Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook

From Aphrodite to Zeus, a Profile of Who's Who in Greek Mythology

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 30 Mar 2021 | Archive Date 30 Apr 2021

Description

Finally sort out who’s who in Greek mythology—from gods, goddesses, heroes, monsters, and everyone in between!

Greek mythology continues to appear in popular movies and books today but have you ever wondered about where these characters started out? Discover the origins of your favorite characters from Greek mythology with this collection of profiles to tell you who’s who in classical lore!

In Greek Mythology, you will discover the backstories of the heroes, villains, gods, and goddesses that enjoy popularity in today’s shows and films. With comprehensive entries that outline each character’s name, roles, related symbols, and foundational myths, you can get to know the roots of these personas and better understand the stories they inspire today. With this character-focused, handy reference, you will never be confused about Ancient Greece!
Finally sort out who’s who in Greek mythology—from gods, goddesses, heroes, monsters, and everyone in between!

Greek mythology continues to appear in popular movies and books today but have you ever...

Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781507215494
PRICE $16.99 (USD)
PAGES 240

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)
Send to Kindle (PDF)

Average rating from 108 members


Featured Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook.

I've loved Greek mythology since I was a kid and I've been lucky enough to be approved for requests when a new book about Greek myths is available.

This is a quick read, a handbook as the title implies, of the most famous and infamous heroes and monsters in Greek mythology. I've heard of all of them but this is a good primer for anyone unfamiliar with Greek mythology and wants to familiarize themselves.

I thought I knew nearly all there was to know about Greek mythology but I was pleased to learn a few things including:

1. Persephone's name before her abduction by Hades

2. Hades isn't the villain he's made out to be; in fact, he's hardly involved in god/mortal disputes and shenanigans and despite the fact he KIDNAPPED his wife, he remains faithful to Persephone

I also appreciated Ms. Albert calling Zeus' and other gods' frequent dalliances with mortal women and demigods for what it is: assault. Rape.

I liked how the author broke each myth down with quirky titles, explaining why this god/goddess is famous and the best myth attributed to him or her.

The author also includes a selection of her favorite books about mythology, retellings and novels, including historical research and plays penned by the original storytellers themselves, Greek and Roman poets.

This is an ideal read for anyone looking to learn more about Greek mythology.

Was this review helpful?

Now this was a fun book! Kudos to Liv Albert. Most people won’t know how much Greek mythology has filtered into our lives, and I think people will be surprised on hearing how some modern day lingo has actually originated from greek mythology and how much they might already know in passing. I was surprised too, that plenty of everyday words and namings have their origin from this mythology.

The references to popular culture was great, as it really helped to bring the old into the now and definitely helped me remember certain tidbits which I then tied the information to popular characters, tv or film.

Each ‘character’ so to speak, has their own dedicate page, with information that was greatly communicated and easy to read. You definitely don’t need any prior knowledge on this subject as the author works perfectly at communicating this fairly complex field, going into a fair amount of detail and overview on each of the characters included.

The info is given in a nice, nifty layout and I love the whole design of the book, along with the illustrations and pictures that go with them (they are just stunning!). It’s a very addicting book, and it’s so easy to keep reading on with ‘just one more chapter’, as each dedicated characters chapters are fairly short but informative, meaning you can easily get carried away with the story tellings. I couldn’t put the book down!

There is a lot of gods, goddesses, heroes and mortals included in this book so it can get a bit overwhelming after a while trying to remember everything and all the wordy Greek names but the author is great at constantly linking characters together so there’s plenty of little recaps throughout.

I loved reading about the stories attributed to each character, and the authors tongue in cheek way of writing was very engaging, fun and made for an overall great read. Really loved it and I learnt an awful lot about Greek mythology. Definitely worthy of a 5 star rating!

Was this review helpful?

An excellent and sometimes humorous guide to Greek mythology, that is suitable for beginners discovering the subject or those who, like myself, have always loved it. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for letting me have an advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

This is very well organized and quite detailed. More than just a basic guide... Good enough for high school students who need to do research..... Adults will enjoy it as well. Not a storybook though if you are looking for just stories...... I enjoyed it a lot.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Adams Media for providing this eARC for me through NetGalley!

As someone who loves Greek mythology and has been wanting to learn more about it, this handbook was a perfect way for me to do so! The book is laid out and organized well into categories so it is easy for the reader to find what they are looking for. On top of this, there is BEAUTIFUL art throughout that depicts the gods, goddesses, monsters, heroes, etc. I also really enjoyed how Liv Albert points out where some of these characters are familiar from in pop culture such as movies and other books such as Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan, Circe by Madeline Miller, and Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe. Overall, it was truly a really good way to learn about all the important myths quickly and in an entertaining way!

Was this review helpful?

I am a huge fan of Greek mythology and have been since high school. This contained a lot of information and I loved how when a myth had other versions we got to read about them too. I found the beginning a bit chaotic, and hadn’t it been for the fact that I already know pretty much what was going on, I would’ve been super lost. Although, I think it was mostly due to the amount of information that had to be crammed in a short amount of space.
The illustrations in general were very nice, and the cover is beautiful. As for the content, it was very complete; it contains a lot of information. Even though I thoroughly enjoy Greek mythology, it is ridiculously easy to get lost in family trees and storylines in general, and it is nice to refresh them every now and then. Also, I learn various things that I did not know about, and I even made some connections that for some reason I hadn’t noticed before (like the apple of discord taking place during Achilles’ parents wedding… I feel dumb).

I like that it was divided in different sections (what is Greek mythology?, the Olympians, Deities, etc. and heroes and mortals); it makes everything clearer, especially since there are so many characters, and some of them has such similar names (Theseus and Perseus or Nereids and Naiads to name a couple). To this, added the fact that I studied all of this names in Spanish, and there are some names that I have never heard in English, and as a consequence my brain just reads as a series of nonsensical noises.

I loved the fact that they included Achilles and Patroclus together in the same chapter, because in my mind they cannot be separated.

The last thing to highlight is how the author uses the proper terms for the mistreatments and abuses at the hands of the Gods (Zeus especially). Zeus did not “court” women, he simply raped them and didn’t respect them at all. It is a good thing that the author addresses these issues.

Was this review helpful?

The Greek Mythology handbook is really detailed and organized with lots of interesting facts. We learn about each of the different gods, goddesses, and more. There's a lot of information but the author links them together and tells us the individual stories. It explains what each god/goddess is famous for and their backstory. The layout is easy to follow along with and the illustrations are gorgeous. I would definitely buy this to have for my personal book collection once it comes out. There are even recommendations of movies and books in Greek mythology towards the end.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Adams Media for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review,

Was this review helpful?

This is such a phenomenal addition to the podcast that Albert has put years of information and love into.
I received this as an e-arc via NetGalley (thank you so much!) and the only "gripe" I have with it is that I would've loved to see even more art within the book, because all of the art that we do get is truly stunning and it simply left me wanting even more. It helps give this book the certain vibe that I think the author was going for.

Taken as a book on its own without the art, I would also recommend this book to anyone who is new to Greek mythology, or who wants to own an info filled book with a ton of great information. This doesn't just focus on the main gods, you get so much more packed in, such as entries on Jason and Medea, as well as many more characters from within Greek myths that are more lesser known than Zeus or Poseidon.

