I was a Greek and Roman mythology since I was a kid, like most people I think but this book didn't do it for me. I disliked the art style and storytelling, I find it quite boring if I may say. Too much information. I don't know who was the target audience but if it's kids then I'm not sure they would appreciate it.

I'm a huge classics fan. I adore anything to do with the Iliad, the Odyssey, or myths in general. However, this adaption fell flat for me. To start, I believe there was an error with my review copy. None of the text was on the pictures, but above or below them, which made it very hard to read. Additionally, I didn't like the art style too much and thought the accompanying writing didn't do justice to the story of the Iliad. This may be good for getting new people into the Iliad, but it surely won't impress those who are familiar with the story.

'The Iliad' by Homer with adaptation and art by Gareth Hinds is an ambitious, sprawling graphic novel adaptation of of the great books of Western Civilization.

The nine year conflict known as the Trojan War is covered here. The fates of men are toyed with by the gods, who give aid to who whom they will. There are epic characters and speeches here, but the underlying message is that war and death are still terrible.

The book includes casts of characters and maps as well as a short afterword explaining that the Iliad has a pretty abrupt ending. The illustrations were ok, but the adaptation is solid, and the cast of characters is mostly easy to follow. I really liked this epic adaptation.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Candlewick Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

A beautiful way to introduce anyone to a classic, as well as an easy way to refresh your memory of the Iliad. I could see this used as a great teaching tool as well!

A beautiful adaptation of the legendary and ancient story of the Iliad, originally written by Homer. The 9 year ordeal was the greatest war story of all time and now accessible to younger readers. The artwork is beautiful, the whole story was so well researched and adapted for a younger audience. Garath Hinds is talented and did this story justice!

The Iliad by Gareth Hinds was a beautifully adaptation of the classic story that I recently read. Highly recommend, especially for those that struggle reading classic novel like myself.

This is a great revisit to Homer's The Iliad. This graphic novel gives a different perspective on this classic. This is read for reluctant readers and fans of classical greek dramas. This graphic novel also gives content to the Iliad, including maps, notes, and character profiles.

This I was reading a long time ago and I forgot about feedback. So here it is - it was bad.. I don't want to say it but I had to. I had really huge problem to finish this thing, the narration was written very badly, the artwork unlikeable to me. I love Greek mythology and this totally ruined my taste to read anything about it in the next months. The artwork was kind of textbook one.

I love Gareth Hinds. Personally, I'm a fan of his artwork and his adaptations. However, what I love the most is that he makes my students curious about the classics he has illustrated. The Iliad is no exception. Such a complex work, such a brilliant adaptation!

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC, in exchange for an honest review. I don't generally do this, but HOLY SH*T this was an epic adventure, of course I've read the Iliad and Odyssey several times, and I have also read the adaptation of the Odyssey by Hinds and I loved that as well. The art work is just incredible, the style really suits the story and emotion in the faces and the body language is just amazing. Incredible actions scenes, honestly this is art, the story, the pictures, everything about it. Gareth Hinds is amazing, and we need the Aeneid next!!!! Lets go Hinds, get on this!

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 2.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

I haven't read the original, but after reading this version, I'm hooked. Hinds' managed to tell the story in such a short time through simplicity and visuals, and his own spin on the classic. Well done.

I love all about Greek mythology. So when I saw this up for request here, I took it immediately. BUT, it was not what I expected. I didn't like the adaptation they made for The Illiad. Maybe because I'd known of its story that's why this illustrated version is too bland for me to take? And the artwork is a little bit so-so.

Off to DNF folder. I'm sad for this one.

<i>Thank you for the free e-copy provided by Candlewick Press via NetGalley.</i>

Hinds' latest graphic novel is an ambitious and compelling adaptation of Homer's The Illiad, an epic poem that covers the tenth year of the Trojan War. Though the story of the whole Trojan War is complex and long, Hinds reminds faithful to the large plot points of the war in particular the internal conflict between two Greek leaders (Achilles and King Agamemnon) as they seek to conquer the city of Troy, the rage of Achilles, and the death of Trojan prince Hector. There is a lot to cover in this graphic novel adaptation, but Hinds does a great job in highlighting the main events without dragging down the pace of the graphic novel. I also really liked how he included the Zeus and the other gods and goddesses's involvement as fickle and meddlesome war agents, regularly resorting to acts of trickery, mischief, and deadly interference as they played with mortal lives.

