characters. Medusa is the mean girl bully at school, Poseidon is the cute crush, Hades is the misunderstood loner. Each book also takes on familiar myths and explains them in a new way. We learn how Medusa got her snakes and how the Trojan War really happened.
Even though there is a series, each book can easily stand on it's own, so there's no need to read them in any particular order. A fourth Goddess Girl book is due out later this year and I can't wait. I'm passing these onto my family friends who are always looking for great books to read and I know they'll have them read in no time-they're going to love them! If you need to add more Greek mythology books to your collection, consider adding these for younger readers.
Book Pairings: These would go great with Kate McMullan's Myth-O-Mania series.
July 12, 2010
Aphrodite, the goddessgirl of love, can hardly believe she's jealous! But after giving her bf, Athena, a makeover, she's definitely feeling a little green. It just doesn't seem fair that the godboys who usually fawn over Aphrodite, are now paying more attention to Athena, who doesn't even care. When Aphrodite finds out the nerdy Hephaestus has a crush on her, she learns that love comes in many forms.
Goddess Girls series, ages 8-12, Aladdin paperbacks:
#1 Athena the Brain
#2 Persephone the Phony
#3 Aphrodite the Beauty
#4 Artemis the Brave
Goddess Girls series, ages 8-12, Aladdin paperbacks:
#1 Athena the Brain
#2 Persephone the Phony
#3 Aphrodite the Beauty
#4 Artemis the Brave
November 28, 2012
Until now the absoluety worst of the series.. Maybe I think so because I am not that much into this girly stuff of make up, dresses etc in a book.. But that is just me..
Besides I have fun reading this silly little series about the greek goddesses attending highschool..
Besides I have fun reading this silly little series about the greek goddesses attending highschool..
December 24, 2018
Nice ....!!!
Book is about friendship, jealous,crush,love.
I personally likes Aphrodite thinking about her friend Athena. Every teenager will thinks like her.
I loved it for the friendship plot.
It's more about teenage emotions.
Book is about friendship, jealous,crush,love.
I personally likes Aphrodite thinking about her friend Athena. Every teenager will thinks like her.
I loved it for the friendship plot.
It's more about teenage emotions.
August 16, 2010
"True, things hadn't worked out so well between Paris and Helen-that pesky Trojan War and all-but at least she tried to set them up."
Like its predecessors, this book is just plain fun.
Like its predecessors, this book is just plain fun.
November 13, 2025
3⭐
Ares is such a jerk wtf. I rlly wanted Hephaestus and Aphrodite to get together lol but oh well. Also, it just occurred to me that everyone in these books are the ages of 12-14, with most of the main characters being 12. WHAT THE FRICK. I swear they were like 16 😭
Ares is such a jerk wtf. I rlly wanted Hephaestus and Aphrodite to get together lol but oh well. Also, it just occurred to me that everyone in these books are the ages of 12-14, with most of the main characters being 12. WHAT THE FRICK. I swear they were like 16 😭
May 28, 2016
This was my second time reading this book and I must say it wasn't as good as I remembered it. The first time I read it in one sitting and have since considered it one of my favourites in this series. It's not that I didn't enjoy it, but I didn't find it nearly as engaging or heart-warming as I had expected to. I found the storyline with Athena to be not terrible, but not all that interesting. Ares's storyline did have a clever twist but looking at it now, having read the next eleven books in this series, it doesn't really fit in for me with his portrayal later in the books. I know this is more a fault of the writing in those later books than it is in here, but I really don't remember his storyline playing out like this and it felt really odd to me.
Hephaestus's character, although it didn't reach out to me like it did the first time round, was interesting and nice. One thing I really do like about the earlier books in this series is that they address real issues young girls face with boys - like idolising a boy because he's handsome then realising he's a jerk and getting over him, or dealing with the fact that everyone thinks you are a couple when really you just want to be friends, or genuinely liking a boy but not being ready for kissing or anything (this happened two books after this one, but still it proves my point) - rather than it being all 'I like you, you like me, let's be together forever and everything's perfect' (Ahem, books 6-onwards).
Another thing I still love about this book is the Hippomenes storyline, and the way it portrays the gods and their duties to and relationships with mortals on Earth. It's great to see especially when I know a little about the myth it's based on. I really wish there were more of these storylines throughout the series.
Altogether, I liked this book but re-reading it was disappointing on some levels. I was expecting a cute ending and instead I got a holding-hands and laughing into the sunset kind of thing, with a base only in bad puns. I do think the book could have been better, although maybe it's just that my reading tastes have matured as I do remember loving this when I read it two years ago. Hopefully this disappointment will not be a regular thing when I re-read the other books in this series, and perhaps reading the next Aphrodite book will give me a better understanding of what happens with her and Ares throughout the series.