I'll be picking up a finished copy as soon as it's released so that I can have it to reference whenever I need to!

-This has been crossposted to Goodreads!-

Was this review helpful?

GREEK MYTHOLOGY: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook: From Aphrodite to Zeus, a Profile of Who's Who in Greek Mythology
WRITTEN BY: LIV ALBERT

I am so grateful to have received an Advanced Reader's Copy from Adams Media and Author Liv Albert which chronicles all of the gods, goddesses and heroes in this gem of a handbook which can be read as a primer for beginners. I have always loved novels that included the Classics interwoven in their narratives. They can be based on Egyptian, Greek or Roman Mythology and I am a fascinated reader.
This is a brilliant compilation of mostly Greek Mythology with beautiful illustrations. I can't wait until this is published on May 5, 2021 because I am hoping that it is available in a physical book which I am going to buy because this is a favorite.

When I was in the tenth grade in High School I was first introduced to Greek Mythology in a quarter of my World History class. I seemed to have a natural affinity for it as I received an A, without putting much effort to it. That class ignited a life long love of every type of Mythology.

My favorite parts of this book and there are many were about Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. They are quite comprehensive and they tie in other mythic figures. I really enjoyed how the author intermingles Odysseus with the Trojan War and Circe. She tells how Paris had to choose between the three goddesses and the consequences of his choice.

Many year's ago I read Margaret Atwood's short book which I bought a Special Edition that included her book called, "The Penelopiad," which is a retelling of Homer's Odyssey through the lens of Penelope, which I quite enjoyed. Also in that Special Edition was a wonderful retelling of "Hercules," by Jeannette Winterson. I treasure that box of three small volumes because they are signed by the Author's and they are an attractive boxed set.

I also own the physical hardback First Edition, First Printing of the stunning retelling of the romantic relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, called, "The Song of Achilles," written by Madeline Miller. She is the same Author who wrote the excellent novel called, "Circe," which is the next book that I am going to read. "Circe," came out in 2020, and I have heard it is phenomenal. Just like this handbook which I highly recommend. So put this brilliantly written "Greek Mythology on your to be read list and pick up a copy on May 5, 2021 when it goes on sale or look for it in libraries. You will be so glad that you did. Easily a Favorite of mine for 2021.

Thank you to Net Galley, Liv Albert and Adams Media for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#GreekMythology #LivAlbert #AdamsMedia #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

I love Greek Mythology - I should do part of my degree was Classical History and Mythology! But academics can take their subject far too seriously. This is not that kind of tome. There is the usual hit list of Gods/Goddesses and Demi-gods and the various humans with who they get entangled. But even as their histories and major feats are being discussed there is a vein of irreverence that is really refreshing.

Mixing modern day vernacular and references together with the established historiography of the myths was a great touch, making it easy to digest and assimilate.

There are plenty of illustrations to keep your brain engaged. There are also links within a certain characters section to let you know other characters they were involved with and where you might find more information on them within the book.

Education with a side of cheeky irreverence - loved it!

Was this review helpful?

Thoroughly entertaining

I loved this book. It was a fun, well-written read. The short profiles didn't get bogged down in detail but were thorough enough to help me place the characters into context. I fell into the trap of “I’ll just read one more”. I was never able to read just one more, it would always run into a few more. The illustrations are beautiful and help make the book a joy to read. .
Disclosure: I received a complimentary advance reader copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.

Was this review helpful?

I have been a fan of Liv's from her podcast "Let's Talk About Myths Baby!" This book is easy-to-read for fans of Liv or newcomers just getting into Greek mythology. Liv's narration of the gods, monsters. and heroes give a refreshing modern perspective to these ancient myths.

Was this review helpful?

It's funny because as soon as I got approved for this book (thank you!), I received a notification that my library book on Greek mythology was ready to pick up. I thought I could read both and compare. I started reading page one of the library book and immediately said "Nope." It read like a textbook and was way too wordy.

This read much easier. Still a whole bunch of info that I'm not sure I'll retain, but way more engaging and humorous. I appreciate that very much.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for the advanced copy.

Was this review helpful?

I've already decided to purchase this book when it comes out. I rarely feel that strongly.

This was so much fun to read!! The entries aren't flowery and the explanations aren't slanted to any kind of agenda. It's just concise, matter-of-fact explanations of some of the greatest (and worst) stories in Greek Mythology.

What this book really does, though, is look at these events with the full awareness of today's society standards. The result is rather funny and entertaining at the very, very least. I've dabbled in my own research off and on over the years, and it was still captivating.

I would recommend this to all interested. It's an excellent introduction if you're unfamiliar, but if you already know and love the stories? Just as enthralling. Bite-sized tales that leave you feeling like you just visited an old friend.

Was this review helpful?

I adore Liv’s podcast Let’s talk about myths baby! And was so excited when I found out she was writing a Greek mythology book. I can hear her talking when I’m reading it that’s how clear her voice is. This is a great introduction to Greek mythology if you are looking to dip your toe and she gives great rundowns of all the important gods and goddesses as well as popular and important myths that writers are still drawing from today in literature. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous I cannot praise them enough and the colors just leap off of the page. Highly recommend especially if you’re a fan of the podcast.

Was this review helpful?

I think this book is amazing for someone that needs quick reminders on Greek mythology stories/characters.
I’ve already read Mythos by Stephen Fry so most myths were still fresh in my mind, but here’s what this book had that Mythos didn’t have:
- gorgeous illustrations
- references to recent fiction works

I learned a lot of things through those fiction references, like how in Hercules the three Fates were also mixed up with the Graeae, (so not really accurate) because I had been wondering about this.
It also got me into Lore Olympus, which was very addicting!
Honestly I would recommend this just for the illustrations, they were mesmerising.

Was this review helpful?

Liv Albert. If you are a podcaster, you might have come across this name. She is the author of “Let’s talk about Myths, baby!” podcast. She features and talk about mostly Greek & Roman mythologies and the way of ancient world. She is amazing and talented. So naturally I went into this illustrated book with high expectations.

Before entering the review, you should know two things about me - I love mythologies; I am a sucker for illustrated books (they make me happy. Don’t judge!).

I knew about 10-15 Greek Gods before reading this book. Had no idea there would be 40+ of them! Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes! This book summaries the glory, popularity, gossip and/or stories for every single one of them with a mesmerising illustration. You could say that this book is a garland for Greek Mythology. Amazeballs!

Another best part? At the end, Liv has listed sources, books and podcasts that are alive out there in the world for further reading and listening! I can’t wait to buy this book for my home library!

Thank you Netgalley & Adams Media (Simon and Schuster) for the arc in exchange for an honest opinion.
My bookstagram - @monikas.bookblog

Was this review helpful?

What a beautiful retelling of Greek mythology. I absolutely loved the illustrations. The book is very organized and flows from one topic to the next effortlessly. The author definitely has a sense of humor which is a refreshing change to most history books. I will be purchasing this book when it’s released for sure.

Was this review helpful?

Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook is today's mythology book 110 percent. Liv Albert's comments about these characters brings a modern look at the stories of old while also keeping true to the myths themselves. This is the perfect book for the mom who is homeschooling her kids through the pandemic or for someone who is just getting into the Greek myths.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Adam’s Media for an opportunity to read Greek Mythology

I’ve been looking for a book on Greek Mythology that would be fun but informative, and would have beautiful illustrations, and I think I’ve found it, I’ve already pre ordered this beauty !

