This was an interesting book on the god Dionysus. I liked the illustrations, but I found the switch of perspective a bit confusing at times.

With Dionysus, writer/illustrator George O’Connor’s OLYMPIANS series comes to an end after titles and at this point, having reviewed a third of them and read more, all’s that need be said is either now you can complete your collection or, if you haven’t yet purchased any — and really, why haven’t you?—, now you can go out and get the whole thing. Because it’s simply great, start to finish.

Every book in this series has been a five (including the ones I didn’t get around to reviewing), and this one is no different and for all the same reasons. Fantastic retelling of stories both familiar and not-so-familiar? Check. Wonderful sense of voice? Check. Distinctive characterizations? Check. A refusal to dumb down the stories, the vocabulary, the syntax, or to sand off the rougher, darker edges of the myths? Check. Moving moments? Check. Artwork equally effective at conveying quietly human expressions and awesomely cosmic events? Check. Great backmatter? Check. The only complaint I have about this final episode in this superlative series is that it is the final episode in this superlative series.

Writing about his goal in the author’s notes at the end of Dionysus, O’Connor tells us he wanted to write ‘the series I always wished I could read when I was introduced to Greek mythology.” As a reviewer, a reader, a teacher, a parent, and a lover of myth, I would amend that to say O’Connor has crafted a series I wish everyone will read as their introduction to Greek mythology. And as their reintroduction.

Teachers — stock the entire series on your classroom shelves; I don’t care if you teach elementary, middle school, or secondary. Librarians, stock this series on your shelves and preferably more than one full set so no kid has to wait overly long. Parents, buy this series to read with your younger children and then keep it on the home shelves for them to read on their own and get more out of as they age. Nor, I want to make clear, should these books be read solely by the young or by those who haven’t yet read the Greek myths. They’re a treasure for all, young or old, steeped in the stories or barely recalling them from high school. As Dionysus says at the end, “To the Olympians: Long may they reign!”

This book was such a simple and cool summary of what Dionysos is all about.

The art was good, the illustrations were just the right kind of perfect. The story on the whole was a just slight touch on the surface of one of the Gods of The Olympians and it was enough to know just this much. The way the author has given further reading materials at the end is fabulous and made my reading material a lot lengthy.

What I loved the most is how it all started, the early references to Mother Earth, The Titans etc.. it was well shown and made me look at the art in detail. After reading this GN I now want to read the rest of the books in the series which came before this just because it was so simple and easy for me as a reader.

On the whole this is a small peek into the Greek Gods and will have you searching for more.

I'm glad that I got to read this early, thank for Netgalley and George O'Connor for giving me that chance. I read every Olympian book, this book also had me looking into more about Dionysos. I knew so little about a god I knew nothing about. I loved that he was a god of so many partners and he had an LGBTQ partner. So thank you for giving me a chance to read this.

Raise a glass for Dionysus! I am new to this graphic novel series (though apparently this is the twelfth and has been in the making for a long time). I am a fan of retellings, especially in graphic novel form , because I think they make classic stories more accessible to younger and new audiences. The style was not my favorite (reminds me almost of 80s-style marvel comics), but if you enjoy that era of comics, you will probably enjoy this style. You'd also enjoy this series if you like the Blood of Zeus show from Netflix.

Thanks to Nertgalley for a free copy in exchange for a n honest review.

George O’Connor’s work is a trustworthy place of beauty and I always know I’m in for a positive reading experience with this author and series. I love these books for their possibility in introducing younger readers to the pantheon of mythology, particularly those who are either already engaged with or about to engage with Rick Riordan’s work. Also a fun pairing with the Nico Bravo series by this publisher. This entry is visually appealing and captures the essence of the mythology very well (as usual with this series). Perfect for school and classroom libraries.

Thanks to First Second Books and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read Olympians: Dionysos by George O'Connor, I have given an honest review.

Dionysos is the child of Zeus and yet another mortal, who was tricked into death by jealous Hera. Hermes delivered Dionysos to the Satyrs to be raised, where he learned to be boisterous and have lots of fun. As an adult, Dionysos discovered the beauty of fermenting grapes and drinking it, and he brought his madness-inducing liquid to several mortal cities. He wasn't always thanked for sharing his drink, though! Tragedy also seems to follow Dionysos and many people around him die unexpectedly, prompting a trip to the Underworld.
If you're unfamiliar with this series, it's a great graphic novel primer on the main twelve gods of the Greek Pantheon. I've started backwards in my reviews with the last volume. Each can be read independently of each other, but there is a small through-line that does encourage the reader to go in order. There are some references to previous volumes, but O'Connor has copious author notes in the back that explain each of these references in case the reader has missed something. The stories are also fairly short, so these would be great for elementary or middle school students dipping their toes into Greek Mythology.

O'Connor draws Dionysos a little bit creepy at times, and he very much reminds me of Dodge, the bad guy from Locke & Key. Otherwise, the illustrations are very indicative of American cartooning with sparse background detail and lots of solid colors.

This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley.

Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 4-9

Olympians: Dionysos: The New God by George O'Connor, the twelve and final Graphic Novels of Olympians.
An interesting story and beautiful pictures! It seems no problem to read in out of order. This was my first read of Olympians, and I'm going to read the rest of them!

Hestia, Goddess of fire, retells the story of Olympus Gods from the Kronos time. She gave warmth and light to humans when Gods want humans to worship them.
She heard Stories... Hera convinced Semele to ask Zeus to reveal his true form. We all know what will happen and this is the story of their child, Dionysos, and his magical drink that causes madness.

Thanks to First Second Books and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read Olympians: Dionysos by George O'Connor, I have given an honest review.

Olympians: Dionysos The New God, is everything that I have consistently enjoyed from this series. The art is beautiful, and the story is engaging. Dionysos god of wine, madness the final of the twelve Olympians he is an interesting character and this collection of tales are a wonderful introduction.

The last of the Olympians graphic novels, a series which has been a decade in the making. This story focuses on the youngest of the Olympians, Dionysos, although much of the story is also about (and told by) Hestia (the only unthroned Olympian). Dionysos is traditionally pretty risque, with lots of sex, violence, and alcohol. O'Connor keeps to the spirit of these tales (which is, essentially, the madness that Dionysos tends to evoke be it madness of substances, heightened emotions, or excess) while still keeping the content relatively clean.