Hephaestus's character, although it didn't reach out to me like it did the first time round, was interesting and nice. One thing I really do like about the earlier books in this series is that they address real issues young girls face with boys - like idolising a boy because he's handsome then realising he's a jerk and getting over him, or dealing with the fact that everyone thinks you are a couple when really you just want to be friends, or genuinely liking a boy but not being ready for kissing or anything (this happened two books after this one, but still it proves my point) - rather than it being all 'I like you, you like me, let's be together forever and everything's perfect' (Ahem, books 6-onwards).
Another thing I still love about this book is the Hippomenes storyline, and the way it portrays the gods and their duties to and relationships with mortals on Earth. It's great to see especially when I know a little about the myth it's based on. I really wish there were more of these storylines throughout the series.
Altogether, I liked this book but re-reading it was disappointing on some levels. I was expecting a cute ending and instead I got a holding-hands and laughing into the sunset kind of thing, with a base only in bad puns. I do think the book could have been better, although maybe it's just that my reading tastes have matured as I do remember loving this when I read it two years ago. Hopefully this disappointment will not be a regular thing when I re-read the other books in this series, and perhaps reading the next Aphrodite book will give me a better understanding of what happens with her and Ares throughout the series.
August 23, 2010
Ah, Aphrodite!
Aphrodite is sick of the attention from all the godboys and worries about her good friend Athena. So, she decides to give Athena a make over! It all works out until Aphrodite's crush Ares starts paying more attention to Athena than to Aphrodite.
I squealed when I found out that Ares was in this book, I'm a fan of Ares and I'm an Aries... probably why lol. But I wasn't too happy with his character! He was such a big meanie! Aphrodite was such a girly girl, which probably is obvious since she is the goddess of love... why wouldn't she be a girly girl? But she was a bit too girly girl for my taste. She didn't want the attention of the godboys anymore and yet she gets jealous when Athena gets it. Wasn't that what she wanted? I really liked Hephaestus and I wished she'd give him a bit of a chance.
I enjoyed this book, it was a cute fluffy read and a nice spin on the goddess of love! Also, the cover is gorgeous! I absolutely love how Aphrodite has pink ribbons in her hair that flow together with her curls!
Aphrodite is sick of the attention from all the godboys and worries about her good friend Athena. So, she decides to give Athena a make over! It all works out until Aphrodite's crush Ares starts paying more attention to Athena than to Aphrodite.
I squealed when I found out that Ares was in this book, I'm a fan of Ares and I'm an Aries... probably why lol. But I wasn't too happy with his character! He was such a big meanie! Aphrodite was such a girly girl, which probably is obvious since she is the goddess of love... why wouldn't she be a girly girl? But she was a bit too girly girl for my taste. She didn't want the attention of the godboys anymore and yet she gets jealous when Athena gets it. Wasn't that what she wanted? I really liked Hephaestus and I wished she'd give him a bit of a chance.
I enjoyed this book, it was a cute fluffy read and a nice spin on the goddess of love! Also, the cover is gorgeous! I absolutely love how Aphrodite has pink ribbons in her hair that flow together with her curls!
October 10, 2018
These books are still more enjoyable than they have any right to be. This one stars Aphrodite, goddess of love. Aphrodite has a crush on Ares but it seems as if Ares likes Athena. Meanwhile, Aphrodite has been getting gifts from shy Hephaestus. She's also received a request from the mortal Hippomenes to help him win a race against Atalanta. If he wins, they can be married. If he fails, he'll die.
Once again, I thought the book was pretty enjoyable. I liked all of the characters and the plot was solid. My biggest nitpick was that, even though the book is pretty short, the last chapter was completely unnecessary.
4/5 stars. For fans of the first two books, greek mythology (but you don't mind if they modify things a bit) or girly chapter books.
Once again, I thought the book was pretty enjoyable. I liked all of the characters and the plot was solid. My biggest nitpick was that, even though the book is pretty short, the last chapter was completely unnecessary.
4/5 stars. For fans of the first two books, greek mythology (but you don't mind if they modify things a bit) or girly chapter books.
June 5, 2011
As much as I love the idea of focusing on the goddesses in Greek mythology, this series reduces them all--male and female--to teenage stereotypes. Stereotypes of the vain beauty are understandable in Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. But Athena, as the brainy one, is described as frumpy. The desirable boys are all muscular, while the sweet "loser" (Hephaestus) is described as skinny and scrawny. Some of this stereotyping could be forgiven if the characters in question actually did anything, but they really don't. My son loves Percy Jackson but this series is of no interest to him since there is no adventure, and really not much happening at all.