Was this review helpful?

"Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook" by Liv Albert is a useful guide on Greek mythology, from the gods and goddesses to heroes, on their backstories, symbolism, and similar outlines. The book has very pretty illustrations as well.
I feel like the book is useful for people who don't know much about Greek mythology (introductory) or people who LOVE Greek mythology who desire a refresher.

Thank you NetGalley and Adams Media for the ARC for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This Greek Mytholody Handbook will give you the run-down on the Greek deities who, to this day, continue to crop up in modern fiction and film. We just can't seem to shake our obsession with those ancient myths.

My favourite story has always been the Roman myth of Eros and Psyche.. (The author points out that Apuleius was a Roman storyteller, so I should be referring to this romantic couple as Cupid and Psyche, but I like the sound of "Eros and Psyche better!). I loved that Psyche, badass human that she was, was perfectly willing to undertake several impossible and sometimes dangerous tasks in hopes of regaining the love and forgiveness of her Olympian husband, Eros. Some versions of this story have Eros invisibly helping Psyche in completing her tasks, whereas other versions have various gods and demigods assisting her. This is one of the few myths that have an HEA, by the way.

This handbook contains original colour graphics which are sure to please. Liv Albert's own version of the Olympian "Begattitudes" set me straight on the Greek gods' origin story. This handbook will be quite helpful to average readers whenever they have a query about these living legends, who still influence modern fiction and film today.
Highly recommended! My rating: 4 out of 5.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this handbook in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I wish I had this book when I was in school! Great source of information on God's and goddesses. The illustrations are beautiful.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange of my honest review.

Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook by Liv Albert reads like a Wiki of various characters in Greek mythology. These profiles contain a brief introduction and a must-know story for each character, some more well-known than others.

This book doesn't have to be read from front page to back, but the readers can pick the characters of their preference and learn a bit more about them. In addition, this handbook is meant for adults, as the author provides commentary on the problematic aspects of these myths. The occasional illustrations look amazing, which makes me believe that a print version of this book would be more preferable than a digital one.

My favorite part was the "Further Reading (Listening)" section at the end that contains podcasts, modern retellings, etc of Greek myths and characters. My least favorite part was that the pop culture references and occasional commentary was included within the stories and introductions, when I would have preferred them to be on a separate section.

Was this review helpful?

I think that this book did a really good job of doing what it set out to do. Is this the most comprehensive book on Greek mythology? No, but it isn't meant to be. As someone who knows quite a lot about Greek myths (and even took a university class on it), this didn't teach me much, but I also think that it would be good to have it on hand as a refresher.

I think that this book would be really excellent for those who are looking to start getting into Greek mythology, or for people who tend to forget names/details. It did a really good job of hitting on the major points, while not being overly simplistic. Would definitely recommend it!

Was this review helpful?

This is an outstanding book on Greek mythology. It is very detailed and informative, while remaining fun and entertaining throughout. The illustrations are gorgeous! Truly cannot recommend this enough!

Was this review helpful?

I have to say I’m a bit biased about Greek mythology. I basically grew up reading again and again the stories that Hades, Zeus, Aphrodite, Athena and the list goes on.
That being said I must admit this is the beautiful addition with stunning illustrations and an edition that I would really love to purchase for my own daughter that she’ll be able to read on her own.
It is important to make books like this accessible for both children and adults and in my opinion this one hit the spot.

Was this review helpful?

The Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook is a detailed guide to different stories in Greek mythology. It’s well organized and easy to understand. The book is split into sections covering the stories of gods, deities and heroes. The stories frequently reference each other and the author mentions the specific, referenced section in case you wanted to go back and re-read that particular part. I also liked how Greek Mythology in pop culture is mentioned throughout the book. Also, the art is STUNNING. I’m tempted to just go out and buy the physical copy when it comes out because the pictures were so beautiful. Overall this was an enjoyable read. It’s not too overcomplicated or dense. The author does a good job of simplifying the mythology to make it easily digestible so that even readers who may not know much about it can still enjoy the book. If you're interested in Greek Mythology I highly recommend this!

Was this review helpful?

I had a lot of fun reading this.
As someone who already new alot about this mytho it was great to read it this way with all the humour. I found my self laughing quite a bit.
It's also great for people who don't know a thing as it's easy to read. And there isn't a lot of info to digest. And it makes you want to read every word

Was this review helpful?

This is a must read for all fans of Greek mythology.

Let me start this off by saying that I am a big fan of Liv's podcast "Let's Talk About Myths, Baby!" and I'm so excited to see her publish her own book of myths. This book captures a lot of the charm of the podcast as well: the laugh out loud humor paired with a comprehensive understanding of the ancient myths, including calling out their more unsavory parts. I especially enjoyed the references to contemporary works and retellings like Madeline Miller's novels and even the Percy Jackson series. The book also includes some absolutely stunning artwork (the Hades/Persephone picture is definitely my favorite).

This is definitely worth the read whether you're new to Greek mythology, need some brushing up, or want a modern take on the myths. I will for sure be picking up my own physical copy of once it's out!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

thanks to netgalley for the e-arc!

i really liked this book. it was simple enough to digest and informative enough to make me satisfied with knowledge at the end.

Was this review helpful?

This was an interesting read. Though there was nothing new or anything I didn't know about the Greek myths included in this book, I sat down and read the whole thing in one sitting. The author presents the stories in an easy-to-read, concise way that even someone who knows nothing about Greek mythology can understand and really get into. I liked it.

Was this review helpful?

Since my high school studies, Greek mythology has always fascinated me so much.
Finding it in movies or books always makes me happy, especially if they are retellings based on mythology itself.
This book by Liv Albert tells us about the life of each Gods, starting with the most important one which is Zeus, and ending with those a little less important, or at least we considered them as such.

The life of each character is interesting, I discovered things I had never read, secret stories, loves, rivalries and wars.
Beautiful drawings inside the book, very strong and vivid colors
If you want to know more about Greek mythology, this book is absolutely for you.
Rest assured that you will devour it in no time.

Was this review helpful?

Do you know Demeter from Dionysus? Arachne from Ariadne? This snappy little handbook flies through all the major players in Greek mythology and delivers a working knowledge for casual readers. Basically, this is a fun reference book. Never thought I could write that sentence, but here we are.

Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook is full of amusing short stories and character summaries that get straight to the point. Somehow, this reference book is an addictive read! The stories are short with lots of asides and teasers for other stories. It can be read through or used as an encyclopedia. A very funny encyclopedia.

By their very nature, these stories are COMPLICATED. Thankfully, this handbook clears a lot of things up and explores tons of characters and their histories. It discusses major gods that everyone knows (Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, etc) but doesn’t cut corners with the lesser-known characters (Phaethon, Io, Tantalus, and more). Some popular stories didn’t make it into the book, but there’s enough insight into the gods/goddeses/heroes to inspire further research. There’s a great section at the end with titles that go deeper in depth.

This title is written with a modern voice and a sense of humor while recognizing just how rotten the gods could be. This book is very well balanced and doesn’t harp on the negative or soften the stories for modern sensitivities. The cards are on the table, so to speak.