Of course the book is mainly focused on the battle scenes since it's covering a war, but it surprisingly does not rely on gore for their dramatic effect even though there is plenty of blood and violence. Instead, the artwork consisted of pencil, watercolor, and digital illustrations propel readers from scene to scene, shifting from neatly organized panels during moments of peace to angular layouts during times of physical and emotional strife.

The graphic novel does capture the story's "war is glory" attitude and hypermasculinity but it also shows the emotions involved in the war. The themes of glory, pride, hubris, as well as the harrowing sorrow and desolation of women and children of the conquered. Even Hinds' Helen is aware of the destruction brought by her arrival (though Hinds notes that the reasons for the Trojan War is possibly many). I appreciated the purposeful color palette assigns each god his or her own vivid, monochrome hue, while a subtle red and blue color scheme helps differentiate between the Greeks and Trojans. Due to the sheer size of characters it was a bit confusing at times to identity who is who. Some panels have large text panels, but the text was necessary to understand the plot. There is extensive back matter which includes an author’s note, a map, extensive notes, and a selected bibliography for further reading. Hinds has succeeded in creating an accessible adaptation of a great epic poem for those who are encountering Homer for the first time as well as those who are already familiar with the original work.

This was an interesting take on The Illiad. With that being said, the illustrations were not my favorite, and the story itself did not feel full. It is worth a reread though, especially since it is a quick read.

The Iliad is one of my favorite stories ever told. I don't know what it is about Helen, Paris, and the rest of them that fascinates me so. For someone who is so familiar with the tale, I jumped at the chance to read this graphic novel.
It was okay, but it didn't really enthrall me. I found that there was too much text, and the illustrations too simple and few.
I would recommend this to people who are perhaps unfamiliar with the Iliad and want to be introduced to it with illustrations to accompany!

A refreshing new perspective on a classic.

Gareth Hinds took on a mighty task when adapting The Iliad, something that has been done countless time- often to little success. But seeing the story play out in such a contemporary format, the graphic novel, shows how timeless it is.

However, I would predominantly recommend this to those who are already familiar with Homer, instead of those that favour graphic novels. For, when reading from a purely graphic novel perspective, the imagery isn't quite dynamic enough and the narrative maintains the original's detail orientated approach- which is slower than the typical graphic novel.

It took me far longer than it should have to get through this book, but once I sat down with it, it was a quick read. The fast pacing means my students, mostly my reluctant male readers with an interest in mythology or battles, will devour this book. The dialogue and descriptions help the reader keep track of which names are important and which aren't, as well as remind the reader who is related to whom and who is on which side of the battle. The author/illustrator employs a masterful use of color (red for the Greeks and blue for the Trojans as well as pastels for the gods and other immortals).
As a teacher, I like that this graphic novel follows the "books" of The Iliad as written by Homer. That makes it much easier to use this novel in lessons or to assign certain sections as follow up for studying the text. If I had students of a high enough grade level, we would certainly study this graphic novel in class. As it is, I'll be purchasing a copy to put in my classroom library and will book talk it for students to read for their own pleasure. I'm sure I'll have some takers. Aside from a couple of odd turns of phrase, such as "Briseis, fairest of cheeks" (uh, which cheeks, dude?) the dialogue is well translated and keeps the original flavor of Homer's work.
My only true complaint with this graphic novel version is that it only dances around Achilles and his relationship with Patroclus. They were not simply "dearest of friends". They were lovers. They had been lovers since their youth. There are some hints to the depth of Achilles' love for Patroclus, but I feel that a more faithful approach would have been to simply state the truth of their relationship alongside the information Hinds did give readers. I will go down with the Achilles and Patroclus ship, especially after reading The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, so this bothers me much more than it would my unsuspecting students.

Over all, an excellent book. 4.5 stars from me.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic Advance Reader's Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I was given this copy of THE ILIAD by the publisher from NetGalley for an honest review.

This graphic novel is truly a graphic novel. It's not so much a panel by panel story, but a book with some pictures. I like it, but not for someone who is looking for a GN of the Iliad.

The art is a done well. I really think it's a great piece of art for kids (and adults) of all ages.

Thank you Candlewick Press for letting me read this fantastic work!

I found this book to be a an interesting read thinking through the lens of education. For a leisure ready this could get unappealing with all the extra details which makes this seem more of an educational read then what I had initial though this book would feel like. I think this could be an extra read in the classroom for teachers to include in a classroom study of Greek mythology as it reads more interesting than a textbook but not one I would suggest as a fun in the sun read.