April 8, 2024
➳ 4 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
ok, i think these books just keep getting better. this my second time reading this book and i still enjoyed it just as much.
aphrodite isn’t my favorite character, but as a younger kid this was always my favorite because of the love triangle + romantic focus + makeover theme we get in this one and so nostalgia is making me love this one.
this one definitely feels a bit older than the other two, but still aimed a young readers. overall, i had a blast with this book and i’d highly recommend!
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
ok, i think these books just keep getting better. this my second time reading this book and i still enjoyed it just as much.
aphrodite isn’t my favorite character, but as a younger kid this was always my favorite because of the love triangle + romantic focus + makeover theme we get in this one and so nostalgia is making me love this one.
this one definitely feels a bit older than the other two, but still aimed a young readers. overall, i had a blast with this book and i’d highly recommend!
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
August 2, 2019
I was SOOO interested in this!!! I loved it!!! I love mythology, especially greek, and this book made me love it even more 😁😁
Got it from my local library💕
Got it from my local library💕
June 25, 2026
Aphrodite the Beauty (Updated)
(Chapter One): Boy Trouble
Aphrodite arrives to class late, which draws attention from the teacher and the godboys. This is nothing new tho. She’s used to this kind of admiration. Mr. Cyclops poses an interesting question. “Need mortal maidens always marry?” Aphrodite says that every maiden should have a chance at love. Athena argues that some maidens might want independence or intellectual pursuits. The godboys argue predictably that they might want adventure, and try to turn the discussion to weapons (which annoys Aphrodite).
After a mandatory chariot-safety assembly, they all go to lunch. Poseidon, Ares, and Atlas fight in the lunch line over giving Aphrodite their place. She breaks it up and tells them that while she appreciates it, she’ll wait her turn. Aphrodite vents to her friends about how tired she is of the godboy's attention. Her friends tease her and say that many goddess girls would love to be in her shoes. Athena says she thought goddess girls liked to be fawned over, and Aphrodite corrects her and says just because they fawn over you doesn’t mean they’re in love with you.
(Chapter Two): The Make Over
Aphrodite teases Athena about her interest. She studies Athena and comes up with a plan to give Athena a makeover. Athena isn’t so sure, but she goes along with it. She wants to learn more about beauty. They do the makeover in Aphrodite’s heart-themed room. She has an impressive makeup collection and even a magical brush. First, Aphrodite uses “Essence of Hyacinth” to condition Athena’s hair. Then they use a spell to preview hairstyles. They finally find a layered style with long bangs that works for her.
They then apply rouge and gray eyeshadow. A turquoise chiton turns out to be the perfect choice. The look is completed with silver hair combs and a leaf-shaped belt. Athena approves and says she looks sophisticated. Persephone remembers there’s a party in the godboys' dorm. Aphrodite is excited because this could be the night Athena gets her first crush, and it’ll be all thanks to her.
(Chapter Three): Party Time
Everyone at the party is stunned by Athena’s new look. Godboys surround her and offer her snacks. Aphrodite is thrilled until… she waves at Ares, and he’s so taken with Atena that he doesn’t even notice her. He calls her “Theeny,” a nickname that only her dad Zeus, uses. The only one that doesn’t seem affected by Athena’s new look is Hephaestus. He offers to bring Aphrodite a snack. She’s polite to him, but then she’s so distracted by Ares and Athena she can’t take it anymore and leaves the party.
In her room, Aphrodite receives a message that night from a mortal boy named Hippomenes, whose desperatedly in love with a swift maiden by the name of Atalanta. He wants to marry her, but she’ll only marry someone who can beat her in a footrace. Those who lose must forfeit their lives. He begs Aphrodite for her help. Finding his request romantic, she writes back that she’ll meet him at the race track the next morning. To sound more “goddess like” she adds DON’T BE LATE!
(Chapter Four): Hippomenes
Aphrodite gets up early to meet Hippomenes, but she ends up chasing Artemis’s dogs and ends up taking them with her to Earth. Hippomenes is easy-going, and Aphrodite likes him. She asks him if Atlanta feels the same for him. He says she pleaded with him not to enter the race. She asks if she’s honest. He says as honest as a mirror. Aphrodite sees that she won’t cheat or slow down for him. She asks him if there’s a chance he could win. He says he’s fast, but Atalanta is faster. Still, he’ll try. The race is in three days. Aphrodite tells him she’ll return before the start of the race. As she leaves, she sees Atalanta crying at the palace window.
On the way home, Aphrodite runs into Hephaestus, who jokes that he’s out for a hobble. He asks if he’ll join her. She says she has to get the dogs back, but he looks so disappointed that she says he can walk her back. She tells him about Hippomenes, and he listens and tells her she’s clever. No godboy has ever told her this before, so she’s touched. He shows her the silver can he forged and decorated with vines and leaves. Aphrodite recognizes they both have something in common. He likes to transform things with metal, and she likes to transform things with beauty. As they go different ways, Aphrodite is glad she ran into him.