There are a lot of references to representations of Greek mythology in pop culture, like Disney’s Hercules, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Circe, and more. The author does a fine job of identifying the gods/heroes recognized in pop culture and explaining what’s the same and what’s different. The author makes no presumptions of the reader’s knowledge of Ancient Greek mythology.

If you’re a fan of Overly Sarcastic Productions on Youtube, you’ll feel right at home. I actually had to check to make sure this wasn’t the same writer (it’s not). You won’t be able to get a full profile of each deity, but you’ll have enough knowledge to follow along with other books and media that reference Greek myths.

This digestible little book probably won’t have any new insights for scholars, but for the general public who wants to understand a pop culture reference, glean insight into the linguistic origins of modern vocabulary, or get the real story about Pandora, this is a must-have.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook: From Aphrodite to Zeus, a Profile of Who's Who in Greek Mythology by Liv Albert
Publisher: Adams Media
Genre: Nonfiction (Adult)
Release Date: May 5, 2021

Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook: From Aphrodite to Zeus, a Profile of Who's Who in Greek Mythology by Liv Albert is a great resource for Greek mythology.

Greek mythology has always been my favorite and I love finding modern day occurrences impacted by this mythology. (I also may bring references into to everyday conversations, such as the pomegranate & Persephone.)

The artwork is incredible and captures the essence of the subjects! I love the deep dive into each God, Goddess and Hero.

I loved this book and can't wait to read it again!

I'm so grateful to Liv Albert, Adams Media, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book was a great compilation of the different Gods, Goddesses, Heroes and monsters found in Greek Mythology. Something that I really appreciate in mythology book, and this one wasn't the exception, is how easy relationships between gods, heroes and goddesses are explained. The illustrations inside this handbook were also a great plus, there werent many of them but nonetheless they were amazing. I highly recommend this book for anyone that may want to refresh their knowledge about Greek mythology.

Was this review helpful?

What a wonderful book of Greek Mythology! Full of plenty of information for reference and to satisify any curiousity.

Was this review helpful?

Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook by author Liv Albert and illustrator Sara Richard is a must-have for anyone who loves reading stories inspired by Greek myths. While variation in the stories is part of the reason greek myths have inspired so many stories, it can be hard to keep track of who's who. Author Liv Albert does a great job of presenting the information in a clear and concise way that makes it easy to find what you need.

I really liked the artwork included in the book by Sara Richard, though it probably would have looked better in a hard copy than an ebook version. I appreciated the pop culture references like the animated Hercules movie and the Clash of the Titans films as well, it helped tie everything together by mentioning some of my favorite Greek mythology interpretations.

This book is not something I would necessarily recommend reading on its own (it is more informational than a traditional story arc or narrative), it’s a great resource for readers of Percy Jackson, Lore Olympus, or similar stories. With this in mind, I decided to give the book a 4 out of 5-star rating. However, I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wants some supplemental info for another read. An ideal choice for anyone who wants to go more in-depth with Greek mythology, you should definitely give it a chance and read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Adams Media for allowing me to read it early at no cost to myself.

Was this review helpful?

Liv Albert has done a fantastic job of connecting the dots of the Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes.
The format of this handbook is great for all ages - as a primer or refresher.
Personally, I was neutral regarding the comparisons with modern interpretations (such as the Percy Jackson series), but I appreciate how that could encourage a certain audience towards engagement with the original Greek Mythology.
I found it led to renewed interest in certain stories and hope it will do the same for others.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Adams Media for an ARC*

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book like crazy and I couldn't put it down. I have read it one day and I did learn a lot. The writing was awesome but the illustrations is what made me fall in love. I will be checking out more books by Liv Albert and her podcast very soon. I also have plenty of people in my life that would love to read this book and I will be getting my hands on a finish copy as soon as I can. Thank you Netgalley, Adams Media and Liv Albert for letting me read and review this wonderful book.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you for the chance to read this amazing book!! I have been wanting to learn more about the Greek pantheon but sometimes the large books seem more like textbooks and just don't hold my attention. This one did!
I even have my two boys interested in it, ages 4 and 9. We read it together little bits at a time. They loved the images most, as I assumed many readers did. They are so detailed. One of my favorite aspects was that if reading about a God or Goddess, I wanted to know more, I could flip to a story with them in it. That was great! Though, it is easier to flip quickly in a physical book. This might be one of those reference books I have to buy and keep here on my shelf for future use.

Was this review helpful?

<b> Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook. </b>

3/5

This was a really nice book! As a reader, I notice a lot of Greek retellings popping up, and I've been very hesitant to try them, since I really lack Greek mythology knowledge, but this book is perfect to hit up if you have questions about Gods/Goddesses and heroes that pop up in the Greek mythology.

The book was very nicely organized and detailed, and also gives you with each God for example the most important story they appeared in, so if after that chapter you're interested in reading more about them, you can go to that.

I am not a Greek mythology expert or anything, so I have little knowledge on how accurate this book is, you will have to refer to other reviews for that. I found this book just for me, a mythology newbie, a very nice starting point.

I will have to note I did not find it the most pleasant experience to read a reference book on an E-Reader, I am considering buying this for myself physically, just because I like having reference book physically to flip pages quickly and get to something I'm looking for, which I just don't like on a digital copy. That's just something you have to consider!

Was this review helpful?

Sincere thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for a copy to review.
In many aspects this is almost like a textbook. After a brief intro to Greek Mythology there is an overview of most major and many almost minor figures. The bonus us there is not much jingoistic language one needs to be a super educated elite to understand. Another bonus throughout there are beautiful color illustrations.
Liv Albert obviously has a passion and knowledge of the material and her citations range from classic writings to Disney.
Highly recommended

Was this review helpful?

This interesting non-fiction title collates information surrounding some of the most notable figures from Greek mythology. The introduction provides a concise overview of the Greek creation myth and the sections that follow - titled the Olympians, Deities etc., and Heroes and Mortals - each informs the reader about the basic features, abilities, details, and a relevant story for each of the individuals within them.

I am still relatively uninformed about the world of Greek mythology and struggle to remember who is who, what they can do, and where they stem from. The small number of pages dedicated towards each individual ensured I was provided with basic facets concerning them, without getting overwhelmed learning of their various appearances inside the myths or the differing information regarding them when they get there.

I read this book in a few sittings, as the text was straight-forward and easy to dedicate myself to, despite my lack of prior knowledge, but can see myself returning to the relevant sections when I next dive into some original mythology.

Was this review helpful?

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

This book offers a well-researched and detailed introduction to the characters in Greek mythology. The author, Liv Albert, does an excellent job presenting the major and minor players that appear in Greek mythos. The information is clearly and concisely explained, making the character and story summaries perfect for people new to the topic. It can also be used as an encyclopedia on the basics. The artwork by Sara Richard is just gorgeous! It's very colorful and beautifully done, truly capturing the essence of the material. The references to pop culture books and movies also help readers make connections to better understand the mythology. Overall, it's a very fun and easy-to-digest book. I recommend it to anyone interested or wanting to learn more about Greek mythology.

Was this review helpful?

As someone who is highly interested in the subject, i thought this handbook did an excellent job at giving an introduction to the most notable figures and myths of Greek Mythology and even ones that aren't so we'll known. The book was well organized. The information is clearly well researched, easy to digest, and gives the reader a detailed and concise overview of Greek Mythology. I liked the pop culture references. Also, the illustrations were beautiful and a great addition to the handbook. I would buy a physical copy just for the art alone. Overall, this was an enjoyable read for me. It's a great starting point if you're a beginner and looking to dive into Greek Mythology, or if you're looking to refresh your knowledge.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely love Greek mythology. This book does a great job with providing detailed information on the gods and goddesses, heroes, mortals, etc. (which can be confusing to a first time reader to mythology). I also enjoyed the illustrations and thought it added to the text.

If you’re a Greek mythology enthusiast or want to learn more about it, I highly recommend this book. It’s a great starting point for anyone wanting to know more about Greek mythology without being too overwhelming.

Thank you to Netgalley and Adams Media for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I have always been so intimidated by Greek mythology. I never thought I would be able to understand it until I read this! I wish I could go back in time and give this to myself when I failed to understand Edith Hamilton’s Mythology in high school. Albert provides a comprehensive and not overwhelming portrait of all the major players in Greek mythology. The language is accessible and funny. She also acknowledges the many problematic aspects of Greek mythology. This book is an invaluable reference for anyone interested in Greek mythology. Bonus- the artwork by Sara Richard is incredible!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the author, illustrator, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback. I am only acutely aware of Greek mythology, like enough to know the basics. Yet, this book is really useful for primer knowledge. I read Stephen Fry's and Neil Gaiman's interpretations of mythology and really enjoyed them. Additionally, with popularity of YA novels and fiction books with references to mythologies, I think it's important to be able to understand it all. This book is really helpful as a primer and as a resource for someone who is already into the subject. I am also into the design and layout.

Was this review helpful?

An insightful and interesting read from start to finish, i love that it includes little tidbits and references of pop-culture (Harry Potter, Disneys Hercules etc) it feels like you’re sat listening to these tales and it’s easy to become utterly engrossed. The artwork within the book is stunning.

I love how this book breaks down each notable god/goddess/deity/beast etc and summarises the important parts. A well researched and well thought out book. This is definitely a must read for everyone that has an interest in Greece and Greek Mythology.l and potential authors looking to write a mythology based novel!

Was this review helpful?

Really interesting for those who have an interest in Greek mythology. Straight to the point of who the deity or figure is and some even have a nice looking illustration.

Was this review helpful?

I was so excited to receive this ARC as I was a History major focusing on Greek and Roman Mythology. I have taken multiple courses on Greek Mythology, have read the classics, and even took Roman Law courses. I feel like it is an understatement to say that there are a freaking LOT of gods and goddesses. Adding in deities and heroes is another can of worms, but I think Liv handled this beautifully.

Each God, Goddess, Nymph, Hero, etc. is broken into their own slot containing, "What's His/Her Deal?, The Story You Need to Know, and Now you Know." I love how Liv also includes the Roman equivalents and modern day connections to help the reader along.

I think a big message that can be overlooked, because mythology is almost so outlandish that these stories are often seen as "fun or lighthearted" and even glossed over. I think it is important to note that Liv calls a lot of these stories out for what they were. Assault. I think that they way she dicusses it in very clear terms is important.

In terms of the book, I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy. The drawings are beautiful and I would love to have a hard copy as a coffee table book. There are times that I am discussing mythololgy (yes, I will talk to anyone and everyone about it) and think to myself, "wait, which god or goddess am I thinking of?" This book will be so helpful in terms of finding the key facts about the main players. This is a perfect book for those looking to learn more about mythology as well as those of us who love it, but sometimes need a little help sometimes keeping the stories straight. :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Adams media for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I've always been a fan of mythology and especially Greek mythology.

It's been a while since I've last reread my mythology and legends books, mostly kept to the re-tellings that have been written. When I saw this beauty, I knew it was time I refreshed my memory and knowledge of it all - gods, goddesses, heroes, events etc.

The author did their research. Not only do they write one version of a myth, they make sure to mention any others, plus any famous books/shows/movies that might have been written and made, based on the characters or events.

Plus, the occasional comment, the author's opinion, here and there made me snort and smile. Because, let's face it. I don't know know what the Ancient Greeks were thinking, but many, many of these myths and legends are messed-up and not female-friendly at all. And the author made sure to discreetly point that out.

So if you're new to Greek mythology - or even an older fan - you should definitely check this book out. I'll have this on my shelf, for sure.

I voluntarily agreed to read an early copy via Netgalley. 5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Greek Mythology: The God's, Goddesses and Heroes Handbook is a beautifully illustrated easy to follow and understand information guide on who is who in Greek Mythology. This book is more for people without a vast or wide range of knowledge about Greek mythology, the god, goddesses and hero's within these tales.
This book is a great resource which breaks down who is who and each person's story at the same time.
This book could be read back to back or just odd pages at a time. I found it to be informative and fun and held my interest too.
If your looking for a more fun and interesting book or way of learning about Greek Mythology, then this is an ideal book for you.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great guide to Greek mythology whether you are a newcomer to the myths or know them well and just want to brush up. I found the book's setup easy to absorb and enjoyed the pop culture references that helped relate some of the mythology to the modern day. The author also included alternative versions to some of the myths that I hadn't known about and found fascinating. The book included all the myths I expected about the gods, goddesses, heroes, and monsters that I already knew and then some. The artwork included is also gorgeous.

Was this review helpful?

I received a free e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I went into this book, I thought I was well versed in Greek Mythology, but I was delighted to find that there is plenty more to discover.

As the title suggests, this is a handbook - a who's who of Greek gods, goddesses, demi-gods, heroes, and monsters. Each entry covers the core story ( or stories) of the god/goddess/hero, and gives examples of how they have been incorporated into the modern psyche, whether through art, psychology, or pop culture.

I thought the set up of the book was fantastic, because each entry follows one that directly links to it, rather than having to switch back and forth alphabetically. For example, Perseus is followed by Medusa, and Jason is followed by Medea. The writing was very easy to follow, and I loved the illustrations. They weren't what I necessarily expected, but I thought they were beautiful.

As previously stated, I was delighted that there were a few stories I didn't know, such as Procne and Philomela.

This is a great book for the beginner, and young enthusiasts of mythology. Since retellings of the myths have become popular in recent years, this is also a fantastic book for those who want to brush up on their Greek myths before diving in. Or afterwards, even. So if you love (or are interested in reading) Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson, Madeline Miller's Circe and The Song of Achilles, Natalie Haynes' The Children of Jocasta and A Thousand Ships, or even Jennifer Saint's upcoming novel, Ariadne, then this is a great primer. I'd further recommend Natalie Hayne's book, Pandora's Jar, if you want to know more about the alternative versions of the myths that are mentioned in this handbook.

Was this review helpful?

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I've always got the whole greek mythology thing and details round my neck so saw this as a good way of educating myself

Loved this - a very accessible read thoroughly enjoyed

Was this review helpful?