(Chapter Five): Gone Shopping
Artemis tells Aphrodite about the party when she gets back to their room. Poseidon and Dionysus jumped into a fountain to impress Athena. Aphrodite is just glad it wasn’t Ares. Athena shows up in the same chiton and invites Aphrodite to go to the marketplace. She needs new knitting supplies. Athena says in annoyance that the godboys were all over her because she had a makeover. Aphrodite thinks now you see how I feel.
They pay a visit to Arachne’s Sewing Supplies and then Cleo’s Cosmetics. Athena admits she might be interested in buying a few beauty supplies. They actually made her feel beautiful. Aphrodite tells her she always was. She picks out a silver eye powder and a red-orange lipstick to match her skin tone. On the way out, they run into Ares and Poseidon. Aphrodite ignores Ares, but he doesn’t notice. He compliments Ahtena’s chiton and then says it looks better on her than Aphrodite (and says not to tell her). Aphrodite asks Athena to go home.
On the way back, Athena says Areas is a creep and that he was probably just trying to make her jealous. Aphrodite thinks that must be it because he likes stirring up trouble. When she gets to her room, there’s a huge bouquet of pink roses. They’re from Hephaestus. While she appreciates the flowers, she just doesn’t want him crushing on her. She’ll have to let him down gently.
(Chapter Six): Gossip
Aphrodite spends Sunday in her room, avoiding Ares and Hephaestus. She doesn’t come about with anything to help Hippomenes. She considers winged sandals, but this would be obvious. On Monday, everyone is staring at her. Medusa tells her she heard she got a new boyfriend who gave her pink roses. At lunch, she accuses Athena of telling Pheme about the roses. Athena says that the roses were sitting in the hallway where anyone could have seen them. Artemis says she even heard about the roses from someone else.
Ares arrives and ignores her, smiling at him. Instead, he asks “Theeny” if he can carry her bag. Aphrodite snaps she should let him. After all, he’s as strong as an ox and as dumb as one. He snaps back that even though she’s the goddess girl of love, everyone knows she’s heartless. He says he pities the godboy who sent the roses. Aphrodite says she doesn’t care if he likes her. He can marry her. Then she runs from the cafeteria crying.
(Chapter Seven): The Olive Grove
0
A twig snaps, and she tells him to hide. Clearly, this hurts his feelings. He wants her to say she doesn’t care who sees them together. She almost does, but then sees it's Ares. Hephaestus takes the hint and leaves. Aphrodite tries to fight down her guilt. Ares is with Athena. Aphrodite transforms into a lovebird and flies to a tree to spy. Ares takes an interest in the things Athena says about her uses for discovering olives and says he never meet a girl as smart as her. All of a suddem, Athena yells at him to get lost and starts to cry.
Aphrodite changes back and rushes to Athena, but she accuses her of spying. She says that she planned this as a test. Then she runs off crying. Aphrodite is left standing there confused.
(Chapter Eight): An Argument
Aphrodite sees her chiton balled up on the bed, with a rip in it, and she’s annoyed. She confronts Athena who calmly says the stain will come out, and the rip is tiny. She apologizes. The argument turns to the party, and the real issue comes out. Athena finds out that Aphrodite was jealous. At first, she tries to deny it. She admits that she wasn’t trying to spy on her on purpose. She was there with Hephaestus.
Athena says Ares only wanted her to ask Zeus to name a city after him. She says she never wanted a makeover to change her looks. She wanted to improve her grade in Beauty-ology. Aphrodite offers to help her study. Athena then admires the bracelet and asks who gave it to her. She says Hepaestus, but she’s going to give it back. It wouldn’t be right to keep it, and she’s not into him like that. Athena says a gift doesn’t have to mean romance. Aphrodite says it depends. And suddenly she knows how she’s going to help Hippomenes.
(Chapter Nine): The Race
Aphrodite returns the bracelet to Hephaestus. She then explains her plan, and he agrees to forge three golden apples for her by morning. She calls him a true friend. He says he can settle for that and blushes. She helps Athena with a project. They make a facial mask scrub from almonds, oats, yogurt, and lavender. Persephone and Artemis come by and Aphrodite invites them to the race.
Aphrodite gives Hippomenus the three apples and tells him he’ll know what to do when it's time. The race starts. At first, Hippomenes keeps up, but then Atalanta pulls ahead. Hippomenus uses the apples to distract Atlanta to win the race. He declares that he’ll only be a true winner if she says he’s won her heart. She says he has. All four goddess girls rush back to class.