Liv Albert's Greek Mythology Handbook is an enjoyable, easy read. The entries and stories help the reader to better understand the different stories and interactions between gods, goddesses, and humans. Not only does Albert discuss the stories of the Greek mythos, but she also includes the links between the Greek and the shift to Roman mythology that was adapted from the Greek. Her writing style is smooth and engaging, even humorous at times, which makes reading and comprehending the information fun and easy. The included illustrations are beautifully done and add interest to the work. Albert's book is a great beginner's work that can serve as a quick reference guide for those interested in the topic of Greek mythology.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Great handbook for all things Greek Mythology. I loved that this book had some lesser-known and less-talked about figures.
Very enjoyable stories and the drawings were beautiful, in a style not often seen.
A great reference book for lovers of Mythology.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the greatest handbook on mythology that I would love to own. The author have done such an amazing job in her division of the book's chapters and I loved the idea of the three titles in order to introduce the reader to every myth, making it in the process so easy/simple to read and discover. So , you have the first title which is "What's Her/His/their Deal(s)?" as a general introduction for each character of the Greek mythology, then, you have the second title "The Story You NeedTo Know" and finally "Now You Know". I just enjoyed it and I 'm sure that this book will made the life so easy for many many readers when you see that a lot of authors these days are writing stories or retellings based on Greek mythology. by the way, I liked the selection of reference works used by the author in order to help the reader.

What you need to know mainly about ancient Greeks and their myths or beliefs is that they were crazy like really mad, they were misogynists most of the time, xenophobes, Kidnapers, seek revenge as a hobby, such a big Drama Queens, they have absolutely no notion of what is justice and let's not forget about cannibalism, yep! The harmed victims are most of the time transformed into either flowers or birds and the villains are punished in the afterworld in such an imaginative way. The retellings are so better and have more sense if you ask me!

Anyway, I would love to read more from Liv Albert and the Greek myths and let's not forget the wonderful illustrations by Sara Richard that made the book so alive.

Was this review helpful?

I read a few books about mythology, I already know most of the Greek myths; so why do I always end up asking for books about this same mythology?
I love to compare these books, to determine which ones are the best regarding tone, storyline and clarity. And I just love to read about Greek mythology in general.

This book is, first, really beautiful: the illustrations are stunning and the artwork accompanying the text is lovely!
Then, I loved the author's tone: she uses humour but also hints at what she thinks about this god or this hero. It made the book livelier! I also loved that she gives her sources but doesn't drown the reader with them. She basically tells the myths without interrupting (except in parenthesis or, rarely, to say that there are multiple versions of this or that myth).
Finally, I loved her bibliography and her many references to different books, movies or series. She made me read Lore Olympus, and IT WAS SO GOOD! I followed her podcast to get more!

So, probably one of my favorite books about Greek mythology: concise, clear and entertaining!

Was this review helpful?

We have to admit Ancient Greeks were serious about their Gods and very prolific in storytelling. There’s enough material here to last us readers for another thousand years full of mythological fiction. However, it’s really confusing to figure out who is who and who’s done what with the complex family tree of gods, titans, monsters and mortals with god-like quality. And this amazing book provides all the bite-sized information we need on Greek mythological creatures and do this with a witty feminist touch! I loved everything about this; the style, the illustrations, categorization and the basic information given under each title. Each person is described under What’s his deal? The Story You Need to Know and Now That You Know sub-headings. A perfect start to get familiarized with mythology, it sure leads to further reading and research. This was just what I needed and expected, definitely recommended!

Was this review helpful?

I received a review copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

So, when Liv announced that she was publishing a book I was OVER THE FREAKING MOON because her podcast is one of my all time favourites - I knew I was going to love it and I was not disappointed.

The book gives us an overview of Greek mythology and the "main players"; the gods, the heroes, the wronged women and Zeus shady and rape-y escapades. The writing is amazing, it's flowing and easy to follow - and she brings her characteristic humour on page just as she does in the podcast. Liv puts her personal style on the myths, and we get an unique and feminist perspective on the events and characters covered in this book.

I personally think that most people would enjoy this, whether you're a Greek mythology veteran with extensive knowledge or a newbie who's just discovering the treasure mine that is Greek myths. I really hope Liv keeps writing, because I could not put this book down.

Was this review helpful?

Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook
From Aphrodite to Zeus, a Profile of Who's Who in Greek Mythology
by Liv Albert
Adams Media
Publication date: May 05, 2021

Liv Albert has taken a topic that has been written about over and over and somehow put together a refreshing and welcomed read. Is it the way she talks with the reader as if you are face to face having a conversation? Is it the way she describes some as ":very cool" and the excitement that comes through to the reader? Or could it be the simple way she talks about Gods, hero's, mortals and monsters that cuts through the fluff as though the reader was getting cliff notes to prepare for an exam? It's all of those and so much more.
I really wasn't sure what to expect in another book about Greek mythology but I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this read. Better yet, I may have actually absorbed a lot of the information. "The story you need to know", "What's her deal" and "Now you know" are fun headings to get to the heart of things.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout out to the fabulous illustrations scattered through out this book! Many thanks to Netgalley and Adams Media for this ARC. All opinions expressed are authentically my own.

Was this review helpful?

This book is a collection of Greek myths. I’ve read a few similar collections, but not too much. But Greek mythology appears in many books, such as in Percy Jackson books, and I’ve heard quite a few stories before, so I think I'm familiar with Greek mythology.

The book consists of four sections, in the first three the writer presents smaller and bigger deities and gods such as the Olympians, immortal beings, while in the last, which is half of the book, is about heroes. The characters ’stories are pretty short, they don’t go into detail, they’re more of a summary, so anyone who expects stories going into detail will be disappointed. I didn’t find too much new information, I knew most of the stories. Still, I feel like the storytelling mode was refreshing and I enjoyed it. This is due to the many pop-cultural references and beautiful illustrations.

I’m a person who loves pop-cultural references such as Harry Potter. I never thought of Argus Flinchet as a personality inspired by mythology, and there were other interesting facts about Harry Potter. I was very happy that Percy Jackson was also mentioned by the writer. I really liked the writer presenting contemporary works as well. I almost forgot that a couple of Disney cartoons were mentioned as well. So, figure out which one was it? 😀

And then let’s get to the best part of the book: the illustrations. They were so beautiful, one of the most beautiful book I have ever seen. They are so beautiful 😀 The only problem was that I wanted more illustrations. I would enjoy it if every character has own illustration 😀

Unfortunately, by the end, I had too much information in the book. The section with heroes was boring a little bit. Too many heroes, too many relationships. But since this book is a bit more encyclopedic and mentions a lot of character, but on a summary level, it wasn't a big problem for me.

One of the most beautiful mythology books I've seen. I only read it as an e-copy, but I plan to purchase a physical copy as well because I need it at home.

Was this review helpful?

Eminently readable guide to gods, heroes and key women of Greek mythology😊

While a good, well organized, basic reference book for young people, I also found Albert's book an easy, quick, entertaining read to refresh my memory about legends I had heard and read about decades ago. My particular fascination in the ancient Greek world is Homer's epic stories of the Trojan War and this book provides details I did not know about some of the principal players like Agamemnon and his family. Albert also makes the stories more relatable by mentioning recent movies and books that provide their own take on Greek gods and heroes, and she does not shy away from mentioning the misogyny inherent in many tales of powerful gods and men who take what they want from women, divine and mortal, from Persephone to Medea. It's good to have a more modern sensibility interposed on the original stories.