(Chapter Ten): Perfect Matches
In the cafeteria, Aphrodite notices a new girl (Aglaia) checking Hephaestus out. He doesn’t notice at first, but Aphrodite points it out and encourages him to talk to her. He says he will, and she kisses him on the cheek and tells him he’s beautiful inside and out. Ares comes up to Athena and calls her “Theeny”. He calls Aphrodite “Bubbles”. They jump to each other’s defense.
Aphrodite thinks of a plan to start a rumor. The girls send red roses to Medusa but makes it look like they’re from Ares. Res is confused, but Medusa is convinced he gave her flowers. Pheme spreads the rumor. The goddess girls are satisfied with their victory. Ares has finally found someone as difficult as he is.
They celebrate with snacks, silly spells, and talk about the races and crushes. As they go back to the academy, a godboy asks Aphrodite to the dance and her friends tease that everything is back to normal.
My Thoughts
It's just ironic, reading stories like this one that we tend to go after the ones that are attractive and popular, and they turn out to be the biggest, most arrogant jerks, and we skip all over the people that are thoughtful and caring and have good hearts because we think they don't look like much on the outside. But those are the ones that really hold the most value. Why can't we just fall in love with Hephaestus? Would that be so bad? Athena was the most stunning girl in the room and his eyes never strayed from Aphrodite. He leaves when she does. He waits on her before and after class. He makes her the most beautiful piece of jewelry, It sounds GORGEOUS! I want a bracelet like that! Even in the end (which I thought she would have wised up and seeing that in the Greek myth they end up together. She still cheats on him and has affairs with many other men including Ares.r) she still doesn't give him a chance. And sadly I have made the same mistake. It just shows how EXTREMELY shallow human nature (and immortal) is. Thus Aphrodite, even though being physically the most beautiful girl in the school's showed otherwise.
Rating: 7. I'm upping this rating. There's a good lesson in this and that's looking past outward appearances. It hit even harder on this read (the message).
(Chapter One): Boy Trouble
Aphrodite arrives to class late, which draws attention from the teacher and the godboys. This is nothing new tho. She’s used to this kind of admiration. Mr. Cyclops poses an interesting question. “Need mortal maidens always marry?” Aphrodite says that every maiden should have a chance at love. Athena argues that some maidens might want independence or intellectual pursuits. The godboys argue predictably that they might want adventure, and try to turn the discussion to weapons (which annoys Aphrodite).
After a mandatory chariot-safety assembly, they all go to lunch. Poseidon, Ares, and Atlas fight in the lunch line over giving Aphrodite their place. She breaks it up and tells them that while she appreciates it, she’ll wait her turn. Aphrodite vents to her friends about how tired she is of the godboy's attention. Her friends tease her and say that many goddess girls would love to be in her shoes. Athena says she thought goddess girls liked to be fawned over, and Aphrodite corrects her and says just because they fawn over you doesn’t mean they’re in love with you.
(Chapter Two): The Make Over
Aphrodite teases Athena about her interest. She studies Athena and comes up with a plan to give Athena a makeover. Athena isn’t so sure, but she goes along with it. She wants to learn more about beauty. They do the makeover in Aphrodite’s heart-themed room. She has an impressive makeup collection and even a magical brush. First, Aphrodite uses “Essence of Hyacinth” to condition Athena’s hair. Then they use a spell to preview hairstyles. They finally find a layered style with long bangs that works for her.
They then apply rouge and gray eyeshadow. A turquoise chiton turns out to be the perfect choice. The look is completed with silver hair combs and a leaf-shaped belt. Athena approves and says she looks sophisticated. Persephone remembers there’s a party in the godboys' dorm. Aphrodite is excited because this could be the night Athena gets her first crush, and it’ll be all thanks to her.
(Chapter Three): Party Time
Everyone at the party is stunned by Athena’s new look. Godboys surround her and offer her snacks. Aphrodite is thrilled until… she waves at Ares, and he’s so taken with Atena that he doesn’t even notice her. He calls her “Theeny,” a nickname that only her dad Zeus, uses. The only one that doesn’t seem affected by Athena’s new look is Hephaestus. He offers to bring Aphrodite a snack. She’s polite to him, but then she’s so distracted by Ares and Athena she can’t take it anymore and leaves the party.
In her room, Aphrodite receives a message that night from a mortal boy named Hippomenes, whose desperatedly in love with a swift maiden by the name of Atalanta. He wants to marry her, but she’ll only marry someone who can beat her in a footrace. Those who lose must forfeit their lives. He begs Aphrodite for her help. Finding his request romantic, she writes back that she’ll meet him at the race track the next morning. To sound more “goddess like” she adds DON’T BE LATE!
(Chapter Four): Hippomenes
Aphrodite gets up early to meet Hippomenes, but she ends up chasing Artemis’s dogs and ends up taking them with her to Earth. Hippomenes is easy-going, and Aphrodite likes him. She asks him if Atlanta feels the same for him. He says she pleaded with him not to enter the race. She asks if she’s honest. He says as honest as a mirror. Aphrodite sees that she won’t cheat or slow down for him. She asks him if there’s a chance he could win. He says he’s fast, but Atalanta is faster. Still, he’ll try. The race is in three days. Aphrodite tells him she’ll return before the start of the race. As she leaves, she sees Atalanta crying at the palace window.
On the way home, Aphrodite runs into Hephaestus, who jokes that he’s out for a hobble. He asks if he’ll join her. She says she has to get the dogs back, but he looks so disappointed that she says he can walk her back. She tells him about Hippomenes, and he listens and tells her she’s clever. No godboy has ever told her this before, so she’s touched. He shows her the silver can he forged and decorated with vines and leaves. Aphrodite recognizes they both have something in common. He likes to transform things with metal, and she likes to transform things with beauty. As they go different ways, Aphrodite is glad she ran into him.
(Chapter Five): Gone Shopping
Artemis tells Aphrodite about the party when she gets back to their room. Poseidon and Dionysus jumped into a fountain to impress Athena. Aphrodite is just glad it wasn’t Ares. Athena shows up in the same chiton and invites Aphrodite to go to the marketplace. She needs new knitting supplies. Athena says in annoyance that the godboys were all over her because she had a makeover. Aphrodite thinks now you see how I feel.
They pay a visit to Arachne’s Sewing Supplies and then Cleo’s Cosmetics. Athena admits she might be interested in buying a few beauty supplies. They actually made her feel beautiful. Aphrodite tells her she always was. She picks out a silver eye powder and a red-orange lipstick to match her skin tone. On the way out, they run into Ares and Poseidon. Aphrodite ignores Ares, but he doesn’t notice. He compliments Ahtena’s chiton and then says it looks better on her than Aphrodite (and says not to tell her). Aphrodite asks Athena to go home.
On the way back, Athena says Areas is a creep and that he was probably just trying to make her jealous. Aphrodite thinks that must be it because he likes stirring up trouble. When she gets to her room, there’s a huge bouquet of pink roses. They’re from Hephaestus. While she appreciates the flowers, she just doesn’t want him crushing on her. She’ll have to let him down gently.
(Chapter Six): Gossip
Aphrodite spends Sunday in her room, avoiding Ares and Hephaestus. She doesn’t come about with anything to help Hippomenes. She considers winged sandals, but this would be obvious. On Monday, everyone is staring at her. Medusa tells her she heard she got a new boyfriend who gave her pink roses. At lunch, she accuses Athena of telling Pheme about the roses. Athena says that the roses were sitting in the hallway where anyone could have seen them. Artemis says she even heard about the roses from someone else.
Ares arrives and ignores her, smiling at him. Instead, he asks “Theeny” if he can carry her bag. Aphrodite snaps she should let him. After all, he’s as strong as an ox and as dumb as one. He snaps back that even though she’s the goddess girl of love, everyone knows she’s heartless. He says he pities the godboy who sent the roses. Aphrodite says she doesn’t care if he likes her. He can marry her. Then she runs from the cafeteria crying.
(Chapter Seven): The Olive Grove
0
A twig snaps, and she tells him to hide. Clearly, this hurts his feelings. He wants her to say she doesn’t care who sees them together. She almost does, but then sees it's Ares. Hephaestus takes the hint and leaves. Aphrodite tries to fight down her guilt. Ares is with Athena. Aphrodite transforms into a lovebird and flies to a tree to spy. Ares takes an interest in the things Athena says about her uses for discovering olives and says he never meet a girl as smart as her. All of a suddem, Athena yells at him to get lost and starts to cry.
Aphrodite changes back and rushes to Athena, but she accuses her of spying. She says that she planned this as a test. Then she runs off crying. Aphrodite is left standing there confused.
(Chapter Eight): An Argument
Aphrodite sees her chiton balled up on the bed, with a rip in it, and she’s annoyed. She confronts Athena who calmly says the stain will come out, and the rip is tiny. She apologizes. The argument turns to the party, and the real issue comes out. Athena finds out that Aphrodite was jealous. At first, she tries to deny it. She admits that she wasn’t trying to spy on her on purpose. She was there with Hephaestus.
Athena says Ares only wanted her to ask Zeus to name a city after him. She says she never wanted a makeover to change her looks. She wanted to improve her grade in Beauty-ology. Aphrodite offers to help her study. Athena then admires the bracelet and asks who gave it to her. She says Hepaestus, but she’s going to give it back. It wouldn’t be right to keep it, and she’s not into him like that. Athena says a gift doesn’t have to mean romance. Aphrodite says it depends. And suddenly she knows how she’s going to help Hippomenes.