I read the book cover to cover in a few hours. Despite the many names covered, it was a really readable assembly of information.

Thanks to Adams Media and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

Was this review helpful?

The Greek Mythology handbook is detailed and organized with lots of interesting information surrounding some of the most notable figures from Greek mythology. The author does an excellent job linking things together and explaining things well enough without making it boring.

The text was straight-forward, the layout is easy to follow along with, and the illustrations are gorgeous. As someone who loves Greek Mythology but needed a refresher, I love it and am purchasing a copy to have in my personal library. I read this in a single sitting.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Adams Media for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. Mythology has always been a subject that I’ve really enjoyed but I think literature in this genre hasn’t been very good at keeping this information engaging, fresh and/ or interesting. This book has done that extremely well. There is a lot of little bits of the author’s own humour and commentary thrown in with a very clear and concise way of explaining the different figures and stories of Greek Mythology.

I would really recommend this book if you’re looking to get into mythology and trying to find a good place to lay down the foundations

Was this review helpful?

First I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to have an ARC of this marvelous book.

WOW. Ok so if you love Greek Mythology, this book is for you. I can not even tell you how many times I wanted to enjoy some of the Greek mythology books but they never explain who the people are, they just expect you to know who they are. This is the perfect book that walks you through EVERYTHING! And I mean EVERYTHING!

This book breaks down all the different levels of “gods” and who is whos child (because lets be honest there is SO FREAKIN MANY). I had no idea that Zeus had sisters? I just assumed that his wife was another god but not his SISTER! Which this book brings to light how there is a lot of sibling lovers. So it explains the family lines and gives you an over view of the “main players”. It also gives you stories after describing these characters.

And don’t even get me started on the art work. Y’ALL!!! It is crazy! I was given a digital copy of and I not only want to have a physical copy because it is a great reference point for understanding characters when reading about them in other books, but the ART WORK!!!! If you think the cover is beautiful, wait until you get into the book. WOW. And I mean WOW. I am obsessed. Such beautiful work done in this book.

I also really loved the fun aspect to this book. There are tons of little comments through out it to tell you things that are related to pop culture and other books that have these Greek gods in them. Even though the book is laid out as text book guide for you to understand, the writing is so much fun. You feel like your friend is explaining all of the Greek Mythology to you which in my opinion, makes the book a million times better.

If you like Greek Mythology and want to learn more these legends, this book is FOR YOU! I also think it would be a great gift for someone. Again, the art work is amazing and the book is full of information that will help you understand other books with these Gods in them.

Was this review helpful?

I found this book fascinating. Written in a good easy reading style I enjoyed learning more about the Greek myths. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

Was this review helpful?

The author links together the different gods, goddesses, monsters and significant characters that populate Greek mythology. Each has their own story, what they are most famous for and important points. The layout is easy to follow and I particularly enjoyed the recommendations for books and films based on Greek Mythology.

If your starting out on learning more about the Greek Myths this is a fantastic starter book. Simple and easy to read it brings the colourful characters to life.

Was this review helpful?

This book was received as an ARC from Adams Media in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book really was a reflection on how much I love Greek Mythology. Liv Albert did a wonderful job explaining the importance and reference to each of the Greek gods, goddesses, and heroes of ancient Greece and how they were interpreted in modern times especially in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series and Disney's Hercules. Gods like Zeus and Poseidon Albert goes to explain according to the ancient texts were not so nice as Disney and Percy Jackson made them out to be and that their power overtook their ego. Then there is the captivating stories of Hades and Persephone and Adonis and Aphrodite the original romances. Knowing the backgrounds now of their love story shocked me at first but after a few minutes made me love Greek mythology even more because of the mystery behind it. Our schools do many projects on Greek Mythology and this book will definitely be of assistance to them.

We will consider adding this title to our BL Non-Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great reference book that every library should have on their shelves. This book breaks down the the Olympians, the Deities and the Heroes and Mortals. I have a problem keeping all the names straight but this is so helpful. And the artwork is beautiful. The index is organized too.
Great for libraries and for parents to buy for their children because at some point everyone has to do a report.

Was this review helpful?

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.
I'm a huge lover of Greek mythology, so I was super excited to read this, and it didn't disappoint. The handbook was really detailed, but in a way that was easy to understand and follow. Granted, there is a LOT to Greek mythology, so this wasn't the sort of book I could read in one sitting - it took me a while. But I don't think I really wanted to read it in one sitting, anyway.
This was definitely a good introduction/overall sort of summary of Greek mythology, I mean we had pretty much everything and I quite liked the author's little comments running through the book.
Plus, the cover is GORGEOUS!!!

Was this review helpful?

Loved this. A who’s who of Greek mythology, written in a lively and accessible and often humorous style, and an ideal vade mecum for those of us who are perhaps not as familiar with our Greek gods, goddesses and heroes as we might like to be. A really useful reference guide. Lots of great illustrations to accompany the text too.

Was this review helpful?

One of my friends is waaaaay into Greek gods and I wanted to read this as a way to keep up with her. Not only is this book helpful, it’s also humorous and awesome! Albert gives us a guide that is easily digestible-so much so that I’m going to look into getting my son a copy soon. This would be great for older (12 and up) kids to read and learn from. As reference books go, you couldn’t go wrong with this one.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Liv Albert for an advance eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGally for letting me review this book.

𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐬, 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤: 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐩𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐙𝐞𝐮𝐬, 𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐡𝐨'𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 is an interesting, detailed and well organized informative handbook. Other than that, it also presents interesting facts that I think I never know of before and it really did amazed me.

I am very pleased that the author presented them in a timely and organized manner as well as how direct to the point the narration was.

I also appreciate the very stunning artwork that were included in the book which really fascinated me and at the same time gives more details to the said information of every artwork on which it was based of.

Overall, I did enjoy it, Highly recommended to those who wanted to know this topic.

Was this review helpful?

I adore Greek mythology. I think I adored it before I had even heard of Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings. It has also had a major influence on the direction my academic interest and therefore my life has taken. So I try to get my hands on anything Greek mythology related, naturally, whether it's a WebToon like Lore Olympus or stunning handbooks like Albert's Greek Mythology. Thanks to Adams Media and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

One of the hardest things with Greek mythology is just the hierarchy and genealogy and chronology of it all. I remember once giving a presentation on this in primary school (I know, ok, I was insufferable!) and the whole blackboard was just covered in chalky scribbles and lines and names. So a who's who is exactly what is needed for newcomers and for the more experienced readers who have lost track of why Cadmus is as important as he is. Greek mythology is complex and of course it is, it is a whole belief system mixed in with folklore, history, and more. It would be like trying to wrap your mind around all of Christianity, with its apocrypha and various Church Fathers and desert saints, in one go! Exactly because it is complex I love revisiting it and seeing different takes on the mythology. Each age reinvents it for itself, whether we're trying to make Zeus into a good guy (I see you Wrath of the Titans, it's not gonna work) or change the dynamics between Hades and Persephone. So let's get into Liv Albert's Handbook.