(Chapter Nine): The Race
Aphrodite returns the bracelet to Hephaestus. She then explains her plan, and he agrees to forge three golden apples for her by morning. She calls him a true friend. He says he can settle for that and blushes. She helps Athena with a project. They make a facial mask scrub from almonds, oats, yogurt, and lavender. Persephone and Artemis come by and Aphrodite invites them to the race.
Aphrodite gives Hippomenus the three apples and tells him he’ll know what to do when it's time. The race starts. At first, Hippomenes keeps up, but then Atalanta pulls ahead. Hippomenus uses the apples to distract Atlanta to win the race. He declares that he’ll only be a true winner if she says he’s won her heart. She says he has. All four goddess girls rush back to class.
(Chapter Ten): Perfect Matches
In the cafeteria, Aphrodite notices a new girl (Aglaia) checking Hephaestus out. He doesn’t notice at first, but Aphrodite points it out and encourages him to talk to her. He says he will, and she kisses him on the cheek and tells him he’s beautiful inside and out. Ares comes up to Athena and calls her “Theeny”. He calls Aphrodite “Bubbles”. They jump to each other’s defense.
Aphrodite thinks of a plan to start a rumor. The girls send red roses to Medusa but makes it look like they’re from Ares. Res is confused, but Medusa is convinced he gave her flowers. Pheme spreads the rumor. The goddess girls are satisfied with their victory. Ares has finally found someone as difficult as he is.
They celebrate with snacks, silly spells, and talk about the races and crushes. As they go back to the academy, a godboy asks Aphrodite to the dance and her friends tease that everything is back to normal.
My Thoughts
It's just ironic, reading stories like this one that we tend to go after the ones that are attractive and popular, and they turn out to be the biggest, most arrogant jerks, and we skip all over the people that are thoughtful and caring and have good hearts because we think they don't look like much on the outside. But those are the ones that really hold the most value. Why can't we just fall in love with Hephaestus? Would that be so bad? Athena was the most stunning girl in the room and his eyes never strayed from Aphrodite. He leaves when she does. He waits on her before and after class. He makes her the most beautiful piece of jewelry, It sounds GORGEOUS! I want a bracelet like that! Even in the end (which I thought she would have wised up and seeing that in the Greek myth they end up together. She still cheats on him and has affairs with many other men including Ares.r) she still doesn't give him a chance. And sadly I have made the same mistake. It just shows how EXTREMELY shallow human nature (and immortal) is. Thus Aphrodite, even though being physically the most beautiful girl in the school's showed otherwise.
Rating: 7. I'm upping this rating. There's a good lesson in this and that's looking past outward appearances. It hit even harder on this read (the message).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2022
Continuing my journey into studying various depictions of Greek gods and goddesses, this was another delightful rendition of a classic tale. The race between Hippomenes and Atalanta is retold here from the perspective of the gods and goddesses (teenagers in the series), that assisted Hippomenes in his quest to win his lover's heart. Also covered in the book are issues familiar to many teenage girls, namely jealousy and competition between friends. This book handles the issue with great sensitivity and heart-warming vulnerability.
December 26, 2023
"You may be the goddessgirl of love, but everyone knows you have no heart. I pity the godboy who sent them."
why do i continually hope that this series is actually more than just horrible gendered stereotypes of the greek gods and goddesses and get all surprised Pikachu when i get to the end and realise its not? i mean, its true that all of them are kinda mean and this really plays into that, but then the main four just had to . and WHAT IS UP WITH MIXING ALL THE GREEK GOD FOOD WITH THE AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL FOOOOOOOOD
why do i continually hope that this series is actually more than just horrible gendered stereotypes of the greek gods and goddesses and get all surprised Pikachu when i get to the end and realise its not? i mean, its true that all of them are kinda mean and this really plays into that, but then the main four just had to . and WHAT IS UP WITH MIXING ALL THE GREEK GOD FOOD WITH THE AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL FOOOOOOOOD
April 21, 2022
This book was cute...until the author decided that Hephaestus/Aphrodite wasn't canon and paired him with someone else. Huh? (After further research, I discovered that the Illiad lists his consort as Aglaia. Who knew?) Also, the scene where the Goddess Girls get revenge on Ares for being a jerk is not a good example for the young people who are the audience for this series. I hope the next book is a return to form.
May 31, 2020
This series is making me so happy. I love the little lessons and the different takes on the gods and goddesses
December 27, 2020
Liked this less compared to the two before. I guess it's because Aphrodite's character is quite hard to relate to. Still, it's quite decent.
June 17, 2021
Any book that teaches young girls that boys are useless will always receive a 5 star rating from me. Who knew that I would find so much in common with Aphrodite, of all goddesses?
January 10, 2026
I really like Aphrodite and how she handles things. She is not just a pretty face.
February 6, 2022
my favourite of the series. read in grade 7
February 14, 2016
I didn't like this one as much as I did the other books. :( I hope the other books will be good again, since I still like this series and the whole mythology part.
However, I didn't like our main girl this time. I loved Athena and I loved Persephone, but sorry, Aphrodite is just a conceited little bitchy girl who can't have it when others get the attention of a guy they like. Add to that, that the girl who gets the attention is one who doesn't care about it and only participated in the make-over because you pushed it to her.
Most of the book is about Aphrodite being a whiny, spoiled and overly jealous girl. Instead of how she was in the previous books (also a bit like this, but not that overly done) she is totally different. Jealous of her friends, being rude to guys and I hated her attitude to the one boy who liked her. She should have said no to him way faster instead of going along with it. I really hate it when girls are this shallow. Oh dear, this boy he is: (insert list of things not cool about a guy). I also didn't like how she kept drooling over Ares. Didn't we already know that he was a bully, mean to the core?
And why can't she trust her friends when they clearly say that they aren't doing anything on purpose? Or that it is not what it seems?
Also that part with the dress? Seriously? You are overreacting because of those 2 things? You can also just tell your friend about it nicely instead of aggressively.
Luckily there is still enough mythology and some fun stuff so I am still rating it a 3 stars, however if Aphrodite had been a bit nicer I would have rated it higher.
Of course the book ends with an all well, end well. Which frustrated me a bit, but I guess it was to be expected from a children's book. They tend to do this kind of stuff.
I did love the payback the main girls did. I hope Ares and also Medusa will learn a lesson in things. Though I doubt it, since we are talking about 2 very bad guys.
All in all, this is one book I was happy about when I finished. I do hope the next book about Artemis will be much better, and otherwise I will just learn to skip certain characters.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
However, I didn't like our main girl this time. I loved Athena and I loved Persephone, but sorry, Aphrodite is just a conceited little bitchy girl who can't have it when others get the attention of a guy they like. Add to that, that the girl who gets the attention is one who doesn't care about it and only participated in the make-over because you pushed it to her.
Most of the book is about Aphrodite being a whiny, spoiled and overly jealous girl. Instead of how she was in the previous books (also a bit like this, but not that overly done) she is totally different. Jealous of her friends, being rude to guys and I hated her attitude to the one boy who liked her. She should have said no to him way faster instead of going along with it. I really hate it when girls are this shallow. Oh dear, this boy he is: (insert list of things not cool about a guy). I also didn't like how she kept drooling over Ares. Didn't we already know that he was a bully, mean to the core?
And why can't she trust her friends when they clearly say that they aren't doing anything on purpose? Or that it is not what it seems?
Also that part with the dress? Seriously? You are overreacting because of those 2 things? You can also just tell your friend about it nicely instead of aggressively.
Luckily there is still enough mythology and some fun stuff so I am still rating it a 3 stars, however if Aphrodite had been a bit nicer I would have rated it higher.
Of course the book ends with an all well, end well. Which frustrated me a bit, but I guess it was to be expected from a children's book. They tend to do this kind of stuff.
I did love the payback the main girls did. I hope Ares and also Medusa will learn a lesson in things. Though I doubt it, since we are talking about 2 very bad guys.
All in all, this is one book I was happy about when I finished. I do hope the next book about Artemis will be much better, and otherwise I will just learn to skip certain characters.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
August 31, 2018
Actually, one of the weakest story plots. In backsight, it's not the worst book, but not a book I remember or have reread. The story was of course, like Aphrodite, sugary pink. Aphrodite offers a makeover for Athena, Athena gets suddenly all the attention, and Aphrodite isn't soooo amused about that. From mythology, we get hints of the story of Atalanta and Hippomenes. It's quite rushed here (Atalanta will return in Medea the enchantress!). Yet, I love Hephaistos, the lame god of smiths and working with metal, in this story. True beauty isn't just the visible. Dealing with mythology, the authors made use of the best to find happy-ends. How Hephaistos will turn out, will be followed in Aphrodite the Diva (and Hestia the Invisible). For Ares, he seems to have a bad spot light, but the story line will also be continued and he gets his voice in Aphrodite the Fair. Actually, I highly enjoy the solution for the love-triangle.
I like how the series is build, but this book isn't as interesting as others in the series, but nevertheless sweet, fluffy and has a message.
I like how the series is build, but this book isn't as interesting as others in the series, but nevertheless sweet, fluffy and has a message.
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