Greek Mythology is a great starting point for anyone intimidated by the sheer scope of Greek mythology. The lay-out is straightforward, going from one group of gods and goddesses to the next in order of importance and relevance. First are our primordial beings, Gaia remaining a perpetual favourite. Next are the Titans and then the Olympians, before we go to "lesser" divinities and then our heroes. This way of organizing the book means that by the time you get to the heroes you know who the gods are that are popping up left right and center. Each god or goddesses will also have their most important story or a fun fact accompanying their basic info, which gives the reader a good introduction to them without overloading them with information. This Handbook will get you inspired and prepared to pick up difficult editions of the myths, or perhaps to re-watch Hercules, or both!

Liv Albert does a great job at adjusting the occasionally complex and dense language and background of these myths and make them accessible. Stephen Fry is doing a similar job with his Mythos and Heroes books, bringing Greek mythology to an audience that might otherwise be intimidated or turned off by it. Her introduction at the beginning also does its best to set the reader up for success, especially when it comes to preparing them for the high potential of murder, incest, kidnapping and rape which you do find in these myths. We're solidly pre-Christian here and these aren't moral, ethical divinities that enforce a code of good behaviour. So some stories are rough, others are fun, all of them are interesting in their own right. Albert does a great job at letting each story shine while giving the reader a head's up for when it gets rocky. Something that also elevates this Handbook is the stunning art. It is simply beautiful and I couldn't help but gaze at it while contemplating the myths. I loved the way she used colour, contrasts between different divinities, and story elements to create the drawings. Definitely a reason to come back to it!

Greek Mythology by Liv Albert is a beautifully illustrated and well-written introduction to the wide world of Greek mythology. With her categorical and careful approach she makes sure the reader never gets overwhelmed but does get blown away!

Was this review helpful?

This Greek mythology handbook was amazing!! I loved all of the images and the writing was easy to understand. I loved it to so much! Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to receive a copy. Can’t wait to purchase a physical copy for my personal library.

Was this review helpful?

Having a heroes and god/goddess handbook is necessary when reading all Greek Mythology and this was a great one. I like how the book was structured and the level of detail and history included.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Adams Media for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
This book is a beautifully produced piece of work that looks at Greek mythology and tries to break it down and make it more accessible to a younger audience. It splits up the Gods into their different groups and explains their relationships to each other. I think this is a fabulous resource for anyone interested in getting an overview of Greek mythology. I was quite familiar with the information myself if I’m honest, but that might be because I have an autistic son who is obsessed with myths and legends, and while Ancient Egypt is always going to be his favourite, he also likes, Greek, Nordic and Celtic mythology.
The artwork is stunning, and while I have only seen it in digital form, I imagine in hard copy it will look really impressive. Highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys learning about Greek Mythology! As a teacher, part of our reading curriculum is Greek mythology and I could see myself using excerpts of this book with my students. I also appreciate the background knowledge section,"What is Greek Mythology?" and the sections dedicated to Heroes & Mortals. You won't be disappointed by picking up this book that encompasses the entire world of Greek Mythology.

Was this review helpful?

As an avid lover of anything Greek mythology related, I was absolutely delighted by this collection of tales. Not only are the various characters well grouped into sections (Gods/Goddesses, Heroes, Monsters, etc.), but the author does not let the men get away with their actions that often caused devastating consequences for the mortals (read as Women) involved..

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book.

There is no shortage of books about Greek mythology or featuring gods and goddesses pulled from the Greek (and Roman) myths, so to stand out in this field you really need to provide something unique to be a draw. Author Liv Albert manages to do just this and thereby provides a tremendous resource.

The book is separated into four parts. The first part is an essay on "What is Greek Mythology?" I really appreciated that Ms. Albert spends a good amount of time in this section discussing the role of the Titans and how they begat the Gods. The Titans' stories are so rarely told today - or at least rarely told in the context as 'Titans' but instead referred to as gods. Here we learn about power-hungry Kronos and how he castrated his father Ouranos and, when his wife Rhea gave birth to a child, Kronos would eat the child. Rhea finally got wise and took a child to be hidden away and instead gave Kronos a rock, wrapped up in a blanket as if it were a child, and Kronos swallowed the bundle whole. That child, however, was taken down to Mount Ida on the Isle of Crete and was named Zeus.

In this section of the book we also learn the names of some of the groups of gods and monsters that we don't often hear about (and some we think we know a lot about): The Hecatonchires; The Erinyes; The Gigantes; Naiads, Dryads, Hamadryads, Hesperides, Nereids, Lampades, the Muses, the Fates, the Furies, Sirens, Satyrs, Centaurs, etc.

Sections 2,3, and 4 of the book present the gods, goddesses, and heroes in a slightly different manner. Here each figure is given their own attention, starting in 'The Olympians' section with their name and title (such as Zeus, God of the Sky, Weather, Destiny, and Law and Order; King of the Gods) as well as other names the figure may be known as (ie: "Jupiter, Jove (both Roman/Latin)" for Zeus). Then there's a little bit about the figure in a section Albert calls "What His Deal?" followed by "The Story You Need to Know" and "Now You Know."

In 'The Olympians' we get to know a little more about: Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Persephone, Hectate, Cerberus, Demeter, Hera, Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis, Hephaestus, Ares, Hermes, Dionysus, and Hestia.

Part 2, "Deities Etc" follows the same format with the following: Prometheus, Pandora, Leto, Daphne, Eros, Psyche, Echo and Narcissus, Typhon and Echidna.

Part 3 struck me as really interesting because it gives the same kind of information but veers away from the gods a bit. The section is titled "Heroes and Mortals" and includes: Semele, Io, Europa, Leda, Actaeon, Theseus, Hippolyta, Ariadne and Phaedra, Heracles, Perseus, Medusa, Jason, Medea, Cadmus, Atalanta, Daedalus, Icarus, Pasiphae and Minos; The Minotaur, Orpheus and Euridice, Phaethon, Oedipus, Procne and Philomela, Tantalus and His Family, The Danaids, Paris, Agamemnon, Achilles and Patroclus, Clytemnestra and Her Children, Odysseus, Polyphemus, Circe, and Scylla and Charybdis.

This makes a lot of sense, and admittedly I've thought about some of the humans as gods, given their exploits.

Most of the figures in this book I've at least heard of, though there were some new names to me, but I learned quite a bit about some of the stories. I had not realized that "together, Typhon and Echida spawned most of the most famous monstrous creatures of mythology." Nor was I familiar with the story of Echo and Narcissus.

The book is delightfully illustrated by Sara Richard who provides some bold, unique portraits throughout. I wish there was a painting for each name in the book, but there is not.

I've already used this book as a reference to look something up in regards to the Greek gods and I have no doubt that this will be a well-used resource. I like the ease of access and the brevity of the information while still giving a solid report on each individual..

Looking for a good book? I wouldn't say anyone should throw out their Edith Hamilton Mythology book just yet, but for a quick snapshot for modern readers, Liv Albert's Greek Mythology book is a must-have.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I LOVE Greek Mythology. I love everything about it. And I LOVED this book. I just might have to buy a hardcover edition. It looks like something I'd like to have on my coffee table. If you are into Greek Mythology I'm STRONGLY urging you to read this book. You will not be disappointed!

Was this review helpful?

I loved this. The storytelling was great. And the pictures were wonderful. I also like how they didn't sugar coats certain aspects the gods did. And I really liked the further reading section.

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: